ESTEVAN — Estevan city council voted against amendments to the city's dress code policy during the June 23 meeting.
In a report to council, city clerk Judy Pilloud and assistant clerk Josh Shitta-Bey said while no formal provincial mandate exists on council attire, such policies are increasingly common.
The existing policy, which is currently for city management, permits business casual clothing, but notes there are times when formal appearance is required, such as meetings. The amended document would have required council members to dress formally.
Coun. Shelly Veroba said formal dress should be required.
"In council chambers, I believe that we represent the citizens of Estevan, and in order to do that, it's nice to look presentable in that office," she said.
Coun. Mathew Dubowski argued council members don't need formal attire at meetings, but they should when representing the city at conferences and other functions.
Coun. Tom Mauss added clothing should be clean, without advertising, and they shouldn't don headwear, unless it's for religious reasons, or jeans that are cut off or have holes. Coun. Dave Elliott added jeans should be fine.
"In Saskatchewan, million-dollar or even multi-million-dollar deals by people wearing jeans or even coveralls. And jeans have become business attire and have been so for 40 years that I have been involved with high-level meetings."
But he believes shirts should have collars and shoes should be comfortable.
Coun. Kirsten Walliser argued that when people are in formal attire, there is a noticeable change in how they present themselves and how they are perceived.
"As elected officials, it is important that we do step into that, especially when we're meeting with people," said Walliser.
Veroba, Walliser and Coun. Brian Johnson voted for the changes. Elliott, Mauss, Dubowski and Mayor Tony Sernick were opposed.
***
Council discussed a proposal to have a new taxi company located in the site of a former locksmith building in the 300-block of Fourth Street.
In a report to council, land development services manager Richard Neufeld said the owner has progressed through the development permit stage pand the requirements of the city's taxi bylaw.
He added taxi buildings are a discretionary use within the commercial/residential mixed-use zone, which requires council consideration for development approval.
Neufeld noted the taxi company would be a successor to M&H Taxi, which was located on Fifth Street when it closed in early May because of the owner's retirement.
"The long-term plan of the owner is to, over time, expand the service to multiple vehicles."
A letter was sent to neighbouring landowners as required for all discretionary-use decisions. To date, Neufeld said no comments have been received.
In supporting the motion, Veroba noted the building is vacant and that's not a good look for Fourth Street.
***
Council gave first reading to a couple of bylaws. The first was to repeal an old and inactive cemetery bylaw. Assistant city clerk Shitta-Bey said he and Pilloud have been going through old bylaws dating back to 1957, and this was the first they've come across to be repealed.
The other bylaw was to develop the property at 1515 Wellock Road, by move an existing home onto the property. A development permit and zoning amendment will be required.
Neufeld noted the Hawkes Bay cul-de-sac and the city-owned lots fronting Wellock Road have architectural requirements for development, including a requirement for all dwellings to be built on-site to prevent factory homes and newer existing homes. Changes to the requirements would be needed for this development to proceed.
Veroba wanted to know if land development would poll the neighbourhood and what their response was. He said he was able to speak with six of the landowners, and the consensus was to allow the proposal, but some were concerned with setting a precedent.
Second and third readings are to happen at a future meeting. The next scheduled gathering is slated for July 14.
