Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 public meetings in 2023

Council

The council approved a $334,836 adjustment to the 2023 Salaries, Wages and Benefits budget. It directed the CAO and senior management to implement the new salary grid, including retroactive payments, and approved a specific salary increase for the CAO. Additional actions included proclamations, policy approvals, and the formation of a development‑plan steering committee.

• Approved $334,836 budget adjustment to 2023 Salaries, Wages and Benefits (Carried)
• Directed CAO Tutt and senior management to implement 2023 salary grid changes, including retroactive payments (Carried)
• Approved salary adjustment for CAO Tutt as outlined in Schedule A (Carried)
• Proclaimed September 19‑22, 2023 as Planning and Development Week (Carried)
• Approved Sidewalk Snow Clearing Policy and Schedule A for 2023/2024 trial (Carried)
• Authorized $2,200 reserve funds for sidewalk snow clearing in public park spaces (Carried)
• Approved Engineering Standards Policy IN‑1 and Schedule “E” for basic subdivision standards (Carried)
• Approved formation of a steering committee for Municipal Development Plan Review (Carried)

Bighorn Corridor Environment Committee (BCEC)

The committee reviewed operational updates, air monitoring data, and project timelines from Graymont and Lafarge. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded; the meeting consisted of progress reports on emissions, equipment, and community funds.

• Reported Graymont Kiln Stone Return to Process Project was commissioned June 2023
• Reported Graymont Kiln 1 Baghouse completion expected Q4 2023
• Reported Graymont Jura Creek Tarping units are 6/6 refurbished
• Reported Graymont fuel usage for 2023 is 100% natural gas
• Reported Lafarge Low Carbon Fuels commissioning planned for February 2024
• Reported Lafarge windscreen construction to begin after winter shutdown
• Reported Lafarge winter shutdown schedule from Nov 6, 2023 to Apr 10, 2024

Municipal Planning Commission

The Municipal Planning Commission approved a development permit for a 131-unit visitor accommodation complex in Harvie Heights. The Commission also approved a setback relaxation for the Exshaw wastewater treatment facility.

• Approved reducing setbacks from 300 meters to 180 meters for the Exshaw Wastewater Treatment Facility (Unanimous)
• Approved Development Permit Application No. 54/22 for 12 buildings of visitor accommodation (131 units), amenity space, and parkade at 950 Harvie Heights Road
• Approved a 2.7m maximum height relaxation variance for 30% of the total development footprint at 950 Harvie Heights Road
• Approved the August 30, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved the July 26, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Governance and Priorities Committee

The Governance and Priorities Committee reviewed the 2nd Quarter Financial Update and budget guidelines. Several items, including subdivision standards, a trails strategy partnership, and HR policy reviews, were approved to be brought before the full Council in September.

• Approved 2nd Quarter Financial Update to be brought to September Council meeting
• Approved Budget Guidelines and Timeline as information
• Approved staff Financial Workshop for September 19
• Accepted Dead Man’s Flats garbage bin relocation as information
• Accepted Trial Large Item Drop off update as information
• Accepted Highway 1A and Highway 1X Transfer Site Storage information as information
• Approved Standards for Basic Subdivision and Development to be brought to September Council meeting
• Approved Canmore Area Trails Strategy (CATS) partnership request to be brought to September Council meeting

Transportation and Public Works Committee

The Committee recommended several infrastructure updates for 2nd Avenue in Dead Man’s Flats, including a new sidewalk connection and pedestrian beacons. It also decided against restricting parking on Limestone Valley Road and against filling a swale on Windridge Road.

• Recommended 2024 budget for 2nd Avenue sidewalk from Copperstone to River’s Bend Gate
• Recommended 2024 budget for flashing pedestrian beacons at 24 Street and 2nd Avenue
• Recommended retaining 30 km/hr speed limit on 2nd Avenue
• Approved recommendation to take no action on restricting parking on Limestone Valley Road
• Decided to monitor Windridge Road drainage without filling the swale
• Approved moving contracted sidewalk snow clearing policy and costs to September Council meeting
• Approved amendments to Lac Des Arcs and Cougar Mountain Crescent resident questionnaires

Municipal Planning Commission

The Municipal Planning Commission approved a one-year renewal for a visitor accommodation suite and a mixed-use development application. The mixed-use project approval included several amendments to conditions regarding management and building height.

