AB Economic Fundamentals 2008-08

[joeiannuzzi]

Tower Road set for major upgrade with soil-cement and chip option

Tackling the problem of chronic flooding on 57 Street (Tower Road), Town of Stettler council has found a solution for at least the next few years.

At is regular meeting July 22, town council approved a recommendation by staff for the County of Stettler to soil-cement and chip seal about 400 meters of Tower Road in 2009 for a cost of $49,750.

Councillors Redford Peoples, Al Campbell and Dave Garbutt were the lone councilors to decide the issue since other council members declared a conflict.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/26099759.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Buffalo Lake users express their wish to protect water and land

Preserving the water and area of Buffalo Lake are top priorities for about 100 people who attended two planning workshops July 19 to review and update the Buffalo Lake Inter-Municipal Development Plan.

"One of the key issues that emerged from both sessions was public access to the lake including beach access, trail development, boat launching and moorage facilities," said Councillor Art Lamoureux of the Summer Village of White Sands, who serves on the steering committee with other representatives from the Summer Village of Rochon Sands, the County of Stettler and the counties of Lacombe and Camrose.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/26099714.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

New storage building for Town of Stettler

Two new storage buildings will soon be constructed for the Town of Stettler Parks and Leisure Services.

At its regular meeting July 22, town council awarded a tender for a salt sand storage tent to UFA Stettler with a quote of $64,687 plus taxes, the lowest of four bids received, and within the budget of $73,000.

Leisure services director Lee Penner and operational services director John Keith recommended that the balance of the funds be allocated to buy concrete blocks for the perimeter of the tent to retain the sand.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/26098929.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Stettler subdivision creates two lots for single-family dwelling

Subdivision of a lot for a single-family dwelling in the Town of Stettler has been approved.

At its regular meeting July 22, town council approved a recommendation from administration for a subdivision on 6102-50A Avenue to create two residential lots to accommodate an infill single-family dwelling.

Project applicant Merle Layden of Echo Ridge Homes proposes to construct the home with access from 48 Street and the lane between 47 Street and 48 Street.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/26098899.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Town to borrow $2.7 M for water plant project

For upgrading the water treatment plant, the Town of Stettler will borrow over $2.7 million.

At its regular meeting July 22, town council approved bylaw 1970-08 to borrow up to $2,711,250 to upgrade the treatment plant budgeted at $22,500,000.

"Given that the expanded scope of the project has increased since the previous borrowing bylaw was adopted in May 2006, that bylaw is no longer valid and we need a new bylaw," said Rob Stoutenberg, town manager.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/26098749.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Town of Stettler offers cash rebates for low-flush toilet purchases

Financial rebates for buying new low-flush toilets for Town of Stettler homeowners will soon be offered to help reduce water consumption under a program called Slow the Flow.

At its regular meeting July 22, town council approved a recommendation from administration to establish guidelines for incentives to replace old-style high-volume toilets with low-flush toilets.

Under the plan, the town would grant a rebate of $50 for a six-litre toilet and $100 for a three/six-litre dual-flush replacement toilet.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/26097884.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Building and energy-saving program planned for Stettler

Promoting energy-efficient buildings, the Town of Stettler could soon have a program to encourage the construction of so-called "green" buildings with financial incentives and rebates.

At its regular meeting July 22, town council approved a staff recommendation to host an open house for local contractors, realtors and citizens to respond to a proposed policy, and to discuss how many builders would enroll in the program, which incentive options would be the most successful and how they feel the Stettler market would support this program under the national Built Green Program.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/26097484.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

PBHS gets over $11M for school modernization

Picture Butte High School will be receiving $11.3 million in provincial funding for modernization and new construction, giving Palliser Regional Schools the green light to move forward with a more detailed plan for the project.
The PBHS modernization is part of a $190 million provincial initiative announced last August that will be funding 26 major school modernization projects across Alberta in keeping with the 20-Year Strategic Capital Plan, a plan that will help guide decisions about new infrastructure projects throughout the province in the future. Modernizing Picture Butte School is a wise investment in our students and the school community," said Little Bow MLA Barry McFarland. "Creating appropriate learning environments for our students contributes to their success."
While provincial funding has been in the offing since early this year, Palliser Regional Schools was still waiting to hear how much would be allotted for the Picture Butte modernization project before it could progress into more exhaustive preparations.

