Beaumont Newsletter January 2017

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YOUR COUNCIL KEEPING YOU CONNECTED

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BEAUMONT COMMUNIQUÉ

VILLE DE / TOWN OF

BEAUMONT

January 2017 | www.beaumont.ab.ca

Beaumont’s Annexation is Approved

MAYOR AND COUNCIL CONTACT INFORMATION

www.beaumont.ab.ca/annex

Beaumont’s boundaries increased by 21 quarter sections effective January 1, 2017 when the annexation proposal became a reality.

“We were pleased to learn that our carefully-planned and researched annexation proposal was deemed to be in the best interests of Beaumont and the region and we are happy with the outcome,” said Mayor Camille Bérubé.

Beaumont had been working toward this outcome for several years, beginning with a joint-growth study with Leduc County in 2009 followed by mediated talks and further growth analysis. The intent to annex was filed with the Municipal Government Board in May 2013.

For the residents of Beaumont, this announcement will ensure the community can diversify its tax base, plan for the long term development of our community, and continue to provide quality programs and services to residents.

“Our commitment to continue working with our neighbouring communities remains high,” Mayor Bérubé continued. “We look forward to a transition whereby residents’ interests and needs are kept at the forefront.”

Annexation was necessary to help Beaumont strengthen and expand opportunities for business development, and offer a balanced mixture of land uses. This annexation ensures that Beaumont can continue to deliver a high level of service to its residents and businesses over the long term.

Beaumont Council

Mayor Camille Bérubé

Kathy Barnhart

Mayor Camille Bérubé 780-929-8368 Councillor Kathy Barnhart 780-721-5504 Councillor Kerri Bauer 780-929-2441 Councillor Perry Hendriks 780-929-5102 Councillor Bruce LeCren 780-709-4431 Councillor Bill McNamara 780-929-8215 Councillor Louise White-Gibbs 780-929-2233 Email links for Mayor and Council are online at beaumont.ab.ca/council.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kerri Bauer

Perry Hendriks

Bruce LeCren

Bill McNamara

Louise White-Gibbs

Upcoming Events All events will be held at the brand new Beaumont Community Centre, 5204 50 Avenue.

Beaumont Community Centre Grand Opening Gala — Saturday, January 21 Tickets $50 each available from the town office until January 13.

Family Day — Monday, February 20, 1 - 4 p.m.

Franco-Albertan Flag Raising — Thursday, March 2, 9 a.m.

Spring Community Awareness and Registration — Saturday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. - noon

5600 49 Street Beaumont AB T4X 1A1 780-929-8782 admin@beaumont.ab.ca /BeaumontAB T4Xbeaumont Follow us on Social Media Facebook.com/BeaumontAB Twitter.com/T4Xbeaumont

Budget 2017 Highlights www.beaumont.ab.ca/budget

Council has approved the budgets for 2017. The budgets include a number of new capital projects and the continuation of several ongoing initiatives, with the goal of improving the quality of life for Beaumont residents while preparing for future growth. For details and to read about the budgeting process, go to the website above.

New initiatives These new projects and activities will get underway in 2017: • Donations for playgrounds at École Champs Vallée and Mother d’Youville schools • Beaumont Society for the Arts grant • Additional funds for the Promotions Committee • Outdoor skating loop at Gerry Patsula Lions RV Park • Ball diamond upgrades • Top rail on ball diamonds • Tour d’Alberta grant • New outdoor furniture for events • Clearwater Cemetery improvements • Review and update of Central Area Development Plan (CARP) • Infrastructure (Utilities) Master Plan • Volunteer firefighter on call compensation • French Village design guidelines and related land use bylaws • Corporate rebranding • Continue the Integrated Turf & Pest Management Program • Traffic signal timing program • Traffic counts program • Live streaming of Council meetings

Ongoing initiatives These projects are underway and will continue in 2017: • Municipal Development Plan • Transportation Master Plan • Implementation of commuter transit service (September 2017) • Aqua-Fit Phase 2 concept and detailed design • New fire truck • Parade float • Priority based budgeting • Blackmud Creek Watershed Study • Downtown Urban Design Concept Plan design of water & sanitary sewer upgrade • General design standards • Pesticide Use Report • Urban forestry • Furniture & fixtures for CCBCC • Economic Development business attraction activities For 2017, the operating budget is $35.4 million, the utilities budget is $7.4 million and the capital budget is $2.5 million.

