By a 4-1 vote, council approved the re-grading of a lane and installing a concrete swale to allow drainage to flow from an alley to Third Street.
The project will cost $23,345 and will be funded through the Town’s 2011 operating budget.
“These residents have been waiting a long time,” said Councillor Frank Dusome. “I’m more of the opinion let’s get this done and dealt with.”
Councillor Larry Martin agreed and said council needs to just “get it done” and move on. Four options for the project ranged from $16,000 to the accepted bid of $23,345 from BSEI Municipal Consulting Engineers.
However, due to the time frame, BSEI indicated it may be too late to begin work on the project this year.
Approximately 40 metres of lane will be re-graded and will be lowered at several spots. A five-metre square paved area has been suggested in order to reduce potential erosion and maintain a positive grade.
The slope for the proposed drainage will be 0.65 per cent.
Council directed that the project be completed as soon as possible.
Councillors agreed to attend the upcoming AUMA conference at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Sept. 28-30.
The three-day event features numerous workshops, networking events and PC leadership candidates will also be present.
The total cost will be $11,613 for the mayor and council’s time to attend for three days. It’s currently unknown if all councillors will attend the pre-session events. The acting CAO Alvin Melton will also attend the event.
A planning meeting for the 2012 budget will take place Oct. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The session is said to include the development of a long-range financial plan. Council has yet to approve its 2011 capital budget. See related story on page 15.
Council directed administration to identify the Booth Crescent alley stormwater project as a priority for consideration in its 2012 budget.
A letter sent to council by Christine Wood and Jamie Brown on July 31 alerted the Town of the issues surrounding the lane between McCulloch Crescent and Booth Crescent.
Residents have brought up many concerns including potholes, which the Town remedied by pouring cement and gravel over. The lane became higher than some garages and water and ice was cracking floors and causing adjacent land to heave.
“Those of us who have to live with the disgusting state of the land have endured it long enough,” the letter stated. “We are hoping that council will take up our case, and get us a lane that doesn’t put our vehicles at risk, and be one we can walk down without having to skirt rocks, potholes, and standing water.”
Melton will be attending the Leadership at the Apex Program, Dec. 5-7 at The Banff Centre.
Participants will create a local government checklist, develop organizational strategies and leadership profiles to share within their organization and other local government leaders.
The next meeting of Irricana council will be held Sept. 6 at the Irricana Centennial Centre. The public is welcome.
