Woodlands County public meetings in 2021
22 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Economic Development Committee
The Woodlands County Economic Development Committee will meet via teleconference to consider a recommendation to Council to provide a support letter for Community Futures Yellowhead East's Women's Economic Recovery Challenge Grant request. The committee will also receive updates on broadband, strategic planning, and work plans, and discuss items for Council's January 2022 strategic planning session, including a potential recommendation on celebrating the Fort Assiniboine Bi-Centennial in 2023.
- Support letter request from Community Futures Yellowhead East for Women's Economic Recovery Challenge Grant
- Woodlands County Broadband Update
- Strategic Thinking: review of KPIs and goals, discussion of Fort Assiniboine Bi-Centennial 2023
- Work Plan Updates
- Blue Sky Discussion
Airport Advisory
The Woodlands County Airport Advisory Committee is meeting to elect a chair and vice chair, review its terms of reference, and receive information on several airport-related items. These include the 2023 COPA National Fly-In, 2022 Formula 1 Air Races, airside infrastructure re-classification, and the 2020 Airport Master Plan. All items are presented as information for the committee's awareness, with no decisions or recommendations for action listed.
- Election of Chair and Vice Chair
- Review of Airport Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
- 2023 COPA National Fly In (information)
- 2022 Formula 1 Air Races (information)
- Airside Infrastructure re-Classification (information)
Special Council Meeting
Woodlands County Council is holding a special meeting to review and discuss the draft 2022 capital and operating budget. The only action item is a motion to accept the budget presentation as information, meaning no formal approval is expected at this meeting. The budget document is attached for Council's review.
- 2022 Draft Capital & Operating Budget presentation
- Motion to accept the draft budget as information
Community Services Committee
The Woodlands County Community Services Committee will decide whether to recommend 2022 capital grants for three community groups, contingent on the groups providing user statistics. The committee will also adopt minutes from the November 4 meeting and hold a planning session.
- Capital grant recommendation: Blue Ridge Community League $7,620 (fire exit repairs & cenotaph relocation)
- Capital grant recommendation: Whitecourt & District Agricultural Society $12,072.50 (oven, dishwasher and toilet replacement)
- Capital grant recommendation: Fort Assiniboine Agricultural Society $11,500 (boiler replacement)
- Adoption of minutes from November 4, 2021 meeting
- Blue Sky Planning Session
Special Council Meeting
Woodlands County Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the 2022 preliminary budget, including a capital project list and departmental allocations. The budget presentation is for information only, and Council will schedule a future special meeting for further budget discussion. The agenda also includes a closed session for legal matters under FOIP.
- 2022 preliminary budget presentation for discussion
- Capital projects include Sand and Salt Shed ($305,000), Plow Truck with Pup Trailer ($475,000), CN Pit Crushing ($750,000), and Briar Patch Asbestos Removal ($300,000)
- Road rehabilitation on Rge Rd 64 Culvert (BF-73047) at $112,500
- Airport Taxiway Re-configuration at $501,000
- Legal matters discussed in closed session (FOIP s.27)
Regular Council Meeting - 24 Nov 2021 - CANCELLED
This regular Council meeting for Woodlands County, scheduled for Wednesday, November 24, 2021, has been cancelled. The agenda contains only the meeting notice and no items for discussion or decision.
- Meeting cancelled
Agriculture Services Board
The Woodlands County Agriculture Services Board will meet to decide on several items, including approving a draft Livestock Emergency Response Plan for incorporation into the Municipal Emergency Response Plan, accepting the 2022 budget as information, and selecting a vice-chairperson for 2022. The board will also consider updates on the Agricultural Profile project, conference attendance, and routine reports.
