COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS

Thanks to everyone for supporting our Lego program! 

We look forward to continuing the program in the New Year. 

PROVINCIAL PROJECTS

SR1

SCA representatives have been working with others on the Joint Land Use Advisory Committee to finalize recommendations. This has been a somewhat arduous process for all involved but there are robust recommendations that have been worth the effort. Shout out to Edmond Whittsock from Springbank Trails and Pathways for taking the lead on harnessing views of the various organizations and groups involved! 

Bow River Dam

The SCA board plans to review our engagement in the Bow River Dam process in the New Year. 

ROCKY VIEW COUNTY UPDATES

Fire Update

West Rocky View is not under any fire ban or advisory at this moment - for more information

Council Resolution Tracker

RVC has released something interesting! It is a summary of resolutions that are making their way through Council.  This should allow us to have some visibility as to what is coming up.  For now, this does not include planning and development applications (such as Bingham Crossing) but does include the Springbank Area Structure Plan, road allowances, RR40 pathway connection to SR1, the Special Event Permit review and more. 

Budget 

RVC released the results of its community engagement (a rather low 179 responses received). 

For those who want to speak directly with Council on the proposed budget, please join us for an upcoming Special Council Meeting:

Wednesday, December 14, 9:00am - Rocky View County Hall, Council Chambers

RR33 Bridge

RVC, Bingham Crossing and Harmony have reached an agreement to upgrade the RR33 bridge spanning Highway 1.  This cost sharing agreement covers what is considered “Phase 2” of the bridge upgrade, but not a complete replacement. 

The agreement was approved on December 6 at Council.

More details (and map)

The SCA and Springbank Trails and Pathways submitted comments that we would like to see pathway connectivity.  Next steps include more detailed design.  

History (from RVC report to Council)

On December 22, 2020, Council directed Administration to negotiate a Cost-Sharing Agreement with the local Developers and Alberta Transportation. The interchange improvement costs are estimated at $40 million. The initial proposed funding model would be 20% Rocky View County, 40% Harmony/Bingham Crossing and 40% Province. However, the County was not successful in the request for funding from Alberta Transportation due to other competing priorities and approved provincial infrastructure projects.

The Developers of Harmony, Bingham Crossing and County Administration continue to see the need to improve the network with the expectation that the Province will have more desire to invest in ‘shovel ready’ projects to support jobs and the economy. Should Council support the initiative, the County’s contribution would be $8 million funded in part from the Transportation Off-Site Special Area 4 Levy Reserve (SA4). Harmony/Bingham Crossing will advance $16 million in funding plus any County shortfall in its $8 million portion. The County currently has $6 million dollars in the SA4. Harmony/Bingham Crossing will augment the shortfall of $2 million which will be subject to infrastructure cost recovery and repayment from others that will benefit from the improvements.

Special Events Permits Review

RVC has approved updates to the Special Events Permitting process. See here for changes.

Approved Treatment Centre in Commercial Court

On December 2, Opus and Edgewood were back at the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.  It appears that they are effectively requesting a longer term for their permit.  The SFAB has two weeks from the hearing to release their decision (not released as of December 12, 2022). 

Bingham Crossing

No updates this month.

Community Centre

No updates.

Highway 8 Corridor

On November 29, 2022, Council voted to rescind the Gardner (West Elbow Valley) Area Structure Plan Terms of Reference, resulting in discontinuation of the project. 

Springbank Area Structure Plans

No updates. 

UPDATE FROM DIVISION 2 COUNCILLOR

Rural Municipalities Association Conference – Council attended the annual conference for rural municipalities in the first week of November. The conference included a series of workshops and a ministerial forum whereby the delegates were able to ask questions of the ministers regarding issues in their municipality. Health care, agriculture and reclamation practices were some of the prime topics that were questioned.

There were also presentations provided by the Nurse Practitioner Association, Alberta Energy Association, Alberta Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association, RCMP, etc. The Premier also provided a keynote address for the delegates.

As part of the conference I was presented Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Medal award. The Platinum Jubilee Medal honors those who have reflected dedication to family, community and country. The Medal marks the 70th anniversary of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada and her exemplified true meaning of public service.

Division 2 - Open House – Division 2 is planning on having an open house to discuss transportation issues that are impacting our community. We are hoping to schedule this open house in May 2023.

