Coronation town council agreed to support a school playground initiative from Friends of Coronation School presented to them by Stephanie Tellier and Angela Schedlosky at their regular council meeting Jan. 8.
The completed playground will be the only “inclusive playground within 100 kilometres,” said Schedlosky.
For the grant to be approved from the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), the Friends of Coronation needed to quantify in-kind contributions including unskilled labour, skilled labour, and heavy equipment use, for a total of $3,168.00.
Friends of Coronation School have raised roughly $130.000.
Council heard the The County of Paintearth will contribute $40,000, contingent on the Friends of Coronation School successfully securing the CFEP grant.
“I think we definitely have a lot on our plate,” said Coun. Ron Checkel however Mayor Matthew Peacock said, “I’m sure we could find something somewhere.”
Council passed a motion by Checkel that the town provide $20,000 for the playground, contingent on the Friends of Coronation receiving the grant.
Tax incentives
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Quinton Flint asked council to provide direction on tax incentives tailored for the Town of Coronation, to promote growth in the rural community of under 900 residents.
In addition to incentives for attracting new businesses, “what kind of businesses would council like to attract?” CAO Flint asked.
The CAO questioned whether options should not only include tax breaks on new business but also incentives that would encourage current businesses to grow or expand.
Beautification incentives could also be on the table.
Coun. Brett Alderdice commented, “certainly we need to look at what we have, with businesses closing,” stated Coun. Brett Alderdice, “to see what we can do to incentivize them.”
Coun. Mark Stannard said, “We need to look at what other communities our size are doing.”
CAO Flint indicated that with council’s input, he will bring back proposed tax incentive in a few months.
Government funding
Alberta Municipal Affairs launched the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF), which replaces the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) Jan 1, covering capital investments on infrastructure.
CAO Flint reported Coronation will receive LGFF funding of $346,676. for 2024, and $370,486. for 2025 “which is up slightly from pre-COVID years, but up drastically post-COVID,” said Flint.
Funding priorities
Council discussed funding priorities for the May 2024 budget is finalized.
A new runway apron at the airport, sidewalk repairs were two considered to be high priorities by council.
Also a new pump at the bulk water facility at a cost of $16,000. which should pay for itself from the sale of water, and keeping an eye open for a newer pickup is another.
When Coun. Stannard asked CAO Flint when Coronation will get an outdoor skating rink, as the weather is now cold enough, CAO Flint responded, “I’ll get on that tomorrow.”
Meeting with premier
CAO Flint reported on a meeting he attended with Premier Danielle Smith.
Among other things, the CAO reported they discussed major changes are in the works at Alberta Health Services and more money for wastewater and roads.
Flint noted that the Alberta Government is ready to announce large investments in liquid natural gas, oil and gas.
A new housing vision will not only look at affordable housing initiatives, but also at middle-class housing shortages, stated Flint.
“That actually makes sense to me, said Coun. Stannard, adding that people often want to move to rural Alberta but when they find there is no available housing for their families, they decide to look elsewhere.
Lane Koster
ECA Review
