Below are some of the motions that were decided during the budget deliberations on Tuesday and Thursday evenings:
• Add $350,000 to the municipal capital budget for a functional alignment study to bring LRT from south St. Albert to north St. Albert.
Councillor: Len Bracko. Motion defeated (5-2).
• Add $25,000 to the municipal capital budget to provide equipment and technical support to web stream standing committee on finance meetings from the east boardroom at St. Albert Place.
Councillor: Wes Brodhead. Motion passed (6-1).
• Allocate $25,000 in the municipal capital budget to replace ornamental pear trees in residential crescents.
Councillor: Cam MacKay. Motion passed (6-1).
• Defer reconstruction of St. Albert Trail barrier wall in the municipal capital budget at a cost of $200,000 from 2012 until 2014.
Councillor: Malcolm Parker. Motion defeated (6-1).
• Amend the St. Albert Train Whistle Cessation Program in the municipal capital budget so it’s funded in both 2012 and 2013.
Councillor: Wes Brodhead. Motion passed (6-1).
• Reduce the 2012 toilet rebate business case to offer rebates to residents that switch to low-flow toilets by $20,000 and move this total to 2013 and 2014.
Councillor: Mayor Nolan Crouse. Motion defeated (4-3).
• Add $70,000 to the utility operating budget to compost leaves beginning in 2012.
Councillor: Mayor Nolan Crouse. Motion defeated (4-3).
• Change the overall proposed utility rate increase from 9.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent for 2012.
Councillor: Cam MacKay. Outcome pending, expected Monday, Dec. 5.
• Grant funding request of $41,500 to the St. Albert Community Village.
Councillor: Cathy Heron. Motion passed unanimously.
• Grant the funding request of $27,307 from the Community Information and Volunteer Centre.
Councillor: Roger Lemieux. Motion passed unanimously.
• Grant the funding request of $104,664 to the Youth Community Centre for leasing costs.
Councillor: Len Bracko. Motion passed unanimously.
• Fund the Spirit of St. Albert Society (SOSA) for $10,000 to run the River Valley Picnic in 2012.
Councillor: Cathy Heron. Motion passed unanimously.
• Reduce funding to NABI from $20,000 to $10,000
Councillor: Mayor Nolan Crouse. Motion passed (4-3).
• Reduce public works salaries, wages and benefits by $150,000 and develop overtime reduction strategy for 2012.
Councillor: Cam MacKay. Motion withdrawn.
• Unfund the business case for a full-time social media co-ordinator for 2012.
Councillor: Cathy Heron. Motion passed (5-2).
• Fund the business case for a full-time project manager for the Sturgeon River at a cost of $67,000.
Councillor: Malcolm Parker. Motion defeated (6-1).
• Reduce the overall training budget by $150,000 for 2012.
Councillor: Cam MacKay. Amended to $125,000 by Wes Brodhead. Motion put over to Monday, Dec. 19.
• Cancel free transit service on Saturdays and adjust budget by $5,000.
Councillor: Mayor Nolan Crouse. Motion passed unanimously.
• Add $50,000 to the tree budget to more aggressively address neighbourhood trees that need replacement.
Councillor: Mayor Nolan Crouse. Motion passed (6-1).
• Postpone funding for a security guard at Servus Credit Union Place for one year.
Councillor: Mayor Nolan Crouse. Motion passed unanimously.
• Move the recreation business case for “Enhanced St. Albert Celebrates Canada Day” from funded to unfunded for 2012.
Councillor: Cathy Heron. Motion defeated unanimously.
• Develop a way-finding plan incorporating signs leading motorists to important St. Albert buildings, landmarks
Councillor: Mayor Nolan Crouse. Motion passed (6-1).
