Hayley Gavin

This Municipal Development Plan provides guidelines and policy direction for future land use, growth, and development within the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. It aims to foster a high quality of life by celebrating its unique legacy, protecting the natural environment, addressing community needs, and supporting a diverse and resilient economy. Key principles include promoting unique communities, managing growth, ensuring coordinated planning, fostering respectful communication, integrating Indigenous knowledge, preserving rural nature, providing adequate infrastructure, balancing tourism, ensuring recreation and community services, supporting industry for a stable economy, and enhancing emergency preparedness.

The board discussed topics including living in the natural environment, updates on the Jumpingpound Creek Watershed Partnership and Ghost Watershed Alliance Society, and municipal and regional liaison updates. New business covered weed control regulation changes, the provincial Agricultural Service Board summer tour, the PMRA's denial of emergency strychnine use for ground squirrel control, a mature asset strategy, and various correspondence from other municipalities regarding on-farm slaughter operations and federal agricultural research funding.

The meeting included reports from various committee members regarding community events, library programs, and wildlife sightings in the area. Administration provided updates on community service grant applications, the bike park project, trail planning, and future food-related programs. The committee also reviewed and discussed amendments to the Terms of Reference and held a closed session to discuss matters that will be presented to the Council for further consideration.

The board discussed various community reports, including gym facility updates, library programming, industrial traffic impacts, and local fire safety initiatives. Significant attention was given to the ongoing development of the bike park and the review of the Community Services Board Terms of Reference. Additionally, the board reviewed monthly reports from the Community Services Coordinator regarding recent activities, local events, and regional interagency meetings.

The Governance and Priorities Committee met to conduct committee business, adopt the meeting agenda, and address business arising from previous meeting minutes.