Page 17 - April 20 2020
P. 17
Includes process colour pages 1,4,5,7,10,11,14,15,18,20,21,24
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 6 MONDAY APRIL 6, 2020
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY APRIL 20, 2020 PAGE 17
Town trims capital budget amidst COVID-19 crisis
by Cassie Kushniruk
During Town Council's April 14 Committee
of the Whole meeting, Council was presented
with a revised 2020 capital budget in an effort
to save money amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
Carryover projects from 2019 include, but
are not limited to, the creation of a new snow
dump ($850,000), the creation of a new landfill
cell ($438,494), and Vision Park
well/washroom upgrades ($1,977,295).
Additions to the budget include the
installment of pedestrian lights ($45,000), a
road assessment survey ($115,000), the
creation of a landfill south cell ($150,000), and
the Degas upgrade design ($150,000).
Councillor Troy Sorenson commented, “I
would like the road assessment survey split
over two years. I see the value of it …I'm just
looking for ways to reduce.”
“I am a little worried about our ultimate
reserve levels,” Sorenson added. “I'd like to
see some rules of thumb on where our reserves
end up at a specific time.”
CAO Mike Derricott noted, “It certainly Edson Town Council's April 14 Committee of the Whole meeting was live streamed with Councillors
works that [the road assessment survey] can be Currie and Bevan appearing from remote locations.
broke up over multiple years. We may lose
some efficiency in terms of mobilization, Services Sarah Bittner replied, “Yes, that grant [upgrades]. It's not just for the users of Vision
which may ultimately increase the overall cost, was from the federal gas tax fund, so we're Park, but it's also going to help with our water
so that may be one reason to consider not using the $1.1 million for Vision Park.” capacity on that end of town. We have a huge
doing that.” Wilkinson then asked if the funds from that ball community in our town and that is a very
“In terms of reserves, that's something grant could be used for other projects, to which important facility for our region.”
already on Administration's radar in terms of a CAO Derricott replied, “Absolutely.” “I'm really concerned about the condition of
reserve policy or plan that would give some “I think right now that [Vision Park] isn't our transportation network in town,” Zahara
guidance to that,” Derricott said. being used, I'd much rather see this money added. “With all the rain that we saw last year,
Councillor Gean Chouinard suggested transferred somewhere and used to help people it seems to have really deteriorated, and if
putting the new snow dump and Vision Park out,” Wilkinson said. there was an opportunity to enhance our road
upgrades on hold this year in order to save Councillor Sorenson expressed support for rehabilitation budget this year, I certainly
more money to address COVID-19 financial the Vision Park upgrades and the snow dump would be willing to explore that.”
implications. However, CAO Derricott development. Councillor Jacqui Currie noted, “I am in full
cautioned against this, saying, “From “I would like Council to consider preparing support of the Vision Park upgrades this year. I
conversations with this Council on many the plans, drawings, and quotes for a trail think that we could probably get that project
different levels, snow removal is a service that around Edson,” Sorenson added. “We have done at a lower cost than we would at any
is held as critical to the residents and having a record numbers of people using our trail other time.”
functional snow dump is very important to systems right now. I would like a trail planned Currie added, “I do have concerns about
maintain that level of service. Deferring the down 63rd street, down 22nd avenue to Edson doing another [trail] design. Looking at our
snow dump I think would be problematic, road, and then onto the new Multiplex site and capital budget, over $600,000 this year is just
potentially compromising our snow removal onto Vision Park. I'm not suggesting we do the for designs, not actual work, so I do have
program. actual work, but I'm just saying to have it concerns with three massive design projects
Derricott continued, “In terms of the Vision planned out and ready for grants.” happening, and then adding a fourth one all in
Park project …this is an area where I think we Councillor Krystal Baier commented, “I one year.”
have the best opportunity to do it. I suspect think this is an ideal year to do [the Vision Councillor Trevor Bevan closed saying, “I
we're going to end up with limited to no Park upgrades] with less users in that area.” think our trails are very nice here, but I'm not
activity at Vision Park, so this may be the Baier continued, “I would love to see in favor of spending a lot of money putting in
perfect time for us to go out and accomplish a hundreds of kilometers of trails in town, but I new ones. I believe our roads are our number
project like that.” don't know if this is the year to increase a plan one concern out there right now.”
Councillor Janet Wilkinson asked, “Did we on it.” This item will be brought forward at a future
get the grant for Vision Park?” Mayor Kevin Zahara stated, “I'm in full Council meeting for final discussion and
Acting General Manager of Corporate support of the Vision Park well water approval.
WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!
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Coming Together to Lend a Hand... 6 months payment relief
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FOR PEACE OF MIND
UP TO
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Call us about home delivery and other service options WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!
