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In attendance: Councillors Zinck, Damota, Wall, Skehill, Wacko and Day, and Mayor Ireland
Community and Family Services director’s report, April 14 to June 16, prepared by Kathleen Waxer:
Waxer reported that CFS was in the process of unpacking new furniture for the new daycare space.
“We hope to be moved in and open by July 1,” she said. Waxer added that the new space provided increased capacity with space for up to 84 children.
Waxer said that
Summer Fun programming is coming along, with the program set to begin on July 4. Enrolment numbers for Summer Fun are up this year.
Waxer also reported that the status of the Seniors Outreach position is still pending, with government approval of the programming behind by about three months. She said she has been assured that the position will be extended. Waxer said the CFS board has been working on a resolution that addresses the government’s new policy on seniors’ services, saying that there is a sense that programs funded by Alberta Health and Wellness may be downloaded to municipalities in the future.
Outside resources sought for community capacity building:
Requested extension of Community Initiatives Demonstration Project (for Seniors Outreach Worker) from one year to three to five years - status: approved at first level, final status pending out of school care services.
Culture and Recreation report for June, prepared by Yvonne McNabb, Culture and Recreational director:
Facilities:
Phase one of the activity centre/aquatic centre renovations:
McNabb reported that some new fitness centre equipment has been ordered; two treadmills have already arrived and have been installed in the downstairs fitness centre. The remainder of the equipment has arrived and is being held at an Edmonton warehouse. This equipment will replace some of the existing obsolete pieces and will be installed when the new gym opens.
The building of the new bar in the upper curling rink has started; this will be completed before curling starts in the fall. This project is being done internally.
Emergency Services report to council, prepared by Greg Van Tighem, director of Emergency Services and delivered by Don Smith, deputy fire chief:
Smith reported that there have been a total of nine fire department responses since the April 13 report. There have been eight fire command calls and one full fire department response. The full department response consisted of a deck fire at Stone Mountain village, caused by a cigarette in a planter which spread to the decking, railing and damaged some contents prior to being extinguished.
Richard Ireland commended the response to the Stone Mountain fire, congratulating the department on preventing a possibly devastating fire.
Finance:
Van Tighem reported that all finances are in line with budget expectations. Emergency Services has almost completed the equipment purchases for the wildfire sprinkler response trailer. This unit was on public display at the Safety Fair.
Requests for decision:
2013 Alberta Association of Recreation Personnel 2013 Conference bid
Recommendation:
The Culture and Recreation department asked for the support of council in their bid to host the Alberta Association of Recreation Personnel 2013 Conference by providing a letter of support to accompany the conference bid submitted to the AAPRF. Jasper has hosted the conference before, in 2000 and 2006.
Councillor Damota moved that council support the department of Culture and Recreation in their bid to host the Alberta Association of Recreation Personnel 2013 Conference by providing a letter of support to accompany the conference bid submitted to the AAPRF. The motion was carried unanimously. The RFD will return to council in two weeks for final approval.
IT upgrades:
Recommendation:
Alice Lettner, director of finance and administration, asked council to commit up to $60,000 from administrative reserves to facilitate the implementation of new servers, upgraded radios and review of hardware to improve the functionality of the municipality’s information technology.
Lettner reported that the municipality’s older servers need to be retired and replaced with newer servers with current computer architecture. The wireless system as it exists is inadequate to handle the volume of traffic.
“From our research though, this system is still the best value for our organization,” she said in her report. “We have reviewed the cost for connecting our sites by a dedicated fibre network. The installation costs and on- going site connection fees are very high. The proposed solution involves additional capacity on the wireless system and installation of mini servers at each work site.”
Councillor Zinck moved that at the next council meeting, council commit up to $60,000 from administrative reserves to facilitate administration’s request. The motion was carried unanimously and will return to council in two weeks for a final decision.
Capital Budget - level crossing, prepared by George Krefting, municipal manager:
Recommendation:
Council was asked to approve an expenditure of up to $120,000 in 2011 to carry out improvements to the level crossing on Highway 93A.
Krefting’s report suggested that the municipality provide funding for the project in 2011 from general cash reserves. The amount expended from general reserves in 2011 will be recovered from ID12 2012 MSI capital funding allocation, which Lettner stated is being held by ID12 for use of the upgrade.
Krefting’s report stated that the level crossing on Highway 93A as currently constructed, requires repairs and maintenance on an ongoing basis. Expenditures on the level crossing repairs average out at approximately $1,000 per year. [Even with repairs, the end product continues to be a source of complaints. The Director of Environment Services will oversee and co-ordinate the work.] Expectation is that the work could occur in fall of 2011. Cathy Jenkins, manager of municipal and realty services from Parks Canada, is also aware of and supports the project.
Councillor Zinck moved that council support this RFD at the next regular council meeting. It was carried unanimously.
Land exchange agreement:
Motion:
Councillor Wall moved that council enter into a Land Exchange Agreement with Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD) for the assignment of Parcel R-11 to GYPSD in exchange for an assignment from GYPSD to the Municipality of Jasper of a parcel of land of equal size to be created on the site of the existing Jasper Jr./Sr. High School, with the existing school to be removed and the land to be remediated to standards acceptable to Parks Canada and landscaped to specifications satisfactory to the Municipality of Jasper, all at the sole cost of GYPSD, including all legal costs arising from all of the transactions necessary to complete the exchange of lands and including the costs of public consultation and the Vote on a Question concerning the proposed Land Exchange. As well it was moved that the mayor and the municipal manager be authorized to complete the negotiations of the terms of the Land Exchange Agreement with GYPSD, and subject to the approval of council, to execute a final agreement on behalf of the Municipality of Jasper.
The motion was carried unanimously. |