2023 Budget - The draft 2023 operating and capital budget was presented to Council on November 16, including a review of departmental budgets and service adjustments. The deliberations will continue on December 14, which will include an update to answer Council's questions from November 16, and a public input session.

Springbank Community Centre– An Advisory Group have completed the work program to identify the types of facilities to be developed, functional programs for the facilities and associated costs. The facilities are expected to primarily serve residents of Springbank however surrounding areas are also expected to use the programs and services at the facilities. The business case will be available to all community members once the final draft is presented to Council. This will probably occur the early part of 2023.

Springbank Area Structure Plan ( ASP) – Administration is continuing its work on drafting the new ASP with the feedback outlined in the Engagement Summary being considered against other influences such as the Regional Growth Plan and technical constraints. As required by the Regional Growth Plan, administration has started an Environmental Screening Report to update the previous Wildlife Corridor study. Administration hopes that they will have an initial draft ASP available in January. Administration will present the updated plan to the Springbank community in the New Year. An Engagement Summary Report of the communities’ input can be found on the county web-site.  

Special Event Permitting – As a result of the issues that have come up regarding permitting of special events, it is proposed to change Special Function Business & Home-Based Business Type III regulations. The proposal is being presented to Council on January 23, 2022. At this moment, subject to change and subject to Council approval, future Special Function Business applications in residential and agricultural areas would be required to complete a land use amendment to include a Home-Based Business, Type III (HBB, Type III) use. Special Function Business will no longer be an allowed use and future wedding-type venue applications will be considered as HBB, Type III.

The Special Event Application process through Recreation, Parks & Community Support (for one-time event applications) is scheduled to go before Council on December 13. There are proposed changes to the bylaw that outline a more streamlined definition, stronger residential notification requirements to name a few improvements to the bylaw.

Edgewood Counseling Centre – Commercial Court - A second Development Permit application for a full DP, rather than the 3-year term has been refused by RVC’s Development Authority and this decision is being appealed by the applicant. The appeal hearing was held at the December 2, 2022 SDAB meeting. The SDAB could uphold the Development Authority’s decision to refuse the application, which would leave the applicant with the existing 3-year term DP that was recently issued. Currently, the applicant is permitted this use at this location for three years, per the SDAB approval. If the refusal is upheld on the second/replacement DP, and if the land use amendment does not pass, they would have to reapply in 3 years for a renewal DP.

The applicant has also submitted the land use amendment application to apply to have the required use available in that location. We are not aware of what Administration’s recommendation will be on that application; however, the final decision would be at Council’s discretion.

New Virtual Services Available – Just a reminder to take advantage of Rocky View’s online customer service portal — my.RockyView.ca. The new portal makes County services, previously only available in-person or by telephone, more accessible and convenient for residents. The new portal requires residents to create an account to access the following county services online:
• Property assessment information • Property tax payments and balances • Tax certificates • Utility payments, balances, and billing history • Mortgage holdings 

Don Kochan, Councillor – Division 2
kochandiv2@gmail.com
587-435-7172

ROCKY VIEW SCHOOLS

Discovery Corner Preschool

Discovery Corner Preschool's registration for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year will be on January 26. They offer full day and half day Montessori based preschool programming for ages 2.5 - 5 years.  They have a Full day Kindergarten program as well, provide pick up from the morning kindergarten program at Elbow Valley Elementary School.   Call 403-472-1477 to book a tour!

 

Springbank High School

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHAPS and CHINOOKS MOMENT

Florence Flanagan and Morris Smith, in the Smith family history, recount some of their winter memories.

            The winter time amusements were something else. There was the preparation for the Christmas concert. Practise usually started in October. This had to be done either in the noon hour or after school. We didn’t seem to mind we had to practise because we were so eager to put on a good program. The cold weather was something else to contend with. The four miles to school was a long hard one especially in the winter time. Horseback was the only means of travel. It seemed as though the bottom fell out of the thermometer before Christmas and it took till March to get back to normal again. I guess the kids were a hardy lot then because if you missed school on account of cold weather you were a real “sissy”. After arriving at school the next problem was to become defrosted. More often than not the first pupil there had to get a fire going in the old pot bellied stove. It was always an obstinate old creature and deserved all the punishment it received. It seemed as though very little smoke went up the chimney. There would be great fits of coughing and spluttering and then suddenly it would decide it was time to act normally and some heat would start to generate. Then the water pail would start to thaw, the blue corks sticking out of the inkwells would gradually recede and probably by noon it would be safe to move back a few feet from the old heater.

