September 14, 2021
McKillop’s first council meeting with former Reeve Howard Arndt at the council table was absent of a public welcome from Reeve Bob Schmidt and Arndt’s new fellow councillors. Arndt is the new Division 5 Councillor acclaimed in one of two agricultural divisions in the RM. The swearing-in of Arndt was also absent from the meeting’s agenda.
The Background
When Howard Arndt was the Reeve in the RM, a governmental, municipal inspection report identified then ratepayers, Bob Schmidt and Garry Dixon as being with the Ratepayers Alliance (RPA). The RPA regularly published newsletters critical of the RM council of the day, opposed the council’s significant tax increases for lake properties, rallied ratepayers, and forced a referendum that saw division boundaries redrawn. Ratepayers elected a new council; Arndt remained as Reeve but then resigned, saying at the time that he would not be on a council whose interests he felt were self-serving. Arndt was unsuccessful in a bid to secure a seat on the council, losing to Don Whitrow.
Since his resignation, Arndt has been a vocal critic of the council’s actions through letters to the editor in the local paper. Schmidt and Arndt haven’t stopped being critical of how each other has handled the RM’s business.
Reeve Bob Schmidt candidly expressed his opinion of Arndt in a June 30th call to LMT. In part, Schmidt was taking issue with the paper publishing Arndt’s Letters to the Editor (LTE), which have been critical of the council’s actions. Arndt has provided commentary on articles involving the RM articles as the former Reeve. I asked Schmidt why he didn’t respond to Arndt’s letter with his own LTE. Schmidt said, “Howard Arndt is the biggest asshole in the world. You don’t know what that guy did to the RM. So we’re going to put a little bit into the musings this next round about how bad they ran the RM into the ground.” He said the info would be put into the RM’s letter because “this guy is insane, is really that he thinks he’s going to take me on in a newspaper?” Schmidt said he could also publish an affidavit of Arndt’s from an ongoing legal matter.
The Meeting
Sitting at the council table was all of the council, including new Councillor Howard Arndt, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Administrative Assistant. Shortly after the meeting was started at 9 am the council held a public hearing on a zoning bylaw. The public made no submissions on the bylaw, and by 9:10, Chief Administrative Officer Brandi Morissette recommended a break for 10 minutes. Upon returning from the unexplained break, Reeve Schmidt did not name Arndt but noted that “there is a new councilor that had just signed his oath of office and was seated at the table.”
Before the council went into a closed session, Councillor Garry Dixon said he wanted to exercise a point of privilege. Dixon said, “I would like to ask the new councilor, Mr. Arndt what he meant by his recent quote in the Last Mountain Times,” Dixon read out a quote from Arndt where he said his participation in the meetings would bring a conscience to the council. Dixon then asked Arndt to explain. Reeve Schmidt said Dixon’s request wasn’t a point of privilege and that a point of privilege was if a councillor was uncomfortable with the temperature. Dixon said a point of privilege encompasses many things, but it was the Reeve’s decision. Schmidt asked if he would instead bring it up during the open forum, which Dixon said he would.
Then, Reeve Schmidt referred to a phone call that CAO Morissette had taken. Without stating what the question was, Schmidt asked Morissette what the decision was. She said the call was to determine whether the newly elected Howard Arndt could attend the meeting. She said that after speaking with advisory services that Arndt’s attendance was effective immediately.
Schmidt said to Arndt that he was now in and at the table. Arndt began to speak, thanking everyone and started to respond to Dixon’s query, “As I said in that same article Garry, I’m not here to pick fights or get into arguments I’m here to represent Division 5 and the rural community. Yes, I will bring up things that I have problems with and express my views on,” Reeve Schmidt interrupted, asking that Arndt hold off until the open session to speak.
Council then moved into a closed session early in the meeting at 9:40. The closed session held early in the meeting was unusual as the meeting has historically been held as the last part of business for the day.
After returning to the regular session, the council made a motion approving the CAO to provide mentorship to an unnamed person at the Town of Lafleche. Council said they would review the mentorship regularly, and it would not interfere with regular duties.
Councillor Arndt was unaware that the session had moved back into public and said that the council could not conduct business in the closed session. Other councillors informed him that they were in an open session and recording the meeting and Councillor Romanyk said they were very transparent.
Council made another motion to recess for 10 minutes. Council cleared the room, and Howard Arndt sat alone at the chambers table.
Hiring of New Foreman
Public Works Manager Travis Herman introduced a newly hired RM Foreman to the council. CAO Morissette said in addition to working on the public works team, and the position would be used to provide coverage for Herman, allowing him to take his entitled days off.
Councillor Labatte welcomed the new foreman, commenting that it would be good for two people to rely on each other for decisions. Labatte also gave accolades to Herman on the roads over the last few weeks.
The new foreman said he had been the public works manager in the RM of Sherwood from 2013-2019.
Later in the meeting, Councillor Howard Arndt questioned the process around hiring the new foreman. He prefaced his comments by saying that while he fully agreed with the position. He has heard questions – Was it advertised? – Was it in the budget? – Was it a new position?
Morissette responded that it was a new position that came about through discussions with the council and public works. She said those discussions found deficiencies and identified support that was needed. Morissette said the position had not been advertised, and the employee came to them through the PWM as a recommendation. While the position wasn’t budgeted, she said it didn’t fall outside what they could make work through the 2021 public works budget.
Arndt spoke. He said that the position probably pays $70-80,000 and because there are people who pay taxes in the RM, it should’ve been publicly advertised. He said the foreman is probably excellent and would’ve been in top contention for the position; however, it should have come through council before hiring because it’s a new position.
Reeve Schmidt responded. He said the council had discussed the foreman position for two years, but it wasn’t until an application was sent to the Public Works Manager (PWM) due to his networking with other RM’s. Schmidt said that he didn’t have anything else to say about it being advertised publicly though most positions have been done that way except in Public Works.
Councillor Garry Dixon commented that the Administrator has full authority for hiring and firing under the Administrator’s Act and doesn’t have to have the council’s approval.
Arndt said he didn’t disagree with anything Dixon said, except, “it’s with public money and the public has the absolute right to respond to that kind of spending.” He said while he doubts it, there may have been somebody better, “but we didn’t give them the opportunity.”
Admin Report
CAO Morissette reported that an interim audit was scheduled for October 18th. She said the audit would be the first interim audit the RM has had since she has been with the municipality.
Road Maintenance Agreements (RMA) with Resort Villages
CAO Morissette said the RM had been going through the RMA with Resort Villages for quite some time. On September 2nd, the RM received an email from the Resort Villages that they have taken the matter to the Saskatchewan Municipal Review Board. She said they have a conference call scheduled with the SMB and an appeal hearing is pending.
Tax Assessment Appeals
Councillor Dixon said there were approximately 22 appeals on tax assessments, and many of those assessments were adjusted as a result. He asked the CAO what amount of tax dollars the RM would not see because of the adjustments, noting they had not considered that when making the budget. Morissette said she would put a report together for the next meeting.
The CAO said she had completed all Hamlet transfers except for dust control. She said this was because they were waiting on prices to move funds from organized hamlets into the RMs revenue accounts.
Arndt Brings Up Spring Bay
Councillor Howard Arndt asked the council if they had completed a sensitivity analysis on the implications of a significant financial change. The Reeve said that it was done as a whole. Councillor Dixon temporarily misunderstood Arndt’s query saying it wasn’t necessarily a whole because there was only one application to do it, “but there may be more coming in the future, we don’t know.” Reeve Schmidt clarified the question that the analysis was regarding the ‘whole RM.’
Arndt said he was taking the council’s word that the RM would not receive any less money through general revenue. However, he said he had completed a detailed analysis of the matter. Schmidt asked if Arndt could wait to comment until the Reeve and Councilor’s forum. Arndt said he wanted to respond to Councillor Dixon’s inquiry about what Arndt meant by ‘conscience.’ He said he was ok with going over it at that time.
Tender Process Disagreement
Council discussed tenders that had come in for a grid sloping project. Reeve Schmidt said they would pick the low bid. CAO said that the PWM had not indicated who he would like to work with on the project. Schmidt interjected, saying he would work with anyone. The CAO said they didn’t have to accept the lowest amount, but if the one they chose was the lowest, “then so be it.” All of the council agreed to that.
Councillor Arndt asked if it was a fixed price tender. They said it was by invitation, and quotes were taken for a fixed price. Arndt said that case law said that they must take the lowest tender. The AA disagreed with Arndt saying, “Nope, it depends on our purchasing policy and in our purchasing policy….” Arndt repeated, “case law.” Morissette stepped in and said that “best practice is that you take the lowest bid.” The AA turned to Arndt and said, “but you don’t have to.” And Arndt responded, “yes you do.” He said he wanted to make it clear because it cost the government of British Columbia 300 million dollars for not taking the lowest bid.
Councillor Dixon interjected, saying that if they have previous working experience with the tenderers and had a good working relationship with them, you do not have to take the lowest price.
Arndt said that unless the wording is included in the documents and it’s a proposal call, “yes you do.”
Councillor Marilyn Labatt made a motion to accept the lowest tender from PGH Enterprises at $9901.20.
Fox’s Point
Councillor Garry Dixon said there was a Fox Point Advisory meeting in the office the previous morning. He said two people attended via video, and the rest attended in chambers. Dixon said a few issues came up at the meeting. He said the RM was receiving calls asking if there was a meeting. Dixon said they discussed that it should not be up to the RM to notify ratepayers of the meeting; it should be up to the committee. Dixon then said that the CAO had agreed to put notification of the meeting on the RM’s website and that the Sask Wildlife Federation (SWF) should do the same. Dixon said the RM should not have to put up a video link for the public’s access.
The other issue was an undeveloped road along the East side of the quarter section, which belongs to the RM. Dixon asked if the RM wants to retain ownership of the road or annex it into the quarter to share ownership with SWF. Arndt gave some history on the road. The previous council felt the undeveloped road formed a buffer between Fox’s Point land and the privately owned land. Arndt said the space continues to allow the RM access, and the RM wouldn’t be prevented from accessing the space by the landowner. He said it would be just like an easement in the city. Bob Schmidt agreed with Howard Arndt. Council decided to maintain ownership of the road.
The CAO recommended that the Fox Point meetings be moved to the basement as there is more room there and more room for the gallery. There were four members of the committee in the room at the last meeting and four members in the gallery, and the exact number in the council meeting sitting around the table. Reeve Schmidt said he would like to see more meetings held out at Fox’s Point and asked, “Did they not want to hold them out there?” The AA said there were no tables which would make it hard to write on, and Councillor Dixon said it could get cold and windy. Councillor Dixon questioned the electronic capabilities in the basement.
Dixon said a few people want to change the legal name from Fox Point to Fox’s Point. He said it is legally registered as Fox Point both federally and provincially. Dixon said there would be a consultation to find out the public interest behind a name change. Councillor Craig Romanyk said that the council had discussed this previously and decided that they would stay with the registered name of Fox Point even though it doesn’t matter what people want to call it. Councillor Howard Arndt rebutted the commentary. He said this has always been Fox’s Point and that everybody knows it as Fox’s Point. “We are creating so much conflict for no reason at all.” Arndt said the best way would be to go to the Fox family and ask them. There was commentary from the council that there was too much time being spent on the name.
Noise Bylaw Discussion
The CAO said they have heard from a few ratepayers asking why the RM doesn’t have a noise bylaw. She asked if the council wanted them to draft a noise bylaw, and Councillor Dixon asked if noise could be addressed through a nuisance bylaw.
CAO said a noise bylaw would address when noise can be made, what is considered excessive noise, how noise infractions would be remedied, and if fines would be attached to the remedies. She said they would have to consider how the RM would enforce excessive noise as they do not have a bylaw enforcement officer working around the clock.
Councillor Whitrow suggested organized hamlet’s police themselves through their own bylaw, which the RM would approve. Whitrow said this would take the problems off the council’s table. Whitrow mentioned that Sorenson’s Beach wants to make their own bylaw that they would police themselves. Council asked the CAO to investigate it further. Schmidt said that all the big RM’s do not have a noise bylaw. He said that rural areas could be noisy with ag working throughout the night. Which council agreed with and said it was more for people who are partying until 4 am blasting music all night.
Committee Appointments and Meetings
Garry Dixon voluntarily gave up his position as Chair of the Hamlet Committee, and Dixon did not explain why he gave up his position. Dixon also serves as President for PARCS, an independent lobbying organization that lobbies the government on resort village and organized hamlet issues.
Howard Arndt will be taking up the position vacated by Dixon and the positions vacated by Bill McKenzie. Ag, Public works and WUQ water.
Open Forum
Ratepayer June Ledrew questioned Howard Arndt’s earlier statement that 50% of the taxes came from agricultural ratepayers in the RM. The Reeve said it was more like 1/3 ag to 2/3rds. Councillor Dixon said, “I think what we can refer to is the amount of money that actually comes into the RM because unfortunately a good portion of that goes back into the organized hamlet reserve accounts. It’s still useable money by the RM but allocated into reserves. But typically, the RM will not consider that as readily available money.” Ledrew thanked the council for clarification and suggested that it could be put into a newsletter. Schmidt said he would add it to the ‘Musings’ newsletter.
Former councillor Olga Thomson commented without naming the Councillor that she wanted the person to think of McKillop as having a diverse tax base. Instead of divisiveness, she wanted to see encouragement and progress happening. Thompson then commented on the Fox’s Point meeting, which she attended. Thompson said the committee’s assumption that the RMs staff was there for their use had been clarified. She called the meeting very disorganized. She then said that the previous council dumped a poorly-thought-out process on this council. She asked what the mission statement and goal was of Fox’s Point. She asked, what is broken that you think needs to be fixed? She said she knows they are worried about four-wheelers but recognized the kiteboarders need to drive down to the beach area. She said she sees ice fishers taking their shacks down to the point. She said, “If it’s just to take the enjoyment out of enjoying things in this RM that’s not what I want to see.” She said she wasn’t sure of the intent and questioned the direction the committee was taking.
Thompson said, “we have our appointed people, they have their appointed people, and they seem to have one extra that seems to be able to talk when he wants. There is protocol and procedures and I hope that gets a little better. I just want to see people enjoy themselves. I want to see less negativity and more positivity. This is everybody all together. If this drought doesn’t bring it out that we all need each other nothing ever will.”
Dixon responded to Thompson. He said both owners intended to leave it for public use and, the main concern was the destruction of the environment from ATV’s and quads that have been going up and down the hillside and grassland tearing it up. He said that ATV’s are going on the beach and disturbing nesting birds. He said concerns around the road are better access as the current road isn’t in very good condition. There is some concern about washroom facilities. Dixon said there was talk about putting up fencing restricting ATV’s and where they are allowed.
Former Councillor Rudy Thompson addressed council. He said Hamlets have been allowing their money to be used by the RM, and a breakdown would show that.
Reeve and Councillor Forum
Councillor Dixon said he was “very disturbed” by a comment made by Howard Arndt in the LMT. He referenced a quote by then ratepayer Howard Arndt, who had been acclaimed to Division 5 seat but not yet sworn in. In the article, Arndt said the council would get a conscience. Dixon asked Arndt to explain as Dixon said he and other councillors took the comment to mean that they didn’t have a conscience.
Arndt responded that he said he had no intention of getting into arguments when coming to the council table at the beginning of the article. He explained what he was trying to say was that it appeared by the agricultural people that the conscience of this council specifically ignores ag. And he is there to represent them and try to bring a conscience of balance to the RM council. Dixon asked Arndt for examples which Arndt said he would give when he gives his presentation. He added that there is unrest between organized and unorganized hamlets as well. Dixon said, “Well I guess we will see how his conscience is brought forward in the future.”
Dixon said he wanted to hear examples of disgruntlement from the ag sector. “I don’t see them coming forward with any presentations, delegations, all I read is…I don’t read… all I hear about is a few disgruntled things. I don’t see anybody actually coming forward, it’s all myth out there. If there is concerns out there they should bring it to council. I don’t see any of it coming to council.”
Councillor Romanyk started to add to Dixon’s statement saying that he represents both ag and lake people.
And then the RM’s internet went down.
To hear the conclusion of this part of the discussion, you can tune in to the next RM meeting on September 28th at 9 am via Zoom. Council only recently returned council meetings to Zoom after the public was prevented from viewing the proceedings. The link is available on the RM website. CAO Morissette has said on record that meetings are recorded will be uploaded for public viewing. That has yet to be done, and we asked when that would start and have yet to respond.
- Jenifer Argue, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Note: These reports may be abridged for content