February 15, 2024 Digital Issue

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Your City; Your Newspaper February 15, 2024

VOLUME NO. 18 - ISSUE 7

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17 Centennial Drive North

Re-roofs New Construction Residential Commercial

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Over 12 Years Making Your Real Estate Dreams Come True!

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ABOVE: Martensville Volleyball Leagues have been back in action at the MAP for a including few months.

The league is self-officiated Emergency services Warman RCMP, Warman Firewith Rescue, Medavie Health Services West and STARS Air Ambulance 45 minute games.

Competitive Spiking and Recreational Spiking near the intersection with Highway 784 on the morning of responded to the scene of a collision on Highway 11 southbound Leagues have a 20 week season followedwere by two weeksfor of several playoffs.hours as crews tended to the scene. (Warman Tuesday, February 13th.

Restrictions in place Fire Rescue) Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM

WMBEXA 2017

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT

WE SERVICE ALL BRANDS

Page 2 - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

Snow Removal This Winter – What You Need To Know

Recreation Program Update Winter FunFest, February 19th!

The Snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access to goods and services in the community.

Lakeview Insurance Brokers Winter FunFest 2024 is February 19th

Our crews strive to deliver excellent service, however sometimes weather can be unpredictable, and snow and ice control activities may vary. Every reasonable effort will be made to promptly remove snow and ice and create safe driving and walking conditions.

There are ways you can help to ensure to keep streets clear and safe

Beat the Winter Blues with a day of winter-themed activities and fun for the entire family at the North Ridge Centre. Winter Funfest kicks off at 1PM and will feature Sleigh Rides (13PM), Ice Carving, Skating, Curling, Shinny Hot Dogs over a Fire and Hot Chocolate. Cost is $5/Person or $15 for the entire Family.

- Do not shovel, blow, or push snow from private property onto the street – this causes snow ridges on your driveway when our plow cleans our street.

- Do not plow or pile snow on streets or hydrants – this can block access to manholes, water valves, and access to water in case of emergencies.

- Clear your driveways in advance of the city’s snow clearing operations - this helps our operators clear your street more efficiently as well as more clearly see driveways to avoid ridging.

- Do not park your vehicle in an area where it could obstruct snow removal procedures this hinders our operations and could result in a snow ridge blocking your vehicle in place.

- Do not leave large piles of snow at the corners of driveways – this snow can be caught by a raised snow-gate blade and topple over into your driveway or the street.

-Prevent snow from piling up on the front of your driveway by moving it near your tree/lawn areas behind your walkway.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca

More about Snow Removal – Safety Reminders The Snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access for to goods and services in the community.

-Watch for posted areas for Snow Removal - In case of snow and snow removal, crews need to have roads cleared of all vehicles on posted streets. If you are going out of the City over the holidays, please have your vehicles off City streets. Vehicles left on the street per the traffic bylaw are ticketed and towed (to a non-posted area).

-Stay Clear of Sanding Trucks and Snow Removal Equipment - Sanding and Snow Removal Equipment make frequent stops or may change direction at any time. If you are near or behind the sanding truck or snow removal equipment you are reminded to stay back 15m to ensure heavy machinery can safely operate and sanders can spread materials in intersections without risk to your vehicle.

-Snow Dump Area is Restricted - The snow dump area located along 10th Avenue S, is a restricted area for city crews and contractors to dump and pile snow. This is not a recreational area and we ask that the public remain out of these areas due to potential hazards.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca

In Case of a Water Line Freeze Up…

In the past, there have been areas in the community prone to water line freeze-ups.

If you experience a waterline freeze‐up or any other interruption in service, please call (306) 931‐2166 to report your issue. If this happens outside of regular business hours, please follow the prompts to be transferred to the emergency after‐hours contact.

Thank you for your co‐operation!

A Reminder about Winter Safety in our Parks and on Pathways

Mild weather conditions, in combination with recent sleet and rain, have created potentially treacherous conditions within the City.

-We encourage residents to use extra caution over the coming days when utilizing the pathway systems.

-Pond conditions remain very uncertain due to warm temperatures and run off. Please watch for signs and barricades around neighborhood ponds.

- Snowmobiles are prohibited from being driven through our parks as well as drainage systems and streets. Riding can cause damage to trees and plantings as well as parks containing hazards such as rocks or equipment.

