City councillors reviewed the 10-year capital plan on Monday night and already one item in particular is sparking some debate — the proposed expansion of the Art Gallery of St. Albert.
While the project currently sits on the unfunded list, at least one councillor wants to see it moved into the funded category, while another wants to see a smaller alternative limited to only improving accessibility to the building.
“The [Banque d’Hochelaga] was obviously a topic because it created a storm when it was presented to council, but I think getting a motion on accessibility only will get council to decide what it wants to do,” said Coun. Cathy Heron. “I don’t know if council has the appetite for the whole project right now.”
While Heron said she wants to see a less-costly alternative brought forward, Coun. Wes Brodhead said he will be putting forward a motion to add the full expansion to the funded list.
“It’s value for the money and it brings life to downtown,” said Brodhead. “It’s not moribund, but it could use an infusion of life.”
In all, the document reviewed by the standing committee on finance (SCOF) Monday lists approximately $15 million in funded projects while leaving $48.2 million on the unfunded list for 2013. Of the funded projects, approximately $11 million worth is re-investment in existing infrastructure, with only $3.6 million for new growth and $588,000 for community enhancement.
“In order to ensure we can continually provide current services at this level, a significant amount over the next 10 years will be put aside for renewal,” said chief financial officer Anita Ho.
That approach is frustrating councillors like Heron, who noted the city’s capital envelope has not increased from $12.4 million since 2007.
“There is money for the continual maintenance of the roads and sidewalks but never enough for the projects to support our growing community,” she said. “There are a lot of needs and they all end up on the unfunded list.”
Two projects that did move from unfunded to funded include the restoration of Juneau House, one of the city’s heritage buildings, at $550,000 and renovations to the Arden box office and concession at $275,000. Other notable funded projects include $100,000 in work to another heritage building — the Chevigny house — as well as $250,000 for second phase of the train whistle cessation program.
Unfunded items include an LRT functional alignment study ($534,000) that would bring the LRT into St. Albert, phases two to five of the heritage sites plan, the community support centre ($14.5 million), expansion of the Servus Credit Union Place fitness centre ($15 million) and the realignment of St. Anne Street as outlined in the downtown area redevelopment plan, from St. Thomas to Taché Street ($1.3 million).
The plan will be reviewed again June 11 after councillors send in written notices of motion to move any items they would like from one list to the other. At that meeting, once items are voted on, SCOF will approve the plan’s finalization in preparation for the 2013-2015 budget.
Most councillors said they were satisfied with the administration’s work on the capital plan.
“Right now, based on what I see, I agree with what’s going on,” said Coun. Roger Lemieux.
Coun Malcolm Parker said it will require a little tweaking over the next three weeks, but said no major overhaul is required.
“I think some of those items, we need to see a little more detail on them and hopefully we’ll get some of that. I don’t think there will be a lot of changes.”
