Neighbourhood Notes
December 2023
In this Issue Council Highlights Page 2 MDP Engagements Page 3 Ag Jug Recycling Page 5 Winter Storm Driving Page 11
Reeve’s Message As your newly elected Reeve, I am honored to serve our community and grateful for the trust Council has placed in me. My heartfelt thanks to Deputy Reeve Wittstock for his dedication as Reeve over the past six years. His leadership and commitment have been instrumental in our successes, and we thank him for his service. Council has been actively involved in several important initiatives. Recently, we participated in the first round of Municipal Development Plan (MDP) engagements with you, our residents. Your feedback has been invaluable, providing insights and perspectives that are essential in shaping the decisions we make. We invite you to join us for the second round of these engagements, where we will present a “What We Heard” report. This will be a crucial opportunity for you to voice your concerns and help us shape the future of Kneehill County together. (More information on the MDP Engagements on Page 3.) Council has also been working on amendments to the renewable energy sections of our Land Use Bylaw. While the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has the primary authority over renewable energy developments, the changes Council are making aim to give the County more influence in protecting our prime farmland from excessive conversion to non-agricultural uses. This is a vital step in preserving our agricultural legacy for future generations. The preparation of the 2024 budget has been another Council focus over the past few months, addressing financial challenges such as slow growth in new funding, increased costs due to inflation and supply chain issues, and limited support from higher levels of government. Our effective tax collection methods and prudent financial management have enabled us to avoid borrowing and build robust reserves, positioning us well for future needs, with minimal impact on taxes anticipated. As we approach the festive season, on behalf of Council, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year. May this season bring happiness, health, and prosperity to you and your loved ones. -Reeve Ken King
Delegation: Acme Alumni Association September 26: Delegations from the Acme Alumni Association joined Council to request funding to expand the size of the standard gymnasium planned for the new Acme School. Council had previously committed $50,000 for the school project (held in reserves) and provided another $50,000 towards the gymnasium expansion, for a total contribution of $100,000. Highway 587 Bridge October 24: Council acknowledged Hon. Devon Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, for promptly addressing Council’s concerns with the efficient repair of the Highway 587 bridge. Trochu Fire Truck Repairs October 24: Council authorized transferring up to $55,000 from the Contingency Reserve to the Protective Services budget to cover an unexpected pump replacement for Kneehill County’s Trochu Tender 65. Election of Reeve & Deputy Reeve October 24 Organizational Meeting: Ken King was nominated and elected Reeve, and Jerry Wittstock elected Deputy Reeve.
Council Contacts Division 7
Community Grants Congratulations to Round Two Community Grant Funding Recipients! Three Hills Skating Club • $1,170.00 to purchase synchronized skating dresses and CanSkate Equipment Huxley Community Association • $1,250.00 to replace toilets and taps in the Hall. Acme Playschool Association • $490.00 to improve their reading centre. Three Hills Arts Academy • $5,000.00 to assist in the cost of putting on five productions. Three Hills Golf Club • $3,800.00 to assist in the cost of replacing irrigation heads. Torrington Tourism Action Society • $5,000.00 for creating new displays and renovating existing displays at the Gopher Hole Museum. Trochu Ag Society (Round one Community Grants) • $17,500.00 for the purchase of new bleachers.
* HO L IDAY HO U R S * Kneehill County Office Closed:
Monday, Dec 25, 2023 - Monday, Jan 1, 2024 Business hours resume on Jan 2, 2024, at 8:30 am.
Three Hills & Linden Transfer Sites Closed: Tuesday, Dec 26, 2023
All other Transfer Site hours continue as regularly scheduled. Hamlet Garbage collection will continue as regularly scheduled.