http://www.sunnysouthnews.com/index.php?op...2&Itemid=60

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Alta. 55+ Games in Airdrie next year

Planning is well underway and organizers have started the official countdown for the Alberta 55+ Games taking place in Airdrie July 23-26 , 2009.
"With our office now open in Cedarwood Station and the hiring of our Administration Manager Annelli Waller, we are raring to go," said one of the games` Chairmen Rob Van Biezen.
With an infrastructure involving hundreds of volunteers on every aspect from food and venues to official ceremonies and sponsorship, the games committee has been active for several months and now the higher profile efforts will start to be noticed in the community.
Chairman Alan Tennant said first priority for friends of the games is sponsorship.

http://www.airdrieecho.com/News/413090.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Second largest development at Sunshine Village underway

After 40 odd years, Sunshine Lodge`s terrace wing is being rebuilt in just four months.

The $6 million project is the second largest single development in the history of Sunshine Village and the first to be this environmentally aware.

The process is well underway and due to be completed mid-December, according to Doug Firby, associate director of communications, media and marketing.

"We have a fairly narrow time frame within which to bring materials up, late October the ski out road will close," said Firby.

Architectural firm Marshall Tittemore, who have done previous work at Sunshine Village and is also working on the Glen Sather house, designed the new building.

http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleD....aspx?e=1134913

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Incentives for conforming

As an incentive to conform to architectural design guidelines, the City of Camrose has increased the construction performance deposit for the Valleyview subdivision from $500 to $2,500.

"The amount of time it is taking our staff to chase them [contractors] down is far exceeding our capabilities," said Brenda Hisey, director of planning and development services.
Such design controls include specific window treatments and gable treatments.

http://www.camrosecanadian.com/News/413068.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Town sends MDP back for legal tweaking

Council has postponed giving the Municipal Development Plan second reading.

Mayor Truper McBride scheduled and then cancelled the special council meeting that was to be held at the Ranche House on July 24 at 7 p.m.

"The MDP is a very important document for the way Cochrane develops into the future," said McBride. "There were enough questions with regard to some specific policy statements that I feel we need a little bit more research."

The Municipal Development Plan is an all-encompassing road map that is meant to guide council, developers, residents in future planning. It deals with the development of future land use, transportation, municipal services and facilities, school reserves, protection of agricultural operations and sour gas facilities.

http://www.cochranetimes.com/News/413031.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Homebuilder tired of trash

A homebuilder working in Cochrane is tired of taking out other people`s trash.

Glen Eagles residents have been unloading their household garbage in construction waste bins that Woodpark Homes has placed outside of homes they are building.

"It`s been the worst area I`ve ever worked in for homeowners` garbage," said Paul McNeil, construction manager for Woodpark Homes.

http://www.cochranetimes.com/News/413036.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Intersection correction

With a confusing merging lane, the junction between Highway 55, 28 and 16th Ave has become a hazard for drivers who are unsure of who has the right of way.
When turning right at the lights, coming onto Highway 28, there is a small but distinct merging lane. Traffic turning left from 16th Ave technically has its own lane so some drivers feel that they can go at the same time as right-turning vehicles.
"What really is supposed to happen is that the drivers turning right have the right of way," says George Kralka, a local driving instructor.
"That doesn`t always happen though which is what leads to accidents."

http://www.coldlakesun.com/News/412777.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Community wary of highrise

Westmount residents are wary about a local developer`s proposal to put a six-storey high rise in their neighbourhood.

Filos Holdings and Development Inc. hopes to build the apartment at 11042 122 St. on a parcel of land it already owns, which currently holds one home and a vacant lot.