Keeping our Pets Safe this Winter

If your pet spends time outdoors during cold winter days, consider these guidelines and several signs to watch for to ensure your pet is comfortable and safe.

Temperature Guidelines - Certain breeds of ‘sled dogs’ can remain outside for hours, not all dogs fare as well in cold and snow - Cold temperatures should not become a problem for most dogs until it falls below -7°C at which point cold adverse dogs might begin to be uncomfortable - If you have a small breed dog, dogs with thin coats, or very young, old or sick dogs’ special attention should be provided if the temperature is below 0°C. - The dangerous weather threshold for outdoor play is -10°C to -15°C no matter the type of breed of dog you have - Once temperatures get below -6°C, health problems like hypothermia and frostbite are possible - Cats should not be left outside Tips for a Safe and Comfortable Winter - Provide a shelter for your dog if it is outdoors for part of the day for any reason. Ensure the shelter is dry, draft-free, and large enough for them to move comfortably but small enough to hold in body heat. Have the floor elevated and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

- Ensure your dog has access to unfrozen water and fresh food.

- Be with your pet outdoors and watch for signs if your animal is getting uncomfortable.

Observe if your dog is shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws. At this point, it is time to head indoors.

- Extreme signs of discomfort and coldness include frostbite on the tips of the ears or discolored paws.

- Consider protecting your pet against the cold temperature by bundling them up in dog jackets or booties.

- Do not leave a pet in a cold vehicle

February & March Council Meeting Dates Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in person, guests may wear a mask if desired within Council Chambers. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk or visit the online agenda for the link to attend.

February 20th – Regular Council March 5th – Regular Council March 12th -Committee of the Whole March 19th -Regular Council All Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers - Martensville City Hall - 37 Centennial Dr. S. All meetings commence at 5 PM. Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda.

To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details.

The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca

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MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - Page 3

Kinettes Hosting a Night of Denim and Diamonds for the Ladies Submitted by Martensville & District Kinette Club

Martensville and District Kinettes are excited to bring back Ladies Night to Martensville. This year's theme is Denim and Diamonds.

“Our Denim and Diamonds” Ladies night will be held at the Martensville Northridge Community Centre on April 27, 2024. The event will consist of dinner, drinks, entertainment, and a dance to follow. All attendees must be 19+ years of age.

Fundraising within the event allows us to maximize the profits that we put back into the community.

Through the club’s volunteer service and fundraising some of our efforts include an adopt-a-family program at Christmas, supporting our local elementary schools and contributing to Tele-Miracle each year. One of the main fundraisers this year is bringing back a community favorite…..Ladies Night.

We like to take the time to thank our Denim and Diamond sponsors. Our Diamond sponsors are Infinity Salon and Spa, Cara Unser Real Estate, Ayotte Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, Self Wellness, Clothing Obsession and Ceasar Mill. Our Denim sponsors are JAG Plus and Riide.

If you would like to make an In-kind donation, we would be very happy to accept your donation which will be used for raffle prizes, game prizes and/or silent auction and table give-aways.

If you would like to be involved, we are also looking for volunteers for the evening. We would greatly appreciate any help.

If you have any questions or would like more information on donating or volunteering, please contact: Mkinettesladiesnight@gmail.com

Pop-Up Rescue Project Still Needs Support Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Pop-Up Rescue Project was created after Kristine O’Brien, the owner/ operator of Paws Republic Centre for Pets saw that the lives of over a hundred animals were in jeopardy in a northern Saskatchewan community. Paws Republic and From the Streetz Rescue Foundation, along with support from numerous other rescue organizations throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta have since helped to ensure that these dogs were given the chance to live the rest of their days in loving homes.

On Sunday, February 11th, an additional 34 dogs were transported to the rescue location in Martensville, where they will remain temporarily until they are moved to another rescue, adopted, or put into a foster home.

In total, over 150 dogs were saved, and with this amazing accomplishment comes a large amount of vet bills, as each dog received vaccinations, deworming as well as any other veterinary needs for health concerns that come up along the way.

Since the project began on January 30th, there have been hundreds of donations of food, treats, beds, blankets and more, made to help support the rescue; however, one of the main needs currently is financial support to cover the growing vet bills.

