The gallery was seated in an overflow area in the basement, where they could view the proceedings on a large screen. All Councilors, the Chief Administrative Officer (CA), Brandi Morisette and Reeve, Bob Schmidt, were present and socially distanced in chambers. The Reeve chaired the meeting.
The Reeve called the meeting to order. There were no conflicts of interest declared. There were three additions to the Agenda, which were approved.
A conference call was held with Dale Kozak of Loraas Disposal to discuss and resolve issues between the RM and Loraas. Councilor Whitrow asked if recycling was picked up at Alta Vista. Kozak indicated that their GPS shows that the truck was at Alta Vista and noted that they rely on GPS. Councilor Whitrow stated his concerns, saying that if they aren’t being picked up, he wants to ensure that they aren’t being billed for the service. Kozak indicated that Alta Vista is scheduled for pick up every four weeks. He noted that the service was scheduled on August 3rd and again on August 31st. The next four-week pickup would be on Monday, September 20th, 2020. Councilor Whitrow reported to Kozak that they weren’t picked up on the 31st. The Reeve asked Kozak if he had a solution as the RM has so many remote transfer sites and would be challenging to monitor consistently. Kozak said he would send the fall/winter pickup schedule to the RM, who will review it to ensure accuracy. Councilor Dixon brought up that four villages within the RM are not part of the Regional landfill and want to ensure that those pickups are not brought to the Regional landfill and are taken to the city. Kozak said that those pickups are 100% on a different truck and a different route. Councilor Dixon advised Kozak that there are some villages that have their bins on Municipal land and as a result of liability issues that the villages may be asked to move them. He said that Loraas may be asked by the RM to remove them and that those villages would be responsible for contacting the company to provide an alternate site.
Jenna Johnson, the Administrator for the Landfill board, said that they made a big change with the scheduling in the spring. She said this was a huge step, which resulted in significant improvements. She noted that the RM of McKillop is the most complicated RM, and each RM does it a little bit differently. Jenna said that the more education that the RM can get out to the ratepayers on the rules and chain of command, it will only improve.
The Administrator reported that all road maintenance agreements (RMA) had been sent except to Sunset Cove. They are waiting to identify a road, and then there will be sent to them. Councilor Whitrow asked if the RM has an RMA with the Dairy on Fosterdale Road. The Administrator said that they do not. Councilor Whitrow indicated that they need to have one as the road is pounded out; The Administrator responded to the Resort Village of Sunset Cove after Council made the resolution requesting that they remove their bins from Municipal land. She noted that they had received their letter. She further noted they were having their meeting on September 14th, and she has not heard anything concerning that since then.
CAO - All Sundale water meters have been installed. The administration is working to provide three fee options to Council.
The CAO said that the RM shop has to be out of its current building no later than the middle of November.
Under ‘Plan and Review either gravel purchase or crushing using MEEP money’ – CAO- As a result of the Public Works Committee meeting, a recommendation was put forward saying that the RM of 220 proceeds to prepare a public tender to purchase 10,000 cubic yards of traffic gravel and/or to crush 15,000-20,000 yards of traffic gravel. There was some discussion regarding the logistics of this. The Council carried a resolution to proceed to prepare the tender.
Under ‘Potential Fall Projects’ –Public Works Committee recommended that the RM 220 proceed to prepare a public tender to shore up the shoulders of the west grid and the Bulyea grid. The Council carried a resolution to proceed to prepare the tender.
Under ‘Glamping’ – The Planning and Economic Committee recommended that the RM defer further discussion on Glamping until the Strategic Plan for the RM is developed. There was discussion regarding public consultation, the strategic plan and that while they are not saying yes or no, there are concerns that need to be addressed through a strategic and community plan. Councilor Dixon made a motion to send a letter to respond to Cameron Wyatt that they are deferring discussion until the strategic plan has been developed. Motion carried.
Under ‘Rules for overhangs’ – Council carried a resolution that the RM of McKillop direct administration to prepare rules for overhangs concerning setbacks, two feet from the side setback and 5 feet from the front and rear setback and further that this is included in the building bylaw.
Under ‘Strategic Plan RFP’ – A copy of the draft Request for Proposals was presented to the Planning and Economic Committee, which recommended that the RM of McKillop 220 direct the Administration to proceed with publishing the request for proposal for the strategic plan presented with minor corrections. The resolution was carried.
Under ‘Discuss the Need for future boat launches in the RM’ – The Planning and Economic Committee recommended that the RM of 220 defer the discussion on future boat launches in the RM until the strategic plan is developed. The resolution was carried.
Under ‘Discuss lakefront development concerning ER & MR land including access and maintenance’ – The Economic and Planning Committee recommended that the RM of McKillop 220 defer further discussion on the ER and MR land including access and maintenance, until the strategic plan is developed and further that organized hamlets have the opportunity to discuss their wishes for ER and MR land access and maintenance at their AGM and unorganized hamlets be sent a survey when a proposal for ER and MR land access and maintenance is reviewed by Council. Councilor Dixon stated that this resolution is to allow some opportunity for the hamlets to have a say in their area. Resolution was made and carried.
Under the ‘Bylaw enforcement report’ – CAO noted that they are making much headway in bylaw enforcement. The CAO warned the Council that bylaw enforcement is extremely costly as every letter that goes out has to go out registered mail. She said that it’s working, people are responding, and they are getting their stuff done. She noted that there is a meeting with the Commissionaires scheduled for the following Wednesday. They will be bringing the information back to the Council to see if the Council wants to participate in bylaw enforcement at all. The Reeve said that they are on the right track as the report was very good. He recommended that the Council continue to receive the reports. He also said that it is important that when ratepayers have bylaw concerns that they are directed to the Administration as it is an administrative function. A motion was carried to accept the bylaw enforcement report.
Under ‘iHunter SK App’ – The CAO explained that the RM’s map would be put digitally on the iHunter App, where people could purchase it for a cost of $14.99 plus taxes. She noted that the royalty to the map distributor is 30%, and the royalty to the RM is 35%. Council agreed to be a part of the iHunter App.
There was a request from the Strasbourg Recreation Center for a Donation Request. After discussion, Council carried a resolution to approve a donation of $1000.
Under ‘August 2020 Statement of Financial Activities’- Statement ending August 31, 2020 - Total Revenue $242,453.96; Total Expenditures $221,702.10; Total cash and investments $463,048.59
Under ‘Zoning Map Amendment – Bylaw No. 403/2020 1st Reading’ – Motion to accept – carried.
Under ‘RM Equipment for Sale Tender’ – Equipment has been identified by the RM foreman to be put up for tender. The Council carried a resolution made to proceed to tender.
Under ‘Advance Poll for Nov 9/2020 Election’ – Council discussed where to hold the advance poll. Silton Hall is unavailable on any Saturday until the end of the year. Council made a resolution that the advance poll will be held on October 31st, 2020, from 10-4 at a location to be determined in North Regina.
Under ‘Open Forum’ - Ray Craswell, who is a local farmer, was asked to come in to speak on what a good agriculture road should look like after he sent a letter to Council. He recommended that the roads be wider with a bit of a ditch so that the water does not sit on the roads. He said that grader ridges cause problems, recommended that the small trees in the ditches are mowed, and that grass growing onto the road makes the road appear narrower than it is. Councilor Dixon noted that there are 100 miles of back roads and that every road is unique. The Reeve noted that there is a plan to identify roads that can be addressed.
Council went into closed session.
The next Regular Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13th, 2020, at the RM office in Bulyea.
Jennifer Argue, Civic Reporter, LMT - Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Note: These reports are abridged for content