Elk Point town council set the top priorities for this year’s trail development at last week’s meeting, agreeing to ask for engineering design and cost estimates on two projects, paving a trail along 50 Ave from 54 Street to the town limits Range Road 71, and steps and trail leading from the corner of RR 71 and Twp. Road 570 to the Elk Point Recreation Park.
The 50 Ave. trail was listed as a top priority in reports from all four groups that attended the Jan. 27 information, while the steps were in the top four priorities for three of the groups. Lighting along 50 Ave. west to RR 71 and on 54 St. south to Twp Road 570 was also seen as a priority, and the town has already contacted ATCO Electric to get that work underway.
Further priorities will be set for this year if funding permits.
Tax incentive
Council also dealt at length with tax incentives proposed by Elk Point Economic Development Committee.
For residential construction, the homeowner is currently exempt from the municipal portion of the town’s property taxes for the calendar year construction gets underway and for the following year. The EDC proposed a change to 100 per cent exemption for the year the home is completed, 75 per cent the following year, 50 per cent the third year and 25 per cent the fourth year, but council preferred these numbers be changed to 100, 50, 25 and 25 per cent respectively, with the starting date to be determined. Homes moved in, either ready-to-move or used homes, would also qualify for the exemption.
The EDC suggested a five-year, 100 per cent exemption for new business construction, which is also currently at the two-year level, with some exceptions. Some large projects have been customized at council’s discretion, Mayor Parrish Tung noted. Council did not feel a five-year exemption was in order, but did agree to three years at 100 per cent.
Council turned down exemptions for new businesses purchasing and locating in an existing building or for businesses enlarging or remodeling their premises.
Campground power
Elk Point’s River Campground is looking at a brighter future, with council agreeing to sign a deal with ATCO Electric to install the service for the reasonable cost of $5,027. This would take the power to a pole at the east end of the campground, with further work to be completed at the town’s cost. Council hopes to install power in the camp shelter and at the viewing deck.
MSI status
Town manager Myron Goyan gave council a status report on Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding, with council agreeing to allocate $39,041 that is available for capital projects to cover extra costs on the fire hall. A number of applications for operating funds have also been approved, with others to be reviewed further.
Garbage truck
Council studied the garbage collection trucks that are available, and agreed to support the recommendation made by the Public Works superintendent and purchase the truck he felt would best serve Elk Point’s needs.
Industrial park
It is 14 months since council gave first reading to the structural plan for Elk Point’s industrial park expansion, but the plan has not yet been registered because the town was waiting to see what size of property that purchasers would want, An extension was approved, but will soon be over, and the final drawings must be submitted by April 30. The outline plan can be registered, Goyan told council, with only the first phase detailed, and further phases can be registered later as development proceeds.
Enerflex MS Walk
Town council discussed participation in the May 7 Enerflex Multiple Sclerosis Walk. Some members of council plan to participate, but all agreed that town councils should take turns hosting.