Delegations: library and shelter Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS) and the Cochrane Public Library were on deck at the Oct. 9 council meeting to appeal to the town for sustainable and increased funding, respectively. The CAHS has been receiving $30,000 in funding since 2013. It is asking funding be maintained, highlighting the growth in programming and services reflective of the town's rising population. Last year, the shelter adopted out 1,426 animals, reunited 67 with their owners and euthanized 47. Its various revenue generating programming includes Norm's Nook store, day and summer camps, Critter Club, educational programming, grooming and pet-i-cure services, animal obedience training and more. The shelter is around 40 per cent self-funded via the aforementioned programs, the balance comes from donations (39 per cent), adoptions (17 per cent) and grants (four per cent). The library is asking for a nine per cent funding boost out of next year's budget, maintaining that the province averages mark the facility as operating at below per-capita minimums. Last fall, council approved a grant of $598,416, A budget increase last year resulted in expanded hours and programming. Jeri Maitland, executive director of the library, said they are looking for increases to hire more staff. The library's collection bargaining agreement is also up for renewal at the year's end and the union has advised that benefits are under review. Annexation Council is moving ahead with annexation of two parcels of land from Rocky View County – the 158 acres located north of Heritage Hills (Area A) and the 40 acre parcel north of Sunset Ridge (Area B). While annexations are typically to accommodate future growth, both of these parcels are to achieve solutions for the town resulting from growth – Area A will include a future high school site, with the remainder flagged for recreational uses yet to be determined and Area B is needed in order for Sunset Ridge developer Melcor to build a third access into the growing community of over 5,000 residents. Two landowners, whose lands are adjacent to the respective parcels, were on deck at the public hearing to express their support for the annexation, each indicating they look forward to future opportunities that could arise from revisiting additional annexations in the future. Administration will proceed with formal submission to the province. Mowing Concerns Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) members Judy Stewart and Liz Cole delivered a presentation to council on the critical function of long grasses in Bow Meadows environmental reserves adjacent to the Bow River. The pair were prompted to compel council to not reverse the flood mitigation efforts of ceasing mowing behind Bow Meadows homes – a motion brought forward recently by Coun. Morgan Nagel in an effort to address concerns of residents who wanted their groomed park space back. Two years ago, the town stopped mowing that area, in an effort to mitigate future flood risks. While this area is located on the flood fringe and above the impacted area from the 2013 flood, it has been flagged as an at-risk area whereby long grasses and natural root systems could aid in protecting the land. "These root systems actually provide drought and flood mitigation ... we have to make sure we do everything possible to mitigate those flood risks," said Stewart. Nagel asked whether the soccer pitches in the community should also not be mowed. Stewart advised that from a scientific perspective, she would recommend all mowing ceases in the area including the pitches, but she understands those areas are widely used by the public and it would not be practical to cease mowing. Rivercrest gets pass Couns. Pat Wilson and Nagel were struck down in their opposition to Phase 2 and 3 of Rivercrest. Couns. Tara McFadden, Marni Fedeyko, Susan Flowers and Mayor Jeff Genung voted in favour of the re-designation of just under 20 acres from urban reserve to single-family residential (125 homes) and a future recreational site (park space); Coun. Alex Reed was absent. The two opposing councillors based their decisions on the merit that the town does not need any more residential development. Car Wash Restrictions McFadden has asked administration to return with further options before council votes on updating the Land Use Bylaw with respect to vehicle wash regulations. McFadden is concerned with opening up the commercial area along Westside Drive to permitted use for a future car wash and would rather see discretionary use apply in this area – which she notes is an important gateway area along Highway 22. Nagel emphasized the need for more car washes in town. A nod to generous ranchers Nagel approached council seeking for support from the town to officially recognize two recent, substantial land donations from ranchers on Cochrane's borders – Wineglass Ranch and W.A. Ranches. He feels these donations will result is long-term, positive impacts to the region and is a good news story in the face of Cochrane's accelerated development. The six-generation Wearmouth family ranch south of Cochrane, Wineglass Ranch, will be protected in perpetuity through the Alberta Land Trust Grant Program to render the ranch off-limits to future commercial and residential developers. W.A. Ranches, near Springbank, made headlines two weeks ago as the biggest donation in Canadian history – as the $44 million ranch, including its 1,000 head of cattle were donated to the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
