New rental rates for bus
Rental rates for the Innisfail Community Bus are going up. Council approved an amendment to the community bus policy during council May 28 that deals with the per-kilometre charge to town and county groups as well as a few housekeeping items.
“The biggest change is the rate per kilometre,” explained Darryl Joyce, director of corporate and protective services, to council. The rates for the last three years have been $1.65 for town and county groups and $1.85 per km for non-town and -county groups. The operational services committee and the Innisfail legion discussed a $.15 increase to both rates which Joyce said “is still more economical than the private sector.”
New rates will take effect Sept. 1, 2012.
Weed control agreement approved
Council agreed to extend a weed control contract with Red Deer County for three more years.
The deal, started in 2010, provides the towns with a county weed inspector once a week between May 15 and August 31 each year.
Originally an open-ended agreement, the county has now requested Innisfail sign on for a three-year term with increased rates budgeted for each year.
The fee for the 2012 season is $7,500, going up to $8,000 in 2013 and topping out at $8,500 for 2014.
Admin explained even with the increase it's still more economical to hire county staff than hiring their own.
Warning track planned for diamond
Council agreed to partner with the junior and senior minor ball teams to install a warning track at diamond no. 1 for the upcoming Western Canada Baseball Association's Junior AA Western Championships to be held in town this August.
“It would be a lovely thing for the diamonds to have, but not required,” said Shelley Gagnon, director of community services to council. The warning track is a safety feature which warns fielders trying to catch that they're about to run out of room.
The Indians and the Merchants, the junior and senior teams, have approached local businesses and requested donated materials and equipment for the construction of the track. The teams are willing to provide the manpower and labour.
“This is a great opportunity to solicit support from the community,” said Gagnon of the upcoming championship.
The group asked the town to pay for any outstanding material they're unable to get up to a maximum of $8,500.
“Personally I can't imagine we haven't installed a warning track before now,” said Mayor Jim Romane, in favour of the track. “There is a purpose for it — the safety factor,” he said. “I think this is an ideal time to showcase the town and the facility. They've (the Merchants and Indians) have got a lot of support from the town. I think they'll get some good support.”
