Thursday, 27 February 2020

Aquatic Invasive Species Strategy - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Feb 27th, 2020 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Feb 27th, 2020 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: Aquatic Invasive Species Strategy
Saskatchewan Releases New Aquatic Invasive Species Strategy


 Released on February 20, 2020
“Today, Environment Minister Dustin Duncan introduced the Government of Saskatchewan’s new Aquatic Invasive Species Strategy during an address to the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’s (SWF) annual convention in Weyburn.  The new framework is designed to help the province prevent, address and manage aquatic invasive species (AIS) threats.

The ministry and the SWF are partners on the province’s AIS Task Force – which focuses on additional education and monitoring activities – along with other government agencies, conservation groups, non-government organizations and universities.

“This strategy emphasizes the need for collaboration and co-ordination with provincial and federal government agencies, non-government organizations and neighbouring jurisdictions to prevent the introduction and spread of high-risk aquatic invasive species,” Duncan said.

AIS, such as zebra and quagga mussels, threaten lakes and rivers in Western Canada.  They can severely affect aquatic habitat, fisheries, valuable recreational resources and important infrastructure for irrigation, power generation and municipal water supplies.

In recent years, the ministry has significantly increased its AIS prevention efforts, with a primary focus on education and awareness.

“We recently announced that no invasive mussels had been detected in Saskatchewan waters in 2019,” Duncan said.  “That is a positive step, and it speaks to the approach we’ve been taking in Saskatchewan.  But we know more work needs to be done, and that diligence on this front needs to be unrelenting for us to remain free from this threat.”

Saskatchewan also partners with the Canada Border Services Agency and other provincial and territorial governments to co-ordinate prevention efforts across Western Canada.

The province’s new AIS Strategy, as well as further information about AIS and fishing, is available online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/wildlife-issues/invasive-species/aquatic-invasive-species-prevention-program. ”

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Gibson, Environment, Regina
Phone: 306-798-3900    Email: jamie.gibson@gov.sk.ca

For public inquiries
Environment   Phone: 1-800-567-4224  Email: centre.inquiry@gov.sk.ca


https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/wildlife-issues/invasive-species/aquatic-invasive-species-prevention-program



Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Monitoring Program

Help Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species




New! Saskatchewan has a comprehensive strategy to address the threat of aquatic invasive species.


Aquatic invasive species are non-native animals or plants that are usually spread through the water, and from one waterbody to another, by attaching to watercraft, trailers and related aquatic equipment.

Aquatic invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels pose a serious threat to lakes and waterways in western Canada. These small but destructive mussels have been discovered in Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and 34 states, including Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota.

The Adult Invasive Mussel Monitoring (AIMM) Program is a partnership project with non-government organizations (NGOs) and other agencies to detect unwanted aquatic invasive mussels. Monitoring of adult invasive mussels, including zebra and quagga mussels is important for early detection in Saskatchewan. AIMM is an easy-to-use and cost-effective monitoring program that provides a valuable tool for widespread early detection across many local waters in the province.

The province would like you to take part in the program. Knowing that there are no invasive mussels within a waterbody is as important as notifying the TIP program if an adult invasive mussel is found at a waterbody. Your help will provide us with better information of where and how to respond should a positive finding be found.

For additional information on how to participate in the AIMM Program, visit biodiversity.sk.ca/invasives.htm or contact the Ministry of Environment at 1-800-567-4224 or via email at centre.inquiry@gov.sk.ca.


The AIMM form is available to all government ministries, non-government organizations (NGOs), cottagers and the general public. By participating in the monitoring program you are helping to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Saskatchewan.


Saskatchewan monitors for aquatic invasive species and takes the following steps to prevent them from entering the province's lakes and water bodies.

  • It is illegal to import, possess or transport high-risk aquatic species, including invasive mussels.
  • Provincial regulations allow conservation officers to inspect, quarantine and decontaminate watercraft known or suspected to contain invasive species.
  • Federal regulations allow Canada Border Security Agency officers to check private and commercial watercraft entering the province from the United States.
  • The province raises public awareness and educates watercraft operators on risks and prevention.
  • Provincial watershed groups help to monitor for zebra mussels and assist with Clean, Drain, Dry education.
  • The province works with other agencies and jurisdictions to coordinate inspection and other prevention measures.

Related Items










 5.0 Implementation

 "The Saskatchewan Aquatic Invasive Species Strategy represents a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to prevent, respond to and manage aquatic invasive species. The actions that have been listed throughout the strategy are meant to build and strengthen initiatives and fill in any gaps to prevent and manage aquatic invasive species."


 Events:

Bingo  ​606 Harvard Preeceville Air Cadets Squadron Sponsoring Committee BINGO. Every Thursday at Club 60. Doors open at 7pm, first game starts at 8pm.


Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace - Minimum Jack-Pot is now at a $7,819.00
Draws every Thursday night at the Curling Rink.

Watch for their Ad's.   Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/

- Cross Country Ski Trails are open: Call Lou at 306-547-2183 for more information.

- The Preeceville Walking Club is running at the Preeceville Community Legion Hall. They walk Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 9:00am till 10:00 am. The Program runs till the end of April each year. Cost is $20.00 and everyone is welcome. Contact Jackie at 306-547-2842 for further information. 



 - And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events  Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca

Follow the Mayor on blogspot at http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/




follow  me on instagram @ http://instagram.com/garthrharris




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Thursday, 20 February 2020

Council Responsibilities - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Feb 20th, 2020 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Feb 20th, 2020 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: Council Responsibilities
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/municipal-administration/tools-guides-and-resources/council-responsibilities


February, 2015
(Fact Sheet 6.0)
Accepting elected office is one of the highest orders of public service. It offers the opportunity to significantly influence the quality of life in your community.

The Municipalities Act provides the basic legislative framework for Saskatchewan’s southern municipalities. Council members must know and comply with federal and provincial legislation, laws and codes. Council’s responsibility is to make decisions about municipal services, establish policies and provide direction for the operation of the municipality in a manner which encourages participation in the governance process. Councils have numerous powers, duties and responsibilities.

Council is legislatively responsible to ensure that:

  1. a municipal office is named in Saskatchewan:
    • for Citizens to attend to make payments, receive information and report concerns;
    • for Council meetings (which are required to be held in an open and transparent manner where the public may be present to observe)
  2. a qualified administrator is appointed for the municipality;
  3. the municipality’s assessment is confirmed by SAMA each year;
  4. all decisions are made by resolution or bylaw;
  5. at least one council person or other person is designated to sign cheques. The administrator is required to be the other signatory unless the administrator has been authorized to delegate this duty to another employee;
  6. a fidelity bond is obtained annually for the administrator and any other employee as required;
  7. Workers’ Compensation coverage is obtained for workers, employees and labour contractors;
  8. all meetings are held in public;
  9. a quorum is required at all meetings;
  10. a records retention schedule is established;
  11. public notice is provided when a regular meeting date is changed;
  12. public notice bylaw is adopted and public notice is provided prior to considering any of the following:
    • any report to close, lease or sell a municipal street or road;
    • any report to dispose of public land used for park purposes;
    • a petition for a public meeting with respect to a municipal restructuring, establishing an organized hamlet or incorporating a resort village or village;
    • any report to increase/decrease the number of councillors in a municipality;
    • the initial consideration to divide the municipality into wards;
    • the report completed by the wards commission with respect to the establishment of boundaries is completed and open for public inspection at the municipal office during normal business hours;
    • holding a public hearing and deciding a matter after a public hearing pursuant to this or any other Act;
    • borrowing money, lending money or guaranteeing the repayment of a loan;
    • establishing a purchasing policy;
    • selling or leasing land for less than fair market value and without a public offering;
    • selling or leasing mines and minerals owned by the municipality;
    • setting remuneration for members of council and for members of council committees and other bodies established by the council;
    • establishing a business improvement district;
    • prohibiting or limiting the operation of a business or class of business;
    • amending or repealing of referendum bylaws or resolutions;
    • holding a public meeting of the voters;
    • any report with respect to special taxes; and
    • using any excess revenue generated from special taxes.
  13. an operating and capital budget is adopted each year prior to authorize the tax levy;
  14. the municipality’s audited financial statement and the auditor’s report is submitted to the minister by July 1 of each year;
  15. an auditor is appointed for the municipality and its controlled corporations;
  16. a tax levy is authorized on all assessments of the municipality;
  17. a prorated amount of moneys received from trailer or mobile home permit fees is paid to the school division in which the trailers or mobile homes are located;
  18. streets and roads are kept in a reasonable state of repair;
  19. a water rate policy is adopted by bylaw or resolution;
  20. an emergency plan is adopted; and
  21. a board of revision is appointed.

Your administrator will provide guidance and valuable information in this area. You may also wish to review the Municipal Council Member's Handbook.



https://pubsaskdev.blob.core.windows.net/pubsask-prod/95528/110331-Council-Members-Handbook.pdf


Congratulations! Your voters have put their trust in you to manage and make decisions that are in their best interests.  You are now part of a team expected to make decisions that will affect all of the ratepayers objectively and fairly.  It is very important that your ratepayers see you working as a team.  Voters in your municipality very quickly recognize when there is dissention among members of council.  When voters recognize council dissention, they lose confidence in council’s ability to manage the municipality.  This guide tells you: • what to expect during your term of office; • council code of ethics; • information on your roles as councillor/mayor/reeve; • information on the roles of council; • information on the roles of administration; • conflict of interest;  • information about various aspects of running your municipality; and • tips on making your term of office successful. Footnotes at the bottom of the pages of this handbook reference sections from the municipal acts and regulations.  It is important that council understands and acts according to the legislated authorities given to municipalities.  Choosing to act outside of jurisdiction is contrary to law and places the municipality at risk.  Your administrator will help to inform you of legislated requirements, limitations and authorities.  You may also call a municipal advisor to discuss technical questions regarding legislation at 306-787-2680. You will find the term “municipality” throughout this handbook.  It means a town, village, resort village, city, rural municipality, northern town, northern village or northern hamlet.


