Two sessions were held this month to plan for future Town of Sundre capital project budget deliberations.
During both sessions, administration officials proposed a number of capital projects to council and councillors were asked to provide direction for each project.
Council voted to include or not to include each project presented in the upcoming budget deliberations for 2015 and beyond.
During the meeting on Oct. 20, council voted to include spending $35,000 to replace a 2000 three-quarter-ton Chevrolet vehicle that is used by the gas department.
Town staff already has $25,000 in gas reserves, and is planning on spending the remaining $10,000 from roads unnamed reserves.
Council also voted to include spending $7,000 to purchase 27 green rollout carts and 54 black rollout carts for solid waste to replace old ones.
By the end of 2014, there will be $5,000 in reserves for this project, so only $2,000 will be spent in 2015. Town staff purchased rollout carts in 2007 and replaced half of them in 2012.
“Many of the carts are beginning to deteriorate with lids that do not close, wheels that are falling off or gashes in the side,” town staff reported to council.
As well, council voted to include in the deliberations spending $20,000 to replace the hardwired connection between the Water Treatment Plant and two water wells with wireless technology. The two water wells produce the town's potable water.
“This cabling system is now degraded and in need of replacement. The proposed replacement is a directional wireless system that conveys the signal from the treatment plant pump to the wellheads via wireless data telemetry,” town staff reported to council.
Council also voted to include spending $50,000 on replacing a Kubota F3060 Mount Mower and attachments. The unit is used to cut grass and clean sidewalks.
Officials say by the end of 2014, there will be $34,500 reserved for the replacement, and plan to reserve $7,750 in 2015 and 2016.
Council will also consider spending $225,000 from MSI Capital in 2016 to install a four-inch polyethylene gas pipeline main and replace the existing steel piping system reconnecting people on the north side of Highway 27 on the east side of town.
According to town staff, the steel piping is primarily made up of pre-1978 black steel pipe, which was not coated to today's standard.
As well, council will consider spending $17,000 on a meter data collector. According to officials, it is a vehicle-installed device that collects gas and water readings.
“The meter reader will utilize this unit for the month-end readings. The current handheld meter will be used by gas and water technicians for day-to-day meter testing and confirmations,” staff reported to council.
Council also voted to include spending $75,000 to install drainage swale one meter deep sloped southward to the 3rd Avenue SE crossing of Bergen Road.
As well, council will consider spending $150,000 to replace a 1999 Case 580 SL Rubber Tire Extendahoe. It is mostly used for installing new gas services in town.
After budget deliberations occur, town officials are planning to present the capital budget to council for approval in December.
