Town of Westlock

News Release
For Immediate Release

May 11, 2023

Capri Mall Inspection Results in Closure Order

Westlock, AB – In August 1971, the first development permit on record was issued to establish a shopping centre in the area of what we now know as Capri Mall. The first business was a steakhouse in 1972, and then in 1973, Pacifica Petroleum was the first gas station on-site. From 1973 to 1998, it was a thriving shopping centre home to many local businesses within the Town of Westlock. During this timeframe, there were several modifications and additions to the original building. By 2000, the shopping centre was in foreclosure and acquired by Capri Capital Corp. Over the past number of years, the condition of Capri Mall has deteriorated, and the Town has received numerous public complaints regarding its condition.

The Town of Westlock provided notice to Capri Mall owners of an inspection which took place on April 10, 2023. The inspection was completed pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, Safety Codes, Building (including Electrical Code), and the Fire Code. The findings concluded that Capri Mall presents a potential risk to the public or any tenant that accesses the mall. The only remedy available to the Town is to prohibit occupancy until safety concerns have been addressed.

The Town of Westlock provided current tenants with notification of the imminent closure on May 1, 2023, to provide tenants with as much time as possible to make arrangements to ensure their business continuity. Subsequently, a closure order was issued to Capri Mall owners on May 11, 2023. Affected businesses include Integra Agencies Ltd., Small Town Vapes, Top Shelf Liquor, Westlock Barber Shop, and Your Dollar Store with More.

"This is a difficult time because every business matters in our town." Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer, "We are working with the affected businesses to provide guidance and support during this transition. We are hopeful for the best-case scenario where the displaced businesses are able to relocate, but we are also mindful of other possible outcomes for these businesses. However, the inspection findings clearly determined the Town's path, as our fundamental responsibility is to ensure public safety."

Media contact:
Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Westlock
780-350-2100

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News Release
For Immediate Release

April 25, 2023

Town of Westlock Responds to update from the Government of Canada on the issue of retroactive RCMP costs

Westlock, AB –The Town of Westlock responded today to the federal government’s disappointing decision to pass unbudgeted and unaccounted for costs on to municipalities. Despite months of municipal advocacy led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), provincialterritorial associations and local leaders across Canada, the federal government has indicated in the most recent federal budget it will not be meeting the request to absorb the retroactive costs associated with the latest RCMP collective bargaining agreement.

Tuesday’s budget further confirmed that communities across Canada that are dependent on RCMP services for local policing, including Town of Westlock, are expected to cover these costs—a decision falling well short of the call from municipalities to fully absorb the costs.

“We respect and support the RCMP in our community, but let's be clear, the federal government is responsible for the RCMP.” Ralph Leriger, Mayor of the Town of Westlock. “The federal government and the National Police Federation negotiated this new collective bargaining agreement. There were no consultations or discussions with municipalities throughout this process. Yet somehow, we are now tasked with paying the retroactive wage increases that clearly fall under the federal government's purview. The Town of Westlock's budget is founded on asset management and data-based decisions as we diligently take care of our community today and plan for our future. Downloading a cost of this magnitude without any input from the municipal government is irresponsible.”

Local governments were not at the table for these negotiations. And while cost estimates were provided to some municipalities, these turned out to be far below the final agreement’s increase over six years, with retroactive pay going back to 2017. The cost to Town of Westlock associated with these retroactive payments is expected to be $105,401.

This decision is an example of a federal commitment that deeply impacts municipalities, without municipalities being properly consulted or involved. Municipal governments are paying a growing share of policing costs, but they cannot run deficits and have limited revenue tools. FCM has clearly reiterated the need for municipalities to be actively involved in any future processes regarding contract policing, calling this recent decision unacceptable. This is a position supported in full by the Town of Westlock.

Media contact:

Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Westlock
780-350-2100

Ralph Leriger, Mayor
Town of Westlock
780-349-6769

FCM Media Relations
media@fcm.ca
613-907-6395

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News Release
For Immediate Release

March 14, 2023

Town of Westlock Adopts 2023-2026 Operating Budget

Westlock, AB – Westlock Town Council passed the 2023-2028 Capital Budget on February 13, 2023, and now concludes the budget process by passing the 2023-2026 Operating Budget at the Regular Meeting of Council held Monday, March 13, 2023.

Council began budget discussions with Administration on November 19, 2022. Every budget process considers service levels, future planning, keeping tax increases to a minimum, and addressing those external pressures of supply chain issues, rising inflation, and ongoing increases in energy costs.

Westlock Town Council consecutively passed zero per cent tax rate increase budgets in 2020 and 2021. With the global pandemic and unprecedented pressures, those decisions were necessary. However, a zero per cent tax increase places a municipality in the negative for that year as all the external costs continued with rising gas, diesel, power, and natural gas prices. Then a 1.9% tax rate increase was approved in 2022. Work within the municipality and services were able to continue during these three years as the Town lowered the contribution to reserves to offset the rising inflationary costs.

The 2023-2026 Operating Budget requires a 3% tax increase to maintain and support operations and to address those external pressures. This equates to an average increase of approximately $5.52/month or $66.26/year for homeowners. The average non-residential property will increase by approximately $9.79/month or $117.53/year.

