On Monday, February 22, 2021, Mayor Bill Johnston called the regularly scheduled town council meeting to order at 7:00 PM with all council members present.
Starting off, the council reviewed the agenda before Councillor Gosselin made a motion to accept the amended agenda; motion carried.
Moving on, the council reviewed the minutes of the February 8, 2021, regular council meeting. Councillor R. Thies made a motion to accept the minutes; the motion carried
Standing Committee Reports
Councillor N.Thies met with the fire department and gave an update to the rest of the council.
The environmental committee was next to be discussed with Councillor R. Thies. He addressed the council regarding locked recycle bins and suggested that the town not go to locked bins, but instead to educate the public about the do’s and don'ts of recycling,
Economic development was next. N.Thies explained to the council about the new pizza business in town as well as the Fast Gas improvements.
The Culture and Health Committee report was next. Councillor Gosselin addressed the council regarding what the committee has been up to. Councillor Antosh-Cusitar also addressed the council.
The council all addressed their experience with the Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s virtual Annual General Meeting and their take-way from the AGM.
Renea Paridaen was next to give the Administrator Report. Paridaen reported that the town foreman will be doing training for his water treatment plant qualification and that one staff member will be taking her first aid. Paridaen gave an update on the R.O. Project, as well as mentioning that 3 culverts will be replaced under the tracks,. The coin monument was next to be explained. For $15,000 to $20,000 in restoration costs the coin would last another 20 years, and to replace a monument like that would cost approximately $80,000; tabled until budget time. A by-election update was given as the town office has only had one nomination to date. A public meeting was brought up and it was suggested April 8, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. Councillor N. Thies made the motion to hold the meeting on that date; motion carried. The library flooding issues were brought up. There is still a water issue there that the town foreman will address. The council will be meeting on March 29, 2021, for a budget meeting. The RCMP cost was next discussed, it costs the town $48 per capita for the town. Saskpower has requested a 3-meter easement agreement to be signed by the council. The town had its audit last Friday and should have the final results by March 8, 2021. The drainage on the east end of town and the Cedar Crescent development was discussed. Councillor Antosh-Cusitar made a motion to hire the survey company; motion carried. Councillor N. Thies made the motion to accept the reports; motion carried.
Cpl. Darcey Thiemann was next to address the council with the RCMP report from the Esterhazy/Langenburg department. Cpl. Thiemann addressed the council's concerns that he had been emailed. Thiemann enforced that the area is a good area due to the lack of overall crime. The Saskatchewan Rural Crime Watch was discussed and how good it is for the public as well as the RCMP.
Old Business
The council discussed the road closure on Cedar Crescent before Mayor Johnston made the motion to allow the road closure of the Northeast portion of Cedar Crescent; this will not affect the residents of Cedar Crescent, it will close off the crescent adjacent to what is called ‘J Parcel’, that is being developed. The closure is to adjust the road to fit the planned subdivision road.
Next, the council discussed the proposed questions about the planning of the subdivision.
The Landfill Liability was next discussed and whether to get qualified or unqualified liability. Councillor R. Thies made the motion to have an unqualified statement and assume full liability; motion carried.
Correspondence
The council reviewed the correspondence received by the town over the last two weeks including; Restart Funds Proposal, the arena has requested funds to replace 4 water heaters in the arena due to lost revenue due to COVID as well as making the arena wheelchair acceptable, tabled for the next meeting made by Councillor N. Thies; motion carried. The Parkland Library - Churchbridge Branch was discussed as CAO Paridaen read the Churchbridge library report. The 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline is promoted by MP Cathay Wagontall as she is introducing the 988 Suicide Prevention hotline and would like the council’s support. Councillor N.Thies made a motion to promote this hotline. Potash Tax Sharing Update was given. An Augmented Reality Fitness Game and Canada Post EV Chargers were discussed. Councillor N. Thies made the motion to support this proposal of EV chargers; motion defeated. Councillor R. Thies made the motion to file the correspondence; motion carried.
Accounts
The council reviewed the list of Accounts for Approval before Councillor N. Thies made the motion to accept them; motion carried.
Next, the council reviewed the January Financial Statements and Bank Reconciliation. Councillor N. Thies made a motion to accept both January Financial and Bank Reconciliation reports; motion carried.
New Business
Mayor Johnston made the recommendation to allow the public a short period of time prior to going in-camera to ask questions of the council. This is an uncommon move by any council as most council meetings are usually only for council or delegations to speak. These Q&A sessions will be held so the public can ask questions of any member of the council. Mayor Johnston feels this will be a good way for a ratepayer to ask the council about any concerns heard during the council meeting, hoping that this will bring more residents into the council meeting and allow them to ask council questions. It is beneficial to the public to see that the Churchbridge council is allowing transparency and accountability to be shown in this Q&A period.
SAMA Annual meeting was next to be discussed, the town is allowed to appoint two delegates to attend. Councillor N. Thies made a motion to have CAO Paridaen attend; motion carried.
Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation (SPRA) Delegate Appointment was discussed. Councillor N. Thies made a motion to have Councillor Gosselin be the delegate; motion carried.
Councillor N. Thies made a motion to go in camera; motion carried.