- Approve draft Livestock Emergency Response Plan for Municipal Emergency Response Plan
- Accept proposed 2022 budget as information
- Select Vice-Chairperson for 2022
- Host 2022 Annual ASB Supper on March 4, 2022 at Fort Assiniboine Legion
- Accept V.S.I. Third Quarter Report and AGM agendas/minutes as information
Community Services Committee - 04 Nov 2021 - Electronic
The Woodlands County Community Services Committee will hear presentations from three community groups requesting 2022 capital grants and will decide whether to forward recommendations to County Council for inclusion in the 2022 budget. The committee will also consider a recreation grant application, a donation request, and other routine business. Dollar amounts for the grants are left blank in the agenda and will be determined at the meeting.
- Blue Ridge Community League 2022 capital request: $7,620 total for cenotaph relocation and basement fire exit
- Fort Assiniboine & District Agricultural Society 2022 capital request: $23,000 project, 50% ($11,500) requested
- Whitecourt & District Agricultural Society 2022 capital request (amount not specified)
- Whitecourt & District Taekwondo recreation grant application (amount not specified)
- Donation request to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Scholarship for 2021-2022 (amount not specified)
Organizational Council Meeting
This is the organizational meeting where Woodlands County Council will appoint the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2021-2022 term, set regular meeting dates, and appoint councillors to various committees and boards. The agenda includes only procedural items, with no substantive policy decisions or public hearings.
- Appointment of Mayor for 2021-2022 term
- Appointment of Deputy Mayor for 1-year term
- Set regular meetings: first and third Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., held electronically at Whitecourt office
- Adopt 2021-2022 Committee List for councillor appointments
- Appoint Chair for Agriculture Services Board
Regular Council Meeting - 21 Sep 2021 - Electronic
Woodlands County Council is meeting electronically to consider a land use bylaw amendment, staff cost-of-living adjustments, declaring two graders surplus for auction, and several other administrative items. The agenda includes a public hearing for Bylaw 574/21, which would rezone 64.39 acres from Country Residential to Rural Recreational. Council will also discuss a mandatory vaccination policy for Council Chambers and consider declaring a local agricultural disaster.
- Public hearing for Bylaw 574/21: rezone Pt. NE 6-59-12-W5M (64.39 acres) from Country Residential to Rural Recreational
- Staff cost-of-living adjustment: options include 2% retroactive to Jan 4, 2021, or 3% effective Sept 27, 2021
- Declare graders G155 & G157 surplus and auction them at Ritchie Brothers in Nisku on Oct 26, 2021
- Funding request: $1,000 to Gwen Dionne for Christmas light display
- Declare a state of Agricultural Disaster for the 2021 farming season
Agricultural Services Board - 17 Sep 2021 - Electronic
The Woodlands County Agricultural Services Board will meet on September 17, 2021, to consider several items, including approving a draft Livestock Emergency Response Plan for incorporation into the Municipal Emergency Response Plan, reviewing the 2021 Agricultural Disaster Declaration, and directing administration to proceed with the 2021 Agriculture Pioneer Awards. The board will also accept various reports and information items, including the Agriculture Services Manager's activity report and updates from the Provincial ASB Committee.
- Approve draft Livestock Emergency Response Plan for incorporation into Municipal Emergency Response Plan
- Review RMA Guide for Declaration of Municipal Agriculture Disasters
- Direct administration to proceed with 2021 Agriculture Pioneer Awards
- Establish joint sub-committee with Economic Development Committee to develop Woodlands County Agricultural Profile
- Grant request of Whitecourt Woodlands Rodeo
Municipal Planning Commission
The Woodlands County Municipal Planning Commission will consider two development permit applications and two subdivision applications at its September 15, 2021 meeting. The commission will also adopt minutes from the previous meeting and receive an information item on subdivisions registered in 2021. Decisions will be made on a modular home in Fort Assiniboine, a garden suite in Blue Ridge, and subdivisions in Blue Ridge Rural and the Old Ferry Loop area.