If you are interested in helping, e-transfers can be sent to info@pawsrepublic.ca, donate@streetzrescuefoundation.com, or at https://www.tiing.ca/rescue-paws#updateevent.

You can also help support this project through bottle donations at any SARCAN location within the province using the Group Name ‘Pop-Up Rescue Project’ and Group Phrase ‘#101’.

“We have had many families asking how they can help support this project with their children, and this is a great way to get them involved. They can host a minibottle drive in their neighborhood, ask their friends and families for bottle donations, collect bottles through their sports organizations and more. Every penny helps right now and we are so grateful for the support,” O’Brien stated.

“We promised this group of pups the chance at a happy life and we will continue to help them until the last pup of this rescue has been placed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support. It really does take a village,” the Pop-Up Rescue Foundation stated via a social media post.

Volunteers are still needed to help cleaning crates, feeding, walking and showing these dogs love and compassion.

More information about this initiative can be found by visiting the ‘Pop-Up Rescue Project’ Facebook page.

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Page 4 - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

Balancing Rising Costs and Maintaining Services – Council Approves 2024 Budget

Martensville City Council approved the 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets at the February 6th, 2024, Special Council Meeting. Over the past number of months, City Council has reviewed and deliberated over the budget with efforts to minimize property tax increases, manage rising costs, while maintaining services to the community being a top priority.

The City has budgeted for a 4.9% increase in total property tax revenue. The average homeowner in Martensville with a total assessed value of $375,000 will see an estimated increase in their municipal property taxes of $10.00 per month or $120.00 per year. Increases in property taxes are attributed to several factors for 2024 including a significant increase in the cost of wages, support contracts, and utilities. The 2024 property tax increase will ensure that existing services can be maintained.

Growth in Martensville continues with estimated property taxes from new properties projected to bring in another $145,000 in new tax dollars. The focus of these new revenues will be on enhancing and improving service levels through new staffing positions with the City.

The City of Martensville will see increases in rates from contracted service providers. This includes garbage, recycling, organics and water. SaskWater rates will see a 5.5% increase in 2024 resulting in an increase of approximately $5 per month for a home consuming an average of 19 cubic metres per month. Garbage and recycling will cost each household an extra $15 per year.

Homeowners who subscribe to the organics program will see the monthly fee increase by $2.50 per month, each month the service is provided.

The City also continues to work towards the new multipurpose recreation facility as committed in 2020. Construction is over 50% complete and will be funded through allocated reserves, long-term borrowing, fundraising and the Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the grant approved by the Federal and Provincial governments in 2022.

In 2024, the City will invest just over $33 million in capital projects including: $23.6 million for the new Martensville Community Recreation Centre, $5.7 million in water and wastewater upgrades through the New Build Canada Fund; $1.2 million on a temporary pedestrian overpass; and $925,000 on upgrades and improvements in the Martensville Sports Centre.

Mayor Kent Muench addressed the 2024 budget, “Escalating costs across all sectors presented Council with real challenges this budget. As a municipality, we are not immune to the impacts of inflation but are very aware of the pressures it presents to residents and operations. We believe this budget provides us with the ability to account for the rising costs of goods and services, continuing to invest in infrastructure and amenities, while building on and improving services for residents.”

For more information on the 2024 Capital and Operating Budgets, along with departmental highlights, visit our website at: https://www.martensville.ca/pages/ budgets__finances.html.

How is Martensville Funded?

The City of Martensville collects most of its revenue through Property Taxes as shown below, however other revenue streams also help fund the infrastructure, programs, and services offered in the City.

Another significant source of revenue is Government Grant funding at 25.22%. These grants are used for a variety of capital projects in the City, as well as general operations as allowed.

Revenues from Fees & Services comprise 17.51% of the City’s revenue stream. Examples include things like recreation programming user fees, the garbage & recycling program fees, facility rental fees and many others.

The City continues to look for alternative funding opportunities to ensure that we can maintain and grow all that the City of Martensville offers.

Note that we do not include the City’s Water & Sewer Utility Department here as this department only funds the Water & Sewer infrastructure and operations.

Further for 2024 we have not included the construction of the new Martensville Community Recreation Centre in this chart as it has separate and specific funding through allocated reserves, long-term borrowing, fundraising and the Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the grant approved by the Federal and Provincial governments in 2022.

Your 2024 Tax Dollar

spent?

