ST. PAUL - The County of St. Paul will be applying for stimulus funding in the hopes of moving forward a joint project with the Town of St. Paul.
On July 30, the County of St. Paul received confirmation it could receive Municipal Stimulus Program Funding as part of the province’s response to get the economy stimulated following the downturn caused by the pandemic, explained CAO Sheila Kitz during the Sept. 8 regular council meeting.
Under this program, the County of St. Paul’s allocation is $769,845.
"This funding can be spent on eligible projects including roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, public transit, and recreation. Construction of these projects must begin in 2020 or 2021 and be completed by Dec. 31," explained Kitz. Applications must be submitted for the funding by Oct. 1.
The first project recommended by administration is the paving of TWP 582, just north of St. Paul. The paving is estimated to cost $950,000. The project is part of a joint project between the county and Town of St. Paul, with the town overseeing the repaving of 57th Street.
A second project recommended was a gravel base course and paving of the Moosehills slide area, estimated at $1.3 million. An overlay of nearly 20 km of Moosehills Road was also put forward as a suggestion, at a cost of $4.7 million.
While council agreed with the first recommendation, Coun. Dale Hedrick also asked administration to keep Ashmont's main street waterline replacement on its radar for future funding opportunities.
A motion to submit the TWP 582/57th Street project to the Municipal Stimulus Program was carried.
Exception
Council will not require a landowner to do an area structure plan in the Owlseye Lake area.
According to the General Municipal Servicing Standards Bylaw, prior to re-districting, an area structure plan must be done. The owner is asking the county amend the bylaw and exclude the parcel from require the area structure plan. The property, which is just under 50 acres in size, borders Owlseye Lake and is within the agriculture district.
The landowner wants to crease a 6.42 acre parcel within the 50 acre parcel. The landowner is requesting the exception be made due to the small scale of the development, and the cost of preparing an area structure plan.
Council approved all three readings unanimously to approve the request and amend the bylaw as needed.
The owner also asked that the requirement for a 30 metre strip of land to be dedicated as Environmental Reserve or Environmental Reserve Easement be reduced to just six metres.
"Personally, I don't see the issue," said Hedrick.
Reeve Steve Upham noted that council should be careful, and not setting a new standard.
While Coun. Maxine Fodness noted that the lake is not used for recreation purposes, and stated, "I don't think it's an unreasonable request."
First reading was given to Bylaw 2020-21 to amend the Municipal Development Plan to include a notwithstanding clause for Lot 2, Block 1, Plan 2021568, so it only requires a six metre strip of land as Environmental Reserve.
Parks closed for the season
County-run campgrounds have closed for the season. The last weekend of the season was the Labour Day long weekend. Stoney Lake, Floating Stone campground, and Lac Bellevue were all open to the public this season, while Westcove campground, located on Vincent Lake, did not open this year.
The Stoney Lake boat launch replacement project was scheduled to begin last week.
COVID
County administration is planning further communication with staff regarding COVID and COVID testing. Also being discussed is the consideration for temporary closure and deep cleaning should a positive COVID case be identified at either the Administration or Public Works buildings.
"We want to be sure that we are prepared to allow staff to work from home, if possible, while they await test results or quarantine," said Kitz.
Capella Centre
The Capella Centre has requested a larger garbage bin be provided at the St. Paul women's shelter.
A request was put before county council for bin rental fees. The total cost is $2,649 total cost per year, but the county is hoping the Town of St. Paul will share in that cost.
Council agreed to send a letter to the Town of St. Paul requesting they split the cost, 50/50. A motion to provide the bin, subject to the town agreeing to sharing the cost, was carried.
Animal Shelter
The St. Paul Animal Shelter requested gravel from the County of St. Paul for its parking lot. The shelter is willing to pay for the gravel, heard council, but requires it to be delivered.
Director of Public Works Dan Reid stated the non-profit is requesting the gravel now so it can continue to work on its fence. A motion to approve the delivery of 125 tonne of gravel to be delivered to the animal shelter, at their cost, was approved.
