Neighbourhood Notes, February 2017

Neighbourhood Notes

February 2017

Community Ratepayer Meeting set for April 19

W

ith record cold snaps and heavy snow fall, we’ve had the real Albertan experience this winter.

Thank you to our Operations Department for doing a great job keeping our roads open and our traffic moving.

The 2017 Interim Budget was passed in December with the final assessments from the Province coming in this spring for 2017, seeing further decreases in non-residential. The budget has been completed with the goal to provide our ratepayers with the same service standards on all core services.

The council term of four years comes to an end in October 2017 across all municipalities in Alberta. Watch our

website, and the Province of Alberta’s, for important upcoming election details and information on running for a local government council position.

Council passed a new Land Use Bylaw in October 2016, and we are in the process of reviewing our Municipal Development Plan, the overarching document of planning in Kneehill County. We would like your input at our upcoming public consultations set for February 28 and March 28. As well, we have included a survey in this newsletter for you to complete and return to our office.

Please also join us at our Community Ratepayer Meeting on April 19 at the Acme Community Center, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Connect with Kneehill County Council over coffee and dessert and discuss any issues, projects or priorities you have. ‐ Reeve Bob Long

Four Councillors celebrated 15 years of service on Kneehill County Council, and we thank them for serving our community: Jerry Wittstock, Carol Calhoun, Brian Holsworth and Ken Hoppins.

What’s Inside...

Municipal Election 2017

Land Use Bylaw # 1718

Citizen Sur vey

Invasive Weed Pr ogram

OCTOBER 2017 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Sep c Sense

The next Municipal Election is Monday, October 12, 2017.

Solu ons for Rural Living

The nomination deadline is Monday, September 18, 2017.

Kneehill County is comprised of seven districts, with one councillor elected from each. All candidates must be residents of their Electoral Division for six consecutive months prior to Nomination Day.

March 27, 2017

All successful candidates will serve a four year term. There is no limit to the number of times a councillor may be re-elected. From the elected council, a Reeve and Deputy Reeve will be elected annually.

6:30—9:30 pm Three Hills Community Center Lodge Room

Coffee and dessert provided

Each candidate must pay a deposit of $100.00 for their nomination in accordance with the Master Rates Bylaw. All potential candidates are required to register with the municipality before they can accept campaign contributions. Form 3A is available online, or at the Kneehill County Office.

Nomination Eligibility Potential candidates must meet ALL of the following criteria:  eligible to vote in this election  a resident of Kneehill County and electoral district for six consecutive months prior to nomination day  not otherwise ineligible or disqualified (See Section 22 of the Local Authorities Election Act for Ineligibility of Candidates)

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What is a sep c system?

How do they work?

Regula ons Design and Installa on Appropriate Use Maintenance Troubleshoo ng

Please pre‐register by contac ng Megan at 403‐443‐5541 Email: megan.lethbridge @kneehillcounty.com

For more election information, please visit the Elections Page at www.kneehillcounty.com

One– on– One with Reeve

Reeve Long invites you to have a conversation over coffee at the Kneehill County office, creating an opportunity for ratepayers to connect. You can request your Divisional Councillor attend as well. Please call 403-443-5541 to schedule an appointment.

COUNCIL CONTACTS Division 5 - Bob Long, Reeve T: 403-443-5604 blong@kneehillcounty.com Division 3 - Jerry Wittstock, Deputy Reeve, T: 403-546-3067 jwittstock@kneehillcounty.com Division 1 - Brian Holsworth T: 403-572-3501 bholsworth@kneehillcounty.com Division 2 - Carol Calhoun

T:403-546-2655 ccalhoun@kneehillcounty.com Division 4 - Glen Keiver T: 403-443-7738 gkeiver@kneehillcounty.com Division 6 - Ken Hoppins T: 403-442-2428 khoppins@kneehillcounty.com Division 7 - Bobby Painter T: 403-442-2236

bpainter@kneehillcounty.com

Connect with Us!

www.kneehillcounty.com Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @kneehillcounty www.kneehillcounty.com

LAND USE BYLAW 1718 HAS BEEN ADOPTED: Summary 

The number of parcels allowed in Agriculture District has changed to a maximum 5 lots per quarter section (including the balance.)

