The regular meeting of Humboldt City Council on May 25 was once again a virtual meeting. A handful of socially distanced councillors and staff gathered with the mayor while the remainder of council and staff convened virtually for a busy evening.

The session began on a celebratory note as long time employee Sandra Pauli was honoured for her thirty-five years of work with the city. Pauli, who is retiring this week, began her tenure with the city in 1985 filling in on a maternity leave. In her various roles, most recently as city clerk, Pauli has worked with six mayors and numerous city managers on an impressive array of projects. Pauli thanked the mayor, council, and staff for their support over the years as she announced intentions to get started on a “never-ending list of plans.” Lori Yaworski will take on the city clerk duties beginning June 1.

Mayor Rob Muench also proclaimed the week of May 24-30 as Naturopathic Medicine Week. The proclamation acknowledges naturopathic medicine as a blend of “centuries old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances on the study of health and human systems.”

Council voted on plans to see the replacement of power poles at the Humboldt Airport also provide a change in location to allow further development. The poles in their current locations prohibited the placement of new hangers. When SaskPower determined a replacement of the poles was necessary, the city negotiated an agreement whereby SaskPower and the city would split the cost of the project, a $25 thousand total. 

Councillor Roger Nordick reported on the agreement reached for the Lanigan Creek Dellwood Brook Watershed Association to proceed with its LIDAR mapping project. The LIDAR project will provide a sophisticated laser system measure of the entire watershed to help the Association and RMs make decisions about appropriate drainage and flood mitigation. The watershed encompasses a large area from Highway 5 at Humboldt to an area south of the Lanigan potash mine. 

Council also agreed to continue the lease arrangement for the Humboldt Broncos for another three year term. The agreement was based on a revenue sharing model which served both the hockey organization and the city well. Mayor Muench commented on the model’s success. 

“This has been a beneficial arrangement. In good times, it shares the wealth, and in tough times, the city takes less and makes it more affordable for the club. It’s a win win for both groups.”

Council also passed the bylaw effectively approving this year’s tax rates. The overall increase of 2.4 percent is slightly lower than the preliminary budget’s projected figures of 2.5 percent, keeping Humboldt attractive compared to other Saskatchewan cities when it comes to residential and commercial property taxes. 

The meeting wrapped up with a discussion of street line painting, which commences shortly, and the status of a wandering coyote in the city’s north end. While a live trap has been deployed near the golf course, the creature is elusive and has evaded capture. Any residents seeing wildlife in city limits is advised to contact the city clerk who can update the pest control officer. 

The next regular council meeting is slated for June 29.