Aye, we'll call our meeting to order. I declare this meeting open for the transaction of any business, which may properly come before it.
At this time, and if you are able, please rise for our national anthem, O Canada.
The City of Moustra is located within Treaty of Moustra, a city of Moustra located within Treaty of Moustra.
The original lands of the Cree, Soto, Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota, and the homeland of Métination.
Then a Heawak translation of Moustra is Moustra Topskim, and is the shared landscape for indigenous peoples and settlers from around the world who call Moustra home.
We acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we are committed to move forward in equal partnerships with indigenous nations, with respect and in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
The next item on our agenda is confirmation of the agenda.
I will need a motion that the agenda for the regular meeting of city council be adopted as presented, moved by Councillor Warren, seconded by Councillor Deloria.
All in favor, and that is carried.
Item 3 on the agenda, I will ask, are there any public acknowledgments to be recognized by council, and I see that we have Councillor Boyle in the queue.
Councillor.
Thank you.
Your worship and proud to rise here today and publicly acknowledge the end of March, and it is playoff hockey season.
And finals for provincial finals for more specifically, and I would like to recognize first and foremost, the U-15 Maverick's female team, as they are headed to Macklin,
Saskatchewan for game 3, and a must win game for the girls this weekend.
It would decide the provincial champions, so I just want to acknowledge that.
Also, we have the U-18 AA warriors on the boys side who are in the finals this weekend, and this week starting on Thursday, and they will play a substitute river kinks.
And then our moose job, AAA, win more warriors, played lost game 2 in an absolute battle against for giant Elas Knight at the event center, and the temple garden should I say.
There was almost, I think it was pushing 2,000 fans at a U-18 Triple A game, which is remarkable, and the atmosphere was electric.
So just a testament to those those two three teams that are going for provincial finals, and I mean it's no surprise when you look at the kind of the setup we have in Moose job with the Golden Ticket and Gap Athletics, and all of the kind of developing athletes, and now we're seeing the fruits of some of those labors on the hockey side for sure.
And that's just because we're in the hockey season right now, but just like to acknowledge those and wish all the teams the best of luck.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councillor Boyle.
No other knowledgements, so that will take us to item 4, where we will have the adoption of the minutes.
I will need a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of City Council held on March 10th, 2026, be approved and adopted, moved by Councillor Looney, seconded by Councillor Ebe, all in favor, and that is carried.
Under item 5, is there any member of Council required to declare a conflict of interest on any matter on the agenda?
Seeing none, I will state that under item 6, that there is no public hearing for this meeting, and that moves us into committee of the whole under item 7.
I will need a motion that we go into committee of the whole under the chairmanship of Deputy Mayor Councillor Warren to deal with original communications, delegations, and petitions moved by Councillor Looney, seconded by Councillor Looney, all in favor, and that is carried.
Deputy Mayor.
Okay, thank you, Mayor Murdoch.
We have three items of committee of the whole this afternoon.
The first being communication CC-26, 0086 from the Planning and Development Division of the Community Services Department, regarding rezoning application.
Portion parcel B-1 plan 76, MJ-01165 extension zero.
Believe we have a delegation online Mr. Steve Kiligore requested to address the council virtually.
Lead a motion to allow Mr. Kiligore to speak. Is that here?
Okay, I'm not seeing Mr. Kiligore in the queue, so we will move on.
I guess I would turn this over to this report over to city administration.
I believe acting manager of the Planning and Development.
What our check will be introducing the report. Please begin.
Thank you. So this I just provided summary of the rezoning report that we're bringing to you tonight.
Check properties has applied to rezoning a portion of city owned land currently designated a P for park district to C3 vehicle oriented commercial district.
The land is part of a municipal buffer strip located immediately north of western dodge 1788 Main Street North.
The rezoning is needed to allow western dodge to legally use this area for additional vehicle storage and parking.
They have informally done for several years. The city officially closed the section of the buffer in August 2025 to enable future land to enable the future land sale rezoning and subdivision.
If rezoning is given approval, the land is intended to be subdivided, sold and then consolidated with western dodges existing parcel.
Just some key issues and conditions that were identified.
Just with development restrictions with this additional land, only paving and vehicle storage would be permitted to prevent future commercial expansion and minimize impacts on nearby residential.
For site grading, this would be required at the development permit stage to ensure that proper drainage could be met and avoid runoff issues.
With buffering requirements, there are fences or there is a fence and tree plantings will be required to reduce noise in provincial screening and prevent future encroachments on to municipal land.
