Tuesday’s biweekly municipal council meeting was packed. A full house of locals filled the upper level of the Emergency Services Building, where council handed out 10 environmental stewardship awards to deserving Jasperites who’ve made a difference in reducing carbon emissions. 

Other items included on the agenda were the tabling of the municipal manager’s report, as well as a report on the electric truck. Municipal manager, George Krefting said in addition to the fact that the capital budget is being reopened, given various funding announcements, that the municipality has once again, passed the annual health and safety audit. Krefting also noted that since the municipality passed the audit, there will be a reduction in workers’ compensation premiums, which will save money for the town. 

Krefting went on to say that the municipality has begun applying for more grant money, which, if received, will go towards the installation of LED street lights and more money for Activity Centre renovations. 

A notice of request for decision on the new Jasper/Hakone sister-city policy was also passed unanimously (contingent on a few wording alterations), which will formalize what has occurred in the past as far as the exchange program goes, even though no exchange will be happening this summer. 

Receiving unanimous decisions were the new respect and dignity policy, which will result in posters being placed in municipal facilities indicating the importance of mutual respect and understanding, as well as the plans for Centennial Park redevelopment, with the first couple of phases going ahead this summer.