The Town of Stettler’s entry signs will be getting a fresh look in 2023.
Council awarded a tender to repair the 12-year-old signs during the May 16 meeting.
Originally commissioned in 2011, the elements over the last decade have not been kind to the signs which has left them rusty and dented.
Following the creation of a logo and visual brand policy in 2020, the decision was made to update the signs to these new standards when they are refurbished.
Around $62,000 was set aside in the 2023 Capital Budget to repair and upgrade the signs; due to the costs involved the town was required to put out a request-for-proposal.
Nine proposals were received for the work; however, four were deemed incomplete and three did not meet specification requirements for powder coating as put out in the tender package.
The only two tenders received which met specification were Red Deer-based House of Signs at a cost of just under $152,000, and Stettler-based WTS manufacturing for $64,000.
Based on staff recommendation, council approved the tender by WTS Manufacturing to repair the town signs.
Okoppe Way
A piece of down town Stettler property will be coming off the market.
The town acquired a now empty piece of property on 50 Street following a compliance order in 2020.
While the property has been for sale since 2021, discussions have been held around the possibility of keeping a walkway through the property so that there can be mid-block access to the for Hub parking lot.
Discussions held by the Economic Development Sub-Committee and the Downtown Improvement Committee identified that while the walkway would be beneficial, the remaining parcel of land would be too narrow for any substantial development to be built.
The former Hub parking lot, now renamed the Okoppe Parking Lot in reference to Stettler’s sister-city in Japan, has seen some some improvements to date and with an effort to get more people parking off Main Street a concept plan was reviewed for Okoppe Way.
Okoppe Way would be a permanent connection between the parking lot and Main Street and feature a garden with outdoor seating, a rock garden, an arched shade and ornate lighting.
The assessed value of the land for the proposed project is just under $43,000.
Council approved the Economic Development Sub-Committee’s recommendation to retain the 50 Street property and direct administration to proceed with initial designs and costs.
Truck purchase
Council has awarded the tender for the last of its 2023 fleet replacements.
Having previously awarded tenders for three of the four pickup trucks approved in the 2023 budget, administration put out a request for proposal to purchase a half-ton crew cab truck from the local dealerships.
Two tenders were received, with both models quoted meeting town specification.
After the previous vehicle purchases, the town had just over $52,000 available in the budget.
The winning bid was Stettler Dodge, with a total bid of just over $53,000 to be paid for out of the 2023 Capital Budget.