The following are highlights from the Monday, December 12, 2022 Regular Meeting of Town Council.
2022 Capital Projects Overview
Administration provided Council with an overview of the capital projects completed in 2022. The presentation included a verbal report and a pre-recorded video highlighting some of the completed projects. Council then carried a motion to accept the report as information.
2023 Budget
Council held 2023 budget deliberations on November 24, 25, and 29, 2022. On Monday, Dec. 12, Administration presented an updated final draft of the 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets for approval. Council approved the 2023 budgets as presented.
Rates and Fees Bylaw
The Town has consolidated the fees it charges for providing goods and services into a Rates & Fees Bylaw, The bylaw was initially approved by Council on July 11, 2022 with amendments approved on October 11. The bylaw is reviewed and updated annually during the Town’s annual budget process and, as a result, Council carried motions at the December 12 Regular Meeting giving all required readings of the updated bylaw. Council then passed the bylaw as presented.
Parks Bylaw
The proposed Parks Bylaw is intended to regulate access, behavior and events in Town parks. Administration drafted the bylaw based on existing bylaws in other municipalities, feedback from the protective services department, and consultation with legal professionals. On December 12, Council gave the bylaw all required readings and carried a motion to pass the bylaw as presented.
Emergency Partnership Agreement
The Town currently works with Red Deer County, Sylvan Lake, Bowden, Elnora, and Delburne in a formal Regional Emergency Management Collaboration. The City of Red Deer has expressed the desire to move under the joint regional emergency partnership. The Alberta Emergency Management Agency recommends that this new regional collaboration should be formalized by an agreement between members. At Monday’s Council Meeting, Council approved the signing of a Regional Emergency Management Agreement as presented by Administration.
Numbered Highways Enforcement
The Town’s Level 1 Peace Officers have no authority to enforce speeds on roads with limits that exceed 90 km/hr. Currently, if officers observe an infraction on Highways 54 and 2A – where the speed limit is 100 km/h – their only option is to contact the RCMP. On Monday, December 12, Council carried a motion to approve the application to the Justice and Solicitor General for the Innisfail Peace Officers’ expansion of authorities to include numbered highways with speed limits above 90 km/hr within the Town of Innisfail corporate boundaries.
Green and Inclusive Community Building Grant
The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program offers grants to eligible applicants with large projects to retrofit existing community buildings or projects to build new community buildings. At the December 12 meeting, the Town’s Aquatic Centre was discussed. Council then carried a motion directing Administration to apply for a GICB grant. No project was specified as part of the motion.
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.
