Carol Rose GoldenEagle
Regina Beach Council Meeting - Nov 24, 2020
Except for Councillor Sandi Metz, who was re-elected as the only incumbent, all members of the Regina Beach Town Council are new to the position. Each was present for detailed discussion, including the new Mayor Randy Vollman, and Councillors Kaley Bancescue, Shawn Langford, Mark Oldershaw, Jared Rommens and Barry Wasnik.
Their plate was full, discussing everything from strategic planning, to why fixing concrete on the sidewalks has been postponed until the spring, to the cancelling of this year’s Santa Claus parade.
A strategic building plan has been ongoing for the past three years. It’s because the landscape of Regina Beach is unique, on a slope in places with varying considerations happening both above and below the ground, with water flow.
It’s why Mayor Vollman suggested that any recommendations for accepting a strategic plan be delayed until geo-tech surveys can be done.
He says, “These surveys need to go hand-in-hand with any future zoning developments.”
A geotechnical survey is the first step in the construction of a site. It will give information about soil consistency, groundwater levels and recommendations on whether the land, itself, can handle development. It indicates where fault lines are present.
The Council motioned to have the firm hired to handle this question from the previous Council invited to make a presentation at the next meeting.
Regina Beach has several areas where the sidewalks are crumbling.
The previous Council voted to fix the problem, which was supposed to be attended to this Fall. Councillor Kaley Bancescue asked why there was a decision to delay. Councillor Shawn Langford, who has a background in construction, was the first to explain that pouring concrete during the winter months is not advisable and will only lead to problems later on. So, those sidewalks will be fixed in the spring.
The new Council also voted in favour of hiring a professional to determine how much it will cost to decommission the landfill site. An environmental protection officer did the current assessment years ago. Councillor Barry Wasnik, who is well-familiar with the landfill, commented,
“Saskatchewan Environment comes out regularly to check the site, and every time they arrive, they are happy we’re meeting concerns.”
Still, a new site will be found in the future. This is the next step in planning for Regina Beach Town Council.
Council also voted that it will now meet every second week instead of meeting only once a month.
-By Carol Rose GoldenEagle