The Town of Sundre Economic Development Committee has put forward a proposal that would see the committee pay organizers grants of up to $1,000 to bring events to town.
During last week's governance committee meeting, committee members made a presentation to councillors about the proposed Sundre Economic Development Initiative Fund.
The committee would like to introduce the EDIF to help create more successful events in the Sundre community, and to support existing annual events, council heard.
“Through this grant program, the Economic Development Committee will award community groups or organizations providing an event or activity with funds if the event will encourage positive economic activity in the town,” committee member Monica St. Dennis told council.
“The committee will accept and review applications, awarding grant funding to those events that the committee feels will bring visitors that will utilize the town's accommodations, facilities, restaurants and businesses.”
The committee is requesting $10,000 to pilot the program, with the proposal being that each successful applicant would receive up to $1,000.
“The Economic Development Committee suspects that by having this funding available for organizations and community groups, council will see fewer direct requests for funding.”
The plan is modelled on a similar initiative in Wainwright, Alta., council heard.
“The economic development officer in that town indicated that this has been a very successful and well-received program in their community that has helped bring in creative new events for both residents and visitors,” she said.
Coun. Chris Vardas told the delegation that he thinks the plan is a good one.
Mayor Annette Clews said the matter will be considered during upcoming budget deliberations.
Council allocates community grants
Councillors are scheduled to vote on a motion this week allocating community recreation and culture grant applications totalling $20,829 to five community groups.
During last week's governance committee meeting, councillors passed a motion to recommend to the Dec. 5 council meeting that council approve the recreation and culture funding as follows: the total funding will be divided equally among the five qualifying organizations.
Under the motion the Sundre and District Historical Society, the Sundre and District Allied Arts Society, the Sundre West Country Senior Centre, the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association, and the Sundre Curling Club would each receive $4,165.80.
Council urged to be sustainable
With photo town council - sustainable Sundre
Two members of the Sustainable Sundre Committee, Anton Walker and Pam Vust, appeared before town council to urge councillors to do what they can to make Sundre sustainable over the long term.
The committee spearheaded the writing of the Sustainable Sundre plan, which was adopted by council in 2009.
The committee would like council to make use of the plan during its future planning and policy-making decisions.
Walker told councillors there are several current Sundre success stories when it comes to sustainability, including the farmers' market, the River Valley School garden project, the new low-flow toilet program, and the new Sundre water treatment plant.
Saying that sustainability is not only about recycling, but also about quality of life, Walker cited a number of Sundre groups and organizations that are contributing to Sundre's success, including art groups, the skatepark project, the AquaPlex, school, volunteers, Peak Theatre, health facilities, senior facilities, community choir, book clubs, minor hockey, minor soccer, yoga, tai chi, library, Greenwood Neighbourhood Place, dance groups and entrepreneurs.
The committee is calling on council to “lead by example and include sustainability in decision making,” he said.
Making sure the municipality is run in a sustainable way will help attract new businesses and families, he said.
The town's municipal sustainability plan sets out priorities and strategies in areas such as water use, recreation and leisure, energy, arts and culture, health, transportation, communication, housing, education and economic development.
“The plan will serve as the master document to guide and inspire all other community plans such as economic development and municipal development as well as town operating practices and capital and infrastructure expenditures,” the plan reads.
The plan calls for council to work with various community organizations, such as the chamber of commerce, the agricultural society, and Greenwood Neighbourhood Place on sustainability initiatives.
Resident calls for council to consider debt
Sundre resident and former RCMP detachment commander Bill McGhie has met with council to discuss what he says is a real need for councillors to consider the town's debt in future budget deliberations.
During last week's governance meeting, McGhie said council needs to keep on top of the debt and make debt repayment a priority.
“I'm interested in the debt now and what impact it will have on the future of the town,” he said. “What is the plan to service the debt? What is the cost? How will it affect taxes in the future?”
In response to McGhie's questions, acting CAO Wanda Watson-Neufeld said Sundre's current debt is $5,126,000, with total debt servicing cost of $561,000 this year. The town's current debt limit is $9.2 million.
Mayor Clews said 100 per cent of Sundre's current debt is for infrastructure projects such as the new water treatment plant and east side water pipeline project.
McGhie said council needs to do more to reduce the current resident
Residential taxes currently account for 81 per cent of the town's revenue stream, compared with 13 per cent from commercial/industrial taxes, he said.
“How do we take the burden off the residents?” he said. “I think there needs to be an open discussion about this.”
Mayor Clews responded, “Council is very much aware of the impact of taxes on residents” and is considering that during current budget deliberations.
McGhie called the town's recent adoption of a new strategic plan – which is a non-binding guiding document setting out council plans – a good move.
“I give council credit for building it,” he said. “It's a bold move to put that in writing.”
Council will be examining ways to measure the future success of the strategic plan, said Mayor Clews, adding that council encourages resident input into its planning and policies.
“We are open to having public input,” she said.