There is no new access to the north service road permitted, western dodge must use it's existing approved access.
There is a waterline easement that must be amended to include within the newly consolidated land.
And with the expansion of the lot, this will still exceed the minimum size and furniture requirements for the C3 district.
This ensures that the parcel when consolidated would still meet the requirements of a lot within the C3 district.
So if Council approves preceding notices will be sent to property owners within 90 meters, as will be placed in the mishrax press and on the city website.
The applicant typically pays for advertising is about an $800 total for the ad.
Notification letters, there is a roughly 101 letters that would be sent out, which costs approximately $242.
And the reason to be fulfilled land will be sold at its appraisal value.
That's it, so our recommendation is that city administration proceed with advertising and by law amendment preparation to rezone a portion of this parcel of land to just north of western dodge.
Okay, thank you Mr. Swarczyk, appreciate the update.
Around the council table here ask if there are any questions or comments.
I'm a city council.
The reason is taking the minute here to get settled in.
Thank you, I will move the city administration proceed with advertising and by law amendment preparation to rezone a portion of parcel B1.
Plan 76 MJ01165 extension zero immediately north of 1788 Main Street north from P parks district to C3 vehicle oriented commercial district and that all costs associated with the application be borne by the applicant.
Looking around, I'm not seeing any other speakers in the queue, so I will move to call the question on the motion on the floor, all those in favor and that's carried.
Item number two on the agenda is punication CC-2026-0087 from the city manager's office regarding Buffalo pound water treatment corporation.
Election of directors.
File law and agreement amendments.
I leave on turn this over to in terms of the city manager.
Thank you chair.
Administration is requesting authorization to exercise the city's voting rights at the upcoming Buffalo pound water treatment meeting.
This includes confirming board appointments and governance updates.
The governance in nominating committee has recommended a slate of candidates.
Re-appointments include Patricia Worsaba, Jessica Thro and Patricia Wilson.
New appointments Sean Mac Urchin and Roman Malp my apologies for any mispronunciation.
All would serve three year terms ending in 2029.
This slate maintains continuity.
Brings in new perspectives and ensures representation from both Regina and Moosell will strengthen the overall skill set of the board.
The board is also recommending a governance amendment to buy law number one to remove the exception that allowed directors to return after one year absence.
This establishes a clear and consistent nine year term limit.
A corresponding amendment to the unanimous membership agreement is also recommended to align with that change.
In closing, administration is requesting council's approval of the proposed board slate and governance amendments and authorization for the in-term city manager to vote accordingly at the membership meeting.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Smith.
Council. Any questions or comments?
Councilor Deloria.
I'd like to move that the interim city manager as the city's proxy be authorized to execute the city's voting rights in the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation at the upcoming membership meeting to elect the following individuals to the Board of Directors for three year term.
Ending in 2029.
Patricia Worsaba.
Jessica Thoreau.
Patricia Wilson.
Sean McKekkern.
Ramen Mall.
Where is the Board of Directors seek to strengthen governance practices by implementing term limits for directors to a maximum term of nine years.
Be it resolved that the following sentence of paragraph 34 be it by law number one be deleted.
This restriction does not apply to directors.
We have served previous terms on the board, but have been absent from the board for a minimum period of one year.
The section 4.6 of unanimous membership agreement between the city of Regina City of Mushroom, Buffalo, Pound, Water Treatment, Corporation,
be amended by deleting the words after which they must vacate their office for at least one year.
Okay. Thank you, Councillor Glorie.
Seeing, Councillor Leningoy.
Thank you. Just a quick question. Just for, and I mean, I know the answer to this, but just for the public say,
who? Just for the representatives that are Mushroom representatives are Greg McIntyre,
Ramon Mall, and then is there somebody else that represents Mushia there, or is it just those two? I'm just wondering.
I know Regina has the majority stake in the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, but I'm just curious to know who represents us as the city of Mushia.
Does it have that information?
Thank you, Chair, through you to Councillor Leningoy. Sorry, I do not have that information directly in front of me,
but certainly that's something that we can get to you.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's Greg McIntyre, and then your this report does say that Ramon Mall is a Mushia representative,
but I think it's Mr. McIntyre that is our rep. I know that for sure, but I just wondered if there was somebody else that.
Anyways, thank you.
Thank you, Councillor Leningoy.
Oh, sorry. In the document, on page 25, I believe.
It lists the report's impatient.
It does list Greg McIntyre and Ramon Mall for Mushia. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, thank you, Miss Ansel.
