Estevan Chamber of Commerce executive director Michel Cyrenne was before council to present the chamber's 2013 budget.
Cyrenne went over a number of the organization's accomplishments in 2012 and their goals and projects for 2013.
As for the budget, Cyrenne said the chamber was asking for a $50,000 increase in its operating grant from the City. The City's chamber allocation in 2012 was $250,000.
Cyrenne said the increase would fund a tourism development position, which he said is an area of need for the chamber.
The request received a tepid response from council as there were a handful of questions about staffing numbers and whether or not current staff members could also take on some of the tourism duties.
Councillor Brian Johnson asked why the RM of Estevan was not being asked to contribute more. They contributed $30,000 in 2012 and are being asked for the same amount in 2013.
The request was tabled to budget deliberations, which are expected to resume in the near future.
The Estevan Art Gallery and Museum also presented their budget at the meeting.
The EAGM requested an operating grant of $154,800 from the City, an increase of $3,800 over 2012. Their budget did not request any capital expenditures for 2012.
Council approved three event permits for the Estevan Exhibition Association. The EEA plans to hold the annual Rumble in the Dirt cabaret on June 15 in the Estevan Curling Club.
They also plan to have a beer garden during the Estevan Fair, which runs from June 17 to 19, and also during the annual rodeo, which is scheduled for Sept. 6 to 8.
In his report, city manager Jim Puffalt said they were very excited about the announcement of Motley Crue at Spectra Place on May 4.
He also reported that a list of attendees is being compiled for a public consultation meeting for the housing plan they are putting together. The meeting is expected to be held in March.
The City is also moving forward with the development of a new website. As part of the project, the City is asking for the public to submit their input on what they would like to see on the site.
"Having the public included as part of the process is a way to ensure that, when completed, this website is an effective tool for the City and public alike," Mayor Roy Ludwig said in an accompanying press release.
To submit their ideas people can go to estevan.ca where they will find a link on the main page called NEW estevan.ca where there is a form to provide input.
The current site will remain in operation until the new design is finished.
Puffalt also included an update on the SV Rental Corporation housing development which is located on the grounds where the Estevan Junior High was once located.
In the fall, it was announced that six homes in the development would be affordable housing units thanks to programs from the provincial and federal governments as well as the City through the CANDO program.
The report noted that five single mothers and one immigrant family new to Canada were able to find housing thanks to the program and that 12 children are benefiting from new, stable and affordable housing. The report added that the families chose to remain in Estevan instead of moving away to a community with more affordable housing options and are committed to staying in Estevan for the long term.
The Estevan Fire Rescue Service report was presented at the meeting.
The department attended to one fire and a number of false alarms during the month.
The month also included a hazardous materials call on Jan. 2 when the department was dispatched to an explosion at the Frontier Peterbilt building.
Upon arrival, firefighters found a large hole in the roof of the shop, directly above an oil tanker. Two workers suffered minor injuries in the explosion while the building did not suffer any further damage from fire.
Council received a parcel rezoning request for the Trojan neighbourhood. The request is to rezone a parcel of urban holding zone land to three different districts to allow for the creation of standard size residential lots, non-typical style single detached dwellings with smaller building envelopes and multi-family parcel suitable for accommodating the development of a planned group of condos or four-plex residential dwellings that would be a maximum of two storeys.
First reading was given to the bylaw. The public will now have two weeks to register any complaints they might have. Council also suggested that the developer hold a public meeting to keep the public abreast of the plans.
Council discussed another rezoning request that was presented earlier this year.
A developer submitted a plan to build to a four-plex on a lot located at 613 Third Street. After passing first reading of the bylaw, the public had a chance to present any objections they might have. The City received six replies not in favour of the bylaw. Among the objections noted were an increase in traffic, a lack of parking and that a four-plex would not fit with homes in the area and may drive property values down.
Despite the objections, council voted to approve the bylaw, feeling that it would enhance the area and that there is enough parking on the lot itself. As well, the members felt it would help with the shortage of rental housing.
"This is going to be filling a need for Estevan," said Councillor Lori Carr.
