Downtown businesses will soon have incentive to buff their signs to a shine after Town of Athabasca council decided May 2 to support the formation of a downtown revitalization action committee.
The move was in response to a demonstration by the Chamber of Commerce, presented by Trevor Yurchak.
“We started with the concept of, we are dealing with a historic town, a real fine looking town, and what we said is not redesigning but putting the shine on our gem,” he said. “We started off with a walk through the main streets of downtown core and we highlighted five weaknesses that we thought were glaring and evident, that tourists and residents and the like would notice the most.”
He expanded that these weaknesses include signage, colour and finish, general visual accessories and cleanliness.
The Chamber’s presentation was in response to letter sent to them March 2016 inquiring about their member’s involvement in bringing forth possible ideas about promoting downtown revitalization.
In conclusion, Yurchak said the Chamber would like to see the formation of a new action committee, consisting of one town councillor and staff member, one chamber member and staff member, at least one member-at-large and economic development officer.
“They are accountable, they are to make this happen and to use these focus points form this presentation to develop their action plan,” he said. “We’re suggesting a five year plan, this will not happen overnight.”
Mayor Roger Morrill thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the work they did in response to council’s request.
“We sort of threw the gauntlet into your corner. I say after seeing this presentation you’ve more than picked it up. As a matter of fact you’ve returned it with some degree of force on it and I think this council relishes the ability to work with you and see what we can do about our downtown core,” he said.
Tax rate bylaw
Town council passed all three readings of their 2017 tax rate bylaw, which includes a three per cent overall increase in tax revenue this year.
Coun. Shelly Gurba made motions for all readings, which were passed unanimously and with no discussion.
This year the town will take in $3,750,100 from general municipal taxation, for a total of $8,187,900 in general revenue.
The mill rates calculated from the tax levy and assessment values for general municipal taxes are 7.87 per cent in residential, 16.4 per cent in non-residential and 16.4 per cent for machinery and equipment.
CAO recruitment
Town council will again be advertising for the hiring of a permanent Town of Athabasca Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
After Morrill, as chair of the hiring committee, brought the subject up for discussion during their April 18 town council meeting, the hiring committee, consisting of all members of council, met before the May 2 council meeting to discuss how to move forward.
Coun. Shelly Gurba said the hiring committee’s discussion revolved around proper procedure and determining how to advertise the positions salary.
“It was the idea there that they’ve realized Doug is not going to be there much past June, so they realize they have to have someone in place,” she said.
Gurba served as hiring committee chair until she stepped down in January, and said she is “kicking her heels” with joy at council’s movement forward on this item.
Coun. Tim Verhaghe made the motion to advertise for the position during the council meeting.
“There is a recommendation from the hiring committee that the CAO position be advertised, and the salary range listed as $110,000 to $145,000 per annum plus benefits, and for administration to proceed in this regard. I will make the motion to go with that recommendation,” he said.
The motion was passed unanimously, while the motion made at the April 18 council meeting to move forward with hiring passed with Coun. Tanu Evans opposed.
