Neighbourhood Notes June 2017

NEIGHBOURHOOD NOTES June 2017

HORSESHOE CANYON UPGRADES During the Horseshoe Canyon Inaugural Event last fall, Kneehill County received $25,000 from

Trees arrive at Horseshoe Canyon

Canadian National Railways and the CN Eco Connexions “From the Ground Up” Program, along with their partners Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom, for the sustainable beautification of Horseshoe Canyon.

Before...

This spring, Kneehill County’s Agricultural and Parks Department planted over 50 trees and 215 shrubs at the popular tourist attraction. Stabilizing the banks with vegetation is part of the continued safety enhancements planned by Kneehill County Parks. Previous improvements include an observation deck overlooking the canyon, erosion

...a er!

matting, and new lookouts constructed on the hills below.

Staff will be on site throughout the summer, speaking with visitors and collecting data to help define future plans for the Canyon. Traffic counts and pedestrian counters have been installed as well. 90,316 vehicles entered into the Horseshoe Canyon lookout since July 22, 2016 to May 1, 2017.

What’s Inside... 

Municipal Development Plan

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Elec on 2017

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Recycling

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Tax No ces 2017

Municipal Development Plan What is a Municipal Development Plan?

MDP Public Consultations were held February 28,

The MDP is an overarching planning policy document that

March 28, and April 19, along with a Special Meeting of

is general in nature and long range in its outlook. It

Council (Public Hearing) on June 26, 2017.

contains policies on land use, transportation, recreation,

Thank you to everyone who participated in the MDP

economic opportunities and hamlets. It looks to identify

process by filling in surveys and attending consultations.

areas where development is logical, advantageous, and

We greatly value your input.

appropriate. It balances new opportunities and vision with

Please continue to check www.kneehillcounty.com,

protecting the rural quality of life.

for important Municipal Development Plan updates.

Reeve’s Message work with our partner municipalities on Hearings on various planning matters Regional Emergency Planning and as well. Council passed first reading of public awareness. our Municipal Development Plan and continues to work on Intermunicipal Our Agriculture and Parks department Plans with our surrounding is busy with landscaping at Horseshoe municipalities.

Canyon, upgrades to Keiver’s Lake Campground and keeping up with Watch our website for important mowing cemeteries and public spaces. upcoming election details and information on Council continues to work towards our This year’s Agricultural Service Board th Tour is on July 26 beginning in running for strategic goals of safe and viable council. In the communities. Citizen communication, Horseshoe Canyon and meandering meantime, I or fiscal sustainability and thinking and throughout the County showcasing any councilor, acting regionally. local businesses and tourism may be operators, and ending with a long The spring weather has also made us contacted with table dinner at the Canyon. aware to prepare for a 72 hour questions or emergency situation. We continue to Council has been busy with Public concerns.

With half of 2017 already past us, all departments are busy with summer projects throughout the County. Roads continue to be our top priority with our maintenance and shoulder pull projects. The quick spring thaw left many roads to be repaired and we thank you for your patience.

Council Contacts Division 5 - Bob Long, Reeve T: 403-443-5604 blong@kneehillcounty.com

Summer Council Meeting Schedule:  July 18, 8:30 am  August 15, 8:30 am

Division 2 - Carol Calhoun T:403-546-2655 ccalhoun@kneehillcounty.com

Division 3 - Jerry Wittstock, Deputy Reeve, T: 403-546-3067 jwittstock@kneehillcounty.com

Division 4 - Glen Keiver T: 403-443-7738 gkeiver@kneehillcounty.com

Division 1 - Brian Holsworth T: 403-572-3501 bholsworth@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, Twitter and Instagram: @kneehillcounty

October 2017 Municipal Election

MAILING OF 2017 ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION NOTICES In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, no ce is hereby given that the 2017 Combined Assessment and Taxa on No ces have been mailed as of May 19, 2017 to Kneehill County ratepayers. If you have not received your copy of the combined Tax & Assessment No ce, please contact Caroline Siverson at the County office, 403‐443‐5541.

The assessment roll is open for inspec on by the public and can be viewed at the Kneehill County office at 1600, 2 Street NE, Three Hills during regular business hours of Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm or on the Kneehill County website at www.kneehillcounty.com

The next Municipal Election is Monday, October 16, 2017.

Nomination deadline is Monday, September 18, 2017, 10am to 12pm.

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. 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.

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

Any person wishing to object to an item on the Assessment Roll must do so in wri ng, as per the instruc ons located on the back of your Tax No ce, before 4:30pm on July 18, 2017. Details are also available on our website at www.kneehillcounty.com.

Population Statistics Total Private Dwellings in Kneehill County = 1859 Population Density/Square Kilometer = 1.5 Land area in square kilometers = 3381.02 Population % change, from 2011 to 2016 = +1.6 %

Total population as of 2016 Kneehill County 5001

The Canada 150 tulip, otherwise known as the “Maple Leaf” tulip, made a striking display in Kneehill County flower beds this spring. Planted as a part of Canada’s 150th celebration, these tulips have cropped up all over the country this year. th

Happy 150 Birthday Canada!

