The Yorkton Business Improvement District (YBID) made a presentation to Council outlining its budget and three-year plan.
Phil DeVos, executive director of YBID said the presentation was being made since it is a committee of Council.
DeVos said some of the projects YBID is looking at will require approval by Council.
"Three areas of this year's budget are going to require dialogue with Council," he said.
The first of those is the flower pot program which sees flower pots placed around downtown Yorkton.
"The annual cost of that is about $25,000," said DeVos, adding costs are climbing but YBID "is looking at that as an ongoing project."
To make it viable long term DeVos said they want to get away from wooden tubs which deteriorate. As an alternative they are looking at cement structures which will require Council approval.
DeVos said the idea is to create "something for the long term, something that will be there."
The YBID is also planning to create four 'Island Rest Stops' along West Broadway Street.
A rest area has a bench, a flower pot, a trash can and adequate lighting. It sits upon a stamped, cement pad located adjacent to a sidewalk. It does not impede traffic or interfere with snow removal. It enhances an existing area of the sidewalk, and creates a welcoming and pleasant area to sit and relax.
"The idea of this project is to encourage people to walk from one end of Broadway to the other. To make this more attractive, we should have areas where they can rest now and then depending upon their physical stamina," detailed material circulated to Council Monday.
DeVos said the rest stops are part of a growing focus on making the downtown area pedestrian friendly. He said as people walk in the area, if they get tired, "They'll simply have a place to rest."The areas would include garbage cans, benches, and potentially solar lighting. Two rest islands are planned on the south side of Broadway West and two on the north side. YBID already has benches and trashcans in our inventory planned for the project.
YBID has also been involved with the City in updating downtown street lighting. DeVos said they want to see the replacements continued.
The main thoroughfares have been completed and impact is noticeable. The YBID would like to expand the program to the side streets of Yorkton.
Looking to 2011, DeVos said the YBID is looking to implement a sidewalk art project.
"YBID wants to encourage walking along Broadway and using the Rest Stops, or elsewhere along Broadway, as we bring forward a Sidewalk Art Project. Working with the Renaissance Committee, we will invite Saskatchewan artists to draw and paint sections of sidewalks into interesting art forms. We believe that this is a first of its kind project in Saskatchewan.
"At the same time local residents, including members of Council and business leaders will be invited to participate in their own works of art. The Idea being while walking down Broadway you can also enjoy the artwork below your feet.
"It is our understanding that the artwork can be treated and should last into the fall if not a bit longer. This, we believe will be great for residents but also a bit of a tourist attraction," explained the YBID's material to Council.
Terry Pollock with YBID said the organization would also like Council to consider altering its funding formula.
As it now stands businesses are assessed a levy which raises $100,000, which the City then matches.
Pollock said as a new business is started, or one is expanded, the levy is altered to still raise the $100,000. He said YBID would like the levy to be set, so businesses pay the same each year, meaning that a new business would add to the amount. The City's contribution would remain $100,000.
"We're just asking that it be allowed to float," he said.
The issue of funding was referred to City Administration to prepare a report for Council, while the YBID report to Council was accepted and filed.
