Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
To pass the 2021 operating budget outright, or an interim operating budget: that decision was rallied around the table at the town's committee of the whole meeting on Dec. 8.
Administration recommended council approve the budget as presented, but an option is to approve an interim operating budget to allow for continued municipal service provision into 2021 until the final budget is approved.
Councillor Bert Journault said council needs to pass a "bare bones budget" in consideration of the hardship in the community, and that the incoming chief administrative officer Bill Given, who starts in January, should have a chance to review the details first.
Coun. Jenna McGrath agreed and said council needs to move ahead conscientiously.
Mayor Richard Ireland said council needs to start with a base budget to which councillors add or subtract.
He said approving an interim budget might delay the approval of the final operating budget.
"That's been done in the past," he said.
Coun. Helen Kelleher-Empey said she's conflicted about what to do.
"I know we have to grow, but with what's happening with COVID I'm very cautious," she said.
Coun. Rico Damota said it would be pertinent to study how to save money for residents.
Deputy mayor, Paul Butler, said, "If we pass an interim budget, we'll still be talking about it in April."
Coun. Scott Wilson agreed, saying council has talked about moving ahead with its $8.4 million requisition.
"We planned for recovery," he said. "We have to do that. We'll be hobbling ourselves if we extend it into the new year."
A decision about the operating budget is scheduled for council's Dec. 15 meeting.
Chamber taking the lead
Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead on submitting a permit application with Parks Canada, about sidewalk seating for 2021.
Council needs approval from Parks Canada to renew the patio and retail space expansion that was put in place this summer, to boost business for Jasper businesses.
Pattie Pavlov, general manager of the Chamber, said they have until Dec. 28 to submit the application to the Planning and Development Advisory Committee (PDAC).
With approval, council can go ahead with a decision about the renewal.
Asking for support
Restaurant owners are asking council for support so they can build an extension to their patio.
Stephanie Kalamoutsos and Darryl Huculak, owners of Olive Bistro & Lounge, want to build an extension that is on their property, to the existing patio, which will give them eight additional socially distanced seats.聽
They have approval from Parks for a parking variance - on the condition that they make a contribution to the Municipality of Jasper Parking Authority for the value of one stall.
This value is $7,700 - and the restaurant owners have asked council to either waive or significantly decrease the fee.
鈥淭he patio extension has the potential to save our restaurant,鈥� the owners said in a letter to council, 鈥渉owever, we will likely not be able to go through with it with that high of a fee.鈥�
They drew comparison to this summer's pilot sidewalk seating project, where businesses in the downtown core paid $100 for a sidewalk seating permit, plus $25 per seat added.
McGrath said the fee is understandable under normal circumstances, normal times.
"This is different,鈥� she said. 鈥�(People) need council's support.鈥�
Councillors Wilson and Butler, and mayor Richard Ireland, suggested a deferral of the fees, with Damota noting other businesses were required to pay into the parking authority.
Huculak joined the meeting via his phone and said, "A deferral wouldn't help us out much. It doesn't help us get back on our feet."
He said revenue is down more than 50 per cent from last year and they are looking for solutions.
Huculak thanked council for their consideration. Interim CAO John Greathead will look into the matter and bring further information to an upcoming meeting.
