[0:00] Next up, reading of bylaws, civic center relocation, presented by our chief

[0:05] administrative officer, Christine Beverage. Take it away.

[0:12] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council.

[0:20] Tonight I have the opportunity to present a recommendation uh regarding

[0:24] the future of the town's civic center and long long-term sustainability of

[0:28] municipal service delivery in Edson.

[0:33] The current facility has served this community for over nearly 70 years. It's

[0:38] been a central part of local government and community life throughout that time.

[0:42] administration has identified an opportunity that warrants council's

[0:45] consideration as a part of its responsibility to manage municipal

[0:49] assets in con uh along with uh plan for the community's needs.

[0:55] Significant capital investment is required regard regardless of the path

[0:59] chosen. An opportunity exists to relocate into an existing downtown

[1:03] building at a substantially lower cost than renovation or new construction.

[1:08] Today's report outlines the rationale for the proposed relocation, the funding

[1:14] strategy, the required borrowing bylaw process, along with future

[1:18] considerations for the existing civic center property. Tonight, administration

[1:23] seeks council's direction to proceed.

[1:29] An independent engineering assessment completed in 2024 found that the

[1:34] building requires significant investment to remain operational with nearly a

[1:38] million dollars in a maintenance needs expected over the next 5 years and close

[1:42] to 1.68 million over the next 20 just to maintain what exists. a facility

[1:48] condition rating index of poor on the 5-year outlook deteriorating to critical

[1:54] over the 20-year horizon if life if life cycle work is deferred. No fire alarm,

[2:01] no sprinkler system anticipated as best disabatement marginal architectural and

[2:07] mechanical conditions overall were identified.

[2:10] The building is generally not barrierfree compliant. This includes

[2:14] parking, entrances, interior circulation and washrooms. And bringing it to a

[2:20] modern accessibility standard would require a major expenditure in order to

[2:25] um elongate the use of this building that um as per the uh report has roughly

[2:31] 16 years left in its lifespan.

[2:37] Key drivers for relocation facility design, limited and in

[2:43] ineffected ineffective uh space for employees, doubling up in offices, lack

[2:49] of privacy with with limited soundproofing, lack of professional

[2:53] meeting space and limited space of meeting rooms. Accessibility.

[2:58] Significant concerns with the concurrent civic center is accessibility issues.

[3:04] Deficiencies have been identified. Parking access, building entry, interior

[3:09] circulation, wayfinding, and washroom facilities. While upgrades could be

[3:14] undertaken, they would require a significant investment in bu in the in a

[3:19] building approaching the end of its useful life.

[3:22] Relocation provides an opportunity to ensure residents can can access

[3:26] municipal services independently, safety, and with dignity. That also

[3:31] includes our employees as well. public partic participation and council

[3:37] meetings. Council has experienced firsthand the limitations within the

[3:41] council chambers. During high interest matters, attendance has exceeded

[3:45] available capacity, resulting in residents gathering in hallways, in the

[3:49] hallway, entryway, and even outside the building. Public participation is a

[3:54] cornerstone of local government. A relocated facility would provide

[3:59] appropriate seating capacity, improved accessibility, better technology

[4:04] integration, enhanced opportunities for community engagement. The proposed

[4:09] facility would better support the expectations that residents have

[4:12] regarding access to their local government,

[4:16] public engagement, and community growth. This the proposed location is not only

[4:20] about municipal administration. An updated facility would provide improved

[4:24] spaces for public meetings, community engagement sessions, stakeholder

[4:29] meetings, and discussions with provincial and federal funding partners.

[4:34] These spaces support economic development, partnership opportunities,

[4:37] and the the plans for future growth. And the last but not least, asset

[4:43] management. Continuing to invest in an aging constrained asset is not fiscally

[4:49] responsible. Relocation to a suitable building

[4:52] addresses all five deficiencies simultaneously at a lower cost than

[4:56] renovation or new construction.

[5:01] A question administration expects is why this opportunity is uh being discussed

[5:06] now. The condition of the existing civic center is not new information. As

[5:11] mentioned an earlier as mentioned earlier a comprehensive facility life

[5:15] cycle assessment was completed in 2024 and has been accessible since that time.

