Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
At the first public budget presentation on Nov. 23, there were presentations by Finance and Administration, Protective Services and Culture and Recreation.
Natasha Malenchak, director of Finance and Administration, opened the meeting. She noted even though there were fewer visitors this year to Jasper due to COVID restrictions - 1.5 million compared with 2.5 million in previous years - there is an ongoing impact on aging facilities. Provincial and federal government revenue and taxation benefits from tourism aren't shared with municipalities, so Jasper will need to budget for upgrades.
Finance & administration
There's an overall base summary change of $447,700. Growth increases in the tax base total $726,000.
Upcoming initiatives include alternative sources of revenue; paid parking discussions; reserve and budget policy; utility rate bylaw; electronic fund transfer - receivables and; housing initiatives.
Malenchak listed 2021 capital requests that total $260,000: office/meeting space design and construction - $150,000; virtual city hall - $40,000; asset management software - $25,000; licence upgrades - $20,000; staff phishing/security training - $15,000; network infrastructure upgrades - $10,000.
Protective services
Director of Emergency Services, Greg Van Tighem, said, "It has been a challenging year," but Protective Services has served the community well.
Upcoming initiatives include fire prevention and inspection, firefighter recruitment, improved bylaw officer training, CPO Level 1, community FireSmart events, emergency management plans and procedures, finalize delegation of local authority and a protective services strategic plan.
He noted a budget request for fire and emergency measures of an additional $11,088.
Capital requests include replacement of front sidewalk and parking plugs, renovation of the training room, live fire training props, AEDs, ESB boiler and DHW replacement and fire bay laundry improvements, as well as replacement of flooring in the bylaw office for a total of $374,824.
Van Tighem said, "Live fire training is becoming very challenging. We have travelled to Hinton numerous times to use their (equipment)," and "There's a mental (health) component as well."
Culture & recreation
Culture and Recreation director Yvonne McNabb, said upcoming initiatives include ICIP grant work; capital project focus; racquet courts; update job descriptions; H&S hazard assessments and external H&S audit.
She outlined a 3.12 per cent tax increase in the budget.
2021 capital requests include:
Activity Centre: renovations - $2,442,510; storage room in multi purpose space - $75,000; rooftop unit - $30,000; kitchen over - $15,000; asbestos removal in MPH storage room - $20,000; facility door replacement - $30,000.
Log cabin renovations - $200,000.
Arena renovations - $3,472,410.
Councillor Bert Journault said, "We're going to have to prioritize these items."
Ireland asked "What service levels can the public expect to see from the Culture and Recreation department, compared with what we saw in 2019?"
McNabb said effective January 2021, the recreational centres will be open the same hours they were in 2019.
Mountain membership
Local inclusion in the planning of how mountain parks are run is a driving force behind the Association for Mountain Parks Protection & Enjoyment (AMPPE), said Mike Day, board member.
At the Municipality of Jasper's committee of the whole meeting on Nov. 24, Day, owner of Evil Dave's Grill, emphasized the importance of business operators, residents and recreationalists in mountain parks having a voice in decisions made about how parks are used.
AMPPE was created in 1994 by a group of concerned business owners and recreationalists in the mountain parks, for that reason and has participated in management plans since then.
The Municipality of Jasper has been a member of AMPPE for many years and received an invoice for the 2020 renewal (the annual membership is $2,300) in February. Day was scheduled to do a presentation the following month to talk about the benefits of being an AMPPE member, but the pandemic prevented that.
The municipality's membership is pending, but councillors and Mayor Richard Ireland gave it a strong thumbs up.
"It would be to our benefit to be members," said Councillor Rico Damota.
Ireland pointed out being a member has provided opportunities for one-on-one discussions with the Parks Canada chief administrative officer (CAO), related to specific Jasper issues. Deputy mayor Paul Butler said he sees value in being a member.
Journault said, "We should continue to support this."
Skating ahead
Darrell Savage and Trevor Morgan with the Jasper Skatepark Committee told council they're looking into applying for an Alberta CFEP Large Stream grant.
Their estimated cost to build a skatepark is $927,000 plus GST, for a 2022 build.
The committee needs to come up with half that amount in application for the CFEP grant. Subtracting the $50,000 the skatepark committee has already raised, their ask is $414,000.
But Savage said a promissory note is required in the application, rather than actual funds, to ensure the municipality is backing it.
Savage said two local foundations are considering a donation of $200,000, and a recently-started Go Fund Me campaign (online at https://gf.me/u/y7dfvz) has raised $670 so far.
Damota pointed out with a grant application deadline of June 15, 2021, that confirmation of funding is needed sooner than later.
Natasha Malenchak, director of Finance and Administration, confirmed that amount has been included in the 2022 capital budget.
Journault said, "This town spends a lot of money on recreation. This is a great outdoor activity. They go on their own time, nothing is scheduled. These children are left out and it's time we include them."
Coun. Scott Wilson said, "We've got to put our support behind it at this point."
Coun. Helen Kelleher-Empey is equally supportive. "I hope we can set you up to go forward. I think a skatepark is a great addition to the assets of Jasper."
Butler said, "I would like to see us do something within this term," and suggested determining "some maximum amount and making a commitment to match funding from the community. It'd be a big win for the community."
Damota reminded council there's a lot of work to do to raise the required funds and liked Butler's idea about matching funds raised in the community.
Council will discuss the matter at upcoming meetings.
Additional staff
John Greathead, acting chief administrative officer (CAO), said the addition of three six-month term positions in the Operations department is needed "to maintain services in the event we're impacted by COVID".
He said term positions are more reliable than casual because casual staff are often unavailable on short notice because of other employment.
Butler asked how feasible it is to have three term employees fill in for any number of the roles.
Greathead said, "There's quite a bit of talent out there," and the search is based on functionality, for example people with operating experience and those who can do manual labour.
Administration will present a report at the Dec. 1 council meeting.
Supporting seniors’ transportation
The Jasper Seniors Society sent a letter of support for a request from The Evergreens Foundation for $10,000 in funding for operation of the Alpine Traveller bus service. Butler said it's a valuable service. "There are people who need this a lot," including seniors and other folks in Jasper for trips to Hinton and more, he said. The request will be discussed in the overall budget process.
