A wide variety of resolutions ranging from infrastructure to environmental concerns will be up for debate when the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association meets in their convention Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 at Queensbury Centre in Regina.
Eleven resolutions will be up for debate at the convention, which is expected to be attended by local officials from throughout the province, including several council and administration officials from North Battleford, Battleford and other area communities.
The SUMA convention resolutions were received by North Battleford council at their meeting on Monday night.
The Town of Watson has a resolution on the table calling for SUMA to lobby the ministry of Environment to allow the development of environmentally-friendly infrastructure projects
The City of Melfort is pushing an amendment of the Cities Act to allow unpaid utility charges to be added to the tax roll.
The City of Yorkton is pushing an amendment of the Cities Act to allow a 30-day appeal period for supplemental assessments in revaluation years.
Osler, Dalmeny and the District of Katepwa are pushing a resolution urging the provincial government to implement a 2012 flood mitigation program for urban governments.
The SUMA board of directors is pushing a resolution encouraging all urban governments to join local watershed groups.
The Town of Shellbrook is behind the resolution calling on SUMA to engage the ministry of environment in infrastructure projects.
The town of Pilot Butte is pushing for SUMA to lobby the government and SaskPower to implement a program encouraging more efficient use of electricity for street lighting.
The Town of Ituna is behind a resolution implementing a province-wide municipal electronic payment option.
The SUMA board is behind a resolution calling for urban government retention of authority to choose whether or not to offer a property tax discount.
The SUMA directors are also calling on SUMA to work with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to initiate a review of the criteria used to establish long term debt limits to ensure applicability to urban governments today.
The last resolution calls for SUMA to urge the province to explore the feasibility of a seniors' property tax deferral program similar to that of other provinces.
The resolutions are to be debated and voted on the third day of the SUMA convention Jan. 31.
Proposed SUMA bylaw amendments are to be considered that day, with a number of them reflecting the upcoming changeover in municipal terms from three to four years following the 2012 elections.
Four-year terms are being urged for all directors and executive committee members on SUMA to reflect this change.
Also on the agenda are proposed amendments regarding the establishment of a city mayors' caucus, including provisions covering the election of chairpersons, caucus responsibilities and meeting procedures.
Premier Brad Wall is scheduled to address the convention Monday, Jan. 30. A bear-pit session with provincial cabinet ministers is scheduled for Feb. 1, and there is time set aside for education and breakout sessions and trade show viewing.
The keynote address of the convention is set for Monday, Jan. 30, with former CFL player Michael "Pinball" Clemons of the Toronto Argonauts addressing the delegates that morning.
