The designated time for public hearings on proposed bylaws during RM of Corman Park Council meetings is being changed to 9:15 a.m. beginning October 23, 2023.
For many years, the public hearings at Corman Park council meetings took place at 11:00 a.m..
Councillors voted to change the time for public hearings at a meeting on Monday, August 28.
The RM of Corman Park council designates a specific time for public hearings on proposed bylaws during its regular meetings. These public hearings provide an opportunity for members of the community to speak to council on the proposed bylaw before councillors vote on second and third readings of the bylaw.
The new time slot for public hearings is aimed at making it more convenient for the public, and also to facilitate council meeting proceedings in a timely manner.
“I’m in favour of setting the time for public hearings earlier in the morning,” said Corman Park Division 2 Councillor John Saleski. “It allows folks who want to make a presentation to council plan out their day better. They can arrange to be at the council meeting in the morning and then carry on with the rest of their day. If the public hearing is at 11 o’clock, they have to interrupt their day to take part.”
Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood echoed that sentiment.
“I think 9:15 is a good start time,” she said. “It allows for a public hearing shortly after the beginning of the meeting.”
NEUHORST PROPERTY SALE
A parcel of land in the hamlet of Neuhorst northwest of Osler that reverted to the RM of Corman Park due to tax arrears earlier this year has been sold to the highest bidder following a public tender process.
Corman Park council voted at a meeting on August 28 to accept the offer of $91,500 for the property, the highest of five submitted bids.
In a report to the August 28 council meeting, RM administration stated that as a result of tax enforcement proceedings, the title for Lot B, Block 1, NW 31-39-4 W3rd (38 Centre Avenue in Neuhorst) was transferred to the RM on February 7, 2023. Under the provincial Tax Enforcement Act, the RM has one year to offer it for sale either by public auction or by tender. Council had earlier chosen to offer the property for sale by sealed tender. The bidding process was opened June 15, 2023 and closed July 18, 2023. According to the terms of the tender, the existing dwelling on the lot must be demolished. The floor of the dwelling must be professionally removed due to containing 20 per cent asbestos.
Corman Park administration staff told councillors at the August 28 meeting that the amount of taxes in arrears was under $10,000. Staff had followed all the regulations outlined in the Tax Enforcement Act to find the owner of the property and work out a payment arrangement. However, all efforts to locate the property owner over the past year proved unsuccessful.
Funds from the sale of the property will first cover the tax arrears and other RM expenses. The RM will hold the balance of the funds from the sale for a year, while additional efforts are made to locate the former owner. If those efforts are successful, the funds will be turned over to the former owner. If they are not successful, the funds will go back into general RM revenue.