At Tuesday’s City of North Battleford council meeting, Fire Chief Albert Headrick introduced a new Community Safety Officer, Michael Garbowicz.
Garbowicz is originally from the Niagara region in Ontario and has worked most recently as a municipal constable and NWT Park Officer in Yellowknife. Prior to that he was in the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary Constable Program. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Brock University.
His appointment was carried unanimously by resolution later in the meeting.
RCMP Inspector John Sutherland provided the policing report, which mainly addressed initiatives designed to improve service delivery. A new office manager has been hired and Sutherland also updated council on increased efficiencies for RCMP members to get members out on the road more. There will also be more bike patrols on the streets this summer, he said.
Sutherland also noted $1,500 was raised for RCMP families in Fort McMurray at a barbecue held last Friday.
Mayor Ian Hamilton proclaimed National Health and Fitness Day the first Saturday in June, May 22 to 29 as Early Childhood Intervention Program Week, May 29 to June 4 as Saskatchewan Tourism Week and June as Recreation and Parks Month.
In regard to Sask. Tourism Week, Councillor Ryan Bater noted a free open house and barbecue is to be held between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on June 2 at the Battlefords River Valley Visitor Centre.
Bater noted work done recently on Poundmaker Trail. It had been in "really bad shape," he said but now has been repaired. Hamilton noted the road was "significantly different" but also acknowledged other issues needed to be addressed on the road from the top of the hill down to the old bridge.
Councillor Richardson asked about the 55+ Provincial Games coming in June and the need for volunteers. Bater said they are actively recruiting volunteers and urged people to sign up by obtaining forms at City Hall, Town Hall, at the River Valley Visitor Centre and at the battlefords.ca website, where it can be filled out electronically.
Mayor Ian Hamilton noted the Treaty Six Flag is flying at City Hall, in recognition of the FSIN Spring legislative assembly being held in North Battleford this week.
A number of 2015 annual reports were tabled with respect to water treatment in North Battleford.
The first was the Drinking Water Quality Report and Director of Operations Stewart Schafer said all the requirements of the Water Security Agency had been met.
The second was the Wastewater Treatment Plant report, with Schafer reporting the City again meeting the Ministry of Environment and Water Security Agency requirements.
Also provided was the 2015 Waste Management report, and finally the 2015 Waterworks System Assessment Report, which, among other things, assessed whether proper rates were being charged to customers. The report concluded they were, Schafer reported.
The North Battleford Lions Club had correspondence before council requesting a waiver of the cost of criminal record checks for their annual program Operation Red Nose, which offers safe rides home to holiday revelers. That resolution carried.
A recommendation came to council that the City proceed with the Civic Building Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program as part of the 2017 budget, as well as completing the letter of understanding with Honeywell and SaskPower that guarantees the savings. That carried.
Finally, Karen Richardson was appointed to the Lakeland Library Board until May 31, 2018.
