Rural Municipalities of Alberta Conference
Council reviewed the agenda for the 2024 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Conference (RMA) and authorized for Council and the CAO to attend the Spring Conference taking place in Edmonton from March 18-20, 2024.
Fire Department Renaming
Council voted to rename the MD of Peace No. 135 Fire Department to The Lac Cardinal Fire Department. Fire Chief Lawrence Arnold requested that a name change be considered to reduce confusion as the department covers Brownvale as well as the rest of the MD of Peace. Names brought forth from the local firefighters included Bear Lake Fire Department and MD of Peace Fire Department. If you are interested in being a firefighter, call Fire Chief Lawrence Arnold at 780-332-4626 to learn more.
Meeting with Duncan First Nations
Council reviewed correspondence from Duncan’s First Nation (DFN) requesting a meeting with Council. Administration will send possible meeting dates to DFN for their consideration.
MD Cost Awareness Campaign
Council reviewed and approved information to be shared with residents as a part of the MD’s campaign to increase awareness as to how taxpayer dollars are spent. Information will be shared on the MD website, social media and information will also be sent to residents along with tax assessments in mid-February.
Peace River Fire Fighting Agreement Extension
Council approved a one-year extension to the Fire Fighting Agreement with the Town of Peace River totalling $51,500.00, which includes a 3% increase in fees.
New Bylaw Officer
Council welcomed Sebastian Lopez from Peace Country Enforcement Services as a Bylaw Officer for the MD of Peace. Sebastian holds education in Engineering Business and Safety Management from Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and formerly attended Military Training while residing in Columbia. Sebastian and Andrew Tye, Bylaw Officer, joined the Council meeting to connect with the Council, answer questions, and sign a three-year Bylaw Enforcement Services Agreement.
Alberta Pond Hockey Championships
Council approved a $5000 sponsorship in support of the 2024 Pond Hockey Championships taking place from March 8-10, 2024 at Lac Cardinal. The annual event is located within the MD of Peace boundaries and in addition to the annual sponsorship, the MD of Peace Public Works Department provides snow removal and road maintenance for the event, and Councilor Theresa Johnson serves on the Alberta Pond Hockey Championship local board. In an effort to encourage women to participate in the event, the registration for ladies’ teams has been reduced to $250.00. The event includes competitions in hockey, stick curling and ringette, and everyone is invited to take part in dog sledding, ice skating and watch the ATV and dirt bike ice races. The weekend also includes a Gala with live music at the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex in Grimshaw on Saturday evening. More information can be found at https://albertapondhockey.com.
MD of Peace #135 Hosts 2024 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Zone 4 Meeting
Council discussed plans for the upcoming Rural Municipalities Zone 4 meeting on February 9, 2024. The MD of Peace is hosting the regional meeting that brings elected municipal officials together to determine priorities for the Zone and advocate jointly on issues and topics to various divisions of the Provincial Government.
Bylaw No. 1/2012
Council approved the first reading to an amendment to Land Use Bylaw No. 1/2012 to add “trucking and related faculties” as a discretionary use under home-occupation type II.
Representatives from the Elk Island Preservation Group provided an update for Council regarding plans and fundraising for improvements at Elk Island Park. Council thanked them for their work and passion for making improvements to the park and will continue to collaborate and keep the lines of communication open as the project continues. A Family Day Dinner and Dance is being held on February 17, 2024 at 5 pm at the Whitelaw Hall with all proceeds going to park improvements. Designated drivers will be provided and tickets can be purchased at the door with only cash being accepted. The MD of Peace provides weed control, maintains roads, and liability insurance for the park. More information can be found on the MD of Peace website and Facebook page.
