ECA Review 2019-05-02

ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB M A y 2'19 3
Innovation Centres celebrated
in Forestburg and Castor
Jody Pettigrew
ECA Review
The Battle River Economic
Opportunities Committee (BREOC)
held grand openings of two Battle
River Innovation Centres (BRIC) at
Forestburg and Castor on Fri. April 26.
The centres are intended to be a
community catalyst to change, innovation
and progress by offering
employment support services, programs
and resources for entrepreneurs
and modern workspaces that can be
rented for various purposes.
Kara Spady, coordinator of the
Castor location, welcomed everyone as
she explained the services offered at
the BRIC Centres.
“We want to be a one-stop shop so
people can come to our centres instead
of having to travel to Red Deer,
Camrose or Wainwright.”
Both centres were designed to
mirror each other and offer the same
services to the public.
Cont’d from Pg 1
A village bylaw requests that reimbursement
be made after proof is given
but administration suggested council
give a partial reimbursement due to
the ‘special nature of this case’.
Council was concerned about setting
a precedent but after deliberation
decided to pay half at $315.
They also asked administration to
put a notice on utility bills, alerting
residents that any future issues must
be brought to the public work’s
attention.
Traffic bylaw review continues
Part six of council’s traffic bylaw
review was mostly uncomplicated
material. Acting CAO Tanya Meston
read out the points the bylaw makes
clear and only one of those points was
examined in more detail.
Currently, the bylaw reads “The
CAO is hereby authorized to designate
‘school zones’ and ‘playground zones’
and shall cause such zones to be
marked by signs posted along the
highway or by markings on the pavement
or by signs or lights or both,
Through technology at the centres,
both locations are connected by video
conferencing for the event.
Forestburg Mayor Blaise Young
acknowledged that the Centre is
located on Treaty 6 Territory, traditional
lands of First Nations and Metis
people, before speaking at the event.
“Adversity brings out the best of the
people in rural Alberta” and is
thankful that through BREOC they
“were able to organize and move forward
to lift the doom and gloom.”
Young continued, “I look forward to
these centres being a bright part of our
future; being an asset in our community
and a catalyst for change.”
BREOC is a collaborative partnership
representing the villages of
Forestburg, Halkirk, Heisler, the
towns of Castor and Coronation, and
Flagstaff and Paintearth Counties who
are acting as the managing partner.
This committee was formed in
response to economic changes in the
region to find strategies to encourage
DELBURNE COUNCIL
Partial reimbursement
posted or suspended over the
highway.”
Coun. Ed Cole found that the school
zone and playground zone differentiation
can be confusing for drivers so he
suggested they change all school zones
to playground zones.
A playground zone is in effect from
one hour before dawn until one hour
after dusk and has a provincially
slated speed of 30 km/hour.
“School zones are designated and
it’ll be like 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and noon to
1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“Playgrounds are like 8 a.m. to 9
p.m. What always causes confusion –
I’m going to use Ontario as an example
– every school is a playground zone.
Then there is no doubt.”
“It removes the confusion,” added
Coun. Cole.
Council agreed with their fellow
councillor, informing administration
that they would like to change all
school zones to playground zones.
Coun. Cole also recommended
administration contact Lacombe
County peace officers of the change to
allow residents a grace period.
economic diversification by building
capacity and developing opportunities.
BREOC received $1.75 million last
year from the Alberta Government’s
Coal Communities Transition Fund
(CCTF) to implement transition efforts,
working closely with the government,
Westmoreland Mine and ATCO’s
Battle River Generating Station with a
plan developed by Urban Systems/
Lochaven Management Consultants to
mitigate the impacts of current economic
uncertainties.
Collaborative efforts are being made
by BREOC to work closely with
ATCO’s Battle River Generating
Station and Westmoreland Mine to
implement strategies that will mitigate
some of the economic impact as the
phase out of coal mines and coal-fired
power plants continues.
An emphasis on regional participation
will be an important factor in the
success of these efforts.
Village in strong financial position
Ray Reckseidler
ECA Review
Delburne village council was presented
with the Village’s audited
financial statements by its accounting
firm at its meeting of April 23, 2019.
The net financial assets of the village
for 2018 totalled $1.46 million
showing an increase of $420,000 over
2017.
Council heard from auditor, Justin
Tanner of Gitzel and Company that the
village has a strong cash basis.
“Taxpayers always decry paying
taxes when there is extra cash and no
debt,” said Tanner.
Unanimous approval was given to
Coun. Jeff Bourne’s motion to accept
the 2018 financial statements as
presented.
Coun. Tim Wilson, the village’s representative
on CAEP (Central Alberta
Economic Partnership) informed
council of its economic development
initiative, Business Investment and
Attraction Readiness (BIAR).
Council discussed this initiative
expressing concerns and opted to
accept it for information only.
The initiative is being funded
through Alberta’s Community and
Regional Economic Support Program
(CARES) to assist central Alberta
municipalities to improve their municipal
investment readiness and success
in growing and retaining business
investment.
This initiative is limited to eight
CAEP municipal members on a first
come-first serve basis.
The program would cost the municipality
$5,500 to participate.
“Delburne has not yet designed or
completed its economic plan,” said
Mayor Bill Chandler.
Coun. Darlene Dushanek questioned
whether citizens were really engaged
in economic development.
“If we are not going to use the tool,”
said Wilson, “then let’s not
participate!”
Delburne’s land use bylaw will be
amended due to applications received
for zoning changes.
In particular, there is no zoning designation
for “recreation areas.”
Included in this bylaw should be
parks, arenas, curling rinks, skateboard
parks and baseball diamonds.
Administration will begin the process
by setting up a public hearing to
address these changes.
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Professional Directory
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