ECA Review 2021-07-29

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2 J uly 29'21 HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB. ECA REVIEW STETTLER TOWN COUNCIL Auction set for properties with unpaid taxes Stu Salkeld Local Journalism Initiative reporter ECA Review Stettler town council set the date for the public auction of residential properties with unpaid tax bills. The decision was made at the July 20 regular meeting of council. Councillors read two memos from Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Steven Gerlitz and tax clerk Rachel Morbeck regarding four residential properties and three mobile homes with unpaid property tax bills. A staff memo presented to councillors noted the four residential properties in arrears included, with their assessed value, 5809 50A Avenue assessed at $260,920, 5822 50 Avenue assessed at $174,490, 5908 Spruce Park Crescent assessed at $112,550 and 4002 68 Street assessed at $280,470. The staff memo listed the three mobile homes as #40 6017 52 Avenue assessed at $15,820, #43 6017 52 Avenue assessed at $26,030 and #50 6017 52 Avenue assessed at $24,460. Gerlitz noted municipalities by law must follow a process when auctioning property to recover unpaid taxes: the property owners must be given a notice about the tax arrears situation, councillors have to set a reserve bid and the sale must be publicly advertised with the property owners given a copy of the ad. The last step is to hold the sale. As well, a number of rules apply to such sales, according to Morbeck’s memo to council: Section 418 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) states that the public auction must be held between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, Under Section 419 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) council must set a reserve bid that is as close as reasonably possible to the market value of the parcel and any conditions that apply to the sale, the tax recovery process can be stopped by payment of all tax arrears prior to the sale, the town may apply for ownership of the property if it is not sold at the public auction and after the town takes title to the property the property owner can regain title to the property if all taxes are paid before the town sells the property. The staff recommendation for both sets of properties was to set the tax recovery auction for Nov. 23, 2021 and use the assessed values above as the reserve bids. CAO Greg Switenky stated that residential taxes must be two years in arrears to go to the recovery stage, and mobile homes one year in arrears, so the town doesn’t start the recovery process if a property owner is, for example, a month late with their taxes. Switenky also noted the mobile home sales involve Agriculture disaster declared, first time in 20 years Submitted The Special Areas Board declared a state of agricultural disaster for Special Area No. 2, 3, & 4 on Fri. July 23, 2021. Prolonged drought conditions continue to create significant challenges for producers in the region. It is the first time the Special Areas has declared an agricultural disaster in over 20 years. “Dry conditions are not new to the Special Areas, but above-average temperatures and ongoing moisture deficiencies throughout the region has devastated crops and pasture. Many producers are struggling to find enough grass, water, and feed for their cattle,” said Special Areas Board Chair Jordon Christianson. The Special Areas covers over five million acres in east-central Alberta and the region has been dealing with significant moisture deficiencies for over a year. The lack of spring runoff created new challenges as regular water sources have dried up, especially with June’s extreme heat event and the ongoing lack of precipitation. Producers are seeing wide-ranging crop losses on hay, pasture, range, and field crops. Declaring a municipal agricultural disaster does not impact the Special Areas financially but brings recognition to the situation local producers are dealing with. The Board is looking to provincial and federal governments to provide just the mobile homes themselves, and not the property they sit on. The CAO pointed out the value of mobiles homes as compared to houses is noticeably lower. Councillors unanimously approved the staff recommendation for the tax sale to be held with the reserve bids noted. information on agriculture relief programs in response to crop failures and persisting drought conditions. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devan Dreeshen has been helping producers access alternate feed sources, including advising AFSC crop adjusters to complete early assessments on standing crops and pastures. Producers are encouraged to reach out to their Agricultural Fieldman for resources on managing pastures and water supplies during drought conditions. For further insurance or Agricultural Disaster program information, contact AFSC at 1-877-899-2372 or visit their website www.afsc.ca. 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# ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB July 29'21 3 KNEEHILL COUNCIL Kneehill County councillor says residents want Horseshoe Canyon on ballot Stu Salkeld Local Journalism Initiative reporter ECA Review A Kneehill County councillor told his peers that residents want a question about the future of Horseshoe Canyon on the upcoming municipal election ballot. The issue was discussed at the July 20 regular meeting of council. Coun. Jim Hugo, in the agenda memo for this item, stated, “I have been asked by residents to bring forward a ‘request for decision’ for a referendum question on our future involvement in Horseshoe Canyon to be on the ballot for this fall’s municipal elections.” “I was asked to bring this forward by certain residents,” said Hugo. Coun. Ken King noted COUNTY OF STETTLER councillors heard a detailed report in May from the Horseshoe Canyon focus group about plans for the attraction, the county appears to be moving forward with plans and wondered what the referendum question would be? Hugo answered that residents want a moratorium on local tax money being spent on the attraction until a complete financial disclosure is made on Unkempt property is responsibility of owner Stu Salkeld Local Journalism Initiative reporter ECA Review Stettler County council turned down a request from a property owner who was sent a $1,200 bill after the municipality had to cut tall, unkempt grass. Councillors made the decision at their July 14 regular meeting. Tax and Assessment Clerk Sharon Larsen stated the county billed a property owner in Buffalo Sands Estates for cutting unkempt grass and the property owner, whose name was removed from documents, requested councillors waive those charges. “On June 22nd, 2020 several unsightly property complaints were filed with Protective Services located at lots: 49, 51, 53 and 55 on Buffalo Lane in Buffalo Sands Estates,” stated Larsen. Larsen stated county staff inspected the lots in question and they did have tall uncut grass which violated the Nuisance bylaw. “The owner of the four lots in question belong to the same person residing in Calgary,” stated Larsen. When the county contacted the property owner, noted Larsen, it was revealed the ratepayer was unable to clean up the lots due to health problems. She stated the county arranged to have the lots cleaned up Nov. 4, 2020 and sent the bill to the property owner, totalling $1,278.90. Coun. James Nibourg asked how much time the property owners had to arrange the grass cutting and Director of Municipal Services Andrew Brysiuk answered the county usually handles tall grass complaints fairly quickly. However, he also noted the county contacted the property owner, the property owner refused to cut the grass and the enforcement order was approved four months later. Nibourg stated property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties. Coun. Ernie Gendre asked if council waived the bill, who ends up paying it? Nibourg answered that question by saying the rest of the county taxpayers. Councillors defeated the property owner’s request by a 1 to 6 vote. Taxes forgiven Councillors granted tax forgiveness on a request from a resident who had a building destroyed by fire. Council read a report filed by Larsen stating a property owner had a fire that destroyed a building and the owner subsequently asked that they not have the building on their tax bill. “On April 15, 2021 the ratepayers had a fire on their property where they lost a large truck shop (8,200 sq ft),” stated Larsen’s report. “The ratepayer has asked if the county would consider a reduction in the taxes by prorating the value. As a result of the fire and insurance dealings they have lost their building, renters and sale of the property.” Larsen explained the property was properly assessed at the time the building was still in existence, and only council has the authority to forgive a tax bill. Councillors unanimously approved forgiving $1,801.58 in tax revenue on the destroyed building from the unknown property owner’s tax roll. “I Innovation Strategy We will be leaders and partners acting as catalysts for transformation in order think to meet that’s the needs fair,” of those we said serve. Coun. Catholic Nibourg. Leadership Strategy We will leverage the legacy and strength of Catholic healthcare nationally and internationally to be of greater service. Acute Care Optimization and Expansion Strategy We will transform and expand care and service in acute care to respond about to growing the populations after school and changing program demographics. Community before Care they Integration made and a Expansion decision, Strategy We will expand our community care capacity to transform care delivery, including and address the gaps in program’s service, growing populations cur- and changing demographics. Strategic Objectives “Been a life changer for many” Cont’d from Pg 1 for school-aged childcare. funding is indeed getting cut. Schaffner stated the program offers a place for kids to childcare service deficit for Richard Elhard stated they did “In Castor, there was a Both Robblee MISSION and Mayor We are called to continue go after school if their parents children between the ages of 6 not the know healing the ministry answer of Jesus to that are working. “The purpose of to 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. on school question. by serving with compassion, our