Smoky Lake public meetings in 2023
4 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
December 21, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
The Smoky Lake Town Council held its regular meeting on December 21, 2023. Key decisions included approving the sale of a specific lot to 815213 AB. Ltd. for $15,000, establishing a new co-locate internet agreement with MCSnet, and passing a bylaw to authorize operating expenditure borrowing. The council also accepted a $60,000 grant for a municipal internship program and updated residents on various infrastructure and fire service projects.
- Land sale: Lot 10 (Plan No. 0721842, Block 6) sold to 815213 AB. Ltd. for $15,000.
- Internet agreement: Co-locate agreement with MCSnet for Town Office, Ag Complex, and Public Works Shop at no cost.
- Bylaw No. 016-2023: Passed to authorize borrowing for operating expenditures and establish a line of credit.
- Internship program: Accepted $60,000 grant from Alberta Community Partnership for an 18-month intern.
- Fire department honorarium: Cost-shared $1,207.00 with Smoky Lake County for two work experience students.
November 9, 2023 - Regular Council Meeting (2024 Budget)
Smoky Lake Town Council met on November 9, 2023 for a regular budget meeting. Council is considering approving a 2024 Capital Budget of $361,250.00 plus $1,154,000.00 for a water reservoir replacement, and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for staff. It is also discussing a denied provincial permit for a sidewalk on Highway 855 beside the new school, and accepting the 2022 Municipal Indicator Report. A closed session on an internet matter under FOIPP is also listed.
- 2024 Capital Budget proposed at $361,250.00, plus $1,154,000.00 for the Water Reservoir Project
- Cost-of-living adjustment options: 3% ($25,894.96) or 2% ($17,263.31), effective January 1, 2024
- Sidewalk permit on Highway 855 beside the new school was denied by the Department of Transportation; discussion referred to a November 27 delegation with Aspen View School Division
- 2022 Municipal Indicator Report: infrastructure age at 39.35%, below the 40% threshold
- Closed session on internet matter under FOIPP Section 16(1), citing harm to a third party's business interests
October 30, 2023 Organizational Council Meeting
The Town of Smoky Lake held its annual organizational meeting to appoint a Deputy Mayor, approve the 2024 meeting schedule, and designate professional service providers. Council also reviewed honorarium policies, approved a list of 2024 proclamations, and assigned councillors to various committees and boards.
- Appointment of Deputy Mayor for a one-year term effective October 30, 2023
- Review of Policy A14 regarding honorariums, per diems, and expenses for council members
- Approval of 2024 proclamation list including National Indigenous Peoples Day and Red Dress Day
- Appointment of Seniuk & Company as auditors for Fiscal Year-2023 at an estimated $23,250.00
- Designation of Alberta Treasury Branch (ATB) as the town's financial institution
October 30, 2023 Regular Council Meeting (2024 Budget)
Smoky Lake Town Council meets October 30, 2023 to work through its 2024 budget. Council is asked to decide a $6,000 annual funding request for the Municipally Controlled Corporation (Smoky Lake Development Corporation), to approve a temporary street closure for the Chamber of Commerce Light Up Event, and to give feedback on the draft 2024 Capital Budget so Administration can bring it back for final approval. The capital budget is a draft; no final project list or spending total was decided at this meeting.
- MCC (Smoky Lake Development Corp.) funding request of $6,000 for 2024, with an option of $6,000 a year for 2023-2026; the corporation projects $12,000 in annual operating costs
- Temporary street closure on Willow Creek Street from Wheatland Avenue to McDougall Drive on November 24, 2023, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, for the Chamber of Commerce Light Up Event
- Draft 2024 Capital Budget presented for feedback, including a new lagoon at $2,500,000, 46 Street Reconstruct at $1,700,000, and 50 Street Reconstruct at $2,250,000
- Equipment replacements listed in the draft capital plan, including a 2012 Skid Steer at $100,000, a used grader at $200,000, and a 1996 John Deere 5400 at $80,000
- Sidewalk replacement on 44 Avenue at $50,000 and a municipal building sign project in the draft capital plan