Neighbourhood Notes These are truly unprecedented times. In a matter of months, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, socialize, interact, line up at the grocery store, and otherwise conduct business. No one could have predicted the utter upheaval of our normal, day-today lives, but we have adapted, and as true Albertans do, we’ve learned to make the best of things. On behalf of Council, I’d like to thank Kneehill County staff for their commendable work over the last few months. When COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic, staff leapt into action, putting business continuity plans in place to ensure that no matter what happened, essential services would continue to be provided to our residents. We’ve managed this successfully, and I’d like to thank both our office staff and our public works crews for going above and beyond over the last few months,
Reeve Jerry Wittstock Kneehill County maintaining our roads and water services, and keeping up with our other services as well. I know it hasn’t been easy to work remotely or otherwise isolated and as we go forward, some challenges will remain as we continue to follow our own safety protocols, and those of the province. Again, we thank you for your dedication and commitment to the residents we serve. I’d also like to thank our residents for your
continued patience. Due to the new COVID-19 regulations, the way we interact with the public, and the delivery of some of our services has changed. In order to maintain physical distancing and other safety guidelines, our seasonal staffing team has been reduced this year, which may effect the frequency of some services, such as mowing and spraying in the County. Many of our events
have been cancelled, such as our annual Long Table Dinner. You’ll notice new rules at our campgrounds, and when using our facilities as well. These changes can’t be helped—they are a reality of the new world we live in. But let me assure you—though some of our service delivery has changed, the work behind the scenes hasn’t. County staff remain hard at work within the new parameters. Your continued health and safety, and that of our staff, remains our highest priority. In May we began working through our re-opening plan, following the province’s lead. We’ve opened our day use parks, allowed some in-person appointments at the office, and opened our campgrounds to the public. With the province announcing Phase-2 of their relaunch plan, and with continued low case numbers of COVID-19 reported, we plan to re-open the Kneehill County office to the
June 2020
In this Issue
• 2020 Tax Rate Bylaw • Kneehill County Scholarship Program • Hazardous Waste Storage • Ag Safety & Services
public starting Monday, June 15. This will allow for some more in-person services, and public attendance to our Council and Committee meetings again. Safety protocols, increased sanitization and proper barriers will be in place at the office to ensure the continued safety of residents and staff. Going forward, we will continue to monitor updates from the province and Alberta Health Services, and will determine future services, events and increased public interaction based on their recommendations. Kneehill County has a COVID-19 Information page on our website for residents, and I encourage you to check this page often for updates to our services. We do hope to continue with our Discovery Fair Ratepayer Evenings this year, which are still tentatively planned for August. Should regulations surrounding mass gatherings still be in
effect then, we will look at either postponing these events, or providing them in a different way. Council remains committed to discussion and consultation with our ratepayers, despite the pandemic. Tax notices will be mailed out to residents June 15—delayed this year due to COVID-19. Inside your tax notice is an insert detailing Kneehill County’s budget and tax dollar information. Please take the time to review this information, and contact your divisional Councillor if you have any questions or concerns. Hopefully the end of this pandemic is in sight. As restrictions start to lift, and businesses re-open, please ensure you continue to socially distance (wear a mask if this is impossible), practice good hygiene, stay home if you’re sick, and perhaps most importantly—continue to get your information from reliable sources. Take care, and stay safe. - Reeve Jerry Wittstock
COVID-19 and Re-Opening Guidelines Kneehill County Office Open to the Public June 15, 2020
With the province announcing Phase 2 of their relaunch plan, and with the continued low case numbers of COVID-19, Kneehill County plans to fully reopen the office to the public on Monday, June 15, 2020. Walk-ins will be available at this time, as well as inperson attendance of Council and Committee meetings. Safety protocols, increased sanitization and proper barriers will be in place to ensure the continued safety of residents and staff. In the meantime, services offered through email, telephone and online methods are preferred. If you require in-person services at the County office, please call 403-443-5541 to schedule an appointment with staff. Please note the following changes and guidelines
in place for using Kneehill County’s re-opened parks, campgrounds and playgrounds. Horseshoe Canyon and Orkney Viewpoint opened to the public on Friday, May 15, 2020, with no access
to facilities. Hard surfaces are not sanitized at these locations. Use at your own risk. Please continue to practice good hygiene and physical distancing when accessing these parks, and do not visit the parks if you
have symptoms of COVID-19. Keiver’s Lake, Torrington, Braconnier Dam, and Swalwell Dam Camgrounds opened to the public June 1, 2020, at 50% capacity and with restrictions in place. Group sites are closed, and
only self-contained units are allowed. Reservations and payments for campsites can only be taken online, starting June 1, 2020. No washrooms or outhouses will be available. Please continue to practice good hygiene and physical distancing when accessing these campgrounds, and do not visit the campgrounds if you have symptoms of COVID-19. All Kneehill County Playgrounds and sport courts are open, however these amenities are not sanitized and users are cautioned to follow hygienic practice, social distancing and all other Alberta Health Service orders as these are high touch point structures. (This includes Keiver’s Lake, Torrington, Swalwell, Huxley & Wimborne.)