            Of course this cold weather never phased the kids. Come the noon hour, we would gulp our lunches down in a hurry, grab our skates, away off down to Thompson’s Creek and skate for the balance of the noon hour. The old creek didn’t have the smoothest of ice but still it turned out many good skaters.

(…)

            Florence finished her education at Springbank, and then went to Calgary to take a secretarial course. She worked in Calgary for a time, then took a job in Bassano with the Royal Bank. She worked there for a number of years where she met Arthur Flanagan. They married and moved to Grande Praire in the Peace River country where they still reside.

            Morris took his complete education at Springbank. He operated the dairy farm for mother until she passed away. At this time the farm was transferred into his name and still remains as such. During his bachelorhood days he courted Marion Jameson, a music teacher who came out to Springbank every weekend to teach music. After many dances, picture shows and other forms of evening entertainment, she finally gave in to his coaxing and married him in 1943.

Chaps and Chinooks, Vol II, p. 382

COCHRANE FOOTHILLS PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION - 
  RURAL CRIME WATCH

Making the Right Call

When it comes to reporting a crime there can sometimes be confusion on the best way to reach out to police, in particular in non emergency based situations. Though everyone is familiar with 9-1-1, there are other police reporting lines that the general public may not be as aware of such as your local detachment non-emergency line, local detachments administrative line, and online crime reporting.

For any emergency situation or crime in progress the best number to call is 9-1-1. These calls are answered by the Operational Communications Centre (OCC) and once answered a general duty officer is then dispatched. Calls to 9-1-1 can include anything from a life threatening incident and crime in progress to the witnessing of an intoxicated driver. Calls to 9-1-1 are considered high priority calls that will always be answered before non-emergency calls, and may require immediate police attention due to the seriousness and severity of the incident.

For non emergency crimes please call the non-emergency number found in your local municipality.  Examples of when to call the non emergency line include, but are not limited to the following; suspicious vehicles, activities or persons, neighborhood disputes, noise issue, break and enters and thefts where the suspect is not there and crimes committed in the past.

Your Detachments Administrative line is to be called when you are following up on an incident that has already been reported and you are calling to speak to the investigative officer assigned to your file; or you are calling to speak to a specific officer in the Detachment. It is important to note that this phone number is NOT monitored outside of the detachments designated office hours, nor is this number to be used to report crimes in progress or emergencies. 

An online crime report can be made through the Alberta RCMP at ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca. The easy-to-use website guides you through a series of questions that gives police pertinent information about the incident and can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.

Online reports can be made for matters such as damage/mischief to property under $5,000, theft of bicycle under $5,000, theft under $5,000, theft from vehicle under $5,000, and lost property.  Reportable online reporting incidents can not be reported if there are witnesses or suspects, the items lost or stolen are over $5,000, the vandalized property will cost over $5,000 to repair, or if any items lost or stolen involve personal identity (ie: passports, driver licenses, birth certificates, etc..), firearms, or license plates.

All online reports are reviewed by the RCMP and are prioritized to the Call Back Unit, a specialized team that handles all non-emergency calls. Since 2020 this unit has been responsible for responding to more than 2,500 non emergency calls throughout the province. All crimes reported online will be followed up with a phone call from a police officer in "K" Division's Call Back Unit (CBU) within five (5) business days.

To provide anonymous tips on crimes that have already been committed like property crime and narcotics, individuals can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the P3Tips app available trough the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Reporting all crimes and suspicious activities to police is extremely important.  All calls are logged and the intelligence from these reported incidents are used to ensure police are being deployed effectively to those areas that are being most impacted by crime.  The intelligence collected is also used to analyze current crime trends and predict future ones.  Even if you are unsure if a crime has been committed, it is always best to make sure to report the incident and allow police to conduct a further investigation.

Although Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are common platforms today to relay information, be aware that reporting suspicious activity or any crime on social media platforms does not mean the police know about it.  In order to ensure suspicious activity and crimes are accurately reported to the police, please ensure that you report the incident to the police directly. RCMP members do not monitor social media accounts.  Chances are good that if you have not reported it to the police, the police do not know about it. 

Carolyn McTighe ~ Community Safety and Well Being Unit- K Div

BRAGG CREEK CORNER

Program Guide

CONNECTIONS WITH COCHRANE

Program Guide

RING ROAD UPDATE

West Ring Road Updates

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