Highlights from the January 7 meeting of Estevan City Council:

*Estevan's application for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation's Capital Rent Subsidy pilot project has been denied, because the proposed 36-unit low-rise apartment building wasn't viewed as “shovel-ready.” Proposals were evaluated on the basis of a completed application, the receipt of a building permit, proof of financing, a business plan, a rental appraisal and evidence of affordability for clients. Estevan's application was viewed as incomplete, since it didn't include a building permit or a rent appraisal. Council is optimistic that a developer will take over the project, and that it could be finished this year.

*Jayden Dayman will serve as the student at large on council until the end of the school year. Dayman was the student rep on Council from September 2011 to January 2012.

*Carmella Mack and Lyle Yanish were appointed to the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners. Six people applied to sit on the police board this year.

*City manager Jim Puffalt was recently awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. Puffalt was one of four city managers from across the province to receive the medal.

*RS Wilson and Son Construction was awarded a tender for $8,400 to demolish and clean-up a building at 1230 Sixth Street in Estevan. Asbestos and hazardous materials were discovered at the site, and those have been removed.

*Council approved the Public Works equipment rates for 2013. The total projected rates are $765,432.50.

*Bob's Electric was awarded a tender for $396,000 for electrical work at the new water reservoir. The reservoir is under budget, as the projected cost is an estimated $7.8 million. The forecasted total cost was $10 million.

*Council passed a trio of bylaws. The first is for speed limits on Highway 47 at the northern edge of the city. There has been a stretch where the speed limit was 80 kilometres an hour. Thanks to the bylaw change, the 80 zone has been eliminated, so the speed limit will change from 100 to 50 kilometres per hour. Councillor Brian Johnson suggested that third reading be delayed, so that there would be more time to advertise the speed change. The change won't take effect for a few weeks. Another bylaw change will result in stop signs being added for north-south traffic on Arthur Avenue at the intersection with Henry Street. The final bylaw change was for the cemetery. Council gave second and third readings on January 7. First reading happened late last year.