Municipal Alberta
Price Not Stopping New Digs
CLARESHOLM -- Despite bids coming in higher than anticipated, the MD of Willow Creek will proceed with the construction of a new municipal office and shop. Fifth story down. (Ft. Macleod Gazette)
Solar Energy Brings Spotlight
OKOTOKS -- The town's innovative use of solar energy is not only reducing the impact on the environment through the use of renewable energy, it is putting Okotoks on the map. (Western Wheel)
Aggregate Program A Windfall
HIGH RIVER -- Aggregate companies will be contributing additional funds to local municipalities through a newly developed provincial program. (Western Wheel)
Municipally Excellent Practices: Community Grants
CALGARY -- The MD of Rocky View developed a policy and guideline to help the FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) Board and MD Council determine which programs would have a maximum impact in serving the needs of residents. Another innovative practice just posted on MENet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (menet.ab.ca)
Error Drops Rec Fees
AIRDRIE -- The city may cut the cost of some exercise programs by $1.50 per hour after a review of the fee structure revealed a calculation error. (Airdrie Echo)
Border Battle
CALGARY -- A battle on the city's border is erupting between council and the MD of Rocky View -- and MD politicians say 200 of their landowners are being caught in the crossfire. (The Calgary Sun)
Boundary Bylaw Blasted
DRAYTON VALLEY -- Political hopeful Bob Kitching believes that new Brazeau County electoral boundaries were drawn specifically to eliminate him as an opponent of Reeve (and neighbour) Bart Guyon. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Councillor Left For 'Personal Reasons'
ALIX -- The Village of Alix will hold a byelection to fill a vacancy on its council. (Lacombe Globe)
Equitable Cop Costs Pushed
BLACKFALDS -- The Town of Blackfalds is backing an initiative brought forward by several municipalities in the province to convince Legislature to take steps to address inequity in policing costs. (Lacombe Globe)
Burying The Hatchet?
CARSTAIRS -- The animosity between the Towns and Mountain View County, could be set aside after the creation of a new committee, formed to, hopefully, create a regional economic development framework for the region as a whole. (Olds Albertan)
Pipeline Funds On Tap
LACOMBE -- Long-awaited funding for a $27-million pipeline to transport water to towns north of Red Deer will be awarded in this month's provincial budget, say project proponents. (Red Deer Advocate)
Council Kills Condos
SYLVAN LAKE -- A plan for 36 residential condominiums on the east side of Sylvan Marina was defeated by Sylvan Lake council. (Sylvan Lake News)
Smoke Eaters Score New Truck
NISKU -- Leduc County Fire Services, in support of the East-West Millet Rural Fire Department Society, has purchased a new rescue fire truck to be stationed in the Town of Millet. (Leduc County Press Release hosted on MuniMall)
City, County Skate Together
CAMROSE -- The County of Camrose has thrown its support behind the city's bid to construct a new arena. (Camrose Canadian)
Regional Rec Ratification
EDSON -- Yellowhead County council and Edson town council have reached an agreement on a recreation cost-sharing agreement. (Edson Leader)
Water, Wastewater Grants Pour In
EDMONTON -- A water treatment plant expansion for Whitecourt, a pump station and reservoir for Grande Prairie and a reservoir and pump station for Okotoks -- these are some of the 30 communities and projects to receive approximately $15M in Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership grants. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
$4.3M In Green Grants
EDMONTON -- A total of $4.3M in interest-free loans is being provided to seven municipalities to help achieve energy savings in their operations. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
Staff Score Raise
LAMONT -- Lamont County Councillors passed an increase to all employees wages which boosts wages by 5.3%instead of the 3.5% approved back in January. (Fort Saskatchewan Record)
High Cost Of Speed
ST. ALBERT -- A city resident wonders why St. Albert pays double the fee Edmonton pays for photo radar services from the same company. (stalbertgazette.com)
Council Growth In Public's Hands
BONNYVILLE -- The Municipal District of Bonnyville council will let public reaction decide whether or not it fast-tracks a bylaw which would expand council to 7 members from 5. (Bonnyville Nouvelle on the Web)
Insurance Cuts Considered
MAYERTHORPE -- A long-range plan to separate municipal groups from Mayerthorpe's insurance policy comes strongly recommended by insurance professionals. (Mayerthorpe Freelancer)
EcDev Split Suggested
PEACE RIVER -- In an effort to help ensure the growth and maintain viability of the Peace River Economic Development Association (PREDA), Northern Sunrise County is suggesting PREDA split into two regions. (Peace River Record Gazette)
Fire Agreement Set
SPIRIT RIVER -- Both the Town of Spirit River and the Village of Rycroft fire departments will now back each other up automatically for fire calls in each other's municipality. Fourth story down. (Central Peace Signal)
Municipal Saskatchewan
SARM Focus On Property Tax
REGINA -- Property taxes and the costs of education will be the biggest items on the agenda at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) annual convention in Regina. (CBC Saskatchewan)
Bylaw Up In Smoke?
