Regina council to talk reducing school zone speed, dog parks

From reducing school zone speed to single-use plastics, Regina city council has a thick agenda Monday night.

One of the top items to be voted on is an amendment to the traffic bylaw, which would reduce the city’s playground and school zone speed to 30 km/h from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round. Currently, it’s 40 km/h from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. all year.

The same report also outlines prohibiting U-turns in school zones and updating pedestrian crosswalks to national standards, which would include painting zebra crossings.

If passed, it would all come into effect in September.

People from Regina’s dog community are also set to argue their case in front of council regarding why they’d prefer permanent off-leash dog parks over two new seasonal off-leash dog sites. Council is expected to vote on whether to add the outdoor rinks near the Joanne Goulet Golf Course and the North West Leisure Centre to the program.

Ward 2 Councillor Bob Hawkins is also set to put forward a notice of motion around single-use plastics.

He’s asking city administration to come up with a report for the first quarter of next year, outlining the environmental impact of single-use plastics in Regina. It would also include what measures are being taken by other jurisdictions, and would consult with local residents and interested stakeholders.

The goal of the report is to “set out options for limiting the use of single-use plastics in the city,” Hawkins wrote in his letter to the city clerk.

Ward 10 Councillor Jerry Flegel also plans to bring up a notice of motion about adding snow fencing around the city to help reduce the need for plowing.

In his letter to the city clerk, he wrote it would “ensure city roadways are able to provide all season emergency response access, maximize connectivity and minimize response times.”

He noted two issues this past winter in the northwest end as reasons why there’s a need. First, when in February the Lakeridge neighbourhood was down to one point of entry for emergency access, due to extreme snow conditions, and then when Courtney Street — between 9th Avenue North to Armour Road — was closed to traffic because of blowing and drifting snow in March.

City council is set to meet in Henry Baker Hall at 5:30 p.m.