City Expressing Interest In Infrastructure Program But There Is A Catch
The City of Moose Jaw could be in for some big infrastructure money from the Federal government but they are going to have to hurry to get in their expression of interest and then be willing to accept some items they may not necesarily want to get the cash.
At Monday evening’s meeting of Moose Jaw City Council there was a report from Administration outlining initiatives they were proposing Council approve submitting an expression of interest for in a hastily announced Federal government infrastructure program.
The expression of interest would come with some catches though and that being the City is going to have to accept some additional new buses as well as upgrade the transit shelters which was done only a few years ago.
“If we don’t get our expression of interest in beforehand we risk missing our grants,” city manager Jim Puffalt told Council. The program had been announced on March 26 with an April 30 deadline to make the submission.
Puffalt told Council that Administration had decided the best route to enhance the possibility of receiving funding was to focus in on a few key priority projects.
“We try to prioritize projects and not give a hundred different projects because I think it dilutes our chances,” Puffalt stated.
There are three priority projects Administration recommended an expression of interest be submitted on - the reservoirs, the outdoor pool and money for transit and transportation.
The priority project Administration was focused on was the update to the water reservoirs, in particular the High Street pumping station, for a total of approximately $16 million in repairs.
An expression of interest is being made to replace the outdoor pool with a new $3.75 million structure
On the facilities side Administration recommended an application be made for the estimated $3.75 million replacement of the outdoor acquatic centre (commonly known as the outdoor pool). This is the second priority project.
The transit transportation stream already has $6.1 million coming to the City.
“It really is just the initial phase to get on the list and let them know there are projects,” Puffalt said.
The sticking point in the entire infrastructure program comes from the already improved $6.1 million under the transit stream and how it means the City is going to have to buy some new buses as well as upgrade the transit shelters in order to receive the money.
The City will have to spend $2 million on paratransit and bus shelters leaving $3.954 million which can be spent elsewhere.
Puffalt stated Administration was recommending $2.954 million go to the cast iron water main replacement program and $1 million be spent installing solar energy systems on four City owned buildings.
He claimed with existing federal and provincial programs 75 percent of the $1 million cost would be borne by upper levels of government. The solar panels would generate an estimated $80,000 annually in savings.
“It’s a pretty exciting program,” Puffalt said.
Councillor Brian Swanson spoke out against the proposed use of $1 million to a solar power project asking if the $1 million could not be added to the cast iron water main replacement program to accelerate it.
“There is savings there as well…that is something I would be in favour of,” Councillor Swanson stated.
Councillor Swanson went on to question why the City had to buy new buses.
“This is the second time in six years there has been a federal program to buy new buses,” he said.
“If we buy buses it is not going to increase ridership in our transit system…we had a transit shelter program a few years ago.”
To receive the $6 million the catch is new buses and bus shelters costing $2 million must be purchased
Speaking against the solar energy proposal Councillor Swanson stated “it is a relatively expensive form of energy…I would rather put the money into cast iron (as there are significant savings there as well).”
Mayor Fraser Tolmie expressed a similar outlook when it came to infrastructure funding from Ottawa.
“There are challenges with the way the Federal government hands out money…the Federal government is looking at the larger centres,” Mayor Tolmie stated.
“Putting $2.954 million into cast iron is a good idea…right now we have a lot of breaks we are putting money in to…are we funding it as a 20 year project at this time no,” he stated, adding though new technology such as lining and not replacing cast iron water mains would increase the amount of cast iron replaced.
“I don't think we should be missing out on the solar incentives that are out there…I think the City of Moose Jaw should be forward thinking and progressive in this.”
Asked about the transit funding from Councillor Chris Warren and how it had already been awarded Puffalt said it came about as part of negotiations with the Province after the Federal government indicated ehy wanted every province to accept transit funding. In discussions with the Province smaller centres with transit services were able to secure funding initially headed entirely to Regina and Saskatoon, Puffalt explained.
“We should focus on our top project which is our reservoirs…if solar won’t work we have the fall back to cast iron…$250,000 put in by the City (for solar power) for a net (annual) savings of $80,000 is a pretty good return,” Puffalt said, adding “it moves us to carbon neutral which is what we should be moving towards.”
“Whenever we can get this type of money from the Federal government for these types of projects I think it is in our best interest to take advantage of it,” Councillor Dawn Luhning stated.
Councillor Heather Eby said she would prefer to see a pilot project of one City facility make use of solar energy but would not stand in front of receiving submitting the expression of interest to receive the federal funds.
“It is just so unfortunate we have to put so much money into something so highly subsidized,” Councillor Eby said right after stating the bus shelters had indeed been replaced and upgraded only a few years ago.
On the potential of funding for a new outdoor pool she said it was “something to get excited about.”
After losing an amendment to not set up a solar power program Councillor Swanson said he would reluctantly support the motion to seek federal infrastructure funds.
“We have to approve to purchase things we really do not need to get money if that does not say something,” Councillor Swanson stated.
Administration will now prepare and submit the expression of interest to enter the queue and hopefully receive approval.
The infrastructure program is not a per capita based program so there is the possibility the City could be approved for multi-millions of additional upper level of government funds.