ELK POINT – it’s a week or two later than usual, but Elk Point will once again have a town-wide cleanup, with Town Council setting May 29 as the date when volunteers can pick up gloves and garbage bags at the Elk Point Municipal Library at 4:30 p.m., and after cleaning up their area of the community, return to the library with the filled bags and enjoy a barbecued burger for their efforts.
Council also set the date for the Seniors Week breakfast, after Mayor Parrish Tung declared June 3 to 9 as Seniors Week in Elk Point, honouring the past, present and future contributions of seniors in the community and across Alberta.
Council plans to invite the County of St. Paul to join them in hosting the breakfast, which will be held at the Seniors Recreation Centre on June 2 to officially start off the week, which will also feature Elk Point’s St. Paul Regional FCSS event on June 6, one of a series saluting seniors in communities across the County of St. Paul.
Even more events were on last Monday’s council agenda, with council once again approving the closing of two blocks of Main Street and half blocks of 49th Ave. on either side of Main Street on June 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Elk Point Auto Club’s annual Sow and Shine.
A letter from the Canada Day Committee brought another request, this time for a long lineup of activities on June 30 and July 1, also including street closures for two blocks of 51 St. on June 30 for a soapbox derby as well as the usual parade route closures on July 1.
Canada Day Committee chair Wanda Cochrane, who assured council. “We’re not demanding money, just approval,” also announced a change of venue for the Chinese Drumming event at noon on July 1, which will now take place at the Canada Day stage rather than in the Iron Horse Trail staging area.
Bill 20
A request from Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr requesting feedback on the recently introduced Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Status Amendment, was received by council. Council passed a motion not in support of Bill 20 with no reasons given in the motion.
A letter will subsequently be sent from the Mayor’s office, according to CAO Ken Gwozdz.
Maintenance agreement
A new Area Maintenance Agreement for the Elk Point Recreation Area, replacing the agreement that expired in 2020, had been approved by the Elk Point Golf and Country Club at their last board meeting, and was approved as presented by council.
Penalty waiver denied
Council received a request to waive a $19.80 penalty on a former resident’s final utility bill, with a motion to waive the penalty defeated by council.
Physician sponsorship
A letter from MLA Cyr regarding enhancing community healthcare through expanded physician sponsorship opportunities was received as information after council studied information from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta that indicated assessment fees could range from $9,000 to $35,000 and other costs to support a physician candidate could range up to $100,000.
Rodeo sponsorship
Council agreed to contribute $100 in sponsorship to the 69th Lea Park Rodeo.
Mower up for tenders
Council agreed that the Public Works Department’s 2016 John Deere mower will be put up for bids as per the Town’s policy, with no reserve bid.
