ST. PAUL - Farmer's markets may be up and running in the near future, following the Town of St. Paul council's approval to allow the markets to operate at the two senior citizen centres in town.
"We have received a request to allow the Friday farmer's market in the Centennial Seniors Centre building," said CAO Kim Heyman, during the May 25 council meeting. She added that a request had also recently come in regarding the Wednesday market at the St. Paul Senior Citizens Centre.
"The province has lifted that restriction, however the buildings are ours and council has the final say," explained Heyman. The markets must abide by social distancing restrictions and will require volunteers to ensure those requirements are being met. Finding volunteers to do so may be a challenge, said Heyman.
Heyman said it would be a matter of approving the opening of the seniors centres, to which council expressed concern over other activities taking place.
"It if doesn't fit under the requirements . . . they won't be able to do it," said Heyman, noting, Farmer's Markets are only one activity that regularly take place in the buildings.
Coun. Gary Ward said he would like to motion to reflect that only farmer's markets are being allowed to operate in the buildings.
Mayor Maureen Miller agreed, saying it would be difficult to manage recreation activities in the facilities. A motion to approve the opening of the senior centres specifically for farmer's markets was approved.
Water metering at water fill stations
Council once again discussed charging for water at the water fill stations located at the two municipal campsites. Administration presented information to council, with an estimated cost of just under $20,000 to have a system installed that would allow people to pay with debit or credit cards at both campsites.
One hiccup is that the system wouldn't be able to charge an exact amount, if someone overpays. For example, if a person puts in $20 they will get charged that amount even if they only end up taking $15 worth of water.
"It is not like the gas pumps when you only get charged what you use," explained Heyman. She added that clear signage would have to be installed at the stations.
Maintenance of the system would be minimal, and balancing the deposits should be very quick, said Heyman. She said she would like to do more research to see if a different system is available.
When asked how long it would take to recuperate the costs of installing the metering systems, Heyman said it would likely take several years.
She also said she would like to see the town discourage people from using the water for things such as cleaning their RVs, since that is not what the intent of the water fill station is.
A motion that council approve putting the capital cost of the water payment meter into next years capital budget was made.
Parking concerns
Parking concerns on the west end of town will be addressed, following a delegation from Allen Preston during the May 25 meeting. Preston is in the process of opening a business in the area where Extra Foods and Kal-Tire already exist.
He said he's noticed big trucks parking close to entrances along the service road, which is used to access the businesses in the area. He believes there are safety issues due to heavy truck traffic in the area.
He requested no heavy truck parking within 30 metres of entrances.
Director of Municipal Enforcement Trevor Kotowich said the town's bylaw does allow for heavy truck traffic in the area, but agreed that curbs could be painted yellow and signs installed to keep trucks away from the entrances, and improve safety.
He noted that he would be concerned about pushing the trucks into nearby residential areas if they had no other place to park. Kotowich said that after canvasing other businesses in the area, he did not hear any other concerns expressed.
A motion to proceed with painting the curb yellow on the south side of the road, prohibiting trucks from parking near the entrance of the new business, was carried.
FSLW increase
The Town of St. Paul has approved an increase of $8,500 for the St. Paul Education Regional Division Family School Liaison Worker program, putting the total annual contribution to $18,500.
Council noted that funding for the program has been set at $10,000 for a number of years. Miller said she felt there could be an ever greater need for the program in the future, due to the stresses of COVID-19.
