Last County Council Meeting of the Internship!

I just walked out of the morning session of the County Council Meeting and I have two pieces of excellent news to share. First, the bylaw I had been working on, Bylaw No. 1229-11, passed unanimously in three readings this morning. The councillors were all very pleased with the format but also understood that the process of reviewing bylaws is a tedious and ongoing on. I hope that the policy I've produced on the matter will help this administration with that in the future.

Second piece of good news: County Council also adopted a motion to write a formal letter to MLA Jack Hayden, Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, endorsing the work that we do and encouraging him to adopt future funding for our Rural Capacity Internship Program. The problem, however, is that provincial departments are currently undergoing budget formulation. Thus making it imperative to send this letter immediately and have any grant applications approved. 


So, a good morning in the council chambers. I'm going back this afternoon to observe councillors present their committee work, and department heads update the council on projects.  

Bylaw Complete!

After an arduous couple of weeks, and multiple amendments, I've finally finished drafting the aforementioned bylaw of repeals. It began with 18 repeals and 3 amendments, however, it has now become a massive bylaw containing 37 repeals and no amendments to other bylaws.

The difficulties I encountered were with the amendments. After discussions I had with the CAO and his assistant, and extensive research on the County's policies relating to the bylaws requiring amendments, it was decided that these three bylaws should just be repealed.

As a short aside, bylaws at Smoky Lake County are numbered with the year it was passed, indicated by the two digits that follow the law number. This practice began in 1986.

Bylaw No. 811-88 attempted to amend an earlier fire protection agreement (Bylaw No. 610); however, it referenced the wrong bylaw. The decision to repeal this amendment came after we discovered that there is a more recent policy on fire protection agreements that stipulate different orders than described in either of the above two bylaws. So they had both been repealed.

In the case of Bylaw No. 989-95, it also attempted to make an amendment on a previously established land-use bylaw (Bylaw No. 826-89), governing land allocations, lot types, zoning, development permits etc. Again, a typing error was made on this bylaw and it incorrectly referenced a non-existent bylaw (Bylaw No. 826-95). Because Land-Use Bylaw No. 826-89 had been superseded by a more current land-use bylaw, Bylaw No. 989-95 was superfluous. So, again, the decision was made to repeal the amending bylaw instead of amend it to reference the correct bylaw.

The last bylaw that required amending but was repealed is Bylaw No. 982-95, a bylaw that dissolves a municipal library board but again references the wrong bylaw. Instead of referencing Bylaw No. 684, the actual bylaw establishing said board, it references Bylaw No. 685. The immediate difficulty in repealing this bylaw instead of amending it was that it also stipulates that the County of Smoky Lake become a member of the Northern Lights Library System. The pivotal question was "If we decide to repeal this bylaw, does the County rescind its membership in the Northern Lights Library System?"

I thought about this and became aware that if indeed we repeal this bylaw, the County would not be a member any more. Which raises further questions when dealing with highly codified systems of law, where even simple printing errors can have profound effects on institutions that law-makers aim to manage.

But...

I found another bylaw (Bylaw No. 937-93) that establishes the County as a member of the Northern Lights Library System, making Bylaw No. 982-95 redundant after all. So it was repealed, in addition to Bylaw No. 684.

After these three amendments were put on the chopping block, I discovered nearly 20 more bylaws that needed to be repealed, all to do with expired lease agreements on land that the County held that had either changed hands or was given a different lease rate, making prior agreements (bylaws) invalid.

So, I'm becoming ever more confident that Smoky Lake County's next municipal audit will go swimmingly, and that my supervisors here can utilize my work to ensure that.

For anyone interested, here is what my bylaw looks like! (The formatting isn't great since this was copy/pasted from Word.)

SMOKY LAKE COUNTY

IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA

BYLAW NO. 1229-11

BEING A BYLAW OF SMOKY LAKE COUNTY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA TO REPEAL INVALID AND REDUNDANT BYLAWS.  

