Debate begins

Officially, city council was not supposed to begin debating the 2009 budget until Wednesday.

However, council informally kicked off debate on Saturday after members traded words with two separate organizations.

The first came when St. Albert Taxpayers' Association president Lynda Flannery presented her organization's views about civic spending and the proposed 8.97 per cent tax increases.

Flannery recommended council to cut spending by reducing staffing positions and growth-related capital projects. She criticized both the city's use of the municipal price index and municipal comparators as justifications for increased spending.

With the economy slowing, Flannery said the city should hold off on completing stage three of Ray Gibbon Drive until development begins in the annexed lands. She also recommended slowing down recruitment for fire hall No. 3 until growth picks up.

The Riel Park reclamation work also fell under the association's scrutiny. Flannery said the city should proceed with landfill capping and grading in the area, but not the $6.8 million needed to return areas like the soccer and rugby club back to their original state.

Coun. Lorie Garritty applauded the association for providing feedback about the civic budget. However, he took the opportunity to rebut several of the association's suggestions, particularly for Riel Park.

Normally, that kind of rebuttal is not tolerated by the chair. Council debates council, not public appointments.

Later the same meeting, Mayor Nolan Crouse participated in a debate of sorts about the need for a $20-million branch library. The mayor said the proposal — which is not contemplated for at least three years — does not add up when looking at a 10-year decline in library membership and visitors.

While it would be an overstatement to call the subsequent exchange with library board chair Kelly Aisenstat "heated," it was more tense than most placid dialogue at council meetings.

It concluded with the mayor asking the library board to "invite me to the library when it's full."

At least council is warmed up for what could be several more hours of debate.