Utility rates to increase by 10 per cent
Council passed all three readings of the Utility Rate Bylaw, which incorporates the 10 per cent increase in rates that was approved in the 2011 Municipal Operating Budget.
The increase will mean an increase of $2.30 for water rates and $1.61 for sewer rates per month for each household in the Crowsnest Pass.
Administration made this recommendation to Council, in order to better compare with utility rate fees in similar municipalities.
Notification will be sent out to the public with bimonthly municipal invoicing during the first week of March.
Community Trails funding agreement adjustment
Council received a request from Director of Community Services Cam Mertz to amend the current funding agreement for the Crowsnest Community Trails program, and to extend the deadline for existing work to October 31st.
“This would allow flexibility to finish existing work,” said Mertz. “Refusal would force us to not put in the Gold Creek Bridge, juggle funds, and prioritize existing work.”
The original project deadline was scheduled for March 31st, but the majority of installation and work cannot be performed until this spring and summer.
The extended timeline will allow for the start of trail construction to be commence in April, installation of signage to commence in May, finalization of the Maintenance and Future Steps document in June, the installation of the Gold Creek Bridge near Frank Slide Interpretive Centre in June, grand opening celebrations in August, completion of trail paving and installation of CPR crossing signs in September, and a final report to be provided in October.
“If these additional projects don’t get done, they will have to become part of the future plan,” said Mertz.
Mertz also requested that Council endorse an application to the Federal Recreation Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program for additional funds to complete the project.
Currently, the program receives a total of $629,000 in funding, $184,000 of which comes from RInC, $144,000 from donations, $18,000 from grants, and $2,000 from the municipality.