- Development Permit 15-53-2021: modular home dwelling in Hamlet of Fort Assiniboine
- Development Permit 15-56-2021: garden suite (manufactured home with deck) in Blue Ridge area
- Subdivision 2021SUB08: NE 14-59-10-W5M, Blue Ridge Rural
- Subdivision 2021SUB09: Pt. SE 20-59-12-W5M, Old Ferry Loop area
- Information item: subdivisions registered in 2021
Community Services Committee
The Woodlands County Community Services Committee will meet via teleconference on September 9, 2021. They will decide whether to approve two members to attend the Alberta Recreation & Parks Association conference in Lake Louise, direct administration to advertise for fall Recreation and Arts & Culture grants with an October 15 deadline, and review the Block Party Policy with suggested changes to forward to Council. The agenda also includes adoption of the June 10, 2021 minutes.
- Approve two members to attend ARPA conference in Lake Louise (in-person Oct 28-30 or virtual Nov 2-4)
- Direct administration to advertise fall Recreation and Arts & Culture Grants with deadline October 15, 2021
- Review Block Party Policy and direct administration to make suggested changes for Council adoption
- Adopt minutes from June 10, 2021 meeting
Regular Council Meeting - 07 Sep 2021 - CANCELLED
This regular council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers, Municipal Office, Whitecourt, Alberta, has been cancelled. The agenda contains only standard procedural headings with no substantive items for discussion or decision.
- Meeting cancelled
Municipal Planning Commission
The Woodlands County Municipal Planning Commission will consider three development permits and one subdivision application. The most significant is a discretionary use permit for Nature Alive Adventures, proposing outdoor courses, survival training, two rental cabins, limited camping, and nature trails on a 160-acre parcel. The commission will also review a garden suite, a retail store front at Backwoods Buffalo Ranch, and a subdivision application.
- Development Permit 15-046-2021: Intensive Recreational Use for Nature Alive Adventures (NW 2-62-8-W5M)
- Development Permit 15-50-2021: Garden Suite (Manufactured Home) at West Ridge Acres (Plan 752-0786 Blk1 Lot 2)
- Development Permit 15-52-2021: Farm Subsidiary Operation - Retail Store Front at Backwoods Buffalo Ranch (SE 24-56-10-W5M)
- Subdivision Application 2021SUB-07: SW 10-59-12-W5M
- Information items: permits approved by the Development Officer
Regular Council Meeting
Woodlands County Council is meeting to decide on several items, including a public hearing for Bylaw 571/21 to close three road allowances at the Whitecourt Airport, first reading of a land use amendment to rezone 64.39 acres from Country Residential to Rural Recreational, and awarding a drainage contract. They will also consider a FireSmart grant application, a support letter for the Whitecourt Airshow Society, and other administrative matters.
- Public hearing for Bylaw 571/21 to close three road allowances at Whitecourt Airport (S1/2 Section 31, Township 59, Range 12 W5M)
- First reading of Bylaw 574/21 to rezone Pt. NE 6-59-12-W5M (64.39 acres) from Country Residential to Rural Recreational District
- Tender award for Horne Rd drainage to Westcore Contracting Ltd for $199,885 plus taxes, with $20,000 contingency and $54,311 engineering fees
- Direct administration to apply for FireSmart FRIAA grant of $60,000
- Approve support letter for Whitecourt Airshow Society's 2022 Home Town Heroes Air Show Community Initiatives Program application
Airport Advisory - 28 Jul 2021 - CANCELLED
The Woodlands County Airport Advisory meeting scheduled for July 28, 2021 was cancelled because a quorum was not reached. The agenda included items on airport lease rates, Standard 325 training, hosting the 2023 COPA National Convention, and a logging sale on airport lands, but no decisions were made.
- Airport lease rate comparison with other airports (e.g., Woodlands County at $2.75/m2)
- Standard 325 training cost estimate of $11,000 for 4 staff
- Endorsement of pursuing the 2023 COPA National Conference
- Recommendation to tender logging of ~90 hectares outside fenced airport lands, with estimated revenue of $100,000
Economic Development Committee
The Woodlands County Economic Development Committee will meet via teleconference on July 22, 2021, to adopt the agenda and minutes, receive the 2021 Strategic Planning documents as information, and consider several new business items. These include approving a "Welcome Back" tourism handout for public distribution, authorizing the Economic Development Officer to attend the Global Energy Show 2021 as a visitor, and accepting a guide on outdoor recreation on Crown land. The meeting also includes routine work plan updates, a blue sky discussion, and information items.
