The Family Place will attempt to have their Mini-Go preschool program recognized as an independent school before returning to city council in a month's time to learn their decision on a request for tax-exempt status for their new home on Fourth Street.

The board, staff and director of the Family Place filled city council chambers on Monday evening to make the request for exemption from paying property tax, which would amount to about $3,200 for the city and $3,800 for school portion.

Director Linda Rudachyk explained to council that all rental and utility costs up to now had been covered by the health district when they were housed at Souris Valley. As that facility had to be vacated, the Family Place found a new home in a former medical clinic at 24 Fourth Street, and are seeking tax-exempt status to help with the expenses of running their programs, particularly Mini-Go and Tiny-Go, a preschool program for special needs children at risk.

Rudachyk noted the non-profit group's annual budget is $225,000, of which the province provides a grant of $85,000. Some of the extraordinary expenses at the new location have included $64,000 for renovations, with another $2,400 required for roofing work, plus the building's accessibility needs to be improved.

The Family Place made three main requests: one, tax exemption status; two, for council and staff to tour the Family Place and see what they offer and do; and three, for the city to invest in and support the Family Place.

In a letter to council, board chair Clark Gordon cited Section 262 of the new Cities Act, but city manager Bob Smith pointed out that exemption under this section can be granted only if the facility is recognized as an independent school.

Rudachyk noted they had talked to Saskatchewan Learning, and were told to approach the city, saying the board had begun the process for this request several months ago.

As the Family Place has staff who operate the Mini-Go and Tiny-Go programs, as well as running the centre itself, some councillors said they would not support giving tax exemption status, for fear of a lineup of other facilities asking for the same consideration, even though none of them offer what the Family Place does.

"This is going to be a difficult situation for council, as we will have a long lineup of organizations who feel they have a justified reason for exemption," said Coun. Ray Hamm.

Coun. Dick Michel pointed out that when an exemption is given to someone, other taxpayers in the city have to make up for that lack of tax revenue.

Coun. Gary Frederickson countered this argument, pointing out the money will come out of the community regardless, whether through the tax write-off or through fund-raising by the Family Place.

He also questioned Coun. Hamm's contention, asking if any one of those organizations can do what the Family Place is doing, and said their status for exemption shouldn't have to depend on whether they qualify as a school or not.

"How do you ever create anything new if everything is based on precedence? A precedent has to be set some time," said Coun. Frederickson.

Mayor Don Schlosser said if it came to a vote that night, he would vote against it, in light of the practice where council turned down requests before if paid staff were involved. The Elks Hall, now gone, is an example of this decision.

Coun. Bill Rudachyk moved to table the request until May 24, to give the Family Place time to request for official status as a school from Saskatchewan Learning.

Council was informed that paper and cardboard recycling at the Wor-Kin Shop will likely cease as of June 15, due to the volume of paper being brought in, and also due to the presence of hazardous materials being left by some residents.

Coun. Rob Stephanson said partly it's a safety issue, as the workers who sort the paper products by hand have come across bags of garbage, and some of the material has been hazardous.

In addition, he said, "It's a good thing that's gone bad. The volume has grown beyond the point where it can be handled there."

In the meantime, the city's Environmental Resources committee will look into the possibility of another group who can take this recycling over. Currently, the Wor-Kin Shop provides the only drop-off point for the city of Weyburn to recycle paper and cardboard.

The shop is also the SARCAN bottle depot for the city, and have bins for recycling of tin and clear glass.

Stephanson said a number of tours of recycling facilities are planned so the committee can have an idea of the kind of equipment and facilities that are needed to do this recycling.

In other council business:

· Council was told that judging for the national Communities in Bloom competition will take place on July 22; Weyburn is representing Saskatchewan in its population category, after winning at the provincial level last year.

· The city was informed that Highways' bridge division will go ahead and replace the bridge on Highway 39 over the Souris River near River Park. The construction will mean the southbound lane of Highway 39 will be diverted for the duration, with construction to begin May 1 and be done by or before Aug. 1. The new bridge will cost $475,000, and will include a 2.4-metre walkway on the south side, to enable walkers on the Tatagwa Parkway route to walk without being endangered by the traffic on Highway 39.

· The Facilities Committee is looking into a feasibility study on a proposal to combine a number of city facilities under one roof, as a number of city facilities are in need of upgrading; the study will include whether there is "the political will" in the community to go ahead with such a project, said Coun. Hamm.

· The Royal Bank Cup is still in need of more volunteers, said Coun. Stephanson, particularly in the areas of security and hosting assistants, which would include helping meet a particular team's needs while they are here for the national championship. So far, in the home-stay program, there are 12 names listed, and more would be appreciated to help host those who will attending the week-long event.

· Two new members, Dennis Mulhall and Gloria Scaddan, were appointed to the Weyburn Arts Council.