Council declares MD of Greenview Agricultural Disaster Area
With 30 percent of cereal and oilseed crops under a blanket of snow, councillors have voted to declare the M.D. of Greenview an agricultural disaster area. The declaration is intended to create greater awareness of the challenges facing area producers with both M.D. residents and elected officials with both the provincial and federal governments. Greenview joins a growing list of agricultural disaster area declarations with 18 rural municipalities across the province who have already declared or in the process of doing so.
Agricultural Services Manager Quentin Bochar reported to Council that despite poor conditions, farmers that did manage to take some of the crops off late in the season are dealing with low-quality issues and will face rutted fields when seeding begins in the spring. Livestock producers are also facing quality issues with late-season hay lacking the nutritional value needed to support their herds.
Council votes support for local community initiatives
The work of Greenview’s non-profit and community-based organizations was recognized as Council voted to support a number of local initiatives. Council approved a funding request from the Grande Cache Community Friends Association (100 Caring Hearts) to support the purchase of a commercial barbeque to be used to assist the organization’s fundraising activities. Council approved a $30,000 grant with the organization to provide the balance of the purchase prices.
A request from the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation for the use of the Grande Cache Community Bus was also approved. The bus will help to ensure that AWN members without transportation are able to attend the annual Christmas Community Feast, Dec. 19, in Grande Cache.
Council has approved $128,000 in funding, partnering with the Fox Creek Greenview Multiplex Board for the installation of exterior signage. The pillar sign will be located in a prominent location within the community to assist in sharing community information and promotion of Multiplex programs and activities.
Greenview joining provincial emergency communications network
Council has given the go-ahead to begin work to connect the MD of Greenview to Alberta’s First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS). Councillors voted to award the tender for the installation of equipment to link Greenview with the provincewide network to BearComm Communications for $591,008.
Along with improving communications to support day-to-day operations, participation in AFRRCS will help to ensure a more coordinated response to emergencies. With Greenview party to a number of Mutual Aid Agreements, AFRRCS is particularly valuable in cases of joint responses requiring action by more than one municipality and other agencies in the communications network such as police and Alberta Health Services. The move is also expected to reduce the overall cost of radio system infrastructure. The cost for construction, operation and maintenance of the broader provincial network is funded by the Alberta government.
Paving on Forestry Trunk Road approved
Council has approved the bid of Allnorth Construction for the engineering portion to prepare for the paving of 10 km of the Forestry Trunk Road. The project will see paving on the south end of the FTR near the junction of Highway 40, beginning in May 2020 with construction set to be completed by October. While not the lowest submitted bid, the Allnorth proposal of $413,716 was identified as the highest quality tender ensuring the most timely completion of the project.
Improving response times on service requests
Heading into the New Year, MD of Greenview administration has identified improving the response rates for requests for services as a priority. Chief Administrative Officer Denise Thompson reported to Council that processes are being developed to log requests for services like brushing, beaver dam removal and culvert cleaning as well as provide updates on the status of those requests. Thompson said efforts would be undertaken to strengthen both internal and external communications to keep residents apprised of anticipated start dates on specific public requests.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
- Committee of the Whole – December 16, 2019, DeBolt Public Service Building
- FCSS Meeting – December 18, 2019, Green View Community Resource Centre, Valleyview
Please note: MD of Greenview offices and transfer stations will be closed December 25, 26 and 27. Offices will reopen Monday, December 30.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Stacey Sevilla, Manager, Communications and Marketing
Stacey.Sevilla@mdgreenview.ab.ca or 780-524-7625