Division 4
Reeve Kenneth King Phone: 403-443-0285 Email: kenneth.king@kneehillcounty.com
Councillor Carrie Fobes Phone:403-588-4624 Email: carrie.fobes@kneehillcounty.com
Division 3
Division 5
Deputy Reeve Jerry Wittstock Phone: 403-443-6196 Email: jerry.wittstock@kneehillcounty.com
Division 1
Councillor Faye McGhee Phone: 403-436-1611 Email: faye.mcghee@kneehillcounty.com
Division 2
Councilllor Debbie Penner Phone: 403-818-3108 Email: debbie.penner@kneehillcounty.com
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Councillor Laura-Lee Machell-Cunningham Phone: 403-443-0752 Email: lauralee.machell-cunningham @kneehillcounty.com
Division 6
Councillor Wade Christie Phone: 403-588-1992 Email: wade.christie@kneehillcounty.com
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Municipal Development Plan Engagements Shape Kneehill County’s Tomorrow- Today! The revision of our Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is well underway. The initial engagement phase began with Working Groups, who met to review sections of the MDP. Their findings were presented at the first round of Working Suppers, where community members (like you!) came together to provide valuable insights to help make Kneehill County a better place. It’s YOUR turn to make an impact! All Kneehill County residents and landowners 16+ (must own land or live in the County, outside of villages or towns) are invited to participate in the SECOND ROUND of our Working Suppers. These events are more than just a delicious roast beef meal — they’re an opportunity to help fine-tune our vision for Kneehill County’s future. What to Expect? • A “What We Heard” report featuring community feedback from the Round One engagements. • A space to comment on potential policy changes and Kneehill County priorities. • A chance to provide input and shape the County you love. Visit our website to save your spot at the table! www.kneehillcounty.com/2318/Municipal-Development-Plan.
Council at RMA Kneehill County Councillors, along with officials from nearly all of Alberta’s rural municipalities, participated in the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Fall Convention held in Edmonton. During this event, Council engaged in valuable discussions with various ministers and groups. They actively contributed to shaping the RMA’s lobbying efforts by participating in the resolution session, and attended breakout sessions on a range of topics crucial to municipal governance. Council also had the opportunity to network, exchanging ideas and information with elected officials from other Counties.
129 Kneehill County residents took part in the first round of MDP engagements, held in Trochu on October 25, and Acme on November 1.
Question and Answer Period Reeve King questioned the Minister of Children and Family Services, Searle Turton, about centralizing Victim Services. He expressed concerns that this approach isn’t working well for rural Albertans. He highlighted that many rural residents struggle to get help because they live far from services, face internet problems, and can’t get immediate assistance through 1-800 numbers during crises. Reeve King asked when the Province will develop social service policies for rural areas with real input from those living there.
Councillor Fobes asked Hon. Nate Horner, Minister of Finance, a question about the inability of Seniors Housing Authorities to remove themselves from the Local Authorities Pension Plan. Councillor Fobes and Councillor Machell-Cunningham also met with representatives from Alberta Solicitor General and the K Division regarding rural crime, RCMP recruitment, and habitual re-offenders.
Councillor Machell-Cunningham questioned Hon. Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities, about the Alberta Utilities Commission review process, and how Economic Withholding is affecting the utility rates of Albertans. Councillor Machell-Cunningham also received her Municipal Elected Leaders Certificate (MELC) from Minister McIvor.
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Important Update on Private Lane Snowplowing As per Transportation Policy 13-2, rates for private lane grading and snowplowing are determined by the Master Rates Bylaw, which was approved by Council in May 2023. In an effort to move more towards a cost recovery model for individual benefitting services, fees for private lane
snowplowing have been adjusted from $150 to $220 per hour, with a one-hour minimum charge that includes travel time. Please note that Council is currently reviewing Policy 13-2, with the possibility of discontinuing private grading/snowplowing services. We will keep you updated on any further developments. As always, if you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact your Divisional Councillor.
Operations Update Sealcoating of PBI Road (Range Road 240) and Airport Road (Range Road 234) was completed in October. This surfacing will help to protect the road structure by sealing out moisture and providing a wearable driving surface. The 2023 graveling program was completed with a total of 123,000 tonnes of gravel applied to 466 miles of County roadways. Crews will now shift to the winter stockpiling program. Graders and trucks have been equipped with winter snow clearing accessories and are ready for the season ahead.
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Got Gravel? Kneehill County is on a quest to unearth and secure a long-term gravel resource, and we need your help! If you think your property is sitting on a rockin’ gravel stash, don’t keep it buried. Reach out to the County for a gravel assessment of your land--we’ll leave no stone unturned! Don’t take this opportunity for granite, call today: 403-443-5541.
Ag Jug Recycling Change We know local growers recycle ag plastics once they’ve been used on the farm. That’s items like used pesticide & fertilizer containers, seed, pesticide and inoculant (SPI) bags – items that are recycled through Cleanfarms. And for several years we’ve been proud to support this program by offering a drop off depot for used, empty <23L containers at our landfill site.