*********************

            WHEREAS, a comprehensive reading and analysis has been conducted on all of Smoky Lake County’s bylaws since its formulation in 1961; and

            WHEREAS, it has been found that thirty-seven (37) bylaws are in need of repeal due to the expiration of agreements held within each bylaw and bylaw redundancy;

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 73 lease agreement (Bill Fedoretz – S.W. 36-59-17-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 467 lease agreement (Bill Fedoretz – S.W. 36-59-17-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 82 lease agreement (R.J. Tilbert – N.W. 27-57-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 175 lease agreement (R.J. Tilbert – N.W. 27-57-14-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 86 lease agreement (John Wynnyk – N.E. 3-60-12-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 168 lease agreement (John Wynnyk – N.E. 3-60-12-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 112 lease agreement (Paul Kully – N.E. 19-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 158 lease agreement (Paul Kully – N.E. 19-60-13-W.4^th); and

           

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 113 (Joe Jasinski – S.E. – 25-60-15-W.4^th) lease agreement has been superseded by Bylaw No. 162  lease agreement (Joe Jasinski – S.E. – 25-60-15-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 134 lease agreement (Emerson Tilbert – S.1/2 N.W. 22-57-14-W.4) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 179  lease agreement (Emerson Tilbert – S.1/2 N.W. 22-57-14-W.4); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 169 lease agreement (Tony Maskewich – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 314 lease agreement (Tony Maskewich – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 198 lease agreement (Fred Bodnar – S.W. 14-61-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 773-87 lease agreement (Peter & Henry Flondra – S.W. 14-61-13-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 208 lease agreement (K.R. Switzer – Bellis Teacherage) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 367 lease agreement (John P. Rezewski – Bellis Teacherage); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 256 lease agreement (Peter Tychkowsky – Municipal Office) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 377 lease agreement (District Agriculturalist – Municipal Office); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 314 lease agreement (Tony Maskewich – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 421 lease agreement (Tony Maskewich – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 330 lease agreement (Louise Sangrey – N.E. 27-61-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 382 lease agreement (Ralph Sangrey – N.E. 27-61-13-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 367 lease agreement (John P. Rezewski – Bellis Teacherage) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 371 sale agreement (John Klymok – Bellis Teacherage); and

           

