North Battleford council will consider measures aimed at bringing underused properties back into productive use Monday, including a new tax incentive for long-vacant commercial buildings and substantially lower asking prices on some city-owned residential lots.
The Sept. 14 agenda also includes a $231,000 underground infrastructure contract connected to apartment development on Buhler Avenue and a proposal to seek provincial funding for flashing lights at three pedestrian crossings.
Under a proposed Vacant Commercial Building Tax Incentive Policy, commercial buildings that have been vacant for at least 12 months could qualify for a declining municipal tax abatement intended to encourage improvements and new occupancy.
Administration said the program is meant to encourage investment, reduce derelict commercial properties and increase the city’s commercial assessment base. Only one municipal tax incentive could be applied to a project or property.
The city manager would be given authority to approve applications that meet the policy criteria, which administration believes would reduce the need for council to handle routine approvals while keeping councillors informed through regular reporting.
“While it may reduce municipal tax revenue in the short term, the financial impact will be limited to the municipal portion of taxes on eligible improvements and can be monitored through regular reporting and the annual budget process,” the city stated.
Council will also be asked to reconsider prices for properties acquired through tax enforcement after the city reported “minimal inquiries” about the available land.
A realtor assessed the properties using comparable sales from the previous 18 months and current listings.
Residential lots at 1211 108th Street and 1621 104th Street, each priced at $18,000 in 2024, are now recommended at between $7,000 and $9,500.
Proposed values for residential properties at 1461 108th Street and 1312 108th Street range from $7,000 to $9,500 and $7,000 to $8,500, respectively. Commercial land at 902 115th Street would remain priced at $5,000.
Administration is recommending council approve the values and allow staff to accept offers within 10 per cent of the recommended price, along with a five-per-cent real estate commission.
Another decision could advance infrastructure work on Buhler Avenue.
Three companies submitted bids for the Buhler Avenue Underground Extension Project, with Unicon Construction Inc. submitting the lowest city cost at $231,080.11, including provincial sales tax.
Sanburn Construction Ltd. bid $267,120, while Neetah Construction LP submitted a bid of $364,544.21.
Administration recommends awarding the contract to Unicon and approving a 10-per-cent contingency of $23,108 for unforeseen conditions, quantity variations and other unanticipated work.
The project would install underground infrastructure and build a temporary gravel road. Asphalt and concrete are being deferred because construction traffic and heavy equipment associated with an apartment development at 2624 Buhler Ave. are expected to use the roadway, creating a risk of damage to a newly finished surface.
The deep-utilities portion of the lowest bid is $221,540.11, putting it $26,440.11, or 13.5 per cent, above the city’s earlier $195,100 estimate.
However, the city is also expecting more money than initially projected from the related sale of land at 2430 Buhler Ave.
The parcel was originally estimated at about 1.8 acres with a sale price of $274,428. A survey put the property at 1.99 acres, increasing the price to $303,394.50. The developer has agreed to the revised size and price, and has received development and building permits.
Pedestrian safety will also come before council, with administration seeking authorization to apply for provincial funding for six solar-powered flashing signs at three crosswalks.
The proposed locations are the east end of 21st Avenue and mid-block crossings in the 1000 blocks of 101st and 102nd streets.
The 102nd Street location was identified after the RCMP detachment requested enhanced safety measures for a crossing between the detachment and access to the 103rd Street parking lot. Discussions between city departments subsequently identified the other two locations as areas where driver awareness is also a concern.
The proposed signs would use solar-powered flashing light bars activated by push buttons on either side of the crossing.
Equipment for all six signs is estimated at about $20,150. If the application is successful, the provincial program would cover the majority of the equipment costs, while the city estimates installation by municipal crews would cost about $6,000.
Council will consider the proposals at its regular meeting on Monday, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Don Ross Centre.
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