THE—STONY—PLAIN Standard INSIDE: 15—— Staff— Profile 2—Property—Taxation—Guide 6—— 2014—Capital—Projects 5—— Uniquely—Stony—Plain— 4—— Public—Participation—Project 10 Growth 12 Economic—Development “O wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” – Percy Bysshe Shelley This—winter—has—been—a—long,—brutal—one;—here’s— hoping—it’s—behind—us!—Significant—snowfalls— kept—snow-removal—crews—busy—this—season,— as—they—worked—hard—to—clear—public—streets,— sidewalks,—trails—and—parking—lots—as—quickly— as—possible. Despite—aching—muscles—caused—by—what— seemed—to—be—endless—snow-shovelling,—our— residents—took—advantage—of—the—many—winter— activities—this—community—offers———skating,— cross-country—skiing,—hockey—and—other— pursuits. Now,—the—days—are—getting—longer———a—sure— sign—spring—is—in—the—air;—but,—among—the— positive—signs—of—the—season,—come—not-so- attractive—signs:—litter—and—potholes.—As—this— long,—drawn-out—winter—FINALLY—comes—to— an—end,—the—Town—is—switching—priorities—to— coincide—with—the—approaching—seasons. The—Town—maintains—approximately—145—km—of— roadways—in—Stony—Plain.—With—the—freeze-and-— — thaw—cycles,—spring—is— prime-time—for—potholes—to—develop.—Crews— will—patch—these—holes—in—the—weeks—to—come;— please—drive—carefully—when—approaching—or— passing—workers—or—equipment. Depending—on—the—weather,—crews—will—start— street-sweeping—sometime—in—May,—clearing— sand—and—debris—that—accumulated—over—the— winter.—As—snow—and—ice—may—remain—in—some— areas,—second-sweepings—may—be—necessary— on—some—streets.—Please—do—not—dump—organic— matter—or—sand—on—to—the—street,—as—they—can— wash—into—catch-basins—and—storm—ponds,— causing—nuisance—weeds,—algae,—unpleasant— odours—and—sand-deltas—in—local—water—sources.— Dispose—of—leaves,—twigs—and—grass—via—your— Organicart—or—by—composting. As—snow—begins—to—melt,—evidence—of—grass— that—may—have—been—damaged—by—snow- plowing—equipment—may—appear.—Lightly— scraped—surfaces—will—regrow—quickly—from—the— below-ground—root—system.—Once—warming— begins,—overturned—sod—can—easily—be—rolled— back—into—place,—where—it—will—re-root. The—Town—has— instituted—a—75—per—cent— axle—load—ban—on—most— streets.—Restricting—heavy—loads— minimizes—roadway—damage—and— extends—the—life—of—the—street—during—the— spring—freeze/thaw—cycles,—when—the—road— base—is—soft—and—drainage—limited.—Please—do— not—order—large—or—heavy—deliveries—to—your— home—or—business—while—these—restrictions—are— in—effect. As—is—always—the—case—at—this—time—of—year,—our— community—awakens—to—the—new—seasons,— eager—to—enjoy—spring—and—summer—in—Stony— Plain.—Please—do—your—part—to—keep—the— community—that—we—all—love—safe,—clean—and— beautiful. “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” – Robin Williams VOLUME—3,——ISSUE—1—SPRING 2014 Save the Dates! What’s Happening? Page 14 Spr i ng i s here: l et ’s p a r t y ! Spr i ng i s here: l et ’s p a r t y !
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Stony Plain Standard - Vol 3., Issue 1 - Spring 2014 (low res.)
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Find answers to more tax-related FAQs at stonyplain.com
Transportation:—17% *2013 budget
THE STONY PLAIN Standard2
Let’s
TaxesTalk
There are several ways to pay your property taxes, utility bills, licences, program dues or fee-based services:
Who pays taxes?All—property-owners—must—pay—taxes,—even—if—they—do—not—use—all—services.—
Who sets the property tax rate?As—mandated—by—provincial—legislation,—Town—Council—sets—the—annual—tax—rate—by—passing—a—bylaw.
How are property taxes calculated?Each—year,—during—the—annual—budget-planning—process,—Council—determines—the—amount—of—income—needed—to—operate—the—municipality.—Known—revenues—(grants,—user—fees,—permits—and—licences)—are—subtracted,—and—the—balance—is—the—amount—to—be—raised—through—property—taxes.
What is Property Assessment?Property—taxes—are—calculated—in—proportion—to—the—value—of—the—real—estate—property.—Qualified—assessors—prepare—a—market—value—assessment—annually—for—each—property,—based—on—provincial—legislation—and—regulations.
What is a Supplementary Assessment?The—Town—issues—one—tax—bill—each—year;—however,—if—your—property—is—newly—constructed—and—occupied,—you—may—receive—a—supplementary—bill.