[5:21] The condition of the current building has not been a secret. What maintain

[5:25] remained confidential was with regards to the acquisition discussions. Public

[5:31] disclosure of the building under cons consideration or negotiation uh

[5:36] parameters prior to a decision could have affected the town's position.

[5:40] Factors that make this the right moment to act

[5:44] act strategically rather than reactively. Unavoidable capital costs.

[5:49] Near-term expenditures on the existing building are unavoidable. Delay risk

[5:54] spending on a facility that remains functional functionally deficient.

[5:58] Reserves. The town has been proactive building reserves and creating a

[6:02] strategic window to act from a position of fiscal strength.

[6:06] The opportunity and this is an important one. A suitable building in the downtown

[6:11] core is available, addressing accessibility, operations, and public

[6:15] engagement as a cost far below new construction.

[6:23] The building selected for the proposed civic center relocation is located at

[6:26] 4937 first staff. The building offers a practical, cost-effective solution that

[6:33] can accommodate current and future municipal needs while minimizing

[6:36] renovation requirements. Some key highlights with regards to this

[6:40] building. It's 27,054 uh square ft commercial office space

[6:46] with ample space for municipal services. It holds 46 individual offices and

[6:51] additional 24 workspaces. It holds two sizable meeting rooms with opportunities

[6:56] for more. It's located on one 1.35 acre site in a

[7:02] prominent downtown town location with main street exposure. It has 93

[7:06] dedicated parking stalls with an additional with additional nearby

[7:10] parking opportunities for residents, visitors, and staff. Originally, this

[7:15] building was built in 1979. Since then, there's been major

[7:19] renovations to this building completed in 199 1995 as well as 2013, including

[7:25] updated HVAC systems. Doing due to ongoing improvements, the

[7:30] building has an effective age of approximately 12 years and an estimated

[7:34] remaining service life of 48 years. Constructed with a steel frame and

[7:39] durable stucco, stone and metal exterior finishes. As I mentioned, it features

[7:44] modern HVAC systems, fire suppression sprinklers, accessible

[7:50] design elements. It includes a large lobby and design and reception area

[7:57] suitable for public facing services. It provides a space for council chambers

[8:02] and and and actually participants um that want to come in part uh review view

[8:09] uh the democratic uh um business that goes on in here.

[8:15] This also uh includes multiple boardrooms and meeting rooms as

[8:18] mentioned. Over uh overall it offers a combination of private offices and open

[8:24] workspaces um equipped with a loading dock, shipping and receiving facilities

[8:29] as well. It's zone C1 retail commercial allowing for a broad range of office and

[8:34] commercial uses. Moderate re renovations are anticipated

[8:39] helping to reduce the uh overall project costs and project timelines as well.

[8:45] Overall, this property provides a well-maintained, centrallylo facility

[8:49] with space, infrastructure, and longevity to support municipal

[8:52] operations and community services for decad decades to come.

[9:00] To support a thorough and thoughtful evaluation of this recommendation, I'd

[9:03] like to provide you with a rationale behind it.

[9:07] Why renovation of the existing facility and construction of a new new facility

[9:11] are not the recommended options. So administration carefully considered

[9:16] renovation of the civic center. However, the life cycle assessment uh recommends

[9:22] consideration of replacement due to building age, physical condition,

[9:26] functional limitations and remaining lifespan.

[9:30] Further investments would extend the life of the building, but it would not

[9:34] resolve the underlying limitations. It's important to note that this building

[9:38] also has went through multiple renovations throughout history.

[9:42] Significant um renovations at this time would create operational dis disruption

[9:47] and as well um temporary uh accommodation arrangements.

[9:52] Administration does not consider renovation to be a viable solution.

[9:56] Another evaluation completed was building new. Past council and

[10:01] administration considered construction of a new municipal office facility more

[10:05] than 15 years ago. At that time, the estimated project cost was approximately

[10:10] 8.75 million. Since then, construction's costs have increased substantially.

[10:16] Recent municipal projects across Alberta demonstrate the co significant costs

[10:20] associated with new civic uh construction.

[10:24] For example, town of Pinoa approved uh an 11.2 million borrowing bot to acquire

[10:29] their civic center property in 2022. White court, our neighbors to the north,

[10:35] uh construction contract uh was 54.3 million, noting there's additional

[10:41] amenities of course with that facility, but more specifically just their

[10:45] administration building alone was 11.7 million.