LLOYDMINSTER -- A petition with more than 1,600 signatures made it clear to city council many people in Lloydminster want the right to light up cigarettes over lunch. (Lloydminster Meridian Booster)
Rec Offer On Table
MEADOW LAKE -- An offer is on the table for a recreation agreement but discussions are still ongoing between the town and the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake. (Meadow Lake Progress)
Municipal Manitoba
Land Use Planning Stays Local
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE -- The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) was pleased with the Provincial Government's proposed Planning Act amendments, which ensure that decision-making remains at the local level. (AMM Press Release hosted on MuniMall)
Inner Circle Finds More Money
WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg's executive policy committee has introduced its final budget recommendations, finding more money for what it calls "priorities": paramedics, insect control and boulevard maintenance. (CBC Manitoba)
New CAO
CARMAN -- Former assistant CAO Ruth Stege has been appointed to CAO, replacing Linda Baleja, who has accepted a position as a Municipal Services Officer with the Province of Manitoba. (Carman Valley Leader)
Soft On Sewage
ST. GEORGES -- RM of Alexander council wants the province to be harsher in its handling of two incidents where sewage trucks dumped their contents into ditches. (Lac du Bonnet Leader)
Former CAO Sues
EAST SELKIRK -- Former RM of St. Clements CAO Tom Mollard is suing the municipality for breach of contract. (Selkirk Journal)
Charges Dropped
WOODLANDS -- RM of Woodlands council voted to quash bylaw infringement charges it had laid against David Oliver, a former councillor for 28 years. (Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times)
Mayor Takes On Bank
LYNN LAKE -- Mayor Audie Dulewich plans to involve provincial politicians in a dispute with CIBC officials, who have told him that the town will soon lose the closest thing it has to a bank. (CBC Manitoba)
Municipal North
Butt Bylaw Stays
WHITEHORSE, YK -- City council has vowed to not retreat on its smoking bylaw, although business owners argue that a poor economy has already nearly bankrupted many operations. (CBC North)
Saved From Trustee
DAWSON CITY, YK -- Dawson City won't need to bring in a trustee to take over from the town council. (Whitehorse Star Online)
Ice Flows
CAMBRIDGE BAY, NU -- Mayor Terry McCallum says hamlet workers are experiencing 45-minute delays in filling up their water trucks because of a frozen water line coming into the community. (CBC North)
Municipal Ontario
Brownfields Get Green Light
CHATHAM -- Chatham-Kent is developing a marketing strategy to make brownfields more attractive to developers. (Chatham This Week)
Pay An "Embarrassment"
RIPLEY -- Huron-Kinloss council was paid a total of $66,332.10 in 2003, and that's embarrassing, says councillor Jim Hanna. Fourth story down. (Kincardine Independent news)
Odor Bylaw Gets A Sniff
LEAMINGTON -- Leamington may implement an odor bylaw geared to controlling the spread of vegetable waste on farm fields, modeling it on the town's new noise bylaw. (Leamington Post)
Kudos For Cuts
LISTOWEL -- At its fifth special budget meeting, North Perth council commended its senior staff for reducing the budget from an initial 31% increase to a possible 11%, or even a 9.6% increase. (Listowel Banner - northperth.com)
More MPAC Outrage
SARNIA -- A frustrated Mayor Mike Bradley calls the latest notices from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation "Monty Python-like." (Osprey Media Group Inc. - The Sarnia Observer)
High Tax Rate Explained
WELLAND -- A tax study in 61 Ontario municipalities shows how Welland stacks up against other Niagara communities. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Welland Tribune)
Credit AAA-OK
MISSISSAUGA -- Sound financial management has earned the City of Mississauga an AAA credit rating. (Mississauga News Online)
Tools To Ease Tax Burden
TORONTO -- The McGuinty Government today announced that municipalities would be given greater flexibility and autonomy in setting their property tax rates. (Government of Ontario Press Release)
. . . Get Rough Ride From Biz
OTTAWA -- Business leaders in Ottawa are reacting angrily to a tax-rule change that will shift some of the property-tax burden to them, and give private property owners a bit of a break. (CBC Ottawa)
Soaked For Water Offences
ORILLIA -- The Corporation of the Township of Severn has been fined a total of $10,000 -- exclusive of a victim fine surcharge - after pleading guilty to two counts of non-compliance with Ministry of the Environment (MOE) water-monitoring requirements. (Ontario Ministry of the Environment Press Release)
P3 Spurned
AURORA -- Aurora council decided against a private sector partnership last week for the town's new $22 million recreation complex. (Yorkregion.com)
Auditor's Job Created
VAUGHAN -- In an effort to strengthen Vaughan's corporate credibility, councillors voted Monday to establish the position of a city auditor. (Yorkregion.com)
Treasurer Counts Himself Out
