Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Weighing the option of scrap tires for roadbeds

City considering using crumb rubber asphalt for roads

By Lisa Goudy


Scrap tires might have another use in the city.

City engineering technologist Marlin Stusek said the city plans to revisit the possibility of using crumb rubber asphalt for roadbeds in the city. Crumb rubber asphalt pavement is partially made with recycled tires.

“Recycling is always top priority, especially nowadays with everything going greener,” said Stusek. “Being able to use any kind of recycled materials for road surfaces, as long as it’s effective, is certainly something we would look at.”

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Sidebar: Province done several crumb rubber projects


Kirsten Leatherdale, provincial highways and infrastructure ministry spokesperson, said the province first used crumb rubber in 2009 on 227 kilometers of highway lanes. Every year since, the province has done some work, but no projects are planned for 2013 yet.

She said a section done in the Moose Jaw area was crumb rubber resurfacing on Highway 11 at Chamberlain a few years ago. She said it has contributed to noise reduction.

“We don’t use it everywhere. We use it where it fits for the project,” said Leatherdale. “Not every contractor has the equipment and the capability to do those projects so that’s another factor that we consider.”

She said crumb rubber requires a certain piece of equipment to melt the crumb rubber.
“(Contractors use) a big metal tank that blends the liquid asphalt and the crumb rubber and mixes them at a high temperature,” said Leaderdale. “(The tires are) taken out of a landfill and used in a productive way.”

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council notebook

By Lisa Goudy


A beer tent will be operated at the Saskatchewan Ultimate Frisbee Championships.

Council approved the operation of a beer tent at the Saskatchewan Ultimate Player’s Association’s Canada Games Soccer Fields at the event on July 20 and 21 at Monday’s council meeting. The event will feature approximately 200 people on 10 teams from around Saskatchewan to play two days of round robin games. It is the first time it will be held in Moose Jaw.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council presented with equipment reserve budget overview

A chart details the equipment reserve funding over
a 15-year period at Monday's council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


The city is looking at increased costs of $312,366 to the equipment reserve budget.

Director of financial services Brian Acker presented the overview of the proposed equipment reserve budget for 2013 to 2017 to council at Monday’s meeting. He said costs increased because of rising rates. Council unanimously voted to refer it to budget committee for further consideration.

“The purpose of the equipment reserve is to provide a vehicle to ensure that funding is in place to purchase new equipment as old equipment wears out,” said Acker. “Equipment needs are driven by requirements to deliver the various programs in the city’s operating, capital and utility budgets.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council to review the CPR dam replacement again

By Lisa Goudy


Executive committee will have another look at the CPR dam project before requests for proposals are issued.

“I’m as big a fan as anybody of the CPR dam replacement and what it means for Wakamow, but the approximately $5 million price tag is for what is largely an aesthetic improvement,” said Coun. Brian Swanson. “Unfortunately I don’t believe we have the money for that. We have higher priorities with respect to waterlines and road repair. It bothers me a great deal to have to make this motion.”

He made the motion while discussing matters arising from the recent executive committee meeting where city consulting engineer Albert Engel, provided an update of the CPR dam project.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Housing a hot topic at council

Council approves rezoning land to allow for multi-unit apartments

By Lisa Goudy


Housing units on Chester Road were discussed at length at council.

Coun. Candis Kirkpatrick listens as Coun. Don
Mitchell expresses his opposition to a motion
regarding rezoning a proposed subdivision on
Chester Road at Monday's council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

According to a business development division report presented to council Monday night, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) approved a proposed subdivision by developer Deveraux Developments to provide between three and 12 apartment-style buildings. The land is zoned C3 vehicle-oriented commercial district and residential development is not allowed. It would need to be rezoned to R3 high-density residential.

“We had no consultation at all about this project and whether this location was appropriate or preferable or even workable,” said Coun. Don Mitchell. “In terms of family housing with small children, with families that don’t have transportation in many cases, this is not a good fit. (We) shouldn’t have it rammed down our throats.”

The housing development is part of a provincial government initiative announcement to sell-off 114 of 124 existing Moose Jaw Housing Authority public single-family housing units. The majority of council approved the rezoning.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council allocates $300,000 to snow removal

City reports a $678,887 surplus in 2012 operating budget

By Lisa Goudy

Snow removal was a subject of discussion at council.

Director of financial services Brian Acker presented the 2012 audited financial statements to council at Monday’s meeting. The report said as of Dec. 31, 2012 the city had a surplus of $678,887 in the operating budget.

Councillors examine a chart comparing the net financial
position of five Saskatchewan cities including Moose
Jaw as part of a presentation on the 2012 audited
financial statements at Monday's city council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

The overall surplus is part of the city’s accumulated surplus now at $2.45 million. Because the city tries to maintain the surplus at five per cent of the annual operating budget, $1.86 million is allocated to the accumulated surplus.

None of those numbers included snow removal. Acker’s report recommended allocating the remaining $594,000 to the snow removal reserve.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Residents can apply for PDAP funding

By Lisa Goudy


Affected residents can now apply for provincial assistance for flooding.

Council approved for the city to apply for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) at Monday’s meeting. PDAP provides financial assistance to restore services and property because of flooding.

“It allows citizens that may have a claim to be able to apply,” said Mayor Deb Higgins.

Some infrastructure in the city and private properties were damaged along the river valley as a result of the 2013 flooding, according to an engineering department report.

The report said the city’s deductible under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) is $1.2 million and funding for damage to its infrastructure is unlikely. 

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