• Approved Development Permit No. 38/23 for a one-bedroom Visitor Accommodation Suite renewal at 135 River’s Bend Way (Unanimous)
• Approved Development Permit No. 98/22 for a mixed-use development at 120 1st Avenue
• Amended DP 98/22 to replace 'Condominium Corporation' with 'Management Company' in conditions 24, 25, and 33
• Amended DP 98/22 condition 18 to specify visitor accommodation units shall not be used for permanent residency
• Deleted condition 19 from DP 98/22
• Approved agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved June 26, 2023, meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Transportation and Public Works Committee

The committee approved paving the lower portion of Barrier Mountain Drive to address erosion. It also directed administration to coordinate with Alberta Transportation regarding the Harvie Heights Road/Highway 1 off ramp realignment.

• Approved preparation of a resident questionnaire regarding the Lac Des Arcs speed limit request
• Directed Administration to review care and construction of Harvie Heights Road/Highway 1 off ramp realignment with Alberta Transportation
• Approved paving the lower portion of Barrier Mountain Drive to address erosion

Agricultural Services & Environmental Board

The provided document is a project presentation for the Cougar Coexistence Project by the Exposed Wildlife Conservancy. It outlines goals for public education, community engagement, and wildlife management strategies. The text does not record any formal decisions, votes, or board actions.

Council

Council passed Bylaw 15-23 regarding responsible animal ownership and amended the CAO appointment bylaw. The board also approved increased health and wellness benefits and additional vacation time for long-term employees. Additionally, a proposal for exclusive parking in Dead Man’s Flats was rejected.

• Approved Bylaw 15-23 for Responsible Animal Ownership (Carried)
• Approved first reading of Bylaw 09-Z/23 to redistrict lots in Dead Man’s Flats (Carried)
• Approved first reading of Bylaw 08-23 to close a portion of Road Plan 731490 in DMF (Carried)
• Approved Bylaw 16-23 to amend Bylaw 10-23 CAO Appointment (Carried)
• Approved Policy CS-18 Mowing and Landscaping (Carried)
• Authorized reallocation of Pigeon Creek Pedestrian Bridge funds for a trails master plan (Carried)
• Rejected Copperstone’s proposal for exclusive parking at 3rd Avenue loop in Dead Man’s Flats (Carried)
• Increased Policy H-12 Health and Wellness Benefit from $500 to $1,000 (Carried)

Municipal Planning Commission

The Municipal Planning Commission approved a development permit for a home addition and shed demolition at 413 Bow River Drive. The commission also reviewed a request to change a secondary suite to a visitor accommodation suite in Dead Man's Flats.

• Approved Development Permit No. 19/23 for a home addition and shed demolition at Lot 7, Block 5, Plan 6402HX (unanimous)
• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved April 26, 2023, meeting minutes (unanimous)

Governance and Priorities Committee

The Governance and Priorities Committee approved sending a redistricting bylaw, a road closure bylaw, a responsible animal ownership bylaw, and a Council/CAO Covenant to the next Council meeting. The committee also approved moving forward with amended mowing services policy. The Pigeon Creek Pedestrian Bridge item was tabled and then moved to return to Council.

• Approved Bylaw 09-Z/23 (Redistrict from HWY-DMF to DMF-CMU) to proceed to July Council meeting
• Approved Bylaw 08-23 (Road Closure in Dead Man’s Flats) to proceed to July Council meeting
• Approved additional mowing services and amended policy to proceed to July Council meeting
• Accepted Richards Road Access Restriction options as information
• Approved Bylaw 15-23 (Responsible Animal Ownership) to proceed to July Council meeting
• Approved Council/CAO Covenant to proceed to July Council meeting
• Tabled Pigeon Creek Pedestrian Bridge; later decided to bring item back to Council
• Received 3 Avenue Parking Loop as information

Council

Council met for a special meeting to review the 2022 financial records. Following a presentation by Avail LLP, Council approved the 2022 Audited Financial Statements.

