M.D. Council appoints representatives from both Council and the public to various boards, committees and commissions annually, at the Organizational meeting held in October. Some of the boards, committees and commissions are of an "internal operational" nature and therefore do not warrant public participation.
Council Boards / Committees
The Municipal District of Bighorn, like many (if not all) other Alberta municipalities, relies heavily on advice and recommendations from volunteers sitting on boards, committees and commissions. While boards, committees and commissions may each have varying reasons for their existence (some bodies are required by legislation; some are "ad-hoc"- formed for single issue purposes; some are strictly advisory bodies) most are established for the following reasons:
- to provide further opportunities for public input into the political forum.
- to assist Council by reducing the workload. Boards, committees and commissions will review material, weigh alternatives, and make recommendations to Council, thus substantially reducing the turnaround time and sparing Council a great deal of work.
M.D. Council appoints representatives from both Council and the public to various boards, committees and commissions annually, at the Organizational meeting held in October. Some of the boards, committees and commissions are of an "internal operational" nature and therefore do not warrant public participation.
Agricultural Services & Environmental Advisory Board (ASEAB)
Formed pursuant to the Agricultural Services Board Act, the ASEAB provides advice and recommends direction to Council in matters pertaining to the M.D.'s agricultural programs and related environmental matters.
Assessment Review Board (ARB)
Formed pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, the ARB is a semi-judicial board formed to hear appeals on assessment matters: if a property owner feels their property's assessed value is in error, they request a hearing with the ARB, which has the power to uphold or modify that value. Decisions of the ARB cannot be appealed to Council: an application for a hearing would have to be made to the provincial Municipal Government Board. Formal training is needed to be a member.
Bighorn Corridor Environment Committee (BCEC)
The BCEC is a community-formed and community-based group, established to monitor area environmental issues, and work with regional industries in addressing environmental concerns that may arise as a result of industrial operations.
Bighorn Corridor Environment Committee Trucking Sub-Committee
The BCEC Trucking Sub-Committee meets on an infrequent basis, to discuss matters pertaining to transportation within the Bow Corridor (primarily Highways 1A and 1X). The Committee does not have formal public representatives: invites are sent out to industries, trucking contractors, Alberta Transportation, the policing agencies (RCMP, Sheriffs, Commercial Vehicle Inspectors), and other potentially interested parties.
Biosphere Institute
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is a non-profit charitable society dedicated to enhancing understanding of ecological integrity as it pertains to the Bow River Watershed, and also acts as the base for a number of community and regional programs relating to sustainability and ecological integrity. The Institute also facilitates, encourages, supports and co-ordinates ecological, economic, and social research pertinent to the region's ecosystem. The M.D. is given a seat on the Board of Directors, given our annual grant to the Institute. Note that Bow Valley WildSmart has now merged with the Biosphere Institute. http://www.biosphereinstitute.org/
Bow Corridor Ecosystem Advisory Group (BCEAG)
This advisory body deals with environmental/eco-system issues in the Bow corridor portion of the M.D.; and is comprised of representatives of three local governments (the Towns of Banff and Canmore, and the M.D. of Bighorn), as well as Provincial environmental staff and others. http://www.biosphereinstitute.org/r-haw-bceag
Bow River Basin Council (BRBC)
The Bow River Basin Council is a multistakeholder, charitable organization dedicated to conducting activities for the improvement and protection of the waters of the Bow River Basin. http://www.brbc.ab.ca/issues2.asp
Bow Valley Waste Management Commission (BVWMC)
Another "three government" body: the Towns of Banff and Canmore, and the M.D. of Bighorn, have formed a regional commission to jointly operate the Francis Cooke Class III landfill site, and consider waste management issues on a broader scale, within the Bow Valley. http://www.bvwaste.ca/
Bow Valley WildSmart
The Bow Valley WildSmart program is a proactive conservation strategy that encourages efforts by communities to reduce negative human - wildlife interactions. WildSmart’s goal is to develop a coordinated approach to education/outreach programs and help support direct management activities that will aid in increasing public safety and enjoyment as well as contribute towards sustainable wildlife populations. WildSmart is a coalition of community members, government entities, environmental organizations and businesses.
http://www.wildsmart.ca/index.htm
Bow Valley Regional Housing (BVRH)
The BVRH manages social and seniors housing in the Bow Valley, and is comprised of three municipalities (Banff, Canmore and M.D. of Bighorn) and two Improvement Districts (I.D. #5, Kananaskis Country; and I.D. #9, Banff National Park). The BVRH has requisitioning powers: that is, it can require the participating municipalities to levy a tax, in order to raise operating funds. Visit their site at http://www.bvrh.ca/.
