Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Jasper Municipal Council discussed the details about a paid parking pilot project at their committee of the whole meeting on March 23.
On March 9, council had directed administration to return to the next committee of the whole meeting with a revised implementation plan.
A motion was passed to have administration return to the regular council meeting on April 6 with a plan based on Alternative #2 (paid parking for on-street stalls) presented on March 23, to proceed with the paid parking pilot project in the area now subject to two-hour parking and for the same posted hours.
Under Alternative #2, paid parking would occur along both Patricia Street and Connaught Drive from Hazel to Miette. This area contains 132 regular stalls and two disabled stalls.
The project would run from May 3, or as soon as practical, to Sept. 30. It would be coupled with a parking permit system for residents in areas of adjacent residential housing and subject to existing bylaws regarding the prohibition of RV parking in the downtown core.
During the March 23 discussion, Coun. Paul Butler addressed the impact that paid parking would have on residents and businesses.
鈥淲e already have a problem because most of Connaught Drive is unregulated,鈥� Butler said.
Coun. Jenna McGrath suggested waiting for next summer to implement the project.
Deputy mayor Helen Kelleher-Empey noted many visitors expect to pay for parking, in light of the fact that paid parking is common, especially in large communities and cities.
Mayor Richard Ireland said the pilot project would allow information to be gathered and studied to determine what measures to take in the future.
鈥淭he goal is asset management, not revenue generation,鈥� Ireland said, adding how it is important to protect parking for residents鈥� use.
Pedestrian safety
The municipality has received many requests to improve pedestrian safety and introduce traffic calming measures to two areas in town.
One is at the schools where traffic congestion and pedestrian flow has raised concerns from the school administration and parents.
The other improvement sought by community members is the area of Bonhomme Street and Willow Avenue where pedestrian flow naturally changes direction.
Coun. Scott Wilson emphasized the need to reduce speed limits and implement a 30 km/hr speed limit along the entirety of Bonhomme Street and the entirety of Cabin Creek Drive.
Council will discuss the matter further at their April 6 regular meeting.
Supporting newcomers
The municipality was successful in getting funding for its Supporting Newcomer Integration in Jasper.
鈥淭he project seeks essentially to enhance some of our main information tools that we use in the community, so the municipal website, the addition of a community calendar, and as well, the development of an app,鈥� said Lisa Riddell, community development specialist with Community and Family Services.
Riddell said the goal was to enhance the community鈥檚 capacity - including businesses, organizations and service providers - to connect newcomers with easy-to-use and information about Jasper.
The total amount of external funding to support this project is $262,006.
The municipality鈥檚 main contribution to this project is through in-kind support.
This includes time spent across departments in reviewing website content, participation on the internal project team by the legislative services manager and communications officer and office space for the community development co-ordinator assigned to the project.