Great. I'm seeing another Councillor's in the queue, so there's a motion on the floor.
I'll call the question, all those in favor.
And that's carried unanimously.
And number three is communications, CC-2026-0102.
From the Department of Financial Services, regarding authorization to issue a request for proposals,
RFP, for crescent view, head works facility borrowing.
Thank you, Chair. The Department of Financial Services is seeking authorization to issue a
$30 million RFP for borrowing over a 15-year term to support the crescent view head works facility project.
This project was brought to Council in 2022 and 2023, with Council giving direction in 2025 to proceed with issuing
tenders and preparing for construction in 2026.
At the January 2025 meeting, Council was provided additional information that the city would need to borrow
$30 million if provincial or federal funding did not come through.
Our financing plan includes $9.75 million in committed CCVF or gas tax funding, and a potential drawdown of approximately
$26.66 million from investments. With these contributions, borrowing is required to complete the project
without overextending reserves or limiting future investment earnings.
Although borrowing is exempt from the procurement policy, financial services recommends issuing an RFP to ensure competitive
and transparent procurement access to the most favorable interest rates and flexibility through multiple financing structures.
As of March 2026, the Saskatchewan Municipal Board increased our debt limit to $135 million.
This gives the city the capacity to move forward.
If approved, the RFP will be posted tomorrow and closed on April 8. After that, we will complete the required public notice in hearings
with financial services returning to Council with a recommended financing firm and the borrowing by law. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Ansel.
Any questions?
Just a while.
Well, I'll break the ice. Just a couple of questions through you here to Dr. Finance.
So with this approval, and I understand we're just going to the market, so there's more to be determined on it.
But if this was to pass it tonight, what would be the current debt situation of the city of Moestah in total?
Thank you for the question through your chair to Councillor Boyle.
Our debt balance at the end of 2025 was 69.7 million.
So with the additional 30 million, we'd be at 99.7 million and plan for the end of 2026.
We would reduce that by approximately 5.2 million.
By the end of the year, we would be at about 94.9.
Thank you.
As part of the package, the current debt breakdown is on there.
And what, when are some of those we forecast those debts to be retired on there?
Do you have the years on some of those where we were looking at that they would be off the books or what would be the soonest one that is off.
Because yes, we have debt.
We are paying debt every year and paying it off and trying to retire some of that.
So I'm just kind of curious.
Thank you for the question through your chair to Councillor Boyle.
I would have to get the exact years for that.
I do know that the multiplex one was a 25 year one.
So what's left in remaining at half to determine, but I can get the back to you as soon as possible.
And I guess is it fair to conclude that by looking at the lowest amount ones, those would come off first in retiring that debt in the chart likely right.
And then also what is the balance of our reserve account right now?
Or end of 2025, I guess would be the fair question.
Thank you for the question through your chair to Councillor Boyle.
At the end of 2025, our reserves specific to capital expenditure fund, which is where it's partial of the borrowing would come from.
It's estimated at 44.2 million and the long term portion of land development funds, which is where potentially would take up to 3 million from, would be 10.2 million.
I say estimated as our financials are not audited.
Thank you.
And then overall total reserves city of Mooshah end of 2025 was.
Thank you for the question through your chair to Councillor Boyle.
I just have it broken out by long term, long term, about 88.6 million medium term is, sorry, the spreadsheets are very large.
17.4 million and short term is 9.7 million.
Thank you.
Okay, so well over 100 plus, you know, 100 and whatever that works out to.
Quick math.
Okay, I appreciate the report coming forward.
The other question in the report, it does reference a number of applications that we have previously tried for some of the chip funding and other things and just curious.
Would we, any other further responses on any other funding from the federal governments or other levels of government?
I guess it's only the federal government that we've heard back anything.
I mean, because I think they do spring and fall in takes if I'm not mistaken.
Any news that you could drop a bomb on us tonight?
Not at an Easter egg so to speak.
Thank you for the question through your chair to Councillor Boyle.
The funding for Crescent View was denied, as well as our infrastructure project to funding was denied.
The stormwater one is still up in the air.
We don't have finalization results here.
Thank you.
Just one fall upon this might be not for you for someone else on the chip funding.
We get denied by the federal government on a pretty important need for us to sustain our community.
Do they give a response back on any of that?
Thank you for the question through your chair to Councillor Boyle.
They provide us some guidance on our application on what was working, what aligned, and then as far as providing us information that they had multiple applications across across.