Have you ever wondered how each tax dollar is

Martensville Community Recreation Centre in this chart as it has separate and specific funding through allocated reserves, long-term borrowing, fundraising and the Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the grant approved by the Federal and Provincial governments in 2022.

The image below shows the 2024 City of Martensville Budget broken down into different functions in the City.

Each dollar spent is put into essential infrastructure and service needs for the residents and businesses in Martensville. For more detailed information on the 2024 approved spending, please refer to the 2024 Budget Report available at https://www.martensville.ca/pages/ budgets__finances.html.

Note that this image does not include the Water & Sewer Utility Department as this is operated as a fee for service department and is not funded by general property taxation.

Further for 2024 we have not included the construction of the new

24021MM3

SPORTS Team Derksen Wins Silver

Martensville Curling Club’s Team Derksen Curling participated in the 2024 Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships, which took place from February 4-10 in Ottawa.

The local team fought their way to the final match-up in the gold medal game following a semi-final win over Nova Scotia’s Team Zach Atherton.

The gold-medal game saw Team Derksen Curling go up against Newfoundland & Labrador #1, where, Team Derksen Curling put in a solid effort, ending the game with a one-point loss.

Congratulations to Martensville’s Team Derksen Curling (BELOW) on their silver medal win. Your community is proud of you!

ABOVE: The Martensville Marauder U9 Bandits travelled to North Battleford the first weekend of February for a tournament where they won the C-final. (Martensville Minor Hockey)

MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - Page 5

Fletcher Cup Returns to Support Another Local Family Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger Last year, following a late-night discussion between a group of parents during a February hockey tournament, something incredible was created. The inaugural Fletcher Cup took place in March of 2023, an event that was created to help raise money for a local family during a difficult time.

“The idea quickly evolved into a fundraiser to help support a local coach’s family with medical needs for their son Fletcher Hobbins. Fletcher has dystonia and was about to go to Toronto for a major surgery to have a brain stimulation device installed in March 2023,” Fletcher Cup organizer Travis Sorenson stated.

Fletcher, who was born on April 27th, 2018, along with his twin sister Elliot, was diagnosed with Periventricular Leukomalacia at 5 months old and has since been classified as having dyskinetic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The surgery for deep brain stimulation ABOVE: Chad and Hannah Graham was done to help control random movements caused with their children Joshua and Declan.

by Dystonia and could help improve pain management (Submitted) and overall quality of life for Fletcher.

Unfortunately, young Fletcher had some complications following surgery when an infection occurred and the device had to be removed. The surgery was reattempted in September of 2023, and was thankfully a success. Fletcher returned home in late-October; however, was in Toronto with his mother for approximately three months, leading to an increased expense for the family.

The purpose of the Fletcher Cup was to help raise money to support the family during this time, and in 2023, the tournament raised $8800 for the Hobbins family, as well as an additional $1500 for Make-a-Wish, for a total of $10,300.

This year, the Fletcher Cup will take place on March 23rd and 24th in Rosthern, with 12 teams participating. This U9B hockey tournament will consist of teams from Central Butte, Cudworth, Dalmeny, Martensville, Rosetown, Prince Albert (3), Saskatoon (3) and Warman.

Funds raised this year will go towards supporting the Graham family from Neilburg, who were recommended by Fletcher’s mother. The Graham family consists of proud parents Chad and Hannah, as well as Joshua and Declan, both of whom have been diagnosed with Inclusioncell (I-cell) disease, a rare disorder that affects multiple organ systems within the body, causing developmental delays, skeletal abnormalities and organ dysfunction.

“Having two boys with highly complex needs, the Graham family is constantly traveling from Neilburg to Saskatoon for doctor’s appointments and procedures. I had the privilege to meet the family in December and those little boys captivated my heart. The strength of Chad and Hannah has also been an inspiration,” Sorenson said.

Currently, donations are being collected to help support the 2024 Fletcher Cup, including donations of raffle prizes, chuck-a-puck prizes, silent auction prizes, tournament swag, as well as cash donations.

Sorenson also noted that they are also looking for volunteers to help work the score clock, keep score sheets, run prize tables and more. “Most tournaments have a host team that works the games, but the Fletcher Cup is a tournament without a host, so we require volunteers to run it. The benefit is that all of the proceeds will go to the Graham family.”

