(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Council meeting

Variety of issues discussed at Melfort council meeting

Jan 13, 2026 | 12:07 PM

The City of Melfort held their first council meeting of 2026 on Monday.

It was a different start for the year, as for the first time, council opened with a land acknowledgement.

Deputy Mayor Brian Enge, filling in for Mayor Glenn George who was not at the meeting, read the acknowledgement. It’s the first time the acknowledgement was read at a Melfort council meeting.

Council then heard from a pair of delegations.

The first was RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Case, who presented the police stats from October through December.

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Case said the quarter was normal numbers-wise, with 551 files opened during that time.

The number of disturbing the peace and mental health case numbers were higher than average, at 75 and 31 respectively. Case said there were also 30 well-being checks during that time, and sometimes the three are related. Meanwhile, there were also a high number of false alarm files, with 61 calls during that time.

From Christmas to New Year’s Day, there were under 100 files started, which is lower than the 130 they usually see during that time. However, Case said the most tragic file was during that time with the infant death that resulted in a second-degree murder charge.

The other delegation was from MNP as representatives outlined some of the changes and updates that the City can expect when the audit season starts around June.

During the Community Services Department report, Director Rob Lok stated that they had a company look at the waterslide at the Northern Lights Palace pool. A crack in the fibreglass was noted and repaired, and some rust needed to be scraped and primed from the structure, but Lok said the slide is in good shape.

He said the city is seeking a report on the audio/video system at the Kerry Vickar Centre as they have not had an official review on how to best use the system before.

Director of Public Works Kalyna Cipywnyk said crew concerns about the structural stability of the old public works quonset at 202 Division Street prompted the City to hire a structural engineer. The wood framed structure was built in 1960 and featured office space, tool and equipment storage, and wash bay. Cipywnyk said the engineer report recommended that the City cease any operational activities in the building beyond parking or storing equipment. A formal report will be presented to council.

During the Corporate Services Department Report, Director Lydia Steffen said a security system is now in place at the Melfort Public Library. The city is in control of the system, while library staff will be able to manage the system.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com