The country and only so much money to go around.
Thank you.
It's basically a good lot, hopefully you don't have to flush your toilets in the city of Muxia.
I'll leave with that and let others jump in there as well.
We'll get into it.
Thank you.
Hey, thank you.
Councillor Boyle.
Councillor Emeek.
Please go ahead.
Thank you.
Thank you for this report.
Although it's not exciting to have to think about borrowing money for this project.
It's exciting to think that we're at the point that we can actually start looking towards the project being constructed.
It is very unfortunate that we were not approved for the federal or provincial funding, but that ship is sailed and now we have to figure out what we're going to do.
And when I look at this list of our current debt breakdown, which is available to everyone to look at, the only fun project in there that anyone might consider would have been perhaps someone might think.
Non-essential would be the multiplex.
The rest is like waterworks capital, high-service pump hose, buffalo pound, buffalo pound, buffalo pound.
These are all critical pieces of infrastructure that we have had to and been able to borrow money to funds to keep our community.
We have a community serving its residents as efficiently as possible.
And we've all been, we all know for the last few years that this project, the crescent, you headworks is the next critical piece.
So as much as I'm not excited to borrow the money, I'm very grateful that we have the borrowing power to be able to do it.
And just one final thing, and that is so many people are like, oh, we have City Mooster.
I have so many reserves. Why don't we just use that? We're going to 26.66 million dollars.
We're going to come out of reserves and interest funding.
So fortunately we have that in place as well.
Because if we would have spent all those reserves a few years ago to do some other project that someone thought we shouldn't borrow money for, we wouldn't have this investment earnings to use.
So, yeah, not exciting to borrow, but exciting that we can get this project out in the marketplace and hopefully into the ground sooner than later.
So thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you chair. Just a couple of comments.
I'll be voting in favor of this as colleagues have said not.
Really liking the fact that we have to borrow $30 million towards the 60's five million dollar project.
However, my opinion, this is probably the most important piece of infrastructure within the city of Mooster as it stands.
So, I'm voting in favor of this.
I like that we are going to use some of the reserve money.
And in fact, we may not be able to borrow what we are borrowing because of the reserves.
If it weren't for those reserves, they would look at us permanently.
And just having that there allows us to be able to borrow.
Thank you to city managers and fine arts department of the past and looking forward to voting favor of this project.
Thank you.
I do not have any other speakers in the queue, so I'll maybe just pass the gavel.
Mayor Murdoch, permanent here. I just a couple of questions from myself.
So, I think the borrowing, the report talks about the borrowing increases the debt payments from 3.4 million.
I guess our current 3.4 million to 4.6 million.
So, that's an increase of about 1.2 million annually.
For those debt payments, I guess.
To the administration to speak to how we, I guess we're planning to fund that extra 1.2 million dollars in debt payments going forward.
Thank you for your question, Chair.
So, debt servicing will, in the future, will be built into utility rate planning annually.
So, it's part of the standard major water and major water and wastewater infrastructure planning that we do.
So, it will be respective in those utility rates that are brought forward annually through the budget process.
I mean, that makes sense to me as well.
I just curious if you know, if you kind of have an idea of what, I guess, utility percent increase that might equate to.
I can't remember what utility 1 percent of utility increase was, but if you could,
maybe highlight what that might look like for utility rate increase in the chair.
Thank you for the question, Chair. I do not have that value of hand, but I can't get it free.
I think it's okay to appreciate that.
If I'm remembering correctly, like it's, I think 1 percent for a general tax increase is around 409,000 right now.
The utility would be quite a bit less than that, like maybe around 200,000, I'm guessing, right?
So, I mean, maybe that's not the number, but we're probably looking at, like a five or six percent.
I think that's an increase in the utility to help fund those additional costs. Like, am I kind of in the neighborhood?
On that, it's for the chair.
Sorry, thank you for the question chair. I can't say for a certainty yet. I would prefer to do the calculation and get back to you of possible.
Thank you.
Okay, thank you. Appreciate that.
So, I think that chief application was obviously unfortunate that the federal government declined the funding request.
And obviously, this is the need for the borrowing now.
In the chief application, we were asking the federal government for 26,564,000.
So, I guess my question is, if that's the amount that we're short, I'm curious as to why we need to borrow the 30 million.
And I guess, yeah, I guess why the need for 30 is opposed to the 26, 564.
Thank you for the question chair.
So, when we did the analysis, we wanted to leave funds within our reserves to grow in the future to grow additional interest income.
