By Greg Nikkel
The Weyburn Golf Course is seeking the City of Weyburn’s support with an interest-free loan for $900,000 to help them finance some of the major work they need to do.
City council was told about the loan request at their meeting on Dec. 11, and city manager Roy Hardy noted city council has rejected the request from the Golf Club to take ownership of the golf facility.
The request was made as part of an ongoing issue the golf course has over property taxes and the RM of Weyburn, as the golf course board felt that city ownership would allow the city to classify the facility as a recreational facility and not subject to as high taxes as they are facing from the RM.
Hardy noted that the golf course wants to replace their irrigation system, as the Golf Club is spending at least $20,000 a year in repairs to their current system, and that number is climbing each year.
“They are looking for the City’s support for an interest-free loan of $900,000,” said Hardy, noting they are putting the Golf Club facility up as collateral.
The Golf Club board is available to meet with the city council for a discussion on their request, he added. “It’s up to council where it goes from here.”
Coun. Mel Van Betuw asked that the request be tabled while the city gets in touch with the Golf Course board for a discussion on their request.
In other council business, the city’s assistant engineer Laura Delanoy told council that progress on the City’s new reservoir is “pretty well on schedule”, only off by about two weeks as work crews are packing the base currently. The mild weather has been helping crews get more work done currently.
Hardy added that there have been a few glitches, but the construction crews have been working through them.
“I haven’t received any change orders, but that might change yet,” said Hardy.
On the progress in the program to change out the water meters in all city residences, council was told that about 1,000 meters have been installed out of the 3,900 needing to be replaced.
“There have been a few bumps, but we’re working through them,” said Hardy, noting the smartphone app for accessing the new water meters won’t be available until March, when most or all of the meters have been replaced.
“It’s up to people to phone to get an appointment to get their meter changed out,” said Hardy.
Meantime, all of the homes with lead water pipes have had their connections replaced. The work was done by Dec. 1, and the contractor will be back in the spring to do any followup repairs, such as to the concrete in front of residences where the work was completed.
Council introduced the first reading to amend the City’s council procedures bylaw, making changes to how council conducts their business.
The changes include making the provision that no resolutions or bylaws can be passed by council while in closed session, and that council add the strategic planning and priorities committee, operation committee and employee relations committee to the list of standing committees.
The administrative committee has been removed, and for the new year, council is adding a youth member to council, which will be a non-voting position.