For more information, or to volunteer/donate, contact Travis Sorenson at (306) 4917723, or email travissorenson@hotmail.com. Further details about the tournament can be found by visiting the ‘Fletcher Cup’ Facebook page.

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ABOVE: The Martensville Marauder U15A Villains came home champions in their most recent tournament after a hard-fought battle against the Yorkton Terriers in the A-Final.

(Martensville Minor Hockey)

M

ARTENSVILLE

ESSENGER

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Page 6 - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature Launch of Saskatchewan Employment Incentive Program

Our government remains committed to investing in the programs and services that matter most to Saskatchewan people. These investments help to build and protect our province, ensuring it remains one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.

The new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive (SEI) program has officially launched, helping to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan families. Working parents who earn between $500 and $2,200 per month may be eligible for the maximum monthly SEI benefit ranging from $400 to $600, depending on the number of children they have.

The SEI will provide a monthly financial benefit, supplementary health benefits, access to discount bus passes where available, connections to employment supports through the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, and access to the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Applications are open online at www.Saskatchewan.ca/employment-incentive.

Reducing Tobacco and Drug Usage The minimum age for purchase of tobacco and vapour products has increased to 19, effective February 1, 2024. This is an important step in protecting youth from the dangers of tobacco and vapour products.

Under the new Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions, our government is focused on getting more people the treatment they need to overcome addictions and live healthy, safe lives in recovery. As part of the transition to a Recovery-Oriented System of Care, changes are being made to how the health care system responds to illicit drug use issues.

The provision of pipes for smoking methamphetamine, crack cocaine and other illicit drugs will be discontinued. The practice of providing materials with instructions on how to use illicit drugs will also be discontinued.

No third-party organization will be permitted to use funding provided by the Ministry of Health or the Saskatchewan Health Authority for these purposes.

Providing taxpayer-funded pipes for smoking illicit drugs and instructions for how to use them sends the wrong message to people who we want to help. Instead, the message coming from the health care system should be that there is hope for recovery, and there is help available through treatment.

Consistent with public safety priorities, the Take Home Naloxone program will continue to provide free naloxone kits. These are available at over 400 locations throughout the province, with more locations to come.

Test strips for fentanyl and benzodiazepine contamination will also continue to be available to assist law enforcement and the health care system with monitoring drug toxicity, as well as help users better understand the risks associated with illicit drugs. The use of drug checking infrared spectrometres will also continue for the same purpose.

Needle exchanges will be required to operate on an exchange basis to strike a balance with public safety priorities. The intent of needle exchanges is to get back used needles that can be littered in communities or be otherwise improperly disposed of, and to reduce the spread of bloodborne illnesses like HIV or hepatitis C. To further support people struggling with addictions and other at-risk individuals in the community, new Community Wellness Buses are planned for 2024 with a mandate to provide primary health care services, assistance with accessing services and supports, and referrals for other services that they may need.

Our government continues to move forward on adding 500 addictions spaces, as announced in the fall of 2023. So far, a total of 168 treatment spaces have been announced across the province. Work is also underway to implement a central intake system to make treatment more easily accessible to people when they need it.

In addition, the province recently launched a new Provincial Drug Alert System. The goal of drug alerts is to increase awareness of the dangers associated with illicit drugs and the presence of other toxic substances that further increase the risk of overdose and death. Anyone can sign up to receive drug alerts by visiting www.Saskatchewan.ca/ drug-alerts or text JOIN to 1-833-35-B-SAFE (352-7233).

With these investments and programs in place, we will continue working to build and protect our great province. If you have questions, concerns or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact my constituency office at office@terryjenson.ca or 306-242-2111.

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Over $400,000 in Funding Provided Through the New Teacher Innovation and Support Fund

It is Teacher and Education Staff Appreciation Week in Saskatchewan! From February 11 to February 17, join the Government of Saskatchewan and other educational partners as they set time aside this week to thank all the hardworking and dedicated teachers and education staff in Saskatchewan.

With this year's theme of "Shaping the Future Together", the Government of Saskatchewan reaffirms its commitment to listening to and collaborating with our educators to improve today's classrooms.

To highlight this commitment, nine local teacher-led solutions through the new Teacher Innovation and Support Fund have been selected for funding effective immediately. Projects that support better student and teacher experiences in today's classrooms have been chosen and range from innovative ideas supporting literacy, mental health and wellness, STEM and teacher practice.