[10:49] While while a purpose-built facility could be designed specifically for

[10:53] municipal operations, it would require considerably more capital investment and

[10:58] a much longer implementation time. Administration believes that the

[11:02] opportunity to acquire and renovate an an existing building provides a lower

[11:06] cost, lower risk, reasonable and responsible solution.

[11:14] The funding plan, the total project cost is estimated at 5 million

[11:20] administration is recommending a balanced funding approach. 1.5 million

[11:24] from reserves, 1 million from provincial grant funding, 2.5 million through a

[11:29] debenture. This approach ensures that the project funded is funded through

[11:33] municipal s multiple sources rather than debt alone. Council has intentionally

[11:39] built a reserve over time to address major facility requirements such as

[11:42] this. Boring through debentures is a common municipal financing tool that

[11:47] allows long-term assets to be paid for over their useful life.

[11:56] With regards to the debenture bylaw process, it's a legislative process

[12:00] required under the municipal government act. the steps. First rating. Following

[12:04] first rating, a notice must be advertised for two consecutive weeks.

[12:09] Electors would have 15-day uh petition period that leads to August 18th. If no

[12:15] si sufficient petition is received, council may proceed with the second and

[12:19] third with second and third readings, which would put uh potentially to

[12:23] September 1st. The bylaw then moves to the legislative waiting period before

[12:28] becoming valid. that uh the final um opportunity there uh at the end would be

[12:33] October 1st if the no valid petition is received.

[12:43] Administration is not seeking a decision today regarding the future use of the

[12:47] civic center property. Administration believes the discussion that discussion

[12:51] deserves its own consideration. If the relocation proceeds, administration will

[12:56] return with options that may include sale of the property, demolition and

[13:01] redevelopment opportunities, or other alternatives identified through an

[13:04] additional review. This approach allows council to cons consider the future of

[13:09] the separate of the site separately with complete information in order to make a

[13:14] datadriven decision.

[13:20] It is recognized that this is a significant decision and a significant

[13:25] um investment. However, administration believes the town is at a point where

[13:29] continued investment in an exist in this existing facility should be weighed

[13:33] against more practical long-term solution. The proposed relocation

[13:37] addresses accessibility, public participation, customer service,

[13:42] operational efficiency, and asset management objectives in a way that this

[13:46] current facility cannot. The opportunity represents the most fiscally responsible

[13:51] option available at this time and recommends the council and I recommend

[13:55] that council proceed with relocate uh relocation initiative direct

[14:00] administration to return with options for the existing civic senator property

[14:04] and give first reading to the debenture bylaw. Thank you for your attention and

[14:08] I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you co beverage for your

[14:13] presentation this evening. We will open the floor to questions and comments

[14:17] before we take a motion from the floor. Who would like to begin?

[14:24] Councelor Taylor. >> Yeah. Through the mayor to CEO Beverage.

[14:28] Um thank you for the the detailed presentation here. Um my first sort of

[14:34] comment then question uh is regards to how the building is used. Now I

[14:39] participate in council chambers. This is the space that I use, but I don't I

[14:44] don't work here. I can comment on the challenges within this space uh that

[14:50] that we have. Um for for anybody listening at home, the challenges within

[14:54] a council space that we have is um certainly we start off with the makeup

[14:59] of this table. Typically a council table is separated from an administration

[15:04] table in most council chambers. Uh, we have a U-shape and I certainly sit

[15:10] across from councelor Pishni and all great and everything. He's great to look

[15:14] at, I'm sure, but most councils are sort of seated towards the gallery. Now, of

[15:21] course, building a whole purchasing a new building just for that I can see is

[15:25] is is maybe not reasonable. Uh but CL Beverage alluded to the fact and this is

[15:29] the biggest concern and that is when we have uh contentious issues or or big

[15:34] public hearings um members of the public want to come down and and participate in

[15:38] the process and we've had a number of occasions like even just over the last

[15:43] few months of this term and certainly last term we've had uh many people uh

[15:49] come down and and I think of the rural renewal stream being perhaps one of the

[15:53] biggest ones. Um, we have only maybe a dozen chairs in here. They were all

[15:58] filled up. And then after that, people have to sit in the lobby. And part of

