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Residents share frustrations at marathon Council meeting

Last Updated Jul 28, 2020 at 11:46 pm MDT

A flooded neighbourhood along the Clearwater River in downtown Fort McMurray, Alberta is shown on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Officials in Fort McMurray are keeping a close eye on river levels after a 25-kilometre ice jam caused major flooding and forced about 12,000 people from their homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Halinda

Mayor and Councillors held a special meeting on July 28, 2020.

Started at 11 a.m., the session centred on the topic of flood risk.

RELATED: Participation encouraged for upcoming Council meeting

The administration presented a report titled “Road To Resilience: 2020 Overland Flood Considerations update”.

Due to the flood impacts on his property, RMWB Councillor Jeff Peddle asked Council to recuse him from the discussion.

This report follows another report Deputy CAO Matthew Hough presented on July 14.

RELATED: RMWB examines flood mitigation options in technical review

Hough said continuing the community conversation on flood risk is important.

The administration recommended a motion to continue mitigation efforts and implement the following recommendations:

  • Downtown: Proceed the Municipality’s pre-existing approved structural flood mitigation project, in addition to limiting development below 250m, while at the same time introducing enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for development above 250m.
  • Longboat Landing: Proceed the Municipality’s pre-existing approved structural flood mitigation project, in addition to limiting development below 250m, while at the same time introducing enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for development above 250m.
  • Waterways: Engage with individual property owners and residents residing in areas under 250m on the buyout of properties; and proceed with enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for development above 250m.
  • Ptarmigan Court: Engage with individual property owners and residents on the full buyout of all properties in this area.
  • Draper: Engage with individual property owners and residents on the full buyout of all properties in this area.

 

Community response

There was a heavy and passionate response from the community to the motion.

All expressed concern about the future of their neighbourhoods and communities on the floodplain.

RELATED: Residents have mixed feelings about potential buyouts

The RMWB engaged with residents and stakeholders at a July 20 townhall and online Q&A on July 23.

Many did not feel those online discussions provided adequate representation.

There are a total of 61 written submissions in the public agenda packet.

Six submissions, which did not make the packet, were read aloud.

The RMWB published the submissions included in the packet on its website as part of the agenda.

A majority of the residents that spoke were critical of the apparent lack of mitigation work, administration’s report and proposed solutions.

The RMWB scheduled flood mitigation in Ptarmigan Court, Waterways, and Draper during 2020-21.

Many shared their concerns about insurance claims, storm drainage, and perceived property value losses should buyouts occur.

They also asked for more clarity on the options and additional solutions.

One Longboat Landing resident asked for a deferral until the administration completes a full scoring analysis for the community.

According to the 2020 Overland Flood Considerations Update, the cost of a total buyout for that area is $97,515,560.00.

Some questioned the reliability of the 1:100 flood level when other Alberta municipalities use 1:200 or 1:500.

Another resident asked about investigations on the 2020 Overland Flood and Boil Water Advisory.

Hough confirmed investigations are in the works.

A report on the water advisory will return to Council no later than Sept. 15, 2020.

During the meeting, RMWB Council received confirmation on funding from Alberta’s Disaster Relief Program (DRP).

Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu confirmed there is no pause on funds for residents applying for the DRP.

Councillor Keith McGrath said he received the word from local MLAs Laila Goodridge and Tany Yao via email.

Councillor Motions

McGrath also introduced a motion he said would aid current flood mitigation efforts.

Mayor Scott provided a friendly amendment to include no delay on ongoing flood mitigation work.

After a short break, McGrath returned to Council with his motion.

“That Administration be directed to engage with OSCA and its members on expediting, as part of flood mitigation, a dyke project, for anticipated completion of this potential project by Spring 2021, and that a report be brought to Council on September 8, 2020 on this proposed project. This work shall not delay any ongoing mitigation work.”

The motion carried by a 6-4 vote.

Council will hear a progress report no later than Sept. 8, 2020.

Councillor Allen also introduced six items in a motion, which Councillor Balsom requested a severance into individual motions.

She also asked the administration to complete a technical assessment for Longboat Landing and engage with area residents about potential buyouts.

Councillors expressed concern about the lack of flood mitigation for Ptarmigan Court or Draper.

The vote on Balsom’s amendment carried 6 – 3.

Councillor McGrath previously departed to fulfil a medical appointment.

Mayor and Councillors decided to debate and vote on each area separately on development options.

Mayor Scott suggested a friendly amendment for each asking the administration to investigate “any additional cost of a higher level of flood protection”.

Six motions

RMWB Council voted unanimously in favour of the following each for Taiga Nova and Downtown.

“Prepare structural flood mitigation options including investigating cost of a higher level of flood protection limit development below 250m, and introduce enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for development above 250m.”

The third motion for Longboat Landing reads as follows:

“Complete the technical assessment for Longboat Landing and continue engagement with property owners regarding potential buyouts for properties under 250m and to bring back to Council any additional issues identified in the technical assessment, including investigating cost of a higher level of flood protection.”

Mayor and Councillors voted unanimously in favour of that motion.

For Waterways, RMWB Council also voted in favour of a motion calling for the following:

“Engage with property owners in areas under 250m regarding buyouts or other options to raise properties to 250m and introduce enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for development above 250m, investigate a higher level of flood protection and explore and present what commitments were made to Waterways residents in the past.”

Councillor Lalonde’s friendly amendment for the fifth motion, which is for Ptarmigan Court, reads:

“Engage with property owners regarding buyouts and other options to raise properties to 250m.”

RMWB Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion.

As for Draper, Lalonde suggested another friendly amendment so the sixth and final motion reads as follows:

“Engage with property owners regarding buyouts or other options to raise properties to 250m and for admin to report back separating flood issues from slope stability issues and to investigate a higher level of flood protection.”

The administration will return to Council with a report on discussions in these communities on flood risk on Sept. 15, 2020.

The RMWB will also investigate the feasibility of employing a Backflow Preventer Program similar to Edmonton.