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 446 lease agreement (Tony Mackiewich – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 760-87 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th); and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 544 lease agreement (Provident Resources Ltd. – SW 12-61-16-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 550 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 550 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 648 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 648 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 714 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 714 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10  lease agreement (Clear Hills Grazing Association – S.W. 12-61-16-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 760-87 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 760-87 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (John P. Mazur – N.E. 23-60-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 763-87 lease agreement (Toews Holdings – S.E. 16-59-19-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Toews Holdings – S.E. 16-59-19-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Toews Holdings – S.E. 16-59-19-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Toews Holdings – S.E. 16-59-19-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Toews Holdings – S.E. 16-59-19-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (Toews Holdings – S.E. 16-59-19-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 765-87 lease agreement (Alfred Romaniuk – S.W. 34-61-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Alfred Romaniuk – S.W. 34-61-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Alfred Romaniuk – S.W. 34-61-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Alfred Romaniuk – S.W. 34-61-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Alfred Romaniuk – S.W. 34-61-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (Alfred Romaniuk – S.W. 34-61-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 764-87 lease agreement (John Romaniuk – S.W. 8-62-13-W.4^th & S.E. 8-62-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (John Romaniuk – S.W. 8-62-13-W.4^th & S.E. 8-62-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (John Romaniuk – S.W. 8-62-13-W.4^th & S.E. 8-62-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (John Romaniuk – S.W. 8-62-13-W.4^th & S.E. 8-62-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (John Romaniuk – S.W. 8-62-13-W.4^th & S.E. 8-62-13-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (John Romaniuk – S.W. 8-62-13-W.4^th & S.E. 8-62-13-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 804-88 lease agreement (Bonnie Laszchuk – N.E. 30-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Helmut & Beverly Rompfer – N.E. 30-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Helmut & Beverly Rompfer – N.E. 30-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Helmut & Beverly Rompfer – N.E. 30-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Helmut & Beverly Rompfer – N.E. 30-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (Helmut & Beverly Rompfer – N.E. 30-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 913-92 lease agreement (Reynard Ollikka – S.W. 13-61-19-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Reynard Ollikka – S.W. 13-61-19-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Reynard Ollikka – S.W. 13-61-19-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Reynard Ollikka – S.W. 13-61-19-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Reynard Ollikka – S.W. 13-61-19-W.4^th) has been replaced by Policy No. 13-01 lease agreement (Reynard Ollikka – S.W. 13-61-19-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 832-89 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 938-93 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 938-93 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (Kevin G. Wawrynchuk – N.W. 2-61-18-W.4^th & S.W. 11-61-18-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 949-94 lease agreement (George Minailo – S.W. 3-58-15-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Eugene & Larry Minailo – S.W. 3-58-15-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Eugene & Larry Minailo – S.W. 3-58-15-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Eugene & Larry Minailo – S.W. 3-58-15-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Eugene & Larry Minailo – S.W. 3-58-15-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (Eugene & Larry Minailo – S.W. 3-58-15-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 641 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 716 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 716 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 986-95 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 986-95 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1017-96 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 1071-99 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th) has been superseded by Bylaw No. 1214-10 lease agreement (Agnes Amberson – N.E. 32-59-14-W.4^th); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 811-88 Joint Fire Protection Agreement Amendment is unnecessary and references the wrong bylaw;

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 661 is exactly the same as Bylaw No. 740-86; and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 684 establishes a library board that is dissolved in Bylaw No. 982-95; and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 982-95 is redundant as Bylaw No. 684 is repealed within this bylaw; and

WHEREAS, Land-Use Bylaw No. 826-89 has been replaced by Land-Use Bylaw No. 1068-98; and

            WHEREAS, Bylaw No. 989-95 amends out-of-date Land-Use Bylaw No. 826-89; and

NOW THEREFORE, the Municipal Council of Smoky Lake County, duly assembled, enacts as follows:

1.         That Bylaw No. 73 be repealed;

2.         That Bylaw No. 82 be repealed;

3.         That Bylaw No. 86 be repealed;

4.         That Bylaw No. 112 be repealed;

5.         That Bylaw No. 113 be repealed;

6.         That Bylaw No. 134 be repealed;

7.         That Bylaw No. 169 be repealed;

8.         That Bylaw No. 198 be repealed;

9.         That Bylaw No. 208 be repealed;

10.       That Bylaw No. 256 be repealed;

11.       That Bylaw No. 314 be repealed;

12.       That Bylaw No. 330 be repealed;

13.       That Bylaw No. 397 be repealed;

14.       That Bylaw No. 446 be repealed;

15.       That Bylaw No. 544 be repealed;

16.       That Bylaw No. 550 be repealed;

17.       That Bylaw No. 648 be repealed;

18.       That Bylaw No. 714 be repealed;

19.       That Bylaw No. 760-87 be repealed;

20.       That Bylaw No. 765-87 be repealed;

21.       That Bylaw No. 764-87 be repealed;

22.       That Bylaw No. 804-88 be repealed;

23.       That Bylaw No. 913-92 be repealed;

24.       That Bylaw No. 832-89 be repealed;

25.       That Bylaw No. 938-93 be repealed;

26.       That Bylaw No. 949-94 be repealed;

27.       That Bylaw No. 641 be repealed;

28.       That Bylaw No. 716 be repealed;

29.       That Bylaw No. 986-95 be repealed;

30.       That Bylaw No. 1017-96 be repealed;

31.       That Bylaw No. 1071-99 be repealed;

32.       That Bylaw No. 811-88 be repealed.

33.       That Bylaw No. 661 be repealed;

34.       That bylaw No. 684 be repealed;

35.       That Bylaw No. 982-95 be repealed;

36.       That Bylaw No. 826-89 be repealed;

37.       That Bylaw No. 989-95 be repealed.

Read a first time this _______ day of ____________, _______.

