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COALHURST WELCOMES NEW CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
For immediate release – Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Coalhurst Town Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawn Patience as the new Chief Administrative Officer, effective May 2023.
“We are very pleased to welcome Shawn to our administrative team,” says Mayor Lyndsay Montina, adding that Patience comes to the role with a wealth of experience. “He is a well-respected leader with a demonstrated commitment to efficiency, community development, and building strong organizational cultures.”
Patience is a familiar face to many in the region, having served four terms on municipal council in Fort Macleod, Alta. including three as mayor. He holds both a Local Authority Administration (NACLAA) and Land Use Planning certificate from the University of Alberta, and his background includes extensive experience in community and regional economic development including leadership roles with numerous local and regional organizations such as the Alberta Southwest Regional Economic Development Alliance and the Fort Macleod Historical Association.
“Coalhurst is a great community with such tremendous potential,” says Patience. “Every community presents new challenges and opportunities and I look forward to building on the strong relationships the Town has already established to help them achieve even more in the years ahead.”
Most recently, Patience has been serving as CAO in the newly established Diamond Valley, Alta., an amalgamation of the former towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley. Being involved in that unique transition has been incredibly rewarding but Patience is looking forward to working closer to home.
“You don’t get many chances to come home,” says Patience, who is married with two grown children and four grandchildren. “This opportunity lets me do the work I love closer to the people I love. I am hoping to bring the experience, best practices and collaborative approach I’ve gained in other communities to the administration in Coalhurst.”
Patience will officially step into his new role in May. Reporting to Coalhurst Town Council, he will oversee Town administration and employees, ensuring that the organization effectively provides services to the community, plans for growth and delivers on Council’s key focus areas.
The Wetlands Community Engagement
Stormwater Management and The Wetlands
The Town of Coalhurst remains active in pursuing and completing upgrades to the stormwater management system to minimize the impacts of overland flooding and protect existing public and private infrastructure. Since the completion of the Stormwater Management Plan in 2017, the Town has received Provincial and Federal Grants to complete identified stormwater projects.
Phase 1: Complete
The first phase of the stormwater management plan was to complete a stormwater outfall line to the Oldman River. This phase was completed in 2020. The project was originally budgeted at $4.1 million and was completed, under budget, at a cost of $3.7 million.
Phase 2: In-process
The Town of Coalhurst is currently near the completion of the Main Wetland Storage facility. This facility is designed for stormwater retention and treatment before stormwater is discharged to the Oldman River. The wetland is designed as a naturalized pond which will settle out solids and sediment from stormwater and improve the water quality naturally before the stormwater is sent back to the environment. Water levels will be variable in the wetland to meet storage requirements for potential storms. This phase of the Stormwater Management plan started with a budget of $5.1 million but is currently projected to be under budget at just over $4.8 million.
Funding for both projects has been completed with funding from:
- Alberta Communities Resilience Program ($1.7 million)
- Building Canada Fund: Federal Government ($3 million), Provincial Government ($3 million), Town of Coalhurst ($3 million.)
Over the coming years, there will be more phases for additional storm retention ponds and storm trunk connection piping located within the existing portions of town, as well as in future subdivisions.
Click on the image below to zoom in on the map:
Next Steps
Town Council wants to hear from you! The land around the stormwater management system (The Wetlands) has the potential for new amenities in the community!
Opportunities to provide feedback on the future use of The Wetlands include:
- Attending the Public Open House on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, between 5:00 and 7:00 PM at the Town Office.
- Completing the Online Engagement Form.
- Filling out The Wetlands Community Engagement Form at any time (between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM) at the Town Office.
- Printing The Wetlands Community Engagement Form at home and providing it to the Town Office.
The community will have the opportunity to provide feedback up to April 1, 2023.
FAQ
What is the main purpose of stormwater ponds?
Stormwater ponds are designed to collect water that runs off the streets and land in Coalhurst. The wetlands are designed as naturalized ponds which will settle out solids and sediment from stormwater and improve the water quality naturally before the stormwater is sent back to the environment.
Can you fish, boat, swim, or skate on stormwater ponds?
No. The water level of stormwater ponds can change at any time depending on the weather and drainage schedules.
Is the water in the stormwater ponds safe?
No. Stormwater ponds may contain pesticides, fuel, animal feces, and any other material that may flow into the ponds during seasons of natural rain and snow melt.
What are the next steps for The Wetlands?
Town Council will receive the results of the engagement survey and determine the next steps against budget considerations and available funding. The Town of Coalhurst will share the results of the engagement survey with the public.
Will my taxes increase to fund The Wetlands amenities’?
Town Council will make that decision after they consider the community’s feedback. However, as part of Council’s Strategic Plan to ensure that they “meet community needs while keeping budget in mind” (Pillar A: Goal 2), any decisions on The Wetlands will include considerations of provincial and federal grants, or private sponsorship.
March Town News
March Town News now available! Check the link below.
COMMUNITY SAFETY PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
Town of Coalhurst is hiring!
Town of Coalhurst is looking for a Coordinator of Community Development. Click the link for detailed information.
Coordinator of Community Development
Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume and cover letter, in confidence, by mail or email, stating “Coordinator of Community Development” by 4:30pm on Friday, March 17 2023:
Attention: Jeffrey Coffman
Chief Administrative Officer (Interim)
Town of Coalhurst
Box 456
Coalhurst, AB T0L 0V0
Tel: (403) 381-3033 E-Mail: [email protected]
Ever wonder what it would be like to become a firefighter??
Coalhurst Fire Depart is now hiring positions for Paid on Call Firefighters.
Check out the link for the details!!
Youth Advisory Board
Your voice is needed! If you are between 16 and 24, consider applying.
February Town News
Christmas Office Closure
The Town Office will be closed for Christmas break from Friday December 23 @ 4:30 until Tuesday January 3 2023 @ 9:00am. Last day to make in office payments will be Friday December 23. Payments can be made online or through your bank.
For Public Works emergency, call 403-634-1627
RCMP Complaint 403-345-3000
From everyone at the Town Office, have a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2023.
2022 Christmas House Decorating Contest Winners
Thank you to everyone who participated in this years Christmas Decorating Contest. We had 7 residents registered, and from those registered only 3 could win, but we want to acknowledge all participants and thank you all for making our little town sparkle with Christmas spirit.
Winners:
1st Place: 629 49ave Close
2nd Place: 602 46th Ave
3rd Place: 4714 6st
CHS Breakfast with Santa
AHS Respiratory Assessment Tool Information
Check out the link for information on ways to manage respiratory illnesses at home.
MSDA Notice of Hearing
Notice of Chinook Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Hearing
Strategic Plan 2022-2025
The proposed Strategic Plan was approved during the November 15 2022 Regular Meeting of Council:
M#7283-22 7a. Mayor Montina moved that Council adopt the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, and further that the CAO begin to operationalize the Plan. Carried
Town of Coalhurst 2022-2025 Strategic Plan (002)
Office closed for staff training
Skating Rinks are ready for use
Skating Rinks at Miner’s Memorial Park and Imperial Meadows are now ready for use. Snow will be shoveled off when the public works guys have time, but it is recommended you bring a shovel to clean off the surface after a snow fall if you’d like to use the facilities.
A huge thank you to the Coalhurst Fire Department for helping us flood the rinks!