WEYBURN – A major downpour of rain on May 13, which dropped 67.5 mm of rain on Weyburn, has prompted the City to make an application for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) to help home owners who suffered flood damage.
The program helps residents and small businesses to recover from natural disasters, including flooding, and may help those with uninsurable losses, cleanup and temporary relocation.
The provincial program administers federal funds to help people with uninsurable damages, and in order to be eligible for assistance, a local authority must make application and await approval.
After the rainstorm on May 13, the City became aware that some property owners had basement damages due to water or sewer, and so the City has applied for assistance as an eligible assistance area under PDAP.
City manager Mathew Warren noted the City has no financial responsibility under the program for private damages. In order for assistance to be provided under the PDAP program, the province requires the City to pass a resolution in support of the application, and council passed the resolution unanimously.
Warren also pointed out that PDAP is not intended to compete with private insurers, or to provide full compensation to those who incur a substantial loss or damage to property.
If the City’s application is approved, the province will supply the City with an information package, including application forms. Information for residents on how to apply for the assistance will be provided once the government gives approval.
• In other city council business, council gave approval for an application from the Weyburn Credit Union to hold an open-air concert as part of their community barbecue and family dance celebration set for Tuesday, June 21.
The concert and barbecue are slated to be held in the outdoor rink at the Credit Union Spark Centre, and under the City’s zoning bylaw, approval is required from city council as the event is considered a “high impact” use of the facility.
As a discretionary use permit, the neighbours to the property were notified, and no comments or concerns were raised with the City from the neighbourhood.
The plan is for the concert to be held in the north end of the outdoor rink, with the event to start with a barbecue at 5 p.m. and the music at 6 p.m., featuring Moose Jaw’s The Bromantics.
The evening will include an announcement by the Credit Union of community grant funds for non-profit groups, and the evening should wind up by around 9 p.m.
The permit was approved with a number of conditions, including a requirement for an inspection by the Fire Department, placement of all structures and seating to be approved by the Leisure Services department, and arrangements made for washroom access, parking and refuse containers on the site.
• Council gave approval with conditions to East Wey Autobody to place a second shipping container on their property on 17th Street.
The application is to place the second container next to their first one, and it will measure eight feet six inches by 53 feet, and would be for storage related to their repair business.
The conditions of approval include painting the container a neutral colour, and that it only be used for storage, kept clean and maintained, and shall have no plumbing or electricity connected to it.
