Regina city council passes motion of confidence in city manager Niki Anderson
A motion regarding legal action against Regina’s city manager was on the agenda for the final city council meeting before budget deliberations next week.
Councillors Dan Leblanc and Andrew Stevens, along with a local advocate, filed a court application against city manager Niki Anderson saying administration did not follow through on a vote to include an outline of full operational funding to end homelessness in the city’s proposed budget for 2023.
Nine of the other members of city council submitted a motion of confidence in Anderson at the meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Councillors Cheryl Stadnichuk, Bob Hawkins, Lori Bresciani, John Findura, Terina Nelson, Shanon Zachidniak, Jason Mancinelli, Landon Mohl and Mayor Sandra Masters submitted the motion.
The motion is meant to “affirm and convey [council’s] continued confidence in City Manager Niki Anderson” and “express its disappointment over the negative impact on City Council’s operational integrity and oversight that the initiated court action has created.”
All nine voted in favour of the motion. Coun. Leblanc and Stevens recused themselves.
Other items on the agenda included a new lease for the food bank, possible ward boundary changes and discussion on the rapid housing initiative.
FOOD BANK LEASE
After unanimously agreeing on the public notice bylaws, the council voted on the proposal by the Regina Food Bank, looking to take over a city lease.
Wanting to expand its hub, the Regina Food Bank was looking for a $100,000 one-time cash donation and to take over the lease at 1720 12th Ave. The food bank is also looking for funding for renovations of the property, including paving.
A first-of-it’s-kind facility in Canada, the multi space Food Bank would give more accessibility to those in need in the Regina community, according to Food Bank CEO John Bailey.
The vote by council was approved unanimously, 11-0.
CHANGING WARD BOUNDRIES
It seems as though the population in Regina has grown, making changes to wards necessary.
As per a city manager report, ward boundaries need to be reviewed due to there being more people than allowed in at least four wards.
By law, there can only be a variation of up to or below 10 per cent of the set ward population, which averages to 24,600 people per ward.
The findings so far are that wards one, two and four have population changes that exceed these limits and so a commission needs to review the data and make appropriate changes to the wards.
The data being used for the resizing is a combination of census data and the latest available figures.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
Council voted on sale of lane that the city owns to Cowessess First Nation.
Cowessess Chief Cadmus Delorme presented to executive committee that the First Nation wishes to build its health centre on that location. Council passed the vote 11-0.
Non-profit Daycare Centres also received a tax exemption for another three-year period. They will see a 40 per cent exemption so long as the property is being operated at least in part as a childcare centre and that it is properly licensed as one.
The bargaining agreement between the firefighting union and the city saw $1.75M towards the program to enhance training, union and making the force more conducive for responders.
Amendments were also presented to the Regina Civic Employees Long Term Disability Plan, trying to keep up with current income tax rates. Council voted in favour of the amendments.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.