"We will continue with repairs and maintenance of building infrastructure and roads to refurbish and extend life and usability; this is constantly ongoing work.” Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer. “With this budget, we are investing in asset management software to further and support our data-based decision making as it is embedded in all our planning. We are continuing to work on developing the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), which will assist residential homeowners in updating the energy efficiency of their homes. We've included additional funding for Family and Community Support Services and will continue with the Large Item Pick up event and the Town Wide Community Garage Sale."

"Every municipality in Alberta faces a significant reduction in support for capital infrastructure as provincial grants continue to decline at an alarming rate.” Ralph Leriger, Mayor. “Building a reasonable and workable budget is seldom something that is appreciated. No one wants taxes to rise, but those taxes pay for our services and future. This budget was carefully prepared and thought out. I'm so proud of the work Administration and Town staff accomplish for our community—roads, utility, recreation, development, so many things that go unseen and unsung."

Media contact:

Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Westlock
780-350-2100

Ralph Leriger, Mayor
Town of Westlock
780-349-6769

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News Release
For Immediate Release

March 3, 2023

Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre Summer Camp Program Changes

Westlock, AB – Town of Westlock is happy to share that we are revamping the Youth Summer Programming at the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre to serve our community better. Our new WRSC Summer Camp program for youth aged 6 to 12 features a weekly camp running Monday to Friday from July 4 to August 25. This is a welcome shift from the previous Monday to Thursday program as it gives us the opportunity to include Field Trip Fridays. Additional changes in our practice are offering early registration and a summer lunch program.

"We are excited to offer early registration for Westlock region residents from April 5, 6, and 7, with registration for all opening at 8 a.m. on April 8. Campers can sign up for special summer lunches from the concession in the facility." Gerry Murphy, Director of Community Services. "These changes are intended to help families plan their summers well in advance. We want parents and caregivers to know their kids will be engaged and having fun and that the camp closely matches regular working days."

Summer camps have many benefits above and beyond having fun and being occupied during the school break. Kids develop confidence, independence, healthy living, and leadership skills that carry forward into adulthood. To foster these skills, we are accepting applications from anyone over the age of 14 to volunteer at our summer camp program this year. Apply by emailing cfedrau@westlock.ca.

"We hope to grow leaders from our campers. First the kids attend, and then as they grow up, they become our volunteers and eventually take on roles as our Program Leaders." Courtney Fedrau, Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre Supervisor.

Media contact:

Gerry Murphy, Director of Community Services
Town of Westlock
780-349-4444

Courtney Fedrau, Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre Supervisor
Town of Westlock
780-349-6654

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News Release
For Immediate Release

March 2, 2023

Town of Westlock Municipal Development Plan Refresh

Westlock, AB – The Town of Westlock is pleased to announce its Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Refresh. This project will help us discover what’s next for Westlock and its next 20 years. This project will be completed by in-house staff and will offer multiple opportunities for engagement and collaboration with Town residents, businesses, and stakeholders.

The MDP is the Town’s long-range planning document that sets the vision for the Town and guides its development over the next 20 years. The plan helps Council make decisions on future projects and investment for key issues such as housing and asset management. Every municipality in Alberta is required to adopt an MDP under the Municipal Government Act.

The MDP was adopted in 2015. Since that date, the Town has undergone changes in its demographics and economic position – it is important that the MDP reflects the changing needs of the community in order to maintain a high quality of life for current and future residents. This refresh of the MDP will also allow the Town to utilize recent plans and studies as well as reflect key trends and best practices.

“The MDP is the cornerstone for future community development, and this project will allow us to create a framework that is made by Westlock, for Westlock,” says Krystle Fedoretz, Director of Development Services, “Over the course of this project, we’ll be asking residents, businesses, and stakeholders to participate and share their ideas on what’s next for Westlock.”

To start, we are encouraging anyone interested in this project to check out the project website at www.westlock.ca/p/mdp-refresh and sign up for project updates.

Media contacts:

Krystle Fedoretz, Director of Development Services
Town of Westlock
780-350-2111

Danielle Pougher, Development Officer
Town of Westlock
780-350-2113

News Release
For Immediate Release

February 7, 2023

Westlock Begins Housing and Service Needs Estimation Survey

Westlock, AB – Westlock and District FCSS has commissioned the Rural Development Network (RDN) to conduct a housing and service needs estimation in Westlock. This project is funded in part through the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program.

The purpose of the project is threefold:

1. Provide a comprehensive picture of housing insecurity and homelessness in Westlock.
2. Inform service providers and municipal, provincial, and federal policies, practices, and funding decisions on homelessness, housing, and support services.
3. Elevate and incorporate the voices of people experiencing homelessness in the solutions to end homelessness.

Data collected across the community will help us understand the extent of housing and service needs in Westlock and will also inform the development of Westlock's Community Housing Action Plan. The survey will be available online and at participating agencies from February 13 to March 31, 2023. The participating agencies are Westlock Library, Westlock Community Victim Services, Alberta Supports, Westlock County Community Services, Hope Resource Centre, and Youth Unlimited - YFC Westlock, and Healthy Families Healthy Future.

"Given the increasing number of people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness across the country as a result of COVID-19 and rising inflation rates, it is more important than ever to collect accurate data on the state of housing and homelessness in rural communities such as Westlock, to provide an accurate picture of current need and build a plan to address housing and service needs moving forward." Emma Wallace, Project Manager of Community Development and Homelessness Estimations at RDN.

Media contact:

Tracy Proulx, Executive Director
Westlock & District FCSS
780-349-5900

Emma Langevin, Program Coordinator
Westlock & District FCSS
780-349-5900