By Greg Nikkel
The total cost to completely repair Government Road with a new surface, and updated water mains, storm sewers and sanitary sewers would total about $9.3 million, or $11 million if new traffic lights were added in, city council was told at their meeting on March 29.
City engineer Sean Abram provided an update on the road, which is also Highway 35, and as a provincial highway is part of the Urban Highway Connector Program agreement with the province.
“I think it’s important to note the city signed on this agreement in good faith that the road would be kept in good condition. The provincial government hasn’t lived up to their end of the bargain,” said Mayor Debra Button.
“These things could take well over 20 years to get all the work done. If the City of Weyburn were to invest $9 million to do the work, none of that could be recouped from the province. It’s a significant need,” she added.
The mayor pointed out that SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association) has been lobbying the province on this issue.
“The amount of money put forward by the province so far is very inadequate,” said Mayor Button.
Before any work can be done to the road surface, the underlying infrastructure should be updated, said Abram, or else the new pavement will be dug up as water mains or sewers break and need repairing.
He noted on Government Road from First Avenue to Highway 39, just under a kilometre in length, there is 1,320 metres of sanitary sewer, some of which dates back to 1913, including 19 manholes, and 960 m of storm sewer with nine manholes, 22 catch basins, varying in age from 1955 to 1965.
The water main ranges from 1953 to 1985, with all water lines installed prior to 1979 comprised of asbestos cement.
On the southern leg of Government Road, from Highway 39 to 10th Avenue, there is 870 m of sanitary sewer with 10 manholes, installed between 1953 and 1960, and 910 m of water main, installed between 1954 and 1960, and 705 m of storm sewer with 11 manholes and 12 catch basins. There are 77 service connections from First Avenue North to 10th Avenue South.
Under the Urban Highway Connector Program, the City is eligible for 50 per cent funding for the road between First Avenue North and 10th Avenue South, but excluding the sanitary sewer, water main, sidewalks and shallow utilities.
The City is then eligible for about $2.56 million in funding as the province’s share, which would cover the road surface, curb and gutter, storm water system and street lighting.
Abram said the challenge now is, under the city’s asset management plan, “What is the most fiscally-prudent way to redo the roadway?”
Council received an update on the hospital levy which is charged to every residential property owner in Weyburn.
The City of Weyburn committed to pay $6 million towards the cost of a new acute-care hospital, and decided to help raise that amount over a 10-year period by charging a levy of $140 a year per residential property.
This began in 2012, and as of the end of the 2015 tax year, the City has collected $2,542,049 of the $6 million needed, with the levy to remain until the year 2021.
Coun. Dick Michel asked if the hospital were to begin construction this year, the city would still need to come up with that $6 million, even though it has only raised about $2.54 million of that so far.
City manager Bob Smith confirmed this was correct.
Mayor Button added the monies collected by this levy is being collected in a reserve fund separate from city funds, and cannot be touched for any purpose except to be paid towards the costs of the new hospital, which is currently in the planning stages.
The Weyburn Oil Show Board served notice to the City they wish to disperse the remaining funds they have available, and will close out the reserve account administered through the City of Weyburn, with the intent of dispersing their funds on their own in the future.
The Oil Show reserve account has $17,070 remaining, and the board asked to pay this amount to the Weyburn Ag Society to buy a portable stage.
Laura Missal, director of finance, said this project will basically use up the remaining funds in the Oil Show reserve account from last year’s show.
“Going forward, the Oil Show will just deal with the money themselves instead of through the city,” she said.
Smith commented it would be nice to at least know what projects the monies would be used for, as it may affect city-owned property or city facilities.
Mayor Button, who is on the Oil Show board representing the city, said she would ask that they provide the city with information when they decide on project they are funding.
