Rocky View County has hired a former councillor to act as a liaison between the province and Bragg Creek residents to help them with their provincial Disaster Recovery Program applications.
According to Chris O’Hara, development services general manager, with the province’s Nov. 30 deadline for Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) applications rapidly approaching, the county took the initiative to offer a face-to-face solution for the many residents who are still feeling the effects of June’s flooding.
O’Hara said the county decided to create the position, and hire former Division 1 councillor Bob Everett after they realized a large number of flood affected residents, each with unique concerns, were not applying for DRP funding for a variety of reasons.
“Mr. Everett’s role is to support flood affected individuals by gathering the information they require, connecting them to the right people at the provincial level who can answer their questions, and helping guide them through the processes required,” said O’Hara.
Everett was Division 1 councillor (which includes Bragg Creek) from 2001 to 2007.
“As a previous councillor, Mr. Everett is intimately familiar with Bragg Creek, and the county’s and province’s processes, and he has a strong background in building and development,” said O’Hara. “They will have a person who can act on their behalf and help them complete their funding request forms and address any unique concerns on an individual basis.”
Since his position began last week, Everett said eight residents have contacted him for help.
Everett said residents are mainly concerned about caveats being placed on their land titles, and how they can properly mitigate their properties so the land title notice is removed, and that may have delayed them in applying for DRP funding.
“I’m dealing with people that are stressed and frustrated, and something has gotten in the way of solving their problems,” he said. “I think every situation is solvable.”
On Oct. 28, the province introduced Bill 27, the Flood Recovery and Reconstruction Act, that will enshrine in law new policies announced in July, including ensuring homeowners are informed of whether a property in a flood hazard area is eligible for future disaster assistance.
Notices will be placed on the land title of properties in flood hazard areas that received disaster assistance as a result of the June 2013 floods. The notice will indicate the property is not eligible for future assistance.
Property owners in the flood fringe will be able to have the notice removed from their land title by putting minimum flood mitigation measures in place.
Everett said he gained a huge amount of respect for Rocky View County administration staff during his time as an elected official and he is pleased the county recognized the need to help residents by creating his liaison position.
“The county staff are really trying everything they can to help residents address their concerns,” he said.
Everett said residents need help understanding what is required of them to submit their DRP applications due to the complexity of the application process.
“This position is about the people that haven’t (yet applied) and are uncertain with the process or what’s required of them,” said Everett. “We need to make sure people don’t miss the deadline so they won’t be put in a position of not being able to apply for funding. They need every opportunity to at least be sure of their decision.”
Current Division 1 Coun. Liz Breakey said with the Nov. 30 application deadline looming the liaison position is critical to help her constituents.
Alberta Municipal Affairs spokesperson Heather Kaszuba said, to date, 18 DRP applicants from Bragg Creek have received one cheque, and eight applicants have received two cheques, for a total of $226,000 in disaster recovery payments issued to Bragg Creek residents.
O’Hara said the position, funded by the county, currently has no end date.
“We took the lead on this initiative, and approached the province to gauge their support,” O’Hara said. “They are fully in favour and may recommend this to other municipalities.”
Residents who would like help with their Disaster Recovery Program applications, or who have questions are asked to contact Everett by phone at 403-803-2062 or by email at [email protected].
For detailed information regarding flood support visit the Government of Alberta website at alberta.ca/Flood-Recovery.cfm.
