ESTEVAN - Estevan city council gave first reading to a bylaw for a new daycare in the city during council's meeting on Monday night.
The proposed facility would be located on three undeveloped residential lots on Wellock Road. Second and third reading would be needed before the day care can proceed. Mayor Roy Ludwig said the city definitely needs another day care.
In a report to council, land development services manager Richard Neufeld wrote that zoning would also include a consolidation of the three lots into a single parcel.
"After a preliminary technical assessment of the project, land development services and city engineering are confident that the proposed development can be serviced with road access and utilities without any adverse impacts on adjoining lands," Neufeld wrote. "This topic will be more closely examined during the development permit process. Detailed design plans are expected in later July of this year."
The city received the conceptual design for the building's exterior on Monday. Neufeld said the drawings could be included for public consultations.
"The design we have is for the external part of the building," Neufeld said. "It doesn't include the parking lot. It doesn't include landscaping or anything like that."
Neufeld noted the bylaw is prepared in a manner that requires a development permit for a day care to be issued. If council determines after consideration that a day care is not appropriate in this location, the rezoning bylaw would automatically fail and the land would remain residential.
"This allows for a thorough evaluation of servicing requirements as well as other land use considerations during the development permit process.
Second and third reading would occur at a future meeting. Neufeld noted a public hearing would also be needed.
Council also approved the relocation of the potable water fill station.
A report from Shane Bucsis, the city's former manager of water and wastewater services, said the RM of Estevan plans to repair a bridge in poor condition that is west of the water treatment plant, but the RM asked the city to move the water treatment plant to reduce the wear and tear on the bridge.
"With considerations for increased traffic, large demand for water in a single location and a pressure drop when trucks are filling, city administration has looked at alternate locations that would have limited negative impact to residences, businesses or city operations," Bucsis wrote.
"The location that meets all these qualifications is north of the Highway 18 lift station on the service road. The roadway is already constructed for heavy traffic with the ability to easily construct a turnaround area, and hydrant leads off the Wellock fill line to eliminate pressure drops within the city when the station is in use."
Ludwig said this is something the city and the RM have been talking about for over a year and he believes it makes sense. He described this as a win-win for council and the RM.
Coun. Kirsten Walliser wanted to know if there was a risk if this were to be deferred until the 2025 budget deliberations, since this was an unbudgeted expense. Ludwig said it wouldn't happen until next year, and with the current condition of the bridge, it would be best to happen now.
A building with footings and new electrical service would need to be constructed, and the current hydrant and installation of new piping. The city would then be able to transfer all the controls of the current fill station to the new location. The projected cost was $50,000.
The current water division manager, Matt Angell, noted the city is looking at other options. The building that was proposed would likely take a month to contructs, but now that they're looking at tying into a pre-existing building, it would likely take a couple of weeks and save money.
Ludwig said it's a good idea because it would shorten the timeline and reduce the cost.
Walliser voted against the motion.
Angell also filed his monthly water quality report for the first time. He noted the city treated more than 131 million litres of water and pumped nearly 125 million litres into the distribution system for the month. There were no plant upsets and all regulated parameters for drinking water were met.
In June, the city had a Water Security Agency inspection at the wastewater plant and collection system. There were no operational issues to note, Angelll said, and everything was in good working order.
"We have one longstanding deficiency with the amount of storm and sanitary sewer lines we have crossed in the city. We have a plan to address it and have applied for federal funding to complete the project."
The water security officer also made comment on the great condition the lift stations around the city are in, Angell said.
