ST. PAUL - A request for fireworks to be allowed near Bluebird Beach at Laurier Lake has been denied by County of St. Paul council.
The request would have seen fireworks organized on July 31 or Aug. 1, and would have been set off by a company that would have been certified. But, since the location requested was along a road allowance and located near municipal and environmental reserve land, the County would have been responsible if something occurred, heard council.
During the July 13 regular council meeting discussions, it was also noted that a fire restriction remains in place due to dry conditions.
Coun. Laurent Amyotte said he felt it would be hard to approve the request, and then see dry conditions get even worse. A motion to deny the request was carried.
Day use areas
Director fo Community Services Tim Mahdiuk spoke briefly about the increased use at county-run campgrounds this summer. He noted that people show up at day-use areas and "don't want to leave."
The hours for most day-use areas are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The county is also asking people who visit local beaches to make sure they clean up after themselves. In some cases, garbage has even been buried in the sand, said Mahdiuk.
Support for golf tournaments
The St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a golf tournament this year, rather than a rodeo kick-off supper.
A request from the chamber to support the Celebrate Home Town Businesses Golf Tournament was approved by council. One team will be registered for the tournament, and a donation for a silent auction will also be made. The budget implication will be about $400, which is similar to the costs associated with attending the rodeo kick-off supper in the past.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no rodeo held in St. Paul. According to information presented to council last Tuesday, a rodeo will take place in St. Paul this year, but it will not be the Lakeland Rodeo Association finals.
The St. Paul Agricultural Society helps put on the annual September long weekend rodeo and has decided to downsize due to the pandemic, heard council.
Council also agreed to support the upcoming second annual golf tournament hosted by the St. Paul Jr. Canadiens Alumni Foundation on Aug. 21. Council agreed to sponsor a team again this year.
In 2020, the municipality supported the event to the tune of $800.
Bridge file
The bridge file 6575 on TWP 562 is holding back quite a bit of water, heard council.
"The water level is encroaching on shoulders and starting to undermine the road. Public Works has pumped it across the road twice this year already. At this point it is impossible for Public Works to unplug and drain the culvert," according to the agenda for the July 13 meeting. Fixing the area will require bringing in a contractor who has the capability of completing the work needed.
"This item has not been included in our annual maintenance budget. Therefore, administration is requesting council’s approval of the project and associated budget to complete," said Kitz.
Council approved moving ahead with the lowest bid on the project at a cost of $15,750.
"Within 10 years, that bridge file needs to be addressed," said Daniel Reid, Director of Public Works.
Gate on road allowance
A request to purchase a portion of undeveloped road allowance has been denied by council, but administration has recommended the landowner who made the request complete the Adjacent Landowner Consent to License an Undeveloped Road Allowance form, which will then be reviewed by County of St. Paul council.
Landowners Dale and Darwin Zalaski made a request a gate to remain on the undeveloped road right of way located between NE 29-55-8 W4 and NW 28-55-8-W4.
"This undeveloped road allowance is often used as a dumping ground for garbage, discarded furniture and appliances," said Kitz. "Dale Zalaski has inquired if council would consider allowing the gate to remain as is, allow him to purchase, preferably, the undeveloped road allowance or license the undeveloped road allowance."
Administration recommended denying the request to allow the gate to remain as is, and deny the request to allow the landowner to purchase the portion of the undeveloped road allowance.
Section 18 of the Municipal Government Act states that a municipality has the direction, control and management of all roads within the municipality. Section 16 of the Highway Traffic Act allows a municipality to grant a license for the use of a road allowance.
A county policy states that the municipality "values the future potential of road allowances and will not sell or lease an undeveloped road allowance under any circumstances."
While a complaint had been made regarding the gate being installed, Kitz said she wasn't aware of who specifically made the complaint. It was noted that a locked gate cannot be placed on a road allowance. The gate can however be put up as per a license agreement, although it still cannot be locked.
Seed Cleaning Association
County council has agreed to continue to offer the St. Paul Municipal Seed Cleaning Association a grant to help offset the facility's taxes.
The seed cleaning association's 2021 property taxes are $23,131. Last year, the county agreed to increase the annual grant from $5,000 to $5,500. Council again agreed to support the association with a grant of $5,500.
