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Celebrating Youth Influencers
ages 12-17
In recognition of National Youth Week May 1-7, Cold Lake and District FCSS is hosting an informal celebration for community youth leaders. This is an opportunity for youth leaders from sports, culture, the arts, education, recreation and civic advocacy to get together in a fun atmosphere and exchange ideas, celebrate successes and brainstorm about challenges facing youth. A light supper will be provided.
Cooking for One
ages 18 and over
It is difficult adjusting to eating alone and/or cooking for only one person. Many adults are in a living situation that requires cooking just for themselves. Cooking for one can be just plain boring. Day in, day out, eating alone and the same old thing can quickly turn to eating out or getting in the habit of preparing quick and easy processed meals. Cooking does not need to be difficult to be delicious. Kieran, a Red Seal Chef will teach you to make a number of cost effective and nutritional meals including soup and desserts so delicious that you will want to invite friends over to share your culinary skills.
National Youth Week Cooking Class
ages 12-17
National Youth Week is dedicated to the celebration of youth and their active participation in our community. Youth are a vital part of FCSS through their volunteerism, their service in Cold Lake Youth Council and their attendance at our programs. Celebrate all youth at this hands-on cooking class. No previous experience is necessary.
VolunTeening
ages 12-17
The VolunTeening program aims to bring together youth volunteers and seniors with the intention to develop intergenerational social bonds. VolunTeens meet with an FCSS staff member on No School Fridays for themed afternoons of crafting, card playing and games at various locations. VolunTeens will be registered volunteers with Cold Lake and District FCSS.
How To Stay Calm Under Pressure
ages 18 and over
Pressure situations often lead to high levels of overwhelming stress and anxiety. In fact, pressure situations can trigger a wide variety of unhelpful emotional responses that leave us feeling exhausted and despondent. The presentation is designed to help you develop a more relaxed and carefree demeanor and outlook on life. It outlines the importance of choosing calmness throughout the day. It provides guidelines on how to stay calm under pressure. It walks you through various ways to relax and examines how to stay calm, cool and collected over the long run.
Family Connections – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
all ages
Having a strong family unit starts with creating the bond. Many times families may become disconnected within the family unit, and the bond becomes strained. This program is intended to build strong family relationships, share family traditions, and increase awareness in the community. It is designed for parents to attend with their children.
Cold Lake, AB – The City of Cold Lake expressed support for the Government of Alberta’s decision to invest in the Keystone XL pipeline.
“In a time when many are struggling to see when and how our lives will return to normal, this represents strong, decisive leadership,” Mayor Craig Copeland said.
Copeland recognized that while many residents are diligently following the guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 response, they are also worried about what the future economy has in store once physical distancing measures are lifted. The expression of support came after today’s news that the Alberta Government’s $1.5 billion investment under an agreement with TC Energy will see work on the pipeline start tomorrow. Once completed, the pipeline will supply refineries with over 830,000 barrels of oil a day.
“People need to be working to take care of themselves and their families and pay the taxes governments use to fund public services: Ultimately, it is our business community that allows governments of all levels to provide the services that they do,” Copeland said. “We cannot leave industry or our business community behind. To do so would decimate the corporate and income tax base that funds the services we hold dear as Canadians. Investment in our energy sector will benefit all Albertans by creating excellent jobs and economic stimulus. The benefit will not only reach all corners of our province, but will also help lift the Canadian economy.”
Cold Lake, AB – With the ever-changing situation surrounding COVID-19 in Alberta, the City of Cold Lake is ensuring its response is in line with the province’s measured approach, based on the advice of medical experts.
Mayor Craig Copeland expressed his thanks for the community’s continued attention and support regarding recommendations.
“I think our community is doing an amazing job in response to the virus,” said Copeland. “There are so many people doing their part to keep our community running, and keeping it safe. From our medical professionals to our city staff and the people working hard under stressful circumstances to make sure essential businesses are staying open, we all have a part to play. We encourage residents to continue to stay informed and comply with the provincial recommendations, which can be found on the AHS website.”
The City of Cold Lake has taken steps to ensure that provincial guidelines are being adhered to in its workplace. This has required closing some facilities, closing others to the public as staff continue to work, and maintaining public access to others, although on a limited basis with increased measures to ensure physical distancing and proper sanitization and hygiene. Measures to ensure the continuity of staffing of essential services, such as the water treatment plant, have been in place and will continue as required.