• Approved 2022 Audited Financial Statements as presented by Avail LLP (Carried)

Community Services Board (CSB)

The Board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the May 2023 meeting. Staff provided updates on the HarGroup Master Plan recommendations and emergency social services. No new bylaws or funding contracts were decided.

• Approved June 22, 2023 meeting agenda (Carried)
• Approved May 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)

Council

Council passed the third reading of three bylaws regarding the Exshaw Mountain Gateway area. The board also scheduled a by-election for Ward 1 and authorized an enforcement agreement with the Summer Village of Waiparous.

• Approved 3rd reading of Bylaw 16-19 Exshaw Mountain Gateway Area Structure Plan
• Approved 3rd reading of Bylaw 13-22 Exshaw Mountain Gateway Municipal Development Plan
• Approved 3rd reading of Bylaw 12-Z/22 Exshaw Mountain Gateway Land Use Bylaw
• Authorized agreement with Summer Village of Waiparous for Highway Traffic Safety Act enforcement
• Set September 19th as By-Election day for Ward 1
• Appointed Lynda Gale as Returning Officer and Carol Pegg as Substitute Returning Officer
• Approved installation of pedestrian waste container near Dead Man's Flats ice rink
• Approved installation of new picnic table in Jeffery Park playground

Bighorn Corridor Environment Committee (BCEC)

The committee reviewed status updates on Graymont's EPEA Approval Renewal and carbon capture feasibility studies. Graymont reported on air monitoring results and a recent odor investigation, while Lafarge provided updates on plant shutdowns and an upcoming open house.

• No substantive decisions recorded; meeting consisted of operational updates

Council

Council accepted an enforcement order for the Korolow property with an extended deadline. Council also voted to vary the enforcement order for the Robertson property, removing two sections of the order.

• Accepted Enforcement Order EN2023-01 (Korolow) and extended completion date to July 15, 2023
• Varied Enforcement Order EN2023-02 (Robertson) to retain Section 1 and remove Section 2 and Section 3

Heritage Resources Committee

The committee confirmed a $15,000 operating budget for the MD Forestry Project and identified the need for a new contractor to complete the work. Members also discussed the 2024 and 2025 calendar projects and the lack of available storage space for historic items.

• Approved June 6, 2023 meeting agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved March 23, 2023 meeting minutes as amended (Unanimous)
• Confirmed $15,000 budget for MD Forestry Project
• Confirmed $15,000 from MD reserve funds for HRC committee maintenance and other projects
• Agreed to meet September 5, 2023

Transportation and Public Works Committee

The Committee approved support for the Ghost Watershed Alliance Society's habitat protection project and requested quotes for public space snow removal. It also moved to propose an interim bridge for Dead Man's Flats and develop a consultation package for a speed limit reduction in Lac Des Arcs.

• Approved support for Ghost Watershed Alliance Society soil decompaction and planting (Carried)
• Approved request for Administration to look into temporary barricades for GWAS area (Carried)
• Approved bringing an interim bridge proposal for Dead Man's Flats to the Governance and Priorities meeting (Carried)
• Approved request for Administration to obtain contractor quotes for public space snow removal (Carried)
• Accepted presentation on Jamieson Road Pavement Management Program as information (Carried)
• Approved internal circulation of a draft consultation package for Lac Des Arcs speed limit reduction (Carried)

Governance and Priorities Committee

The Governance and Priorities Committee accepted several staff reports as information regarding landscaping, park services, and waste services. The committee approved a request from the Summer Village of Waiparous for increased enforcement visibility and scheduled a discussion on an operations building for the June 13 Council meeting.

• Approved Administration to bring request for increased enforcement in north ranchlands to June Council meeting
• Accepted community feedback on Lac des Arc Mailbox Light as information
• Accepted proposed policy for mowing and landscaping service levels as information
• Accepted information on increased park services for additional Parks Worker position as information
• Accepted information on municipal solid waste services for Carraig Ridge and Kananaskis Guest Ranch as information
• Accepted information on proposed Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw to rescind Bylaw 06-05 as information
• Accepted information on Operations Building and referred item to June 13 Council meeting

Council

Council met for a special session to review the amended East Exshaw High Groundwater Emergency Response Plan. The plan was accepted as information.

• Approved the agenda as presented
• Accepted the amended East Exshaw High Groundwater Emergency Response Plan as information