On Jan. 26, council heard first reading of Bylaw 948 2016, a borrowing bylaw to pay for operational spending until the municipality collects taxes in June.

Finance officer Kelly Tuttle said it would be a short-term loan of $2 million.

Council shows support for Wintervention

Council is supporting Wintervention 2016 with a $500 donation. Council slashed its budget for supporting non-profit groups in 2016 from $20,000 to $15,000.

Cos Hotel a municipal historic resource

Council passed second and third reading of Bylaw 945 2016 to designate the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Blairmore a municipal historic resource.

The brick Cosmopolitan Hotel is one of the most imposing buildings in downtown Blairmore. The “Cos,” as it is known locally, is the tallest and largest building on main street.

It was built in 1904 during Blairmore’s boom period. Though destroyed in a 1912 fire, it was immediately rebuilt out of brick.

Municipal historic resource designation would allow the property owners to apply for grant funding from Alberta Culture to assist in the restoration of the property. Its roof shingles and exterior masonry were recently damaged by winds.