Town Council July 31, 2017 special meeting

Significant updates from the July 31 special meeting of Peace River Town Council are below. You can view the agenda and all Council items here.

Council Approves Borrowing Bylaw for Peace Regional Recreation Centre

Bylaw 2002, a Bylaw to enable the Town of Peace River to borrow money on behalf of the Peace Regional Recreation Centre, has passed third and final reading.

The Bylaw was originally presented to Council at the June 26, 2017 Regular Council meeting. At this meeting, the Bylaw was given first reading. This Bylaw was then advertised in the June 28, July 5, and July 12, 2017 issues of the Record Gazette, it was also advertised on the Town’s website in three places. No petitions were received during that time.

Background

During the budget process, staff presented the funding formula for the PRRC. Our intention was to not have to borrow any funds in the fiscal year 2017, but in 2018 be prepared to borrow up to $9,450,000 in the event we did not receive any provincial/federal funding for this project. When questioned by citizens, we informed them we would not need to borrow this year for the project. It was Staff’s understanding of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and past practice that a borrowing Bylaw would not be needed until next year.

On June 19, 2017, staff received a call, then an e-mail follow up from Aleks Nelson from Municipal Affairs requesting information on the project. We were advised by Ms. Nelson that we would need a Bylaw this year. Staff immediately rectified the problem and had the required Bylaw drafted and presented to Council for first reading at the June 26, 2017, Regular Council Meeting.

The required advertisements for the Bylaw were put in the local paper for June 28, July 5 and an extra issue on July 12, 2017. Staff had been advised that a citizen petition opposing the Bylaw was being considered and Staff felt that the extra week of advertising would ensure that any opposition to the Bylaw would have a fair opportunity to reach the minimum required signatures. In early August, the contractor will be ramping up the process of building the new facility, so staff feels that having the Bylaw passed prior to this work commencing will follow the spirit of the MGA.

Funding and Cash Flow Plan for Recreation Centre Construction

2017 Operating and Capital Budget (PDF)

Audio

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Live Council updates

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