So, we can draw down. So, annually through the budget process, we draw down about 2.5 million from capital expenditure fund.
So, if we took that now, we wouldn't have it in the future to draw down.
So, that's approximately the value there as well, drawing with drawing 26.66 down from the capital expenditure,
it would leave us at about 27.74. So, it's almost like it equal balance is what we were aiming for.
Thank you.
Okay, I appreciate that.
Okay, thanks. I mean, maybe just more on the project itself.
I think, you know, obviously, we've talked about it a lot at council, maybe just a reminder.
I guess, what is the timeline for the project?
I guess, from now until completion. Good to chair.
Thank you, Chair. We will anticipate awarding this at the end of May.
And then our construction timeline is, if we can get shovels in the ground this summer, we'll be working through to May 30th, 2029.
And that, that May 30th, 2029 is put forward without having yet gotten our construction schedule from contractors,
but that gives you an idea of our completion.
Okay, appreciate that. So that's about, I guess, full, I guess, 26, 27, 28, three full summers and then winter time thing.
So pretty significant project over the next three and a half, four years.
And so I guess, can you just remind me also, just on that, the project itself, obviously, it's because the term, this station pump station has reached the end of its life.
And this is obviously required as part of that asset management strategy and renewal process.
Question, like, are we at the point, if you get this reminded me of imminent failure of this infrastructure, or are we kind of still in that ballpark of, you know, it's got still that's a useful life with proper maintenance and care,
and that we expect that the new project come online before any kind of imminent failure of this infrastructure.
Thank you for the question, Chair.
The headwork facility replaces a number of right now disconnected infrastructure.
On the septic receiving station, framing the current facility as a, as a receiving station is ambitious.
It's a whole on the ground, so it will be an appropriate septic receiving station.
The current separation is something that's occurring in a building on the wastewater treatment plant side.
That building is at the end of its service life, as well as the components that are in it.
The headworks, the lift station right now is running and in terms of criticality.
It's not in an imminent state of collapse.
What's happening there is, it's a capacity issue.
And for rainfall events above, you know, six tenths or one in one in two rainfall events.
So a moderate rainfall event, it's becoming overwhelmed and it's surcharging the list station itself.
Also surcharging sanitary up the way and bringing up sanitary to a point where a pipe track capacity.
So it's that the takeaway here is that the big, the big driver is capacity and condition is poor, but capacities the main component.
I appreciate that.
Then there's the full of questions.
So knowing that they see the take a few more years to get that, that, that project completed.
I mean, I'm assuming we've got some contingencies in place.
If we start, you know, if we do get these large rain events or some sort of failure.
I mean, administration, they just talk a little bit about the contingency options that we have available to the city in the event that we have one of these.
Maybe catastrophic issues.
Yeah.
One thing that we do carry in our operating budgets is a 50 or a hundred thousand dollars for, for pumps that are being replaced in the current facility every approximately three years, two or three years.
And without the grit separation ahead of these pumps, we're chewing through pumps that are high rates.
So we carry that contingency across every year in our operating budget and, you know, those, those should be 15, 25 year pumps.
Specifically, the wastewater treatment plan that was built in 2009, those pumps are still holding.
So we've got same pumps down the way and, you know, they're coming 20 or 20 years old and they're still together.
We're chewing through them every few years at the, at the listation.
In terms of the commissioning or this, this construction period.
That's born within this capital project within the project risk, as well as the contingency on this capital side.
So, but again, the best thing for it is to get this project done and get the new one online.
Great.
Appreciate that.
Thanks.
I don't have any other questions.
Mayor, so I'll take the yabble back.
Chair, if I may, I just have an answer to Councillor Boyle's question about years that the loans expire.
The waterworks capital, it ends in 2033.
High service pump house ends in 2036 and multi-plex ends in 2034.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Ansel.
Do you guess what?
Okay.
Let's go with Mayor Murdoch.
Yes, thank you, Chair.
Question for administration and I'm not, so with, with the decline of the application for shift, not being accepted.
We can still proceed with that again, correct?
Like for this project, like it's, that's not finished now, is it?
Because we're moving on with our own funding mechanism.
Was that it?
Thank you for the question.
Through your chair, your workshop.
So, chief funding is only applicable before shovels hit the ground, basically.
So, with this project, I don't see chief applying unless, eventually, there's like a phase that could be put forth.
But right now, the plan was just to proceed with the borrowing.
There is other options for shift funding or a version of shift for future for other projects that we're currently looking at.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mayor Murdoch.
