Sauce

City hall needs extra $150K to finish several intersection projects

Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

City hall’s engineering services department needs an extra $150,000 to complete upgrades to several intersection projects since the budget for these initiatives faces a deficit of almost $130,000. During the July 12 regular council meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve the department’s request to transfer $150,000 from the 2021 SS1 storm sewer budget to the 2021 TR3 traffic control capital budget to complete the intersection upgrades. One incomplete intersection project dates back to 2016, while other unfinished initiatives include intersection upgrades, design and construction of a signalized intersection, pedestrian crossings, pathway completion, and an outstanding 2018 invoice. Two main projects include upgrades to the intersection at First Avenue Northwest and High Street West and installing traffic signals on Thatcher Drive East for the future Canadian Tire site. The department awarded this contract to Can-Traffic Services Ltd. — it was the only company to bid on the tender — for $989,745.32, including PST. This amount was 32 per cent over budget. Engineering services budgeted $1.15 million for the 2021 intersection upgrades budget, but the contract value came in at $1.31 million, the council report said. After factoring in a change order, additional expenses, and contingency, the budget deficit is $127,309.68. Projects seeing deficits include the bid price for construction services this year (over by $101,089.72), upgrades to the Iron Bridge crosswalk (over by $3,457.68), and pathway construction at Thatcher Drive West and Main Street North on the north side that wasn’t completed in 2016 (over by $16,229.28). Other deficits include improvements to pedestrian crossings at Langdon Crescent, Athabasca Street East and First Avenue Northeast (over $54,930.76), and an outstanding invoice from 2018 of $1,592.93. Meanwhile, city hall budgeted $2.08 million in the 2021 storm sewer budget; $1.02 million is still available in this account. “This transfer will not affect any committed projects under SS1 storm sewers,” the report added.

Council discussion

Bevan Harlton, director of engineering services, explained that a new set of traffic lights will be installed on Thatcher Drive East between the Superstore entrance and Highland Road to accommodate the Canadian Tire development. (A review of a map shows the traffic lights will likely be near the entrance to Staples and that strip mall). That Canadian Tire site will have two access points, including one coming from the west and a second requiring traffic lights so vehicles coming east can turn left, he continued. Installing these lights will mean cutting the centre median and installing a turning lane. “That’s a lot of lights along Thatcher there,” said Coun. Dawn Luhning. “But with the increase in traffic, it will be warranted. … That’s what happens when you get development on the outskirts.” The construction at the intersections near Langdon Crescent, Athabasca Street East and First Avenue Northeast will improve pedestrian access, Harlton continued. City hall has received many complaints during the last four years, while the public works advisory committee also brought it to the department’s attention. Work to improve these intersections included adding ramps, cutting back medians so pedestrians can walk straight across the street, and enhancing signs. Engineering department staff were made aware of the outstanding 2018 invoice during a construction meeting, Harlton told Coun. Heather Eby. A traffic technician reviewed that contract and confirmed that the city had some “hold backs” due to deficiencies that the contractor is supposed to address. “We’re still working with them on that to ensure they meet our standards,” he added. “That will be paid out this year. It is not something we contemplated (happening) at the start of the year.”

Retirement of city clerk prompts big department changes at city hall

Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The retirement of city clerk/solicitor Myron Gulka-Tiechko has prompted organizational changes within city hall, including revising his position and creating a new role in that department. During the July 12 regular council meeting, city council voted unanimously to accept Gulka-Tiechko’s retirement “with regret,” revise the position of city clerk/solicitor to city solicitor/director of legislative services and enforcement, and create the position of city clerk. Gulka-Tiechko has been employed for 13 years with the City of Moose Jaw, after starting on Sept. 2, 2008. Before that, he spent nearly nine years in the legal department at SaskPower. These changes will include renaming the city clerk/solicitor’s department to the legislative and enforcement services department and replacing the director of legislative and enforcement services (city clerk/solicitor) with a position with the same skills, background, and experience, a council report said. Following these changes, the new legislative and enforcement services department would focus on: · City council/legislative agendas/business · Bylaw enforcement · Litigation · Legislative compliance and operational safety · Document management · Agreements · Lawsuits “The city clerk/solicitor advises — and experience has proven — that the existing dual nature of the position makes focus on either main function extremely difficult,” the report continued. “Further, there is a need to enhance bylaw enforcement, litigation and collections of fines and tickets.” The change in organizational structure and focus, splitting the city clerk/solicitor position into one revised position and creating a dedicated city clerk role will cost $75,000 annually in salary starting in 2022, said the report. However, with the renewed focus on enforcement and collection of parking tickets in this department, this additional cost could potentially be recovered. There will likely be minimal or no financial effect in 2021 with these changes, the report added.

