Council for the RM of Lumsden No. 189 met for their first meeting of the New Year on January 7, 2021. Council met via Zoom. The only absence was Councillor Andrew. The agenda was light, and the meeting lasted around an hour. There were several additions to the agenda, and Council declared no conflicts of interest.
Deer Valley Recycling
Deer Valley will be expanding its waste collection by Loraas to include recycling. The pick-ups will be once every four weeks. Council made a motion to approve. After Council’s vote, the Reeve explained when the community voted on the expansion; he voted against it as he felt there were recycling facilities in Lumsden that should be supported. As the community voted to support it, he also voted to support it on Council.
Little Church Bridge Damage Update
The CAO informed Council that the RM of Longlaketon had explained the delay with SGI. The RCMP need to complete their investigation into the accident that severely damaged the bridge. She further noted that she had forwarded the engineering proposal to replace the bridge to Longlaketon, and they have agreed to a 50% cost-sharing agreement with the RM. There are issues with submitting a claim to SGI as there was no plate on the truck involved in the accident.
Director of Planning and Development
The CAO reported that a candidate came forward who has been interviewed. She informed Council the candidate has extensive knowledge and is an excellent find for the municipality. Council made a motion to adopt the CAO’s recommendations in the hiring and contract of the candidate.
Public Works
Public Works Manager, Leighton Watts, provided his report to Council electronically. Watts reported that Occupational Health performed an inspection. He added that it was to help them along during COVID-19. Watts said he met with staff after the meeting and taught them proper hand washing techniques and how to don and doff a mask. He further noted that he would work with administration to make adjustments to the exposure plan. Watts said that he found the inspection with OHS to be informative, as it helps them to stay in line.
Financial Reports
Council had a few questions for Watts to understand a payment under the list of accounts that Watts explained before the accounts’ list was approved. There were no questions on the bank requisition or bank statement before the Council approved them.
Commercial Subdivision
As the RM has not had a Director of Planning and Development in place, Council submitted questions along for a commercial subdivision application to Crosby Hanna & Associates. Crosby Hanna provides community planning consultation services. Council was satisfied with the responses received from the consultants and approved the commercial subdivision.
Administration Report
CAO Merkosky reported most staff continue to work from home and four staff remain working at the office. She said they would watch to see if there is a post-holiday spike in the number of COVID-19 positive cases over the next ten days as it will determine if the office will remain closed or can re-open to the public.
The CAO noted that she and Krystal Strong would participate in freedom of information training through the Municipalities of Saskatchewan virtual convention.
Meetings of the RM are open to the public via Zoom over the internet or by phone. The next meeting of Council is on January 21 @ 7 pm. Contact the office for a Zoom invite.
Jennifer Argue, Civic Reporter, LMT - Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Note: These reports are abridged for content