Here is a rundown of some highlights from the Monday council meeting in North Battleford. (Much of this information comes courtesy of Communications And Marketing Co-ordinator Mike Halstead.)
Not surprisingly, last week's blizzard was one topic that came up during the meeting.
During the announcements and inquiries portion of the meeting, Public Works Director Stewart Schafer pledged his department will look into snow piled up on the roads around the Don Ross Centre.
This is in response to a request from Councillor Greg Lightfoot, who had heard concerns about whether nearby streets would be clear for parking in time for the Battlefords Dance Festival to be held at that location April 1 to 4.
Schafer did acknowledge, however, his department was "still struggling a little bit on some of the snow that did come down."
"Mother Nature did pose us a little bit of a challenge last week," said Schafer.
Lightfoot also commended the city crews for their work clearing the streets, noting the blowing snow and piles seen in the Saskatchewan Hospital area and in the airport area last week.
A formal invitation has been extended to Mayor Ian Hamilton and members of council to attend the annual mayor's prayer breakfast April 13.
Pastor Patrick Carty of Emmanuel Pentecostal Fellowship went to the podium to formally extend that invitation.
Students from North Battleford Comprehensive High School, John Paul II Collegiate and Sakewew High School explained their efforts in the Pink Revolution, designed to raise awareness about bullying, discrimination and homophobia.
They invited council to declare April 8 to 14 as Pink Revolution Anti-Bullying week and a number of activities are planned for that week, including a dance project creating a sea of pink, a panel discussion at Chapel Gallery, a candlelight vigil and city wide march. The students' efforts were met with encouragement by Councillor Ray Fox, who commended their efforts to "make the world a better place."
The Sakewew High School Gay-Straight Alliance has been nominated for a national award for excellence in anti-bullying initiatives, to be presented in Toronto.
North Battleford is accepting a challenge posed from Regina mayor Michael Fougere.
In correspondence, Fougere is encouraging cities across Canada to participate in the Mayor's Poetry Challenge. It is in recognition of UNESCO's World Poetry Day (March 21) and National Poetry Month (April). North Battleford plans to have a poetry reading to begin the April 22 meeting of council. City Clerk Debbie Wohlberg noted some schools are planning to participate with their own poetry submissions.
April 7 to 13 is proclaimed as Sexual Assault Awareness week in North Battleford.
Council was informed G and C Asphalt was the lone bidder in the tender for construction of new tennis courts to be built to the west of the Civic Centre, just north of the skate park. The plan is for the courts to be completed on or before July 1, and is dependent on the construction and the weather according to Parks And Recreation Director Keith Anderson.
The new courts are to replace the former courts located on the site where Caleb Group is building a 94-unit seniors' apartment complex.
A pavement overlay on 19th Avenue from 93rd Street to Walker Drive, and subgrade, subbase, base and pavement work on Pioneer Avenue from Battleford Road to 114th Street will now go to the Sask. Municipal Board for their approval as local improvements.
