Demo — fictional municipality

RM of Prairie Coulee No. 999

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL

held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Office, 1 Main Street, Coulee Flats, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Present

ReeveLorne Beckstead
Councillor – Division 1Ada Mirski
Councillor – Division 2Gord Tallis
Councillor – Division 3Renée Fournier (by telephone)
Councillor – Division 4Wes Hadley
Deputy Reeve – Division 5Trina Solberg
Councillor – Division 6Pat Okonkwo
AdministratorColleen Harstad
Assistant AdministratorJanelle Voss
ForemanDwayne Lindqvist

Also present: The applicant for the discretionary use application (for the hearing only) and two ratepayers.

Call to order

Reeve Lorne Beckstead, a quorum being present, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Declaration of conflict of interest

Councillor Tallis declared a conflict of interest on item 13.4 (gravel purchase from SE 30-34-6 W3), as he holds a share in the land, and said he would leave the meeting for that item. No other declarations were made.

2026-076

Adoption of Agenda

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT the agenda be adopted with the following additions: 13.12, Tree planting at the Coulee Flats cemetery; and 13.13, Request for a road-use agreement from a seismic contractor.

CARRIED

2026-077

Minutes – Regular Meeting

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the minutes of the regular meeting held May 12, 2026 be approved as circulated.

CARRIED

2026-078

Minutes – Special Meeting

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT the minutes of the special meeting held May 26, 2026 be approved as circulated.

CARRIED

Financial

2026-079

Statement of Financial Activities

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT the statement of financial activities for the month ending May 31, 2026 be accepted as presented.

CARRIED

2026-080

Bank Reconciliation

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the bank reconciliation for May 2026 be accepted as presented.

CARRIED

2026-081

Investments

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT the administrator place $400,000.00 from the operating account in a one-year guaranteed investment certificate with the RM's financial institution, at the best rate offered.

CARRIED

2026-082

Payment of Accounts – Cheques

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment:

Cheque 8261 – Northgate Gravel Ltd. – gravel hauling, May$86,422.50
Cheque 8262 – Tallgrass Fuels – diesel, May$23,984.17
Cheque 8263 – Coulee Flats Co-op – shop supplies$1,482.33
Cheque 8264 – Prairie Blade & Steel – grader blades and cutting edges$18,624.00
Cheque 8265 – SaskPower – shop, office and street lights$2,168.74
Cheque 8266 – SaskTel – office phones and internet$389.12
Cheque 8267 – Juniper Hills Hardware – small tools$423.10
Cheque 8268 – K & R Trucking – culvert delivery$3,150.00
Cheque 8269 – Receiver General for Canada – payroll remittance$14,220.55
Cheque 8270 – Municipal Employees' Pension Plan – May$6,128.80
Cheque 8271 – WCB Saskatchewan – assessment instalment$2,876.00
Cheque 8272 – SARM – insurance premium instalment$9,312.50
Cheque 8273 – Coulee Flats Auto Body – half-ton repair$1,844.66
Cheque 8274 – Harrow Line Seeds – roadside seed mix$968.40
Cheque 8275 – Maple Grove Culverts – 3 culverts, 600 mm$11,475.00
Cheque 8276 – Delta Lube Service – grader oil change$712.95
Cheque 8277 – Juniper Hills Fire Association – fire levy, second quarter$12,500.00
Cheque 8278 – Prairie Weed Control – spraying, Divisions 1 to 3$14,840.00
Cheque 8279 – Kestrel Office Supply – paper and toner$318.75
Cheque 8280 – Coulee Flats Library Board – annual grant$1,500.00
Cheque 8281 – Sandhill Equipment – loader tire$2,389.12
Cheque 8282 – Tri-Valley Engineering – bridge inspection$7,640.00
Cheque 8283 – West Range Signs – road ban and stop signs$1,189.00
Cheque 8284 – Marchand Electric – shop lighting repair$864.22
Cheque 8285 – Clearwater Waste Services – transfer station, May$4,125.00
Cheque 8286 – Coulee Flats Hall Board – hall rental, open house$200.00
Cheque 8287 – Pinecrest Legal Services – land titles searches$451.50
Cheque 8288 – Northgate Gravel Ltd. – pit stripping$12,875.00
Cheque 8289 – Tallgrass Fuels – gasoline, May$3,116.42
Cheque 8290 – Prairie Survey Group – approach survey$945.00
Cheque 8291 – Dufresne Plumbing – office washroom repair$537.10
Cheque 8292 – Crown Point Uniforms – safety vests$288.40
Cheque 8293 – Coulee Flats Co-op – propane, shop$641.18
Cheque 8294 – Silver Sage Veterinary – pound fees$275.00
Cheque 8295 – Harbour Payroll Systems – software licence$1,180.00
Cheque 8296 – Wheatland Radio – two-way radio repair$412.66
Cheque 8297 – Coulee Flats Agricultural Society – 2026 grant (Res. 2026-058)$2,500.00
Cheque 8298 – Prairie Blade & Steel – snow wing parts$4,278.10
Cheque 8299 – Tri-Valley Engineering – culvert design, TWP 342$3,825.00
Cheque 8300 – SaskTel – foreman cell phone$94.12
Cheque 8301 – Kestrel Office Supply – filing cabinets$889.20
Cheque 8302 – Coulee Flats Co-op – fencing materials, pound$572.15
Total$262,629.74

