Sundre is now one step closer to receiving flood mitigation assistance from the province.
Council approved signing a memorandum of agreement with the province to receive funding through the Southern Alberta Flood Response Program, during the council meeting on Sept. 16.
Municipal Affairs will fund projects through grants under four categories included in the program. These include community stabilization, interim housing, disaster recovery program and long-term recovery, according to a letter from Minister Doug Griffiths addressed to Mayor Annette Clews.
“The first type of project eligible for funding under the program will be property tax relief,” says Griffiths in the letter. “Also available is support for additional staff to assist in your recovery. Any additional eligible project types will be communicated to you at a later date, as priorities are identified.”
Clews is pleased to see council moving one step closer in this ongoing process.
“(Council) hopes to begin mitigation projects as soon as they are identified and approved for provincial funding under this program,” said Clews.
During the council meeting, Coun. Myron Thompson asked administration if the program includes private land, specifically Riverside RV Village. Wanda Watson-Neufeld, the town's director of corporate services, said the park is not included and is to apply for the program on its own.
Thompson also asked if a berm will be built somewhere along the Red Deer River, and Doug Wright, the town's interim chief administrative officer, explained that it is a possibility under this program.
Wright said town officials are requesting engineering studies from the province to see what flood mitigation work needs to be done.
Council previously sent a letter to the province expressing interest in the program and included the interest to work with Mountain View County, according to Clews.
She said council would like to work with the county because Red Deer River affects both communities.
The funding process for the projects will be governed by the MOA and payment for each approved project will be made within two weeks following the review and approval of the grant request, according to the letter from Griffiths.
“I am committed to ensuring that this process is streamlined, responsive and flexible to your needs as you reach each stage of the recovery process.”