Changes are coming With the hard work of local farmers and our staff, recycling empty ag containers has helped keep these used plastics out of the landfill, promoted clean and tidy farms and contributed to sustainability of this community. We thank you for all you’ve done. In an effort to streamline the program, Cleanfarms has begun a transition for the ag jug collection program that will take effect starting January 1, 2024. When this happens, rather than bringing your empty jugs to our landfill site, you’ll take them back to a local ag retailer for drop off free of charge. While your drop off location will change, the goal is to keep it equally convenient for you.
Why the change? This is part of a province wide program update that is transitioning Cleanfarms’ ag jug collections from municipal sites to the ag retail sites that currently accept used non deposit bulk containers and potentially seed, pesticide and inoculant bags, for recycling. Does it change how we recycle ag jugs? You’ll be able to bring your empty, triple or pressure-rinsed pesticide & fertilizer jugs, with booklets and labels removed to a depot. Before you do, please pick up a FREE ag collection bag from your local retailer and use it to store your prepared jugs. When it’s full, tie it with twine, rope or a zip tie, then drop it off at the retail collection site at no charge.
Does this change other Kneehill County recycling? No. The only change is the drop off location for empty <23 L pesticide and fertilizer containers. A map that shows every location accepting containers in the province is available here: https://csmap.cleanfarms.ca/FindMap The retail locations within Kneehill County are: • Cargill – Trochu/Equity • Core Ag Inputs – Torrington • Kneehill Soil Services – Linden • Kneehill Soil Services – Three Hills • Nutrien Ag Solutions – Trochu • Richardson Pioneer – Three Hills • UFA – Trochu • Westview Co-op – Horseshoe Canyon Agro The retail locations just outside the County are: • Cargill – Beiseker • Kneehill Soil Services – Drumheller • Nutrien Ag Solutions – Delburne • Nutrien Ag Solutions – Rosebud • Nutrien Ag Solutions – Rosedale • Richardson Pioneer – Beiseker • Westview Co-op – Drumheller Please note--locations are subject to change. For updated collection sites please reference the site map (link above).
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Dinosaur Fossil Discovery at Horseshoe Canyon November 6, 2023 – On the 13th and 19th of October 2023, staff from Kneehill County’s Agriculture & Parks department worked in tandem with experts from the Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology to carefully unearth large dinosaur fossils from Horseshoe Canyon—a site owned and operated in part by Kneehill County and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This event marks the second successful fossil recovery facilitated by Kneehill County staff, following a previous endeavour in October 2022. The fossils recovered this time have been identified as belonging to an adult hadrosaur, known as the duck-billed dinosaur, which roamed the earth around 69 million years ago. The find is especially remarkable as it provides rare insights into a period of North America’s prehistoric life that remains largely a mystery, particularly in what is now Alberta. Visitors to Horseshoe Canyon continue to play a vital role in discovering new fossils. If you stumble upon a fossil: • Respect the site: Leave the fossil undisturbed in its original location. • Document the find: Take clear photos of the fossil, including an object for scale. • Note the location: Use GPS coordinates to record the precise location if possible. • Report your discovery: Contact the Royal Tyrell Museum at tyrell.fossilreport@gov.ab.ca, or contact the Kneehill County Parks department, 403-443-5541.
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Did you know? Planning Hens • Hens are now a permitted use in Hamlet Residential, Country Residential, and Hamlet General Districts. • A permit is required to have hens in these districts. • Minimum 2 hens, maximum 4 hens. • No roosters are allowed! Setbacks in Ag Districts • Gravel & undeveloped roads: • Front Yard – 100 ft • Rear yard & side yard – 25 ft • Highway & paved roads: • All sides adjacent to a highway – 135 ft • Shelterbelts: • 35 ft from County road allowance • 100 ft from an intersection • Bins: • 100 ft • Dugouts: • 100 ft adjacent to a County road • 50 ft side and rear
Hamlets • In a hamlet, a recreational vehicle cannot be used for living or sleeping accommodations for longer than a 14-day period. This includes unoccupied lots. • Long term use of recreational vehicles must be done in a campground. • Burning of garbage or other materials is not permitted in any hamlet district Demolition • Under the Safety Codes Act, a permit is required to demolish a building. • Homes constructed from 1930s to 1979 may have asbestos. • Structures with asbestos cannot be burned or taken to a landfill without abatement. • Must have Fire Chief approval prior to burning any structure. Questions about planning in Kneehill County? Call the office, 403-443-5541, or visit our website for more information.
