The following are highlights from the Monday, April 11, 2022 Regular Meeting of Council.
New Outdoor Rink
A new outdoor boarded skating rink was included as part of the 2022 Capital Budget. On April 11, after the completion of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Council carried a motion to award the construction contract to Reward Construction Ltd. at a cost of $311,500 with an additional $30,000 allocated to landscaping.
Organics and Recycling – Recycling Changes
At a previous meeting, Administration presented Council with options for the Town’s solid waste collection program. At the April 11 meeting, Council passed a motion approving the purchase of blue recycling carts from the Solid Waste and General Capital Reserves, and then passed a second motion to approve the switch from manual to automated recycling collection. Council then carried a further motion directing Administration to provide costs associated with changes to the organics collection schedule.
Economic Development Week
With Council’s commitment to economic development in mind, Administration recommended that May 9 to 13, 2022 be declared Economic Development Week in Innisfail. Council carried the recommended motion.
Park Use Pilot Program
In 2021, The Town initiated a pilot project to provide local small businesses with the opportunity to utilize park spaces for private business activities. At the April 11 meeting, Council carried a motion to extend the program through 2022, then carried a second motion directing Administration to explore opportunities for the rental of sporting equipment at Dodd’s Lake. Administration will present findings at a future meeting.
2022 Regular Tax Bylaw 1680-2022
Each year, Administration prepares the Property Tax Bylaw. Council is required to authorize tax rates sufficient to generate revenues to support Town-based services and financial commitments. The 2022 bylaw reflects a slight increase in rates after remaining unchanged since 2019. On Monday, the 2022 Regular Tax Bylaw received all three required readings.
Lost and Unclaimed Property Policy 2022-004
The Town occasionally acquires lost, abandoned, or unclaimed property as well as seized property from the RCMP. Policy 2022-004 provides a process for the Town to handle and dispose of this property. On April 11, Council carried a motion to approve the policy.
Donation to Ukraine Firefighters
Firefighter Aid Ukraine is a non-profit organization which provides firefighting and rescue equipment along with medical supplies to Ukraine. Members of Red Deer Emergency Services are coordinating with local fire departments to provide donations of equipment. At the April 11 meeting, Council carried a motion approving the donation of some of the Town’s decommissioned self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to the organization.
Call to Action – National Police Federation
After receiving correspondence from the National Police Federation, Council carried a motion to join a call to action, addressed to the provincial government, to improve rural police response times and increase resources available to the justice system.
Proclamation – Public Works Week 2022
After receiving a request from the public, Council carried a motion to declare May 15 to 21, 2022 as Public Works Week.
Proclamation – Rural Health Week 2022
After receiving a request from the public, Council carried a motion to declare May 30 to June 3, 2022 as Alberta Rural Health Week.
Proclamation – 2022 The Year of the Garden
At the April 11 meeting, Council carried a motion to declare 2022 as The Year of the Garden.
Innisfail Town Council strives to maintain a level of openness with its residents. The highlights only briefly touch upon the exchanges and decisions reached during the most recent Council meeting.
The full meeting is available to view on YouTube (click here)
Visit www.innisfail.ca/council to review full meeting agendas and minutes.
