Curbside recycling added

St. Albert residents are one step closer to curbside recycling pickup next year.

Council voted 4-3 to add curbside recycling to the 2009 budget starting in June. The service would cost an extra $4.60 monthly charge per household. 

The move would see the average monthly utility bill rise to $86, up from the $81 originally proposed for 2009. Last year, utilities were $74 per household.

Not a done deal

Council is not expected to make a final call on curbside recycling until the new year. That's when they'll receive a list of recommendations for solid waste services. The $4.60 monthly charge is an estimate from a consultant's preliminary findings.

In theory, council could turn down curbside recycling if members found something unfavourable in the final report. If that happens the $81 per month rate would remain.

If council gives the report the thumbs up, administration would begin a public search for a third-party contractor. Service would start June 1.

Recognizing decisions still need to be made, Mayor Nolan Crouse said council should make room in the budget now. Curbside recycling, he reminded, was a hot-button issue during last year's civic election.

"If we do this, we will be addressing one of the biggest concerns our residents have, and one of the biggest opportunities that's ahead of us with the environment."

The vote was close, with Coun. James Burrows leading the charge in favour of the status quo. St. Albert's existing recycling depot, he said, is well-used by citizens. He also disagreed about the public demand for curbside recycling, claiming it's not coming up in conversations at local coffee shops or banks.

"This is not warranted," he said.

How they voted

In favour: Nolan Crouse, Len Bracko, Roger Lemieux, Lorie Garritty

Against: James Burrows, Carol Watamaniuk, Gareth Jones

All quiet on the budget front

City council is taking a small break from budget meetings.

Due to the Remembrance Day holiday, the next budget meeting takes place this Thursday, Nov. 13.

Thursday's line up should be interesting as it includes several noteworthy presentations, including one for Servus Credit Union Place. It will be Servus Place's first budget since the 2007 and 2008 deficit and subsequent citizens' task force report.

Administration forecasts a $1.67 million deficit next year, according to the 2009 operating budget. The city predicts a 77 per cent cost recovery rate, similar to this year.

While council won't be approving spending beyond next year, it's worth noting the Servus Place deficit is projected to increase the following two years. That means budgeted losses of $1.83 million in 2010 and $1.85 million in 2011.

Council has not shied away from raising tough questions during their monthly Servus Place fiscal updates. Expect a similar performance on Thursday.

Also on the Nov. 13 budget schedule is the planning and engineering divisional overview, plus presentations from the engineering department, office of the environment and public transit.

The office of environment presentation could prove interesting if it focuses on landfill remediation in Riel Park.

There are several public transit items in the budget, including a park 'n' ride station south of the Superstore. 

With parking at the current Village Landing station a tight squeeze (to put it mildly), it will be interesting to see how council greets such initiatives.

The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in council chambers. It will not be televised.