Underpass work progressing

Environmental Services Manager Ken Quackenbush told council he expected significant progress to be made on the underpass walkway construction project currently being constructed off of Connaught Drive in the next few weeks.

He said that much of the work in recent months has been preliminary work necessary before major excavations could take place. The focus has been on sewage lines and culverts, but much of that work is now done and the major digging for the actual walkway can begin.

“There’s really been a tremendous amount of work being done there,” said Quackenbush. “Over the next several weeks, the public should see some fairly large amounts of dirt coming out.”

Washroom plan not flushed yet

Despite councils recent rejection of all tenders put forward for the construction of a public washroom in Jasper, plans for the construction of the facility this summer are still moving forwards.

Council rejected the plans put forward for the washroom because the costs were much higher than expected. As such, the new plans for the bathroom will significantly lower the costs of its construction.

According to Environmental Services Manager Ken Quackenbush, this means that some of the eco-friendly ideas and the super-high quality specifications of the original design for the bathroom may have to be cut.

He told council plans for grass on the roof of the washroom (it was meant to offset the town’s carbon output) might have to be cut. Grass on the roof of such a small building significantly raised the buildings costs, he told council.

He also mentioned the costs of the super-insulated walls (the building would have no central heating furnace and would have to retain heat extremely well to avoid freezing pipes) also raised the costs of the project.

As well, the plans to use extremely durable and high quality toilets, sinks and counter tops might also  be scaled out. Quackenbush said that might be difficult however because the specs were set so high due to concerns about vandalism. He said the costs of the extra-durable toilets alone had been above $50,000.

Overall, Quackenbush estimated that some $200,000 could be cut from the costs of the bathroom.

“We’re still looking for a durable building that will last for a long time with low maintenance,” said Quakenbush. “There are numerous ways though to bring the target down to more reasonable levels.”

Council spends cash on rodeo

The Town of Jasper is spending $1,500 from its Economic Development Fund so a storage shelter can be built for the Jasper Rodeo. The shelter will be used to cover calves at the upcoming Jasper Rodeo.

In the 2010 budget, $10,000 was allocated for the Economic Development Fund budget. The fund was set up to promote and assist economic enhancement around the municipality.

The Jasper Rodeo’s budget currently shows that it has over $57,000 in its reserves fund. The group donated over $3,000 to various causes around Jasper and has pledged to donate at least $5,000 to causes in the area this year.

The group has received money from Jasper’s fund every year since 2002.

Initially, the plan for the holding pen stated that only the Jasper Rodeo group would be allowed to use the pen. This appears to be changing however.

“Would it be alright if we asked permission if other groups could also use this facility?” asked Councillor Ralph Melnyk.

Town Manager George Krefting told him that he would ask the group.

New Municipal Manager

Jasper’s Committee of Council is currently putting together preliminary details on the hiring of a new Chief Administration Officer for the town.

Currently, plans are to have a new CAO, or town manager, in place by October 1 (coinciding with the October elections) and to have current CAO George Krefting retired by the end of October. 

The CAO is the most powerful non-elected administration position in the entire town. The CAO essentially serves as the town’s chief manager and provides council advice on how to proceed on all matters that come before council.

The CAO has powers to “appoint, suspend or remove any employee to or from any position in the Municipality” and will “direct, supervise, and review the performance of the administration of all departments and employees of the Municipality,” according to the town bylaw (Bylaw 75) which outlines the managers duties.

Krefting stated in an email that the town and the Mayor will ultimately be doing the hiring for the position.

Details about whether the town will be advertising for the job outside of Jasper or outside of Alberta have not been decided yet.

“The Municipality (Council) will make the final determinations on the extent of advertising — likely with assistance of a consultant — this is yet to be determined,” stated Krefting. 

Krefting has served as the town’s CAO since Jasper first gained independence from the park.

“I have enjoyed and feel to have been a privilege to have had the opportunity to work for and on behalf of the residents and businesses in Jasper over the past 35 years for the Municipality - the Jasper Improvement District and the Jasper School District,” stated Krefting in an email. 

A Fitzhugh article going into greater detail about Krefting’s time serving Jasper is upcoming.