First off, there’s a city council meeting on Monday coming up and at it, the last condominium conversion is being considered. Planning Commission and city staff are recommending denial but if you’ve been following the conversion story you know that’s no guarantee the conversion will be denied.

Be that as it may, if you’re from a group or an interested party who wants to speak to council on the subject of condo conversions at the Monday meeting, you have to have a written submission (ie, what you want to say) in to the city clerk’s office by this Thursday at 1pm.

Actually, that’s a handy city hall tip right there. You always have to let council know in advance what you’re planning to say. And you have to have that submission in to the city clerk the Thursday before the meeting. That’s been a point of irritation for many people, I understand, as the council meeting agenda and the reports under consideration aren’t released until late afternoon on the Friday before the meeting. That’s right… the day after you have to have all your shit together. So, you somehow have to divine that there’s something on the agenda you want to speak to and then write a cogent essay on the subject without first seeing the agenda or the final report.

It’s a pain in the ass, yes, but that’s how the game is played.

Anyway, enough blather about next week, here’s what’s going on during this one….

Wednesday, June 23
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (11:45 am): Considering a 2.15 per cent increase in the servicing fees which means in 2011 they’ll be up to $232,164 per hectare. Servicing fees, by the way, are what the city charges developers of new areas and the money covers the cost of things like sewage, water, roads, and parks for the new development. Executive Committee is also looking at a recommendation from the city’s actuary to reduce city employees’ contributions to their long-term disability plan from 1.04 per cent to 0.92 per cent. And, because Regina’s growing the population distribution is changing, the committee will be considering setting up a Municipal Wards Commission that will examine ward boundaries in the city.

COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE (4 pm): CPSC will be considering the renewal of contracts with Regina Humane Society (so they can continue picking up and disciplining delinquent pets) and with Regina Treaty Status Indian Services (so they can continue picking up and disciplining delinquent back-alley litter). Immigration into the city will also be on the agenda and the committee will be looking at how the city can better serve these new Reginans.

Lastly, CPSC will be considering a sculpture project for the road out by the airport. The city will be spending $150,000 on it and I have to say, having looked at the concept drawings, I’m not a fan. Now, I concede I’m square as they come where art’s concerned. I’d rather look at a well-crafted pen and ink drawing of a mopey clown than a tampon in a teacup any day. But as I’m well aware of how pedestrian my tastes are, I try to keep my opinions on the subject of art to myself… BUT COME ON!!! This thing looks like those spikes that spring up from the asphalt to pop the tires of people who drive out of parking garages without paying. Have a look at the pics yourself and tell me if you think I’m on crack….

Thursday, June 24
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS (9 am): As usual, I can’t find the meeting report for the month. It’s like they don’t want me to know how low the crime rate has become….

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (5:30 pm): Considering meeting times for 2010 and looking at how the city will provide paratransit service beyond 2011.

As always, you can download for your reading pleasure full meeting agendas and reports by going to the city’s spifftastic website.