[16:03] coming down and watching council make these decisions is that when we make

[16:07] these decisions, we have to look people in the eye when we're making these

[16:11] decisions. And that's a pretty um uh, you know, intense thing to do, right? uh

[16:18] that you have to look sometimes people are angry or upset but we have to make

[16:22] those decisions and we should make those decisions by looking people in the eye

[16:25] but if you come down here and you're sitting out in the lobby you have to

[16:28] watch on a TV screen and you're like well you might as well just stayed at

[16:32] home and watched from there not only that you have to watch on about a

[16:35] 15-second delay when you're out in the foyer and we've had scenarios I think in

[16:40] that rural renewal stream we had people on co beverage mentioned this people

[16:44] waiting outside and at that point then you might as well just a state at home.

[16:49] So, we want to encourage that participation in terms of those big

[16:53] public hearings and contentious issues that people could come down and fill our

[16:57] fill our council chambers so that we kind of have to stare at you and look at

[17:02] you and make these difficult decisions. So, I tell of that sort of personal

[17:06] story from a council perspective. So, I'm going to turn to CL Beverage and

[17:09] talk about the staff that work here in this building and talk about some of the

[17:14] personal stories and the challenges that the staff face within this building. And

[17:18] you alluded to some general uh uh challenges you have, but talk about some

[17:23] specific stories or challenges, especially when it comes to meeting with

[17:26] residents and accessibility needs. So, I open it up to to CL Beverage to talk

[17:30] about some of those specific stories of challenges our staff faces.

[17:36] Uh thank you through the mayor to councelor Taylor and all of council. Um

[17:40] so I think that some of the you know some of the impactful stories of

[17:45] sensitive situations wherein we operate a a cemetery and that's a great example

[17:50] of where in currently um you know when residents are coming in to deal with

[17:56] buying a plot and dealing with um you know fairly sensitive um you know time

[18:03] in their life. we don't actually have a space for the individuals to actually

[18:06] meet with people um with our administration. And so it's done in a

[18:10] really awkward space as as far as in the front uh you know where other people are

[18:14] walking through and this happens on a daily you know sometimes a daily basis

[18:18] where you're walking through to get down the hallway and individuals are there um

[18:23] you know sitting in a chair. We try to make it as as comfortable as possible.

[18:27] Our our my administration does a great job of that. But it's that's those are

[18:32] those hard things where you feel really, you know, comfortable as a staff member,

[18:36] but I can't imagine what it feels like from a perspective of a resident. Um

[18:40] just, you know, another example as well is that, you know, our um the ability

[18:47] for our economic development officer, I'll I'll use that as one of our

[18:50] examples. we have that individual um in the back corner um in an open space um

[18:56] that is potentially dealing with hopefully some very exciting things for

[19:00] our community and we don't have a space for that individual individual to have

[19:04] those conversations on the phone to be talking to businesses without everyone

[19:08] hearing. Um that's a common uh issue in this in this or uh building is that even

[19:14] our walls are paper thin it feels like at times and we've done a lot to try to

[19:19] mitigate that but it's still not conducive to um you know sensitive

[19:23] discussions that potentially are not to be shared um with others. HR is a great

[19:28] example of that. We've done a lot there but it's still not ideal. Um, I would

[19:34] say, you know, other examples are when we're interviewing, um, you know, trying

[19:39] to recruit and get people to work with us. Um, when we're doing our interviews,

[19:44] we're in a room that's about, um, you know, it fits probably four or five

[19:49] people comfortably maybe. Um, but it's a really incredibly awkward space or we

[19:54] have to travel across town to, um, have uh, to the MP's office to do our

[19:58] interviews there. Um and that's just things that we've done to help um you

[20:03] know through that opportunity to um you know actually have a panel because

[20:07] that's often what we do is we have more than you know two or three people um

[20:12] involved in that interview process. Um those are you know some of those key

[20:18] pieces um that jump out at me as far as those those you know qu you know stories

[20:23] that you're asking me. um you know as far as impact you know I think you

[20:29] mentioned about chambers and it's something I you know I don't want to be

[20:31] lost you may or may not recall we had some drip you know water coming down

[20:35] from the ceiling recently with regards to in our chambers and actually what

[20:40] they did was actually funnel that to another area so it doesn't actually come

[20:44] through here but it's going somewhere else just to be able to manage that

[20:48] um you know um our HVAC system is is uh we we put off that project just based on

[20:56] this this potential coming forward. But we're in a situation where, you know,

[21:01] it's a fairly substantial um project for the town to undertake for this building,

[21:06] but it's so inconsistent um with and we continuously have the contractors coming

[21:11] in to make this comfortable. It's either we're we're boiling or we're freezing.

