Parkland Communicator
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY PARKLAND COUNTY | MARCH 2013
Message From The Deputy Mayor
A Look at Parkland County’s Three-Year Road Program
Across rural Alberta,
Councils and respective
senior administrations
perform
a
hefty
balancing act each year
that consumes a large
portion of all municipal
spending.
•Do safety elements and existing geometric road standards require improvement?
• Are maintenance costs high?
• Are traffic volumes high?
•Is the project of network importance to the County?
•Is the project environmentally and socially Parkland
County
friendly?
budget
deliberations
•Is there ratepayer consensus in the vicinity of the and approval took place
project?
last December, setting
•Is construction technically and economically road construction at
feasible?
$1.5 million in tax dollars with roughly $9 million
from additional funding sources available for In accordance with the Parkland County Strategic
improvements.
Plan of Council, the Engineering Services Department
On a daily basis, rural residents hit gravel and pavement three year budget approval supports a number of
for regular travel routines for work, schooling and identified needs.
agriculture.
Department spending addresses residential and
To maintain proper upkeep of these roads, funds for industrial growth, maintains and upgrades our current
the various priority projects are derived through local infrastructure, develops strategies for long term
taxation, Basic Municipal Grant, Alberta Municipal sustainability and promotes research and development
Sustainability Infrastructure program, Federal Gas for the acquisition of new assets to support the quality
Tax Grant funding, Alberta Transportation Guidelines of life of our community.
and Procedures funding, as well as cost sharing The Engineering Department and staff are responsible
arrangements.
for the delivery of the capital program that covers
Parkland County’s Engineering Department program roadways, bridges, underground servicing and
overland drainage.
will be covering the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Each year the projects are approved for preliminary
engineering and design, construction, asphalt
surfacing, seal coat work, miscellaneous projects and
subdivision surfacing.
The department also provides services directly related
to engineering, drainage, aggregate resources or
gravel and the management and administration of
all engineering related matters and land management
related services
Parkland County divisional reconstruction projects
are scrutinized under a prescribed criteria that includes Clearly, the overall level of how our roads are built
is a far cry from the days when design for old style
questions like:
Continued on Page 2
To find out more about what’s happening in Parkland County, you can
check out these links or visit our website at www.parklandcounty.com
PARKLAND COUNTY THREE-YEAR ROAD PROGRAM cont’d
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PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING
& DESIGN
SEAL COAT
SURFACING PROJECTS
CONSTRUCTION
SUBDIVISION
SURFACING
A.S.B.C & ACP
SURFACING
2.5
5
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2013 ROAD PROGRAM
Continued from Page 1 Today, significantly increased volumes of traffic and safety
standards around vehicular movements are scrutinized
corduroy roads might have been sketched out on a lunch under federal, provincial and municipal policies.
napkin or the back of a cigarette package!
Parkland County is recognized provincially as a leader in
Former County construction crews would remember this delivering high quality road programs to meet the needs of
as “the good old days.”
our residents and community today and into the future.
2013 CALL FOR ART - FINALIST EXHIBIT & VIEWERS CHOICE
Finalists for the 2013 Parkland County Municipal Art
Program Call for Art will be on display at Parkland
County Centre from March 18th – 22nd. Each piece
was submitted by a local artist from Parkland County
or any of the urban municipalities located within the
County and is under consideration for purchase by the
Jury and Art Advisory Committee.
Those who visit will have the opportunity to cast their
vote for “Viewers Choice” and indicate the piece they
would like to see added to the Municipal Art Collection. The finalist pieces, as well as the Municipal Art
Collection, are available for public viewing during regular business hours.
For more information contact Sara Jensen, Community
Development Coordinator, at 780-968-3236 or sjensen@parklandcounty.com.
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NO LOVE FOR THE ACHESON AREA STRUCTURE PLAN
Capital Region Board votes against approving the Acheson ASP
Valentine’s Day held no love for Parkland County as the
Capital Region Board voted against the Acheson Area
Structure Plan (ASP).