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Bare parcel lots in Agriculture District require minimum 2 acres and a maximum 5 acres.

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Ag Buildings over 200 ft2 require Development Permits.

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Grain bins do not require a Development Permit, however, they are required to meet the following setbacks (100ft from the right-of-way from a County road, 135 ft from the right-of-way to a provincial highway, 25 ft from side and rear property lines.)

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New Agriculture Business District allows minimum 10 acre/maximum 40-acre subdivision for a specific agricultural business use.

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Shelterbelts require a 135 ft setback from a primary highway and a 35ft setback from a local County road. They also require a 100ft setback from any intersection.

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On an Agricultural Parcel 20 acres or less, livestock numbers are limited. If you wish to exceed those livestock numbers you can now apply for a Development Permit to do so. A Manure Management Plan will need to accompany your application.

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Applications to site Manufactured Housing older that 35 years will be prohibited.

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Development Permit fees are double for anyone

constructing without the appropriate Development Permit.

OPERATIONS UPDATE SHOULDER PULLING

IMPROVEMENTS

DUST CONTROL

Early this spring, Kneehill County will begin 110 kilometers of re-crown Shoulder Pulling in the southern part of the County, along the following roads:

Dirt trail improvements will also be taking place in the southern area of the County this spring. Kneehill County’s transportation department will be notifying landowners adjacent to these dirt trails, as the road allowance will need to be surveyed before seeding begins.

Dust Control applications will be available for the month of April, for a subsidized cost of calcium or spec crude dust suppressant.

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Twp RD 29-2, Rge Rd 27-0 to Carbon

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Twp RD 29-0, Hwy 806 to Hwy 836

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Twp Rd 28-4, Rge Rd 25-0 to Rge Rd 22-2 (Hesketh Road)

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Rge Rd 24-4, Hwy 575 to Hwy 9 (Grainger Rd)

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Rge Rd 23-4, Twp Rd 29-2 to Hwy 9

DIRT TRAIL www.kneehillcounty.com

INVASIVE WEED PROGRAM: Roadside Spraying

Common Tansy

Black Henbane

Baby’s Breath

Public Roadside Spraying Program Invasive weed control remains an Agricultural Service Board (ASB) priority. In 2017 ASB staff will con nue our roadside spraying program Spraying the South 1/3rd of the County by travelling all roads from our south boundary north to Twp Rd 30‐2, spraying a residual herbicide to control regulated invasive weeds.

Invasive weed control throughout the remainder of the County will be completed as requested or reported and spot spraying only.

The ASB spray crew will leave a one meter buffer strip between the road allowance and the adjacent land owners property when applying herbicides for weed control. Weeds within this buffer zone may be controlled with permission from the land owner, allowing the ASB to drive on their property spraying back onto the road allowance.

As per policy all roadside spraying will stop 30 meters upon approaching a farmstead or residence, where buildings and trees are within 30 meters of the road allowance and will con nue 30 meters past the farmstead or residence. This area is the responsibility of the adjacent landowner except in the situa on

where noxious weeds are present, in which case the ASB will work with the landowner to gain control. The Kneehill County ASB is also responsible for weed inspec on within most urban municipali es under contract.

Please call the ASB office to report invasive weed growth on County property and public lands so they may be controlled as soon as possible 1‐403‐443‐5541.

Reverse Fence Line Spraying To prevent crop damage, it has been our policy to leave a 1 m buffer strip between County road allowances and adjacent landowner property when applying residual herbicide for weed control. Upon signing a permission to enter allowing Kneehill County ASB to drive on the landowners property, the Kneehill County ASB will spray backwards onto the County road allowance to control invasive weeds within this buffer strip for FREE.

