Moosomin council tables motion on drinking in park
Council hopes to hear from public on the issue
June 28, 2023, 1:05 pm
Kevin Weedmark
There was a lot of discussion on allowing alcohol at Bradley Park at the last Moosomin Town council meeting, but there was no decision made, as council decided to table the issue for now.
A draft bylaw was presented to council to allow people to consume alcohol in designated areas of Bradley Park, but there were a lot of questions about the bylaw and council ultimately decided to leave the issue for a future meeting.
The bylaw would allow people to bring their own alcohol to drink in specified areas. People would not be allowed to take their own alcohol to a licensed area or event, however.
Since May 23, municipalities and park authorities in the province have had the authority to designate outdoor public places such as parks for drinking alcohol by individuals of legal drinking age.
“Municipalities and park authorities know what works in their communities and these changes will give them the flexibility to make their own decisions about allowing public alcohol consumption in parks and outdoor spaces,” Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Lori Carr said. “Our government will continue to look at ways to modernize Saskatchewan’s liquor laws while balancing the responsible use of alcohol.”
Municipalities that choose to designate an outdoor public space for alcohol consumption will need to pass a bylaw and notify Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Provincial rules around liquor consumption will continue to apply in designated spaces.
“When I spoke with (recreation director) Mike Schwean, he just said he thought it’s a better way to control it with a bylaw than to just leave it,” said Councillor Murray Gray.
“We’ve got laws saying you can’t drink there, and now we’re going to pass a bylaw that says you can. You could control the drinking by kicking people out of the park who are breaking the law now,” said Councillor Chris Davidson.
Councillor Garry Towler said he believes the penalties are lighter under the proposed bylaw than under current provincial laws against drinking in public.
With a lot of opinions and questions around the table, Councillor Murray Gray first suggested considering the bylaw over three meetings to give the public a chance to weigh in.
“Could this be a bylaw that we pass over three meetings so that there can be discussion about it as we go.”
Councillor Ron Fisk said there is no way it would pass at one meeting, because he is opposed, so would not consent to three readings at one meeting.
Councillor Chris Davidson pointed out that would take the debate to mid-summer. “If we do it over three meetings it won’t get done until July,” he said.
“I agree with Mike that it’s a good idea to do it, but I don’t see a big rush to have it for this summer. We’ve never had a bylaw before so I don’t think there’s a big rush. Without you (Ron Fisk) even saying that, I thought we should slow the process down,” said Gray.
“It would be more controlled if we pass this bylaw,” said Councillor Garry Towler.
Davidson disagreed. “Right now if you’re sitting out there and drinking you’re breaking the law, so all you have to do is phone the cops and they get charged with drinking in a public place. So we’ve got more control now. The cops won’t enforce town bylaws.”
As the discussion continued, councillors decided rather than give the bylaw first reading at that meeting, the discussion should be put off to a future meeting where it can be discussed with Schwean.
“I trust that Mike has read up on this and talked to his colleagues about it. Maybe we should put this off and have a discussion with Mike at our next meeting so he can explain his thinking,” said Gray.
“Yes, I don’t think we want to rush it,” said Davidson. “I know Mike said he wanted to be proactive and be the first town to do something, but I don’t know if this is the right thing to be proactive about,” said Davidson.
“I’m more concerned about doing the right thing than the fast thing,” said Gray.
“The thing is people who are going to do it are already doing it,” said Councillor Kyla Fingas.
“One of the concerns I have is we have basically the best recreational park for miles around, and we have the possibility here to destroy it,” said Fisk. “It’s working the way it is. Maybe this would work out, but there’s also the possibility it could be a disaster. Why encourage drinking all the time? It’s fine now, so why not just leave it alone?”
Some councillors indicated they would like to see some public input on the issue.
“If you’re looking for more input from the public I’m sure Kevin’s going to write a story about this discussion and we’re going to get some feedback, so let’s table it and see what we hear,” said Gray.
“I think it would be interesting to hear what the public thinks,” said Councillor Greg Nosterud.
“I don’t think we have much choice other than to table it and see what comes back,” said Mayor Larry Tomlinson.
“Right now, the way the laws are, if we do nothing, there’s a lot more clout in the provincial law against drinking in a public place than there would be in our bylaw,” said Davidson.
Redvers asks Moosomin what they’re doing on golf carts
Another issue the province has given municipalities new power over is allowing golf carts on town streets.
Moosomin council discussed a letter from the town of Redvers asking what Moosomin is doing with the new power over golf carts.
“With the SGI update municipalities are given the authority to broaden the use of golf carts on public roads. Would you please let us know your thoughts or opinions,” the town of Redvers wrote.
“I see in the paper that Rocanville rejected it,” Mayor Larry Tomlinson said.
“We talked about it a number of years ago. I think it’s a hell of a good idea,” said Councillor Chris Davidson, “green up the town, you’re not burning any gas, you’re saving the planet. It’s a good idea.”
“I think it was a good idea at the park. It cut the traffic down,” Tomlinson said.
However councillors decided it’s not necessary to allow golf carts on Moosomin streets.
Council responded to Redvers letting them know Moosomin is not considering allowing golf carts on town streets.
Town looking for summer help
With students busy with extra duties because of Communities in Bloom, the town is looking for extra help this summer for reading water meters and other duties. Council discussed hiring additional students, then decided to have the positions open to anyone of any age.
Students have been very busy with mowing and trimming grass with the conditions this year.
First reading of bylaw to rezone land for fuel supplier
Council passed first reading of a bylaw to rezone a parcel of land north of the Trans-Canada Highway on the east side of town to allow development of a bulk fuel, cardlock and warehouse site.
The town intends to rezone the land from C2-Regional Commercial to M-Industrial to allow for bulk fuel storage.
“That’s the best place I can imagine for it to go,” said Councillor Murray Gray.
The zoning bylaw amendment is advertised in this newspaper and the public will have a chance to respond before the town proceeds with the bylaw.
Sidewalk rehabilitation program to begin
Council reviewed a list of sidewalks to be replaced this year. Age Friendly Moosomin approached the town about the state of some sidewalks, and Councillors Garry Towler and Chris Davidson and Mayor Larry Tomlinson looked over the sidewalks and came up with a list of 10 priority areas for repair or replacement.
The town will get quotes from two contractors before proceeding with the work.
Also at council
Also at the latest town council meeting . . . Mayor Larry Tomlinson reported that the RM of Moosomin will contribute $25,000 for parking lot work at Bradley Park . . . Council decided to ask the RM of Martin if they could increase their funding for Moosomin recreation from the current $400 per year . . . It was reported that the Communities in Bloom Judges will judge Moosomin July 18 and 19 right after the Bulls and Broncs weekend. The judges will spend two days in Moosomin, and the Chamber of Commerce will provide volunteers to help at the supper for the judges July 18 . . . A Ukrainian flag will be the newest addition to the Flag Garden at Bradley Park . . . There should be some information available on the Multiplex feasibility study in July . . . Council approved construction of a two inch water pipe from the town to the housing development at the former Fieldstone Park . . . the town was given permission to borrow $3.5 million for the water treatment plant. It will borrow the money as of September 15.
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