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Council to consider river breakup flood mitigation, commendation program

Last Updated Aug 2, 2016 at 7:40 am MDT

(PHOTO: Council meets December 1, 2015. Sarah Anderson. REPORTER. Copyright Rogers Media)

Flood mitigation will be on the agenda at Tuesday evening’s council meeting, but not in regards to the flooding that happened over the weekend.

Deputy CAO Kevin Scoble is set to give a presentation on the current mitigation plans to prevent flooding during the spring river breakup. The total project cost for the current plan is $207M, which is a maximum cost estimate using traditional flood mitigation methods. That number could be reduced at the municipal level if the RMWB is successful in applying for grant funding through Alberta Community Resilience Program. Staff are exploring other alternatives for mitigation.

As well, council will look at extending free landfill tipping for residential waste up to the end of October. It was set to expire July 31. The aim there is to help people who are still cleaning up their homes from the wildfire and to give a bit of a reprieve to residents overall.

There will also be a presentation on current plans for small- and medium-sized business recovery and mid-term committee appointments.

Council will also consider a commendation program to pay tribute to the many people who worked to save the bulk of our community in the wildfire.

The proposal would seek to have administration proceed with an inaugural event to recognize the numerous individuals involved in the first 100 hours of the 2016 wildfire event. Staff would also be instructed to investigate opportunities for the creation of a commemorative landmark to recognize the significance of the 2016 wildfire events, and the heroic efforts of those involved in fighting it and develop a Council Policy for a long-term commendation program for Council’s consideration.