Enhancing internet in Jasper
To meet growing demand, Telus is investing $400,000 to expand and enhance wireless and broadband internet services for Jasper residents and businesses.
“The demand for advanced communications services is exploding in Jasper, and Telus is committed to bringing in the latest technology, both wired and wireless, to the community,” Glen Lovas, director of customer solutions delivery, stated in a press release.
The $400,000 investment will enhance broadband internet, 4G and 4G LTE wireless networks in Jasper.
By the end of this year, Telus will have invested $1.2 million in new technology and infrastructure in Jasper since 2011.
Folk fest gets funding
Council approved a $5,000 funding request from the Jasper Heritage Folk and Blues Society, June 4.
The funds are from the Economic Development Fund and will be used for portable toilets and fencing during the Sept. 13-15 Jasper Folk Music Festival.
The request was originally presented to council at the May 7 meeting and was delayed twice because the cost of portables and fencing weren’t include in the festival budget.
Those numbers still weren’t available at the June 4 meeting, but council felt it was still appropriate to award the funding, after hearing that the cost of the portables alone would be more than the $5,000 request.
The Economic Development Fund has $6,750 in it. The municipality gives out money twice a year from the fund. Application deadlines are in March and September.
An organization can apply for as much as $5,000 once a year.
Capital budget approved
The $2.9-million capital budget for 2013 was unanimously approved by council, June 4, along with the $7.57-million 2013-2015 capital plan.
Council gave the public three weeks to comment on the budget—which mostly addresses existing projects—but no comments or concerns were raised during that time.
New projects included in the budget are sidewalks for the Caribou Creek Co-ops and the Library and Cultural Centre.
Before the budget was approved, Alice Lettner, director of finance for the municipality, noted that some of the costs included in the budget could change, including the cost of sidewalks at the library and the cost of the library project itself.
Coun. Mike Day asked, in that case, why council should approve the budget without first adding additional funds to the library budget.
“If we do require an increase to [the library] budget, I think it would be best to come forward with a request for a decision and to indicate to you why we need that request for decision,” responded Lettner. “It would be more transparent to come back when we have some actual figures,” she continued, noting that at that time, it will be clear who is responsible for what between Delnor, Stantec and the municipality.
The library budget has $1.385-million remaining from the previously approved $8.5-million budget.
