Tour of Alberta cycling route announced
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
The Tour of Alberta Festival gained $31,500 from Town Council, taken from the Stabilization Fund. A budget was provided to council regarding where the funds would be spent. The largest amounts were for policing, road signage, washrooms and festival expenses.
“This is going to be a remarkable event. It is an international event and we will have more press looking at Strathmore than ever before,” said Councillor Bob Sobol.
The event will have 140 elite cyclists competing, and all Council considered the investment provided by the Town will be multiplied by the number of tourist dollars and advertising it will generate for businesses in the town. Eight media outlets will be giving coverage.There is a documentary being filmed on the Town and the race.
Organizers indicated that bookings for one of the motels in town, the weekend before the beginning of the event, have been valued at a $10,000 increase over normal bookings. Organizers say that up to 100,000 people have attended the event in the U.S. No comment was made by council on how the town would handle an influx of that many people, or if we have the restaurant or overnight facilities to accommodate that many people at once.
To sit or not to sit
Council reduced attendance to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to one councillor and the mayor, at their own discreation.
“I didn’t find it very productive whatsoever,” said Mayor Grajcyzk. “I don’t want Council to force me to go.”
It was debated that it was a way to network with other municipalities, but others believed it would be more economical to network electronically, or through information gathered from other media. Many felt the FCM content was geared to larger cities. Councillor Best disagreed and voted against the motion.
Councillor Bob Sobol felt that they should have representation on the Calgary Regional Partnership Transportation Committee. He felt that it was a way for Strathmore to have a voice at the table.
“There is a direction they are going that will see CRP purchase the capital items for the Regional Transportation Committee. If we are not at the table, those buses certainly won’t be coming to the table,” said Sobol.
The mayor said that he didn’t think buses were needed in Strathmore, until 10 years down the road. He doubted how Strathmore’s transportation needs would work into the CRP plan. He said operation costs for a bus system are out of this world. He feared if we sit at the table, it will signal we are committed to developing a bus system. However, Council voted five for and two against, ensuring Sobol’s continued participation.
Godsman’s book goes to
Council
A copy of John Godsman’s book called Remembering our Roots was given to Strathmore Town Council on June 5.
“Earlier this year I approached the Town of Strathmore and asked them if they would be interested in donating funds for a book commemorating our roots. Today, I would like to present you with this complementary copy,” said Godsman.
Godsman’s book is a compilation of historical stories from Strathmore and the surrounding areas. Godsman is an active writer in the Strathmore community. Readers can find his current articles in The Strathmore Times. After the presentation, he was off to a local book reading.
Fortis holds Town electric service
Council agreed to retention of Fortis as energy provider for the town, for another 20 years. The decision is really a formality as there is currently only one provider available.
Council had previouly speculated that the future might open new suppliers and types of energy production. They asked adminstration staff to look into the ramifications of getting out of the contract if needed. Administration indicated they would have to have a material breach or default on the contract, or the town could purchase the distribution system from Fortis. However, they felt service had been good and there will be no need to default. There were concerns that developers who place electric structures in place, turn them over to Fortis for free, once the developments houses are sold. However, to date there was no other mechanism to deal with the practise, unless the Town becomes the provider. A letter was signed and sent to Alberta Utilities Commission about Council’s intent to sign the contract and have AUC advertise the intention to sign the franchise agreement.
Coalition signs storm
management contract
A Cooperative Storm Management Initiative of the Regional Collaboration Program was agreed to by Town Council. The County of Rockyview is submitting an application for a grant and the Town will be partners and abide by the terms of the grant process.
“Previously Council had proposed we continue our participation in a cooperative storm water management initiative and part of that is a partner’s application for the Regional Colaboration Grant,” said Jesse Parker, Town
The grant is for $250,000 and will be used for a regional storm water program. Sub-system drainage goes into Eagle Lake and Serviceberry Creek, utilizing in part the WID drainage ditches and their equipment and crews for some of the work. Partners include WID, City of Calgary, Chestermere, Rocky View County, Strathmore and Wheatland County. It is anticpated to save millions of dollars and be more effective than having each partner establish their own program.
Municipal reserve kept
Council agreed that the strip of land along Centre Street, between Kinsman park and the Ranchwood modular home park will be kept as Municipal Reserve and set July 3 as the date for a Public Hearing on the matter.