[21:17] There's no in between. I would say um you know staff you know we can't some

[21:22] windows don't open like you know I'm getting very granular but it's the

[21:26] reality of what our our teams our employees are working in and um you know

[21:32] I think I could go on if you'd like to I can but I think that's probably gives

[21:36] you a pretty good sense of you know kind of those highly sensitive um areas in

[21:41] which that uh you know we see as a big issue um and have seen as a quite a big

[21:47] issue over Councelor Wilson Lair.

[21:52] » Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh through the mayor to CEO Beverage, um and the rest

[21:57] of council, I would like to make some comments. Um

[22:02] I do want to acknowledge that our current civic center has served Edson

[22:06] well for nearly 70 years. Um, supporting a relocation does not diminish that

[22:12] history, but rightfully recognizes that our community and municipal operations

[22:15] have simply outgrown what the building can reasonably provide. Staff are

[22:19] working in cramped spaces, as your presentation has um been very thorough

[22:24] and and um they're in constrained spaces. Um and as Mayor Zahara had

[22:29] mentioned in his public uh statement um

[22:34] that um people you know call uh closets have been renovated and um I know when I

[22:42] toured the building or came into the building um for this term um when they

[22:47] were speaking of an intern coming in I I did ask the question well where are we

[22:51] where would we put that person? It's very obvious. So, um, what stands out to

[22:56] me is that the question is not whether investment is required. It is where that

[23:00] investment will provide the greatest long-term value. Spending significant

[23:05] dollars to maintain the current facility still does not address its underlying

[23:09] accessibility, space, and functional limitations. This opportunity allows us

[23:14] to invest in an existing downtown building that can better serve our res

[23:17] residents, staff, and community well into the future at considerably less

[23:22] cost than building new and uh and taking on that delayed risk of construction

[23:28] costs and things like that. Um, I also wanted to I just wanted to

[23:33] mention uh before I ask my questions that I appreciate that the future of our

[23:37] existing civic center will be considered respectfully and separately at a later

[23:42] time. After nearly 70 years of service to Edson, the building and its history

[23:46] deserves to be acknowledged while allowing council to carefully consider

[23:50] all options and determine what ultimately makes the most sense for our

[23:54] community. I believe this re relocation is a responsible and forward-looking

[23:58] investment and I am fully supportive of moving this process forward and allowing

[24:03] the public process to proceed with that. I do have two questions um that are just

[24:09] uh out of due diligence. Um first uh has a comprehensive building

[24:14] condition assessment been completed on the building uh we are proposing to

[24:18] acquire and I know that's a pretty standard thing in any conveyancing um uh

[24:23] deal. Um, but are there any significant or immediate long-term capital

[24:27] requirements be beyond what is included in the $5 million project budget? And I

[24:32] can add the second question if that's okay. Um, and the funding plan, just

[24:36] from your presentation, I just wanted to ask it includes $1 million in provincial

[24:41] grant funding. Is that funding confirmed? And I I don't think from the

[24:46] presentation that it was uh noted as confirmed, but if not, what would the

[24:50] funding strategy be if the town does not receive the full amount of that grant?

[24:55] » Thank you very much. >> Cio Beverage.

[24:57] » Uh thank you very much through councelor sorry mayor Zahara through to councelor

[25:02] Wilson Leer. So your first question with was with regards to the

[25:08] inspection. So that is a part of the due diligence and which we will be that's

[25:13] what what happens next. Um if this is approved and we move forward then um

[25:18] that report would be provided to us and we'll we'll go through that and see um

[25:23] what uh you know what things we need to address immediately. Um and the next

[25:29] question with regards to the the grant that is what we intend to use is the

[25:34] local government fiscal framework. So, it's it's a grant that we were received

[25:37] from the province. So, it's uh confirmed.

