Alix council sent its proposed urban chicken bylaw back to the drawing board following a lengthy discussion on everything from how many licenses to allow to whether residents would have to give a written plan on disposal of chickens.
During its regular meeting Jan. 17, council, on the recommendation of administration, declined to give the bylaw second reading. Alix’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White will revise the draft bylaw to include council’s suggestions.
Coun. Vicki Soltermann suggested the bylaw include a setback with a stipulation that residents can’t have a chicken coop right beside their neighbour’s fence or house.
“People might be getting into squabbles over this.”
Coun. Soltermann also said she would like to see chicken licenses be transferable from one property to the next and go with the individual and not the certain property.
CAO White said the City of Red Deer had backlash from the public since passing their urban chicken bylaw in 2014 because their licenses aren’t transferable from one property to another.
CAO White suggested that if council makes the license transferable, the resident would have to go through the same approval process at the new location.
Coun. Ed Cole suggested a maximum of four chickens per license a $25 annual fee rather than $50 was reasonable.
CAO White said licenses shouldn’t be allowed in any commercial areas and be restricted to residential areas of the village.
Coun. Barb Gilliat suggested the village issue a maximum of 15 licenses. Residents won’t have to submit a written plan on how they will dispose of chickens.
Administration will revamp the draft bylaw and bring back to council.
New strategic plan
The village is redoing its strategic plan and rather than hiring a consultant at a cost of up to $5,000, council voted in favour of having Alberta Community Development staff assist the village at no cost.
“If it’s free I don’t see a downside,” said Coun. Ed Cole.
The village completed strategic planning in 2016, which reviewed the village’s goals and priorities they set in 2014.
After Municipal Affair’s investigation into the village last year, however, they recommended that the village council engage in a robust and meaningful strategic planning process that would include staff and public consultation.
Municipal Affairs also recommended: that council conduct a service level review of services provided to residents; that all council resolutions be tied to goals and/or priorities set out in the strategic plan; and that administration develop and present council with meaningful performance measures that demonstrates how the use of budget resources have advanced strategic priorities.
Borrowing bylaw approved
Alix gave third and final reading to a borrowing bylaw allowing the village to refinance the $1.4 million left owing on Railway House formerly Moonwalkers) over a 30-year term.
This means that, the motion passed during its Jan. 17 meeting, the village will only pay $72,000 a year instead of $138,789 for its failed Moonwalkers investment.
The village closed Moonwalkers December 2016. Since opening Moonwalkers in 2013, it lost $553,673.
“It’s an acceptable and good plan of action for the village,” said Alix’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White.
The village, after Municipal Affair’s investigation into the previous council and administration, received a legal opinion advising them refinance Moonwalkers.
Lisa Joy
ECA Review
