Sylvan Lake council briefs: Amending smoking bylaw to come up in 2018 budget

Sylvan Lake town council will take a look at amending the existing smoking bylaw.
 
Last month, local anti-smoking activist Gail Foreman approached council with a proposal to make the town’s current bylaw more in step with that of the City of Red Deer.
 
Foreman says changes should include a broader scope of what constitutes a smoking product and where smoking should be banned.
 
Administration told council in order to make these changes, a complete re-write would need to take place. This would require a $12,000 budget adjustment.
 
Instead of directing staff to move ahead immediately, council asked admin to bring forward a Project Work Plan to the 2018 budget deliberations.
 
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Council also directed adminstration to work with Axia Fibrenet in pursuit of becoming a “Fibre Town.”
 
The town will be promoting and marketing this endeavour in order to attract the minimum 30 per cent of serviceable addresses in Sylvan Lake required to move the evaluation stage.
 
Axia is currently seeking 40 rural communities in Alberta to take part in their connectivity project. They’ve so far attracted eleven.
 
Benefits of becoming a fibre town include unlimited data and light speed uploads.
 
To express interest, visit axia.com/alberta.
 
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Council also shored up regulations around how late outdoor patios can be open.
 
Last August, AGLC relaxed its restriction on patios, which were only allowed to serve alcohol until 12 a.m., with consumption permitted until 1 a.m. The changes meant those hours moved to 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., respectively.
 
The Town held a public meeting in October to gain further feedback from food and beverage establishment operators.
 
With second and third reading of the bylaw amendment passing this week, the hours will stay the same. However, administration noted the decision is not without hesitation.
 
There are concerns with regards to the proximity of some establishments to residential areas, but the Town says strict fines ($2000 for a first offence) should help with that issue.
 
Until the recent AGLC changes, live entertainment was also banned from outdoor patios, but that too changed. The amended bylaw only permits live entertainment on patios from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. From June 1 to September 30, those hours are extended to 11 p.m for nights Thursday through Saturday, as well as Sundays when a Monday is a stat holiday.
 
Dance floors and adult entertainment involving nudity are not permitted..
 
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Additionally, council awarded a contract for the purchase of more than 6,000 recycle carts to Calgary’s Superior Truck Equipment. The amount is not to exceed $330,000 with automated recycling anticipated to launch in late 2017 or early 2018.