$1.7M local improvement stopped by petition

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The Town of Wilkie will not be going forward with the five proposed local improvement projects that were the subject of discussion at the town’s Feb. 27 meeting.

The town told the NewsOptimist that a valid petition which includes signatures totalling 51 per cent of resident costs, and a majority of property owners was received. The town was then unable to pass the bylaw to undertake the road paving, which was expected to cost over $1.7 million dollars, of which residents were expected to pay $800,000.

According to letters distributed to residents on 4th Street West, 5th Avenue, and 6th Avenue, with one such letter shown to the News-Optimist dated Jan. 20, residents were expected to pay 539.85 per metre.

One resident, Chantele Wiebe, who runs a daycare in Wilkie decided she would pursue her right to submit a petition.

“The consensus was that if our community wanted to do this to improve our community, they needed to come up with a plan and timeline, because there is more than these streets that need to be done,” Wiebe said to the News-Optimist.

After receiving her own letter from the town, she and two other women decided to start the petition, getting 63 per cent of residents to sign, which included the monetary value of their property improve-

State of the City Address

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High-level discussions are currently being held with the province to see if the new campus building would be a provincialowned building or if it should be owned by a third party and leased to NWC and the province.

“As more people get educated, the more they are lifted from underemployment,” Gillan said, encouraging everyone to reach out to the provincial government and request that the government supports the NWC at a critical time in the discussion.

The economy

Moving to a discussion on economics, Gillan highlighted the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on the city, citing fewer visitors, limits on attendance at recreational facilities and fewer people buying homes as examples.

“This council, our council came in at the height of pandemic shutdown,” Gillan reminded people in his address, noting the city has joined the Battleford Chamber of Commerce as a nonvoting member to better engage with the interests of business in the Battlefords.

“The city has a vested interest in nurturing economic development.”

And to illustrate that, Gillan said the city has spent millions in recent years on downtown revitalization, enhancing the downtown core and retaining and attracting business. The city is also committed to working with and supporting regional tourism.

Recent projects have included:

• New Gas Plus, Mcdonalds and Petrocan;

• $16 million sewer upgrades to sustain an expanded population in the next few decades, expand on environmental protections and curb potential sewage spills;

• $400,000 lights at the Beaver LionStadium;

• $800,000 state-of-the art fire truck;

• Underground pipe and asphalt improvement of $24 million since 2015;

• Territorial Drive expansion with lights at Sobeys and Co-op;

• backup generator for Fairview water reservoir;

• investing in the smart water meters for $2.5 million with 5,000 meters to be installed;

• investing $600,000 to upgrade water pressure in Douglas Pearson area.

Gillan also spoke on the reality of the ageing nature of the Access Communications Centre and Don Ross Centre, noting the city is beginning to plan for their replacement with new facilities.

“This won’t be tomorrow, but it’s on the city’s radar, and it will certainly require the support and buy-in from our surround- ments at $509,473.

“...we all felt that it was a public roadway. It’s not our roadway, so it should not be our responsibility. And that was the underlying thought process for everybody who was on board,” Wiebe said, adding that they had hoped for more signatures, but believes that empty lots and some residents not being home may have contributed to that.

“None of us were against improving our town, we just didn’t feel like we had to be the ones to pay for it, con- ing communities and all levels of government.

“Finally, I want to speak about a community spirit project,” Gillan said, referencing the upgrade for the water tower set to be completed in 2023, with millions of different colour combinations to commemorate or celebrate specific days, weeks or months in recognition of inclusivity or significant occasions.

Thanking the residents of North Battleford for their patience during COVID-19, and unprecedented times, saying, “our council had some very difficult decisions to make during COVID-19, decisions we didn’t want to be making. Both with the public accessing our facilities, but also with our own staff and management.”

Gillan said the city’s balance sheet is strong, is able to meet all obligations when due, the reserves for future projects are all cash funded, and the audits remain clean.

“That being said, we sidering everybody drives on it,” Wiebe said.

In some cases, residents were expected to pay anywhere in the $8,000 to $26,000 range, depending on where they lived.

“We feel like the town council needs to be a little more realistic and have a little more common sense when it comes to a community effort. Of course, everyone is going to be upset if the whole community has to pay $500 more a year on taxes for so many years, but it’s being a part of the com- have seen some rather high tax and utility increases over the last few years. However, most of the rather large increase over the last few years have been, to a great extent, beyond the control of administration or council,” Gillan said, referencing the recent RCMP unionization, reduced provincial operating grants, and unprecedented inflation.

Gillan added that the city has been making significant investments, contributing to the rise of taxes.

“No one likes raising taxes and fees, including me. However, I can assure you these increases were necessary to get major projects done…and also necessary to leverage and attract grant funding, which save the residents of North Battleford millions of dollars.

“Our council has always been transparent and willing to make the necessary investments that we believe will position our city, and your city for long-term sustainable growth, prosperity, munity, it’s what you do.”

Wiebe said that the Town of Wilkie wasn’t disappointed, as they understood it was likely going to happen. She believes that the town must wait another year before attempting local improvement again.

“I guess the town council is going to have to reevaluate … we’re hoping that common sense prevails and hopefully they’ve heard enough people say that it should be a community effort and not just a personal effort.” and quality of life for our residents.

“This sometimes means raising taxes beyond what some people will see as reasonable. However, it will only burden the next council with more expense if we do not invest today, at today’s cost.”

In closing, Gillan said he believes that although there are challenges, the City of North Battleford also has opportunities.

“What is my assessment of the state of the city? I can honestly say we are not perfect, but what municipality or organization is perfect? The most important point is that we are continuously striving to improve, and we are improving, and we are trending in the right direction. Let’s all be optimistic.

“You elected the seven of us on the council to represent you back in 2020. I truly believe we have worked very hard since that time to improve the inclusivity and quality of life in our city, and the region as a whole.”