About 20 people attended an open house at Steinbach city hall Tuesday night to take a look at the city's 2016 Capital Projects plan. It was the first time the city held an open house on the plan and Mayor Chris Goertzen was pleased with the outcome.
"It was good to see people express interest in the the projects that are planned in the city this year. On a number of things, people had pretty specific interests. It's great to see that those people were there and that they wanted to have that information."
The open house was followed by a Public Hearing on the city's 2016 Financial Plan. There were no objections from the public. Council then debated a motion to accept the plan and approved it with a unanimous vote.
Councillor Michael Zwaagstra moved approval.
"It sets forward a net zero (tax) increase. That means that there is no increase in the general revenues as a result of reassessment. It means that the only extra money that the city is taking in is as a result of new homes and new construction. At the same time we are moving forward with some important infrastructure improvements. And so we are moving forward in a very positive way but doing it in a way that is not raising taxes for the people of Steinbach."
Councillor Cari Penner was the seconder.
"The budget that we presented in principle is a budget that is very well balanced, it's prudent. It also allows for us to do some capital projects that need doing and we've had a net zero tax increase. That is just a wonderful thing because a city of our size, we're growing, we have pressures, but this council has worked hard to try and be very prudent and prioritize."
2016 is a reassessment year which has seen the value of many properties go up so city council has lowered the mill rate to keep taxes the same as last year.
Capital projects planned this year (from City of Steinbach website):
Soccer Park Building
Project Budget: $370,000
Timeline: Expected completion, July 2016
New facility includes:
- Washroom
- 2 Change Rooms
- Canteen
Neighborhood Sidewalk Program
Project Buget: $150,000
Timeline: May - July
New sidewalks will be constructed along the east side of Giesbrecht Street and the west side of Lilac Bay, south of McKenzie Avenue.
City Hall Expansion
Project Budget: $1,500,000
Timeline: Completion by January 2017
Expansion of City Hall to accommodate increased staff and workspace requirements resulting from the City's continued growth.
Acres/Penfeld Intersection at PTH 12N
Project Budget: $2,500,000
Timeline: Late May - Late September
Intersection construction complete with signalized lights and pedestrian crossings.
Boundary Road Development
Project Budget: $1,000,000
Timeline: August Completion
Asphalt surfacing of Old Tom Road and extension of pavement on Park Road East and Loewen Boulevard.
Pavement Management Program
Project Budget: $1,175,000
Timeline: May - July
New asphalt overlay on:
- Coral Crescent
- Rose Street
- Lilac Bay
Barkman Avenue Reconstruction
Project Budget: $2,140,000
Timeline: Early May - Early September
Main Street to Henry Street
- Reconstruction of underground sewer and water infrastructure
- Sidewalk reconstruction
- Road resurfacing
Community Plaza & Elmdale Streetscaping
Project Budget: $3,930,000
Timeline: July Completion
Carried over from 2015.
Complete reconstruction of Elmdale Avenue (between Reimer Ave. and Barkman Ave.) and Lumber Avenue (between Main Street and Elmdale Ave.).
Construction of community plaza in front of the T.G. Smith Centre.
Main Street Intersection Walkways
Project Budget: $400,000
Timeline: Summer 2016
Replacement of pedestrian walkway paving stones and associated pavement repairs.
Main Street and
- Kroeker Avenue
- Friesen Avenue
- Elm Avenue
- William Avenue
- Elmdale School Crosswalk