Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council briefs and updates
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
A regular council meeting was called to order by Mayor Bruce Decoux on Tuesday, April 16th at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Office. Here are some of the highlights.
Regional Partnership Initiative
Administration recommended that council formally accepts the Regional Partnership and Service Sharing Opportunities Feasibility Study as presented. Further, Administration, through coming discussion with the Regional Partnership Steering Committee will provide a report on shared opportunities that will be pursued with the Member Municipalities.
In the late fall of 2011, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, the Village of Cowley, the Town of Pincher Creek and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek met together as the Regional Service Partnership Steering Committee to discuss opportunities for shared municipal services. Through discussions and willingness to look at opportunities for collaboration a decision was made to apply for Regional Partnership Collaboration funding to further advance these efforts. The Regional Collaboration Program Grant funding was received in the amount of $106,450 and the project was initiated through facilitation and development for a Request for Proposal package to secure consulting services to undertake a Regional Partnership and Service Sharing Opportunities Feasibility Study. The study was conducted by McElhaney Consulting Services LTD with efforts directed to five Service Sharing Opportunities being: the animal control services, solid waste/recycling, recreation facilities and programs, public transportation and protective services and enforcement.
“It’s evident that we need to now start doing some planning,” said Mayor Decoux. Councillor Jerry Lonsbury made the motion to accept this recommendation as information. The motion was carried unanimously.
Letter of support for UROC trail construction
A Crowsnest Pass Mountain Bicycling Trail Master Plan has been prepared by IMBA Canada Trail Solutions that is available to UROC. The plan describes about 150 km of trails of which about 10 km have been built at the Pass Powderkeg in Blairmore. The trail networks in the Master Plan were designed using data on existing trail, hydrology, roadways, soil types, forestry harvest plans, sensitive habitats and land ownership.
The Master Plan has a phased approach to construction. The priority area is Pass Powderkeg where there is existing recreational infrastructure and it is conveniently accessible. The trail network at Pass Powderkeg is located predominantly on municipally owned or leased land. The trails, while designed primarily for mountain biking, are generally available for compatible non-motorized uses.
Both Councillor Andrew Saje and Councillor Brain Gallant agreed with the letter of support.
“Mountain biking is a very important part of our community,” said Saje. Councillor Saje moved the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Indoor playground for a one door lease
Administration recommended that Council accept the suggestion from administration to approve the renewed lease agreement between the Crowsnest Indoor Playground and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass from a one year lease to a two year lease. The Crowsnest Indoor playground is located at the MDM municipal facility in Bellevue. Crowsnest Indoor Playground has requested a three year contract and agreed to annual increases when and as required.
Due to the October election, administration felt that a two year contract would be more suitable. In this particular case, the annual increases are identified in the agreement. As per policy # ADM-015 Article 1, lease agreements in excess of one year need the approval and endorsement of Council.
Councillors Brian Gallant made the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Bylaw No867
Administration recommended that council give second and third reading to Bylaw 867, being a bylaw to adopt the North Coleman Area Structure Plan.
Council gave the first reading to this bylaw on April 2nd. The North Coleman Area Structure Plan, (NCASP) process, initiated in the summer of 2012, is nearing completion. The plan was conceived to align existing land use and servicing with future land use and servicing. Council was provided with a copy of the final draft of the NCASP at the March 26th GCP meeting.
“It’s really a regional structure plan,” said Ryan Dyck, Development Officer with the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.
Unlike most area structure plans, the NCASP encompasses a broad area of almost nine quarter sections. Within the plan area are a varied range of land uses, topography, roadways and deep utilities. The plan area is especially significant because of its position in the urban fringe area of the Coleman town site. Planning decisions are particularly important in fringe areas where expectations for urban amenities must be balanced with a need for economic growth.
Recommendations for medium density residential developments are a result of this realization, which has been previously noted in the Municipal Development Plan, drafted in 2011. Increased densities are suggested in areas close to the existing urban areas and within reach of existing services. This area will be an important linkage between the historical town site and the newer large parcel neighbourhoods like Kananaskis Wilds and the future Sawback Ridge.
The second reading for this bylaw was moved by Councillor Siegbert Gail, carried unanimously. The third reading was moved by Councillor Brian Gallant and carried unanimously.
Animal Control Bylaw
Administration recommended that council give second and third reading to the Animal Control bylaw for the purpose of repealing Bylaw No 972, 2006 and Bylaw No. 768, 2008.
With the suggested changes of the Community Peace Officer, (CPO) Program and the development of the Pounds Keeper Agreement, it is now imperative that the Animal Control bylaw be revised to make it more consistent. The new bylaw includes a section for the control and care of felines to allow the CPO’s the ability to identify the cat and return it to the owner without having the inconvenience of impounding the cat and causing undue stress. This section does not pertain to indoor cats and the licensing is free.
“We don’t want to penalise people,” said Councillor Gallant. We want the peace officers to work with the people.”
Councillor Gail made the second motion, which was carried unanimously. Councillor Larry Mitchell moved the third reading, which was carried unanimously.
