Council supports local organizations

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson
The Neepawa Banner

Here are some of the issues discussed in the March 11 Neepawa Committee of the Whole meeting.

Council looks to support golf course
Council discussed the Neepawa Golf Course's previous request for a grant equal to their municipal tax bill. The golf course has asked for a 3 year grant equal to 100 per cent of their taxes. The course has previously had grants covering a portion, or all of their municipal tax bill. Their 2006 (most recent) municipal tax bill was $6,500. The golf course want to work on riverbank stabilization.
Councillor Wayne Hollier explained that the golf course has a had a few bad years . First, their upgrades were not completed in time so they missed much of one season. During the following two years, the course was subject to flooding.
Council discussed the golf course's sign, which Councillor Ron Forsman said was "in horrible shape". The signs for both the golf course and the campground are on the same posts.
Council decided to put forward a motion for the grant (as requested), and continue discussions regarding the course's signage.

Town truck to be tendered
The town will be selling their 4x4 Dodge truck, as they feel the price being offered for trading it in is too low.
Operations and Maintenance Director Gerry Irving indicated that two town staff members were interested in purchasing the truck.
Councillor Wayne Hollier was concerned about how selling the truck to a town staff member might appear. He said "we want to be transparent".
There was also some discussion about safetying the truck before selling it. Councillor Monty Simon felt that the truck was new enough it would be "in the town's best interest to safety" it. Mayor Bob Durston agreed, saying "to get the full value, I would like to see it safetied".
Council decided that the truck will be put up for sale by sealed bid tender.

Ag Society to get grant
The Beautiful Plains Ag Society wrote a letter to council requesting help covering their water bill. Last year, their faulty meter was replaced with a functioning one. The faulty meter was billing the Ag Society only the minimum amount (slightly over $100). Since the meter has been replaced, their quarterly water bills have been $554, $942 and $496.
Hollier wondered whether the Ag Society was charging enough to people renting the facility. It is rented for cattle sales and as a place for people to keep their horses.
Simon said that it is "not a commercial operation" and noted that over 100 events were held there last year. He said that the costs of the facility's water is "a fairly insignificant amount to ask for".
Council felt that granting the facility the cost of their water (estimated to be $2,500 a year), as opposed to granting them the water itself, would be the best approach. Hollier said "we don't presently give them a grant", but was concerned that "we don't want to give them free water".
There was also agreement that there should be some discussion about water conservation with the Ag Society.
A resolution will likely come forward at the next council meeting.