“I would say I’m frustrated, but that doesn’t even begin
to describe it,” said Mayor Rod Shaigec.
“The Acheson ASP met all the criteria of the Municipal
Government Act and the Capital Region Growth Plan.
The Board Administration and its third party consultant
both agreed the ASP should be approved. Today’s vote
affirms my belief that some of the Board members
are more concerned with their individual agendas than
fulfilling the mandate of the CRB, which is to promote
regional cooperation and prosperity.”
Representing the Board were mayors and reeves from
the 24 municipalities within the Capital Region.
Of those present, the Cities of Edmonton, Fort
Saskatchewan and Leduc and the Town of Calmar voted
against approving the ASP.
Although the majority of representatives voted for
approving the ASP, the voting structure is based on
population.
Many reasons for not approving the plan were cited, but
some comments made called to question the integrity
of the Capital Region Board and the Growth Plan.
“Some representatives stated that the Capital Region
Growth Plan is flawed, that the referral process is
flawed, and suggested that the Capital Region Board
Administration may not have the capacity to review
these referrals properly,” said Shaigec.
“If that is justification for not approving the Acheson
ASP, then that same justification should be applied
to all and any applications coming before the Board.
Based on those comments, there should be absolutely
no approvals of any land use planning documents until
those concerns are resolved. That is going to result in a
complete halt of any development in the region, which
is counter-productive in ensuring the sustainability and
prosperity of every municipality in the capital region.”
Mayor Mandel of the City of Edmonton was particularly
critical of Parkland County, the consultation process,
and suggested that the County was capitalizing on its
advantages to the detriment of the City.
“Yes, we have more land, it costs less, and our taxes are
less than in Edmonton,” said Shaigec.
“However, we are not trying to pull businesses out
of Edmonton into our park. We are trying to attract
more businesses to our region, we are trying to fill a
niche that perhaps Edmonton cannot. This is about
regional prosperity. Most of the employees in Acheson
come from other municipalities, including Edmonton.
Growth in Acheson benefits the region, not just
Parkland County.”
According to the Capital Region Board Regulations,
there are no avenues to appeal the decision of the Board.
However, Parkland County is not ready to accept defeat.
“Parkland County has worked hard to ensure that the
ASP is a balanced document that meets the needs of
our stakeholders, sets the framework for our future
sustainability, and complies with the Capital Region
Growth Plan,” said Shaigec.
“Today’s decision not only affects Parkland County, but
also the Wagner Natural Area Society, the residents of
Osborne Acres, and the landowners and developers
with the Acheson Industrial Park. While we may not
be able to appeal the decision, we will be meeting with
our legal counsel to discuss our options. It’s time the
Province took notice of what is actually happening with
the Board and acknowledge that it is time to make some
changes.”
The decision of the Board prohibits Parkland County
from completing its obligation under Section 19 of the
Capital Region Board Regulations.
As a result, Parkland County defaults to the Area
Structure Plan prepared in 1997, which lacks policy
direction for the protection of Osborne Acres for
incompatible uses, and also basic protection for land
around the Wagner Natural Area for incompatible uses.
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COUNTY LOOKING FOR PUBLIC MEMBERS ON NEW GRAVEL COMMITTEE
Parkland County is going ahead with a plan to establish a
permanent committee to assist in the development and
monitoring of policies relating to the gravel industry in
the County.
required and were assured by Administration that if
more meetings were required, Council has the authority
to request the Committee to meet and assist with issues
as required.
On February 26th, Council took a step that aims to
support a balance between residents’ needs and the
gravel industry’s requirements and to support a healthy
gravel industry which is respectful and responsive to
the needs of Parkland County residents.
“Due to the broad scope of policies affecting the gravel
industry it is expected that other county departments
will be brought in to discuss specific issues,” said
Parkland County General Manager, Ken Van Buul. “In
addition, external expertise will need to be brought in
as required and will be made available to the committee
when needed.
