The February 8th Martensville Committee of the Whole meeting began with a public hearing regarding a Request for Decision on a home-based business for pet grooming. The City of Martensville received an application from a property owner on Reimer Road that is looking to open a pet grooming business out of their home. In the application, it was stated that and the owner, who has many years of experience with pet grooming, would be accommodating two pets at a time. Animals would be kept indoors and there would be no overnight boarding. Council will be bringing the discussion back and making a decision at next week’s regular council meeting.
City Council also discussed a Request for Direction regarding 2022 water and wastewater rates and administration bylaw amendments. This is based off of a decision made in December of 2021 by Council to have water meters in the community replaced. With this change taking place, the City of Martensville reviewed their current bylaws to be amended to better suit the upgrades. Additionally, Council discussed an increase in water and wastewater rates, which are as follows:
- An increase in water flat rate from $12.00 per month to $12.50
- An increase in wastewater/sewer flat rate from $27.50 per month to $29.00
- Introducing a Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Replacement Fee of $2.00 per month, which would see funds transferred annually to the ‘Infrastructure Replacement Reserve – Utilities’ to replenish funds used for the meter replacement project and ensure the City is rebuilding reserves for future infrastructure needs in the water & wastewater area.
According to the report provided by Leah Bloomquist, Director of Corporate Services, this is the first increase to the monthly flat rates since 2006 and this increase will assist in offsetting rising operational expenses to balance the budget. Bloomquist added that the total impact on monthly utility bills will be an increase of $4.00 per month per account.
The next Martensville City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 25th at 5pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.
