City status shelved for another 6 months

Times Reporter

 

Council for the Town of Strathmore is shelving the idea of changing from a town to city status – for time being anyway.

The possibility of switching Strathmore’s status was discussed during the regular council meeting on March 16.  

A change requires a motion from council requesting the Minister of Municipal Affairs to modify it. 

There was concern about whether jurisdiction over Highway 817would be given to the town. Administration met with Alberta Transportation representatives on March 16. 

“According to the meeting with the fellow this afternoon, he mentioned that he does not believe that 817 would be a penetrator highway,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Linda Nelson.

“So we would have control and we would be responsible for the maintenance: capital operating costs for 817.”

Mayor Steve Grajczyk said he would like to see that in writing before agreeing to anything. He would also like to have an internal study done, checking out the pros and cons involved in gaining city status. He said he would like to keep it very transparent for the public. Councillor Bob Sobol said he is sure one of the arguments will eventually be that people have just left the city to come to a town and that they don’t want to live in a city.

“I don’t think we’re at the size yet that warrants entertaining the status of city,” said Sobol. 

“I could certainly be wrong in that, but I’m just worried about spending an awful lot of staff’s time and money on this project.”

After lengthy discussion and a defeated motion to re-examine city status issue in one year’s time, council voted in favour of bringing the issue back to council chambers every six months. All of council was adamant about keeping the public informed and eventually hosting information sessions.