Mayor Annette Clews has asked council to examine the municipality's roles and obligations as part of an information gathering effort by the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) mayors' caucus.
Questions Clews would like to see examined before 2013 budget deliberations get underway include the following:
• Where are your roles unclear and/or where do you lack authority to meet obligations?
• What additional power do municipalities need (in order to be) an effective order of government?
• Do you agree that municipalities face considerable challenges because they lack appropriate authority to raise revenue to meet core needs?
Councillors approve new information technology contract
In other council news, councillors have OK'd a new contract with Calgary-based OSI Office Solutions to provide information technology to the town for the next year.
The new contract will see the town pay a maximum of $41,000 for the upkeep and maintenance of its various municipal computer and technology systems.
OSI also provides information technology support to the Chinook's Edge School Division, council heard.
Town census discussion expected this week
Councillors and administration are expected to discuss plans for a proposed town-wide census.
Councillors made a motion last month calling for a census to be conducted after 2011 Statistics Canada figures released this spring showed the town's growth percentage far below that of other area municipalities.
Council has allocated $10,000 for the new census.
Statistics Canada says Sundre population increased by 3.4 per cent between 2006 and 2011, rising from 2,523 in 2006 to 2,610 in 2011.
By way of comparison, other towns in Mountain View had far higher rates of population growth – for example, Olds' population increased by 13.5 per cent
With many provincial and federal grant-funding programs based on population, an incorrectly low Sundre figure could cost the municipality a great deal, said Sundre Mayor Annette Clews.
“To only increase less than 100 in five years, I think the (Sundre) numbers are off and it's a concern,” said Clews.
Town CAO Verne Baldy said discussions of possible timelines for the census will be discussed this week.
Council supports Miss Universe Canada contestant
Councillors have authorized administration to send a letter of support to former Sundre resident Vaughn Marr, a contestant in the Miss Universe Canada 2012 competition.
In a letter received by council, competition organizers said a letter of support will acknowledge the benefits of competing in the contest.
“This whole experience (the competition) is an excellent opportunity for young ladies to build on their social and interacting skills, with many opportunities for public speaking and career development,” said national director Denis Davila.
Council approves lease of grader
Councillors passed a motion approving the lease of a 2009 grader to replace the existing town grader for snow removal and blading.
The 2009 Volvo G930 grader will be leased for $3,781 a month, with a buyout of $102,928 at the end of the 36-month lease.
The town's current 1990 Champion 710 has recently experienced trouble with the main hydraulic pump, which has been rebuilt twice, council heard.
The grader was due to be replaced in two years so it did not seem prudent to proceed with repairs, estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000, Director of Operations Ron Baker told council.
The 2009 Volvo grader has 300 hours operating time and comes with a full five-year warranty.
Day of Mourning motion OK'd
Councillors have passed a motion in recognition of the National Day of Mourning.
Held on April 28, 2012, the event recognizes workers killed on the job over the past 12 months. The council proclamation will include a notice in the town's weekly newspaper advertisement.
In 2011, 123 Alberta workers died from workplace injury or disease, council heard.
Councillors also OK'd a proclamation in recognition of 2012 Seniors' Week, which runs June 4 - 12.