CARRIED

2026-083

Payment of Accounts – Electronic Payments and Payroll

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT the following electronic payments and payroll be approved:

EFT 26-0501 – Northgate Gravel Ltd. – gravel crushing progress payment$41,250.00
EFT 26-0502 – Tallgrass Fuels – bulk diesel delivery$18,624.50
EFT 26-0503 – SaskPower – pumps and lagoon$941.18
EFT 26-0504 – SARM – road maintenance program cost share$11,800.00
EFT 26-0505 – Tri-Valley Engineering – bridge file 999-07$5,125.00
EFT 26-0506 – Maple Grove Culverts – 1,200 mm culvert$8,764.00
EFT 26-0507 – Coulee Flats Co-op – fuel cards, May$3,112.47
EFT 26-0508 – Receiver General for Canada – GST remittance$2,278.90
EFT 26-0509 – Harbour Payroll Systems – direct deposit fees$142.50
EFT 26-0510 – Prairie Weed Control – chemical$9,480.00
EFT 26-0511 – Sandhill Equipment – loader parts$1,469.33
EFT 26-0512 – Kestrel Office Supply – election supplies$421.90
EFT 26-0513 – Clearwater Waste Services – bin rental$880.00
EFT 26-0514 – Municipal insurance provider – vehicle premiums$6,048.76
EFT 26-0515 – Wheatland Radio – repeater tower rent$250.00
Payroll – May 1 to 15, 2026$31,084.20
Payroll – May 16 to 31, 2026$32,649.15
Council remuneration and expenses – May 2026$14,862.50
Total$189,184.39

CARRIED

2026-084

Correspondence

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the following correspondence be received and filed:

May 13 – Ministry of Government Relations – Municipal revenue sharing, 2026–27 amount
May 14 – SARM – Call for resolutions for the mid-term convention
May 19 – Water Security Agency – Spring runoff outlook, final
May 21 – Saskatchewan Crop Insurance – Seeding progress report
May 22 – Coulee Flats School Community Council – Request for a crosswalk sign on Main Street
May 25 – Juniper Hills Fire Association – Invitation to the annual pancake breakfast
May 27 – Ministry of Highways – Heavy haul corridor review, request for comments
May 28 – Coulee Flats Library Board – 2025 annual report
June 1 – A ratepayer, Division 4 – Concern about speed on Range Road 3052
June 2 – Regional Planning Committee – Draft agenda for June 24
June 3 – Municipal insurance provider – Renewal notice
June 4 – Canada Post – Change to rural route delivery days
June 4 – SaskEnergy – Notice of pipeline maintenance, Township Road 336
June 5 – Ministry of Environment – Household hazardous waste collection day
June 5 – Coulee Flats Agricultural Society – Fair dates and request for a road closure on fair day
June 5 – Regional library – Summer reading program poster
June 8 – A ratepayer, Division 2 – Request for brushing on Range Road 3045
June 8 – Provincial disaster assistance program – Claim deadline reminder

CARRIED

2026-085

Crosswalk Sign – Main Street

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT the RM supply and install two pedestrian crossing signs on Main Street in Coulee Flats, at the school entrance, at a cost of about $600.00.

CARRIED

2026-086

Speed on Range Road 3052

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the administrator ask the RCMP detachment to patrol Range Road 3052 in June and July, and that two 60 km/h advisory signs be placed near the farmyards south of Township Road 342.

CARRIED

Reports

2026-087

Public Works Report

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT the foreman's report for May 2026 be accepted as information. The report covered spring grading on all school bus routes, gravel hauled to Divisions 1, 3 and 4 (6,420 cubic yards), repair of washouts on Range Roads 3044 and 3052 after the May rain, and the installation of three new culverts.

CARRIED

2026-088

Administrator's Report

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT the administrator's report for May 2026 be accepted as information. The report covered tax collections to May 31 (71% of the 2026 levy), the 2026 assessment roll closing without appeals to the Board of Revision, preparation of the 2025 financial statements for audit, and staff training on the new payroll system.