[25:42] » Thank you, council chair. >> Uh through the mayor to administration.

[25:47] Uh the first question probably to seal beverage. The second question maybe to

[25:50] CFO McDonald's. Um first question is in terms of I know we're perhaps getting

[25:56] ahead of us if we proceed to go ahead and and purchase this building and

[26:00] proceed with the transition. Um uh uh although the the frequently asked

[26:06] questions on the website does address this question, addresses lots of

[26:09] questions. Um uh would there be an interruption in service service levels

[26:14] during the move? Uh obviously we're transport transferring over 40 employees

[26:19] to a new space and we do a lot of work here. So just wondering about the

[26:23] service level >> through the mayor to council Taylor. Uh

[26:28] at this point in time it is fairly preliminary um where we're at in the

[26:31] process. However, I can assure you that um you know just like with the um YC

[26:38] multiplex project um minimizing program disruption is a is a key uh focus for us

[26:43] and I think we understand the importance of ensuring that we serve the public in

[26:48] the most effective manner. So this you know that would be a value that I would

[26:52] have applied to this project. um essentially you know that's what we

[26:56] would intend to do is to um whether we do it in stages etc that would be

[27:01] something that is to be determined >> that's a great question thank you

[27:05] » and a second question uh to CFO McDonald looking at the debenture amount I think

[27:10] it was 2.5 million 2.5 million for the debenture um

[27:16] what would the estimated cost of the taxpayer be based on the assessed value

[27:19] of their property um house worth say 350,000 or 450,000

[27:24] Um, I know we're still sort of early in the process and there's other things to

[27:28] consider, but just what would the sort of the average taxpayer be looking at in

[27:32] terms of this debenture and what they would cost the average taxpayer?

[27:36] » Go ahead, CF McDonald. >> Thank you. Uh, through the mayor to

[27:40] councelor Taylor. Um it's difficult to provide a definitive tax impact um um as

[27:48] the debenture payments will form part of the overall 2027 budget process and will

[27:54] be considered alongside other revenue requirements such as assessment growth

[27:58] grants and operating capital budget adjustments. So if I was to take the

[28:04] debenture payment in isolation alone um a assessment of um in order to do to

[28:12] calculate uh 1% increase in the municipal mill

[28:17] rate a residential property at 350,000 would pay $2 per month and a residential

[28:25] uh property at 450,000 would pay $2.60 per month. Um, these figures are

[28:32] intended just to provide a general indication though and and will be still

[28:35] part of the whole the whole budget process for 2027.

[28:42] » You're welcome. >> Thank you, CFO McDonald. Go ahead,

[28:45] Councelor ShraMM. >> Yeah, to the chair board, to all of

[28:49] council, administration, and the general public listening. Uh, not really a

[28:52] question more, just of a comment. Um, this building, like I say, councelor

[28:56] Wilson Leard already said, has served this community very well for a very long

[28:58] time. Um, but we've outgrown it. That's the reality. Uh, as a community, we've

[29:03] outgrown this facility. Um, and I think this is just a great opportunity and

[29:07] opportunities are our only opportunities if you take advantage of opportunities.

[29:11] Um, for the community to really look at another facility for a very reasonable

[29:18] cost. Um, we've seen the numbers already for building new. We've seen the numbers

[29:22] for renovations of this facility. Um, and that's why I kind of supporting this

[29:26] relocation to this building and purchase. it just makes a lot of sense.

[29:29] Uh it's a building that will serve this community for a very long time moving

[29:33] forward. Uh with some renovations, there's no doubt. Um but that's already

[29:37] incorporated mostly into that $5 million budget. Uh I think we would be remiss in

[29:43] not taking advantage of this opportunity. Um, and that's why I really

[29:46] support this move and I think it thank administration for the work done in

[29:49] looking at the building, making sure it's going to meet our needs, which I

[29:52] think it will very much so, and allowing our community to move forward in a

[29:57] positive way. >> Thank you, Councelor ShraMM.

[30:01] Anybody else want to make any comments? >> Councelor Pichnney.