Councillor Logan.
It's good.
Thank you, Chair.
I'll make this quick.
Just a couple of comments.
I'm wondering, a question through you.
Probably to direct a halt.
And I'm wondering, is there any energy efficiency from this new set-up, once it's online?
Like when the blowers were put in, we saved hundreds of thousand dollars in power costs.
So, when this is online, will there be some savings along the way that we can hopefully reap?
It's a whole thing.
I think for the question, I think that's a great question.
I don't have that information on hand, but it would be something I'd be interested in.
It's something I'd be interested to dig in into and provide a brief response back.
I'm just curious.
Thank you.
Thank you for that.
Yeah.
I'd be interested to hear back at some point when you have time.
And just as a comment or side note, I'd heard director Heldon talking about the unit being at capacity on a rainfall event, which is intriguing, because it's a sewer line and not a storm infrastructure issue.
And so when folks apply for building permits, and they're told they can't connect their weeping tile of their house or their building to the sewer anymore and they're upset with it, that's why.
Because you're dumping that rainwater into the sewer and it's back in our system, which is already at capacity.
So when you're told that you get a permit and you're upset because you can't connect to the sewer line and your weeping tile of your pump of your house has to drain over land, that's why.
Because this old system can't keep up and it's not intended to go into the sewer.
So for those that call me to complain, there's your answer.
Okay.
Thank you.
I don't, my memory is foggy, but I don't believe we have a motion at this time.
Okay.
Thank you chair.
I would move that city council authorized department of financial services to proceed with issuing a request for proposals or RFP for borrowing.
For 30 million dollars over a 15 year term required to fund the approved crescent view headworks facility.
And that the Department of Financial Services report back to city council with the recommended financial firms and bring forward the required borrowing by law pursuant to the city's act.
I think that's a Logan.
Councillor Boyle, please go ahead.
Just a couple of comments on the motion itself and I will support it.
Just a couple of different points to make on this is that, you know, interest rates right now 2.25 percent.
Historically on the lower end here, I think 2223 was 5 percent.
Then obviously, coven years you throw those out.
So to go to the market to get some debt right now, it's a reasonably good time to look into borrowing for this.
So, you know, no one likes to borrow for it, but I think Councillor Evie made a good comment about,
you know, when you look at the borrowing and the debt of the city of Roostia, where it's for core infrastructure, what we're doing right now in capital projects.
And retiring some of those debts in the early 2030, so that's an important point here is that not only are we, you know, responsible without.
We do have reserves that we can use to borrow against this, but we're going to retire some of these debts in the early part of that.
So that's just one point I want to make. I mean, you're not thrilled with increasing the debt on this, but the reality is this has to happen.
This is the top priority in the city of Roostia today that there is nothing more pressing than fixing this core piece of infrastructure.
You know, then transition into kind of the federal government conversation.
And it's interesting because you look at the federal government budget update, which they transitioned into operating capital and spreading it out.
And they went into the fall and changed the budget cycle. So it's not even a spring anymore, where we would have an idea on that.
It's a fall when I think there's an update coming, but, you know, the funds that were announced there that for municipalities for as far as cost share, the number as a whole is 54 billion over five years.
So that's core public infrastructure. That sounds like a huge number, right?
The reality is the stream that we would qualify for for this is a cost matching one of provincial territorial of 17.2 billion.
But if you look at it the way Ottawa breaks these down over five years, based on population, it's a boat.
It's a boat equivalent to flushing it down the toilet in Saskatchewan, at the end of the day.
Because you're looking at about $500 million over the five years, $100 million per year for every municipality in Saskatchewan.
If you look at by population, and that's usually how they break those down.
So, if you're saying to me right now, is there $100 million per year in Saskatchewan that will solve every problem of our infrastructure across the province?
We have a $66 million hit here, and we're prepared to pay half of that cost already, and we have the resources to do it.
Regina Saskatchewan alone has hundreds of millions of dollars, swift current, Prince Albert.
So, the federal government, despite large numbers that came out, when you start unpacking it, and then you look into the application phase of the shift and all these things, the reality is, we're probably not getting that funding.
We may get a small chunk at some time here out of that over the five years, is looking at the reality of that programming.
So, when you start unpacking that, a $54 billion number sounds really great, but the reality for us in Saskatchewan, Western Canada, is we're fighting for $100 million against every other municipality on an annual basis.
So, do we have to do this and absolutely do?
