annexation presentation september 2013. purpose of this information session outline the annexation...

Annexation presentation September 2013

Purpose of this information session

• Outline the annexation process• Review City of Grande Prairie’s position• Outline County of Grande Prairie’s position• Questions

Map of proposed annexation area

Background

• City has filed an annexation application with the Municipal Government Board.

• The Board will be holding a preliminary hearing on September 20, 2013.

• Hearing will be at 10:00 AM at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Center (GP Inn).

Background

• The City is proposing to annex 15,608.98 acres (6,316.73ha or approx. 97 quarter sections) of land from the County.

• In 2010-2012 the City consumed 157.58 gross acres of land, which averages out at approx. 52.53 gross acres consumed per year.

Background

• As per the end of 2012, the City had 6218.80 remaining developable acres within their existing boundary.

• The City maintain these 15,608.98 acres, plus the existing 6218.80 acres within their boundary (total of 21,827.78 acres), will be a 30 year land supply.

Background

• This annexation represents a very long term land supply for the City

• This makes this annexation special and unique and therefore the conditions must reflect the special nature of the annexation

Annexation application processNo General Agreement (landowners and or/ large number of public do not agree

Preliminary hearing process

Merit hearing process

Documentation preparation (done by MGB)

Cabinet Approval Process

Application process

• There are 3 parties to this annexation that all have equal standing:– City– County– Ratepayers

Application process

Preliminary Hearing• A preliminary hearing will be held by the MGB on 20

September, 2013 at 10am. • Meeting will be held in the Salon Ball Room in the

Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre, 11633 – 100th Street, Grande Prairie.

• Purpose is to identify those persons wishing to make submissions about the proposed annexation, determine the issues to be raised, establish a document exchange timeline, and set a date for the start of a merit hearing.

Application process

• MGB may also issue directives respecting the type of information it expects to receive from the affected parties.

• The merits of the proposed annexation will not be argued at the preliminary hearing.

• If you plan to attend the preliminary hearing and/or make an oral or written submissions to the MGB, you MUST advise the MGB office by 4.30pm on Friday, September 13, 2013.

Application process

• If you have any concerns regarding this proposed annexation, you MUST participate at the preliminary hearing and merit hearing stage.

• The MGB will consider a lack of objection or participation from affected landowners as an approval.

Municipal Affairs Contact

Richard (Rick) DuncanCase Manager

Municipal Government Board(780) 422 8652

Richard.duncan@gov.ab.ca

Annexation process

Questions?

Review of City and County Positions

• City sees this as meeting their land needs for the next 30 years

• County views this as a very long term annexation (special and unique)

• The County is looking for conditions that reflect their position that the annexation will give the City land that meets their needs for 80+ years (special and unique)

Taxation transition for non-farmland properties

City’s position County’s positionNon-farm property (residential, commercial, industrial, other) consisting of 15 years using the County mill , plus an additional 5 year transition from County to City mill rate.

Non-farm property (residential, commercial, industrial, other) consisting of 50 years at the County mill rate.

Taxation transition for farm properties

City’s position County’s positionFarm property consists of 25 years using the County mill rate plus an additional 5 year transition from County to City mill rate.

Farm property consists of 50 years at the County mill.

Farmland exemptions will continue for a period of 30 years.

Farmland exemptions will continue for a period of 50 years.

Triggering EventsCity’s position County’s positionThe City will place additional restrictions on what you can do on your land with regard to:• Limiting the number and

type of subdivisions• Limiting the type and kind of

development• Triggering mechanisms will

result in increased taxes

Development opportunities should remain the same as if in the County.

TransportationCity’s position County’s positionThe City have refused to upgrade or allow the County to upgrade these roads.

The County want pavement over the next three years of:• 1.5 miles of RR64• 1.5 miles of RR55• 1 mile of RR54• 5 miles of RR70• 0.8 miles of 140 Avenue• Construction of 84 Street

Transportation

LandfillCity’ position County’s positionRatepayers will pay for garbage disposal after 5 years.

• Free garbage service should be extended for 10 years.

• The City should pay the County for service if the Clairmont Landfill is used.

Business LicenseCity’s position County’s positionThe City shall waive business license fees (for business’ existing at the time of annexation) for a period of 5 years.

The City should extend this to 10 years.

DebenturesCity’s position County’s positionThe City agrees to resume the outstanding debenture payments for existing debentures located within the annexation area.

Required as per section 135(1)(b) of the MGA

Revenue recovery to the CountyCity’s position County’s position5 year declining balance for compensation for loss in property tax revenue.

10 year declining balance for compensation for loss in property tax revenue.

The City refuses to compensate. Compensation for completed infrastructure upgrades at a depreciated rate.

The City refuses to compensate. Compensation for engineering projects.

The City refuses to compensate. Compensation for Rural Addressing.The City refuses to compensate. Compensation to cover costs of

annexation.

Other issues

• Board orders do not include other issues such as:– Lifestyle issues– Service delivery

LifestyleCity’s position County’s positionThe fate of existing bylaws (such as bylaws for hunting, OHV use, ATV use, burning, RV parking, firearm use and animals) still remains unknown.

The County has not seen any evidence of the changes to City bylaws to accommodate your current lifestyle.

Service deliveryCity’s position County’s positionThe City will maintain the roads to the same or better standard that the County currently does.

The County is not confident of the City’s ability to provide the same level of service the County currently provides to its ratepayers.

Service deliveryCity’s position County’s positionThe City will maintain the same level of service for:• Plowing• Senior snow plowing• Gravelling • Grading• Sanding• Salting• Dust control• Weed control• Mowing• Problem wildlife

The County will not be providing any contract services to the City in these areas. The City will have to provide additional manpower and equipment to provide the same service.

What next…

• If you as a landowner supports all or part of the County’s position, your involvement in this process is of utmost importance.

• Submit letters to the MGB.• Attend the preliminary hearing.• Attend the merit hearing.

Annexation

QUESTIONS?