The City of Cold Lake administration continues to participate in the Cold Lake COVID-19 Task Force. This ensures an open line of communication between the municipality and Alberta Health Services, which is leading the provincial response. The City of Cold Lake continues to support AHS in its response.
Cold Lake, AB – At its regular meeting on March 24, Cold Lake City Council passed an Operating Budget and amended its Capital Budget for 2020. The budgets outline a total of just under $44.3 million in operational spending and $8.8 million in capital projects.
The budget forecasts an average municipal tax increase of 1.11 per cent. It should be noted that the tax increase forecast may vary in either direction depending on the economic impacts relating to COVID-19, as the city continues to consider ways to lessen the impacts to local residents and business.
In 2019, budgets were passed with about $43 million in operational spending and $23.33 million in capital projects, by comparison.
“This is very much a hold-the-line budget that seeks to get our community through some very uncertain times,” Mayor Craig Copeland said. “With the price of oil and the COVID-19 situation causing uncertainties, the future of the ID 349 still in limbo, and the city’s intermunicipal collaboration framework being uncompleted, we’ve held fast to as much as we can, but we will have to put many capital projects on hold as we see what the future has in store.”
The 2020 budget contains no increases to staffing levels or to levels of service. It continues to maintain an allowance for uncollectable taxes due to the ongoing dispute over Payment in Lieu of Taxes with the Federal Government for the Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake (also known as 4 Wing Cold Lake) and the Cold Lake Golf and Winter Club. The allowance for 2020 is in the amount of $1.2 million which forms part of the Government of Canada’s outstanding invoice totaling $22.2 million. Of the total outstanding amount, the Government of Alberta is seeking $2.9 million for its portion of the Education Tax.
Cold Lake, AB – Council voted unanimously to allow for the deferment of property tax payments and utility bills for Cold Lake residents and businesses, offering relief during the COVID-19 response.
Monthly property tax payments being made under the Tax Installment Payments Plan (TIPPS) and payments on utility bills are both being given a three-month deferral of payments for the months of April, May, and June 2020.
During this time, any unpaid utility bills will not be transferred to taxes; utilities and accounts receivable invoices will not be subject to late penalty fees, and there will be no service disconnects for late payment and no non-sufficient-funds (NSF) charges.
The TIPPS program allows taxpayers to make equal monthly installments for their taxes between January and December of any year, without being subject to a tax penalty. Under the current bylaw, taxpayers can miss two installments without being removed from the TIPPS program, but council has since extended this provision, temporarily, to three months. Any amounts being deferred on the TIPPS program will be adjusted for the remainder of 2020.
Cold Lake, AB – The City of Cold Lake COVID-19 task force continues to work with Alberta Health Services to assist its efforts and share the latest information in response to COVID-19.
The city is encouraging residents to continue to follow provincial guidelines and self-isolate when required. Administration is preparing options for Council to defer any municipal bills, including utility and property tax bills, and will provide and update at a later date.
As the situation across Alberta evolves, the city is preparing to adapt to any changes required, assessing what resources could be needed to assist AHS in its response.
“Our understanding is that there is one confirmed case in the Cold Lake area at this time,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “We’re encouraging residents to continue to remain calm, and to visit AHS’s online resources for the most up-to-date information.
“Alberta’s supply chains are robust and well established. People need to understand that supply chains are tailored to community demand and that our local business community serves us well. We know that there are enough goods to support our community and that there is no need for hoarding: That behaviour only serves to bring about the very situation people hope to avoid by creating a sense of panic over supposed scarcity. This is unnecessary.”
Mayor Copeland has been in contact with leaders in the local business community who have confirmed that supply chains remain intact and they are adjusting to the current situation. Businesses have seen an increase in demand with the added challenge of adjusting to staff members who have had to self-isolate, or take time off of work in response to school and daycare closures.
Cold Lake, AB – Following an announcement by the Alberta Government this afternoon, the City of Cold Lake will be making changes to facility operations.
The Parent Link Centre remains closed, though Cold Lake and District FCSS is currently open for limited access.
The Cold Lake Energy Centre will be closed to the public by the end of the day on March 17, 2020, as per guidelines from the Provincial Government. We understand that memberships may be impacted, and compensation or extensions will be considered in due time.
City Hall remains open, though residents are encouraged to practice social distancing by phoning with any inquiries, and refrain from entering the building if you are feeling sick. City Hall can be reached at 780-594-4494.
Included in the Provincial Government release are guidelines such as:
