Here are some of the other items that came up at North Battleford's city council meeting Sept. 22. (Thanks to City Communications Manager James Risdon for providing some of this information.)
Among the items was a presentation by Jane Zielke of Canadian Mental Health Association, who discussed their contract to operate the David Laird Campground.
She noted that managing the campground allowed their organization to offer individuals living with mental illness the opportunity for meaningful work. This summer an additional 16 clients participated in the campground's work experience program and in total the organization provides employment experience to more than 40 individuals. Zielke also provided some testimonials from those who worked at the campground under the program.
Zielke requested that her organization manage David Laird Campground on behalf of the City in 2015. Council received correspondence from the organization and will discuss the issue again at a later meeting.
The City also received correspondence from the president of the North Battleford Branch No. 70 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Oral Fladeland, who thanked the City for its upkeep of the cenotaph and Howdy McPhail Park.
"The cenotaph is a piece of our history honouring our veterans and, with Veterans Week and Remembrance Day fast approaching, it is wonderful to see the work that has been done," wrote Fladeland. In his response, Hamilton recognized the work of public works staff for the upkeep of that area.
During the announcements portion of the meeting, the mayor also passed along the many compliments he had heard from a number of residents about the upkeep of the flowers around the city.
Announced at Monday's meeting by City Manager Jim Puffalt, and followed up with a news release the following day, is the launch of the City's 2014 fall compost pickup program.
Residents can place all leaves, grass clippings and garden waste in front of their homes for free pickup by city crews for one day only in October.
It can be as many bags as needed, and the free pickup will take place on the same days city crews now clean and clear the streets of snow in winter, commonly called the parking restrictions, during the week of Oct. 20 to 27, excluding the weekend.
Residents are being asked to ensure compostable yard waste is placed in clear or translucent blue bags to let pickup crews see what is inside - the bags may contain leaves, grass clipping and garden waste only. (Bags with any other material including branches will not be picked up).The bags may not weigh more than 40 pounds.,
City crews will haul the material to a special compost pile at its waste management facility on Wearing Road. More information can be found at the city's website at www.newsoptimist.ca, including dates and times as well as the map of parking restrictions for that week.
In proclamations, Mayor Ian Hamilton has proclaimed October to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Children's Vision Month and United Way Month in the City of North Battleford. He also proclaimed Oct. 12 - 18 to be National Veterinary Technician Week.
The next meeting of council is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 8 p.m.