The proposed committee will be a committee of
seven individuals including one elected official. It is
anticipated that the committee would meet a minimum If you’d like more information or are interested in
of two times per year and a maximum of four times per becoming a committee participant, please visit: www.
year. Council commented on the number of meetings parklandcounty.com/committees.
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
Parkland County is pleased to announce that Blue
Ridge Log Homes Ltd., located in Division five,
is this month’s recipient of the Business of the
Month Award.
Since 1988, Blue Ridge Log Homes Ltd. has
helped many homeowners bring their dream
home to life.
Over the years, the company has become a
leader in the log home industry, developing
techniques for building unique log homes of
practical and aesthetic value.
Their customer-focused company policy provides
each client with individual attention for their
project, ensuring highest quality and satisfaction.
Blue Ridge Log Homes’ full purpose yard and shop
include the mill, and enough room to manage
houses up to 4,000 square feet.
Generally, construction takes place in the
yard southwest of Stony Plain, and then it is
dismantled, trucked to the site and reassembled.
Their buildings are located not only in Alberta,
but also in British Columbia, Saskatchewan as
well as throughout the U.S. and Japan.
Apart from log homes, Blue Ridge Log Homes Ltd.
also offers restoration and signature carvings,
from animal carvings on posts and railings to
custom-carved furniture that give a unique look
to each home.
Our congratulations go to Blue Ridge Log Homes
Ltd. & its team for being one of Parkland
County’s great businesses! Keep up the great
work!
For additional information, please call Andrew or
Margo Demera at 780-963-6322 or check out their
website at blueridgeloghomes.ca
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COMMUNITY PATROL: PARTNERSHIPS TO ENHANCE SECURITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE
WITHIN PARKLAND COUNTY
To develop community partnership, Parkland County
Enforcement Services has developed a Community Patrol
officer position responsible for patrolling and providing a
presence and deterrent to criminal activity within Parkland County. This position works closely with Police and
the community to develop positive relationships with the
community. The intent is to reassure residents and provide a high profile presence to deter criminal activity and
provide security to residents in rural areas.
This crime data is a combination of reported crimes to
the RCMP and Parkland County Enforcement Services
for Parkland County. Reported crimes are not arrests, but
rather crime offenses.
• From mid Jan to mid Feb 63 targeted subdivisions were
patrolled by a uniformed officer.
• In Parkland County 21 criminal complaints were
reported in this time period to RCMP in relation to
property crime, vandalism and stolen property. Parkland County Enforcement Services made a high visibility presence at these locations in order to reassure
residents and deter further crime.
• 212 traffic patrols were conducted during these
months.
• 131 targeted park patrols made throughout Prospectors
point, Chickakoo Lake, Muir Lake.
• These time frames have seen an increase in reported
crime within Parkland County.
• During random patrols conducted in parks one individual known to police has been charged criminally and
banned from all county parks for period of one year.
Tips to remember:
As it gets colder and darker outside, we tend to think less
of safety and more of how to simply stay warm. Now is
not the time to let your guard down -- here are some tips
to help keep you safe during the cold weather.
Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended. It
takes only a few seconds for a thief to steal an unlocked,
running vehicle.
Do not park on the street when a big snow is forecast to
allow the street crews room to remove snow.
Avoid taking large boxes out to the curb. Cut the boxes
up and turn the labels inside out so no one knows what
was in the box. Leaving a large flat screen TV, Wii, computer, or laptop box on the curb tells everyone who drives
by what there is to steal in your home.
If you are traveling:
Call the local Police Department for a house watch on
your residence. Cancel paper, mail and any other regular
deliveries to the home.
Set timers on lights, radios, or TVs to give the appearance
someone is home and moving around the residence.
Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your
home while you are away.
Ask a neighbor to make tire tracks in the driveway when
it snows to give the appearance someone is home.
Do not post your travel plans on social networking sites
like Face book, MySpace, or Twitter. You want only
people you trust knowing when your home will not be
occupied.
