MD of Willow Creek

January 13, 2021

In 2019 Municipal Affairs hired ISL Engineering to undertake an Infrastructure Assessment as part of the Dissolution Study.  The Assessment included an evaluation of the sanitary system, water distribution system, roads and sidewalks, public buildings, open spaces and vehicles.   The report revealed $14,700,000 in required capital expenditures to restore the infrastructure to an acceptable municipal standard. 

The M.D. of Willow Creek Council determined that the required work would be undertaken over an extended period of time in a manner which would ensure that priority projects are addressed first but in such a way as the expenditures would not be financially burdensome to either local or provincial taxpayers, and as such a ‘special tax’ was implemented in 2020.  

The “Special Tax’ rate is based upon the difference between the MD of Willow Creek mill rate and the 2019 mill rate for the Town of Granum. These funds are used exclusively for infrastructure improvement. Essentially the funds designated as ‘Special Tax’ were previously used to improve infrastructure within the Hamlet were to fund administrative and legislative costs incurred by the Town. The total property tax revenues levied by the M.D. of Willow Creek are planned to be no higher than they were previously under the Town of Granum: there may be exceptions where assessment values for individual properties have increase either through assessment growth, construction of new improvements or re-assessment.

The Special Tax raised $235,000 and was used to fund the following projects:

1. Water Plant – Throughout the season
   • Reservoir inspection/cleaning
   • Meter vault and control building repairs
2. Minto Street west of 1^st Avenue – Leak repair – April 6^th
3. 2^nd Avenue Lift Station – Electrical repairs – June 1^st
4. Lansdowne Street west of 1^st Avenue – Curb stop replacement – July 17^th
5. Dufferin Street east of 1^st Avenue – Curb stop replacement – August 18^th
6. Grey Street and 2^nd Avenue – August 31^st
   • Leak repair
   • Valve repair
7. Aberdeen Street and 1^st Ave – September 1^st and October 6^th
   • Leak repair
   • Curb stop replacement
8. 3^rd Avenue and Minto Street – Valve installation – September 2^nd
9. 3^rd Avenue and Grey Street – Valve replacement – September 2^nd
10. Minto Street west of 2^nd Avenue – Leak repair – September 3^rd 
11. Argyle Street west of 1^st Avenue – Hydrant repair – September 4^th
12. Bright Street east of 1^st Avenue East – September 4^th 
    • Hydrant replacement
    • Valve installation
13. Railway Avenue south of Grey Street – September 30^th
    • Leak repair
    • Valve replacement
14. Bright Street – Curb stop replacement – October 1^st 
15. Aberdeen Street west of Railway Avenue – Valve installation – October 1^st
16. Minto Street east of 2^nd Avenue – Valve installation – October 6^th
17. 1^st Avenue north of Grey Street – Leak repair – October 1^st
18. Raw water intake – October 2^nd and 7^th
    • Valve replacement
    • Multiple valve rod, handle, and support replacements
19. 2^nd Avenue south of Aberdeen – Curb stop replacement – October 5^th
20. Aberdeen Street and 2^nd Avenue – October 5^th
    • Valve replacement
    • Valve repair
21. Throughout Hamlet – Valve cleaning – October 7^th and 8^th
22. Lansdowne Street east of 2^nd Avenue – Curb stop replacement – November 6^th
23. Boulevard Tree Maintenance – Year 1 of 3 – November 19^th
24. Dufferin Street east of 3^rd Avenue – Curb stop replacement – November 28^th
25. 2^nd Avenue south – December 9^th
    • Valve installation (2)
    • Hydrant installation

The majority of the above noted projects are considered maintenance and operational in nature and were deemed critical for the integrity of the systems.

The above noted project locations are shown on the attached map by the corresponding number. Construction photos are also attached to this document.

Grant funds were used to fund the following projects:

• Granum Main Lift Station upgrades        $442,000.00
• Granum Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) $97,500
  1. This project provides a remote sensing capability for all 3 lift stations as well as the water treatment plant allowing for immediate notification to MD Willow Creek staff should an equipment failure occur. 

Transition Grant funds were not used in the 2020 year. 2021 will see these funds used for improvements to roads and sidewalks as well as sanitary sewer replacements.

Work to complete the Granum stormwater management project is planned for 2021 and 2022.  A total of $1,452,240 in funding has been provided by Alberta Environment and Parks grants, and as such will require significantly less local taxpayer financial support.  

Additionally, the water meter project was completed in December 2020.   COVID 19 and the availability of meters have delayed the project.  Use of the data collected as a result of having accurate meter reads include the detection of water leaks as well as ensuring that accurate water rates that provide for cost recovery are established. 

Drinking water and waste water infrastructure is critical for our community of Granum.  Work on these systems will continue for a number of years in order to ensure the systems operate reliably and efficiently.  

We thank the residents of the Hamlet of Granum for their patience and understanding while we work to improve our infrastructure, service delivery and reliability to this community.

Granum Special Tax 2020 Photos