The session was the first open meeting since the Oct. 24 municipal election and the new-look council went right to work dealing with a number of matters on the lengthy agenda. Among the items was a letter from the Saskatchewan branch of the MS Society of Canada asking the City to waive any Spectra Place usage fees for the annual MS Walk which is scheduled for May 26.
In the past the walk had been held outdoors but organizers were forced to move indoors in 2011 due to the rain. The move into Spectra Place was apparently so popular that the group would like to use the facility again this year and made the request for the waiving of any applicable fees.
The request drew a lukewarm response from some members of council as they appeared leery to set such a precedent.
The request was tabled for further study.
Council also addressed a letter from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure regarding the Urban Connectors Program.
In the letter, the City was thanked for reaffirming their project applications and were assured that their projects will be prioritized in the context of all the requests received from municipalities in the province.
The City and province earlier agreed to a deal, which would see the two sides cost share the rehabilitation of Highway 47 through Estevan. The City was hoping to start on the project this year, but were not approved for funding in 2012. It was noted during the meeting that the City isn't overly hopeful of receiving funds for 2013 but will continue to press the province.
The project is an important one as the north leg of Souris Avenue is in terrible shape and is in need of immediate work. Although the City wants to get to work, it is in their financial best interest to wait for the province as the connector program would pick up 60 per cent of the costs. However, the City is not allowed to begin work until it receives approval from the province or it would no longer be eligible for funding.
The minutes from the most recent CPR Community Advisory Panel meeting on Oct. 24 were also presented at the meeting.
The controversial transload facility was a major point of discussion at the meeting. CPR representative Rick Poznikoff said the facility has not been as busy as they were hoping, with just two cars of oil being loaded per day and four cars of flyash each day.
Poznikoff also mentioned that contrary to what was suggested earlier, CPR will likely not be moving the facility out of Estevan in 2013.
Former Mayor Gary St. Onge, in one of his final acts as mayor, was in attendance at the meeting and reiterated that the City would like to see the facility moved out of Estevan. He also expressed concerns about the unloading of drilling pipe along Sixth Street as the City has plans to rehabilitate and pave the road over the next couple of years.
In his report, City manager Jim Puffalt thanked public works employees for their snow removal efforts after the storm that hit Estevan earlier this month.
Puffalt added that because of the snow, public works has suggested that garbage service for a number of streets be moved from the back alley to the front of homes for the duration of winter. Council passed the request unanimously.
Council received a request from the group behind the new Tim Hortons location at the Estevan Shoppers Mall requesting that the City allow for occupancy despite the fact that the landscaping at the site is incomplete.
As part of the discretionary use permit issued by the City, one of the conditions were that all landscaping must be completed prior to the occupancy of the building.
In a report from land service manager Rob Denys, he said it would be reasonable for the City to defer completion of the landscaping work until June 20, 2013 provided Tim Hortons issues a performance deposit equal to the value of the work that has not been completed.
The request was approved on the condition that Tim Hortons advises the City on the cost of the remaining landscape work and provides the deposit.
