Regina Minute: Executive Turnover, Airport Kiosk, and Council Catching Up

Regina Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Regina politics

This Week In Regina:

• There will be a Special Meeting of City Council on Tuesday at 10:00 am. Council is behind on several items, despite several marathon meetings. Perhaps, during this meeting, they’ll catch up! Items on the agenda include the Central Library Renewal Project Debt Financing Report, the preparation of quarterly financial statements, and capital project and reserve funding.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, at 4:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Regina Planning Commission. The Commission will address an application to rezone the property located at 1602 and 1650 Winnipeg Street from a Mixed Large Market Zone to a Mixed High-Rise Zone.
  
  
• The Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday at 10:00 am. The Committee will discuss borrowing $100 million to fund the Water Network Expansion, providing $120,000 to support the University of Regina in hosting the 2025 Vanier Cup, and leasing a portion of the property located at 3301 Garnet Street to Christ the King Church, among other items.

Last Week In Regina:

• A new information kiosk has been set up at Regina International Airport to serve visitors to the city. The YQR Airport Kiosk offers details about local events, attractions, and information from Tourism Saskatchewan on parks and culture. Visitors can receive customized travel tips to enhance their experience in Regina. This initiative, a partnership between the City of Regina, Tourism Saskatchewan, and the Regina Airport Authority, features a tourism ambassador available seven days a week. Additionally, a second kiosk has been placed at City Hall, operating on weekdays.
  
  
• Ward 1 Councillor Cheryl Stadnichuk has announced she will not seek re-election in the upcoming municipal election, citing personal reasons for stepping down. Stadnichuk stated she cannot maintain her current pace for another four-year term, despite enjoying her work as a Councillor. Stadnichuk expressed gratitude for her rewarding term and looks forward to future community contributions and retirement projects. Previously, Ward 3 Councillor Andrew Stevens also announced he will not run in the next election.
  
  
• Speaking of turnover, the City’s Deputy Manager of Financial Strategy and Sustainability has decided not to renew his contract. That means every City executive in place since early 2022 has either been fired, quit, or retired. This executive turnover trend started in February 2022 with the firing of the City Manager, who received a substantial severance payment. The Executive Director of City Planning and Community Development left in March of the same year, followed by several REAL Board of Directors resignations. The Director of Planning left in June 2022, followed by the Executive Director of Citizen Services in May 2023 and the City Solicitor in June 2023.