What factors contribute to property tax increases?If—more—revenues—are—required,—and—the—assessment—base—remains—the—same,—the—tax—rate—must—increase.—If—the—assessment—base—increases,—and—the—tax—rate—remains—the—same,—more—tax—dollars—will—be—collected.—
Taxes DueJune 30
Citizens’ Guide to Property Taxes and Assessmentscontinued from page 2Citizens’ Guide to Property Taxes and Assessmentscontinued from page 2
How do I know my taxes are fair?Identical—properties—within—a—similar—geographic—area—are—assessed—and—taxed—at—the—same—rate.—Some—properties—increase—in—value—faster—than—others.—If—assessed—values—are—not—updated—as—market—values—change,—some—taxpayers—would—pay—a—disproportionate—share—of—taxes—compared—to—current—values.—
What if I disagree with my assessment?You—may—appeal—your—assessment—by—filing—a—written—complaint—to—the—Assessment—Review—Board—within—60—days—of—the—date—on—your—assessment—notice.—
What about school taxes?The—Town—is—required—to—collect—education—taxes—on—behalf—of—the—Province,—which—determines—the—amount—to—be—collected.
When are taxes due?Tax—and—assessment—notifications—are—mailed—in—May,—and—property—taxes—are—due—June—30.
What penalties will be applied if my taxes are paid late?Effective—July—1,—and—on—the—first—of—each—month—thereafter,—a—penalty—of—2.5—per—cent—of—the—unpaid—balance—is—charged.—Unpaid—taxes—are—considered—“in—arrears”—after—Dec.—31—of—the—previous—year—and—are—subject—to—a—penalty—of—1.25—per—cent—on—the—1st—of—every—month.
What if I don’t pay my taxes?Provincial—legislation—requires—the—Town—to—register—a—tax—notification—on—properties—where—taxes—are—in—arrears—for—more—than—one—year.—Properties—in—arrears—are—placed—on—a—Tax—Recovery—List;—if—taxes—remain—unpaid—following—the—filing—of—a—Tax—Recovery—Notification,—these—properties—may—be—sold—for—tax—recovery—by—public—auction.—All—costs—incurred—are—charged—against—the—property—on—which—the—notification—is—filed.—
Citizens’ Guide to Property Taxes and Assessments continued from page 3Citizens’ Guide to Property Taxes and Assessments continued from page 3
Payments must reach the Town by the due date to avoid interest charges or late fees.
THE STONY PLAIN Standard4
5VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2014
2013
Council—approved—the—Uniquely Stony Plain: Municipal Development Plan—on—March—10.—The—MDP—is—the—Town’s—highest-level—document,—establishing—a—clear—vision—for—Stony—Plain,—and—is—the—road-map—for—the—community—for—the—next—20—to—30—years.
2014 Street Improvement Program (SIP) $727 000Funding—for—this—year’s—SIP—projects—will—be—sourced—from—the—Municipal—Sustainability—Initiative—($230—000),—Federal—Gas—Tax—Fund—($184—991)—and—the—Town’s—Capital—Roads—and—Capital—Sewer—Reserves—-—$190—000—and—$156—000—respectively.—The—Town—follows—a—10-year—Plan to—assess—the—condition—of—Town—infrastructure,—in—order—to—prioritize—the—needs—for—repair—and—rehabilitation.
Youth and SeniorsStony Plain Youth Centre Celebrates SeniorsEach—year,—during—Alberta—Seniors’—Week,—the—Stony—Plain—FCSS—Youth—Centre—(SPYC)—hosts—an—event—to—recognize—and—honour—seniors—in—the—community.—Launched—in—2004,—the—same—year—the—SPYC—opened,—the—celebration—has—evolved—from—a—small—indoor—reception—into—a—large—community—black-party,—attracting—150—to—200—people—each—year.—Community—partners,—including—the—Stony—Plain—Public—Library,—the—Multicultural—Heritage—Centre—and—the—Pioneer—Museum,—collaborate—with—the—SPYC—to—organize—the—annual—event.—
About the SPYCThe—SPYC—offers—a—safe—and—supportive—environment,—where—local—youth—receive—educational—and—preventive—services—that—focus—on—contemporary—teen—issues.—In—2013,—staff—and—volunteers—organized—201—drop-in—activities,—nine—programs—and—a—variety—of—special—events,—including:—the—Seniors’—Block—Party,—the—Youth—Centre—Birthday—Party,—the—Shikaoi—Park—Youth—Fashion—Show—and—the—Annual—Christmas—Dinner.—More—than—230—teens—accessed—the—Centre—an—average—of—14—times—each—throughout—2013.—Registered—attendance—in—facilitated—programs—increased—by—42—per—cent—from—2012.—The—SPYC—also—operates—Back Alley Threadz,—a—second-hand—clothing—store.
Nov.—2006—–—April—2007 2—457 28—576.20Source: Town of Stony Plain. Numbers unaudited
Kilometres—of—Roads—Maintained—Annually
2013 2012 2011 2010
143 138 133.5 133.5
Wipe Out WasteChanges to Organics CollectionWinter—organics—collection—ends—the—week—of—April—15—to—18.—Weekly—collection—begins—the—week—of—April—29—to—May—2.—Please—place—your—Organicarts—out—at—curbside—before—7 a.m.—on—your—regular—collection—day.—For—more—details,—visit—wipeoutwaste.ca.
will amaze you with his crystal-clear voice and passion for music.
