Yellowhead County briefs

May 22 meeting

Accurate Assessment Group Presentation – Accurate Assessment Group briefed council on the historic assessment growths and declines in Yellowhead County. In brief, Accurate Assessment Group predicts market changes leading to recovery and increased confidence in the future growth in the oil/gas sector.

Early Childhood Matters Coalition Presentation – Council received a presentation from the Early Childhood Matters Coalition regarding Early Development Instrument questionnaire data. In brief, the 2016 data demonstrated that Edson and Yellowhead County pre-school children are scoring lower than the provincial average in Physical Health and Wellbeing, Social Competence, and Emotional Maturity. However, Edson and Yellowhead County pre-school children are either on par or exceed the provincial average in Language and Cognitive Development and Communication and General Knowledge. Moving forward, the coalition will focus on improving children’s emotional maturity.

Yellowhead Agricultural Society Funding Request – On February 20, 2018 the Yellowhead Agricultural Society gave a presentation to council on a planned event center, which is estimated to cost $3.8 million to construct. The society is requesting $521,550 in funds from council. These funds are not currently approved in the 2018 Final Budget. Council will forward the request for funding to the 2019 Budget discussions for consideration at that time.

Entwistle Recreational Facility Cost Sharing Request – Parkland County is seeking a cost-sharing agreement with Yellowhead County for the proposed new Entwistle Recreational Facility. The new facility will contain an outdoor pool, retail common space, community space and a library. The requested capital cost share amounts to $3,500,000 from Yellowhead County. Council directed Administration to open communications with Parkland County to discuss their request for capital cost sharing.

First Reading of Bylaw 13.18 – Council gave first reading to Bylaw 13.18 for the closure of part of Mountain Street, Plan 1939RS that lies within the SE 15 and NE 10-50-27-W5M. The purpose of this closure is to close the undeveloped road plan and consolidate it with Lot B, Plan 1939RS, effectively consolidating both parcels. A Public Hearing will be held on June 26, 2018.

Information Technology Security Project – Earlier this year, administration undertook a third party review of the organization’s technology practices. The report recommends numerous upgrades to further secure the organization’s information technology. Council approved the addition of the Information Technology Security Project in 2018, at a cost of $110,000 (to be funded from the Technology Reserve).

The next Council Meetings is on June 26, 2018. The next Governance & Priorities Committee Meeting is on June 19, 2018. All meetings start at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers.