ST. PAUL - The shelter on Hole 8 of the St. Paul golf course, located at the corner of 50th Avenue and 57th Street, has become a problem for staff, golfers and those trying trying to cut down on crime in the Town, said CAO Kim Heyman during the June 22 council meeting.
The shelter does not conform to the direction the municipality is trying to take in abiding by CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmetal Design) recommendations.
"The shelter has become a night-time sleeping place for some," said Heyman, adding, there is sometimes a large amount of garbage and human waste that needs to be cleaned up.
The shelter was sponsored by the Co-op, and the golf course still has an advertising contract to honour.
"We would like to move the shelter and replace it with a sign so the contract with Co-op can be honoured. There is already a cement bench there so it will not be necessary to install a new one," said Heyman. The shelter could be used for storage at the golf course, although it will need "severe cleaning" before it can be used for anything.
While speaking with the Journal about the St. Paul Golf Course in a previous discussion, Heyman confirmed that a priavate offer to purchase the golf course had been made to the town, but was denied. She noted that details on the offer could not be released and the item was discussed during a closed meeting.
Summer Students
Town of St. Paul administration requested council approve the hiring of more summer students.
While the hiring of employees typically doesn't come before council, previous direction to only hire students that qualify under the provincial grant was given to administration.
"As the Parks and Recreation Department hits full stride for the summer season, they are finding themselves seriously understaffed. Currently they are operating with five less students than last year and the Golf Course (not the club house) is running with two less staff than last year," said CAO Kim Heyman, in the background given during the meeting.
"We either have to consider hiring more students . . . or we will start dealing with overtime."
The town has maxed out the number of students it can hire under the $15/hour supplementary wage program.
"In past years, most students have left the their jobs mid-August to get accommodation, books, classes etc., set up so it may not be a full eight weeks, depending on how classes will be delivered this coming school year," said Heyman.
At the beginning of the pandemic council was told no students outside of the wage supplement program would be added, but that was assuming everything would stay closed the summer, explained the CAO. The budget implications to hiring the number of students required is $19,200, which still falls within the current budget.
Canada Day
A scavenger hunt will be held in lieu of regular Canada Day activities on July 1.
"Since we have entered stage two, there has been a recognition, that family and community members need the ability to reconnect and focus on positive experiences they can enjoy safely," said Director of FCSS Lynn Smid in a written briefing to council, presented at the Monday night council meeting.
During the scavenger hunt, community members will be able to access a document with partial pictures of red and white business signs, which they will have to identify in order to fill in a recognizable Canadian icon posted at each location," explained Smid.
Participants can bring theircompleted paper to FCSS between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and receive a poutine from the food truck on site.
"Curb side pick-up and delivery will occur to keep everyone safe."
