Nearly a year after it began, the community cleanup committee is preparing to host its first cleanup day and is offering free hamburgers to entice residents to help.
The committee met on March 31 and confirmed that the Community Cleanup Day will be Sunday, May 15, starting at 10 a.m. in the Co-op grocery store parking lot. The committee is encouraging school groups and community organizations to jump on board with the project; any such groups should contact Coun. Kim Robinson if they want to join.
During their meeting, committee members suggested having Moose Jaw Minor Football clean up the MacDonald and Elks fields while Minor Baseball could look after the diamonds around town.
In advertising and marketing the event, members suggested that when residents clean up their areas, they should take pictures and use hashtags on social media to connect to the wider community.
Meanwhile, city hall is likely to support the day by providing gloves, garbage bags, safety vests and a bus to transport people to areas of the city.
During its April 25 regular meeting, city council received the committee’s report. Robinson reiterated the committee’s request for additional support and highlighted the barbecue as a reason to come.
Transportation
It’s been nearly two months since the municipality extended bus service to Yara Centre, and according to city manager Jim Puffalt, the service has started slowly. He informed Coun. Heather Eby — who inquired about the route — that he has asked public works for an update about current ridership statistics.
Puffalt also acknowledged that city administration would investigate Eby’s request to have the “No Parking” signs on Ninth Avenue Northwest either removed or replaced since they are faded.
Coun. Doug Blanc wondered how many lanes were on First Avenue Northwest — he always thought two — since the current layout is confusing and the directional signs are unclear. He thought if there is only one driving lane, then the signs should be removed since they are confusing.
Puffalt replied that he would pass on the inquiry to the public works and engineering departments.
Coun. Crystal Froese inquired whether the Ministry of Highways has started its corridor study that looked at the intersection of Ninth Avenue Northwest and Highway 1 and other arterial roads in and out of the city.
Bevan Harlton, director of engineering, replied that he had not heard from the highways ministry recently and it has been a while since ministry officials spoke to him on this issue. However, under the Urban Highway Connector Program, the ministry plans to be in Moose Jaw in early May to finish paving Main Street North.
Harlton added that he would follow up with the ministry about the corridor study.
“We just had another recent impact on the overpass,” said Froese. “It’s my understanding that this is something moving forward right away. I’d appreciate an update at the next council meeting.”
Historic bell
Eby asked for an update on the installation of the historic town bell after the contractor withdrew from the project. In response, Derek Blais, director of parks and rec, said the heritage advisory committee met recently and had a good discussion about the project.
“We have some interested local companies. We have provided information to them and we are waiting to hear back to see what they can do,” he added.
Council appointments
From May 1 to June 30, Coun. Dawn Luhning will act as deputy mayor, Robinson will act as chairman of the executive committee and Blanc will act as chairman of the personnel committee.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, May 9.