We’re here. We’re open. We’re ready to lend a hand to our friends and neighbours
WE WORK 780-542-4438
IN THIS COMMUNITY! THE BEST DEALS
WE LIVE ON NEW FORD VEHICLES 1-866-841-3673
IN THIS COMMUNITY! 5214 POWER CENTRE BLVD
WE ARE LOCAL! GUARANTEED! DRAYTON VALLEY, AB WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS! WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 6 MONDAY APRIL 6, 2020
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY APRIL 20, 2020 PAGE 17
Town trims capital budget amidst COVID-19 crisis
by Cassie Kushniruk
During Town Council's April 14 Committee
of the Whole meeting, Council was presented
with a revised 2020 capital budget in an effort
to save money amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
Carryover projects from 2019 include, but
are not limited to, the creation of a new snow
dump ($850,000), the creation of a new landfill
cell ($438,494), and Vision Park
well/washroom upgrades ($1,977,295).
Additions to the budget include the
installment of pedestrian lights ($45,000), a
road assessment survey ($115,000), the
creation of a landfill south cell ($150,000), and
the Degas upgrade design ($150,000).
Councillor Troy Sorenson commented, “I
would like the road assessment survey split
over two years. I see the value of it …I'm just
looking for ways to reduce.”
“I am a little worried about our ultimate
reserve levels,” Sorenson added. “I'd like to
see some rules of thumb on where our reserves
end up at a specific time.”
CAO Mike Derricott noted, “It certainly Edson Town Council's April 14 Committee of the Whole meeting was live streamed with Councillors
works that [the road assessment survey] can be Currie and Bevan appearing from remote locations.
broke up over multiple years. We may lose
some efficiency in terms of mobilization, Services Sarah Bittner replied, “Yes, that grant [upgrades]. It's not just for the users of Vision
which may ultimately increase the overall cost, was from the federal gas tax fund, so we're Park, but it's also going to help with our water
so that may be one reason to consider not using the $1.1 million for Vision Park.” capacity on that end of town. We have a huge
doing that.” Wilkinson then asked if the funds from that ball community in our town and that is a very
“In terms of reserves, that's something grant could be used for other projects, to which important facility for our region.”
already on Administration's radar in terms of a CAO Derricott replied, “Absolutely.” “I'm really concerned about the condition of
reserve policy or plan that would give some “I think right now that [Vision Park] isn't our transportation network in town,” Zahara
guidance to that,” Derricott said. being used, I'd much rather see this money added. “With all the rain that we saw last year,
Councillor Gean Chouinard suggested transferred somewhere and used to help people it seems to have really deteriorated, and if
putting the new snow dump and Vision Park out,” Wilkinson said. there was an opportunity to enhance our road
upgrades on hold this year in order to save Councillor Sorenson expressed support for rehabilitation budget this year, I certainly
more money to address COVID-19 financial the Vision Park upgrades and the snow dump would be willing to explore that.”
implications. However, CAO Derricott development. Councillor Jacqui Currie noted, “I am in full
cautioned against this, saying, “From “I would like Council to consider preparing support of the Vision Park upgrades this year. I
conversations with this Council on many the plans, drawings, and quotes for a trail think that we could probably get that project
different levels, snow removal is a service that around Edson,” Sorenson added. “We have done at a lower cost than we would at any
is held as critical to the residents and having a record numbers of people using our trail other time.”
functional snow dump is very important to systems right now. I would like a trail planned Currie added, “I do have concerns about
maintain that level of service. Deferring the down 63rd street, down 22nd avenue to Edson doing another [trail] design. Looking at our
snow dump I think would be problematic, road, and then onto the new Multiplex site and capital budget, over $600,000 this year is just
potentially compromising our snow removal onto Vision Park. I'm not suggesting we do the for designs, not actual work, so I do have
program. actual work, but I'm just saying to have it concerns with three massive design projects
Derricott continued, “In terms of the Vision planned out and ready for grants.” happening, and then adding a fourth one all in
Park project …this is an area where I think we Councillor Krystal Baier commented, “I one year.”
have the best opportunity to do it. I suspect think this is an ideal year to do [the Vision Councillor Trevor Bevan closed saying, “I
we're going to end up with limited to no Park upgrades] with less users in that area.” think our trails are very nice here, but I'm not
activity at Vision Park, so this may be the Baier continued, “I would love to see in favor of spending a lot of money putting in
perfect time for us to go out and accomplish a hundreds of kilometers of trails in town, but I new ones. I believe our roads are our number
project like that.” don't know if this is the year to increase a plan one concern out there right now.”
Councillor Janet Wilkinson asked, “Did we on it.” This item will be brought forward at a future
get the grant for Vision Park?” Mayor Kevin Zahara stated, “I'm in full Council meeting for final discussion and
Acting General Manager of Corporate support of the Vision Park well water approval.
WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!
WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS! WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!
Coming Together to Lend a Hand... 6 months payment relief
3 MONTHS 3 MONTHS 6 MONTHS
FOR PEACE OF MIND
UP TO
DEFFERED
PAID
Call us about home delivery and other service options WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!
We’re here. We’re open. We’re ready to lend a hand to our friends and neighbours
WE WORK 780-542-4438
IN THIS COMMUNITY! THE BEST DEALS
WE LIVE ON NEW FORD VEHICLES 1-866-841-3673
IN THIS COMMUNITY! 5214 POWER CENTRE BLVD
WE ARE LOCAL! GUARANTEED! DRAYTON VALLEY, AB WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS! WE WANT TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!