The 2011 budget was a large agenda item for North Battleford city council at a regular meeting Monday.
Director of Finance, Byron Tumbach, presented the 2011 General Operating Budget and Five Year Capital Plan. Proposed are increases are 2.45 per cent for General Operating and Capital and 6.04 per cent for the Recreation Cultural Capital Facilities Levy.
Budget deliberations are set for March 22, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. The draft document is available for viewing at cityofnb.ca (City Hall>Financial>Financial Public Documents).
Written Permission will be given to allow the assignment of commercial waste and recycling components of the Solid Waste Management Agreement from K & B Construction Ltd. to Loraas Disposal Services Ltd, conditional on review by the city solicitor.
City council adopted an updated Harassment Policy, Guidelines and Procedures as presented by Director of Human Resources Susan Degenstein.
An application to establish a group home at 2431 - Killdeer Dr. was approved by council.
Council denied an application to establish a homeless shelter/soup kitchen at 1172 -100th St..
An application to subdivide land in the RM of North Battleford for the creation of a non-farm residential site was approved.
Mayor Ian Hamilton proclaimed March 20 as Shift Work Recognition Day and the week of March 20-26as Social Work Week in North Battleford.
Announcements/Inquiries
Councillor Trent Houk sent accolades to the public works crews who have been busy steaming and clearing drains as the spring melt begins.
Councillor Rhonda Seidel brought concerns forward regarding snow plows occasionally pushing snow onto sidewalks. Director of Public Works and Engineering, Stewart Schafer, said property owners adjacent to the sidewalk can contact Public Works to remove the snow if more than 50 per cent of it covers the sidewalk.
Councillor Grace Lang asked if North Battleford is expecting any spring runoff problems. Stewart Schafer said significant flooding is not expected, however, minor flooding sometimes occurs if there is a blocked drain but the City is working to clear all of them.
Councillor Lang inquired whether the City has a project manager for the Credit Union CUPlex project. City Manager Jim Toye, has been having conversations with a local contractor who may be interested. Toye may have more to report next meeting.
The next city council meeting is Monday, March 28 at 8 p.m.
