Council votes to approve the Capital Budget

The council meeting on Feb. 3 was as long as it was informative, with councillors generally voting in support of the 2009 Capital Budget. 

Each of the 27 line items were discussed and individually voted on. The councillors voted unanimously on all but the proposed community camera initiative, with Counc. Damota and Counc. Day dissenting. 

The big ticket items in the capital budget are the Hazel Avenue rail crossing pedestrian underpass project and renovations to the Jasper Activity Centre/Aquatic Centre. 

The Municipality has received a $3 million Canada Building Fund grant and will contribute approximately $1.5 million from capital reserves for the Activity Centre project, which is “shovel ready” said Counc. Day and will completed by 2011. 

The controversial pedestrian underpass was also given the go-ahead and Environmental Services manager Ken Quackenbush said he should know “within a month or so” if the $2.5 million price tag is accurate. 

Additionally, the budget document contained information on estimated maintenance costs of the underpass. Snow removal, lighting and grounds maintenance will cost the municipality approximately $2,000 per year. 

The Municipal website will also receive a much needed re-design. Over 40 proposals were reviewed and the selection committee has recommended that BluBrown Communications be awarded the contract. Even though the tender document does not list an expected completion date, Counc. Zinck hopes that it would be completed for the summer and Mayer Ireland said “sooner is better.” The cost of the re-design is listed at $35,000. 

It was also announced that Lori Rissling-Wynn has accepted the position as the Municipality’s Environmental Stewardship Coordinator.