[30:07] » Yeah, through the mayor to council. uh we needed one 16 years ago, so I 100%

[30:11] support this decision and I can't see a more economical way of doing it. Um and

[30:17] it costs like the cost savings are are are

[30:20] it's a great it's a great plan. Um and the savings alone are make it a lot more

[30:24] worth it if you can just consider that 16 years ago it was going to be 8.7

[30:28] million and that building today probably be 15 or$20 million to build that same

[30:32] building. So um I definitely support this project and and going forward with

[30:36] this. Councelor Taylor,

[30:39] » uh through the mayor to to council administration and and and everybody

[30:43] watching. Um when we look at a a a relocation or or purchasing a new

[30:48] building for a civic building or or even renovating or building new, it's always

[30:53] controversial because it becomes like we're spending $5 million here. Well,

[30:57] why don't why don't you spend $5 million on roads? Why don't you spend $5 million

[31:01] on more on the multiplex instead of this space? Well, as a council, we're asked

[31:05] to make decisions on all elements of the town, not just roads and sewers and

[31:11] things like that. And we must look at this space, too. We heard tonight um uh

[31:16] the work that has to be put into this building that must be put and that's

[31:20] without a renovation to it. That is just to upkeep this this building and make

[31:25] sure that it's a safe facility for our staff and our residents. Um, so anybody

[31:31] who says that do nothing to this space and we can stay here, that's not an

[31:35] option. If we look at perhaps just staying here, uh, we then have to put in

[31:40] a million dollars within the next few years. We have to put in 1.68 within the

[31:44] next 20 years. And then we're probably looking at a massive renovation to this

[31:47] space. And I like essentially you'd be looking at probably just gutting the

[31:51] building and starting over again. Uh, and I want to just be clear on this. We

[31:55] did that to a building here in town not too long ago. We did it to the library

[31:58] and that was $3.7 million. That was only just a few years ago. Now we're we're

[32:04] 100% going to be over well over $5 million if we want to look at staying

[32:08] within this space. Um if we were to build new counci said it look just at

[32:15] white court uh 11 almost $12 million just on that space if we want to build

[32:20] new. Not to mention we have to find a space in town to do that. So, looking at

[32:25] this option here, we are probably getting the best bang for our buck.

[32:28] We're getting a larger space. Yes, there will be some renovations. Um, but

[32:33] there's added bonuses. And now, Cal Beverage has sort of announced the space

[32:38] that we're looking at. Um, we're staying in the downtown core. And this council's

[32:42] made a a commitment to to two things. And that is one and that is

[32:46] beautifification and looking at beautifification and development of our

[32:49] main street. and we're committed to doing that by taking on a space in the

[32:54] sort of the bottom of Main Street and building off from that. So, we're

[32:57] investing dollars into that building into the surrounding space to to

[33:01] beautify that community. And the second thing this council's committed to is

[33:05] economic development. You put public dollars into something, private dollars

[33:09] are going to follow. You put 40 plus employees down in a space down there,

[33:13] then there's businesses that will become a part of that community, want to be

[33:17] down there, right? close to those 40 plus employees that are now within

[33:22] walking distance. So, I see those as as as certainly being benefits to to going

[33:28] to this going in this direction. Um, supportive of the motion that's that's

[33:32] proposed on our agenda and proceeding with this project. And finally, I say if

[33:37] people do have questions, they can always reach out to members of council

[33:40] and I encourage people to read the frequently asked questions on the

[33:43] website. A lot of your questions may be answered there and that will continue to

[33:47] be updated even after tonight. Uh and if Mayor Zahara did a video last week, I

[33:52] encourage you to watch that video. He releases some great information in there

[33:56] and some justification to to the route that we're taking. So those are my

[34:00] comments. >> Thank you, Councelor Taylor. I guess my

[34:04] turn to speak now. uh councelor position and I had the opportunity to be involved

[34:09] in uh the project 16 years ago and it was disappointing that that project did

[34:14] not move forward at that time. Uh and there were various reasons for that. The

[34:18] needs have only increased. Uh since that time progressive councils and

[34:23] administrations have struggled with making decisions regarding this

[34:27] building. We've had ideas on how to beautify this

[34:32] space, how to maybe do some modern renovations, and it's always been, do we

[34:37] want to put money into a building we know that does not suit our needs

[34:40] anymore? And we've kicked that can down the road term after term after term. We

[34:47] have an incredible and councelor ShraMM an incredible opportunity. Uh the

[34:52] building that is located on 1 Avenue uh was vacated just over a year ago. Um,

[34:57] it's gone undergone massive renovations. Uh, it is uh state-of-the-art, if I

[35:03] could say, compared to this building. Um, with with the spaces, it's secure.

