Irricana council unanimously agreed to a contract with Ardco Construction on May 19 to renovate a building to house the town's library. Ardco Construction, who presented a bid of $76,147.
Irricana council unanimously agreed to a contract with Ardco Construction on May 19 to renovate a building to house the town's library.
Ardco Construction, who presented a bid of $76,147.14 plus GST to Irricana's Chief Administrative Officer Robert Jorgenson, will now handle renovation of the Gladys Taylor Building to serve as the new permanent home for the Irricana and District Municipal Library.
“I've heard good things about Ardco,” said Councillor Kim Schmaltz. “They're local, I think that's a big plus.”
According to Jorgensen, Ardco met all the requirements necessary for the refurbishing of the Gladys Taylor Building, and presented the most budget-friendly tender to council.
Of the five tenders presented to council, Ardco was the lowest, followed by four tenders that ranged from $92,999 to $350,500.
Councillor Laura Thiessen had concerns about the varying tender quotes.
“Looking at these quotes, there is a big gap,” Thiessen said. “Obviously they're not all quoting the same scope,” she said. “They cannot be that far off.”
Jorgensen assured council Ardco Construction's tender met all of the requirements necessary for the project, including demolition, plumbing, new concrete, framing, a vestibule, insulation, painting, drywall and electrical among other things.
According to Jorgensen, a contract was signed on May 20 and renovations will begin on May 25.
Gladys Taylor was the longtime publisher and owner of the Irricana Five Village Weekly, the precursor to the Rocky View Weekly.
During its meeting on May 19, it was brought to council's attention that as of February AQUA 7 had raised its water rates by six cents per cubic metre (m3).
By a 4-1 vote, with Councillor Thiessen opposed, Council decided Irricana's water rates would be raised by 12.36 cents per m3 in order to cover the Town's cost.
“Either (community members) get it on their water bill, or they get it on their tax bill,” Thiessen said. “They're paying for it anyway.”
According to Jorgensen, by charging $2.90 instead of $2.96 the Town should be charging due to the rate raise in October 2014, the Town of Irricana has undercharged a total of $1,486.63, or $12.41 per household.
The vote gives council the opportunity to prepare an amendment to the current water rate bylaw. Irricana's new water rate will go up from $2.90 to $3.0236 per m3. Council is expected to vote on the bylaw amendment during its June 1 meeting.
Council also approved a motion to have Dillon Consulting create a concept plan for land purchased by the Town in the southeast quadrant of the community, along with all the green space within Town limits.
The plan will not exceed $31,000. The motion was carried by a 4-1 vote, with Councillor Lora Peterson opposed.
