City Council has authorized the start-up of a program to help rid the city of crows this spring that is modelled after a similar program in Melville and Yorkton, but won't go as far either of those two communities.

The program was put together after City Hall received a number of complaints about crows being a nuisance in their area, as well as some fears about the West Nile virus, which crows are known to be carriers of.

The program, which may be subject to change if residents request it, will include the appointment of a control officer by the city who will be allowed to shoot crows in park areas only, such as on the Souris Valley grounds, Jubilee Park and River Park.

The complaints about crows are that they are not only noisy very early in the morning (like 4 or 5 a.m.), they are a nuisance in residents' garbages, they chase away or kill smaller birds, and are primary carriers of the West Nile virus.

At this point, no shooting of crows in residential areas will take place, although some councillors expressed misgivings about not taking this step. Also, only a shotgun will be allowed to be used, and the control officer is to be careful as to public concerns when this action is taken.

For residential areas, the city will remove crows nests from city trees, and will encourage residential owners to do the same on their properties.

Coun. Rob Stephanson noted that Yorkton's program allows for shooting of crows in residential neighbourhoods, and commented that scaring them out of park areas will simply force them to migrate into residential areas.

"I know there's a problem with crows. We've had a problem for 50 years with gulls. I'm really against going around the community with firearms," said Coun. George Kalman.

Mayor Don Schlosser pointed out special permission has been given in the past to qualified, experienced people, and this type of permission wouldn't be given to just anyone to shoot the birds.

Coun. Bill Rudachyk said he also has strong reservations about shooting the birds in town, and noted nest removal is an area the city could work to try and alleviate the problem.

"I've received numerous complaints about crows in town, and the number of them," said Coun. Debra Button, adding that West Nile virus is a definite concern in relation to these birds.

"I feel if we're going to alleviate the problem, we've got to get rid of the nests and also shoot the birds. I don't know how we would handle that in a residential area. but if we're going to go ahead, we have to do it both ways," said Mayor Schlosser.

"I'd rather hear a few booms than what I'm hearing now, and a lot of people have told me the same thing," added Coun. Stephanson, commenting that crows are smart enough to know they need to move on if birds start getting shot.

Some councillors said they would like to hear feedback from residents if they support this program, or would like to see crows shot in residential neighbourhoods under tight restrictions. Some pointed out that the crows are starting to pair up and will soon be nesting, so now is a prime time to act against them.

Council will take a look at the budgetary impact of a proposal approved by a majority of respondents to a chamber survey about parking in the downtown area.

The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce received 61 responses to their survey of business owners about how to address parking in the downtown, with 63 per cent favouring two hours of free parking, whether on the street or in city parking lots.

About one-quarter of respondents favoured the status quo, in which there is one hour of free parking on the streets only and pay-and-display parking in city lots. Alternative suggestions were provided by 13 per cent of respondents, of which nine per cent support free parking on the streets and in the lots at all times, two per cent suggested a row of free parking lots nearest businesses, and another two per cent suggested four-hour free parking on all city lots.

Coun. Ray Hamm said one of the problems the city has with free parking is that they still have expenses, such as for enforcing no-parking zones or handicapped parking zones.

Some council members had a problem with the proposal which seeks to double the penalties being handed out for parking violations. Mayor Schlosser said the city gets flak now from $5 fines, and wondered how people would greet a $10 fine for the same offence (for limited time parking).

The proposed fine for illegal parking would be $20 (same as now), and illegal parking in a handicapped zone would earn a $50 fine, an increase from the current fine of $30. These amounts would all double if they weren't paid within 10 days.

Coun. Kalman pointed out the city is looking at revitalizing the downtown, and suggested free parking would be a good idea, especially with Wal-Mart scheduled to be open by Christmas.

Mayor Schlosser noted another concern with free parking is that employers and employees would take the best parking spots without fear of being penalized, and leave only a few spots for shoppers.

"It's very important to work with the chamber. I would support their proposal but I think their fines are a little high," said Coun. Dick Michel, adding the chamber has done its work, so it's up to council to decide how to proceed.

Council's chamber representative, Coun. Hamm, said he hasn't heard much discussion on this since the survey results were released at their last board meeting, but noted chamber members are also concerned about employee/employer parking in free parking spots. He said he could take council's concerns about their proposal to them.

"I'm not sure where to go from here, except to look at the implications to the budget if we go to a two-hour parking limit as proposed," added Hamm.

The mayor suggested council should get a report from the administrator and the police if the city agreed to go along with a two-hour parking limit, including what the impact on the budget would be.

The initial ground work on the site for the new Wal-Mart store will begin within two weeks' time, weather permitting.

The company took out a building permit for $4.3 million on March 24 to get the process underway, and ASL Paving will be the first contractor on the site, said Mayor Schlosser.

The permit for the Wal-Mart store brings the city's building permit totals above all of last year's permits already, noted city manager Bob Smith. As of the end of March, the city has issued seven permits worth $4.667 million; the overall total for 2002 was 92 permits worth $4.6 million.

The council also approved a tender from ASL Paving for paving auxiliary lanes on to Highway 39 for the Wal-Mart store, along with storm sewer leads, concrete curbing, and recapping existing pavement. The total contract bid was $1.1 million, with the two other bids at $1.4 and $1.5 million from a Winnipeg and Regina firm respectively.

Two demolition projects were approved by council on Monday, for the old creamery building and for the Mitchell block.

Jerry Mainil Ltd. of Weyburn was the successful bidder to demolish the old creamery located at 35 Industrial Lane. Their bid total was $72,500, lower than two other out-of-town bids.

Coun. Kalman asked if the city could find out if residents might be able to salvage some of the bricks from the creamery, and council agreed they would ask the company if they might agree to this. This demolition will proceed once ownership of the building and site are transferred to the city by the end of this week.

The runner-up bidder on that demolition project, Silverado Demolition of Regina, was the winning bidder to take down the Mitchell Block.

This was initially accepted by council on Sept. 22, but with a request to wait until spring in case someone might agree to buy and renovate the block, located at 201 Souris Avenue. Due to the age and condition of the building, sale of the building is not likely, said Doug Mulhall, the city's chief building inspector.

Council authorized demolition of the Mitchell Block to proceed at the agreed-on price of $67,400. This company will also be asked if they might allow residents to salvage some of the bricks for their own use.