Mac Olsen
Express Staff
smokyriverexpress.com
@SmokyRiverExprs
During their meeting on May 22, the council for the Town of Falher approved the street improvement tender for Raiders Site Services Ltd. In the amount of $929,277.50.
The company will replace the curbs and gutters, as well as sidewalks, on Main Street and the work is set to begin June 11.
Asset Management Tenders
Council approved the tender of Beairsto & Associates to work on the municipality’s asset management program. The company will be paid $174,695.72 for the work.
Council also approved a motion to apply for the FCM Climate Change Staff Position grant, and the municipality’s contribution would be $6,298.43. The other partners in the application are the M.D. of Smoky River No. 130, the Village of Donnelly and the Village of Girouxville.
Financial matters
Council passed a motion to approve the municipality’s three-year budget.
Council also passed a motion to cancel a portion of the $600 minimum tax levy on all designated farm land to no less than $100 or equivalent to the actual rate of municipal tax on all applicable tax rolls.
Council approved all three readings of Bylaw 18-02, the taxation bylaw. Taxation notices will be mailed out and all property taxes must be paid in full by June 30.
Council also approved a motion to hire Jenny Dion-Stenhouse to paint the second floor of the Falher Regional Recreation Complex, in the amount of $1,950.
In other news, council approved the 2018 Falher Regional Pool fee schedule. Further, council approved the municipality’s contribution of $7,500 for fall surface and $4,000 towards the base preparation for the Honey Capital Park.
Bylaws for marijuana legalization
Council gave first readings to Bylaw 18-08 and Bylaw 18-09, related to the definitions and regulations of the legalization of marijuana.
The Town of Falher is tentatively set to host an open house June 20 related to these bylaws, and public hearings will be held in July.
Policy 612 – Tree planting and notification
Tom Dening, who works for Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency in Berwyn, attended the council meeting as a delegation. Dening discussed the issue of private trees on municipal property and legal issues allowing them.
Later in the meeting, council approved Policy 612 – Tree Planting and Notification. This amends the municipality’s policy to regulate tree planting, such as getting permission first and the types of trees allowed.
Honey Festival
Council approved a series of motions related to the Honey Festival:
1) Use of the Falher Regional Recreation Complex and designated outdoor areas on the north side of the arena, the second-floor lounge and on the east side to hold the beer gardens.
2) Mayor and Town Council host the Pancake Breakfast Saturday, June 16th between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
3) Enter into a rental agreement for the Falher Regional Pool for Friday night Midnight Swim whereby all fees collected and sponsorships shall be considered Honey Festival revenues, with a donation from the Town of Falher of 50 per cent of the rental fees paid for the use of the pool
4) Enter into a Rental Agreement for the use of the Falher Regional Recreation Complex Arena, Curling Rink and second floor lounge on Friday evening, June 15th and all day June 16th, with a donation from the Town of Falher of 50 per cent of the rental fees paid for the use of the Arena, Curling Rink and upper foyer of the Falher Regional Recreation Complex.
5) Close Main Street from 1st Ave South to 2nd Ave South.
6) Closure of all intersections for the Parade Route taking place Saturday morning between the approximate hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
7) Closure of the streets for the Honey Fest Fun Run, (see attached maps and information)
8) Honey Festival Ball Tournament have sole use of the Falher Ball Diamonds from Friday, June 15th to Sunday, June 17th.
9) The Town of Falher must be added as additional insured on all Honey Festival activities.
Also, council approved a motion to hire local people to handle campground security during the Honey Festival.
AUMA resolutions
AUMA Resolution Submission – Government Consultation & Communication
Council approved a motion to support Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s resolution to appeal to the Government of Alberta to establish and maintain a uniform consultation and communication protocol with municipal elected officials.
AUMA Resolution Submission – Victim Services Units Funding
Council approved a to support Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s resolution to lobby the Government of Alberta to use the monies from the Victims of Crime Fund to adequately fund provincial victim services units.
Falher Intermunicipal Library
Council passed a motion to accept the Falher Intermunicipal Library’s 2017 financial statement.
Community Garden
Council approved a motion to enter into an agreement with Smoky River FCSS, to lease land for a community garden, which will be located at the Smoky River Tourism building on the edge fo Falher.