Town council decided June 25 to donate $500 to the Lacoka Lacrosse Association for their Alberta Provincial tournament, with hopes the City of Lacombe will donate another $500.
Although the council has donated money to Lacoka in the recent past, that money wasn’t specifically for the tournament. At the time of the council meeting Lacoka was running a deficit of close to $1,000.
It is a concern that Lacoka may not turn a profit from the tournament, but it will also bring business to Ponoka.
“I think it’s money well spent,” said Coun. Rick Bonnett.
Arena compressor
Council will buy a new compressor for the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex. There is $7,800 in the budget for repairs but the unit is found to be in irreparable condition.
To replace it will cost $33,000. A rebuilt unit would cost $29,500 upon availability, when priced by Simco. However, council has been informed none are available and they want the situation rectified before ice season starts in July.
Insurance on the units came into discussion when Coun. Izak van der Westhuizen. “That’s an interesting angle,” said CAO Brad Watson.
Insurance however would only come into play if the unit quit and caused damage. Problems with the unit were found during an inspection, rendering an insurance option void.
Renovations at Drop-In Centre
Interior renovations have started at Ponoka Senior Drop-In Centre. The project has already received $25,000 from Ponoka County and $25,000 from the province. A request for another $25,000 from the federal government has been made.
No financial statements were offered to the council and none were requested.
The outside building was built in 1966 and the exterior is a concern to the council, however the donated money will only service the interior of the building.
The town is in mid-budget. For council to donate money now it would have to be taken from a reserve.
“While the town supports seniors having an organization come to council with such a request it puts council in an uncomfortable position. They would have to compromise their own system,” said Westhuizen.
Council decided to revisit the request once more information about the renovations has been provided, financial statements have been provided and a representative of the project presents the request at council.
Tax penalties
A local business has been penalized $2,050 after their taxes weren’t paid.
The tax forms had been sent to the business’s head office in British Columbia, where the lawyers never forwarded them. The business didn’t know their taxes weren’t paid.
Council has decided to share the penalties with the parties involved and reduce the costs of the penalties.
Paving plans
Council has decided to send out a letter of intention to the property owners in the area of 61st Avenue, 62nd Avenue, 59th Street and 61st Street.
There is an intention to pave the back alley between 61st Avenue and 62nd Avenue, from 59th Street to 61st Street.
Rather than having property owners’ petition against the paving of the alley, council wants those who are in favour petition for it.
‘They need to make the intention to actually to it,” said Bonnett
There must be 18 signatures in favour of the project and if that number is reached those not in favour will have the opportunity to petition against it.
“Either way you’re going to have some happy people and some unhappy people,” said Betty Quinlan, director of corporate services.