A flooded road in Sexsmith in April of this year. Photo by Shane Clausing..

By Curtis Galbraith

Sexsmith

Sexsmith Town Council news: Flood mitigation work coming, snow removal bylaw amended, no mandatory mask bylaw

Sep 15, 2020 | 3:25 PM

Ten different projects meant to mitigate flooding problems in Sexsmith are going ahead.

The federal government has approved a grant for $1,357,642 from the Canada Infrastructure Fund for the Town’s Storm Water Master Plan. The province already kicked in $1,131,240, while the Town is putting in $900,000. Council approved a bylaw to borrow up to $1.5 million if needed at its last meeting.

Sexsmith Mayor Kate Potter says the projects include items to improve water flow in the creek.

“Expanding, over-sizing culverts and lowering the creek bed. There are just a number of projects and each one helps play a part in helping ensure we have enough room for the water that needs to flow there.”

The County of Grande Prairie is also putting in $120,000 as some work to open culverts is being done in that municipality.

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Potter says the work is just going to tender. She is hoping construction starts next spring and finishes during the 2021 construction season. The most recent estimate put the total cost at around $3.4 million.

Snow and ice bylaw amended:

Council has also changed the Town’s snow and ice control bylaw.

It now also requires residents to have snow cleared from the sidewalks in front of their homes within 48 hours of a snowfall.

Potter says the 48-hour limit is to give people a little more time if it is needed.

“We have some seniors who would like to do it themselves, but need a little bit more time, for example, so we decided to go with 48 hours. It also gives allowances for businesses not open on a Sunday to be able to do it Monday morning when they’re back open. We want to make sure that those who need help have the opportunity. Our FCSS does put together a list of volunteers who are willing to help clean.”

Potter says the old bylaw only included businesses.

Council declines to pass mandatory mask bylaw:

Sexsmith Council has also decided against having a mandatory mask bylaw.

Potter says that is because the COVID-19 case count is very low.

“We’ve had a couple of cases that were very open. The people who had them were very open about them and shared that information. We’re included in the County (of Grande Prairie) numbers. In light of that and our residents, for the most part, have been very good with the social distancing and respecting AHS guidelines, so we felt it wasn’t necessary at this time.”

Potter says the decision comes after what she calls “significant discussion.” That included input from people opposed to the idea. She adds such a bylaw could come back for discussion later “if needs change.”