Estevan city council has given first reading to a bylaw that will amend the city’s snowmobile route.
The new route will allow snowmobile riders to access the eastern portion of the city, including the Southern Plains Co-op’s cardlock location and the hotels in the east side.
They can already access the Royal Heights Esso service station on the west side of the city.
People will not be allowed to operate a snowmobile within city limits other than the snowmobile route.
Those who do use the snowmobile route can only do so from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., cannot exceed 40 kilometres per hour, and can only use the snowmobile route as a means to enter and exit the city.
Mayor Roy Ludwig said he isn’t concerned about safety becoming an issue due to the change, as long as people abide by those changes.
“They will be watched, and we’ll see how the changes go,” said Ludwig. “If we do have an issue, unfortunately it only takes a few to break the rules and then it makes it bad for everybody.”
Council will consider second and third readings at a future meeting.
Also during the meeting, council gave second and third readings to the amended economic development bylaw, to reflect the fact that the Rural Municipality of Estevan is no longer part of the committee. Representation is now from city council, the Estevan Chamber of Commerce and members at large.
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Council approved the tender for a new washroom facility at the Royal Heights Veterans Memorial Park to Rock Solid Landscaping for $69,000.
In a report to council, parks and facilities manager Rod March said the park has seen numerous upgrades in the past three years. With the splash park and the planned accessible play structure, a modern washroom facility is needed.
All that is currently exists is a portable toilet for the summer months, and it is approximately 100 metres from the spray park.
The city received support from the Estevan Rotary Club’s foundation for construction of the facility, which would be similar to the washrooms at Padwick Park.
March said Rotary has committed $25,000 this year towards construction, and additional funding for next year, upon confirmation of total expenditures for completion.
Construction is scheduled to begin this month.
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Council also appointed four members at large to serve on the new development appeals board.
Kathryn Gilliss, Peter Sereggela, Duncan Cook and Nathan Wilhelm were appointed. Trina Sieben, who is the city’s tax assessor, will be the board’s secretary.
Land development services manager Richard Neufeld told council that individuals who sit on the board have to be impartial and even-handed when making decisions, as appeal decisions can have serious consequences for the people involved in the appeal.
“Being part of a smaller community, land development services is also aware that there will be instances where conflicts of interest will arise,” Neufeld said. “For this reason, one of the first actions of any appeal is to provide an opportunity for any of the parties involved or a board member to declare a conflict of interest and step down from hearing the appeal.”
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During the inquiries portion of the meeting, Councillor Shelly Veroba asked about the burning of leaves. People are not allowed to burn leaves, due to the fire risk associated with the process. Mayor Roy Ludwig said the fire can get away, and pose a threat to neighbouring properties.
