The Town of The Pas held a regular scheduled council meeting on January 22 in council chambers. The meeting started off with four presentations during Citizen’s Period.
The first presentation was by Val Miron, the Office Manager for The Pas Handi-Van. Miron did a presentation as part of a request for council to budget the annual grant given to The Pas Handi-Van and to inform them that it is time to look at purchasing a new model.
“The Town of The Pas, for over 30 plus years, has been providing a $20,000 grant towards the operating costs for The Pas Handi-Van,” said Miron. “Our operation has not changed any since it was founded in 1980. We operate on a shoestring budget and provide a vital service to the community.
“We are starting to look at the purchase of a new handi-van, as the current one is a 2017 model. Handi-vans only last five to seven years. The van we are looking at is a 10-passenger vehicle, which is smaller than the old one, but we don’t transfer as many groups in one single trip as we use to. “Overall, it could be more affordable to have a smaller handi-van and potentially could last longer,” said Miron. “The cost of a new one is be tween $110,000 to $180,000, depending on what one gets in them, such as a better heater and air bag suspension; it all adds up. There is approximately $108,000 in the trust fund to purchase a new handi-van, however, The Pas Handi-Van doesn’t want to spend all their reserves, in case something comes up and they are in need of it.” Murphy asked about kilometres on van and if there is a need for another. Miron said there were 48,000 kms on this handi van, and they don’t do well with high kilometers or last past that amount. Once the handi-vans get high in mileage, there are higher maintenance costs and longer down time for repairs. At this time, there is no need for more than one van; the down time for repairs makes it seem like there is a need. Ed Demchynski presented a proposal on 2024 Canada Day fireworks, proposing a 26-minute pyro musical, with his choice of music and would be at the Ag grounds. Cost is $22,300 for mate rial and setup, plus GST. He would like a 90-day approval, to let him know if he is doing it. It takes 150 hours of set up to do it. Caitlin Henderson from The Pas Regional Library presented their budget and request for funding for this year. The Pas Regional Library did not ask for an increase this year, because of inflation. This year they asked for a $166,000 grant to operate in 2024. Murphy asked if the 2023 actuals were close to what was budgeted in 2023. Henderson told him there were some small re visions were made, but everything was fairly close. The Pas Association of Human Development (TPAHD) Board made a presentation to accompany a letter with a request for the town to provide for giveness for three years of taxes totalling $11,000 and were also looking for a letter of support. The organization has been in existence for 40 years and due to the after math of the pandemic and with no increases in their daily per diem for clients, they are losing money. There was $100,000 in the bank, but do to the expenses of keeping operations going through the pandemic, not being able to generate much revenue and having limited fund ing from the Province during the pandemic, the reserves has dwindled away. TPAHD Treasurer Darryl Shotton noted that there are six individuals graduating from Oscar Lathlin Collegiate in June and there may be some potential individuals who will need services and could work at New To You thrift shop. Currently, there are 31 students at MBCI in the life skills program and it’s not certain how many of those will come to The Work place and New To You. Right now, TPAHD has six clients; before COVID-19 they had 12 to 13 clients and could handle 25 clients, teach them life skills. The new building cost $600,000 and is now paid off, however TPAHD can’t use it as equity for an operating loan. Murphy asked if they would get by if they didn’t get relief on their taxes. TPAHD wasn’t sure if they would get by if the taxes were not forgiven, but they have a meeting with the Province on Feb ruary 6. Murphy wants to pro vide support and advocating to help TPAHD to continue. Councillor Manych sat in the citizen’s chair to speak about recycling. Manych stated that the Tri-Com Recycling is an independent contractor and it’s not council’s business to be asking for a budget from them. What was submitted was an in voice, not their budget. Council is being invoiced for a service and should be paying it and that Tri-Com Recycling is not presenting their budget. Councillor Manych stated that he felt you can’t really dispute an in voice and Murphy said they wanted a breakdown of things, because they may need to consider reducing services. Councillor Allen pointed out that the $176,518.82 is an amount based on an agreement that has not yet been signed between The Town of The Pas and Tri-Com Recycling. Councillor Manych said it may not be signed, but it’s been agreed to because the Town of The Pas received a service. The Pas Community Economic Development’s Economic Development Officer Jonathan Lalonde presented an update on 2023 services and a budget for 2024. Some highlights that Mayor Murphy noted were for financials were that for departments up to November 2023. Airport revenue was up significantly towards $700,000. The return on investments saw over $3,000 just on interest. The downside is the increase of expenses. A resolution was passed for Policy FA-831 to waive the business licence fee for three years for new business in The Pas. There was some discussion around the Trap pers’ sign at 1559 Gordon to be moved. It has been determined that it will be extremely expensive to move and there is a risk of damaging it. The owner of the Trappers’ sign stated to administration that he would be willing to give the sign to the town, only if there is a long-term plan to redo the sign and not at the risk of it being thrown out by another council. The owner of the Trappers’ sign also indicated that he would like it to be relocated to a more central downtown area and part of a bigger revitalization plan. Council plans to get The Pas Community Development Corporation to take this project over and look at applying for grants to move and fix it. Murphy had concerns about dumping the entire project on the TPCDC, so it needs to be determined who will take ownership of it from that point. The Skippy L fate is still in the wind. In October 2023, the Heritage Society put town administration in contact with the great-grandson of Tomb Lamb, Fraser Fisher, who was interested in the restoration of the Skippy L. Fisher was pro vided with the Condition Assessment but council administration never heard back from him. Another email was sent in December 2023, and again in January 2024, and there is still no response. The condition of the Skippy L is worsening, so it still needs to be ad dressed. Right now, council is waiting on the Heritage Society’s response on how to proceed and looking into plans for demolition. The Skippy L can be refurbished, but it can’t be de-designated without in volving the owner who designated it. There is some confusion as to what can be done and who owns it. Councillor Lane asked how the Skippy L got designated a heritage site without knowing who owned it. The town has fenced and boarded up the Skippy L and will continue to check to make sure no one is getting in there. Councillor Allen wanted an assessment from the town’s insurance company to see what the liability is on the town if someone got hurt. The Community Safety Officer program is moving forward. The LOU with the local RCMP Detachment, training, equipment and responsibilities has been discussed. The committee has re viewed the community safety officer programs in Thompson and Ste Anne. Ads are out to hire a Com munity Safety Officer and council has budgeted for all positions, equipment, uniforms, training and vehicles. In 2022, the Town of the Pas had an operating deficit of $217,131. There are two options to handling this deficit, one is to apply it to the 2024 tax levy or apply it to the general operating surplus. It was recommended to apply it to the general operating surplus, as there is enough room. If it were to be applied to the 2024 tax levy, it would increase the mill rate by 1.078 mills. The Town of The Pas is still working on cleaning the Lido Theatre building. Currently they are trying to work on agreeing on date and time when the previous owner can go and remove his personal items from the building. Once this hap pens, the town will make arrangements to clean up the Lido and get an assessment done.