A sad departure

During the discussion, every member of council expressed his or her appreciation for Gulka-Tiechko’s work with the city and his support for them. Mayor Fraser Tolmie was particularly thankful for the city clerk/solicitor, saying whenever he came into the office around 5:30 a.m. for interviews, Gulka-Tiechko was already there and had the coffee brewing — one of his passions, along with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Similarly, the city clerk was usually the last to leave at night. “I know how much time and hard work and effort you put into your job … ,” Tolmie said. “You’re a very well-organized person. I commend you on that. I will always miss that.” The mayor added that he enjoyed Gulka-Tiechko’s laugh and his mentorship over the years.

The right move

These proposed changes won’t go into effect until after the 2022 budget discussion meetings, discussions that Coun. Dawn Luhning was eager to have. She thought the city clerk’s department was important and that adding bylaw enforcement services would help the community long-term. “I think there will be some good things that will come out of this new enforcement services in this department,” she added. Council is moving in the right direction by changing this department, agreed Coun. Crystal Froese. There are currently two city staff who handle bylaw enforcement and lack the necessary resources to be a strong team. Moving them from planning and development to legal services makes better sense. “We often get complaints from citizens about bylaws not being enforced or not having bylaw officers out there,” she added. “Well, we don’t have resources for it. So, we have to look at strengthening that part of our city.”

Outstanding parking tickets

Coun. Heather Eby was thrilled that council was making these changes incrementally instead of all at once. This will be a good move, she continued, since Moose Jaw has a problem with outstanding parking tickets. There is roughly $1 million “or some crazy number like that” that hasn’t been collected. There is about $940,000 in outstanding parking tickets dating back to June 2011, as the Moose Jaw Express reported in March. Eby hoped that these changes would have a positive effect on collections. She also wondered if the two employees

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO AMEND ZONING BYLAW NO.5346

The Council of the City of Moose Jaw intends to consider a bylaw pursuant to The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend the City of Moose Jaw’s Zoning Bylaw No. 5346.

The proposed amendment would allow for future Contract Zones at Council’s discretion on any land which is subject to a leasehold interest, in the event that the term of the lease is longer than 10 years. Previously Contract Zones were prohibited on leased land.

A copy of the proposed Bylaw may be found under the “announcements” section at www.moosejaw.ca.

Any written comments or submissions must be received by Planning and Development Services, 228 Main Street North, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3J8, by 10:00 AM on Monday, August 9th, 2021 in person or by email at planning@moosejaw.ca. Inquiries may be directed to the Department of Planning and Development Services by email or by phone at 306-694-4443. would move floors to join the city clerk’s department. These changes will ensure a focus on collecting money from parking tickets since more resources will be available, said city manager Jim Puffalt. While $940,000 is a large amount that city hall is “leaving on the table,” there is no way to deal with it without more resources. Puffalt added that those two employees might move floors but wouldn’t confirm anything until logistics and seating arrangements are worked out.

CITY OF MOOSE JAW CALL FOR NOMINATIONS NOTICE OF VACANCIES ON THE CITY OF MOOSE JAW’S BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Applications are now being accepted from citizens interested in taking an active role on one or more of the City’s Boards and Committees for the following:

• Community Clean-Up Committee (2 citizen-at-large vacancies)

• Youth Advisory Committee (1 home school student who is a resident of Moose Jaw; 1 student representative from an accredited distance learning school who is a resident of Moose Jaw; and 2 youth-at-large representatives between 18 and 25 years of age, from schools not currently represented on the Committee.)

Application forms and additional information regarding the Community Clean-Up Committee and Youth Advisory Committee can be obtained from the City of Moose Jaw’s website at www.moosejaw.ca OR by contacting the City Clerk’s Office, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 228 Main Street N., Moose Jaw, SK, (306-694-4424).

Applications may be submitted online through the City’s website, by mail to the City Clerk’s Office, 228 Main Street N., Moose Jaw, SK, S6H 3J8, or by email to cclerk@moosejaw.ca.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 12:00 noon, FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021.

Tracy Wittke, Assistant City Clerk

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO AMEND THE ZONING BYLAW NO. 5346

The Council of the City of Moose Jaw intends to consider a bylaw pursuant to The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend the Zoning Bylaw No. 5346.

The purpose of the bylaw is to add a new definition for Livestock Auction Facilities, which will exclude auction operations from the Intensive Livestock Operation definition.

A copy of the proposed Bylaw may be inspected by any interested person at Planning and Development Services, 3rd Floor City Hall, 228 Main Street North, or may be found under the “announcements” section at www.moosejaw.ca.

Written submissions must be received by Planning and Development Services, 228 Main Street North, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3J8, by 10:00 AM on Monday, August 9th, 2021 in person or by email at planning@moosejaw.ca. Questions may be directed to the Department of Planning and Development Services by email or by phone at 306-694-4443.