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Municipalities planning for the new year

Municipalities are looking back on 2018 with fond memories as they hope for the best in the new year. Whether it was hosting a successful World Jr.
Newtownbuilding
Town Council Briefs

Municipalities are looking back on 2018 with fond memories as they hope for the best in the new year.

Whether it was hosting a successful World Jr. A Challenge (WJAC), making headway on the regional waterline, or building partnerships with their neighbours, overall local officials were pleased with what they saw in 2018, and are looking forward to what lies ahead.

Reflecting on a year gone by

Town of Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski was proud of the town for once again hosting the WJAC. This was the second tournament for the municipality, and was described as a triumph by everyone involved.

“Some of the other successes in terms of the town include the advancement of the waterline and construction and resolution for the water treatment plant in Cold Lake, that project is now moving forward,” Sobolewski expressed.

Although it hit a few snags along the way, the mayor is delighted to see the regional waterline forging ahead.

Sobolewski added, “The resolution of the ID 349 and the receipt of that money and putting it towards good use (is also a highlight). It’s going to be used for the waterline so we don’t have to undertake a large debenture.”

He is also proud of the relationships they have built throughout the year with the First Nations and Métis settlements, as well as “some of the good work that we’re doing between the town and MD.”

“The reason (all of) these are highlights is because they were long-standing issues that we finally saw resolution to in a positive way for the town. The town is going to directly benefit as a result of those issues being resolved,” noted Sobolewski.

For MD of Bonnyville Reeve Greg Sawchuk, 2018 “marked a shift in how the MD is governed.”

Taking more of a business-like approach, they built their 2018 budget with the inclusion of a non-residential sub-tax class, becoming the first municipality in Alberta to adopt a small business classification.

“We received national attention for that,” Sawchuk expressed.

“(This year) was the beginning of the first-ever strategic planning, we use that to determine priorities, there’s been an emphasis on both staff and public engagement,” he continued.

Another highlight for the MD was the hiring of a new CAO, who has helped them form a budget for 2019 that will include some big changes, detailed Sawchuk.

“For the city, I would say it started off with a new council that’s working together quite well,” stated City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland.  “The relationship with the MD of Bonnyville has improved dramatically, and we look forward to working together in the future.”

Bringing on the Cold Lake RCMP K-9 Unit was a major plus in 2018, Copeland added.

“That was another highlight where council funded that position and we’re really happy with how that’s turning out.”

Improvements to Kinosoo Beach, completing the new arena and climbing wall at the Cold Lake Energy Centre, hosting the Cold Lake Air Show, new transit busses, and construction on Hwy. 28 were some of the other high points for the municipality.

Copeland noted one project in particular that “kind of went under the radar.”

The city completed tunnelling under the highway from the Meadows-area in order to improve drainage.

“That was a project that took quite a lot of planning to get done, but we’re really happy with the way it’s turned out. It’s going to help with storm water and drain it from that area a lot better,” he explained. 

Another pinnacle announcement in 2018 for Copeland was the approval of the Imperial Oil Cold Lake expansion.

“It took two years for the approval process, and that has to change. It’s unfortunate the way policy and regulations are in place right now. They’re making it difficult for oil companies to expand their current production, the hoops they have to jump through is really causing a concern. Investments won’t come into the area if they keep this up, there’s no reason why we can’t get these things approved within 90 days,” he stressed. “I’m hoping that looking into 2019 in the next provincial elections, we’re going to see some significant direction change and policy change that encourage development of resources.”

What’s ahead for 2019

“Going forward in the new year, the budget we will be working on in January, you’ll see a big change from previous budgets that were really road-focused,” noted Sawchuk.  “Roads will always be a priority for the MD, because the vast amount. We’ve actually been able to find, through a little bit of a look inwards, a lot of savings. Through those savings, we’ll be able to invest in our community. We will probably see some things coming out in regards to recreation, which this council is very interested in.”

All three municipalities agree that the oil industry is in need of changes in the new year.

For Sobolewski, the town is “looking to see whether we can help to influence some of the decision-making that’s going on in terms of the oil pipelines and Bill C-69.”

Sawchuk agreed that this was a top priority.

“The impact on our community has been huge. I had a chance to speak with the producers just before Christmas, and now with the rallies taking place, people are finally starting to stand up. Hopefully our message gets across Canada that oil is important to the entire nation,” he stated.  “We’re working on a couple of things, along with CAPP. Hopefully we can make an impact on the decision-makers in Ottawa to realize that an increase in regulation isn’t going to help this industry.”

He added, “In the long run, it’s going to be detrimental to the country.”

Copeland reiterated Sawchuk’s remarks, and said “if we don’t watch it, we’re basically killing the energy resource sector in our area in a big way,” in terms of regulations.

“I’m hoping we will see a significant rake back of what’s going on now and maybe we will actually see some pipelines in the ground.”

In terms of local projects, the town will be working on the aquatics centre feasibility study and arts facility study.

Cold Lake plans to continue their efforts on bringing a commercial air service to the city, advocating for re-evaluation of the ID 349 agreement, hosting the 55-plus Winter Games in February, and expanding the RCMP detachment.

Copeland said they’re also anticipating news from the province about the construction of a new Catholic high school and the expansion of Portage College.

“We’re hoping to hear some big news from Imperial Oil on going ahead with their Cold Lake expansion. We need some positive news. We understand why Imperial is taking their time, you can’t blame big oil right now, because this country is a mess when it comes to resource development,” he continued.

Sobolewski added, “I just want to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year.”

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