Photo taken from Alberta website Alberta.ca

By Adam Ophus

council happenings

Clearwater County working to cut red tape

Feb 27, 2020 | 2:52 PM

Clearwater County has been quickly moving forward with the province’s Red Tape Reduction Act.

The bill passed in December includes an Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) exemption available to municipalities by mutual agreement, County CAO Rick Emmons explained to council this week regarding the move to get new IDPs signed with neighbouring municipalities.

The Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) is intended to “identify the services provided by each Municipality, which services are best provided on an intermunicipal basis, and how services to be provided on an intermunicipal basis will be delivered and funded,” as stated in the ICF/ICP Bylaws being passed.

Councillor Jim Duncan expressed concerns over shared assets and if the new plans will be specific in certain dealings, using a shared road as an example.

“With the County of Lacombe we talked about the Gimlet Road which we work with three municipalities, Lacombe, Ponoka and ourselves. Which our residents dealing with one municipality can be difficult, but working with three can be tough, so we wrote in paragraphs to help with that into those ICF’s,” responded Emmons.

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As of the Tuesdays February 25 Clearwater County Council meeting, they have now signed and passed 12 out 13 Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks with all neighbouring municipalities.

Director of Corporate Services Murray Hagan told council the only municipality that they have not signed an ICF with yet is the Town of Rocky Mountain House.

A letter was sent to the town about the signing an ICF, but according to Hagan they have still not received a response.

“Perhaps it’s time to consider sending another letter,” responded Councillor Cammie Laird.

Communication Coordinator for the Town of Rocky Laura Button has since stated that town council hasn’t responded because they have formally received it yet.

The letter was dated February 12 and was simply too late to make into their February 18 meeting, Button said, adding the letter is on the agenda for March 3 council meeting.

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Tuesday’s county council meeting had a minor disruption when Reeve Timothy Hoven fainted during talks.

He quickly regained consciousness and had full faculties within a minute of collapsing, joking upon waking up “That’s one for the livestream.”

An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital just as a precaution.

Hoven later stated that he has a bit of a bump on the head from the fall, but is just fine and laughed stating “I think my pride took the biggest hit.”