Special Post - May 19/09 Executive Committee

I attended this meeting to find out what might be contentious at the May 25 meeting (though the lack of thoughtful comment proceeding from these meetings to the regular council meeting that follows them is the norm . . .)

The less-formal executive committee meetings are rarely attended by the general public; speakers invited by the Mayor are frequently present. Because he does not have to wait for a signal from Shaw Cable (as he does at regular council meetings), the Mayor starts these punctually (or a little early).

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LATE: Councillor Gervais arrived at 4:09 PM.


SPCA Fee Waiver Request

- The Manager of the SPCA wrote to ask that the fees for the city's kiosk [$150] and stage cover [$400] be waived for the Walk For Paws Fundraiser in Kinsmen (Bryant) Park on September 20.
- Councillor Ring asked if the city ever collected these fees [since it seems that the groups using these items always ask for a fee waiver].
- The request was referred to Community Services for a report and recommendation. [At the May 25 regular council meeting, the fees were waived.]


Mobile Vendor Stirs Pot at Contentious Parking Area

- A letter from Stan Dignean requested permission to set up a mobile hot dog stand on 14th Street West, at the lot used [illegally, for over two years] for Belly-Up Pub parking. [As of mid-July, the ongoing legal battles between the Pub's owner, Joseph Tesar, and both the city and the neighbours on the west side of the lot await the judgment of the courts.] Mr. Dignean believes his presence would lessen conflict over the use of the lot.
- City Council's "Agenda Review Group" [an entity heretofore non-existent, but apparently created by the Mayor] recommended Mr. Dignean not be allowed to set up here.
- Councillor Williams agreed with the recommendation, because he was worried about the precendent it would set.
- Councillor Atkinson expressed his surprise at seeing a recommendation from the Agenda Review Group, since this group had never appeared before, in any document forwarded to members of council.
- Councillor Dionne noted that Mr. Dignean had found another location for his stand, so the request was moot.


"Flex Fuel" Vehicles Pointless in PA

- It was recommended that seven half-ton trucks be purchased from Mann Northway, and two 3/4-ton trucks plus a one-ton truck be purchased from Lakeland Ford.
- Mayor Scarrow wanted the report to the May 25 meeting of council to show that the vehicles acquired in this tendering process would be "flex-fuel capable" [meaning that they could be run on E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) - a product that cannot be purchased anywhere in the Prince Albert area. Clearly, this was merely window-dressing the Mayor's commitment to "green" technology.]


But It's for the Kids! (Telecom Tower at Princess Margaret School)

- The proposed 50-foot telecommunications tower at 351-13th Avenue East will connect the school to the Sask. Rivers School District wireless network. The tower is scheduled to be erected across the street from Councillor Williams' home. This item was postponed (by a unanimous vote) at the April 27 council meeting.
- Councillor Dionne said the tree canopy interferes with wireless transmissions from the tower at PACI.
- Councillor Williams remarked that the proposed tower location is 10 feet from a playground, and there are 17 or 18 "viewers" who live across the street from the tower location.

END 4:35 PM