On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, Mayor Grant Forster called the Esterhazy Town Council to order with all council present.
The council reviewed the agenda before Councillor Petracek made the motion to accept the agenda; motion carried.
Next, the council reviewed the minutes of the last meeting. Councillor Rowland made the motion to accept the minutes of the last regular meeting; motion carried
Financials were next to be reviewed by the council before they were approved with a motion by Councillor Petracek; motion carried.
REPORTS
The town foreman was present to give his report to the council as to what the maintenance staff have been doing over the last 2 weeks. They are concentrating on removing excess snow around town in preservation for spring run-off.
Planning and Development Officer Tammy MacDonald was next to give her report. MacDonald informed the council of a request for rezoning for a resident who is looking into making a duplex into a 4-plex. As long as it meets all codes, the council felt it was ok at the owners’ cost with a motion by Councilor Flick to allow the rezoning; motion carried. Last year there were 142 businesses that applied for business licenses for the town and the town is on par with that this year. Home-based businesses including selling home-baked goods require a $50 Business Licence, 36 building permits are on file, only 6 are out-dated files and are being looked into and EDO is working on their budget.
Community Development/Recreation Officer Brenda Redman was next to give her report. The area is still going strong with minor sports still wanting to have ice time, figure skating is going on until the end of March, a recreation meeting was held recently, the committee recommended a Volunteer of the Year for 2019 and 2020 and Councillor Bot made a motion to award the Volunteer award for 2019 and 2020; motion carried. The non-profit rate for the S.N. Boreen Centre was discussed. After a short discussion, Councillor Flick made the motion to charge non-profit organizations a base amount to use the hall; motion carried. The committee also reviewed the “passes” fees for the pool,. The rates will remain the same as last year (2020 year). Councillor Rowland made the motion to accept Redman’s recommendation; motion carried. Lifeguard rates were discussed next with Recreation Director Redman explaining the wages. Councillor Nickell made the motion to set the rates as reviewed; motion carried. The committee discussed sponsorship by businesses to help with facility costs.
The Fire and Water Reports were then reviewed by the council.
Next, the council heard the Administrator Report given by Acting Administrator Mike Thorley. The office is being inspected on Saturday, parking on James Place has been an issue and was discussed. James Place is across from the care home and parking has been an issue since the health region started charging staff $260 a year to park on the property. There is already a by-law in existence, therefore, there is no need to write a new by-law, just to put signage up to match the town by-law. The council reviewed dates to hold a budget meeting. Councilor Flick moved to accept the administration reports as reviewed; motion carried.
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS
Next, the council discussed that CP/CN is wanting to close any double-track railroad crossings or have the community pay $125,000 as a 25% share to install crossing lights and road arm guards.
NEW BUSINESS
Next, the council discussed the Town Well 2-07 quote. The council reviewed the information given to them by the administration. Councillor Pfiefer motioned to pay the quote; motion carried.
MP Wagontall is requesting support for the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline. MP Wagontall would like to see a country-wide universal access phone number for a suicide hotline. Councillor Rowland made the motion to support MP Wagontall’s request; motion carried.
Municipalities of Saskatchewan- Group Benefits Insurance Update was next discussed for the volunteer firefighters. Councillor Rowland made the motion to purchase this insurance for the firefights; motion carried.
Esterhazy Regional Park -PDAP, the park is asking for the town to forgive an outstanding amount that the government had promised and refuses to pay now. This money was borrowed by the regional park to do repairs after the flood and was promised to have the repairs paid by the government; discussion tabled.
CORRESPONDENCE
The council reviewed the correspondence received by the town for the last two weeks. The council reviewed the list before Councillor Nickell made the motion to file the correspondence; motion carried.
Councillor Rowland made the motion to go in-camera; motion carried.