UXBRIDGE -- The Township's money will be in new hands soon. (durhamregion.com)
$7.5M Poured Into New Water Plant
PORT HOPE -- A joint funding announcement of $7.5 million to the Municipality of Port Hope was the "icing on the cake," according to Northumberland MPP Lou Rinaldi. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Northumberland Today)
EcDev Office Pushed
COBOURG -- A county-led economic development department is the most effective way to lure more business and industry to the area, says Northumberland County's top administrator. (The Online Independent - East Northumberland's News Source)
Outrage Greets Salary Cap Idea
TRENTON -- Sidney Coun. Ron Hamilton launched an angry tirade against Trenton Coun. Fred Kuypers in defence of Quinte West city employees. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Trenton Trentonian)
Ratepayers Group Gains Steam
KEMPTVILLE -- Interest is building in North Grenville in a ratepayers' association that has already attracted 30 members as it moves towards a formal organization. (Brockville Recorder & Times Online)
Working Together
DEEP RIVER -- A spirit of renewed cooperation was launched last week as the councils of all three area municipalities -- Deep River, Laurentian Hills and the townships of Head, Clara, Maria -- met for the first time in Point Alexander. (North Renfrew Times)
$30G For The King
COLLINGWOOD -- Despite years of deficits, criticisms, and loathing from town residents, the Elvis festival will receive another $30,000 this year from Collingwood taxpayers. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Collingwood The Enterprise Bulletin)
More Questions Raised
PARRY SOUND -- An edited version of the Ministry of the Attorney General's audit report on the Town of Parry Sound administered Provincial Offences Act unit raises more questions than it answers. (Parry Sound North Star)
Garbage-Picking Plan For Staff
BRACEBRIDGE -- Town councillors have concocted a plan that would see Town employees root through garbage bags to identify culprits who leave Manitoba Street looking shoddy. (The Bracebridge Examiner)
Financial Solutions Sought
LATCHFORD -- After a controversial Council meeting where questions were raised concerning the management of the town's finances, the Finance Committee is looking for a solution for both the council and the citizens of Latchford. (Temiskaming Speaker)
Mayor-Cop Wins Small Victory
MARATHON -- The decision to have a judge rather than a fellow officer preside over an employment dispute between Marathon Mayor Dave Bell and the Ontario Provincial Police will ensure Bell gets a fair hearing, his lawyer says. (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)
Double My Salary, Please
THUNDER BAY -- A Shuniah Township councillor has written a report asking council members to consider doubling their salaries. (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)
Municipal Atlantic
Clawback Angers Town
GEORGETOWN, PE -- Mayor Mike Gallant is fuming because the provincial government wants to clawback close to $13,000 in municipal taxes. (PEICanada.com)
$ For Downtown
ALBERTON, PE -- A new project to revitalize Alberton's downtown core was announced by the Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the MLA for Alberton-Miminegash on behalf of the Province of PEI and the Mayor of Alberton. (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - News Release)
8 Breaches Cited
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- A resident alleges council breached 8 sections of the city's official plan when it approved an application to build a 4-storey student residence 13 feet away from his home. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Public To Choose Smoke Zones
EDMUNDSTON, NB -- Residents will soon have a chance to determine where smoking is allowed in the city. (Maritimes - canada.com network)
Assessment System Flawed, Says Mayor
HALIFAX, NS -- "In short, the Province's current assessment system lacks transparency, consistency and appropriate controls to ensure the assessment information is correct," Mayor Kelly said. (Halifax Regional Municipality - News Release)
RM Up Against Wall
SYDNEY, NS -- The Cape Breton Regional Municipality's back is against the proverbial wall and it's ready to come out fighting against provincial legislation that could cost municipal taxpayers millions by 2006. (Cape Breton Post)
MA Says Reinstate Councillor
PORT AU CHOIX, NF -- The Department of Municipal Affairs wants the Town of Port au Choix to reinstate Jocelyn Kennedy, a councillor who had been dismissed for not living in the community. (CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador)
Getting Wired
Wireless Broadband Hits Rural Area
CHATHAM, ON -- Computer users in Mitchell's Bay and surrounding area will be able to tap into high-speed Internet access before summer. (Chatham This Week)
Fine Payments Go Online
EDMONTON, AB -- A new Internet fine payment system means that Albertans no longer have to rely on the mail or wait in line at provincial courthouses to pay their traffic fines. (Government of Alberta website)
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