Safety socials used to foster neighbourliness

Community Safety Co-ordinator Herb Sutton gave his monthly monitoring report for September at the regular North Battleford city council meeting Monday and there were not many surprises.

One highlight cited was the use of RCMP daily reports to identify trends to share with Citizens on Patrol and with community safety officers. 

He described safety socials hosted as part of a Crime Free Multi Housing initiative and noted both Macro Properties and the North Battleford Housing Authority had held socials to engage residents and encourage “social cohesion.”

Sutton also talked about ongoing efforts to develop formalized neighbourhoods in the city. Sutton said a proposal is being developed that will be presented to the city manager on this issue.

“Community safety is best built at the neighbourhood level,” said Sutton.

He said there was a good turnout at a meeting held last week at Fairview Heights about the park development. Sutton added they heard many say they were there because they cared about the neighbourhood, which he took as a positive.

There was also a presentation about summer barbecues hosted by SAGE (Safety Acceptance Guidance and Empowerment) and Tonya Browarny presented a report on the SAGE summer engagement activities.

There were three barbecues during the summer and about 300 people attended.

In other news, and something already public, the City of North Battleford confirmed it received correspondence from the Water Security Agency regarding notification of approval to resume use of the North Saskatchewan River water for drinking purposes. City manager Jim Puffalt once again made clear the city would be installing further pre-filtration options before accessing the river water. 

In proclamations, Mayor Ian Hamilton has proclaimed Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 9 to 15, and the month of October as United Way Month.

In new business, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 70 received approval to hold their annual Poppy Day on Oct. 29.

The city has also approved a resolution for a Joint New Council Orientation with the town of Battleford. George Cuff, a renowned consultant on council governance in Canada, is to speak at a seminar for elected officials and administration for the two communities.

The cost is being shared by Battleford and North Battleford and the session should happen in early November.

Puffalt thanked the Town of Battleford for asking North Battleford to participate. The estimated cost to North Battleford was $9,000 and will be expended from unused salaries budgeted for 2016.

The City has also passed a resolution extending its agreement with the Battlefords Agricultural Society for a two-year period, expiring Oct. 31, 2018.

Finally, the City is submitting comments to the province’s community planning branch on documents adopted by the Rural Municipality of North Battleford as their official community plan and zoning bylaw, relating to some concerns the City administration had.

One concern is about the separation distances between uses listed in the OCP. The City has asked the intensive livestock operations distance from the municipal boundary be set at a minimum distance similar to what the RM of Eldon has.

The City also expressed concern with the zoning bylaw definition for “agriculturally related commercial and industrial uses,” which included possibly non-compatible commercial uses such as drive-in theatres and health care clinics. The City has asked for those to be amended.

Puffalt said there has been good opportunity for dialogue with the RM of North Battleford throughout the process and both municipalities have been working together to address the concerns.