With just one council meeting planned for March, Council was chasing the calendar on a tight timeline for a couple of issues at their only public meeting of in February, Feb.14.
Another building in downtown Virden is due to receive Heritage designation, which needs to be achieved by March 15; and, an irrigation sprinkler system for new ball diamonds is back on the table with the new budgeting year.
Christy Gabrielle appeared before Council, requesting Municipal Heritage Designation for a building she owns, formerly known as Future Features on Seventh Avenue. Economic Development Manager Ed Brethour presented the application.
Brethour noted, “We are under a tight timeline to try to get this through but we believe we can get it through by the March 14 deadline, with first reading tonight.”
The bill was read and passed.
It is expected the matter will be heard again, March 14, just one day before the Mar. 15 application deadline for Heritage Grants in 2017.
RecreationRecommendations came to Council from Community Services committee to post an increase in recreation facilities rates.
“Most communities do a cost of living increase yearly, to avoid a big increase down the line,” said Councillor Tina Williams. Ice rates will go up again by 2.5 percent, to $102.50 per hour, effective September 2017. Summer ice rates are to increase from the current $145 (plus GST) to become $150 (plus GST), as of May 1, 2017; motions were approved by Council.
Individuals and organizations seeking to book space in the recreation complex will soon be able to do so online.
Community Events manager Sherri McInnis and Parks & Rec Manager Tracy Howard looked into computer programs for scheduling events at Tundra Oil & Gas Place. They found that Book King would be the best program for the Town of Virden’s needs.
Williams made a motion to purchase the software program for booking and scheduling of events.
This means a cost of $1,600 for the initial software set-up. The ongoing cost of $352 per month will add up to $4,224 yearly. The program runs on a month-by-month basis.
CAO Rhonda Stewart called it a “helpful tool”, explaining, “This program talks to our All Net program. This means staff will not have to enter things in twice. It will flow into Council’s computerized information system.”
The schedule will be available for broadcast on the display monitors in Tundra Oil & Gas Place. It is also going to allow online bookings and registration. Council voted to buy the program.
Arena staff asked for the winter ice to be removed by May 28, to allow maintenance prior to the ice going back in. However, the council committee felt ice could come out prior to that, to allow more time. Williams made the motion for ice to be removed by May 15. It was carried.
Mayor McConnell questioned why council had to make this decision, expressing, “I’m asking that you maybe consider creating a policy, so it doesn’t have to come to council.”
Recreation staff expects to have the swimming pool open by Jun. 5; and the first swimming lessons to begin June 17, providing pool staff is in place.
A few changes were recommended for pool rates. Williams stated, “There’s no major change. The odd thing has gone up, and down, to even things out.”
The Town’s agreement with Mac-Tower Inc. for the cooling tower at the rink has come to an end. A motion passed to renew the maintenance agreement with Mac-Tower at a cost of $2,060 for 2017 year. McConnell asked for information regarding what that agreement covers.
Ball Diamonds
The Town received quotes for the irrigation project of three ball diamonds. These quotes were provided October 2016. Other project spending topped budget, so irrigation landscaping was moved to the 2017 budget, hence it was back on the table this meeting.
From three quotes, two companies were close. D&B Sprinklers and Pembina Landscaping; however, Pembina had a slightly different installation method which involved fusing the underground pipe system, adding to the cost.
As of the meeting time D&B had not yet confirmed their October quote would hold for this spring. After some back and forth regarding installation methods and servicing reliability the mayor began calling for the motion.
After the third call, Councillor Penner stated, “I just don’t know that it is fair that we phone [D&B] the same day...and don’t wait for the verified [quote].”
Feeling an urgency to move the project along so it could be completed for ball season, CAO Stewart asked for a resolution to give her the authority to contract one or the other party, when D&B’s quote was confirmed. On that basis Council passed a motion.
Oil Capitals Signage
Virden’s MJHL team, the Oil capitals requested additional opportunities for signage for marketing within Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
Councillor Williams moved the Town adopt five proposals from the Oil Caps marketing proposals. Council carried the motion to accommodate new advertising in Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
McConnell explained, “They had a number of proposals and we are consenting to [some] of them at this time.”
