Mayor Morrill is concerned that despite the promise of previous council to dedicate $5 million to a new pool, there are big issues.
“We do not have land at this time to put a pool on,” Morrill told council. According to Morrill, the town would need to purchase, lease or swap land to build the new pool. He also stressed that the money is a big factor.
The $5 million would be over half of the town’s allowed borrowing limit, which sits around $9 million.
“I think we have to do some unraveling,” Morrill said.
Tyszka-Evans inquired if the new council could renege on the $5 million commitment; administration stated that this was possible.
The discussion was tabled until the next meeting about the new school, when further discussion could be had about building the pool along with the new school.
At its regular council meeting on April 15, Athabasca town council decided to abolish the councillors’ fund and use the money remaining in the fund to purchase benches or picnic tables to be placed at the riverfront.
The councillors’ fund was started in 1995 and is made from deductions of $6 per month per council member. The fund is used to purchase supplies for the councillors’ meeting room, host outgoing council members at supper meetings, or “any other purpose as approved by council,” as the policy states.
The fund sits at approximately $3,500 now.
Town council will be reducing its regular council meeting schedule to one meeting a month for the months of July and August.
Council went to one regular meeting for those two months last year on a trial basis. This summer’s meetings will be held on July 15 and Aug. 13.
Councillor Tanu Tyszka-Evans suggested that councillors’ base pay be reduced by half for those two months due to the fact they will only be having half of their regular council meetings.
The motion was defeated with only councillors Nichole Adams and Tyszka-Evans in favour.
“I’ve never equated my work to my meetings,” Mayor Roger Morrill told council.
Other committees of council will still meet as scheduled.
The Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society (ARMS) has re-taken over maintenance of the old brick school.
Councillor Tyszka-Evans informed council this would only be the case for the next three months.
After that time, ARMS has decided it will approach the county and the town for suggestions on what should be done with the building.
