Public discusses archives, business role at city’s latest deliberation meeting

“We as a committee don’t believe that an archive is a luxury; we don’t think it’s a frill,” Wells told council. “We don’t think it’s the most important thing in the world either. But we do think it has its significance in a community that can’t be ignored.”

He said there needs to be some professional management at the city’s archives and hopes someone can be hired, even for a few hours a week.

Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Chair Dallan Oberg asked for some clarification on several items in the proposed budget.

He also queried the city on its new process of forming partnerships at times when making a request for proposals (RFP), so more groups can take advantage of a discounted price.

“Is it extended to all?” Oberg said, as he was looking to see whether local businesses could also benefit from the initiative, for example, for arranging for their banking and phone services. “Is that something that is negotiated with the business that enters the RFP at the time, or is that a very broad area?”

Administration confirmed the policy extends to city- funded organizations, non profits and charities, as well as Indigenous organizations for example, but not to businesses.

The city previously announced it was able to find efficiencies and savings, and also help local non- profits and other community groups enjoy a discount by forming large purchasing groups for various initiatives such as ordering products, when making its requests for proposals.

Oberg also asked what the city has planned for the future so the chamber can help align with the city’s goals “to enhance our business community.”

Some of the city’s plans ahead include building up its reserves; starting its large-scale primary sanitary sewer trunk upgrade project; continuing its underground pipes and asphalt replacement (UPAR) project. As well as working on the Carlton Trail project, located near the roadway and intersection in the Walmart area, to create more development opportunities on city land.

Following the meeting, Mayor Ryan Bater said he appreciated hearing from the community during the city’s first public forum in the deliberation process.

On the Archives’ committee delegation’s request to reinstate a paid position, the mayor said the city is looking at some other options to meet the need.

He said the city is instead proposing incorporating the archivist role within a senior gallery assistant position, which would be more cost efficient.

“It’s a very similar skill-set, and something that could be shared with the galleries,” the mayor said.

He said that it would be a funded position, although there would be additional costs associated with the position.

“Council still has to consider those additional costs which could be, based on the discussion tonight, around $5,000 or so,” Bater said. “There are still some unbudgeted costs but lower than the $14,000 that had previously been discussed.”

Public image

The city is also looking for ways to help boost its public image, as discussed during the meeting.

“We are cognizant of our image to the rest of the world, and even to our neighbours,” Bater said. “We have been talking about a public relations/government relations/economic development type-role – somebody who would be heavily involved with the messaging of the city, as well as the relationships that we have.”

The mayor said while the item isn’t in the proposed budget, it is an important issue right now and needs to be considered.

“We’ll see if council feels it is a priority,” he said. “But it is definitely something that needs to be addressed because our ability to attract business and industry is dependent on our public image.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Public discusses archives, business role at city’s latest deliberation meeting

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