By Troy Gillard

COUNCIL UPDATE

Lacombe taps new snow storage facility, Highway 12 upgrades for provincial stimulus funding

Sep 16, 2020 | 11:16 AM

The City of Lacombe is looking to use provincial stimulus funding on a pair of projects officials say promise long-term benefits for residents.

City council has chosen to direct the funds towards a new Snow Storage Facility – a priority item as the current facilities are not compliant with provincial regulations – and infrastructure improvements on Highway 12.

Under the recently announced provincial Municipal Stimulus Plan, the City of Lacombe was allocated $1,663,384 for capital infrastructure projects.

City administration estimates the Highway 12 project would cost between $1.3 million and $1.8 million. However, council directed administration to only use the remaining funds not used for the Snow Storage Facility, which has an estimated cost of $933,000.

“Council is pleased to be able to fast-track these critical infrastructure projects that will be to the benefit of our citizens,” Deputy Mayor Don Gullekson said. “On behalf of Lacombe City Council, I would like to thank the Government of Alberta for directing these funds to municipalities across Alberta. We look forward to realizing the positive impacts these projects will have on our community.”

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The City will submit both projects to the province by October 1.

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Administration has presented the proposed 2021 Capital Budget for council’s consideration.

The proposed budget includes 46 projects totaling an estimated $11.78 million and will be funded from a combination of grants ($5.28M) Reserve Withdrawals ($1.91M) Debt ($4M) and “other” ($0.59M).

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City council voted at their regular meeting on Monday to advance the Lacombe Regional Airport Runway Rehabilitation project from 2026-27 to 2020, and awarded it to Border Paving.

Council advanced the project after receiving a provincial grant for 75 per cent of the estimated $814,600 project.

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The city is taking steps to repair a slope failure on the west side of Crescent Lake next to 76 Street in Lacombe’s west end.

City administration recommended stabilizing the slope this fall to avoid any further damage due to spring melt in 2021. Stantec Consulting Ltd (Stantec) and Parkland Geotechnical Consulting Ltd. (Parkland Geo) have identified the root cause of the failure and are designing a solution to stabilize the slope.

Once the slope is stable, concrete work and road paving will be completed in late 2021 or early 2022, allowing City staff to monitor the situation to ensure no further movement.

The total estimated cost of the project is $701,800, with $343,450 currently unbudgeted.

The City has applied to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) for financial assistance under the Disaster Recovery Program; however, it is unclear whether this application will be successful.

The project will receive funding through Highway 12 & 76th Street Intersection project contingency funds and the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI); however, if AEMA funding is approved, these MSI commitments will be reallocated to another project in 2022.

The City anticipates all the approvals will be in place by September 30, enabling slope stabilization work to proceed as soon as possible.

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Council reviewed background information, estimated financial costs, and options for the municipal building and land at 5404 56 Avenue – the former Parkland Regional Library building located next to City Hall.

Council commissioned a licensed Real Estate Appraiser to provide an opinion on the probable market value of the land and building.

The City of Lacombe acquired the property earlier this year as part of a transaction with the Tricon Group in exchange for the former Provincial Building.

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Council approved a partnership with local and Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) award-winning artist Gord Bamford, the Gord Bamford Foundation, and Vesta Energy to host The Gord Bamford Foundation Drive-In & Fly-In Concert, at the Lacombe Regional Airport on September 26.

City officials say the COVID-19-friendly concert will feature up to 175 cars, each providing a $75 donation to the Gord Bamford Foundation, which supports kids and youth programs across Canada. The Foundation has also funded approximately $400,000 of community initiatives within Lacombe.

The City of Lacombe is providing the venue for the concert, and $5,000 in sponsorship funding.