Call the Kneehill County Office to register: 403-443-5541
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Did you know? Grants Kneehill County offers grant funding programs to non-profits, community groups, and youth organizations every year.
Rural Community Hall Capital Grant-NEW! This policy provides financial assistance for the development and enhancement of community halls in Kneehill County. Application period: January 1 to September 30 Rural Community Halls Operating Grant Provides grant funding to Hall boards operating a Community Hall within Kneehill County, with funding amounts determined by facility use. Funds are distributed by February 1 each year. Community Grants to Non-Profit Organizations Twice a year, Council allocates funds towards project-based initiatives and non-operational expenditures for Non-Profit organizations through a grant process. Round One Applications due: First Wednesday of March Round Two Applications due: First Wednesday of October Community Enrichment Support Program Addresses sponsorship requests for recreation, community, arts & cultural events not covered by other grants, scholarships, awards, or donations. Applications accepted all year long.
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Rural Resident Connections Grant-NEW! This grant encourages Kneehill County rural residents to engage in local activities and promotes social connections by providing funding for community events. Applications accepted all year long. Youth Event Sponsorship Grant-REVAMPED! This policy provides financial assistance to organizations in Kneehill County for youth-oriented events, activities, and programs. Applications accepted all year long. Learn more about Grants at kneehillcounty.com, under the Community Services section, or call the office 403-443-5541.
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GFOA Award (Chicago, Illinois)--Government Finance Officers Association is pleased to announce that Kneehill County, Alberta, has received GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 2023. The award represents a significant achievement by Kneehill County. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, Kneehill County had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as: • a policy document • a financial plan • an operations guide • a communications device Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
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When a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is granted, a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation is also presented to the individual(s) or department designated as being primarily responsible for having achieved the award. This has been presented to Marika von Mirbach, Kneehill County’s Financial Planning Coordinator. There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA’s website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America. View Kneehill County’s budget books online, under the Corporate Services section at kneehillcounty.com. Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 22,500 members and the communities they serve.
Winter Storm Driving In Alberta, we’re no strangers to winter storms. Remember the heavy snowfall warning from Environment Canada a few weeks back? We saw it coming, but often, we don’t realize how our choice to drive in winter conditions impacts everyone. Did you know that parts of Kneehill County are prone to fog? Think back to the 2019 ice squalls near Acme, stranding families between Beiseker and Acme, or the 2013 winter storm that caused a major pile-up on Highway 575 near Carbon Cemetery Hill. Emergency services couldn’t reach stranded drivers due to closed highways and perilous conditions. We’re not blaming drivers; we’re raising awareness. The responsibility is on all of us to drive safely and be prepared for potentially spending hours in a ditch. Even the most capable vehicles can fall victim to black ice and whiteouts. Don’t assume you’ll be the exception. Most vehicles are equipped with technology like anti-slip functions, four-wheel drive, and winter tires. But remember, your taillights don’t automatically come on with daytime lights—you need to turn the knob! Clear all your windows and be aware of the fine for not clearing your windshield ($162). Navigation devices can help, but don’t solely rely on them, especially in bad weather. Weather forecasts have also improved. Follow Environment Canada, weather channels, and local news. Check road conditions on 511, Alberta.ca and social media before heading out. Remember, winter driving can be manageable...until it suddenly isn’t.
Essential winter driving tips: • Avoid traveling if the forecast looks bad. • Slow down, but never stop in a traffic lane. • Ensure your lights are on, including taillights. • If conditions worsen, safely pull over and turn on your hazards. • Reconsider your need to travel – is the grocery store or hockey practice worth the risk? • Prepare a Winter Car Kit • Stay in your car if stranded, but keep the exhaust clear if the engine is running.
Thank you to all the crews working hard on our roads, including snowplow drivers, volunteer firefighters, EMS, grader operators, tow truck drivers, RCMP, and road maintenance teams. They’re doing their best to keep us safe and make it back to their families. Let’s do our part by being cautious and prepared for winter driving. Stay safe out there!
Remember! New Road Rules •
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Drivers travelling in the adjacent lane are required to SLOW DOWN to 60 km/h for all emergency responders or roadside workers, including stopped maintenance vehicles & snowplows with their flashing lights activated. Drivers are also required to safely move over to an alternate lane (if possible) to provide workers with extra space.
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Box 400 Three Hills, AB T0M 2A0