TALKS ON PARKLAND AIRPORT PREMATURE
Despite radio ads and other advertisements to the
contrary, there are no immediate plans for development
of an airport within Parkland County.
federal government, would be a complicated and lengthy
process and, even if approved, would take a considerable
amount of time.”
“At this point, Parkland County has not yet received any
formal applications for development of an airport within
the county,” said Paul Hanlan, Manager of Planning &
Development Services. “Even if an application did
come forward, the referral process, particularly with the
Hanlan further noted that development of an airport
within the county is not contemplated within Parkland
County Council’s strategic plan, nor has County
Administration received any direction from Council to
pursue an airport.
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ASSISTING IN THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF PARKLAND COUNTY
Whether planning to develop a vacant lot or small
acreage into your dream residence or build a large scale
industrial development and everything in between,
we in Parkland County’s Engineering Development
department are here to assist.
development officer’s work with developers, land
owners, consultants and contractors to ensure that all
engineering standards are achieved and that county
by-laws and environmental policies are followed when
developing land within Parkland County.
Working alongside with our County Planning
department, we ensure that all developments whether
big or small meet the requirements for stormwater
management, shallow utilities, deep underground
utilities, roadways and accesses. Our engineering
We take pride in ensuring that we use our expertise
and knowledge to assist you in the development your
dream. If you have further questions on what Parkland
County’s Engineering Development department does,
contact use directly at 780-968-8445.
LITTLE LIBRARIES
Submitted by Kathy Gardiner,
Library Manager, Parkland County Municipal
Libraries
little free library mounted outside so people can access
reading material 24/7. Residents in those communities
have come together to build the little free library that
The Tri-Community Libraries throughout Parkland is unique to their community. Community members
County, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain have partnered shared their skills, creativity and knowledge in building
with Parkland Adult Literacy and Green Hectares to a little library in their community.
offer people access to reading material at their own The Tri Community Libraries, Parkland Adult Literacy
convenience with the “Take Time to Read” initiative and Green Hectares all take part in keeping the little
and the “Little Free Library” project.
libraries stocked with reading material for all ages. Corrie
In a continuing effort to promote reading and literacy Rhyasen Erdman, Parkland Adult Literacy Coordinator,
throughout the Tri-Community, The Spruce Grove was fortunate to receive a donation of more than 50
Public Library developed the Take Time to Read new books from Frontier College in Ontario to use for
initiative. Residents of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and the little libraries.
Parkland County will notice baskets filled with books at These ‘little libraries’ undoubtedly offer convenience
various locations in their communities acting as ‘little and simplicity to our residents by providing barrier-free
libraries’. Residents are encouraged to take a book to access to materials. Much more than this though, these
read and then either loan it to a friend or return it to an displays are building a sense of community with the act
area library. People can also leave a book for others to of exchanging and sharing books with one another.
enjoy too. One ‘little library’ location is the Tri Leisure Little library locations:
Centre. It houses a shelving unit that displays about 20
Tri Leisure Centre
books at a time and is conveniently located so people
Java Express
can grab a book to read while they are working out or Stony Plain:
O’Donna’s Café & Pastries
waiting for their program to start.
Spruce Grove:
City Hall
The “Little Free Library” project was brought forth by Second Cup
Barb Scully at Green Hectares and Stephanie Sabadaska Starbucks (east end)
of Carvel Hall who established the idea from the little Farmers Market (seasonal)
free library website: www.littlefreelibrary.org. The Parkland County: Carvel Hall
mission behind the “Little Free Library” is to build a
sense of community while fostering the love of reading. Spring Lake
The communities of Carvel and Spring Lake have a Tomahawk Agri Centre
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In January, Parkland County hosted the the NAIT Wireless Systems Engineering Technology class. The class received a briefing
on the Parkland rural communications network in Council Chambers followed by a group tour of the the tower site and shelter
behind the County Centre.
CANADA WATER WEEK FREE WORKSHOP
In celebration of Canada Water Week (March 1824 2013) Parkland County, in partnership with
Spruce Grove and Stony Plain will be offering a
free workshop.
