Highlights from the latest Creighton town council meeting, held Wednesday, April 22:
Opportunity sought
Council voted to add economic development to the job description of town recreation assistant Crystal Banting.
“It’s trying to keep our fingers in any opportunities for economic development in this region,” said Ald. Don Aasen.
While economic development will be only part of Banting’s duties, the move marks the first time in several years that Creighton has had a staff member dedicated to that file.
Council also changed Banting’s job from a term position to a permanent one. In addition to economic development, she is to perform any other duties assigned by council or the recreation director.
The motion comes as council looks for new job-creation opportunities following the demise of a potential nuclear-waste storage facility just outside Creighton.
Creighton also lost one of its major employers in January when The Prospector Inn abruptly closed. The business is now for sale with town officials hoping new owners step in.
Added privacy
Council reviewed its invitation for proposals issued for the construction of a fence between the Creighton trailer court and Bedrock Manor.
The wooden fence is meant to address concerns from Bedrock Manor after a drainage project forced workers to cut down trees that had enhanced privacy and served as a wind barrier.
Council is accepting bids for the fence, which it calls a “good neighbour fence,” until this Friday, May 1. Council’s expectation is that the fence will go up as soon as possible after the tender is awarded.
The fence will be six feet tall and 285 feet long. It will include panels made of treated lumber.
Funding boost
Council voted to increase funding to the Flin Flon Public Library by $500, or three per cent, in 2015.
Creighton will now contribute $16,421, or $10.96 per resident, in recognition of its citizens’ use of the library.
The move follows a request for additional funding from library administrator Cindy McLean.
Creighton’s annual grant to the library had been $15,921, or $10.63 per capita. Flin Flon gives $16.99 per capita and Denare Beach $6.10 per capita.
The Saskatchewan government also provides an annual grant to the library in recognition of usage by Creighton and Denare Beach residents. This year the grant totals $18,421.
Lighten up
It may only be spring, but council was already in the holiday spirit by agreeing to purchase additional Christmas lights to be displayed around the community toward the end of the year.
Council is ordering $16,412 worth of Christmas lights from BC-based Dekra-Lite, a leader in commercial Christmas lighting and décor.
The order consists of 10 “falling ribbon stars” pole-mounted lights, nine cases of white LED mini lights and nine cases of green LED mini lights.
The pole-mounted lights are expected to replace older lights along Creighton Avenue. The LED lights will be wrapped around trees that have yet to be selected.
Leases up
In financial matters, council voted to boost land lease rates and ensure a raise for the incoming assistant administrator.
Land leases will increase by about three per cent across the board this year.
Yearly residential lease rates will rise 40 cents per square metre plus a $25 administration fee. The minimum lease fee will be $35 plus the administration fee.
Yearly commercial lease rates will go up 60 cents per square metre plus a $30 administration fee.
Some commercial rates are charged by the acre, and those rates will now be $772.50 per acre. The new industrial lease rate will be $405.56 per acre.
Also, council voted to set incoming assistant administrator Cindy Davis’s rate of pay equivalent to experience in the union contract.
The starting rate for the assistant administrator is actually lower than Davis’s current rate as payroll clerk, and council wanted to ensure she did not take a pay cut while being promoted.
Davis replaces Kate Aasen, who retires effective this Friday, May 1. Joy Capyk is replacing Davis as payroll clerk.
Council also voted to extend animal-control officer Tad Collier’s contract from June to December so that it matches the end dates for the rest of the town’s tendered contracts.
