BARRHEAD-The Town of Barrhead's peace officer will have an extra tool on his belt when it comes to dealing with campers at its municipality run Rotary Park campground.
Councillors unanimously approved Bylaw 8-2020 also known as the Parks and Public Facilities Bylaw during its Aug. 11 meeting.
Chief administrative officer Edward LeBlanc said the administration learned that the municipality had a gap in its bylaws earlier this summer when it bylaw officer attempted to deal with a complaint at Rotary Park about a camper who had violated the campground's rules.
"We discovered the town does not have a bylaw in place outlining the ability or the authority to enforce Rotary Park's rules," he said.
For the most part, LeBlanc said the bylaw mirrors similar bylaws in neighbouring communities.
The bylaw is divided into several subsections outlying the campground's regulations on animal control, the consumption of alcohol and marijuana, the use of its fire pits, general camping rules, such as where a person can set up camp, traffic regulations and the use of the campground for commercial operations.
The bylaw also goes on to define a camping unit and campsite and outlines penalties for violating the rules of the campground.
Penalties range from $100 for failure to pick up after your pet to $300 for smoking or vaping marijuana.
Mayor Dave McKenzie noted the definition of a parking unit as necessary because without it campers would not be permitted to consume alcohol.
"The consumption of alcohol at campgrounds is allowed because campsites are considered temporary residences," he said. "A unit has to show it will facilitate an overnight stay. Just to pull your pickup truck into a campsite doesn't cut it."
Code of conduct for committee and board members
Councillors also unanimously approved Bylaw 09-2020 which defines the expectations of those public members and councillors who serve on any of the municipality sanctioned boards or committees.
The issue first came before council's attention in February during a discussion on mandating introductory training for new councillors. Coun. Ty Assaf as part of that discussion said he thought public members serving on municipal boards or committees should be held accountable to a similar code of conduct that municipally elected officials are.
Alberta Recovery Plan funding
LeBlanc noted as part of Alberta's Recovery Plan (also known as the Alberta Stimulus Program) the municipality has received $544,302 to be used for infrastructure projects.
He said the amount of funds municipalities are eligible for is calculated using a formula similar to that of the Federal Gas Tax grant.
"We have identified several projects that the funds can be used for and we will be bringing them forward for council's consideration at the Sept. 8 meeting," LeBlanc said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
