Courtesy: Town of High Level
Presentations
The Council meeting started with two special presentations. Mayor Crystal McAteer presented Cpt. Colin Moore with his five-year service award with the Town of High Level,
and then Martin Pretorius, general manager for West Fraser, presented Mayor McAteer and Rodney Schmidt, Emergency Services Director, and Fire Chief, with two new thermal
imaging cameras.
Regulated Substance Bylaw 992-19 Amendment
Council passed a motion to amend the Regulated Services Bylaw to allow regulated substances within the Town’s Main Administrative building if an organization has obtained
proper permits, licenses, and insurance. During discussion, Council made clear the goal was not to turn the administration building into a place where events with regulated substances could be held, but rather it was to provide long-term tenants in third party-operated spaces an opportunity to hold community events serving alcohol in a responsible manner.
CAO Report
CAO Viv Thoss provided an update on Administration’s plans to publish an annual report for 2024 in March 2025. This will be the first annual report released by the Town, with a
goal of increasing transparency and communication with the community. The report is intended to provide an overview of progress and achievements in 2024. CAO Thoss is
currently reviewing Administration’s internal processes to enhance overall efficiency. This includes the development of a new Council Agenda and Minutes format with the goal of
making the documents easier for the public to follow while reducing the time required for preparation. Additionally, CAO Thoss has been addressing past challenges by prioritizing
statutory obligations that have not been fulfilled, and efforts are underway to refine and streamline the annual budget process in a collaborative process merging financial wellbeing with community wellbeing.
NRED Grant Application
Council passed a motion to direct Administration to apply for $200,000 under the Northern and Regional Economic Development program and to allocate $200,000 from General Reserves in the 2025 Budget for land development planning. The money would be used to amend the Northwest Area Structure Plan and develop a servicing and subdivision plan for some currently undeveloped Town-owned property. Once the plan was created, the Town would have the option of developing the land or making it available to investors.
Small Community Opportunity Program Grant Application
Council passed a motion to direct Administration to apply for $90,000 under the Small Community Opportunity Program to fund the development of a new Tourism Development
Strategy. Additionally, Council allocated $10,000 from the Tourism Improvement Fee Reserve as the grant has a 90/10 matching component. While similar to the NRED grant in
the previous motion, it is more focused on developing capacity within the municipality. The Tourism Development Strategy is more than 13 years old and no longer reflects the needs of the community.
High Level 60th Anniversary
Council directed Administration to continue working on plans to celebrate the Town’s 60th anniversary in 2025. While there was much discussion on the form this celebration should take, Council’s direction was to provide the requested funds of $137,000 and that Administration provide an update to planning at a future Council meeting.
High Level 60th Anniversary Logo
Council decided on a logo variation for the 60th Anniversary which will be used in messaging and community promotion in 2025.
100 Avenue Roadway Upgrade
Council directed Administration to proceed with an application under the Local Municipal Initiative stream of Alberta’s Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program based on a project budget of $5.726 million. The project includes additional utility work to upgrade utilities in the project area while the road is open. As utility fees are based on a cost
recovery basis, the costs for utility repairs and upgrades would be added to future utility bills. However, the remainder of the costs associated with the project would be debentured
(a type of long-term loan) with no immediate increased to municipal taxes through special levies.
Community Rail Advocacy Alliance
Council passed a motion to pay the $2,000 membership fee to remain a member of the Community Rail Advocacy Alliance, a group of northern municipalities that work together
to advocate on behalf of rail issues and expansion in northwestern Alberta.
