Neepawa Council briefs - June 4th, 2015

Details

Published on Thursday, June 4, 2015

Banner Staff

Museum request:

Representatives with the Beautiful Plains Museum formally presented Town Council with a proposal for land use in the former CN land. The museum had a lease with C.N. Rail for land use but no formal arrangements with the Town itself.

Museum reps Alan Drysdale and Leonard Pritchard asked council to grant the museum ownership of one acre of land, in which the current building stands, either through title or long term lease. Council is taking the request under advisement.

Ellen Street sidewalk:

A petition signed by 29 individuals, the majority residing on Ellen Street, was presented to Neepawa Town Council on Tuesday, June 3. It request that the Town install a new sidewalk along Ellen St on the blocks between Brown Avenue and Tupper Avenue. A sidewalk had previously been in place in the area, but was removed as part of the improvement and widening of the road, which is currently underway.  The ratepayers suggested that the installation of the sidewalk now would be more cost effective than a potential installation at a later date. 

In a letter to the area residents, representatives with the Town of Neepawa indicated that no formal decision has been made regarding the installation or non-installation of a sidewalk. Discussions to date have included the necessity to complete the paving and curb and gutter installation. The letter also indicated that due to the widening of the road, any sidewalk that could be put in place, would be in closer proximity to each residence and that due diligence would make it necessary to review the challenges prior to placing or positioning a sidewalk that may or may not be able to accommodate some of the obstacles along the path (i.e. driveway designs). Council discussed the issue and it was suggested that a field trip be arranged to the area in question for council members and staff with the Town office to review the layout of the land.

Strategic planning session:

A review of the Town of Neepawa’s strategic plan is moving ahead. A time line for public discussion was examined. The proposed timeline could see Council do a vision review and identification of strategic goals between June 8-19. A community stakeholders session has been proposed for between July 6-17 and the presentation of a plan could occur between September 7-18. 

Angela Pearen, acting manager with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and and area resident since 1997 has volunteered to serve as the facilitator in the process. The point of a strategic plan is to determine the organizational vision, values, objectives and responsibilities.