Tuesday’s council meeting will include a handful of presentations, including a flood mitigation update.
The municipality’s Director of Engineering Mazhar Hajhossein will review Fort McMurray’s long history of flooding, most of which has been caused by ice jams.
Hajhossein will also go over studies done by the municipality and mitigation work that has been done or is ongoing.
The wildfire caused uncertainty on how to proceed with the mitigation, but by Dec. 13, 2016 it was recommended to use a combination of berms and retaining walls to resist ice forces.
Construction along the Snye River has been completed, with plans to add 0.5 metres to the already constructed wall. The remaining 10 areas are either under construction or under revision.
Fort McMurray has seen at least 15 floods since 1835, 14 of which were ice jam floods.
The meeting will also include a presentation from Sharon Heading of the Arts Recovery Working Group. She will ask for support in their plan for overcoming barriers for post-fire recovery in the arts. The presentation will address the role the arts play in supporting the community post-disaster.
A presentation will be made by Ron Quintal president of the McKay Métis. He is requesting two separate letters of support to be sent to the government of Alberta. The first is to be sent to Indigenous Relations as they apply for off reserve affordable housing. The second letter is requested to go to Indigenous Affairs to support the development of a consultation policy.
The first draft of the policy is expected this spring and would require industry to consult with Métis communities on projects occurring within their traditional territory.
The Rotary Club will also give an update on fire relief fund distribution. Approximately $1 million was raised by people around the world for fire relief, to date there has been just over $700,000 in approved applications.
Wood Buffalo Communities in Bloom will also present their 2017 year-end report which details residential and business beautification and community events. Fort McMurray was a national finalist in 2017 and will host the National Awards and Symposium in 2020.
The selection date in 2020 coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Municipality’s involvement with the Communities in Bloom Program.
Council will meet Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in Council Chamber.