Private Land Noxious Weed Control Agricultural producers within Kneehill County can receive assistance in controlling noxious weeds.

On a cost recovery basis, the Kneehill County ASB will assist producers on controlling small patches of select noxious weeds to a maximum of 1 acre in crop and 2 acres in pasture areas.

The Kneehill County ASB will supply manpower, equipment, and herbicides.

Or if you wish to report a weed problem contact the Kneehill County ASB.

Baling Twine Recycling Large collection bags which fit into 45 gal. barrels are available compliments of Kneehill County for used plastic bale twine and plastic net wrap. The collection bags are available for pick up at the County Office. A designated collection area for full bags has been made available at the Three Hills County Transfer Site.

These bags must be tied shut and must only contain used plastic twine and plastic net wrap which is FREE of STRAW, METAL, MANURE, MUD and WOOD.

BUDGET 2017 Highlights Available on our website www.kneehillcounty.com

The overall purpose of the Kneehill County Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is to provide guidance and clarity to ensure that future growth is sustainable, efficient and enhances the quality of life for our citizens.

The MDP is a policy document that is general in nature and long range in its outlook. The key areas of the MDP include visioning for agriculture, residential and hamlets, economic development, environmental and hazard lands, recreation, transportation, natural resources, renewable energy, growth management, development phasing, inter-municipal cooperation, and reserve lands. Please return survey to our office by April 18th, 2017.

List the following in order of importance: (1 being the highest priority)

Agriculture Infrastructure (roads & utilities) Rural water Financial sustainability Quality of life Parks & recreation Economic development

(residential, commercial, industrial) Renewable energy Environment Local job creation Regional governance (shared services) Tourism Hamlet (urban development) Sustainability includes all aspects of quality of life including education, health, culture & business.

What is Kneehill County’s role in facilitating this for future generations?

What do you see are some of the keys to keeping the next generation in Kneehill County, to remain sustainable?

What kind of agriculture education initiatives could Kneehill County undertake to provide operators and farmers with learning opportunities?

Workshops In-house

Online Booklets Other?

Are there key areas where large-scale agricultural processing facilities should be developed? (as described in next question)

Only along highways Close to urban centres Anywhere as long as infrastructure is feasible What industries should Kneehill County promote as a way to diversify agriculture?

(Check all that apply)

Commercial greenhouses Agri-Tourism Farm gate sales Market gardens Feed mills Grain elevators Agriculture processing Renewable energy Meat production

Brewery/distillery Livestock and/or

farm equipment sales Cheese processing Honey processing Bee keeping Seed cleaning plants Other?

How can the impacts of an aging farming population be addressed?

More non-traditional agriculture opportunities More affordable housing Larger subdivision options Workshops on farm succession planning More activities/recreation options Other?

What are the strengths of Kneehill County’s economy?

Agriculture Natural Resources (Oil & Gas) Business Potential for new opportunities Lower start-up costs due to location Tourism & Recreation Other?

What are the possible economic development opportunities?

Renewable energy (Solar, Wind, Geothermal) Agriculture industries Small business Non-traditional farming Tourism operations Other?

How can the County support and encourage entrepreneurs?

Small grants for business development Tax incentives

Business mentorship Business directory High speed internet Business or industry hubs or zones Identify some of the items, services, and supports you have to go outside Kneehill County to acquire that you would like to see available locally?

What type of commercial & industrial uses should be promoted in the County? (Please list)

Should the County encourage affordable housing?

How?

What kind of partnerships could be developed to promote agriculture within the County? (i.e. 4-H, Ag Society)

What new recreational or cultural activities would you like to see within the County? (Please list)

What recreation activities and/or facilities do you and your family use most frequently? Check all that apply.

Arena Swimming pool Campgrounds Parks Ball diamonds Community Centre Bowling

Required buffer zones More environmental reserves taken Solid waste collection Minimum setback Internet requirements between agriculture and sensitive areas Minimum setback requirements between development and sensitive areas

Is there County related communications/ information you require that is difficult to find?

