City council wants to hear feedback from residents on an "insurance policy" proposal, by which all water and sewer line repair costs will be borne by the city out of a fund paid for by a surcharge on all utility bills.
The proposal was unveiled at council on Monday, and will cost most homeowners $2.50 a month or $30 a year, which will go into a fund to pay for all repairs made to water or sewer lines.
The charge would be higher for those service connections with larger pipes: $3 a month for lines of 1.5 inches; $5 a month for two-inch lines, and $20 a month for three-inch lines. There are about 70 to 80 such properties in the city, while most homes are serviced with a pipe of one inch or less.
The council wants the public's input on the idea before introducing a bylaw at the next council meeting on Monday, March 23.
"One of the biggest concerns from residents is getting caught with a water or sewer leak repair," said city engineer Bob Kinash, adding that most water line repairs can run anywhere from $1000 to $2500; for sewers, the cost is about the same, and for repairs to both water and sewer services, the costs can range between $2500-3500, and higher if the weather is bad.
"It's been requested many times that we should have some kind of fund we could draw on to make these types of repairs," said Kinash.
The fund would cover the costs of broken water lines, plugged sewer lines from tree roots, digging up of asphalt and sidewalks, and digging up the front lawn up to the home.
In the case of tree roots, the fund would cover the cost of the boulevard tree, or steps would be taken to save the tree if possible.
"I feel we could class it as an insurance policy that would cover your water and sewer hookup from the main to the house," said Mayor Don Schlosser.
Ald. Debra Button said she had the misfortune of having a water line repair last year, and commented this program will assist homeowners in picking up the costs of such repairs in the future.
Estevan has a similar program, said Mayor Schlosser, but theirs only covers water or sewer lines from the main to the property line; Weyburn's would cover from the main up to the building.
Ald. Bill Rudachyk said the dollars collected through this charge will be kept in a separate fund. If the funds add up to more than is needed to cover repair costs, then they can be used to lower the monthly charge; similarly, if the funds are insufficient, the charge can be increased.
A request from HELP International, the relief and development organization which operates the Art Africa store in Weyburn, for a business tax exemption was denied by council.
HELP's executive director Rod Sidloski appeared before council in February, explaining that the store in the Weyburn Square Mall is not really a commercial operation but serves as the international headquarters for the charity organization. He outlined the various projects that HELP is involved with in Canada and overseas, working with both groups here and supervising development projects in other countries, such as Kenya.
He sent a follow-up letter in the past week, saying that their request for exemption would apply to any location they would be operating in around the city, as they are relocating from the mall store location. He said HELP carries out programs in schools and the Signal Hill Arts Centre, plus at the store's new temporary location until they decide on a permanent location to be in or near Weyburn.
Council turned down the request, with one councillor saying that granting such a request would set a bad precedent for the city.
"I sympathize with his plight, but there are a number of charities in Weyburn who would like to see a similar exemption, like the Kinsmen for example. If we take a look at one group, we'd have to look at them all. I'm afraid of that," said Ald. Button.
She added that with needs existing within Weyburn, such as the needs of children who go to school hungry in this city, she couldn't see lending such assistance to an international organization.
The final step required by Bellringer Resources before its American financing company releases the funds for the purchase of the Plains Food Fibre plant will take place this week, said city commissioner Robert Smith.
The financing company required an appraisal of the plant property, and verification of the plant's existence, before it will make the loan to Bellringer for the purchase of the plant in Weyburn's industrial park. Word was received that an appraiser from the U.S. will be in Weyburn on Thursday, March 12, to have a look at the plant.
He will be accompanied by the city's economic development coordinator Nester Budney on the inspection tour.
"This is the final step on making sure everything's in place. We're hanging on and hoping it'll be done soon," said Smith, adding he doesn't know how soon after the inspection the cheque will be arriving at city hall.
The company is to pay the city $1.2 million, with a further $400,000 to be paid by a mortgage over the next few years. Bellringer is proposing to process ethanol alcohol at the plant, with some of the byproducts to be used in animal feed production.
Weyburn's finances looked good after 1997, council heard, as the audited financial statement shows a modest surplus on the year, and spending in most departments at or below the budgeted levels.
In presenting the statement for approval by council, Mayor Schlosser said the surplus was reported from both the general fund and from both utilities.
Investment earnings were down from previous years, he noted, but there were higher revenues from court fines and service fees; in addition, some spending was well below projected budgets, such as snow removal (under budget by $34,700), graveling (under by $20,000) and land development accounts, which were under budget by $18,500.
The city was able to put $150,000 into reserves for future capital spending as a result of these situations.
With the water and sewer utilities, which are both self-funded, there were higher revenues for water as water usage increased in 1997 by about 16 per cent over the previous year. Capital spending was close to budget, and some major repairs were completed at the water treatment plant and main intake.
The main exception to capital spending was the extra dollars put into converting water meters to the new remote reading system. The higher revenues resulted in $77,000 being put into the utility reserve.
For the sewage utility, some major repairs were made to the sewage lift station, but with many accounts spending under budget, the utility was able to put $252,000 into the utility reserve.
The South Central Health District has asked the cooperation of the city in a working group to combat smoking and its effects, and other health issues which affect the community.
Medical Health Officer Dr. David Allison made a presentation to council about the impact of smoking and second-hand smoke on individuals, and to the economy and health care system, and made the request to start working together to fight the problem in the city.
Among the many statistics provided, Dr. Allison said the effects of smoking has a direct cost to Canada's health care system of $3.5 billion, plus the economic cost across the country of about $15 billion. In Saskatchewan, the cost to the health system is estimated at $87 million.
Those who smoke are at risk, he said, with around 80 per cent of all lung cancer cases and 25 per cent of heart disease cases directly caused by smoking; plus the problems to those who inhale second-hand smoke, particularly children.
Dr. Allison said under the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, a number of ways were suggested by which communities can try and do something about these numbers, including a working group that the SCHD would like to establish to promote healthier lifestyles in the area.
Ald. Marlene Nedelcov pointed out that a bylaw was passed by council outlawing smoking on city public property, which Dr. Allison said was a very well-received piece of legislation. He said some cities have taken an extra step, and have banned smoking from any areas where the public might gather, including restaurants and shopping malls.
A request from Paradise Herbs to amend the zoning bylaw for the former downtown Co-op department store was approved by city council, giving the green light for the herb producing and processing operation to go ahead.
The company, owned by Grant Marcotte and Mike and Colleen Lee of Weyburn, bought the downtown store building for an undisclosed sum of money to set up their herb operation, subject to the zoning approval by council.
Paradise Herbs has also made a request to council for a break on business tax as a new business, and negotiations are still ongoing with the city, said commissioner Smith.
The company's proposal calls for a hydroponic growing operation for the herbs, mainly basil, with processing and packaging to take place in the basement.
The main floor of the store building would be largely available as retail and office space, with Paradise Herbs using the second and third floors, along with some on the main floor and most of the basement area. Company owners said earlier if the approvals come through from council, renovations to the building will begin sometime in April, with hopes to be in operation by next January.
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
Phone: (306) 842-7487
Fax: (306) 842-0282
E-mail: production@weyburnreview.com
This web page and its contents are copyright of the Weyburn
Review (1987) Ltd.