Ryan Piche

The Council meeting involved several key discussions and approvals. These included a development permit for an intensive agricultural use for a U-Pick strawberry farm, the removal of a municipal reserve designation to allow for land consolidation, and the adoption of the municipal district's investment attraction action plan. Additionally, the Council held a public hearing regarding a road closure and disposal bylaw.

The Council meeting covered various topics including the passage of the 2026 Tax Rate Bylaw and the Tax Installment Payment Plan Bylaw, as well as an amendment to the Local Improvement Tax Bylaw. The Council approved changes to the 2026 Operating Budget and capital plans, and reviewed the 2025 Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, Council made decisions regarding several development applications, including a major home business, a work camp, and multiple subdivision applications. They also addressed a roadway licensing bylaw and reviewed funding requests, resulting in the approval of a donation to the Bonnyville Shooting Sports Association.

Council received presentations from the Lakeland Lacrosse Association regarding the Ice Melter Tournament and from Cold Lake First Nations concerning recreational development proposals. Financial decisions included cancelling a double tax levy for 2025 and approving six requests for property tax penalty cancellations. Council also issued a proclamation for Economic Development Week and authorized a $15,000 sponsorship for the 2026 Lakeland Broncs and Bulls event.

The council meeting addressed several operational and financial matters. The council approved the cancellation of a 2025 property tax levy and penalties for a designated industrial property due to a duplication error. Additionally, tax penalty cancellations were approved for six tax rolls in accordance with the municipal policy. The council proclaimed May 4th to May 8th as Economic Development Week in the Municipal District of Bonnyville. Finally, the council reviewed a funding request from the Lakeland Extreme Broncs and Bulls organization, discussing a multi-year sponsorship commitment to support their events in Cold Lake and Bonnyville.

The Council reviewed and approved several agenda items, including the adoption of the agenda and minutes from a prior meeting. Key discussions involved development permit applications for an agro-tourism business and a temporary 152-person work camp. Additionally, the council considered and approved multiple subdivision applications, including boundary realignments and agricultural parcel subdivisions. New business items addressed tax-related bylaws, including an installment plan, local improvement tax bylaw amendments, and the annual tax rate bylaw.