  Available on Saskatchewan.ca
 You will find links to resources that are available online in this handbook.

 Use the search engine on Saskatchewan.ca to find other resources about municipalities and related topics.



  

Disclaimer: This handbook is an overview of municipal administration for council members.  It is not intended as a substitute for reading and understanding legislation.  If in doubt, contact the Ministry of Government Relations at 306-787-2680 or seek the advice of a solicitor.


Duty to Respect Confidentiality As a council member, you may be privy to third-party or confidential information.  You share the same responsibility to maintain the confidentiality surrounding the information that is required of any employee of the municipality.   It is important to keep confidential matters discussed in closed meeting sessions or confidential information of a private nature private until discussed at a public meeting.  If confidential municipal information comes into your hands, a wise option may be to return the information to the municipal office to file it securely.



Fair Decision-Making Councillors must look after the interests of the entire municipality.  If you are in a municipality that has wards or divisions, you will have to be careful not to place the interest of your ward or division above the interest of the whole municipality.  Your effectiveness depends on providing input as a representative of an area while thinking and voting for needs of the whole municipality. The path to a good decision does not always follow a straight line.  When making decisions: • respect other people’s opinions; • work together as a team; • seek out everyone’s opinions; • ensure you express your views during a debate; • insist a professional debate of important issues in a respectful setting; and • for complicated matters, call on experts. Council members should be courteous, timely, clear and direct in communicating with each other, with employees and with the public.  This means that you: • take time to listen; • are approachable; • respect confidentiality; • are clear with people about what you can or cannot do; and • apologize if you make a mistake. As a council, you want the decisions to be fair.  Council establishes municipal policies to: • ensure that its decisions are implemented consistently; • manage the expectations of citizens;  • describe how municipal staff will handle daily operations; and • establish municipal jurisdiction. Council decisions impact citizens of a municipality directly, so it is important to hear from the public. 
 In making decisions, council may ask: • Are we hearing all sides of a question? • Is there someone who we are not hearing from who will be affected by the decision? • Was the public consulted or should it be? • Does council have all the relevant facts? • Are we basing our decision on fact and law or on feelings and opinions? • Can you explain your decision to the people affected by it? • Is the decision consistent with other decisions made in similar circumstances? • Is the decision consistent with the evidence considered? • Should a policy be established?    

It is important to communicate council decisions with the public.  Make sure you explain why you have made a decision.  People will complain when they think they are treated unfairly.  People who are heard and treated with respect are less likely to complain and more likely to accept a resolution or settlement that is not what they initially wanted.



All Members Must Vote Legislation requires every member of council, including the mayor or reeve, votes on every question.

  If there is a tied vote, the motion is defeated.  A passed motion must have consent from a majority of council.

 You cannot abstain from voting unless you have a conflict of interest.  If you abstain from voting for any other reason, legislation deems your vote as a vote in the negative.
 It is important to make resolutions and vote on matters council debates, even if council chooses to do nothing, so that the public has a record that council has considered the topic. 


Timely  Start meetings on time.  Few things can frustrate members more than waiting for members who are late. 


Matters that Must Be Dealt with by Council
 There are many things that council alone must deal with45 – you cannot delegate the decision to a committee or other body.  Your administrator will advise you when council cannot delegate.  Some decisions that council cannot delegate include: • adopting budgets; • borrowing money; • establishing a purchasing policy; • creating council committees and other bodies and define their functions; and • appointing, suspending or dismissing an administrator or a full-time municipal solicitor.  Matters that Require Public Notice Before Being Dealt with by Council In some cases, council cannot consider an item at a meeting until the public has received notice.46  Your administrator will advise you when public notice is required according to your public notice bylaw.  Choosing to debate and decide on a matter without providing appropriate public notice, when it is required, enables any voter to legally challenge the decision made.  For example, public notice is required when council intends to discuss: • borrowing money; • establishing a purchasing policy; • leasing land for less than fair market value without a public offering;

                                                         

 45 section 127 The Municipalities Act, section 101 The Cities Act, subsection 119(2) The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010 46 subsection 128(1) The Municipalities Act, subsection 101(2) The Cities Act, subsection 146(1) The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010









