Regular Council Meeting Highlights: December 12, 2011

Council and Legislative

Citizen Inquiry

Council received as information a presentation from concerned residents regarding the closure of Anna Maria’s Coffee Bar in the Lacombe Memorial Centre.

They expressed disappointment that the City will cease to operate the facility on December 23, 2011, and questioned the need for municipal facilities to be operated on a for-profit basis.

Financial Services

2012 Financial Plan and Budget

Council passed a resolution to approve as presented the City of Lacombe’s 2012 operating budget, with total revenues of $25,504,688 and total expenses of $25,478,107

Also approved by Council as presented was the City of Lacombe’s 2012 Capital Budget, with total expenditures equaling $25,941,818.

Funding Appropriations

Council endorsed the Lacombe Regional Fire Service 2012 Budget and Business Plan as presented.

Environmental Health Services and Utilities

2012 Water/Waste Water/Solid Waste Rates

Council approved amendments to Bylaw 70.36 and Bylaw 316.8, reflecting the changes in utility rates for water, wastewater and solid waste services. The new rate structure will reflect actual costs and a user pay system.

The impact on typical residential customer (using 20 m3 per month) will be $4.82 per month. This reflects an increase of 4.5% ($111.41 from $106.59). The average commercial utility rate will go up 2.94 per cent. The new rates will come into effect January 1, 2012.

Lacombe Public Library

Library Audit

Council passed a resolution approving the Mary C. Moore Public Library to obtain a Review Engagement Report from an external accounting firm for the 2011 year-end financial reporting, to be completed as part of a three-year cycle.

Lacombe Memorial Centre

LMC Rates

Council approved the recommended changes to the LMC rates as presented by the Recreation Board.

Land Use Planning and Land Development

Heart of Town Area Redevelopment Plan

Council endorsed the Terms of Reference for the City of Lacombe’s Downtown Area Redevelopment Advisory Committee as presented. Council also appointed Mayor Steve Christie and Councillor Reuben Konnik to the Downtown Area Redevelopment Advisory Committee.

Reports

Council and Administrative reports were received as information.

  

*The next scheduled Regular Council Meeting will be on January 9, 2012 at 5 p.m.

*The next scheduled Regular Council Meeting will be on January 23, 2012 at 5 p.m.