Three Hills

3212

Trochu

1058

Carbon

454

Acme

653

Linden

828

Regional Total

11,205

KRFCSS 2016 Annual Report The FCSS program is a partnership between the Government of Alberta and local municipali es, commi ed to suppor ng the well‐ being of individuals, families and community through programs.

Visit www.kneehillcounty.com to download the full report.

The next round of Community Grant applications are due October 4, 2017.

Please visit our website for more information.

Local Firefighters Honoured

Where are your local government tax dollars going?

.46 cents ‐ Transporta on Services .20 cents ‐ Water, Sewer and Waste Management

.15 cents ‐ Administra on

.08 cents ‐ Legisla ve Services (Council)

.04 cents ‐ Protec ve Services

Congratulations to our 2017 area firefighters for receiving their Exemplary Service Medals in recognition of 20 years of outstanding service from the Governor General of Canada!

Trochu Fire: Alan Adam (21 years.)

Trochu Fire: Ken Wohl (52 years—received his Third Bar representing 30 years following the 20 year medal.)

Trochu Fire: Richard Hoppins (21 years.)

Torrington Fire: Michael Bauer (24 years.)

Also receiving their Alberta Emergency Services Medal for 12 years was Linden Fire Chief Shawn Klassen, John Baerg, Jeremy Regehr, Kevin Klassen, Trevor Toews and Karl Klassen.

Thank you for serving our communities, and to your families for their support!

.03 cents ‐ Parks and Recrea on

.02 cents ‐ Agricultural Services

.02 cents ‐ Planning and Development

For full 2017 budget details, visit www.kneehillcounty.com/administration/ finance/budget.

2016 Financial Statements now available for download from the Kneehill County website.

Invasive Weed Program

Land Care Program Riparian Restoration

The Kneehill County Agriculture and Parks Department has many programs to assist in the control of invasive weeds, such as: 

One-on-One Invasive Weed Management planning advice

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Reverse Fence-line Spraying program

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Private Land Spraying program

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Annual Roadside Spraying program

Water Well Decommissioning

To report sightings of invasive weeds, and to sign up for one of our an Invasive Weed or Land Care programs, please contact Kneehill County’s ASB staff, at 403-443-5541. Specific weed information can be found at www.abinvasives.ca.

Black Henbane

Common Tansy

Dame’s Rocket

This new format of the grassed waterways program has been expanded to include, not only grass seeding in riparian areas, but riparian tree/shrub planning, riparian fencing and a producer innovation portion for specialized projects. Eligible Kneehill County ratepayers can apply for free grass seed and 75% of their other project costs, up to $2000 following ASB staff approval.

White Cockle

Maximum $300 per well to aid in the proper decommissioning of abandoned water wells.

Limited offer; projects subject to ASB staff approval.

Solar Off-Site Livestock Watering Trial System Includes portable watering tank, hose, solar panel, battery, floating pump, and portable fence supplies. Available to first time users for a FREE two week trial. Repeat users and extra weeks of use will involce a rental fee of $150 per week with a maximum of 1 month of use. Please contact the ASB staff, 403-443-5541, to book.

AlbertaFireBans.ca provides informa on on all ac ve fire bans, restric ons and advisories in Alberta. The informa on is current, reliable and available to the public.

Visit www.albertafirebans.ca.

Please note: Burning Barrels are not allowed in Hamlets.

Operations Update Gravel Stockpile, Three Hills

to gravel surfaces on the upper campground area.

MICRO SURFACE: 

4 km of micro-surface has been completed on Rge Rd 25-1, and 17 km on Twp Rd 34-4 between Hwy 21 and Rge Rd 22-1.

DUST CONTROL: Completed 46 ratepayer applications of calcium chloride, totaling 7,750 lineal meters.

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Haul Roads given 4,785 meters of calcium chloride.

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SHOULDER PULL: 

110 km program for this year.

HUXLEY DRAINAGE: 

Railroad Ave ditched.

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Multiple new culverts installed, and ditching of various street locations.

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Streets will be assessed later this summer.

GRAVEL: 

150,000 tonnes of gravel contract to central location at the Three Hills Public Works Yard, to be completed by end of year. Second year of 3 year contract.

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Re-gravelling program to commence north of Highway 27

KEIVER’S LAKE: 

1.6 km of Spec Crude applied on Rge Rd 26-0.

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DL1040 dust control, an anionic slow-setting emulsified asphalt designed specifically as a spray-applied dust suppressant, was applied

Kneehill Area Solid Waste Transfer Station Facilities * Summer Hours May 1 to September 30. ** Winter Hours October 1 to April 30.

Unacceptable Materials will be refused!

Box 400 Three Hills, AB. T0M 2A0