The Cement Association of Canada wants to see more municipalities switching to cement and concrete for infrastructure and building projects.
Justin Arnott, the association’s director of markets and technical affairs, spoke at Monday night’s council meeting, and promoted the environmental and sustainability benefits of cement.
“We want to talk about moving to a low-carbon future, and we feel that cement and concrete infrastructure can help municipalities achieve those goals,” said Arnott.
Concrete buildings have thermal mass benefits to help alleviate temperature fluctuations. They’re also quieter, which is why concrete is becoming more popular with condominiums.
As for infrastructure, Arnott touted cement’s benefits over asphalt, as he says it is more durable and economic. Vehicles experience better fuel mileage on concrete roads. There have also been advances over the years to help concrete roads withstand the rigours of seasonal temperature changes.
Arnott noted there are cement plants in Alberta, but there are ready-mixed concrete facilities in Estevan and many other communities.
***
Council approved two memberships for next year. The first is their annual dues for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for $2,467.89. The other was $12,535.54 to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA).
Council pays a base fee of $340, a membership fee of 14.25 cents per capita (a total$1,76.19), and a travel fund fee of five cents per capita ($552.70) to FCM.
As for SUMA, the city pays membership dues of $508.03 for each of its seven voting delegates, for a total of $3,556.21; a membership fee of 55 cents per resident ($6,079.70); an advocacy fee of $250 per voting delegate ($1,750); and a community advocacy fee of five cents per capita ($552.70).
***
A $20 maintenance fee-for-service charge from the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency, which is included in new construction, renovations and basement projects, will be applied to local building permits, starting on Jan. 1, 2016.
***
Four building permits with a total value of $357,100 were issued in November, bringing the total for the year to 72 permits worth a little more than $11 million. The numbers continue to lag well behind the figures for the first 11 months of last year, when 155 permits with a total value of $34.3 million were approved.
***
Turnbull Excavating was awarded two contracts. The tender for crushing reclaimed asphalt pavement was granted for $43,396.50. It involves crushing and recycling asphalt chunks to one-inch gravel, which is then stockpiled in the city’s maintenance yard. Also, Turnbull Excavating received the Highway 47 North culvert tender for $900,458, although the cost to the city will be just $128,755.
***
The sand spreader tender was awarded to Del Equipment of Regina for $119,074.77. The lowest bid was from Sterling Truck in Regina, but it did not meet the specification of a 12”6” box; their unit has a 10-foot box. Also, delivery team for the unit from Del’s is four weeks, compared to eight weeks for the other unit.
***
Council gave first reading to the new Leisure Services Advisory Boards bylaw, which adjusts some of the terminology from the previous bylaw. The bylaw’s biggest change is the creation of a student-at-large position.
