The following items were among those discussed at the regular meeting of Meadow Lake city council held Monday (June 10). All members of council were present.
Council: IN BRIEF
During Monday’s meeting, a motion was carried to appoint Kaila Lefort as the new city clerk effective July 22. “Kaila Lefort has served as the city’s protective services clerk since July 2019,” noted city manager Diana Burton in her official recommendation to council. “In that time, she has become very familiar with the city’s bylaws and policies, and was looking for an opportunity to advance her career with the city.” Burton went on to state Lefort was the top candidate and only internal applicant for the position, and has accepted the letter of offer issued by the city. “The Cities Act requires the city clerk position be appointed by council,” Burton added. “It is exciting to be able to promote someone from within our organization and I have every faith in Kaila’s ability to be successful in her new role.” Lefort succeeds former clerk Ferne Hebig.
Busy time for firefighters
According to city manager Diana Burton’s monthly operational overview, May proved to be quite an active month for the local fire department. Calls for assistance that month included: three motor vehicle collisions; two grass/ brush fires; three alarms ringing calls; one vehicle fire; one first responder call; and one structural fire. “Firefighter training for May consisted of first responder skill review and low angle rescue evolutions,” Burton noted in her report. “Fire inspections were completed at the businesses in the Meadow Lake Mall. The new drone has arrived, and training is underway for three pilots. The fire chief and deputy chief attended the Saskatchewan Fire Chief’s Conference in North Battleford. Firefighters participated in the Saskatchewan Hero’s Helping Heroes event alongside members from other Meadow Lake emergency services organizations.” Meanwhile, councillor Tom Harrison asked how long local firefighters attended the May 28 fire that destroyed the Waterhen Lake First Nation school. “Were they there quite a while?” Harrison asked. Burton said Meadow Lake firefighters were on the scene from about 12 noon until 9:30 p.m. when the provincial response team arrived. “We were the only fire truck,” she said. “Canoe Lake had sent a rapid response vehicle – Waterhen didn’t have any. They obviously lost the school, but the band office was saved.”
Councillor Mauri Young, however, said the band office isn’t currently operational because the building has no water. “Their ventilation system was also attached to the school,” she said. “But, thankfully, they took out the hallway (that connected the two buildings).” The City of Meadow Lake does not have a fire agreement with Waterhen, but was contacted by the RCMP to see if assistance could be provided. “They did lose the school, but no one got hurt,” mayor Merlin Seymour said. “That’s the main thing.” Councillor Conrad Read asked if there was any liability involved considering the city does not have a fire agreement with Waterhen. Burton said there was none because firefighters were directed by the city to attend. “As long as it’s directed by the municipality that employs the firefighters, there’s no liability,” Burton said.
OCP draft completed
According to city manager Diana Burton’s monthly operational overview, in May there were five building permits issued with a total construction value of $3,010,550. “Permits were issued for a backup generator building at the hospital, a deck, a shed, entrance repairs at a school and a basement renovation,” Burton noted in her report. “Plans for a number of other projects are currently under review, including the recently-approved semidetached houses proposed for 4th Street East. Construction on a four-unit dwelling on 4th Avenue West is set to start in June.” Meanwhile, work proceeded on the city’s new zoning bylaw and the first draft of the official community plan (OCP) was completed. “We look forward to receiving council’s comments after their first look in June,” Burton added. With the assistance of the filing clerk, the majority of the city’s collection of building plans have now been digitized, which makes them more readily available for viewing when needed. “And, this will, thankfully, reduce some of our document storage requirements,” Burton said.