Low-Water Plants in Your Landscape and Compost
Workshop
• Gardening season is just around the corner.
Now is the time to start planning your waterefficient yard.
• This workshop focuses on plants that require
less water, soil building and rainwater harvesting
techniques.
• Workshop is run by Claudia Bolli with Wild
Green Consulting
• Event is Free, No Registration Required
• Date: Tuesday, March 19, 7pm
• Location: Pioneer Centre in Spruce Grove (301
Jespersen Avenue)
• Door-prizes:
o Rain Barrel
o One-on-one landscape consultation with Claudia Bolli
For more information contact: Gabriel Clarke at
gclarke@parklandcounty.com or 780-968-8888
ext 8261.
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PARKLAND RURAL COMMUNICATIONS
NETWORK UPDATE
SLAPS SESSIONS
March 13, 2013
Two sessions that day. 2:30-5 pm and 6:30-9pm.
Imagine a business advisor who is on call 24 hours
a day, works 365 days a year for your business,
is clear on your business goals and draws upon a
wealth of experience.
For more information, contact Barb at 780-2894424 or email barb.scully@greenhectaresonline.
com
The Silver Lining Action Plan, (SLAP™) is a business
method that takes a small business with revenues
between $100,000 and $2,000,000 through a process
of evaluating their business model, setting one
year financial goals, building out the action plan to
hit those goals and then proving the resources and
accountability to ensure the goals are met.
Think Weight Watchers for small business.
Our goal: Every small business that has a SLAP
makes more money doing what they love.
When you build a SLAP you go through a very
standardized process that results in you having a very
customized SLAP for your business.
Internet service is expected to be available from the
new Brightbank and Holborn towers by mid- March,
and the Pioneer tower in early April. Construction is
also progressing on new County tower in Acheson.
Xplornet (780-963-9463) and Tera-Byte (1-877-8372298) are collocating on all the County’s east region
towers, and can be contacted about fixed wireless
internet services to residents and businesses.
Generally, service can be provided to homes and
businesses located within an 8 km (5 mi radius) of
the towers.
For further information on the location of County
towers and the WISPs providing services from them,
please visit the Parkland County website or contact
Diane Bozek or Lois Saumer at 968-8888 ext 8215,
or email Al McCully, GM of Development Services, at
amccully@parklandcounty.com
BLUEBERRY RURAL CRIME WATCH MEETING
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2013
Location: Blueberry Hall, Time: 7:30 pm
Guest Speaker: Parkland County Mayor Rod Shaigec
Mayor Rod Shaigec will talk about creative ideas for crime
prevention and what the County has been doing in this regard.
If you are a resident, come out and chat with Mayor Shaigec. Let
your voice be heard!
Parkland County Contact Information
Emergency - Fire, Police and Ambulance
General Inquiries
General Office Toll Free After Hours Inquiries
Parkland County Council
Mayor Rod Shaigec Councillor Jo Szady, Div. 1
Councillor Dianne Allen, Div. 2 Councillor Phyllis Kobasiuk, Div 3 Councillor Darrell Hollands, Div. 4 Councillor Denise Locher, Div. 5 Councillor Tracey Melnyk, Div. 6 911
780-968-8888
1-888-880-0858
780-968-8401
780-968-8402
780-968-8410
780-968-8420
780-968-8421
780-968-8422
780-968-8423
780-968-8424
780-968-8425
Municipal Services
Agricultural Services Animal Shelter Assessment Services Disaster Services Enforcement Services (Patrol) Engineering Services Fire Services Legis. & Admin Services Planning & Development Property Tax Public Works Parks and Recreation Road Maintenance 780-968-8467
780-968-8458
780-968-8469
780-968-8400
780-968-8400
780-968-8445
780-968-8400
780-968-3234
780-968-8443
780-968-8418
780-968-8448
780-968-8400
780-968-8454
For more information on this newsletter and other Parkland County communications,
contact Jackie Ostashek, Manager, Communications & Strategic Planning
Phone 780-968-8432 Email jostashek@parklandcounty.com
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