INNISFAIL – There has been a last-minute delay with the Town of Innisfail's council finalizing the infrastructure construction contract for the new Napoleon Lake South Land Development Project.
A special council meeting was scheduled on May 21 for council to approve a motion for the infrastructure construction contract to be awarded to Sylvan Lake-based Urban Dirtworks Inc. for $2,728,464.91.
The item was the only one on the agenda for the special meeting, and before any council discussion began on May 21 an in-camera meeting behind closed doors was called.
In-camera council meetings are regularly held for confidential discussions on sensitive topics such as personnel matters, legal issues, or financial information as defined by legislation.
When council members completed their brief closed-door discussion on May 21 with Todd Becker, the town’s chief administration officer, the public meeting was immediately adjourned.
On April 28, council unanimously approved a motion to move forward with the new west side residential project, and to award the construction contract before the work at the west side site begins in mid-May.
Administration’s report for the May 21 council meeting recommended the services of Urban Dirtworks over four other tender submissions.
The specific work to be done this year includes the installation of water and sewer lines, as well as curbs and sidewalks.
After the meeting Becker told the Albertan that the Sylvan Lake company is still the intended contractor for the project.
“Urban is aware they are the leading proponents, so there's no issue with securing them as the contractor,” said Becker. “It's just one final piece administration has to pull together to move ahead to finalize a contract.
“As the CAO, until all that information is gathered, I'm not quite ready to recommend to council to award the contract without this final detail coming forward and resolved.”
Becker told the Albertan final information to council should be presented to council before the end of May, and then the contract can be officially approved.
“Council is still supportive of the project, with the final piece still remaining to award the contract,” said Becker. “We'll be presenting the report to award the contract in the forthcoming weeks.”
The planned 12-acre development on a vacant field south of Napoleon Lake, located near the intersection of 42nd St. and Highway 54, is earmarked to have 62 residential lots, an apartment site and buildings on a 1.62 acre piece of commercial land.
On April 10, the town hosted a public lot draw at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre for citizens and builders to choose lots, with prices starting at $101,900.
The lots include those for single family homes, duplexes, townhouses, a larger additional one for an apartment building and another for buildings.
A total of 16 residential lots were selected by builders.