The proposed mill rate increase is 2.82% and will be finalized after the spring planning workshop when requisitions and property tax assessments are confirmed. Assessment and tax notices will be mailed out at the end of May. Utility rates will increase by $3.84 for a household consuming an average of 18 m3 of water per month. The changes in utility rates are the result of increases requested by the Water and Wastewater Commissions. Beaumont continues to operate on a self-funded utility model.

Please contact your elected officials or Beaumont staff should you require additional details. Happy New Year, Bonne Année, and our very best wishes for 2017.

Renew Your Business License Renewals are due January 31, 2017 at the Beaumont town office. Please ensure you renew by this date so you can continue doing business in Beaumont.

IMPORTANT: Unpaid business licenses will automatically be charged a $25.00 late fee February 1, 2017.

Payment options for your business license • In person at the town office by cash, cheque or debit • Through your bank • Night drop box at the town office (no cash please) • Mail (no cash please)

It’s Snowtime!

www.beaumont.ab.ca/snow The annual war on snow is underway and we continue to improve and update the web page that contains useful information about Beaumont’s snow clearing plans, including service level maps for plowing and clearing of roads and pathways. There is also an FAQ and daily updates from Public Works staff about snow plowing and snow clearing activities.

Remove Vehicles from Snow Routes We place signs on the streets 48 hours prior to commencement of snow removal. Please be sure to remove your vehicles from the streets when your neighbourhood is being cleared. Graders and plows cannot do a thorough job if they have to maneuver around vehicles. Your cooperation helps us clear your street effectively and efficiently. Municipal Enforcement will continue working with Public Works to ensure that streets can cleared safely and efficiently.

Get the App! Beaumont has a new app that we are piloting for street and path snow plowing and clearing (and street sweeping in the spring). It’s called Clean Streets Beaumont and it is available on the Apple store and Google Play. The app gives you daily updates on the snow plowing and clearing work.

Clearing the Roadways Beaumont winter maintenance crews are trained and ready to make the roadways of Beaumont safe. Do not push snow onto the road when clearing your driveway. Public Works staff will plow your road as soon as the priorities and weather conditions allow. Please clear the sidewalk adjacent to your home within 48 hours of 2 cm of snow accumulation in order to keep sidewalks safe for pedestrians. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Do You Have a Fire Hydrant Near Your Home?

If so, please help us clear snow and ice for 1.5 m around the hydrant. This helps ensure the Beaumont Fire Department and Public Works operators can access the hydrant quickly in an emergency.

Rock Chips for Residential Ice Control Beaumont is offering free rock chips to residents. Residents can pick up rock chips for sidewalks and driveways 24/7 in the southwest corner of the Aqua-Fit Centre parking lot. The rock chips will be available for as long as required this winter.

Please bring your own bucket and shovel.

Detour Route Closed Sidewalk and Trail

Construction Notice Improvement to the Cairns Storm Water Management Facility will take place February to May 2017. Upgrades to the existing site are needed to ensure proper drainage during heavy rain events.

The asphalt trail and 50 Ave north sidewalk within the site will be closed during construction.

Otherwise, there aren’t expected to be any interruptions to residents’ daily life.

Are you harbouring a fugitive?

All dogs and cats over the age of six months that reside in Beaumont must have an animal license.

To report a lost or found dog or cat, please call the Municipal Enforcement complaint line at 780-929-7435 between 8 a.m and 5 p.m. Plus, we’re on Facebook 24/7 at T4XAnimalControl.

If you have specific questions about this improvement, please call or email: Keaton Seaby, P. Eng., Project Manager 780- 929-4302 keaton.seaby@beaumont.ab.ca