Mountain View County councillors have reviewed proposed projects outlined in the 2015 capital budget. The overview came during a budget meeting on Nov. 3 and during the regularly scheduled council meeting on Nov. 5.
“This was a chance to review the projects, but no decisions have been made yet,” said Reeve Bruce Beattie. “It will probably be December when we make decisions on all those projects. The final decision will come when we have a better understanding of the total costs relative to operations and the impact some of these larger capital projects might have on operating.
“We want to make sure that we get passed as part of the budget the projects that have to go to tender so we get them out in good time.”
The capital budget is a projection of expenses and revenues for 2015. None of the projects reviewed have been approved by council motion.
Major road projects proposed for 2015 include the re-chipping program ($2,445,000), regravelling program ($2,700,000), Acme Road land deals ($250,000), Acme Road second lift ($3,025,000), Rge. Rd. 20 overlay ($1,150,000), Rge. Rd 20 resurfacing ($13,400,000), and Eagle Hill community hall paving ($175,000).
The legislative department proposed projects include $111,600 for highway signage in the county.
“Current ‘Welcome to Mountain View County' signage located on primary and secondary highways are not in accordance with the county's brand standards and are designed in a way that they blend into the scenery,” administration said in a note to council.
“The economic development department recommends a two-year plan to upgrade MVC entrance signage along primary and secondary highways, (with) priority for replacement based on traffic volumes.”
Another proposed department project is $26,200 for a review of county-owned properties under 20 acres to determine use and strategic purpose.
“Site visits will be performed on identified sites and consultation with adjacent landowners as required. An assessment of current and best use would be completed and included in a final report along with identified strategic uses of the property.”
Other proposed department projects include $80,000 for a two-year solar power pilot project that would see a 10,000 kWh system installed on the county office, $19,300 to erect secure perimeter fence or replace perimeter fences that are beyond repair on county-owned land, $4,000 on the northern pocket gopher control program, and $25,000 for community groups to help with cemetery upkeep.
Proposed CAO department projects outlined in the proposed budget include the following:
• Access to water through the Mountain View Regional Waste Management Commission funding totalling $1,500,000.
“This project will provide MVC access to water through an urban municipality from the MVRWSC. Water is a strategic long-range resource necessary for the growth of the county,” CAO Tony Martens said in the project sheet presented to council.
“Total cost of the project is approximately $3 million based on the added capacity of the new water line required to provide the county with its allocated supply of water. The $3 million will be paid one half in 2015, the balance in 10 annual installments thereafter.”
• Sundre east side servicing totalling $357,205. That is the amount the county has offered to pay for the municipality's portion of water and wastewater services to the east side of Sundre. The offer has not been accepted by the Town of Sundre.
“The utilities provided were oversized to allow connections to county developments. This project is in keeping with the Memorandum of Agreement that if the county wishes to connect to these services it must pay the cost of the oversizing.”
Another proposed department project includes $10,000 for an animal pandemic mock scenario.
“The county emergency management team is proposing a scenario where an animal disease strikes livestock within the county. The county would hire a consultant and work with agricultural services and Alberta Agriculture to create and work through the scenario.”
Corporate service department proposed projects include spending $5,000 on county maps, $5,000 on GPS unit replacement and $23,000 on copier replacement.
Planning and development department projects include a review of the South McDougal Flats area structure plan at a cost of $10,000.
“A review of this plan is necessary not only for municipal development plan conformity but also to update the policies and address issues around the impact of gravel operations and flood hazards. A steering committee will be established to work with the planning staff on this project. No consultants will be used (and) the budget dollars are for community engagement purposes only.”
Other department proposed projects include $80,000 for work on a new area structure plan for the Wessex growth node, with the money for community engagement expenses and engineering costs, and $6,898 for the new Wessex area structure plan work.
Proposed non-road projects for the operational services department include $100,000 to expand the existing asphalt pad at the Luft pit. “The pad is used to mix winter sand and salt supply, as well as mixing/storing asphalt mix. It also will minimize stockpile contamination.”
The 2015 capital budget, including the projects outlined above, has not yet been approved by council.