[35:09] Uh, there's safety concerns in this building. And CO Beverage mentioned, we

[35:12] don't have sprinkler systems, no fire alarms. Uh, we've had some security

[35:16] incidences in the past. Um, you know, behind us here is a closed off area and

[35:22] we had to close it off due to uh people just walking back there and you know uh

[35:27] we we had a situation here uh in this building uh and staff are stuck. There's

[35:33] no way to get out the other side. Um luckily uh that didn't turn into

[35:37] something more serious. Um we have uh staff sharing offices. We have, you

[35:43] know, you talk about economic development, you talk about uh trying to

[35:47] showcase your community and you're talking to government ministers,

[35:50] presidents of companies. Uh we had Midwest Pipelines in here and and the

[35:56] TMX and you're cramping into these embarrassing meeting spaces. And there

[36:03] is something to be said about um what it looks like when you're coming into a

[36:08] building that looks like it's ready to see it's way past its best before date.

[36:13] Uh so and if if the municipality isn't willing to invest, then why would a

[36:18] company invest in the community? Uh this building is vacant, it'll be fantastic

[36:23] to have that building filled once again. um to have our employees in the downtown

[36:29] uh to reinvest in the downtown and opportunities for the existing space

[36:34] council to make that decision down the road. You're not going to get a better

[36:37] value than what we have here today. So, um I do appreciate the staff uh for

[36:42] taking the time to uh do a thorough review of this. Um this was not really

[36:47] something that we were planning on doing, but an opportunity presented

[36:50] itself and so uh I'm fully in support. Um, I have to say I'm a little

[36:55] disappointed we don't have more members of the public here tonight uh to to be a

[36:59] part of this. Uh, but I think uh, you know, seeing some of the commentary, I

[37:03] think most residents do realize it's the time has come that a decision needs to

[37:06] be made. So, um, I look forward to to making this process move forward. Um, so

[37:13] with that, um, I will, um, just have one question for administration. Um what

[37:19] type of timeline are we looking at in terms of

[37:24] um say if everything goes according to plan uh when would you expect um the

[37:29] minor renovations uh to that building occur and anticipate uh starting to

[37:34] transition to the new location? Um do you have any timelines in mind?

[37:40] » Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. That is the question. Um, essentially at this stage,

[37:46] um, with the information that I have at this moment, I'd be probably shooting

[37:50] for Q2 of 2027. That would be I ideal, but that's with all the stars aligning

[37:56] in which, um, at this point in time, I cannot commit to. So, I will reserve my

[38:02] um comments as far as giving you a confirmation, but that information will

[38:06] be coming forward to council as things progress through our due diligence

[38:10] uh, section of of what we're doing with this acquisition. Um, but that's that's

[38:15] the ideal state what I would like to see.

[38:18] » Excellent. Thank you very much, council. I'll take a motion from the floor,

[38:21] please. And we do have a motion that is slightly different than what's in your

[38:25] package, so you can read it off the screen there.

[38:28] » Go ahead, councelor ShraMM. >> I move that council direct

[38:31] administration to proceed with the proposed civic center relocation project

[38:34] for $5 million excluding GST. >> Thank you. Any questions, comments, or

[38:40] concerns? Seeing none, all those in favor? That

[38:45] motion is carried unanimously. Can I get the next motion, please? Go ahead,

[38:49] Councelor Taylor. I move the council direct administration

[38:54] to return to council with a report outlining options for the future of the

[38:58] existing civic center property, including but not limited to the sale of

[39:01] the property in its current condition, demolition, and redevelopment

[39:05] opportunities, and associated costs. >> Thank you. Any questions, comments,

[39:11] concerns? Seeing none, all those in favor? That

[39:14] motion is carried unanimously. And can I get the third motion, please? Councelor

[39:18] Pitchney, >> I move that council give first reading

[39:21] to by line number 2340. >> Thank you. Any questions, comments, or

[39:27] concerns? Seeing none, all those in favor? That

[39:31] motion is carried unanimously. Thank you everyone.

Civic Centre Council Discussion

Transcript