• setting remuneration for council members; or • permanently closing a road.47

Personal Immunity/Liability As an elected member of council, you can be held legally liable for decisions to act or not to act.  Council members make decisions at council meetings. 
 Individual council members, including mayors and reeves, have no authority to act on their own:
 • If you decide to purchase a mower for the municipality without prior approval because you found one that was a “good deal”, you may find that you are responsible to pay the price of that mower out of your personal funds.  • If your council has authorized the purchase of a piece of equipment and you decide to cancel the order for any reason, you may find that any order cancellation costs may be payable by you personally instead of by the municipality.
On the other hand, if you are aware of a dangerous situation on one of your roads and your council fails to take any action, it may find that the situation may cause a liability to the municipality; or if you as a councillor have noticed a dangerous situation and you fail to take the appropriate action by reporting it to administration, you may be personally held responsible for failing to report the danger. 

Your municipality may wish to develop a policy about reporting situations that pose a potential risk.  A written policy: • may protect council members from potential liabilities; and  • will give staff direction informing them of council’s expectations when situations pose a risk to the municipality. Legislation protects you as a member of council, a member of a public utility board established by council, a member of a council controlled corporation or a municipal officer, volunteer or agent, but only when you are acting in good faith,




 Events:

Bingo  ​606 Harvard Preeceville Air Cadets Squadron Sponsoring Committee BINGO. Every Thursday at Club 60. Doors open at 7pm, first game starts at 8pm.


Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace - Minimum Jack-Pot is now at a $7,437.00
Draws every Thursday night at the Curling Rink.

Watch for their Ad's.   Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/

- Cross Country Ski Trails are open: Call Lou at 30547-2183 for more information.

- The Preeceville Walking Club is running at the Preeceville Community Legion Hall. They walk Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 9:00am till 10:00 am. The Program runs till the end of April each year. Cost is $20.00 and everyone is welcome. Contact Jackie at 306-547-2842 for further information. 



 - And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events  Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca

Follow the Mayor on blogspot at http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/




follow  me on instagram @ http://instagram.com/garthrharris



Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 13 February 2020

New Online Catalogue - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Feb 13th, 2020 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Feb 13th, 2020 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: New Online Catalogue


Provincial Archives Of Saskatchewan Launches New Online Catalogue

Released on February 7, 2020

"As Archives Week comes to a close, the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the launch of its new online catalogue. This archival catalogue uses Access to Memory (AtoM) open-source software, allowing the Archives to easily share information with the public and with many other provincial and national archival catalogues.

 “This online catalogue puts the rich history of our province directly at the fingertips of our citizens,” said Minister Responsible for the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan Ken Cheveldayoff. “This will enable a broader audience to access historical documents anytime, anywhere whether their research be personal or academic.”

Researchers can search over 900,000 descriptions of records from the Permanent Collection of the Provincial Archives.  The catalogue also provides online access to more than 300,000 digitized original archival records, primarily photographs and textual records.  New content is added as records are processed and digital projects are completed. 

“Our new catalogue provides a fresh, streamlined approach to accessing our holdings,” Provincial Archivist, Linda McIntyre said.  “It enables us to make content available online quickly and easily, for research use across the province and around the world.” 

To search the new AtoM catalogue, visit https://search.saskarchives.com/. Researchers interested in learning more about the historical records in the Permanent Collection at the Provincial Archives should visit www.saskarchives.com."

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Toth, Central Services, Regina
Phone: 306-787-2215 Email: Jamie.toth3@gov.sk.ca


 Welcome

Welcome to the online catalogue of the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan’s Permanent Collection. Please browse or search the catalogue to discover records documenting the history of our province.

To learn more about accessing these records or to enquire about records that may not be listed in our catalogue, please contact us or visit our Reading Room in Regina.

Browse by

·         Archival descriptions

·         Authority records

·         Subjects

·         Places

·         Digital objects

 Advance Search:  Just type in the subject, looks like you need to fill out more
to make it work, yes you can or  "just hit enter" 


 Events:

Bingo  ​606 Harvard Preeceville Air Cadets Squadron Sponsoring Committee BINGO. Every Thursday at Club 60. Doors open at 7pm, first game starts at 8pm.


Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace - Minimum Jack-Pot is now at a $7,050.00
Draws every Thursday night at the Curling Rink.

Watch for their Ad's.   Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/

- Cross Country Ski Trails are open: Call Lou at 30547-2183 for more information.


- The Preeceville Walking Club is running at the Preeceville Community Legion Hall. They walk Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 9:00am till 10:00 am. The Program runs till the end of April each year. Cost is $20.00 and everyone is welcome. Contact Jackie at 306-547-2842 for further information. 

The Town Newsletter for January/February has information about upcoming events.
Previous newsletters can be found on the Recreation page.

 - And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events  Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca

Follow the Mayor on blogspot at http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/




follow  me on instagram @ http://instagram.com/garthrharris


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