after school care program days,” stated Schaffner, noting Mayor upholding Elhard the sacredness stated of he life in all stages, and caring has been to provide a service the current program is would also like to know why for the whole person – for parents in need of care, affordable. there was body, so mind much and soul. variance after school, while the students’ “Families pay $10 per child between the number of kids parents remain at work per day with any additional showing up for programming or are busy and in need of siblings in a family at a cost of day to day. care,” stated Schaffner. $5. Our current hope is that Councillors agreed through “Our after school program the town and county consider Strategic resolution Objectives to instruct Robblee has been a life-changer for assisting us financially with to gather more information many parents, and students. $5,000 respectively, as student This program strives to meet numbers ebb and flow. Some the physical, social and emotional days we have 16 students and needs of children who other days we have one,” she rent budget, how it’s currently attend by providing age appropriate added. funded, when the after school activities in a safe and During discussion council- program last raised its user caring atmosphere.” lors wanted to know where the fees and more information Schaffner stated Castor parents after school program cur- about its programming. don’t have many options rently gets its funding, if the the county’s activity at the canyon. Reeve Jerry Wittstock stated the county is currently running a pilot project on parking at the canyon which is showing a steady clientele, but more will be known after the study is complete. Wittstock stated attractions often start small and develop over many years and a small municipal investment could attract much private investment in years to come. Coun. Wade Christie stated recreation is important to every municipality, and rarely do such attractions generate profit. Christie added he feels the canyon has a lot of potential, as Reader’s Digest recently listed 40 “hot spots” to visit and Horseshoe Canyon was on that list. Coun. King stated the canyon focus group is public and anyone concerned about the canyon could have been involved in its work. Also, King pointed out the focus group and the county’s strategic plan identify the canyon’s future, including the fact Kneehill County is planning no major development for it. Hugo stated residents say when they look through past budgets they can’t figure out what’s being spent at the canyon. King responded that if councillors don’t understand some projects WEEKEND ON-CALL HOURS they are welcome to ask questions during the budget process. Councillors unanimously accepted Hugo’s presentation as information. Horseshoe Canyon business Coincidentally, councillors received a request from a recreational business near Horseshoe Canyon asking for their support in a grant application. Kneehill County received a request from campground operator Devon Dekeyser asking for a letter of support for an application to Travel Alberta’s investment program. “Devan Dekeyser has received several development permits from Kneehill County to establish a campground at this location. His latest permit allows him to add an additional 26 RV sites, cabins and a car wash. He is looking to expand further and will be applying for this grant,” stated staff. During discussion it was stated demand for camping is growing in the canyon area and Dekeyser is responding to that demand. “It is nice to see a private entity expanding in that area,” said Wittstock. Councillors unanimously agreed to support Dekeyser’s grant application. For medical emergencies and life-threatening conditions, call 911. August 2021 July 31, August 1 & 2 .......... Coronation Hospital SERVE August 7 & 8 ...................... We will strengthen our Coronation mission and live our Hospital values meet the needs of those we serve August 14 & 15 ..........................Castor through excellence in care, an engaged team, and wise use of our resources. Hospital VISION Inspired by our mission of For Urgent Medical Problems call: service, we will be leaders • CONTRIBUTE 811 for health and advice partners from in transforming a registered We will leverage our health care and creating legacy nurse to maximize 24/7 the vibrant communities strategic contribution of Catholic health care. of health and For Routine or Ongoing healing. Medical Issues: • Schedule an appointment with your family physician the strengths and needs of our Important: Patients communities, are especially advised those to most vulnerable. telephone the hospital on-call prior to going there. Coronation (403) 578-3803 Castor (403) 882-3434 Visit ahs.ca/knowyouroptions Sept 2019 TRANSFORM AND GROW We will transform the health system and grow through integration, innovation, and shared learnings to respond to # August 21 & 22 .................. Coronation Hospital August 28 & 29 .................. Coronation Hospital Pe We em in d Qu We acr Re We and St St Sen We to the Ad We me con Pal We of l
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ECA Review 2021-07-29

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