[Pod]casting in Cold Lake

Mayor Bob Mattice and CAO Kevin Nagoya with guest Councilor Dawn Weber discuss the whirlwind of information thrown at our newly elected officials/ The City's recent record setting snowfall/ The Alberta Winter Games come through the Lakeland/ Celebrating Oil Country/ Economic updates and new projects coming to the area/ Cold Lake welcomes a new doctor/ Retail gap analysis survey/ Property Tax Assessment hit homeowner's mailboxes.

Newly elected Mayor Bob Mattice and CAO Kevin Nagoya revive [Pod]casting in Cold Lake, just in time to cap off a very busy 2025 in The City of Cold Lake. In this episode, they discuss the new City of Cold Lake Council and their whirlwind orientation/ council's trip to Alberta Munis/ the new council's strategic priorities/ budget deliberations/ changes to the city's recycling program/ upcoming and ongoing capital projects/ changes upcoming to the Alberta Rural Renewal Stream program/ Holiday events around the City/ The Great Cold Lake Turkey Race/ 2026 Cold Lake Airshow.

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya are back after a long break from the Pod. Today, they discuss the 2024 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference/ Increased spending on security to curb vagrancy throughout the province/ Election and voting/ Updates on projects in progress within the City/Elected Official/ CEDI Project/ Multi-Family and vacant lot incentive program/ Canada Day, Full Throttle and 2024 Air show festivities/ New RUSC funding announcement/ Pot Holes in the City/ Cold Lake Fishing Derby.

Mayor Craig Copeland and special guest Councilor Vicky Lefebvre talk about : Provincial highway funding announcement by Provincial Government / Crime statistics forum in Saskatoon / Recent snow dump and roads clearing / Security measures at the Cold Lake Energy Centre / Cold Lake Fishing Derby registration opens / Upcoming events happening in Cold Lake / For podcast ideas, feedback or to request a question be answered on the podcast, email [email protected]

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: Their favourite store in Ottawa / Snow clearing / The clean energy improvement program / The City’s submission to the housing accelerator fund / Tax sub classes for vacant land / An increase in development interest / Upcoming events / For podcast ideas, feedback or to request a question be answered on the podcast, email [email protected]

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya kick off the first episode of 2024 by discussing the condition of the ice on Cold Lake / Producer Dan asks questions submitted by residents / MCMC Conference / Homelessness in Cold Lake and all of Alberta / MCC and the CL Medical Clinic / Cold Lake's rental market trends / Vacant Lot Taxation / Opening of Taco Bell / Community events throughout the Lakeland

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya discuss this year's Santa Claus Parade / Diwali night / Bringing back the university exhibition hockey games / New EV charging stations and new EV units within the City of Cold Lake fleet / Updates on the Carbon Capture project / Elected officials compensation committee / Vacant land policies / Budget deliberations / CPCA Event this summer / Age Friendly Fishing Tournament 

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya kick things off talking about meeting the Mayor of Marie Lake / Events at the Cold Lake Energy Centre / The increase in crime, vandalism & homeless encampments within the city / Recent bylaw changes / introduction of Bee Keeping within the City / upcoming budget deliberations / Future projects coming to the Lakeland / The Arena with no name is getting a name / The Santa Claus Parade

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya discuss a busy summer full of events / the 2024 Cold Lake Air Show / marina dredging and wake surf competition / Lakeshore Drive improvement project / the Rural Renewal Stream / homelessness, camps and minister visits / mental health resources in Cold Lake / police service dog Chase / ACCC distemper outbreak / Public Works Operations Centre update / recreation / City of Cold Lake’s recent awards / Remembrance Day and military appreciation.

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya are joined by City Councilor Ryan Bailey to discuss Ryan's motivation at a young age to get into municipal politics/ A busy Family Day long weekend in Cold Lake/ The new Rural Immigration Program/ Visit from the Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jeremy Nixon/ The City of Cold Lake's Public Open House/ Latest decisions from the City of Cold Lake Council meeting.

Mayor Craig Copeland & CAO Kevin Nagoya are joined by Councilor Bob Mattice to discuss Bob's love for Cold Lake and how he is enjoying his first term as City Councilor/ Family Day weekend events/ Opening of the John Howard Society Shelter/ City of Cold Lake Open House/ Business expansion within Cold Lake/ New Medical Transportation Grant/ Cold Lake's Sister City/ Improvements to the Cold Lake Marina.

