A marketing plan to boost the sale of lots in the new residential subdivisions of Hazelwood Estates and Napoleon Meadows has been green-lighted by town council.
The lot prices in both subdivisions will be the same this year as in 2015.
A report to council at its regular Jan. 25 meeting stated the town acquired 51 Hazelwood lots in 2010. As of Jan. 19 of this year, 46 have been sold.
In a report to council at its regular meeting on Jan. 25, it stated the remaining five Hazelwood lots are all for single detached dwellings.
In the 42-lot Napoleon Meadows subdivision, which was created in 2014, 11 have been sold – leaving 19 still for sale and 12 reserved for future release. The report to council said all are intended for single detached dwellings.
Council was reminded that a $10,000 marketing budget was included in the 2016 budget. An administration report stated the town wanted to use the funds for subdivision signage, brochures and information packets, and advertising through the Town Voice in the Innisfail Province, the town's website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.
The town also wants to promote the availability of the lots on the electronic billboard along the QEII Highway, at the annual Innisfail Chamber of Commerce Trade Show, in various publications and magazines and at the town's farmers market booth.
Administration is also planning incentives for the purchase of lots, including offering a $5,000 discount for a Hazelwood property purchased before May 1, and final payment extension of up to six months for lots purchased prior to June 15 of this year.
New video surveillance policy passed
Town council has approved a video surveillance policy for Innisfail.
The policy, the first ever for the community, was presented to town council at its Jan. 25 regular meeting.
In a report to council, Craig Teal, the town's director of planning and operational services, said the policy was created to ensure consistent use of video surveillance that complies with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Teal's report noted video surveillance is currently in place at several town properties as a way to promote a safe environment for residents and staff, as well as to protect town property.
The four-page policy document sets out guidelines for public notification of video surveillance systems, location criteria, operation of video surveillance systems, use of recorded images and town staff responsibilities.
