The City of North Battleford’s Strategic Plan was one topic addressed at the April 23 meeting of council.
Before heading off to Moose Jaw to take over as city manager there, Jim Puffalt provided a six-month “scorecard” showing how the City is meeting the goals of the plan adopted last summer.
Puffalt noted there had been “great progress” and the scores he handed out were high for the list of accomplishments. Positives, according to Puffalt, included completing the budget on time, keeping their debt limit within provincial guidelines, moving into year two of downtown revitalization, the downtown parking strategy (which Puffalt noted may be impacted by new construction downtown this year), investment attraction and community safety initiatives.
On crime reduction, Puffalt acknowledged more work needed to be done to transfer occurrences to the CSOs. On the safer community strategy, Puffalt noted progress in supporting the rooming house initiative, in continuing support of the SAGE initiative and applying CPTED principles, as well as the regional policing strategy efforts.
There was also progress noted on UPAR, as well as in engaging their city workforce.
Mayor Ryan Bater said he was pleased with the overall progress noted in Puffalt’s report on meeting the Strategic Plan.
“It’s nice to see that it’s not just sitting on a shelf somewhere, but we’re monitoring it, we’re getting updates on it,” said Bater.
In other items from the meeting, the 2018 capital works projects contract No. 2 for underground utilities has been awarded to Unicon Pipeline Ltd. of North Battleford for a low bid price of $1,287,157.47 plus GST. This contract would cover the underground utilities portion of 2018 UPAR projects as well as other capital projects with underground utilities components. The low bid is approximately three per cent over budget. Three bids were received. The roadways tender has not yet been awarded.
Also on Monday, the fourth quarter financial report was presented with Director of Finance Amarjit Mahil noting in that report the total revenue reduction in the 2017-18 provincial budget was $1,269,897.
In announcements and inquiries, Councillor Kent Lindgren asked if there was going to be a final wrap-up update of the Saskatchewan Winter Games. Councillor Kelli Hawtin responded it would likely return in the fall when they would come back with financial information, recommendations for what to do with the surplus and a final wrap-up of the games.
Lindgren also noted May 11 is the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event to raise money for the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre.
In proclamations, April 23-30 is World Wish Week in North Battleford, in recognition of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s efforts. May 7-12 is Mental Health Week in North Battleford.
The next meeting of council is May 14.
