By Erika Chorostil

Resolving differing interests

Drayton Valley and Brazeau County proceed to mediation to approve new IDP and ICF

Feb 19, 2021 | 1:40 PM

The Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County have begun a mediation process in order to resolve “differing interests on some issues,” according to a joint media release.

While a number of municipal partners in Alberta have used arbitration to resolve differences, the Town and County have agreed that mediation is a preferred process where a resolution can be agreed to among the parties, rather than have one implemented by an arbitrator.

According to the media release, the major items of discussion are the plan and referral areas and the recreation component of the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) and Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF), which all Alberta municipalities are required to enter into by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

An IDP is a high-level policy plan created by neighbouring municipalities that is designed to foster cooperation and integrated development near the municipal boundaries so that unnecessary costs and negative impacts for the municipalities are avoided.

An ICF highlights and formalizes existing collaborative work between adjacent municipalities and provides a forum to work together. The primary goal of ICFs is ensuring neighbouring municipalities work together regarding service delivery to residents in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

residential mill rate to hold steady

Penhold town council approves final tax rate increases

12h ago

tips to prevent fires

Sylvan Lake urges extra caution as dry conditions push fire risk higher

12h ago

Guest speaker Chad Reyes

Premier Danielle Smith addresses Red Deerians at Christian Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

17h ago

Drayton Valley and Brazeau County have an existing IDP that was completed in 2012. Due to recent updates in the Municipal Government Act that strongly focus on intermunicipal planning, the two parties will evaluate what worked and what did not work in the 2012 IDP, explore what services can be shared, and determine how and where they should grow.

Each municipality has appointed a negotiation team composed of three Council members and respective Chief Administrative Officer, as well as a third-party mediator.

Representing Drayton Valley is Mayor Michael Doerksen, Councillor Corey Peebles, and Councillor Nancy Dodds. County representation will be comprised of Reeve Bart Guyon, Councillor Anthony Heinrich, and Councillor Kara Westerlund.

Both municipalities have agreed to the other municipality’s selection of mediator, and the two mediators, Bill Sutherland and Andrew Fulton will collaborate on facilitating a compromise that works for the collective benefit of the County and town as much as possible.

The Town of Drayton Valley has applied for a municipal grant to offset the town and County costs related to the mediation process, which will remain confidential.

Meetings are scheduled over the next several weeks, with the goal to reach a conclusion and approve the IDP and ICF before the provincial deadline of April 1.

“We value our relationship with the Town of Drayton Valley, and I’m glad to be working together with our urban neighbours through the mediation process to reach a conclusion that is in the best interests of all residents,” says Brazeau County Reeve Bart Guyon. “Our separate communities are strongest when working together.”

Drayton Valley Mayor Michael Doerksen commented, “We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with our municipal neighbours. The mediation process will ensure that we are working together to serve all residents in our region.”