Whitecourt Town Council briefs
Mar. 27 meeting
Each year, representatives from local emergency service functions attend Council to provide a report on activities. At the March 27 Regular Meeting, Council received reports from the Whitecourt RCMP, Whitecourt Fire Department and Municipal Bylaw Enforcement. Highlights from the reports include:
• The Whitecourt RCMP Detachment generated 4,490 files in 2016, which is down from 2015. Property
crimes decreased in 2016 from the previous year. The Detachment continues to make traffic safety and the
crime reduction program, which includes the habitual offender initiative, a priority for community policing. • Members of the Whitecourt Fire Department responded with 11,670 hours attending calls, training, meetings and public education events. FireSmart activities and initiatives continue to be a priority for the Department, and the Department played an important role in Whitecourt receiving FireSmart community status.
• Municipal Bylaw Enforcement continues to assist departments throughout the organization, and will be re-starting community and event bike patrols in the coming weeks.
Plans for the 11th Annual Party In The Park are in full swing, with band announcements scheduled to be made on April 3. This year’s event has been re-scheduled to June 16 and 17 to take advantage of the warmer weather and celebrate the summer season. Watch for more information on the event as details are finalized on www.whitecourtwoodlandstourism.com.
The Edmonton Eskimos are hosting a workshop at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre on April 12 as part of its northern Alberta tour. The tour includes a two hour flag football fundamentals workshop for local students in grades 4 through 6, and a fan event. The fan event will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Allan & Jean Millar Centre and will offer the public the chance to meet six of the Edmonton Eskimos and get autographs. Watch for further details on the Allan & Jean Millar Centre and Whitecourt Facebook pages.
Council has adopted a five year plan for power and gas franchise fees. The franchise fees are paid in exchange for giving Fortis and ATCO the exclusive right to supply power and gas distribution in Whitecourt, and compensates the municipality for the companies’ usage of municipal right of ways.
Whitecourt has extended the contract to GFL Environmental Inc. for residential solid waste services for an additional 60 month term.
Council has adopted Road Closure Bylaw 1527 which allows for the closure of a portion of 47 Avenue between 5004 47 Avenue and 51 Street (south of Canadian Tire). The closure will accommodate future consolidation and sale of adjacent lots in the area.
Whitecourt is hosting a public information open house on April 25 regarding proposed changes to off site levies. The event will provide information on off site levies, and the opportunity for developers, builders and the general public to provide feedback on the topic. Further details can be found on www.whitecourt.ca.