"I want to thank the incredibly hard-working teachers and educational staff within this province," Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "I am excited to see the many great ideas being submitted by teachers seeking to improve the classroom experience."

Funding for the first nine successful applications will total $410,649.

The new Teacher Innovation and Support Fund was announced in January 2024, and provides $2.5 million in funding. This funding allows teachers to work with their school administration to apply for up to $75,000 to put toward projects that assist in providing better student and teacher experiences within today's classrooms.

The next round of successful applications will be awarded in the coming weeks. The pilot will run until the end of the 2024-25 school year.

This pilot builds on the Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to supporting students, teachers and classrooms through previous investments of $47 million toward enrolment, complexity and the hiring of more educational assistants, as well as the more than $300 million in supports for learning and the Specialized Support Classroom Pilot announced earlier this year.

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Letter to the Editor The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be signed and a phone number and/or email address included so the writer’s identity can be verified. ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste. Submit your letter to news@martensvillemessenger.ca or mail to Box 333 - Martensville, SK S0K 2T0.

MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - Page 7

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Page 8 - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

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Martensville City Council Discusses Future of Policing in the Community Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The City of Martensville’s monthly Committee of the Whole meeting was held on Tuesday, February 13th, with one of the main discussions for the meeting revolving around the future of policing within the community.

Currently the City of Martensville has a municipal contract with the RCMP for 8 members, which are a part of a regional force consisting of officers from the City of Warman, as well as rural policing. This force operates out of Martensville, Warman and Delisle and provides 24-hour policing to the area of coverage.

The RCMP has expressed concern over continuation of the current model, as the space they operate out of in Warman is too small, and the distance between locations is not efficient.

Although discussions have taken place in the past regarding a shared facility between Martensville and Warman within Corman Park, this is not an option due to challenges with location and the participation of the Province in building the facility in a timely manner. The City of Warman is currently planning to construct a new RCMP facility within their boundaries.

A report was provided to Council by City Manager Tanya Garost, which outlined several options for the community, as the current model is no longer an option.

One option would be to continue to operate as part of a regional force that will have a base facility in Warman that would have prisoner cells and be built to accommodate growth. RCMP would be dispatched from this facility to any calls for service within Martensville, and the current 24-hour policing service would remain in place. Martensville would be required to pay a portion of the debt servicing required for the facility in Warman and the existing facility in Martensville would require analysis to determine potential for repurposing, renting/leasing or disposal. Currently, a portion of the Martensville facility is being rented by the RCMP for a specialized division, and it is expected that once the facility in Warman is

complete, this specialized division would be moved to the new location.

The second option would be to remain in the existing location and withdraw from the regional force, as the RCMP has indicated that they cannot continue to operate from multiple facilities.

The exiting 8 members would remain in Martensville; however, 24-hour policing would no longer be supported. Officers would be on duty for a limited number of hours per day, and emergency calls would be covered by members that would be on-call, meaning response time could vary. The facility within Martensville does not contain prisoner cells, so an agreement would have to be made with Warman or Saskatoon to use cells for prisoner housing.

According to the report, the Martensville facility requires some improvements, and an assessment of the facility would be needed to determine expected lifespan from both an asset renewal view and operational requirement view. If this option is pursued, more information would be required to determine what daily coverage would be available with the current members, the cost of bringing in additional members, creating an agreement with a neighboring community for use of prisoner cells, and cost of improvements for the facility.

The final option provided in the report was making alternate arrangements for policing, which could include joining other police forces. Under the current Municipal Policing agreement with the provincial and

federal governments, the cost of the RCMP is shared between Martensville paying 70% and the Federal Government paying 30%. This structure would change once Martensville reaches a population of 15,000, and at that point, Martensville would be responsible for paying 90%. If Martensville were to join a police force other than the RCMP, the cost would be 100%, as the Federal Government only shares in the cost of RCMP forces. If Council would like to consider pursuing an agreement with another jurisdiction, Administration would bring further details including service level expectations and costs back to Council at a future meeting.

Martensville administration asked Council for guidance on what option(s) they would like to receive more information on and any viable options would be explored further at a future meeting.

The next Martensville City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 20th at 5pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.

More information about Martensville City Council, upcoming meetings and agendas and more more can be found by visiting www.martensville.ca.