Town councillors have taken the next step to ratifying an agreement with Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS) that will last until March 31, 2017.
Council passed second reading of the bylaw during its regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 13 and will have to make a final decision at its next meeting set for Jan. 27.
“We have to pass a provisional bylaw that we’re funding them,” explained CAO Rachel Kunz.
During budget deliberations in December, council approved the cost to contract PCPS for three years but a bylaw is needed as the Town of Ponoka is becoming a member of a larger inter-municipal group that uses PCPS services. There are 16 municipalities that make up membership of PCPS, explained Kunz.
Coun. Carla Prediger wanted to know what the overall benefits of working with PCPS are. Kunz replied that for the next three years, the town will be able to use PCPS services for major planning projects, which will help alleviate the workload of town staff.
The contract also provides a discount on contracting rates. Non-members pay $175 per hour while members pay $120 hour with the contract, said Kunz. “For us it’s to take care of the big projects for a subdivision.”
Coun. Tim Falkiner asked why Ponoka should be part of this contract if the City of Red Deer is no longer a member. Kunz replied that Red Deer planning had become so big that half of PCPS staff were working on the city’s projects leaving other members having to wait.
The Town of Ponoka started to use PCPS services in 2014 and if the agreement is ratified by council, PCPS will prorate the contract fees to the discounted rate, added Kunz.
The planning and development officer position at the Town of Ponoka is still open.