Regular Council Meeting Highlights: November 28, 2011

The City of Lacombe is now posting the highlights of Regular Council and Committee Meetings to our social media channels, in keeping with our mandate to serving the community with open communication and with accountability in mind.

Land Use Planning and Land Development

Land Use Bylaw Amendment 300.62

A public hearing was held for Bylaw Amendment 300.62 at City Hall at 6:30 p.m..

As well, Council gave Bylaw 300.62 – a bylaw of the City of Lacombe to amend the Land

Use Bylaw No. 300 to accommodate ‘Office’ as a discretionary use in the Light Industrial (I1) District – second and third reading as presented.

Environmental Health Services and Utilities

Water / Wastewater

Council approved a cost-share scenario between the City and affected residents to address sewer service lines in conjunction with Capital Underground Projects.

Lacombe Memorial Centre

LMC Rates

Council directed the Recreation Board to revisit the proposed rental rates for the Community Use Rooms and report back to Council with a revised fee proposal.

Culture Facilities & Parkland Place

Performing Arts Centre

Council agreed to partner with and provide funding for up to $10,000 for Phase 1 of the feasibility study for the Performing Arts Centre.

Community and Economic Development

EcoVision - Ecole Lacombe Composite High School

Council received a presentation regarding a Greenhouse project at the Ecole Lacombe Composite High School as information.

Identify Lacombe

Council directed Administration to make further revisions to the corporate business card design.

Engineering Services

Back Flow Prevention

Council has deferred the introduction of a municipal program to provide subsidies to assist individual homeowners with the cost of installing backflow prevention valves in the sanitary sewer service lines until it has received a full report on remedial recommendations to address flooding issues in the community.

Streets and Roads

Highway 2A

Council received as information an update from Administration regarding the Highway 2A project. There is a projected increase of 4.5% over the originally anticipated expenditures on the entire project. The majority of this increase reflects the costs for CP Rail Crossings.

Financial Services

2012 Financial Plan and Budget

Council received the following reports as information:

·         2012 Capital Budget – Reports

·         Staffing Report – Position Requests

·         Grant Report

·         Reserve Report

·         Debenture Report

·         Assessment and Taxation Report

·         2012 Budget Summary Report

Council directed the Administration not to exceed a three per cent increase in taxes.

The 2012 budget included a 2.5% tax rate increase. Council requested Administration report on the revenue impact of various tax increases and the impact on properties in Lacombe. For comparison, Administration has prepared an analysis using the following tax rate increases: 1%, 2%, 2.5% and 3%. These tax rate increases would have the following impact on an average residential home and commercial property as follows:

Budget presentations will continue until December 12, 2011, at which time Council will consider the adoption of the budget as a whole.

Common Services

Fleet Services - Equipment Purchases

As per the 2011 Budget, Council authorized the purchase of  three (3) pickup trucks from Weidner Motors and one (1) truck chassis from Lacombe Ford for the price of:

·         Weidner Motors $77,099.63 plus G.S.T. (5%)

·        Lacombe Ford $25,775.36 plus G.S.T. (5%)

Reports

Council and Administrative reports were received as information.

Council moved in-camera to discuss a land matter.

Council moved back into open meeting.

In Camera

Council approved a land credit for $7,500 towards the purchase of industrial land within the Wolf Creek Industrial Park.

*The next scheduled Council Committee Meeting will be on December 5, 2011 at 5 p.m.

*The next scheduled Regular Council meeting will be on December 12, 2011 at 5 p.m.

Light Up the Night Winter Festival a Success Story!

Santa Claus joins the parade.

The City of Lacombe parade float.

Plummeting temperatures and the first heavy snowfall of the year could not deter the hardy residents of Lacombe as they took in the first Light up the Night Winter Festival last Thursday.

The holiday kick-off event, which was incorporated the annual Moonlight Madness events and the LMC tree light up, was a great success.

The happy parade participants.

"We were very excited by the turnout and the enthusiasm we saw in the crowds," said Community and Economic Development Manager Guy Lapointe. "The Tim Horton’s Santa Claus Parade was a delight to take part in, and we estimate that a thousand people lined up along the route to see it, despite the cold weather."

Santa (Chief Leslie) hams it up for the camera.

The Canadian University College College (CUC) drumline helped launched the parade at English Estates, and it slowly wound it's way to the LMC. Mayor Steve Chrisite joined City staff and others in handing out candy to parade watches. Chief Gary Leslie donned the big red suit and the white beard to spread joy to all.

