By STEPHAN BURNETT, Weyburn Review Editor
Councillors broke into debate on Monday night concerning the glare coming off the new barn erected by the Weyburn Agriculture Society located west of the Colosseum.
City commissioner Bob Smith spoke first about concerns which have been raised regarding the roof of the new barn. Smith said the roof could become a serious problem.
Games played by the Weyburn Beaver's Baseball Club would be affected by the glare off the roof and passing motorists might also be temporarily blinded.
The temporary blinding factor might lead to a serious accident, said Councillor Debra Button. For that she put forward a resolution that council commit to having the east side of the roof painted while partnering with the Weyburn Beavers Baseball Club on the project at a cost not to exceed $1,000.
Councillor Marlene Nedelcov seconded the motion, although she said she was reluctant to do so because the building didn't belong to the city. Nedelcov added the possibility of an accident occurring was her motivation for seconding the motion.
Councillor Ray Wahl squared off against Button and Nedelcov by saying the problem was not a city problem.
"It's not in our best interest to spend money on someone else's roof," said Wahl. He also stated that after having recently increased the mill rate councillors should be aware that now is not the time to be spending taxpayers' dollars in such a manner.
Councillor Ray Hamm then aligned himself with Button and Nedelcov.
"It creates a hazard," said Hamm. "There is a potential for injury, and I agree with Councillor Button."
Councillor Bill Rudachyk also reluctantly supported Button's motion. Rudachyk spoke of driving past the barn while the roof was almost one quarter finished and having to shield his eyes from the glare to prevent becoming temporarily blinded.
Councillor Button then questioned administration whether there was any forethought put into the colour of the roof during the permit application stage.
City commissioner Bob Smith replied that presently there were no regulations or bylaws which prevent the type of roof used by the Ag Society, but he added that administration was working to rectify that problem.
Councillor Wahl then reiterated his opposition to the motion.
Wahl said he did not want to seem insensitive, but if there were an accident, the responsibility of a driver being blinded by the glare from the roof would lie with the Ag society and not the city.
"I don't think we should be fixing the roofs of other peoples' facilities," said Wahl.
Mayor Don Schlosser then stated that he too would be reluctantly supporting the motion.
The barn is on leased land from the City and if a problem occurred we would definitely be named in any action, said Schlosser.
The motion passed 5-1 with Wahl being the lone dissenter.
Preparations are being made for the Signal Hill Art Centre's Seventh Annual Art and Craft show and sale to be held at the Signal Hill Arts Centre on Sunday, June 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.
The City of Weyburn is now entering the third year of a three-year program to change out the water meters and billing system. Council has contracted Schlumberger to undertake Phase 3 of a three-year program to change the water meters and billing system.
The animal control bylaw was amended at city council on Monday night. City commissioner Bob Smith said currently there is a three dog or cat rule per household. Any household with more than three dogs or cats could have those pets removed by the Weyburn Humane Society. A noted exception to this bylaw is for those breeders with registered kennels.
The Weyburn Rodeo Committee will hold a rodeo on August 28 and 29th. In the past, the City has supplied equipment in preparation for the event and city employees have donated their time in operating the equipment. The request was approved by council.
Councillor Debra Button announced in her public library report that $7,026 had been raised in their various fund-raisers to date. The board has also decided to buy 500 pins as a fund-raiser. Button also announced a breakdown on computer usage at the library with the terminals being utilized 81.4 per cent of the time by people from Weyburn.
It was also reported in the executive reports at council that the clean-up crews are well into their clean up of the cemetery. At the same time, there is a concern from Occupational Health and Safety that there are no washroom facilities at the cemetery for the workers.
Mayor Don Schlosser inquired as to when asphalt might be purchased to commenced spring works. City engineer Bob Kinash said some asphalt plants should soon be operating and the purchase of asphalt might come as early as next week.
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