The Town of Southey held its regular monthly Council meeting on October 13. The Administrator, Chris Lamontagne, and all Councilors were present. Council met in chambers; there were no social distancing or masking requirements. Mayor Lingelbach called the meeting to order.
There were several additions to the agenda before the Council adopted the previous meeting’s minutes.
A Public Hearing commenced on amending Zoning Bylaw 2020-02. The bylaw was to rezone a parcel of land along the highway from residential to commercial. No members of the public attended, and there were no submissions of concern regarding the amendment. The public hearing closed, and the regular Council meeting resumed. Council then passed the 2nd and 3rd reading of Zoning Bylaw 2020-02.
Under ‘Communication’
The Southey Marlins Senior Hockey Club sent a sponsorship request. Council decided that they would support the hockey club through advertising on the program, which is how they have supported the club in previous years.
The Government of Saskatchewan sent the Town updated information regarding the Fine Option Program’s minimum wage increase. The Fine Option Program allows people to settle fines by doing unpaid community service work rather than paying cash.
Robert Southey School asked the Town if they would consider providing snow removal services. The Council determined they would not be able to meet the school’s needs as they do not have the equipment or staff availability.
The new Southey Health Centre received a donation of $25,000 from the Conexus Credit Union. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) came to Southey to look at the old health centre building, noting what equipment belonged to SHA, what to move to the city and deciding what the new building needs. They went through the new building, hoping to move on October 30 and functional on November 2. SaskTel will complete the IT installation on the 29th. The Administrator noted that everyone understands that there may be some hiccups but that they will go through the growing pains together and get through it.
The Council went into an in-camera session to discuss staff relations.
Under ‘Protective Services’
Councilor Russ Siebert attended a fire meeting. A few volunteer firefighters were going to fire school; however, it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Siebert informed Council the Provincial Government has a grasslands unit for anyone to use should they need it. The grasslands unit is a firefighting unit that Siebert said traverses hills well and would’ve been beneficial for the large valley grass fire they fought in the Spring. Siebert noted there is quite a bit of interest, and they will try to attain training in the fall.
Siebert said he heard from the RM of Longlaketon. He felt as there was some misunderstanding as to where the financial responsibility for the valley fire fell. He told Council that he informed Longlaketon that, in the future, Southey would be invoicing the ratepayer’s RM. It would be up to the responsible RM to collect from the ratepayer. He said this is because the RM can add the fees to the ratepayer’s taxes, whereas Southey does not have any recourse. Siebert noted that it wouldn’t be fair to the Southey taxpayers to pay for fires, not in Southey.
Council meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be on October 27.
Jennifer Argue, Civic Reporter, LMT - LJi
Note: These reports are abridged for content