Mayor Grant Forster called the regularly scheduled council meeting of the Town of Esterhazy to order at 6:40 P.M. on November 24, 2021 with all members of the council present.
The agenda was reviewed, and after a couple of additions, Councillor Bot made a motion to accept the amended agenda; motion carried.
Next, the council reviewed the minutes and Councillor Nickell made the motion to accept them as amended; motion carried.
Financials
The council reviewed the list of accounts for approval and Councilor Flick made the motion to pay the bills; motion carried.
Administration Reports
Planning and Development Report
The Council heard from the planning and development officer who has asked that the council go forward with the first reading of Bylaw 776-21, to close reserve land. After a motion by Councillor Nickell, the motion was carried.
Councillor Flick declared a conflict of interest and left council chambers.
Councillor Bot made the motion to the table entering into a contract with a commercial developer; motion carried.
Councillor Flick returned to chambers.
The capital budget has $400,000 to replace the digital message board. The economic development officer (EDO) made the request for it to be moved to reserves for economic development. With a motion by Councillor Bot, the motion carried.
The extra Christmas lights on Main Street have come on a Black Friday sale and the EDO is requesting to purchase additional lights. Councillor Bot made the motion to allow the EDO to purchase additional 10 lights, the motion carried. Any extra lights purchased will be used around town in the park or other places like that.
The Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) update included the EDO talking about working towards land development that would be covered by the MEEP grant.
Community Development/Recreation.
The recreation director reviewed his report with the council. Councillor Bot made the motion to spend $750 towards the ice fees for the schools to use the arena.
The facility usage agreement between the Good Spirit School Division is 7 years old and should be updated.
Moonlight Magic is scheduled for next Thursday, December 2. Santa Clause will be attending thanks to the several businesses in town.
Light Up The Night will return as Light Up Hazy with prizes for the 1, 2 and 3 best lights and the winners getting Esterhazy Bucks.
The recreation director will look into adding more shinny and public skating to the arena schedule.
Fire Report
The council reviewed the fire report.
Public Works/ Director of Operations Report
The director of operations was present to give his report to the council. There was a little hiccup with the first snow removal due to lack of experience, but training has been done.
The landfill is fully open. A snow removal bylaw being looked into. There are a lot of residents and contractors clearing driveways and putting the snow off the town streets. The town is looking at what may be needed for the budget.
Administrator Report
CAO Mike Thorley made an application for the Sask Municipal Board for Water and Sewer Rate changes. Stats Canada did a survey with the chief administrative officer. Webinars training is being done by administration staff. For the new water treatment plant, there was a meeting held on November 23. There will be a couple of projects and reports are coming up.
Councillor Petracek made the motion to receive the administration reports; the motion was carried.
Mayor/Councillor Reports
Councillor Petracek attended the area meeting. Minister Keading was attending and explained what was going on in the area, especially with the hospitals. An update on the passing lanes on Highway 16 from Manitoba Border to Yorkton was given. A regional board is to be set up to have more input on such things as new hospitals like in Yorkton.
New Business
The Esterhazy Landfill Hruska Water Management Project was first to be discussed. It is requested that the landfill committee meet with the individuals to see what concerns there are and how to fix them.
Bylaw 777-21 was next to be discussed. This bylaw pertains to fixed rates for water and sewer. It was re-written to take into consideration the proposed new water treatment plant as well as general clean up of the bylaw to better suit the town. Councillor Petracek made the motion to have the first reading; the motion was accepted. Councillor Rowland made the motion to have the second reading of bylaw 777-21; the motion passed. Councillor Nickell made the motion to have the third reading of Bylaw 777-21; the motion passed unanimously. Councillor Pfeifer made the motion to declare the Bylaw 777-21 in effect; the motion carried.
The new water treatment plant (WTP) project was discussed and it is requested that the committee have some financial authorization to pay some bills without having to bring them to the council. A discussion was had to allow authorization to the WTP the ability to make some financial decisions, but will also need council official approval. Councillor Bot made the motion to give integrated authorization to the WTP build with the council WTP committee informed; the motion carried.
Correspondence
The council reviewed the correspondence received by the town over the last two weeks including Saskatchewan Economic Development Leadership Virtual Forum, Ministry of Environment, Landfill, SUMA Municipal Update, Bylaw Enforcement Reports, 2021 Census, Review and Saskatchewan Health Authority and about a Stakeholder Town Hall Information Session. Councillor Flick made the motion to file the correspondence; the motion carried.
Councillor Rowland made the motion to go into committee as a whole; the motion carried.