Council Meeting Highlights – January 14, 2026: Recycling, Ambulance Levy, Waterworks

Here’s a summary of the major decisions and updates discussed during the January 14, 2026 Gull Lake Town Council meeting.

Present: Mayor Nasser Zanidean; Councillors Karen Turton, Steven Haithwaite, Terry Stevenson, Neal Boutin; Administrator Emella Waiser; Councillors Tyson Migneault and Brandon Wessner (arrived at 7:41 p.m.)

Absent: None

Meeting Overview

A quorum being present, Mayor Zanidean called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Council also heard a delegation from Joanne Zanidean (Advanced Waste Solutions) between 7:13 and 7:26 p.m.

Staff & Committee Reports

Staff Reports

• Bylaw Enforcement – December 2025 (B. Lingenfelter)

Plain‑language: Bylaw reports typically cover complaints received, enforcement actions taken, and general community compliance.

• Recreation – January 2026 (S. Kuntz)

Plain‑language: Updates on recreation programs, facility use, upcoming events, and operational needs.

Committee Reports

• Gull Lake Ambulance – Dec. 29, 2025 (Councillor Turton)

Plain‑language: Overview of ambulance service activity, staffing, and operational updates.

• SHA X‑Ray Update (Mayor Zanidean)

Plain‑language: Update from the Saskatchewan Health Authority on the status of X‑ray services at the Health Centre.

Background for residents: Council previously committed $25,000 (June 26, 2024) toward the X‑ray equipment upgrade at the Gull Lake Health Centre. The update received at this meeting reflects ongoing work toward that project.

• Tourism/EDC (Councillors Boutin & Wessner)

Plain‑language: Updates on tourism/economic development initiatives, business activity, and economic development projects.

Minutes & Accounts

• Previous Minutes: Approved (Dec. 22, 2025)

  
  

• December Financials: Approved

• Accounts: Cheques #25875–#25924 totaling $120,076.42, Education Property Tax $32,111.02, and Payroll EFTs $28,835.11 approved for payment.

Plain‑language: Council approved routine financial items—bills, payroll, and the previous meeting’s minutes—to keep Town operations running smoothly.

Correspondence

• FCM 2026 Membership: Received and filed.

Plain‑language: This is the Town’s annual membership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which provides advocacy, training, and municipal resources.

Key Decisions

1. Recycling Service Delivery

Council approved continuing the Town’s current recycling model and not transitioning to the SK Recycles curbside collection agreement for June 1, 2026 – February 1, 2028. Recycling will continue under municipal authority beyond that date.

Plain‑language: Residents will continue using the same recycling system already in place.

Additional context: SK Recycles is a new provincial curbside recycling program. Municipalities can opt in, but Gull Lake has chosen to continue with its current locally managed system. While the minutes do not state the reason, this decision maintains the recycling approach residents are already familiar with.

2. Chinook Regional Library – Gull Lake Branch Funding

Council approved a $3,060 grant to cover 50% of the branch’s 2026 operating costs.

Plain‑language: This is the Town’s annual support to help keep the library open and running.

3. 2026 Road Ambulance Levy

Council approved payment of the $49,995.84 levy for the Gull Lake & District Road Ambulance.

Plain‑language: The Town’s share of the regional ambulance levy is $49,995.84 for 2026. This cost is shared across the region — the R.M.s of Carmichael, Gull Lake, Webb, and Pittville, along with the Villages of Tompkins and Carmichael, also contribute each year.

4. 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule

Council acknowledged and approved the 2026 Regular Council Meeting schedule as per the Procedures Bylaw.

Plain‑language: This sets the official meeting dates for the year.

5. SaskPower Off‑Site Impact Agreement

Council authorized the Administrator to sign the agreement related to the former diesel generating station site.

Plain‑language: This agreement outlines responsibilities for site impacts and cleanup work at the former SaskPower diesel generating station, located at the corner of Rutland Avenue and 6th Street.

6. Annual CPI Adjustment

Council approved a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment to the Town of Gull Lake Salary Guideline.

Plain‑language: This is a standard annual adjustment to keep wages aligned with inflation.

7. Waterworks QA/QC Policy & Emergency Response Plan

Council acknowledged and approved the Waterworks Quality Assurance/Quality Control Policy and the Waterworks Emergency Response Plan, prepared by Waterworks Operator D. Vold.

Plain‑language: These documents outline how the Town ensures safe drinking water, maintains quality standards, and responds to water system emergencies.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

What Residents Can Expect

• Recycling services will continue under the current Town‑managed model.

• Library and ambulance funding approvals ensure stable service levels for 2026.

• Cleanup work at the former SaskPower diesel site will proceed under the new agreement.

• Staff will apply the 2% CPI adjustment to the 2026 salary guideline.

• Continued updates on the X‑ray equipment upgrade project, supported by the Town’s $25,000 commitment made in June 2024.

• Updated waterworks policies strengthen safety, compliance, and emergency readiness.

• The 2026 meeting schedule will be posted for residents.

Stay Connected

Council Meetings:

Second and fourth Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas are not posted in advance; residents may call the Town Office for information before attending: (306) 672‑3361

Community Voice:

Residents are encouraged to share input directly with Council or the Town Administrator.

Updates:

Follow Gull Lake Events for council news and community highlights.

Official Record:

For the complete official record, you can view the Town of Gull Lake Council minutes in PDF format [here].