The following are highlights from the January 27, 2020 regular meeting of council.
CAO Report – Pembina Institute: Lead the Energy Transition event
The Town has been invited by the Pembina Institute to participate on a panel at an event being held this upcoming February. The Lead the Energy Transition event, taking place on February 27 at Red Deer College, will examine experiences, challenges and outcomes of changes in energy production and consumption. Councillor Jean Barclay and CAO Todd Becker will represent the Town at the event. Council accepted the report as information.
North Area Structure Plan Update
The North Area Structure Plan was originally adopted in 2001. In 2019 it was determined that an update is required to expedite possible development. The Town issued an RFP for the update. This RFP closed on January 10, 2020, with two companies responding. Upon recommendation from administration, Council approved awarding the North Area Structure Plan Update to Parkland Community Planning Services/Tagish Engineering.
Innisfail Cemetery Report
A report was prepared by Lees & Associates in late 2019 outlining the future challenges facing the Innisfail Cemetery. A workshop and resulting report provided information and suggested next steps. The report identified that available inventory will be a challenge within the next few years. Administration recommended that the consultant be retained to create a plan for future expansion. Council accepted the report as information and directed administration to proceed with the development of new cemetery plans.
PCPS Renewal of Contract, Bylaw 1638-2020
The Town, along with several other Central Alberta municipalities, established Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS) in 1995. PCPS is run on a not-for-profit basis and provides planning services to member communities. The Town’s current agreement with PCPS is about to expire. Upon recommendation, Council passed a required bylaw and then carried a motion to enter into a new contract running until March 21, 2023.
Municipal Emergency Management Bylaw 1640-2020
In November of 2018, the provincial government put in place the Emergency Management Act to give clearer direction on emergency management practices for Alberta municipalities. To ensure that the Town of lnnisfail is compliant with the regulation, a new Municipal Emergency Management bylaw was required. On Monday, Council gave the required readings and passed the bylaw as presented.