Because I don't think the federal government is coming to rescue us on this one, and we have to make sure our residents can function the waste water entry even planned to flush our toilets and all those things.
So, with that kind of roundabout way, but I want to make the point that, you know, if there was another route to do this, we would.
Now, I would say credit to this council on this budget year in the reductions that we did take, which total, I think was almost a million dollars if I'm not mistaken at the end of the day, sharpening the pencil on this, because those are moves that we have to make over time here.
So, and I don't think it's going to be the last time that happens either, because we're going to have to keep paying for these things as they move forward.
You know, we talk about the landfill as a major thing, and yes it is, it'll be even worse if you can't flush your toilet, and I'm nowhere to put your garbage, so we have to move forward with all these items and I'm happy to support it.
Thank you.
So, you know there's speakers in the queue, and we have a motion on the floor.
I will call the question all in favor.
It's carried unanimously.
All right?
Move that, your committee of the whole makes report as follows.
Thank you, Councillor Warren. Next, on the agenda, we will move into the adoption of the report
of the committee of the whole. I will need a motion that the report of the committee of the
whole be taken as red, received and adopted, moved by Councillor Eby, seconded by Councillor
Deloria, all in favor, and that is carried. For item nine, we have reports of standing committees
of city council. I will need a motion that the report of the executive committee meeting,
meeting, minutes, dated March 10, 20, 26 be taken as red, moved by Councillor Looney, seconded by
Councillor Logan, all in favor, not as carried. Next, I will need a motion that the report of the
personel committee meeting, minutes, dated March 10, 20, 26 be taken as red, moved by Councillor Boyle,
seconded by Councillor Eby, all in favor, not as carried. Under item ten, we will move into
matters arising from reports of standing committees. Do any councillors wish to bring forward and
item from the executive committee meeting, minutes of March 10, 20, 26? Seeing none. Next, I will need a motion
that the report of the executive committee meeting dated March 10, 20, 26 be received and adopted,
moved by Councillor Warren, seconded by Councillor Looney, all in favor, not as carried.
Do any councillors wish to bring forward an item from the personnel committee meeting, minutes
of March 10, 20, 26? Seeing none. Next, I will need a motion that the report of the
personnel committee meeting, minutes, dated March 10, 20, 26 be received and adopted, moved by
Councillor Eby, seconded by Councillor Looney, all in favor, and that is carried.
For item 11, we have reports from advisory and other committees. Today we only have the one report
of the Youth Advisory Committee, minutes from March 4, 20, 26. So at this time, I will just
pass the gobble to Deputy Mayor Warren and I will give a very free report of our Youth Advisory
Committee meeting from March 4, 20, 26. It was a grand morning that day. We had a mock council meeting
that the Youth Advisory Class grew over saw. It was, you could just see the kids starting to
beam with confidence as the mock meeting progressed and progressed. They adopted quite quickly to
sitting in the chairs, figured out the microphone system a lot better than I ever have, and they were
they had us engaged. They sure did. So I will just state that the agenda that they came up with
for the mock meeting was the proposed establishment of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility
or the DEIA, and they were proposing that the city take on a manager position for that role. So it was
very good to be part of and they are a tremendous group of individuals. And also the final thing that
I will mention from that meeting is that they asked the mayor's office if he could arrange for a tour
of the clock tower. So we will be doing that in the first meeting in March. I believe that will be
the fourth, the first April Fool. So they are okay. So they are looking forward to that as a mine.
And I know that it's quite the experience to take that in. And hopefully this time after I even make my
way up this spiral staircase, I don't think my head on the door there, because it is quite short.
Anyways, and with that, I will move that the minutes of the Youth Advisory Committee of March
4th, 2026 be received and adopted. Great, thank you, Mayor Murdoch. Can I give a second for that?
Seconded by Councilor Rooney. I'll call the question over in favor. That's carry.
We'll pass the table back. Thank you.
Item 12 on our agenda. Does any member wish to rise to bring forward a notice of motion?
You're in the queue. Okay, I just wanted to move that. Okay, seeing none. That will move us
two motions. And for item 13, and I will state that there are no motions for this meeting.
Under bylaws, for item 14 on the softernoons agenda, there are no bylaws for this meeting.
And for item 15, it moves us to inquiries. Are there any inquiries to be asked of city administration?