Calgary Region Airshed Zone (CRAZ) Region Airshed Zone (CRAZ)
CRAZ, a recently formed organization, has as its mission “To monitor, analyse and provide information on air quality and develop strategies to manage air quality issues within CRAZ” The CRAZ area takes up the same area, and follows the same boundaries as, the Calgary Health Services. http://www.craz.ca/
Canmore/Cochrane Inter-Municipal Committees
The M.D. has (or is trying to set up) a number of service-sharing agreements with the Town of Canmore and Cochrane. On a irregular basis, two members of M.D. Council meet with two members of the other municipalities' councils, to discuss these agreements and other issues of mutual concern.
Community Services Board (CSB)
The CSB provides advice and policy recommendations on the M.D.'s: parks, culture, recreational and continuing education programs, social programs, and library services; and works with community groups, strengthening volunteerism in the M.D.
Emergency Services Committee (EMS)
The EMS reviews any matter pertaining to emergency services (ambulance, fire prevention/ suppression, and policing) within the M.D., and forwards comments/recommendations back to Council.
Finance & Economic Development Committee
The F&ED Committee, made up of members of Council, focuses on financial management, community promotion and investment in the M.D. The committee meets quarterly, to review the financial statements and auditors reports, and to form recommendations on financial / fiscal policies for Council.
Ghost Waiparous Trails Association (GWTA)
The GWTA basically is responsible for management and maintenance of the “Back 40”, a recreational lease area jointly shared by the M.D. and the Summer Village of Waiparous. There is a trail system contained within the lands, that is maintained by the GWTA volunteers.
Heritage Resources Committee (HRC)
The HRC advises Council on matters relating to historical resources, and municipal heritage policies and programs; encourages and advocates for the preservation and safeguarding of significant historical structures and sites; investigates and supports ways to document or protect heritage material that is not structural or tied to a specific property; and educates and engages M.D. of Bighorn residents and other parties regarding the value of remembering and celebrating history, historic structures, places and events, and heritage in general.
Marigold Regional Library Board of Directors
The M.D. is a member of the Marigold Regional Library system, in which thirty-five municipalities and three special areas have pooled resources to provide library services to an area of approximately 30,000 square kilometres, with a population base of nearly 100,000 people. http://www.marigold.ab.ca/
Municipal Excellence Committee (MEC)
The Municipal Excellence Committee reviews and considers changes to staff remuneration policies, recognizing market conditions, changing work expectations, productivity merit and inflationary factors; and further recognizes, in appropriate fashion, outstanding contributions from staff, board/committee/ commission members and volunteers.
Municipal Planning Commission (MPC)
Formed pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, the MPC reviews and approves development permit applications, acts as the municipality's subdivision approving authority, and provides advice to Council on planning and development related matters.
Panther Advisory Group (PAG)
PAG meets on a quarterly basis, to discuss Shell Oil/industrial operations in the Panther zone in the far northern area of the Forest Reserve. http://www.synergyalberta.ca/group/panther-advisory-group-pag
Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Alliance (SAEWA)
SAEWA is a coalition of waste management jurisdictions committed to researching and recommending for implementation technological applications for recovering energy from waste materials, and reducing reliance on landfills. http://www.saewa.ca/
Streets and Roads Committee
The Streets and Roads Committee reviews and considers changes to existing M.D. policies with respect to streets and roads, and conditions thereto, and works towards the completion of a long-range transportation network plan, and/or a Roads Master Plan, using professional assistance when required.
Subdivision & Development Appeal Board (S/DAB)
Established pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, the S/DAB is a semi-judicial body, formed as an impartial board to hear appeals on development permit and subdivision applications, and stop orders issued by the municipality. Decisions of the S/DAB are final and cannot be appealed to Council: appeals, for questions of law or jurisdiction, must be taken to the Provincial Court of Appeals. The S/DAB meets only when appeals are filed with the board secretary.
Weed Notice Appeal Committee (WNAC)
WNAC is formed to provide a semi-judicial review committee, to hear from recipients of weed notices, who are appealing said notices.
Form more information on the above, please email us at bighorn@mdbighorn.ca
