Town of Athabasca council has decided to complete 49th Street infrastructure replacements all the way to the riverfront this summer, instead of doing work on 50th Street.
The recommended project swap was brought forth from the town’s new Public Works Committee during council’s Jan. 23 meeting, and is estimated to save the town $1 million in 2018.
Coun. Rob Balay, who sits on the committee, said after gathering information the committee is recommending postponing work on 50th Street, which was in the town’s original capital budget.
Balay said it makes more sense to “move back to the 49th Street project,” because of difficulty co-ordinating with Alberta Transportation’s road work on 50th Street this summer. He added there have no been “many water breaks” or problems on 50th St.
The next phase of the 49th Street project would be between 49 and 50th Avenue, and is estimated to cost $1.3 million, according to the meeting agenda.
Balay said the project would be about $1 million cheaper than proceeding with the 50th Street work.
Mayor Colleen Powell noted council must approve the project prior to their next budget meeting, as tenders will be going out “soon”.
Coun. John Traynor moved to approve the next phase of 49th Street infrastructure replacements, and the motion was unanimously approved.
Powell said in an interview it is “critical” that businesses on 49th Street remain accessible to the public during construction.
“We will have to ensure there are, while the construction is going on, that there is access to businesses on that street,” she said. “That’s a critical thing.”
Town council unanimously approved a requested modification to new pool designs that would remove all handicap platform lifts in favour of deck-mounted lifts.
“Barrhead was using these things and they weren’t working as well, so this is a change order in effect,” Powell said.
Athabasca County already approved the design change during their Jan. 10 joint meeting with town council.
Project manager Dan Chisholm presented to both councils at the joint meeting, and said the design change would save councils $100,000.
Traynor made a motion to approve the design change, which was unanimously approved.
Council voted 3-2 to forgive a $49 late penalty fee on a utility bill.
Powell said a man came to the town office and said he never received the bill. He requested the late fee be waived.
Powell added the bill was returned to the town office with a “return to sender” notation.
Coun. Ida Edwards made a motion to forgive the fee, and Coun. Rob Balay said he could not vote in favour of it.
“I still know my utility bill is due at the each month, or two months, so I’d like to be a good guy and say yeah lets do it, but I also don’t want to open a can worms either,” he said. I won’t be supporting this.”
Powell and Balay voted against the motion, and councillors David Pacholok and Tanya Cherniwchan were not in attendance.
