Council Notes - October 3rd, 2023
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Council Notes - October 3rd, 2023
Community Futures West Yellowhead Loan Program. Council has directed Administration to enter into a revised 3-year conditional grant agreement with Community Futures West Yellowhead (CFWY) to support an ongoing loan program for new and existing businesses in the community. This will be funded by reallocating $200,000 from the previous loan program that was put in place to help with COVID recovery. More details on this loan program will be available at https://westyellowhead.albertacf.com/.
Climate Risk Assessment. Stantec Consulting gave a presentation to Council on the recent Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Study, which was funded through an $80,000 grant from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Climate Resilience Capacity Building Program. The purpose of the report is to expand the Town’s understanding on how municipal assets, infrastructure, and operations are vulnerable to climate change and make recommendations on how to mitigate those risks. For more details, visit our Green Initiatives website at www.edson.ca/green.
Franchise Fees - ATCO. Council has maintained the ATCO Franchise Fee rate at 22.54% for 2024. Each year, municipalities with an ATCO Franchise Agreement must respond, in writing, with their decision to increase, decrease, or maintain the current rate.
Franchise Agreement Renewal - Fortis. Council has authorized the signing of a Franchise Agreement Renewal Letter with FortisAlberta for a term of 5 years, expiring on December 31, 2029. The previous 10-year agreement expires at the end of the year and allows for two subsequent 5-year extensions.
Assessor. Compass Assessment Consultants Inc. has been appointed by Council as the Town of Edson’s assessor for a period of three years, with an expiration date of June 30th, 2026.
Quarterly Report. Council has accepted the October 2023 year to date Financial Report as presented.
Seniors, Community, and Social Services Minister Letter. A letter from Minister Jason Nixon has been accepted as information. The letter recognized the “exceptional level of professionalism, compassion and resourcefulness” exhibited by the Town of Edson and staff throughout the wildfire crisis this spring. It also touched on the support given to vulnerable individuals throughout the emergency and during the evacuations.
Next meetings - The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for October 10th, 2023, at 7:00 pm. A Budget Meeting is set for October 14th, 2023, at 9 am. The next Council meeting is scheduled for October 17th, 2023, along with the annual Organizational Meeting, at 7:00 pm.
Agenda/Information package HERE
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