Council asks for help, understanding

Times Reporter

 

Councillor Rocky Blokland opened up with a statement asking residents to have patience, consideration, and understanding about some of the issues the Town is currently dealing with.  He also stated that it’s pretty good here in Strathmore, compared to some of the issues other communities are dealing with, for example, Slave Lake. 

Councillor Dave Hamilton suggested a venue for the public to make donations, and said they are looking to gather donations for Slave Lake through the Red Cross or Salvation Army. Hamilton said kitchen utensils are an item desperately needed. Administration at the town office will collect the donations and will keep the public updated as to what has been gathered. 

 

Lambert Centre 

upgrades 

In 2010 engineering and operations staff for the town were asked to conduct a building envelope assessment of the Lambert Centre.  Reed Jones Christofferson Engineering conducted the assessment.  Lambert Centre houses the library, Happy Gang and Wheatland Family and Community Support Services.  The report identified water infiltration through the skylights, windows, and doors, as well as various additional penetrations throughout the building.  

In the 2010 fall workshop, $80,000 was approved to be used for repairs, and to help eliminate the water coming into the building. 

“We’re concerned with the amount of water and mildew smell, and there was minor evidence of mould in the building,” said Chuck Renkas, project coordinator for the Town.

“Once the building envelope assessment was completed by Reed Jones Christofferson Engineering out of Calgary, it was determined that we do have a water infiltration problem in the building.”

Tenders were put out and SIS, Supply Install Systems, was awarded the tender for a total of $52,681.65.  Construction is to be completed prior to the Heritage Days long weekend. The building will still be open to the public, though sections will be closed off as repairs are being made.  

 

Land sale 

almost complete

On May 4 Councillor Earl Best made a motion that would see land sold in the industrial area of Strathmore. Administration was directed to proceed with the sale of the land at NW 12-24-25 W4M to DevMor Developments Inc., for a total purchase price of $4,375,700, excluding GST. It’s to be paid by a vendor-take-back mortgage and paid from sales on a pro-rated land area basis. It was also moved by Councillor Pat Fule that a letter of intent be accepted and that the Chief Administrative Officer, Dwight Stanford, be authorized to sign the letter on behalf of the town. 

Councillor Bob Sobol said the town is now at a point of being able to proceed with an agreement to purchase and sell.  Sobol made a motion authorizing Stanford and Mayor Steve Grajczyk to sign the agreement on behalf of the town, and that the legal land descriptions which are missing from the agreement to be included.  The motion was carried. 

 

RCMP 

additional staffing 

The town has requested the addition of one regular member to the Strathmore and District RCMP detachment for 2012/2013. The request doesn’t obligate the town in any way to add an additional member, but if they don’t write the letter requesting additional resources, they will lose the opportunity.

“We did forego our anticipated additional member for 2010/2011 due to budgetary restraints. It was with reluctance that we did so, but it had to do with budgetary restraints,” said Sobol.

“The fact remains, this town is continuing to grow, and as a council, it’s imperative that we recognize the fact that as the town grows, with it grows the level of crime.  That’s just a sad fact of life and I would strongly support that we put in for an additional member for 2012/2013, which would obviously be further discussed at budgetary talks.” 

He moved that the town sign a letter of intent, indicating their desire to add a member to the detachment for 2012/2013

 

Downtown Park 

is named 

A name has finally been decided upon for the centennial park project. The centennial committee submitted a request to the names advisory committee for the park, located between 109 and 115 Second Ave. An electronic poll was given to the members of the names advisory committee with four in favour, and one member against the suggested name. On May 17 Council voted in favour of naming the park, Heritage Times Square.