City council hopes to wrap up lengthy agenda

Regina city council resumes Tuesday afternoon, in Part 2 of the meeting that started Wednesday.

Mayor Michael Fougere ended the June 24 city council meeting with qualms about the bulk of the agenda that had yet to be tackled.

Here are some of the other bits of business that were addressed at city hall, and what to expect in the second round.

ROUGH ROADS

Council unanimously approved Coun. Barbara Young’s (Ward 1) motion that administration report to city council on the condition of residential roads by ward, the costs of treatment to fix those roads, and the number of years it would take to fix, among other criteria.

“I am not suggesting that people be told what year their road will be done, because that’s impossible,” said Young, as the year depends on contractors and weather.

“Everybody when they think their road is the worst, they get an idea of what is poor and how it moves on the charts,” said Coun. Lori Bresciani (Ward 4).

Coun. Jerry Flegel (Ward 10) says residents in Skyview, Lakeridge — neighbourhoods on the way to the bypass construction project — were “getting pummelled with semis (and) trucks” because of the gravel roads in those areas.

“I still believe that any gravel road within the city should not be gravel,” said Flegel.

Kim Onrait, executive director of citizen services, said the report could come back to council in September, and administration would work out a communications plan in the meantime.

He said the city is on track to have 85 per cent of the roadways system in fair or better condition by 2025.

OFFICE SPACE

The mayor excused himself from this discussion and vote because, he said, a family member is involved in the project.

John Pearson of Shindico Realty Ltd. presented on behalf of a prospective tenant looking to set up office on North Winnipeg Street, in the Staples Call Centre building.

This would require rezoning to allow this specific tenant to set up shop here.

(Staples still occupies 15 per cent of the building, which was built in 1984 for SIAST.)

The potential tenant is an information technology company looking to consolidate and centralize 200 employees in an online virtual care health and medical provider, which is currently located across the province.

The company’s name was not disclosed.

Their criteria — which they said could not be met downtown — included a suburban office space, with the entire premises on one floor, plus a private entrance, direct access to safe and low-cost parking, and a backup diesel generator.

“We respect that the City of Regina has an office policy, but there are businesses that cannot be in the downtown,” said Pearson.

Bresciani wondered whether locating their business downtown was not an option due to cost or amenities.

Pearson said, “It’s a combination of factors. The extent of parking they require is not available downtown for this type of space.”

He added, Shindico charges $40 per month per stall for parking; downtown, it’s $150 per month per stall. The company estimated an annual savings of $264,000 per year by having a suburban location for this operation.

Pearson pointed out, the business is consolidating in Regina, which will bring economic value as these new residents buy homes and spend their money here.

Judith Veresuk of Regina Downtown was on the delegates list, but she was unavailable when this item was up for consideration.

In a letter to council, she stated this zoning is not in accordance with the city’s office development policy, which is “essential in keeping the city core the premier employment centre for the City of Regina.”

Diana Hawrylak, executive director of city planning and community development, said it would be worth revisiting parking policies in the downtown neighbourhood plan.

ON TUESDAY: TAXIS, TAX EXEMPTIONS AND MORE

Delegations from four taxi companies and Uber are on the agenda, to speak regarding possible changes to the taxi bylaw.

This would include changes like: Permitting digital taxi meters; allowing taxis to charge fares outside of the city’s fare structure if they’re booked through a mobile app; removing vehicle age requirements; and, changing decal requirements.

This is pre-emptive to the July 29 council meeting — right now, administration is just recommending that council accept the taxi bylaw review report.

Administration is also recommending ■ that council approve a tax exemption for Mayfair Apartments. The downtown property designed by Storey and Van Egmond was built in 1929 and has been a heritage property since 1999. The owner is planning conservation work on the building.

The city may finally exchange ■ 4.017 hectares of land with Regina Public Schools pertaining to Central Collegiate, an agreement that dates back to 1987. When the high school was torn down, the land became the city’s Central Park downtown.

City council reconvenes in Henry Baker Hall — and by video conference from their homes — on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.