The CUC Choir serenades the crowds.

The CUC Choir serenaded the crowds at tree lighting at the LMC with beautiful Christmas carols. Hundreds of people filled Lest We Forget Park, far exceeding previous year’s attendance. Mayor Christie gave a rousing speech to those attending, and everyone joined him in counting down to the moment of the tree light up.

Mayor Christie caroling with the crowds.

Countdown to the LMC tree light-up.

Mayor Christie lights up the night!

The community light-up decorating contest winners were announced – Twice As Nice in the commercial category, with Sims & Associates Insurance as a close runner-up; and Jeff Armishaw on  the residential side, with Brenda Manz taking second place.

The glittering lights, the heavy snowflakes spiraling lazily down to the ground, the sounds of caroling and the laughter of children, and the camaraderie and goodwill among those gathered made for a truly magical community moment.

Children frolicking in the snow.

Meanwhile, the halls in the LMC were packed tight with early Christmas shoppers looking for original and unique gift ideas, and some of the Christmas farmer’s market vendors sold out of their stock before the evening was done.

The Christmas Farmer's Market in the LMC Centennial Hall.

The Christmas Farmer's Market in full swing.

Councillor Bouwsema in a festive mood.

The outdoor Christmas Movie Night brought out some brave souls, who also warmed themselves by checking out the amazing fire performers, and even more Lacombians braved the chilly weather to make crafts at the Michener House Museum. Others warmed themselves by the fiery forge in the Blacksmith Shop Museum as they watched red-hot metal being shaped into interesting things.

Checking out the Christmas baking at the Michener House Museum

Crafty ladies at the Michener House Musem

Checking out the blacksmith demonstration.

Going at it hammer and tongs.

After the event, the City was flooded with compliments from residents who enjoyed the multi-faceted event, with comments ranging from “it was magical” to “it was just plain fun”.

And many people are already looking forward to it next year. So mark your calendars folks, and stay tuned for more information!

For more photos of the winter festival, go to the City of Lacombe's Facebook Page.

Committee Meeting Highlights: November 21, 2011

PLEASE NOTE: Motions are not passed at Committee Meetings. Committee Meetings are opportunities to undertake discussion and encourage conversation on topical issues regarding the City of Lacombe.

Presentations

Parkland Regional Library System

Council received as information a presentation from Parkland Regional Library Services regarding its 2012 achievements and challenges and its 2012 Budget Requests.

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)

Council received as information a presentation from Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) regarding its 2012 achievements and challenges and its 2012 Budget Requests.

Daycare

Council received as information a presentation from the Daycare regarding its 2012 achievements and challenges and its 2012 Budget Requests.

Administrative Services

Council received a presentation from Associated Engineering for general engineering services as information.

Financial Services

2012 Financial Plan and Budget

Council received the 2012 Capital Budget from Administration as information.

The 2012 Financial Plan and Budget as a whole will be presented to Council for adoption in December 2011.

Reports

Council reports were deferred to the November 28^th regular meeting of Council.

*The next scheduled Regular Council meeting will be on November 28, 2011 at 5 p.m.

*The next scheduled Council Committee Meeting will be on December 5, 2011 at 5 p.m.


 NOTE: Go to the agenda for more details on what transpired at the Committee meeting.

A community conversation about fluoride

Red City Council will be on hand at a community café next week to find out how Red Deerians and regional water customers want them to make a decision about fluoride. All water customers from Red Deer, Red Deer County, Lacombe County, Ponoka County, the Town of Blackfalds, the City of Lacombe and the Town of Ponoka are invited to stop by the community café and be part of the conversation.

Date:               Monday, November 21, 2011

Time:              5 to 7 p.m.

Location:        City Hall, 2^nd Floor

                        4914 48 Avenue

“People can come down to City Hall, grab a cup of coffee and chat with City Councillors about how they want Council to make a decision as to whether we continue, stop or change the amount of fluoride in our water,” said Tara Shand, Senior Communications Consultant.

If you cannot attend and still want to give your input, visit www.reddeer.ca to fill out an online survey or contact Tara Shand, Senior Communications Consultant by phone at 403-356-8984.

If you want to attend the community café and cannot use regular transportation, please call the Red Deer Transit Action Bus, which is available for those who require accessible transportation. To arrange for this service, please phone 403-309-8400, no later than noon on the date of the event.

Stay tuned to www.reddeer.ca for information about upcoming engagement opportunities where you can talk to City Council and tell us what decision making process you like best.