By Kevin Gilby
The regular meeting of David- son Town Council occurred May 20 at the Town chambers. There were no delegates. Council passed a motion to expand the King Edward and Third Street Drainage and Rehabilitation Project to include the total length of King Edward Street. The storm sewer and curb/ gutter drainage study was to run from Third Street to McGregor Street in the initial scope. The additional block of King Edward will increase the cost of the study from $7,500 to $10,000, and will include geotextile technology as part of its study.
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Kirby Manz made a motion for the Town to pay for half of the required insurance for the Skatepark Committee and Davidson Child Care fundraising events to be hosted during Davidson Days, June 23-24. The motion passed.
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Council is urging residents in Davidson and area to participate in a survey hosted by the Ministry of Highways regarding the Highway 11 Davidson Functional Planning. The sur- vey includes options at Enter- prise Lane and Highway 11 at Davidson (south access) to improve safety on Highway 11 through Davidson. The survey is open until June 2, 2025, and is available at https://www. saskatchewan.ca/government/ public-engagement/highway11-davidson-functional-planning
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Council discussed the latest developments with regard to physician staffing at the David- son Health Centre. A meeting among stakeholders and a recruiter will take place on May 26. A request for Saskatchewan Health Authority representation to be in attendance will be made.
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Administration informed council that they were unsuccessful in its application for support under the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program. The CSJ program is a federal initiative that provides wage subsidies to employers who hire students for summer jobs.
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Public works provided an update on work ongoing with the water distribution system in Davidson. Council was provided an updated overview of ongoing work with municipal utilities addressing water pressure concerns in the system. Communications systems and remote valving installation is to be operational within a month to permit town pressure to be fed off of pumps during peak hours and off of water tower pressure (39 PSI) overnight. Council is to meet with public works staff and Municipal Utilities once work is complete for an informational overview of the towns water distribution infrastructure.
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Operations Manager Kevin Hepburn informed council of plans to reassess all ‘out-of service’ fire hydrants within the town. Hepburn indicated a desire to repair hydrants if possible to reduce cost of hydrant replacement and associated excavation.
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Sewer flushing and camera inspection work is ongoing. The work, being performed by Municipal Sewer, is part of the town’s infrastructure assessment initiative to identify maintenance priorities.
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Six of the 17 seasonal employees have started working for the season. The Panther Swimming Pool (PSP) has already been filled and new manager Bailey Smith is presently stabilizing chemistry. PSP opens on June 2 with lessons starting on that date as well. A donation of nine deck chairs for the PSP has also been made.
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A restoration committee will be formed for addressing rusting concerns on portions of the coffee pot at the rest area near the north entrance. Sandblasting and painting of the affected area was discussed. The mural is intact and would not be impacted.
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Administration gave a brief overview of the budget prior to council’s official budget meeting on May 22.