Tag: RMWB council

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Economic Ft Mac

RMWB Council Gives Approval for Winter Road Repairs of $2.5 Million

The RMWB council has given approval for winter road repairs, authorizing $2.5 million for this task. When the council recently met on a Tuesday night they covered many different things. The council spent around an hour going over 2016 capital budget amendments and approving these changes. During this time council members also simplified the system in place for rural water and sewer program contribution collections from landowners. The meeting also included Toque Tuesday, with Mayor Blake wearing a black toque before the council meeting started to raise awareness of the special event to provide long term solutions for the homeless issues that the region has faced recently. The Centre of Hope provided the toques to the council to raise awareness of the issue.

One of the amendments approved by the RMWB council was the winter road repairs which are needed. The administration had recommended that the amendments include new funding in the amount of $2.5 million for Fort Chipewyan Winter Road infrastructure projects. This amendment as a source of questions, debate, and discussion by the council. Other amendments that were examined included downsizing a planned expansion for the recycling facility, and the project cancellation to install some new computer servers. The $2.5 million approved by the RMWB will go towards culvert repair and replacement on the winter road. Two culverts are currently in need of repairs, and one culvert will be replaced with a single span bridge. The repairs and replacements will ensure that water can pass under the roadway and keep the winter road in better condition.

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Economic Entertainment Ft Mac Politics

Downtown Arena Project Scrapped by RMWB Council Vote

downtown arena, RMWB council

The RMWB council recently voted to scrap the downtown arena that was being proposed, with council members voting 7-3 in favor of killing the proposal completely. The motion to scrap the proposal was brought by Coun. Keith McGrath. There was a lot of debate during the council meeting but eventually the wishes of the people won out. An online survey conducted by RMWB showed preliminary results that indicated almost 3 out of 4residents were against building the downtown arena, and the views of many council members reflected this. Rick Kozuback, the president and CEO of ICC, gave a presentation that was designed to clear up any confusion about the project. Kozuback told the council members “This was not an unsolicited bid.”

During the meeting the RMWB council discussed the downtown arena and listened to input from a variety of sources. During the meeting Coun. Colleen Tatum inquired about whether the ICC tried to ensure that the council had all of the important details at every step of the process, at which point Kozuback admitted that this was not the case because the information was being presented to committees with the hope that the councilors would receive it. Tatum responded by saying “I feel like when we get to the next part tonight, the outcome may not be favourable for your team and I just wish that we could have maybe discussed part of this with you before it got to this point.” Mayor Melissa Blake was against the motion and explained “It will not die without my resistance, not because of what (the motion) does but by how it does it.”

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Economic Ft Mac Health

RMWB Council Considers Financial Aid for Those Affected by Timberlea Sewer Backup

Timberlea sewer backup, RMWB council

The RMWB council is considering possible options in order to provide some form of financial aid to those who have been affected by the Timberlea sewer backup. As part of the process the council received presentations from both residents and administrators for the municipality. The presentations offered included facts and concerns about the severe rain storm on July 12 which has received blame from some for the sewer system being overwhelmed and backing up. During the storm 64 different residences had a sewer backup, and there were assertions that the large storm caused problems with an inadequate sewer system. Kevin Scoble, the Deputy CAO, believes that the current updates being added should resolve the problem and give an assurance of 98% that the backups will not happen again.

One issue that some residents expressed concern about to the RMWB council was the delays that could lead to a future Timberlea sewer backup. The upgrade project has two parts, the upstream area and the downstream area. The downstream area is being done by Dene Sky, and the upgrades will be finished on time. The upstream area is being done by Surmont Sand & Gravel Ltd., and it will only be around 65% finished when construction season ends later this year. The upstream area is also where there have been several waterline breaks caused by the construction, leading to further delays and even complete stops in the wok being done at times. Residents who have had to deal with the sewer backups in Timberlea are upset and angry, and they want something done.