And we have Councillor Boyle in the queue. Councillor. Thank you. You're just a quick question
through to administration. Can you remind us two questions? I guess first one,
streetsweeping schedule. When does that begin in the rotation starts? And I'm sure it's
soon, but just curious that and get that out in the public realm. And then also,
or we out with hot mix and asphalt and pod hole filling and all of those things. And I think
just to double check on that. I'm pretty sure that the chief's truck went in the portal
all the other day and hasn't come out yet. We're just trying to figure that out. So just if you
can give us an update on the hot mix and we're at with that whole process at this time of year.
Thank you, Chair. I'll start with the streetsweeping. So the first thing happens from roadways is
we go out and we start cleaning needs out onto the road and then from there we put forward the
the high traffic slash arterials per service level. And that'll occur in the coming few weeks,
mid April. For hot mix, we are beholden till we are beholden to the asphalt plant. We've
closed that tender. I've got it in front of me here. That generally opens the plant,
generally opens at the end of April with a potential for it to be earlier this year because it's warm.
From the recyclers standpoint, as of today, we've put down 10 tons of recycled hot mix
through that piece of equipment. And we've used the infrared heater in this last week at
in this last month at 20 different locations. So that's the infrared heater coming off the trailer,
using it to heat the ground up to put down this recycled hot mix. So definitely seeing benefits from
the recycler and the infrared heater getting wrapped up with an old fleet of street sweepers and
our mechanics are working hard to get those things held together and hot mix will be end of April.
Thank you, Councillor Warren. Councillor Boyle. I'm sorry. We have Councillor Warren in the queue.
Councillor. Thank you, Mayor Wood. If this is a question about some of the
meteor releases that we've been issuing on the assessments that are taking place in the city and
and again, this may be a question for Sabah, but I just wanted to ask a administration initially and then also
talk about the upcoming information sessions. So in the meteor, it talks about property orders,
well, all you're seeing in assessment, notice in the mail that there's been a change from the previous
year. So I guess to the administration, does the administration know why that is said and what that
poses us looks like? Thank you for the question. Through you, Chair, Councillor Warren.
We had actually inquired on the release of the notices as well. So it could have been something from
last year where they had inquired on, like a discovery or correction of some sort.
With that being said, though, we can find out additional information and get back to you on that.
Okay, appreciate that. And I think the question also is about, we've been issuing the releases of
what upcoming engagement with Sam and the city of Lushja, obviously two separate organizations that
are working together on the assessment and property tax. So I guess, can I just use the opportunity
to ask the administration to talk about the upcoming information sessions that residents can book
appointments for to meet with Sam at our city officials. And also the virtual opportunity to
participate in a virtual session with Sam. Thank you. Thank you for the question. Yes,
on March 30th and 31st, we are hosting a joint open house at Temple Gardens Center.
Samah, it's a by prebooked appointment to ensure that we have what we need at our fingertips to answer
the questions. So with that being said, you can book directly through Samah for those appointments and
they're about a 20 minute appointment. And so it's two full days. We have the one day,
I believe, is nine to four. And the second day is 1230 to 730. And with that,
we will be providing on TV screen some information on Samah and what they what they do
as well. Samah will be having those appointments. And then on the other side, we will have
moved to a taxation staff there to answer any questions you may have after your discussion with Samah.
I would like to say as well that Samah is available to answer questions anytime you can call their office.
You can email them. So I want to get that out there. And then two, Samah will be hosting
some virtual sessions this Friday afternoon. A separate one for residential and a separate one for
commercial. So we have, we have shared the information in media releases. It's also on our website.
So with those you click the link, you join via teams and there will be a presentation. It will be recorded,
so it could be shared later. And then at the end of the presentation, they're doing some Q&As. So if you have
a question, a general question, anything, I think specific to your property, you probably want to book
a one-on-one session or inquire separately just to ensure confidentiality. Thank you.
We thank you. And just one more final question is, I believe in some of the media releases,
we've indicated that the assessment role is now open for viewing on the city's website. So can you just
maybe remind residents the process on looking at their assessment that they maybe have a
receipt or anything in the mail? And that would be everything. Thank you.
Thank you for the question. Yes, on our website, we do have the ability to access the current open role
as well. You can come in person, your city hall hours to view it as well. So the role is open,
the links are there provided to you and the appeal window is open from the 16th of March to the
14th of April. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Warren. You did that at the same time.
Seeing no other inquiries in the queue. Excuse me. For item 16, I will just simply state that there are
no response to written answers to inquiries for this meeting. And that brings us to the next regular
meeting of City Council. This scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, commencing at 430 p.m.
And with that, we are adjourned. And we will briefly recess for five minutes before executive committee. Thank you.