Please list

Is there other information you require that would be helpful for the County to provide?

What is your preferred method to receive information?

Mail

Email

Website

Social Media

Additional comments:

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Please return completed survey to: PO Box 400, Three Hills, AB. T0M 2A0 Attn: Planning Department Or drop off at the Kneehill County Administration Office 1600, 2nd Street NE, Three Hills

by April 18th, 2017.

Golfing Canoeing Should the County be involved in providing Geocaching recreational facilities? Curling Yes - please list No - why? Museums/Cultural Centres

Other?

Kneehill County collaborates with its neighbours to provide many of the following services. What are the services that you would like to see enhanced, extended or made more widely available?

Fire Roads Municipal Water

How should the County strike a balance between protecting environmental and agricultural areas?

The information collected in this survey will form part of the public consultation feedback and materials collected by Kneehill County Council for MDP consideration in April 2017.

UTILITY CHANGES: Water Rates, Invoicing 

WATER RATE CHANGE: Kneehill County water rates have increased for the following service areas, effective January 1, 2017:  $2.95/m3 to $3.02/m3 Hamlet of Swalwell, Hamlet of Torrington, Sunnyslope Water Service Area, Churchill Water Service Area, Gamble Water Service Area, Kirkpatrick Water Service Area, Selkirk Water Service Area  $1.64/m3 (NO CHANGE) Hamlet of Huxley, Hamlet of Wimborne, Equity and Mount Vernon service areas.  NEW! Receive your Utility Invoice via Email. Complete a Utilities Application (available on our website) and choose “email” as your billing option.  Kneehill County now accepts pre-authorized debit payments for all bi-monthly utility bills. Complete an Utility PAD Agreement (available online) and forward to the office for processing.

TAX ARREARS The Municipal Government Act, Section 412, states “A municipality must annually, not later than March 31, (a) prepare a tax arrears list showing the parcels of land in the municipality in respect of which there are tax arrears for more than one year”.

If you have a balance owing on your land taxes from 2015 or earlier, your property will have a Tax Caveat registered against it.

The registrar forwards a copy of the Tax Caveat registration to every

www.kneehillcounty.com

party with a registered interest on your lands - mortgage companies, oil & gas companies, etc.

There will also be a list posted for the public to view.

If you think you might have an arrears balance and wish to clear it up prior to March 31st, please contact Caroline Siverson, Tax & Assessment/Utilities Administrator at 403-443-5541 or caroline.siverson@kneehillcounty.com.

PAYMENTS Kneehill County accepts payment for Utilities by cheque, cash, Visa, Mastercard, debit, pre-authorized debit, and online banking. (Choose Kneehill County Utilities as payee online.)

Tax Payments can be made by cheque, cash, debit, the Tax Instalment Payment Plan, and online banking. (Choose Kneehill County Taxes as payee online.

Kneehill County cannot accept credit card payments for Tax purposes.)

Bulk water and other invoices can be paid with cheque, cash, Visa, Mastercard, debit, or online banking.

(Choose Kneehill County General as the payee online.)

We’re here to help! Stop by the Kneehill County office, or call 403-443-5541, Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30 pm.

Kneehill Area Solid Waste Transfer Station Facilities Dirt Trail Task Force Recommendations for Policy * Summer Hours May 1 to September 30. ** Winter Hours October 1 to April 30.

Unacceptable Materials will be refused!

Kneehill County Community Mee ng

Welcome all County

HAMLET RESIDENTS

April 19 from 6 to 9 pm at the Acme Community Center Enjoy coffee and dessert while connec ng with Council!

Farm Equipment & the Traffic Safety Act Discussion Thursday, March 9 fr 9 to 11:00 am Acme Community Hall Hosted by Kneehill County Public Safety & Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

HAMLETS: 911/Emergency Response Teams want to find you quickly!!

Every home must have a house number, properly affixed and clearly visible from the hamlet street.

Box 400 Three Hills, AB. T0M 2A0

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