Resident Joe Mis says the Westmount community has shown a general reaction of concern towards the proposal. His main issue is transportation, as the apartment would be accessed from an alleyway on 110 Avenue, which he says would require vehicles to either turn off 111 Avenue or go up 123 Street and drive at least a block into the neighbourhood for access.

"(The city) said there was a transportation study and they didn`t see any issues. Well, I hang a left off of 111 (Street) if I`m coming from the east end, and that road has got cars parked on it on both sides all the time," he says. "So I`d be curious as to what criteria they used to assess, to see if the neighbourhood can absorb 20 more cars."

http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/ArticleDis....aspx?e=1136749

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Expansion work on schedule

Southgate Centre is one year away from showing off its $108-million facelift.

On Aug. 5, 2009, the mall will officially open a new retail and parking component attached to the existing building.

"We are on schedule," says Paul Fairbridge, Southgate`s general manager.

"It`s really taking shape."

Facing 111 Street and 51 Avenue, the three-level structure is now completely in place, says Fairbridge.

Workers are putting the final touches on the second and third floors, parking levels measuring 155,000 and 80,000 square feet, respectively.

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and sprinklers are being installed as work continues in the 155,000 square-foot ground floor, retail space that will boost Southgate`s total store and restaurant count from about 125 to around 170, Fairbridge says.

http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/ArticleDis....aspx?e=1136739

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Mayor aims to curb tax hike

Mayor Stephen Mandel is pitching a tax plan he says is more realistic than the four-per-cent yearly hike city officials are proposing for neighbourhood renewal.

Mandel says inflation combined with yearly four-per-cent increase could push tax hikes into the double digits.

His plan includes three one-per-cent tax hikes over four or five years – each dedicated to the top three priorities in council`s capital agenda: LRT, neighbourhood renewal and recreation centres.

"It`s a different way to fund the growth of the city, rather than raising taxes by 10 to 12 per cent a year," Mandel says.

The tax hike for neighbourhoods would be used to finance debt for reconstruction. The LRT and recreation centre hikes would add one per cent to the tax levy each year for five years – also supporting debt.

http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/ArticleDis....aspx?e=1136724

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Annexation going forward?

The process of annexing land near the Dunvegan Inn will proceed to the next step after the councils of the town and MD of Fairview met Thursday and apparently reached some sort of deal.
"The simple comment is they (MD council) said they won`t protest it, and won`t stand in the way," said Fairview CAO Dale Harrison. "We now have to follow through on the process."
The next step is to contact adjacent landholders and hold a public meeting to answer questions. If there is no opposition, the town will seek approval from the Municipal Government Board, which could take up to eight months. If there is opposition from the public, a mediator will be called in to settle the disagreement.
"It`s still a drawn out process as far as the province is concerned," said Harrison.

http://www.fairviewpost.com/News/412965.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Committee looks to expand medical clinic

A recommendation from the Fairview Medical Clinic operating committee to expand the clinic was brought to Fairview town council for a resolution Tuesday, after several meetings in the last two weeks that sometimes saw all the players involved around the table and sometimes not.
While still very preliminary and dependent on grant money, the resolution stipulated there would be no new municipal funds required for the expansion; the operations of the clinic be the responsibility of the Fairview Health Complex; and a new system of reporting and accountability be established to ensure some control of the clinic remains with the four municipalities – Fairview, MD of Fairview, Hines Creek and Clear Hills County.

http://www.fairviewpost.com/News/412963.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Suncor, Fort McKay launch new partnership

Suncor Energy and Fort McKay First Nation have come together to create a business incubator to promote economic development and entrepreneurship in the Aboriginal community.
Planning a fall start-up, the incubator is being designed to support entrepreneurial activities and nurture start-up and early-stage businesses by helping them manage and plan for long-term success. The incubator will provide small business guidance in the areas of marketing, human resources and finance. Businesses will also have access to office services such as phone, fax and computers during their start-up, for a 24- to 36-month period.

http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/Local%20News/413309.html