CARRIED

2026-089

Pest Control Report

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT the pest control officer's report be accepted as information, and that 40 pails of gopher bait be purchased for resale to ratepayers at cost.

CARRIED

2026-090

Weed Inspector's Report

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the weed inspector's report be accepted as information, and that roadside spraying of leafy spurge and scentless chamomile continue in Divisions 4 to 6 in June.

CARRIED

2026-091

Fire Association Report

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT the report of the Juniper Hills Fire Association representative on the May meeting of the association be accepted as information.

CARRIED

2026-092

Regional Planning Committee

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the report of the reeve on the regional planning committee meeting of May 20, 2026 be accepted as information.

CARRIED

2026-093

Council Reports

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT the verbal reports of the reeve and councillors on meetings attended in May be accepted as information.

CARRIED

10:05 a.m. Foreman Dwayne Lindqvist left the meeting.

Delegation

10:15 a.m. Delegation – Coulee Flats Seniors' Centre

Three members of the seniors' centre board met with council about the centre's plan to replace its entrance ramp and doors so the building is fully accessible. The project is estimated at $38,000.00. The board has applied for a federal accessibility grant and asked whether the RM would contribute toward the local share.

Council thanked the delegation and said it would respond after reviewing the request under New Business.

Left the meeting at 10:45 a.m.

Public Hearing

11:00 a.m. Council recessed the regular meeting to hold a public hearing.

11:00 a.m. Public Hearing – Discretionary Use Application, SE 22-34-5 W3

The reeve opened the public hearing on the application for a Type II home-based business (welding and fabrication shop) on SE 22-34-5 W3, in the AR – Agricultural Resource District.

The administrator confirmed that notice was mailed on May 27, 2026 to the assessed owners of property within 75 metres of the site, posted at the municipal office and posted on the RM's website, as required by the zoning bylaw and section 55 of The Planning and Development Act, 2007.

One written submission was received, from a neighbouring landowner, asking that noisy work be limited to daytime hours. The applicant described the shop: one employee besides the applicant, work inside a 40 by 60 foot building, and customer traffic of about four vehicles a day. The applicant said the shop would not operate on Sundays.

No one else asked to speak. The reeve closed the public hearing at 11:25 a.m.

Left the meeting at 11:25 a.m.

11:26 a.m. Council reconvened the regular meeting.

2026-094

Discretionary Use – SE 22-34-5 W3

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT council approve the discretionary use application for a Type II home-based business (welding and fabrication shop) on SE 22-34-5 W3, subject to the following conditions:
(a) all welding and fabrication is done inside the shop building;
(b) the business operates only between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday;
(c) no more than one non-resident employee;
(d) outdoor storage of materials is screened from Range Road 3052;
(e) the owner obtains a building permit for any addition to the shop;
(f) the approval lapses if the use has not started within 12 months.

CARRIED

Unfinished Business

2026-095

Township Road 342 Culvert

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the engineering firm's report on the failed culvert on Township Road 342 be accepted, and that the administrator obtain at least two quotes for its replacement for council's consideration at a special meeting.

CARRIED

2026-096

Cemetery Fence

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the quote from Coulee Flats Co-op for 320 metres of page wire fence for the Coulee Flats cemetery, at $4,860.00 plus GST, be accepted, with installation by RM staff.

CARRIED

2026-097

Office Roof

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT consideration of the office roof replacement be tabled until the September meeting, when a second quote is expected.

TABLED

New Business

2026-098

Seniors' Centre Accessibility Project

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT council contribute $5,000.00 to the Coulee Flats Seniors' Centre accessibility project, conditional on the centre receiving the federal accessibility grant, to be paid from the 2026 community grants budget.

CARRIED

2026-099

Gravel Crushing – North Pit

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT the 2026 gravel crushing contract for the north pit (SW 14-34-5 W3), 20,000 cubic yards of 3/4 inch road gravel, be awarded to Northgate Gravel Ltd., the lowest compliant tender, at $6.85 per cubic yard plus GST.

CARRIED

Councillor Tallis left the meeting at 11:52 a.m., having declared a conflict of interest.

2026-100

Gravel Purchase – SE 30-34-6 W3

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the RM purchase up to 8,000 cubic yards of pit-run gravel from the owners of SE 30-34-6 W3 at $1.25 per cubic yard, under the RM's standard gravel lease terms.

CARRIED

Councillor Tallis returned to the meeting at 11:55 a.m.

2026-101

Road-Use Agreement – Seismic Program

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the administrator enter into a road-use agreement with the seismic contractor working in Divisions 5 and 6 in July 2026, requiring a $10,000.00 security deposit and repair of any road damage at the contractor's cost.

CARRIED

2026-102

Tree Planting – Coulee Flats Cemetery

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT council approve planting 24 caragana and 12 spruce seedlings along the north side of the Coulee Flats cemetery, using RM staff.

CARRIED

2026-103

Grader Replacement Reserve

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT $120,000.00 be transferred from the 2026 operating budget to the equipment replacement reserve for the purchase of a motor grader in 2027.

CARRIED

2026-104

Sale of 2009 Motor Grader

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT the RM's 2009 motor grader be offered for sale by tender, with a reserve bid set by council, once the replacement grader is delivered.

CARRIED

2026-105

Office Hours – Summer

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT the municipal office close at noon on Fridays in July and August 2026, with notice posted at the office and on the RM's website.

CARRIED

Councillor Okonkwo requested a recorded vote on the following resolution.

2026-106

Council Remuneration Review

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the administrator prepare a comparison of council remuneration in neighbouring RMs for the September meeting.

Recorded vote – For: Renée Fournier, Trina Solberg, Pat Okonkwo. Against: Lorne Beckstead, Ada Mirski, Gord Tallis, Wes Hadley. Abstained: none.

DEFEATED

2026-107

Bylaw No. 5-2026 – Dog Control (First reading)

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT Bylaw No. 5-2026, a bylaw to regulate dogs running at large in the hamlets of Coulee Flats and Juniper Hills, be given first reading.

CARRIED

2026-108

Bylaw No. 5-2026 – Dog Control (Second reading)

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT Bylaw No. 5-2026 be given second reading.

CARRIED

2026-109

Bylaw No. 5-2026 – Dog Control (Unanimous consent for third reading)

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT Bylaw No. 5-2026 be given leave for third reading at this meeting.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2026-110

Bylaw No. 5-2026 – Dog Control (Third reading and adoption)

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT Bylaw No. 5-2026 be given third reading and adopted.

CARRIED

2026-111

Summer Student

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT the RM hire one summer student for general labour at the shop and cemeteries from June 22 to August 21, 2026.

CARRIED

2026-112

Hall Insurance

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT the Coulee Flats community hall be added to the RM's property insurance at the replacement value set by the insurer's appraisal.

CARRIED

2026-113

Road Allowance Lease

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the lease of the undeveloped road allowance west of NE 9-34-4 W3 for grazing be renewed for five years at $150.00 per year.

CARRIED

2026-114

Ditch Cleaning – Division 3

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT the foreman arrange ditch cleaning on Township Road 338 between Range Roads 3050 and 3052 to improve drainage, at a cost not exceeding $9,000.00.

CARRIED

2026-115

Election Officials

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT the administrator be appointed returning officer for the 2026 municipal election, and that the returning officer appoint deputy returning officers and poll clerks as needed.

CARRIED

2026-116

Firefighting Agreement

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT the reeve and administrator be authorized to sign the renewed fire protection agreement with the Juniper Hills Fire Association for 2027 to 2029.

CARRIED

2026-117

Asset Management Plan

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the administrator apply to the provincial program for funding toward an asset management plan for the RM's roads, bridges and culverts.

CARRIED

Delegation

1:00 p.m. Delegation – RCMP Detachment Commander

The detachment commander presented the policing report for January to April 2026. Calls for service in the RM were similar to last year. Most calls concerned traffic, property theft from farmyards and false alarms. The commander asked ratepayers to lock fuel tanks and report suspicious vehicles, and said traffic patrols would be added on Range Road 3052 in the summer, as council requested.

Council thanked the commander for the report.

Left the meeting at 1:25 p.m.

Road Program

2026-123

2026 Gravel Program

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the following roads be gravelled in 2026, with quantities to be adjusted by the foreman on site:

Division 1 – Range Road 3044, Township Road 334 to 338 – 900 cu. yd.
Division 1 – Township Road 334, Range Road 3044 to 3046 – 450 cu. yd.
Division 2 – Range Road 3045, Township Road 336 to 340 – 1,100 cu. yd.
Division 2 – Township Road 336, Range Road 3045 to 3050 – 800 cu. yd.
Division 3 – Range Road 3050, Highway 999 to Township Road 338 – 1,200 cu. yd.
Division 3 – Township Road 338, Range Road 3050 to 3052 – 600 cu. yd.
Division 4 – Range Road 3052, Township Road 334 to Highway 999 – 1,500 cu. yd.
Division 4 – Township Road 342, Range Road 3051 to 3053 – 700 cu. yd.
Division 5 – Range Road 3053, Township Road 342 to 346 – 1,000 cu. yd.
Division 5 – Township Road 344, Range Road 3051 to 3060 – 900 cu. yd.
Division 6 – Range Road 3060, Township Road 338 to 340 – 500 cu. yd.
Division 6 – Township Road 346, Range Road 3053 to west boundary – 850 cu. yd.
All divisions – school bus turnarounds and spot gravelling – 1,500 cu. yd.

CARRIED

2026-124

Culvert Program

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the following culverts be installed or replaced in 2026, at a total estimated cost of $36,500.00 from the culvert budget:

NE 9-34-4 W3 – replace 600 mm culvert$5,200.00
SW 16-34-5 W3 – new 800 mm cross culvert$7,800.00
Range Road 3044 at Township Road 336 – extend 900 mm culvert$4,100.00
NW 27-34-6 W3 – replace 600 mm approach culvert$3,900.00
Township Road 344 at Range Road 3053 – replace 1,000 mm culvert$15,500.00
Total$36,500.00

CARRIED

2026-125

Road Construction – Township Road 336

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT council approve the reconstruction of 1.6 km of Township Road 336 between Range Roads 3045 and 3050, to be built to the RM's local road standard by RM crews in August and September 2026, at an estimated cost of $84,000.00 from the road construction reserve;

AND THAT the administrator notify the owners of land adjoining the project before work begins.

CARRIED

Taxation

2026-126

Tax Adjustments

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT the following tax adjustments be approved:

Roll 107200 – cancellation of penalty, payment delayed by bank error$48.12
Roll 214050 – abatement, building demolished in 2025$386.40
Roll 318800 – correction of assessment entry, duplicate site$512.75
Roll 402300 – cancellation of penalty, new owner not billed$29.30
Roll 511900 – abatement, fire destroyed residence$644.10
Roll 603450 – write-off, amount under $5.00$3.18
Total$1,623.85

CARRIED

2026-127

Tax Arrears – Payment Agreement

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT the administrator be authorized to enter into a payment agreement with the owner of roll 318900 for 2025 tax arrears, to be paid in six monthly instalments beginning July 1, 2026.

CARRIED

New Business (continued)

2026-128

Fair Day Road Closure

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT Main Street in Coulee Flats be closed to through traffic from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on fair day, July 18, 2026, and that the foreman provide barricades and detour signs.

CARRIED

2026-129

Household Hazardous Waste Day

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the RM host a household hazardous waste collection day at the RM shop on September 19, 2026, in partnership with the provincial program, and advertise it in the fall newsletter.

CARRIED

2026-130

Brushing – Range Road 3045

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT the foreman add Range Road 3045 between Township Roads 336 and 338 to the 2026 brushing program.

CARRIED

2026-131

Fall Newsletter

Moved by Ada Mirski:

THAT the administrator prepare a fall newsletter to ratepayers, including the road program, the hazardous waste day, the election notice and the new dog control bylaw, to be mailed with the assessment notices.

CARRIED

2026-132

Shop Security

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the administrator obtain quotes for security cameras and lighting at the RM shop and fuel tanks, for council's consideration in July.

CARRIED

2026-133

Disaster Assistance Claim

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT the administrator submit a claim to the provincial disaster assistance program for the repair of roads damaged by the May 2026 rain, estimated at $42,000.00.

CARRIED

2026-134

Library Board Appointment

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT Councillor Fournier be appointed as council's representative to the Coulee Flats Library Board for the rest of 2026.

CARRIED

2026-135

Grader Operator Training

Moved by Pat Okonkwo:

THAT the RM's two grader operators attend the SARM operator safety course in Saskatoon in September 2026, with wages and expenses paid by the RM.

CARRIED

2026-136

Closed Session

Moved by Gord Tallis:

THAT council move into closed session under clause 120(2)(a) of The Municipalities Act to discuss a personnel matter.

CARRIED

Closed session

Council moved in camera at 2:50 p.m. under clause 120(2)(a) of The Municipalities Act to discuss a personnel matter. Also present: Council and the administrator. Council returned to open session at 3:25 p.m. No resolutions were passed in camera.

2026-137

Return to Open Session

Moved by Trina Solberg:

THAT council return to open session.

CARRIED

2026-138

Staff Wage Grid

Moved by Wes Hadley:

THAT the staff wage grid for 2026, as presented in closed session, be adopted effective July 1, 2026.

CARRIED

Next meeting

The next regular meeting of council will be held on July 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

2026-139

Adjournment

Moved by Renée Fournier:

THAT the meeting adjourn at 3:40 p.m.

CARRIED