Read a second time this _______ day of ____________, _______.

Read a third time and finally passed this _______ day of ____________, _______.

Jeremy's First Law!

Joint Municipalities Meeting - June 27, 2011

Two weeks ago, I attended a joint municipalities meeting where representatives from Waskatenau, Warspite, Smoky Lake, Bellis, Vilna and Spedden meet to discuss matters affecting their communities. These representatives included mayors, councilors, the reeve of Smoky Lake County, Ray Danyluk - MLA for Lac La Biche-St. Paul, the sergeant in charge of Smoky Lake RCMP, and a small handful of spokespersons from NGOs such as the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, promoting awareness of how the North Sask. River south of Smoky Lake county is affected by withdrawals and upstream usage.

In addition to these people of interest, there were also representatives from the local School Board present, who spoke about the potential closure of multiple schools in the county due to decreased student numbers and increased overhead costs in offering rural education. Indeed a pressing issue that has manifest itself in this county.

It was very interesting to see that no members of the general public were present, and even more interesting to observe how county and town officials interacted with each other. In this meeting, I observed some clash of opinions over the matter of a seniors dwelling. The Town of Smoky Lake had one proposal on the table, while the County of Smoky Lake had another. Haughty remarks were exchanged between the county reeve and town manager regarding who's plan was better, more efficient, etc. These exchanges ran on for a period of one hour, about a building plan for 2014.

Politics can be tiring I suppose.

After everyone at the meeting had an opportunity to bring some information to the table, including crime reports, fire preparedness, and the ongoing status of grant applications, the meeting was finally adjourned at 10:45 PM after starting at 6:00 PM.

I did learn a great deal, though. Despite the period where two conflicting officials would not yield on their ideas for the region, the collection of important public figures to share knowledge on crime, resources, policy, education and healthcare, are beneficial. By bringing together these individuals, each one is allowed to share knowledge on their subject and add it to the pool of knowledge accumulated by the end of the meeting. After which, participants of the meeting were allowed to ask plenty of questions to each other. Of course, this meeting was for informational purposes only; however, the intent is to clarify issues facing the county and the population centers within it, thereby allowing officials to take the appropriate actions and notify the public.

Smoky Lake Revisited

A very interesting part about my position working in Smoky Lake is that I've actually lived here many years ago.

I lived here in Smoky Lake between 1990 and 2001. Ten years later, here I am again; but I'm no longer just a little elementary school kid. I've returned now to work with the County of Smoky Lake, and in a very interesting position mind you. Being able to read historical county documents and bylaws has pretty much allowed me to catch up on the goings-on of Smoky Lake in my absense.

But there's more to just my job that makes this place an interesting place to live. I've returned to Smoky Lake and have already bumped into my friends from elementary school, some whom have begun working for the county as well, others have begun farming in the area, and many more have left this small community to work in larger population centers such as Edmonton.

Lots of the people I've met so far working for the county have known my father in the past, making networking a bit easier working here as "Steve's kid." So, so far I've been doing well re-meeting people and making new friends. The hardest part is finding people my age, as the 2007 graduating class of Smoky Lake only had about 20 people, and most of them have since left.

All that aside, re-integration is going well. It definitely helps that I can just ask my parents, who just recently moved back here, about different people and who to see in what circumstances.

So, in a nutshell, and as far as networking goes, community re-integration for the win!

First Blog!

After a lengthy semester in Cuba, I've finally started my internship working with the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus.

I'll get to use this blog to share my observations and experiences working for the County of Smoky Lake during my internship.

Jeremy Smith