ELK POINT – It’s happened before, and the answer by Elk Point Town Council remains the same as in former occurrences – late utility bill payment penalties must be paid.
The owner of an unoccupied rental property that experienced a water line break due to lack of heat during subzero temperatures came to council last week seeking forgiveness of the penalties incurred on more than $4,000 of water that escaped before the break was discovered and the water supply to the structure was turned off.
The property owner has agreed to pay $500 per month until the massive bill is cleared, and after discussion, council agreed that the penalty charges already added to the bill must be paid, but no more will be added if an agreement to pay down the balance is signed and the payments made on schedule.
Provincials funding
Two Elk Point hockey teams headed to provincials this year, and requested financial support for their travels. However, the town’s current policy only covers local teams that host provincial tournaments in Elk Point.
Mayor Parris Tung said he was “proud of the fact that they are going to provincials,” but that no funding was available from that portion of the budget because the provincials were held elsewhere. However, some funding was found to be available in the Grants to Organizations account, and council agreed to support each of the teams with a $250 donation. CAO Ken Gwozdz was asked to bring the policy back to council, for a discussion on the possibility of including teams traveling to provincials as well.
Green Building
Mayor Tung reported on behalf of Green Building Incorporated and Elk Point Investment Corporation, saying particle board had been obtained for the inside of the building and that machinery is expected to be coming in the first week of April. A manager has been hired, and will be advertising for workers “to be hired locally if at all possible, we have indicated that we wish that very strongly.” The mayor is hopeful to see production start soon, as there “are projects that can use the blocks.”
Coun. Jason Boorse added that a contest is to be held for a logo for the new company and hopes this will “get some creativity out there.”
Allied Arts
Deputy Mayor Wanda Cochrane had good news to report on behalf of Elk Point Allied Arts, who recently obtained a Small Stream Community Facility Enhancement Grant for $12,915, which will go toward replacing the commercial dishwasher and hot water supply as well as a highway sign, with Allied Arts providing the remaining 25 per cent of the cost. The society also received their casino money, which was very fortunate in the face of an “astronomical utility bill.”
Activity is ramping up at the site, with the weekly farmers market resuming operations on March 21 and now looking for organizations interested in providing the lunch during the markets. The dinner theatre presentation of ‘Whose Wives Are They, Anyway?’ starts this week and continues April 12 and 13, and Elk Point Theatre Project’s ‘Matilda’ is coming up at the end of April and beginning of May. The Allied Arts are still looking for entertainment, and have the ‘Arrogant Worms’ Canadian comedy music group coming June 1.
Resolution rescinded
One of six items discussed in the meeting’s closed session came to a vote, with approval given to rescind Resolution #23-680 passed on Dec. 11 and directing administration to contact the County of St. Paul seeking consent to purchase land at NE5-57-6-W4 outside the town’s municipal boundaries.
