Mayor Bill Johnston called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Churchbridge town council to order at 7:00 P.M. on February 8, 2021, with a quorum present.
The Churchbridge Housing Authority made a presentation to the council about what the housing authority is responsible for. Linda Johnston, Chairperson, began to explain to the council that the Town of Churchbridge is a 5% owner of the housing authority in Churchbridge. Brenda Becker explained there are a total of 45 rental units in town.
The council asked a few questions including long-term feasibility. Even with cost increases, it can still be feasible with grants and more tenants.
Carrying on, the council reviewed the agenda before Councilor R. Thies made a motion to accept the agenda as amended; motion carried
The council reviewed the regular minutes of January 25, 2021, and Councillor Antosh-Cusitar made a motion to accept; the motion carried.
REPORTS
Churchbridge Town Foreman Jason Poppenheim gave his report to the council of what has been going on with the town maintenance over the last month. His report included information about the water main breaks, the RO/water plant building is going ahead well, the lift station pump cost, calling in of part-time staff during an emergency situation such as water main breaks and the training the maintenance staff are taking.
Standing councillor reports were next on the agenda. Planning and economic development were discussed, with Councillors N. Thies and Gosselin giving their report. N. Thies attended the Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s Virtual AGM and has reached out to several people.
Recreation, Culture and Health with Councillor Gosselin and Antosh-Couitsar were next discussed. The Kaminski Arena will be closing on March 1, 2021, for the season,. The walking path will be looking into the Co-op Community Spaces grant which could possibly be worth $25,000.00 - $150,000.00 in funding.
Administrator Renea Paridaen was next to give her report. She informed the council that the year-end audit is coming and an RO update was given to the council. She explained the drainage update - there is a culvert that CP Rail needs to replace and that recycle bins locking for businesses; some businesses want them locked while some don’t. It was mentioned that a new snow blade has been ordered for the town’s payloader, town banners were discussed including Remembrance Day banners and more “coin” banners, as well as the past councillor plaque. The coin monument needs to be made to look new again with a cost of $10,000-$20,000 to restore it. The RCMP will be making a presentation at the next council meeting.
The Cedar Crescent Development was next to be discussed, including drainage possibilities on the northeast side of Cedar Crescent and approximate costs to bring utilities to the lots in the development. Councillor Gosselin made a motion to accept the reports which was carried.
OLD BUSINESS
The council reviewed a SaskPower installation, a proposed upgrade called a rural rebuild. Councilor R. Thies made a motion to accept the SaskPower proposal as reviewed; motion carried.
The Inclusive Playground Request was next to discuss. The council was interested in the presentation Abigail Siwy made at the last meeting. It was suggested to the town to make a formal invitation to join this project with Ms. Siwy and the committee would look into starting this project. Mayor Johnston made a motion to show Abby Siwy that the town would like to join her Inclusive Playground Project and would handle the financial side of the project; motion carried.
By-election dates were next to be discussed. It was decided that the by-election will be April 1, 2021, from 6-9 P.M. in the Community Center for the Advanced Poll.
CORRESPONDENCE
The council reviewed the correspondence received within the last month including; South Saskatchewan Vacation Guide, even though the town has never advertised in the vacation guide in the past it was discussed that the campground is becoming more popular as well as more developed. Councillor Antosh-Cusitar made a motion to go with the $350 advertising package while Councillor Vaughan objected. The motion by Councillor Antosh-Cusitar was carried.
The Cloud Storage Backup was discussed, as well as STARS Air Ambulance. Councillor R. Thies made a motion to file the correspondence which was carried.
ACCOUNTS
The council reviewed the Town of Churchbridge List of Accounts for Approval. Mayor Johnston decelerated a conflict of interest and left chambers before Councillor R. Thies made a motion to approve the list; motion carried. Mayor Johnston then returned to council chambers.
NEW BUSINESS
The reserve transfers was the first item on the agenda for new business. After reviewing the list that Churchbridge Administrator Renea Paridaen compiled for the reserve transfers, Councillor R. Thies made a motion to transfer the reserves as reviewed; motion carried.
Next, the council reviewed the Churchbridge Swimming Pool purchases for 2021 as presented by Cindy Buchberger. After reviewing the list of recommended purchases presented by Buchberger and the pool committee, Councillor R. Thies made a motion to allow the pool purchases; motion carried.
The council appointed Grace Bjornson as the Churchbridge Library Representative with a motion by Councillor Gosselin; motion carried.
Public works/pool staff hiring was discussed and when to advertise. Councillor Antosh-Cusitar made a motion to advertise which was carried.
The assessment roll was next discussed and will be open from February 19 to April 19. The assessment roll pertains to property values in town. Councillor R. Thies made a motion to open the assessment which was carried.
The Churchbridge Water Treatment Plant inspection was next discussed. The town revived a compliance certification. Councillor R. Thies made a motion to approve the inspection.
Radon Gas suggested that the town buy 4 radon gas kits at a cost of $400. Councillor Vaughan made a motion to purchase the test kits; motion carried.
The tax lien removal was next to be discussed. With taxes paid-up, Councillor R. Thies made a motion to revoke the tax lien; motion carried.
Councillor Gosselin then made a motion to go in-camera which was carried.
