Martensville City Council voted at its video-conference council meeting on Tuesday, April 21 to approve a discretionary use application by Oasis Development and Construction Ltd. for a ten-bed seniors residential care home at 101 Anna Crescent in Martensville.
The property is currently vacant. Council had voted at a meeting in December, 2019 to approve the subdivision of the property. Because it is located in the R1A zoning district, council approval for discretionary use is required.
Notices were sent out by city administration to nearby landowners. While some initial concerns regarding parking, traffic and garbage collection were raised, they were answered to council’s satisfaction.
REMOTE WORK POLICY
Martensville City Council formally adopted a Remote Work Policy for municipal employees and officials at its April 21 meeting. The policy formalizes the practices that have been in place since mid-March, when the provincial government imposed Saskatchewan Health Authority-mandated restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The policy provides an ongoing structure for employees working from home, and promotes “operational efficiency” through a consistent process.
TAX ENFORCEMENT
Martensville City Council accepted a list of lands in the city that have outstanding taxes as of March 31, 2020.
The list includes 207 properties. The amounts in arrears, per property, range from about $1,000 up to $117,000.
Martensville Corporate Services Director Leah Bloomquist told council the total amount of arrears is “just over $1 million.” She noted there are about 50 additional properties in arrears this year over last.
However, she added, the publication of the list of lands in arrears is the first, and most effective, step in the enforcement process.
“Generally the amount of taxes in arrears goes down quite substantially after this step is taken,” she noted.
LOTTERIES FUNDING
Martensville council also approved the allocation of $74,243 in Saskatchewan Lotteries Grant funding to 33 community organizations. The funding originates with the province and is provided to the groups through the city. A portion of the funds also flows through the RM of Corman Park