Thanks to Our Foothills Fire Department

On behalf of residents in the west part of the MD affected by the fire this past week, I wanted to pass on a big thank you to the Foothills Fire Department for their tireless efforts to get the fire under control and keep our residents safe.  Thanks very much for all your time and effort on this fire and all you do for the MD of Foothills!

Sincerely,
Jason

May 23 Update - Fire Advisory, Burn Permit Updates and Summer Road Bans

Quick 3 Minute Video Update

Fire Advisory, Burn Permit Updates and Summer Road Bans

Note: If your are receiving this in your email and the video below does not show up, click the link above it to be taken to the website to view it.

For more information on:

• The Fire Advisory, CLICK HERE.
• Burn Permits and regulations, CLICK HERE.
• Summer Road Bans, CLICK HERE.

Fire Advisory in Effect

There is a fire advisory in the MD of Foothills as of today. It is still ok to get burn permits, it is ok to use burning barrels and campfires.

The advisory is to remind people that it is dry out and fires can get away from you very easily. Please be careful and do not leave any fire unattended. With the warm trend that is happening in southern Alberta, the Foothills Fire Department along with Agriculture and Forestry will keep a watch on conditions in the MD of Foothills.

Look at albertafirebans.ca or the MD of Foothills Website or Facebook page for any changes.

James (Jim) Smith, SCO-Fire

Foothills Fire Chief

309 MacLeod Trail  | Box 5605  | High River, AB  | T1V 1M7

Summer Road Bans are now in place

For more information and details on which roads are still banned go to:  https://www.mdfoothills.com/services/public-works--engineering.html

Construction Highway 762 and 549

Construction Updates Highways 762 and 549

Highway 762 from 549 to 22

The final lift will be put down the full length of Highway 762 and lines will be painted starting May 15th and is scheduled to be completed by June 29th (weather permitting of course).  This should finally complete the project.

Spring Coulee Bridge on Hwy 549

Repairs are to be completed on the Spring Coulee Bridge on Highway 549 near Okotoks

High Country Rural Crime Watch Event

You are invited to an *Important* High Country Rural Crime Watch Event on June 9, 2018

(Information from https://www.facebook.com/HighCountryRuralCrimeWatch/)

We want to fight back against the current Crime Climate by giving you information on how to protect yourself. So, our local Crime Watch is bringing in a guest speaker, Kerry Sauve, to teach us bout “Removing yourself and your property from the victim pool”. Please join us on Saturday, June 9, 2018, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Priddis Community Hall. We are asking for a donation to cover our costs: $5 per person. And there is a special bonus: A PDF copy of Kerry’s book, “StreetSafe 360°”, will be shared with those in attendance.

Kerry Sauve was referred to HCRCWA by the Red Deer County Rural Crime Watch. He has an incredible background of training special forces, working in the security field, working as a first-responder and is a veteran Correctional Peace Officer with over 20 years of front line experience working with gang members. Part of his portfolio is providing gang prevention and intervention programs to the youth incarcerated in the facility where he works. A second service he provides is awareness training for community partners, law-enforcement and the public. He shares his vast knowledge to help people learn, prepare and get a plan in place.

Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 or Foothills County?

Your Feedback is Important

PLEASE FILL OUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE provided in your tax notice or by going to the link HERE.

Council for the Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 (MD) first proposed a name change over five years ago. On the 7th of February, 2018, Councillors for the MD passed a resolution to submit an application to the Province of Alberta to change the name to Foothills County.

Council felt this was an appropriate time to revisit the proposed name change for several reasons.

Cost is usually the most obvious and significant issue to consider. One of the larger costs is signage. The MD has gateway signage on the main highways that pass through our area. This signage has needed to be replaced for some time now, as some signage has come down due to age and deterioration. Replacement of the gateway signage has been budgeted for, whether the name changes or not. Other signage on MD rural roads would only be replaced as needed.

Decals on municipal vehicles would be replaced as needed, when they are worn and need replacing, or when a new vehicle is brought into the fleet.

Summer Road Bans Take Effect May 22/18

CURRENT SPRING BAN STILL IN PLACE

For more information and details on which roads are still banned go to: https://www.mdfoothills.com/services/public-works--engineering.html

May 9 Update - Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw and Community Standards Bylaw Proposed Updates

MD Council Looking at Amendments

Today council looked at proposed amendments to the MD's current Dog Bylaw and Community Standards Bylaw as presented by staff.  Council made some proposed changes and will now go to do some public engagement to get feedback from residents on the proposed changes.

Watch the 3 minute video below for more information.

Open Houses for Resident Feedback

Council provided feedback and authorized administration to proceed with the public consultation process prior to submitting the Bylaw with amendments to Council for approval.  To get feedback from residents, Open Houses will be held:

Water Meter Replacement Update

Landfill Extended Hours

GOOD NEWS - $3 million to the MD of Foothills for "Emergency Preparedness"

All Residents of the MD Will Benefit... 

Of the $10 million dollars announced by the province earmarked for "Emergency Preparedness" the MD of Foothills will be the recipients of $3 million.  The funds will go towards a Provincial stockpile of equipment and supplies (i.e.: pumps, hose, sand bags and other supplies for flood prevention) that will be stored in the MD of Foothills

MD staff is still in conversation with the Province as to exactly what will be purchased and included.  They are also discussing with the Province ways to make distribution of the supplies in the state of emergency more seamless.

It sounds as though the MD may also receive an additional $10,000 per year from the province (in addition to the $15,000 they currently receive) for storage and maintenance of the stockpile. Click the video below for more details.

As I receive further information, I will be sure to post it here so be sure to enter your email in the top right hand corner of the page to receive future updates.

Province Announces $10 million to go towards "Emergency Preparedness"

Province Being Proactive for Future Flooding

The Province of Alberta has earmarked $10 million for "Emergency Preparedness".  They made the announcement last night (click here for details) that was a surprise for MD staff as there has been only preliminary discussions on how the funds will be distributed.

As I receive more information, I will post it here and on Facebook.

MD Wide Road Ban Lifted (Regular Bans still in effect)

Effective May 2, 2018, 10:00 am.

75% road ban on all municipal roads including gravel roads has been lifted.
REGULAR ROAD BANS ARE STILL in effect. 

For more information on the current Road Bans, click here