ESTEVAN - Estevan city council has decided to wait for more information on a request to have exclusive rights for sponsoring benches on pathways.
Council heard a request on Sept. 25 from the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Local 7606 to purchase 10 more benches and garbage cans for the pathway system. The UMWA said it has been told this is the required number for the pathway system.
The UMWA has already sponsored 12 benches on the pathways in honour of mine employees who have died.
Mayor Roy Ludwig and members of council said the city has had a great relationship with the mine workers, and they appreciate all that the union members do in the community, but he's not certain if the city can grant exclusivity rights for the benches, or if it's even necessary, since the city would usually grant requests on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Coun. Shelly Veroba and Coun. Lindsay Clark suggested giving them first right of refusal for future benches. Clark added it's likely not a good time to refuse money.
Ludwig responded that if the city grants right of first refusal in this instance, other groups would also want it. But he had no problem with granting them the 10 additional benches they want.
The UMWA request would not affect the other benches already on the pathways.
Council tabled the request so that UMWA representatives could come in and address the matter. Clark voted against the motion, saying he was in favour of UMWA's offer.
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Council granted the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation's request to have its 11th annual Festival of Trees gala fundraiser at Affinity Place on Nov. 18.
The foundation asked to pay a discounted rate of $3,750 to rent the venue. It also wanted to use the new score clock to play a video during the gala.
The city will also purchase a corporate table for the event.
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The monthly report from Shane Bucsis, the manager of the city's water and wastewater treatment plants, shows the city treated more than 160.7 million litres of water and pumped 153.1 million litres into the distribution system in August. There were no plant upsets and all regulated parametres for drinking water were met.
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In the inquiries portion of the meeting, Veroba said she has spoken with the bylaw enforcement officer about a few unsightly properties in the community. One property has a box spring and mattress.
She believes the city needs to use the winter months to tighten up the bylaw so that it can act on these properties next year. Veroba reminded council that if the city has to go in and take care of a property, the work should be applied to the owner's property taxes.
Coun. Tony Sernick said he has had a couple of people ask him about wheelchair access at Affinity Place. City manager Jeff Ward said they hope to have something in next year's budget.