Featuring a LIVE performance by:
Sat., May 31, 2014Heritage Park
5100 – 41 AvenueStony Plain
Come enjoy a morning with friends!stonyplain.com/FarmersDays
Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast
Admission: $2Ages five and under: Free
Economic Development
0
200
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600
800
1 000
6717
5680
7
911
89
7
194
20
2
196221
222
Total Business Licences
Tri-Municipal Licences
20092010201120122013
Business Development Stats 2013
continued—on—page—13
TY
PE
S O
F BU
SINESS 2013
(499 – New Business)
Home-based
21%Contractor
16%
Retail and Service
62%
Hawker/Peddler
1%
THE STONY PLAIN Standard12
Read—or—Download—the—Plan at—stonyplain.com
Economic Development StrategyThe—Town—continues—to—implement—its—Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan,—which—Council—approved—in—2012.—The—Plan—addresses—six—areas:
■■ Business—Engagement—Program
■■ Improving—Investment—Readiness
■■ Marketing—Strategies
■■ Downtown—Improvement
■■ Enhance—Regional—Partnerships
■■ Building—on—Cultural—Assets
The Town issued 119 new business licences in 2013.
Tri-Municipal Region Event-hosting—StrategyThe—Town,—together—with—the—City—of—Spruce—Grove,—Parkland—County—and—the—TransAlta—Tri—Leisure—Centre,—is—developing—a—regional—event-hosting—strategy—for—the—Tri-Municipal—Region,—to—support—the—attraction—of—sport,—culture—and—business—events.—The—strategy—will—provide—a—structured—approach—to—identify—and—attract—events,—in—a—way—that—recognizes—the—important—contributions—of—the—local—communities.—The—draft—strategy—will—be—presented—to—Area—Councils—in—Spring.
The Town hosted its 2014 Builders’ and Developers’ and REALTORS® receptions, in February and March, respectively. The annual events, which attract representatives from these industries, are opportunities for networking and mutual exchange of ideas.
————Industry—Receptions
Seeds for Success Youth—Entrepreneurship Pilot-Program
Cultural Master PlanImplementation of the Cultural Master Plan (CMP), which Council approved in 2012, continues. Intended to help shape the cultural development of the community over the next decade, the CMP defines 24 actions in several key areas. Read or download the Plan at stonyplain.com.
Chantelle—Held—Cultural Development Officer
THE STONY PLAIN Standard14
April 10:—Volunteer—Appreciation—Evening
April 11-13: Tri-Municipal—Business—and—Home—Expo
April 20-26:—Pitch-in—Canada—Week
April 22: Earth—Day—
April 23:—New—Residents’—Open—House—
April 30: Employee—Job—Fair
May 3: Family—Safety—Festival—
May 3-4:—Treasure—Hunt—
May 6-9:—Large-item—Pickup—
May 14:—Unleash—Culture
May 23: Pool—Opens—
May 24: Arbour—Day
May 31–June 2:—Stony—Plain-Kinsmen—Farmers’—Days—Rodeo—and—Exhibition—
June 2: Registration—opens———children’s—summer—programs
June 2-8:—Seniors’—Week
June 5:—Seniors’—Week—Block—Party
June 7:—Neighbours’—Day
June 14: Community—Street—Market
July & August: Children’s—Summer—Programs—
July 1: Canada—Day—
Aug. 1-3: Blueberry—Bluegrass—and—Country—Music—Festival—
Aug. 21: Outdoor—Movie—Event—
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Tiffany Anderson Community Peace Officer Supervisor
Community DevelopmentAs—Stony—Plain—grew,—progressed—and—prospered,—we—have—maintained—the—strong—sense—of—belonging,—friendliness—and—characteristics—that—makes—our—community—such—a—great—place—to—live.—We—have—housing—choices—for—all.—It—feels—like—home,—because—it’s—safe—and—healthy.—Stony—Plain,—and—its—neighbourhoods,—are—attractive,—well-maintained—and—have—their—own—character.—Our—community—is—welcoming,—inclusive,—close-knit—and—connected———both—physically—and—socially.—We—celebrate—our—culture.
Governance and PartnersThe—Municipality—and—the—community—have—a—strong—connection,—based—on—a—shared—Vision.—Council—creatively—and—carefully—directs—development—that—is—consistent—with—community—values—and—makes—wise—choices—for—effective—resource—use.—We—deliver—infrastructure,—municipal—and—recreational—services—within—our—financial—capacity,—to—all———young—and—old.
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Office Hours8:30—a.m.—–—4:30—p.m.—
Monday—–—Friday,—
excluding—holidays
Town MeetingsRegular Council Meetings2nd—and—4th—Mondays—of—each—month,—except—July,—August—and—December—(once—per—month)7 p.m. — Council Chambers, Town Office
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meetings1st—Monday—of—each—month,—except—July,—August—and—December7 p.m. — Council Chambers, Town Office
Municipal Planning Commission3rd—Monday—of—each—month6 p.m. — Council Chambers, Town Office
Town Council (photo) L–R:—Coun.—R.—Graff,—Coun.—P.—Hansard,——