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Ft Mac Politics

Expropriation Policy Passed by RMWB Council

expropriation policy, RMWB council

An expropriation policy has been passed by the RMWB council, and this was done on order to resolve and close a hole in the policy of the council which has been highly controversial. According to a September 2014 audit report by KPMG the rules about the buying and expropriating land by the municipality were not documented but were instead communicated on the job. The KPMG audit recommended that the acquisitions rules be documented instead. Mayor Melissa Blake commented “The KPMG audit … did identify that we had some gaps (and) council has had their own expectations about being able to be more involved. I think the policy today not only strives to meet the KPMG audit requirements, they helped us in developing that policy.”

The new expropriation policy that was passed during the recent RMWB council meeting puts in place a process for requests and helps to establish rules and guidelines to be followed concerning land acquisition and expropriation. The policy emphasizes that expropriation is only a last resort, and details when council members have to be informed of land acquisition and what happens when the acquisition or expropriation is not approved or is not included in the capital plan. The new policy will provide a set of documented and consistent guidelines and references to be used by the council. During the municipal election a few years ago downtown arena expropriations became a big issue. Coun. Tyran Ault said “I think we had some frustration with land acquisition in the past, and it’s no fault to the current administration, a lot of those decisions were made by people that are no longer here. I think having those controls for council as we move forward would help everyone.”

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Ft Mac Politics

RMWB Council Votes for Road Names That Honor Community Members

RMWB council, road names

The RMWB has voted to issue road names for new roads that honor community members. The new road names were accepted from the Community Identification Committee, and this was a great way to honor individuals who made significant contributions to the local community. The roads which will receive the names are located in Parson’s Creek and Saprae Creek and the surrounding areas. The individuals who the roads will be named after include former council member Dave Kirschner. According to Melissa Blake, the mayor of Fort MacMurray, “We don’t get to name a whole lot of roads, and when we do it is fantastic. These are individuals that a lot of the members of the community who have been here for a while recognize, and so it felt particularly pleasing to be able to approve those recommendations.”

The vote by the RMWB council on the new road names was one of the easier tasks that the council has had recently. One new road which travels from Highway 63 and ends up at the Prairie Creek Industrial Park will be given the name Kirschner Way in honor of Dave Kirschner. Another new road in the industrial park will be named Walsh Road to honor local insurance agent and businessman Bob Walsh. Ken Janke will also have a road named after him in Saprae Creek, and a subdivision in the Saprae Industrial Park will be named after Leo Robert and will be called L Robert Industrial Park. Few people disagree with the new street names, because those honored have played an important role in Fort MacMurray and Wood Buffalo over the years.

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Entertainment Ft Mac Health Politics

RMWB Council to Receive Indoor Recreation Plan for Review

RMWB council, indoor recreation plan

The RMWB council is expected to receive an indoor recreation plan for review. This plan is expected to recommend creating two completely new complexes for indoor recreational opportunities for residents. One of the complexes proposed in the plan will be on a Northside site and the other will be in a development in Saline Creek. In Phase 2 of the plan there is a library and swimming pool added to the Northside site. The proposal for the Saline Creek complex also includes adding more community space and adding two additional ice rinks. The plan report states “As Fort McMurray’s population continues to grow over the next two decades, expanding into new neighbourhoods and densifying downtown, the Municipality will need to plan for new indoor recreation and community facilities in these areas.”

The indoor recreation plan and report that will be presented to the RMWB council reads in part “When asked where in Fort McMurray new indoor recreation and community facilities should be located, Timberlea was the most popular answer. As an example, almost 40 percent of residents living in the Lower Townsite indicated that new facilities should be developed in Timberlea.” The report also includes a warning, stating “It is not possible to predict the actual timing and cost of construction to implement the Master Plan as these are contingent on future economic and municipal corporate needs.” When asked what recreational facilities they would like to see many residents reported a bowling alley, along with a movie theater and a hockey arena.