Coronation town council heard at their regular council meeting Sept. 11, the breaking news from Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development that a funding agreement from the Alberta Government has been reached for communities affected by the closure of coal generating power plants.
The Coal Community Transition Fund will be available for projects that focus on regional partnerships and economic diversification. The release also added, ‘The fund, which is also expected to grow with additional support from the federal government, is one step in a series of initiatives to support coal communities and workers as Canada moves towards natural gas and renewable electricity generation and away from coal.’
The first community to receive funding was the Town of Hanna, in the amount of $450,000.
Matching funds are not required and the town can submit a project application with other partners or on their own.
The Economic Opportunities Task Force that represents the municipalities of the counties of Flagstaff and Paintearth and communities within, has completed their preliminary draft recommendations of the Economic Impact/Opportunity Report.
The Task Force will now move forward with discussions on development of operational strategies and move into the transitional stage of the project.
It’s imperative to include plant and coal workers in the operational strategies as the group moves forward, stated CAO Kulyk.
Animal Control bylaw
Council gave first and second reading to the Animal Control bylaw at council, after legal advice was given following an attempted prosecution under the Animal Control bylaw and subsequent withdrawal.
Shortcomings in the bylaw included wording that was against breeds, rather than against behaviour of all breeds.
“We might have a really great pitbull, and a really bad poodle,” stated Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sandra Kulyk.
Also the definition of restricted dogs has been cleaned up and added in is nuisance dogs which are repeated offenders.
“We have a number of complaints of dogs that were scaring people,” stated Kulyk, that would fall under the wording in the new bylaw, ‘threatening behaviour’.
It also gives more information regarding traps used for cats.
Pigeons was added to the prohibited animals that includes large animal, poultry, bees and poisonous snakes, reptiles or insects.
Council will have legal advice on the new wording of the bylaw and give it third and final reading at their next meeting.
Code of Conduct
Council approved the Council Code of Conduct Policy and Bylaw as per the Municipal Government Amended Act with all three readings.
The previous policy was missing clauses relating to: representing the municipality, conflicts of interest, and sanctions for breaching the Code of Conduct.
Traffic bylaw
Council and administration will take a look at the Traffic Control bylaw overall and especially as it relates to large motorhomes parked on the street as councillors have received several complaints.
“They’re not small, they’re big,” said Coun. Horkoff.
“Can we put something [in the bylaw] where a certain size can’t park, or is it because they are a motor vehicle it can park [on the street], because big trucks can’t come and park”, said Horkoff.
“It’s kind of unsightly too … and they do take up three parking spots,” commented Horkoff, adding that you’re not allowed to have a trailer parked there, why are you allowed a motorhome?
“That’s the complaint I hear all the time,” stated Coun. Brett Alderdice.
