Town Council Recap

Posted on: J A McRae

Amy Gregson – Times Reporter

It was a busy meeting for Town Council April 7 and a lot of decisions and issues were discussed:

Here are some of the highlights of the meeting.

• A request was made by a resident to have paper copies of the council agendas and pervious minutes available at council meetings. In March, the Town of Strathmore stopped printing agendas out in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly. The request for minutes and agenda was made so that all residents have access to what is happening in the town, especially for those who don’t have access to a computer or those who are computer illiterate. Councilor Brad Walls suggested that approximately six copies of the agenda and meetings are available at each meeting. In turn, Dwight Stanford, CAO said he would like a web cam to be set up in council chambers so people can watch the meetings from their home computers. “It would be terrific for the public,” said Stanford.

• Council approved a $7.4 million borrowing bylaw to finance construction of the East Calgary Waterline, the Brentwood Reservoir Booster Upgrade, the relocation of the Outfall Line to the Bow, design of the Wildflower Reservoir and the upgrade of the Storm Sewer on Thomas Drive. The money can be borrowed from the Alberta Capital Finance Authority, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canadian Chartered Bank and the Financial Institution. The town has 20 years to repay the money. The total amount for the construction project is $58.8 million with $51.1 million coming from grants and $316,000 coming from reserves.

• The town will be holding a public auction of nine parcels of land June 10 at 10 a.m. at the town office. The parcels of land are being sold because they have outstanding tax arrears since 2007. Stanford said property owners have been advised numerous times to pay since then. The auction is being held in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. The reserve bid amounts will be determined at a later date, prior to the auction. A list of properties that are eligible is available in the April 7 meeting on the town’s website, along with further regulations and guidelines.

• Council approved two development permits for housing at 7 Bayside Place, “Sagecourt”, and 8 Bayside Place, “Bayview Estates”. Sagecourt, which will be built by Dr. Patel who is also building the Age Care facility in town, will have 56 units of Medium Density Attached Housing Units in four buildings with sufficient parking. The housing will be rental units. Council members were concerned there is no sidewalk on the north side of the street and wanted reassurance there would be conversations with the developers to contribute to sidewalks. Bayview Estates will be 48 affordable medium housing units. The Town of Strathmore has received block funding through the province for a three-year period to provide affordable housing in the town and this project will address that issue. The town will be working with Classic Communities in this project, and the cost of the project will be shared with the development of Sagecourt which will make it an affordable project. The project gives individuals and families who otherwise couldn’t purchase a home an opportunity to invest and own their own. “This is great,” said Councilor Bob Sobol. “It’s a big step.” It was stated by Linda Nelson, Deputy CAO, that they hope the project starts this spring.

• Funding was received in the amount of $579,000 from the Major Community Facilities Program to help with the expansion of the Aquatic Centre.

• Volunteers are needed for the Canada Day Celebrations. Contact the town office for more information.