Council Debrief: Physicians and Potholes

We start this week’s meeting with several Councillors reporting on projects within their portfolios, including a new contractor for the Handivan and a meeting regarding the Sayward Estate fund held by the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation which funds healthcare needs in the area. Councillor Parrot in particular reports on a new doctor in the community as well as work towards a local LPN program. At this time we have several facilities that could potentially meet their requirements and while it is as yet unconfirmed, the town hopes for a September 2023 start date for the 18-month program. There is more than enough interest in the community to fill the 25 available spots in the program. Parrott, along with Mayor McCutcheon, will be also attending a summit on rural physical recruitment in Portage.

Manager of Operations Denis Saquet updates Council on the status of a number of paving jobs in town, including the squaring of the intersection by the Yellowhead Centre and the completion of Davidson Street. Both are still in progress, and at the moment crews are waiting for the cement curbs to cure before proceeding. Paving crews have been in high demand across the province this year, leading to delays in completion of these local projects. In former CN property news, hydro crews have begun installing the streetlights and the RCMP building is expected to be completed very shortly.

There has been no date set for fall compost pickup yet. The information will be disseminated on social media and through other means as soon as the dates are set.

CAO Colleen Synchyshyn outlines additions to the tax roll and Council approves two applications to the town’s tax incentive program. The incentive takes the form of a progressive tax credit over 3 to 4 years.

The Town of Neepawa will be looking to purchase a hangar at the airport, for use by visiting aircraft as well as the potential site for a future training program. The land at the airport is owned by the town which leases it out for the hangars, but the buildings themselves are privately owned and many are not currently being used for their original purpose.

Perennial agenda item Park Lake comes up again this week. The new bridge has now opened and the temporary culvert will be removed once it is environmentally approved. Due to rising costs over the last couple of years since the town originally applied for disaster financial assistance, all of the rebuilding tenders came in over budget. After conversations with the Province, they confirm that we can proceed with the project and will not be responsible to cover the difference. Council proceeds to accept a tender, and hopes to be completed by the end of 2023 but is flexible with that date due to the current demand on the construction industry.

Also covered were the regular financial reports, proceeding with an active transportation study for the town, safety concerns regarding overgrown foliage, and the presentation of a plaque from Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke.