A living wage policy, a general revenue surplus, heritage designation and the city’s first official cultural plan are all being discussed at tonight’s Regina City Council meeting.
Living Wage
Coun. Shawn Fraser will be putting forward a motion to have the city be a “living wage employer.” His proposal is that no city employee would be paid less than $16.46, which is Regina’s living wage, according to Living Wage Canada.
On his website, Fraser says most city employees already make more than this, but his motion is focused on making sure the city’s sub-contractors pay their employees a living wage.
General Operations Surplus
The city is estimating a general operations surplus of $5.1 million this year. On the utility side, the city estimates a $7.1 million surplus due to an “unanticipated increase in water sales through the fall.”
In Monday’s council meeting, these financial reports are set to be received for information and then the funds will be transferred into appropriate reserve funds.
Heritage Designation
Four properties are set to receive municipal heritage designation at Monday’s meeting.
All of the councillors agreed they need to do a better job in protecting heritage properties in the debate surrounding 13 Leopold Crescent that took place earlier this year.
Now they have a chance to grant status to four properties: the Weston Bakery Building at 1377 Hamilton Street, the Old Number One Fire Hall at 1654 11th Avenue, Frontenac Apartments on 2022 Lorne Street, and the Somerset Block on 1806 Smith Street.
Cultural Plan
Council is also expected to approve the city’s first cultural plan. The 10-year plan has three primary goals: embrace cultural diversity, strengthen the artistic and cultural community and celebrate Regina’s cultural heritage.
A number of diverse community groups have been involved in creating the work on this plan including the Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership, the Globe Theatre, and the Saskatchewan Science Centre.
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