Mayor Craig Copeland, CAO Kevin Nagoya and Councilor Bill Parker talk about Bill's hockey career and his journey to becoming a City of Cold Lake Councilor/ The opening of the new Animal Care and Control Centre/ The newly announced Municipally Controlled Corporation/ Commitment by the Federal government to purchase the F-35 jet to replace the aging F-18 fleet/ Carbon capture project in Cold Lake/ Cold Lake named to the Top 10 lakes in Canada to ice fish/ upcoming events in the city.

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about the Christmas Parade and the new Parade Policy / The homelessness in Cold Lake and supporting the John Howard Society / The budget and funding for public safety / Tough times, inflation and the budget / Highway 28 and the need to invest in northeastern Alberta / The new Animal Control and Care Centre / Population and investment / Shout-out to a retiring employee

Mayor Craig Copeland, CAO Kevin Nagoya and General Manager of Corporate Services Kristy Isert talk about Kristy's role with the city / The City's audited financial statements / Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) / Where the PILT file stands / The effect that the PILT dispute has on the city's financial statements / The ongoing municipal census / Why council chose to do a census / Why the city is asking residents about access to health care as part of the census /

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about Council orientation / A busy start to snow removal / Council's Strategic Priorities / Policing and the justice system / The possibility of a future aquatic facility / The budget process / An economic outlook for the community / Upcoming events / Hockey season in Cold Lake.

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about the municipal election / Orientation for the new council / The types of decisions the new council may face / Why council attends conferences / Possible future podcasts / Thank you to the former councillors.

Mayor Craig Copeland, CAO Kevin Nagoya and Returning Officer Kristy Isert talk about the upcoming municipal election / The nomination process and requirements for potential candidates / Rules for advertising and election signs / Election debates and forums / Advanced polling dates, polling stations and special ballots / Orientation and training sessions for Council members / The learning curve, time commitment and what to expect as a new member of City Council.

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya take a deep dive into the City of Cold Lake's 2021 Budget, both from the operating and capital side, discussing most of the projects for 2021. 

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: The increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the region, trick-or-treating, Remembrance Day and the Santa Claus parade. (What's going ahead this year and what's on hold due to COVID?) Plus, preparing for the upcoming operating budget / New lighting being installed along highway 28 / Upgrades to both City cemeteries / Federal funding to improve and re-surface the Millinnium Trail / The dredging pilot program at the marina / and remembering Cold Lake Sun reporter Dan Brisebois.

Mayor Craig Copeland, CAO Kevin Nagoya and Councillor Kirk “Rambo” Soroka talk about: Why Councillor Soroka got into politics / How Councillor Soroka got the name Rambo / Becoming a soldier, paratrooper, sniper, and F-18 pilot / The CLAWR as a national strategic asset / The future fighter program and what it could mean for the local economy / The City’s opposition to the federal gun ban and proposed gun-buy-back program

Mayor Craig Copeland, CAO Kevin Nagoya and Councillor Jurgen Grau talk about: Why Councillor Grau got into politics / Music festivals in Cold Lake / The Municipal District of Bonnyville's ski hill / A friendly regional fireworks challenge / Tourism, advertizing, and recreation / The mountain bike park / The encroachment open house / The Cold Lake Golf and Winter Club / and more...

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: The City getting ready for winter sports / A visit from the Premier of Alberta / ID 349 aka the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range / Aerospace and Economic Development / Doctors’ pay and the Rural, Remote, Northern Program / The Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes / A busy year on the water / Jeremy’s 14.5 pound walleye / The growing popularity of the mountain bike park

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: The City’s response to COVID-19 / Plans for the future: the Cold Lake Marina and Lakeshore Drive redevelopment / The local economy and support for our local businesses / Stage 2 relaunch / The Cold Lake Fiber Optic Backbone project / The tax rate bylaw and an explanation of how Cold Lake sets its tax rate / What does an average tax increase or decrease mean / The Fischer Storm Water Management Pond project and the future of development in Cold Lake South / The potential future of the North Arena.

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: the COVID-19 situation and the response so far in the City of Cold Lake.

