Mayor Grant Forster called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Esterhazy Town Council to order at 6:34 P.M. on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, with a quorum present.
After reviewing the agenda, Councillor Petracek made a motion to accept the agenda as revised; motion carried.
Moving on, the council reviewed the minutes. The Town of Esterhazy’s Acting Administrator asked the council to rescind Motion 20-2021 regarding council remuneration. Councillor Bot made a motion to rescind motion 20-2021. Councillor Bot made a motion to accept the amended minutes: motion carried.
The town’s financials were next, beginning with the trial balance then moving onto the list of accounts. Councillor Rowland made a motion to accept the financials which was carried.
REPORTS
Foreman of Public Works Gord Meyers was first to give his report to the council. He stated that it's been a cold two weeks and there is a minor issue with staying ahead of the icy roads, but the maintenance department is handling it well.
The Community Development/Recreation Report with Brenda Redman was next. She began to let the council know they needed to replace a water softener. Councillor Bot made a motion to purchase a water softener; motion carried. Redman added she has been attending a lot of webinars.
Planning and development was next with Tammy MacDonald. She began by thanking the council for the opportunity to attend the Municipalities of Saskatchewan Conference. There has been a request to remove an Ash tree that is located on the boulevard and to add an accessory building to the property in discussion. Councillor Bot made the motion to a conditional agreement if they meet the building permit requirements; motion carried.
There has been a request to allow a subdivision in the R.M. of Fertile Belt of a property to adjust to the town; this meets the requirement of the by-laws. The council went in camera to discuss a subdivision.
The Fire Report was reviewed before Acting Administrator Mike Thorley gave his report. Thorley started by thanking the council for allowing him to attend the Municipalities of Saskatchewan conference. Next, he discussed a parcel of land just south of town and requires a price that the council wants for the seven acres in this parcel and that an offer has been made. Councillor Rowland made a motion to accept the offer of $14,000.00 with the restriction of no amalgamating two lots together; motion carried. Maple Avenue, a property the town has acquired through Tax Enforcement was next to be discussed. The owner will be asked to vacate within fifteen working days according to a Notice to Vacate. Councillor Bot made a motion to go ahead with giving the resident the Notice to Vacate; motion carried. MLRR training was discussed and it was recommended that all council members take the training, Councillor Petracek made a motion to cover the town councillors fee to take the MLRR training; motion carried.
James Bay was next to be reported about by the Esterhazy Acting Administrator. There is a parking issue developing on this bay for council’s information. Councillor Flick made a motion to accept the reports which was carried.
Mayor Forster gave a report of the Municipalities of Saskatchewan AGM to the rest of the council.
OLD BUSINESS
MEEP was discussed next and logistics of the MEEP projects for information will be starting soon.
NEW BUSINESS
The council carried on with discussing the landfill, pole shed and Cleanfarms Equipment. The pole shed was discussed and the material to be used was motioned by Councillor Rowland to accept the contractor’s recommendation for a roller door for the pole shed at the landfill; motion carried. Cleanfarms Equipment was next to be discussed. Councillor Petracek explained to the council his recommendation of what equipment should be purchased.
A resident has tree root issues again and has requested a discount for waterline repairs. Councillor Petracek made a motion to pay for half the costs; motion carried.
SPWA was next to be discussed. Foreman Meyer has attended in the past. This year the meeting will be virtual. Councillor Rowland made a motion for the town’s foreman to attend; motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
The council reviewed the correspondence before Councillor Flick made a motion to file the correspondence; the motion carried.
Councillor Bot next made a motion to go in-camera for the committee of the whole for strategic planning.
