St. Albert city council will be discussing whether or not to move forward with installing a small shelter and seating spot in the small dog area at Lacombe Lake Park; endorsing Mayor Cathy Heron to run for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) board of directors; and more this afternoon.
The small shelter and seating area at Lacombe Lake Park is being put forward by Coun. Ken MacKay.
According to a report to council written by Craig Cameron, the city's manager of parks and community partnerships, prior to MacKay's motion, the city did receive “an inquiry from an informal group of small dog area users requesting the city enhance the existing shaded seating area and provide a second seating option,” and administration considered the request but eventually decided against it as the existing amenities at Lacombe Lake Park were deemed to meet existing dog park standards.
In response to the council motion, administration has brought forward two potential options for a permanent small shelter and seating area in the small dog area. The first is a canopy-like structure that would provide shade over two picnic tables, and the second option is a smaller structure that would provide shade over one picnic table or two benches.
The first option would cost between $54,000 and $81,000 to install, while the second option would cost between $24,000 and $36,000. Administration is recommending council to move forward with the second option, as it would be less of a strain on staffing resources.
Heron seeking board position with FCM
Mayor Cathy Heron is seeking council's approval to throw her name in the running for a position on the board of directors of the FCM, an organization that represents municipalities across the country by advocating to the federal government about a host of municipal issues.
Heron previously served on FCM's board of directors from 2021-2023 when she was guaranteed a seat because she was also the president of Alberta Municipalities, but when her term as president of Alberta Municipalities ended last year, so did her time as a board member of FCM.
In order for a municipal politician to run for a FCM board position, they must have their council pass a resolution that endorses them to run for the election, while also guaranteeing that the municipality will cover any associated costs with their attendance at board meetings, which total just three per year.
The city's director of legislative, legal, and records services, Marta Caufield, wrote in a report to council that if the resolution for Heron to run for board elections passes, it will allow the use of up to $10,000 from council's contingency fund for Heron to attend FCM board meetings.
City to ask province for financial reporting deadline extension
City council is also being asked on Tuesday to approve an application to the provincial government to extend the city's May 1 deadline to submit 2023 financial statements.
The only explanation for why an extension is needed that's included in a report to council regarding the agenda item is that the audit of the city's 2023 financial records “will require more time to complete than anticipated.”
The report, written by city financial manager Brenda Barclay, also doesn't explain how long of an extension the city is looking for.
The Gazette has reached out to the city to obtain more information about the deadline extension request but has yet to receive a response.
