Council has given the green light to administration to apply for a provincial grant -- in partnership with the Town of Penhold – that will map out the future planning needs for both communities.
Council has given the green light to administration to apply for a provincial grant -- in partnership with the Town of Penhold – that will map out the future planning needs for both communities.
The application to the Alberta Community Partnership Grant Program proposes to update the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), which would provide guidance on the location of land uses, the character of neighbourhoods and the relation between land use and numerous social, economic, cultural and environmental uses.
Council was told Innisfail's MDP was prepared in the early 1990s. There were minor updates in 1997 and 2007.
The province is creating a regional land use plan for the Red Deer region within the next three years. The provincial project will provide planning guidance to communities in preparing their own strategies for the future, which must be consistent with the regional plan.
Town officials said partnering with Penhold would enable both communities to share research into updating their individual community plans. In its report to council on Nov. 10, administration said it is not the intent to have a single common MDP due to the uniqueness of each community.
During the regular Penhold council meeting on Oct. 27, council passed a directive to participate in the application.
The cost of the project is expected to be about $100,000, with Innisfail having about $55,000 of the final price tag.
The project will work in three stages, the first of which is an examination of each other's MDP, with an eye to creating opportunities for discussion. A second phase will include shared research on key topics with relation to opportunities and local growth and land use patterns. The final component will conclude with the MDP and reflect the choices made by each municipality and options that fit the needs of both communities.
The project is expected to take place through 2015 and 2016.
Fire department receives more funds
Town council has approved an extra $41,200 for the fire department.
During town council's regular meeting on Nov. 10 the additional money was approved from the 2014 Operating Contingency for equipment repairs and member honorariums.
Council was told the department's rescue truck required urgent repairs, including to its sub-frame, a damaged floor and rear wheel well compartment. The total cost put forward was $22,700.
A report to council also stated a purchase of $3,500 for new equipment, which will be installed by a town mechanic, was also required.
Administration told council they were seeking an additional $15,000 for fire department member honorariums.
Helen Dietz, the town's chief administrative officer, said there was an increased call volume for ambulance assists in 2014.
New sound system for library
The Innisfail Library/Learning Centre is getting a "long overdue" sound system.
During town council's regular Nov. 10 meeting, administration said improvements to acoustics have been ongoing since the centre opened in 2011.
In a report to council, administration said two contractors have recently conducted testing at the facility and provided quotes for a new sound system. Council was told administration selected Inland AV as providing the best quote, which came in at $8,914.93.
The report stated that due to the wall of windows in the facility the new sound system will be strategically placed so that the sound is directed to provide a more even sound level throughout the room. This system will include two wireless lapel microphones, a portable microphone, five speakers, woofer and amplifier. All controls will be in a locked box that can be controlled and managed by staff, said the report.
"This is long overdue," said Coun. Mark Kemball. "I have been working with sound systems over the years and this is money that will be well spent."
The administration report noted the sound improvement will enable the town to increase its usage at the centre and continue to market for seminars, guest speakers and conferences.
Heather Whymark, director of corporate services, said with council's approval on Nov. 10 she will order the new sound system immediately.
