Utility rates passed third and final reading

Times Reporter

 

A change to utility rates was proposed at the regular council meeting on April 20. The changes would see the monthly conveyance and maintenance charges go down by 50 per cent. The potable water charge would be revised to $1.60 for usage up to 30 cubic metres per month, and everything beyond would be charged $1.65. The proposal was initiated to conserve water. Forty-nine per cent of the bills in town use 11 cubic metres or less per month, and for people who use approximately 22 cubic metres, it should be an increase of $10 per month on their utility bill. Councillor Earl Best voiced his concerns that large families would be penalized by the changes, and was opposed to the motion, forcing it to come back at a later date.

On April 26, a special meeting was called to order to give third and final reading to the Utility Rates and Penalties bylaw. Councillors Bob Sobol and Best were unable to attend the meeting. 

“The reason for this meeting relates to our utility rates and penalties bylaw that we had on the floor at our last council meeting. There was one councillor who voted twice in a row, and voted a third time no, and he has a right to do that. I also would like to say that in the audience of cooperation those things shouldn’t be done,” said Mayor Steve Grajczyk.

“It’s ok to have your own voice and opinion and vote the way you want to vote, but when you know six are going to vote anyway for it, and it’s going to pass regardless, and you’re demanding a special meeting is what I call a sandbox vote. It’s not a mature vote, and I think it is absolutely deplorable that they take those liberties when you could have possibly cost the town $30,000 to $50,000 in utility income for that period of time.” 

If council had waited until the next council meeting, it would have been too late to charge the new rates on the next utility bill. For the two month utility bill people would have been charged the old rate, which would have cost the town $30,000 to $50,000.

 

taxi bylaw to be assessed

Martin DePeuter of Strathmore Economy Taxi spoke to council on April 20, revisiting the taxi bylaws approved November 2008. 

“We have a taxi bylaw here in the town of Strathmore that, in my opinion, doesn’t cover half of what needs to be covered,” said DePeuter. 

Some of the concerns brought up involve vehicle maintenance, the renewal of permits and downsizing the number of people allowed in a taxi. Another concern he brought up is the permits all drivers are required to carry, usually placed on the dash. DePeuter would like to see the permits as a badge pinned to the lapel, with names and information listed on the back, where passengers can’t easily see it. Council accepted DePeuter’s presentation as information to be sent to the bylaw office for further assessment.  

 

Ridge Road 

On April 6, council directed administration to set up a capital budget for repairs along Ridge Road. On April 20, Jesse Parker, Director of Engineering and Operations for the town, presented the proposed capital budget for approval. Using the 2009 AECOM report as a basis for coming up with a capital budget, Parker determines it will cost approximately $2.25 million. He said approximately 2 million for project costs, with the remaining $250,000 for the engineering and contingency costs associated with the project. 

The scope of the project includes replacing aging underground utilities, installing a storm water collection system, re-constructing the road sub-structure, and surface work improvements. The surface work improvements include a curb, gutter and sidewalk. Parker estimates the sidewalk could cost $300,000. 

There was lengthy debate about ensuring the road width remains the same, or wider. The sidewalk would be single sided, and is recommended to help accommodate some of the pedestrian traffic accessing the businesses. 

There is money available from grants and Parker said he would begin requesting grant money. Council approved the additional capital budget for the reconstruction of Ridge Road, and it will now be going to tender. 

 

Irrigation committee

Council accepted the report and final recommendations from the irrigation committee. 

“We had much discussion on this…and I’m not to sure we’ve come to a conclusion,” said Mayor Steve Grajczyk. 

Councillor Bob Sobol said he was disappointed by the recommendations by the committee, as he was expecting a more long-term plan as to how the system could be saved. He stated he could not support the committee’s recommendation, and is not in favour of re-instating the system on a trial basis. Councillor Rocky Blokland said it doesn’t make financial sense to bring the system back. 

Out of the potential 627 users only 94 signed up. Both Councillor Pat Fule and Councillor Dave Hamilton are in favour of bringing the system back, as long as it is user pay. Councillor John Rempel said he believes irrigation should continue on and would like to start conserving potable water for what it is intended for. Rempel continued on to say that it is ludicrous to use treated water on lawns, and that no one can convince him that irrigation is not the way to go. 

Councillor Earl Best said he has always been in favour of irrigation but would like to see a budget before making a decision. Grajczyk agreed with Best, and the discussion was adjourned until May 4, when more information and a budget can be brought forth for council to go through.