- Approve "Welcome Back" Tourism Handout for public distribution
- Authorize Economic Development Officer to attend Global Energy Show 2021 as visitor
- Accept Alberta's Guide to Outdoor Recreation on Provincial Crown Land as information
- Receive 2021 Strategic Planning documents (goals, KPIs, budget summary) as information
- Adopt minutes of May 21, 2021 meeting
Regular Council Meeting
Woodlands County Council will consider awarding the West Mountain Road Rehabilitation project to Knelsen Sand & Gravel Ltd. for $1,053,814.16 plus taxes, with a 10% contingency of $100,000. They will also give readings to bylaws adding Klondyke Cemetery fees and updating meeting procedures, and decide on funding for Twp Rd 594 repairs and continuing snow & ice control subcontracting for Ledcor Highway Services.
- Award West Mountain Road Rehabilitation to Knelsen Sand & Gravel Ltd. for $1,053,814.16 plus taxes, with $100,000 contingency
- Bylaw 572/21: Add Klondyke Cemetery fees (e.g., $300 for 1 human remains lot + $75 perpetual care, Field of Honor free)
- Bylaw 573/21: Update Meeting Procedures Bylaw to align with broadcasting policy and election prep
- Direct re-allocation of culvert repair funds to fix Twp Rd 594 west of Blue Ridge
- Continue snow & ice control subcontracting for provincial secondary highways for Ledcor Highway Services
Municipal Planning Commission
The Woodlands County Municipal Planning Commission will meet electronically on June 16, 2021, to consider one development permit application (15-032-2021) and three subdivision applications (2021SUB-04, 2021SUB-05, 2021SUB-06). The agenda also includes adoption of the May 5, 2021 minutes and information items on permits approved by the Development Officer. No other substantive business is listed.
- Development Permit Application 15-032-2021
- Subdivision Application 2021SUB-04
- Subdivision Application 2021SUB-05
- Subdivision Application 2021SUB-06
- Information items: permits approved by the Development Officer
Community Services Committee - 10 Jun 2021 - Electronic
The Community Services Committee will decide on a recreation grant application and amendment request from the River Valley Pony Club, and will receive information on the updated Committee of Council Bylaw 537. The meeting also includes adoption of minutes from the May 13, 2021 meeting.
- Approve River Valley Pony Club Recreation Grant 2021 for $3,500.00
- Allow River Valley Pony Club to use 2020 grant funds for an enclosed trailer instead of a sea can
- Accept Bylaw 537 (Committees Bylaw) as information
- Adopt minutes from May 13, 2021 meeting
Regular Council Meeting - 01 Jun 2021 - Electronic
Woodlands County Council will vote on several administrative and community items, including adopting minutes from previous meetings, approving special ballot procedures for the 2021 municipal election, appointing municipal inspectors, recognizing volunteers with awards, and authorizing a land exchange with Airborne Energy Solutions. The agenda also includes closed-session updates on intermunicipal collaboration and legal matters.
- Direct administration to provide special ballots for 2021 Municipal Election, with applications by mail to PO Box 60 Whitecourt or in person at Fort Assiniboine or Whitecourt offices; completed ballots due by 5:30 pm election day
- Appoint James Aitken, Shari Calahesin, and Karla Dahlgren as municipal inspectors under Alberta Agricultural Pests Act and Weed Control Act
- Award Golden Heart Awards to Trish Gilmore, Niki Underwood, Merv Hilland, Gwen Dionne, Guye Lappin, Elmari DeJongh, Kenny Burgoyne; Civic Awards to Whitecourt & District Taekwondo Association and Whitecourt & District Agricultural Society
- Authorize land exchange with Airborne Energy Solutions: 0.66 acres of PUL for 0.07 acres from Woodlands County, with 50/50 split of legal and land title fees
- Adopt minutes from May 18, 20, and 27, 2021 meetings