WHITECOURT TOWN COUNCIL UPDATE

Whitecourt Town Council has decided not to implement a mandatory face covering bylaw at this time. Over the past month, several municipalities across Alberta have either considered making face coverings mandatory or have made them mandatory. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Whitecourt has deferred to Alberta Health Services on all health-related decisions, and the Province continues to stress that the best way to stop the virus is for people to maintain 2-metre physical distancing, wash hands frequently, and stay home when sick. Face coverings continue to be required on Whitecourt Public Transit as 2-metre physical distancing cannot be maintained on the bus. The Town of Whitecourt will con- tinue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and implementing a mandatory face covering bylaw may be revisited at any time depending on case numbers in Whitecourt and the region, and advice from the Province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Preparations and discussions for the 2021 Budget have begun. Town Council encourages you to share your thoughts on projects and plans at the 2021 Budget Public Input Session. The session is scheduled during the September 28 Regular Meeting of Council at 7:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend the input session, please submit your written comments to the following address by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 23:

All comments received regarding the 2021 Budget will be considered by Council during budget deliberations.

Whitecourt Town Council has endorsed Mayor Maryann Chichak’s bid for the Towns West Director and Vice President – Towns positions with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. Mayor Chichak previously served in both positions, and should she be elected it would provide an opportunity to advocate on behalf of municipalities and ensure Whitecourt’s needs are represented on a provincial level.

The official launch for the Whitecourt & Area Family Support Program is scheduled for September 19 with the “Making Up For Lost Events: A Family Affair” event. Whitecourt was recently awarded grant funding for a 3-year term by the Government of Alberta to provide Children’s Services – Family Support/Division Programming in the region. The program, in partnership with Recreation, Arts & Culture and the Whitecourt and Woodlands Performing Arts Society, will host a free, family event at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre that will include activities, entertainment, and information displays. Pre-registration is required, and can be made online at www.rec.whitecourt.ca or at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre.

Whitecourt will be applying to the Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP) for financial support of the Dahl Drive Rehabilitation project. The project, valued at $1.4 million, involves drainage improvements and asphalt overlay resurfacing of the arterial road.

The Town of Whitecourt will be submitting two applications to the Forest Resources Improvement Association of Alberta. Both projects, which involve the development of a FireSmart Working Group and hiring of a Summer Crew for 2021, will help raise awareness of FireSmart principles and practices within the community.

Ernst & Young LLP has been awarded the contract to complete the Targeted Industrial Base Diversification, Resiliency and Attraction Pilot Project. The project, funded in part by the Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) Program, will provide capacity and resources to explore investment opportunities and to develop a diversified plan for the future. This will include working with existing small businesses on diversification opportunities, and actively pursuing new investment opportunities that create new employment.

Roszko Construction Ltd. was awarded the Blue Ridge Road Gravel Tender project, valued at just over $107,000. The project will involve replacing the gravel base and subbase and installing geogrid and geotextile materials in locations along the road within Town boundaries.  Work is expected to begin in late September.

35 Street, from 35 Avenue to 34 Avenue, will be temporarily closed on August 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Car &

Motorcycle Show and Shine event.

Council has approved the cancellation of a portion of 2019 municipal taxes for Roll 006018. The property owner requested the cancellation due to a fire that resulted in the loss of the industrial building on the property. Whitecourt Town Council has recognized October 1, 2020 as International Day of Older Persons. Councillor Tom Pickard will serve as Deputy Mayor from September 1 to December 31, 2020.