Mayor Craig Copeland, CAO Kevin Nagoya and Sgt. Ryan Howrish talk about: Life in Cold Lake / What it’s like to become an RCMP officer / The recent policing open house / Crime in Cold Lake and the region / Why Sgt. Howrish joined the Mounties / Community outreach and ice fishing / The Cold Lake Police Dog Service / Council’s upcoming decisions regarding policing and public safety / How people can help council see results on these issues / The importance of community partnerships

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: Mayor Copeland’s predictions for the economy / Pipeline projects and the economy / New investment in the City of Cold Lake / Defence industry spending and the economy / Cold Lake Transit / Why is there no user fee for the bus in Cold Lake? / Policing, the justice system, and crime / An upcoming open house featuring the Cold Lake RCMP / Highway 28, health care, and the city’s lobbying efforts / Ice fishing and tourism in Cold Lake

Mayor Craig Copeland, Councillor Bob Buckle and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: The History of ID 349 and the future of the City of Cold Lake / Why Councillor Buckle got into politics / The city’s sustainability journey / The original agreement was a five-way win / Bob’s proudest moment as a councillor / Balancing residential vs. commercial tax base / Cold Lake’s need for a new waste water treatment plant / Community open house on December 11, 2019.

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: Federal, provincial and municipal budgets / The Future Fighter Program / Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding / Cold Lake's service levels and snow clearing / Sidewalk snow clearing / The city's budget outlook / Future projects, including RCMP Detachment, Lakeshore Drive upgrades, cemeteries, animal intake facility / The Cold Lake Marina operations, weed cutting and possible dredging / Long-term budget planning / A bit about ID 349 / Upcoming public open houses / Mourning the loss of a dedicated employee /

Mayor Craig Copeland, Councillor Chris Vining and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: Cold Lake’s recycling program / The garbage we ship out vs. the garbage we bury here / Recycling is good for the environment and the bottom line / New recycling bin locations / The bottle depot still accepts regulated material for deposit returns / The AUMA convention / What is the AUMA? / “Regionalization” is now an open discussion among municipalities / AUMA discussion panel on regionalization / We are all in this together – there is only one taxpayer / ICFs and municipal relationship building / Strong communities benefit all Albertans / The provincial police funding model, and potential changes / The benefits and limitations of FCM conventions / What is the FCM? / The Lakeland Lodge and Housing Foundation / What the foundation does around the region / The new lodge in Cold Lake and a shout out to the lodge staff / Congratulations to the volunteers, city staff and the community for a national 5-Bloom award / Arts and culture in Cold Lake / Support for local arts groups and the evolving community grant program / The need for a new public works shop and how the city’s staff punch above their weight / Why Councilor Chris Vining got into politics / For podcast ideas and feedback, email [email protected]

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: “Hot air and water” / The Alberta Mid-Sized Cities Caucus (MCC) meeting in Lethbridge / The Blue Ribbon Report / The upcoming provincial budget / The Honourable Minister of Municipal Affairs Kaycee Madu and Honourable Premier Jason Kenney at the MCC / Restraint…and municipal politics / A brief look at provincial property tax requisitions / Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) money / “Municipal restructuring” / There is only one taxpayer / Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICF) across the province / The City of Brooks and Newell County / The Bonnyville Waterline project / Construction impacts on residents / The future of the water pipeline / The northern vs. the southern highway systems / Cold Lake’s looming need for a new water treatment plant / Active sludge treatment vs. moving bed bio reactor / For podcast ideas and feedback, email [email protected]

Mayor Craig Copeland and CAO Kevin Nagoya talk about: Thanks for listening / Pizza, beer and commercial development / The Land Use Bylaw, permitted uses and a landowner’s right to develop / Working with potential investors and discovering opportunities / The city’s role in preparing for development / City-owned land / Relationship building that fosters economic development / Cold Lake as a retail hub / Commercial renovations and incentive programs / Recent changes to parking bylaws in small business shopping districts / Oil and the economy / Residential development and a landowner’s right to develop / Storm water management and development in Cold Lake South / For podcast ideas and feedback, email [email protected]

Subjects discussed: Welcome to podcast episode 1 / The local economy, assessment values and tax rates / ID 349 and some local projects it has funded / The oilsands  project approval process / An overview of local economic development / Development statistics / "The forgotten" Highway 28 / Building a community that attracts residents / Good partners can also be strong critics, and that's OK / A quick briefing on annexation / Portage College expansion plans / For podcast ideas and feedback, email [email protected]