Saskatoon City Council has put the fire pit issue to bed, for now.

The majority voted in favour of fire pit use from 2-to-11 p.m. in spite of objections from one councillor.

Darren Hill wanted passage delayed because of the stress the bylaw could put on the fire department and until other outdoor burning devises are included.

But Councillor Hillary Gough said after ten years of study and debate it was time to make a decision.

“We’ve had plenty of discussion about it'” said Gough. “Throughout the debates over many months, I’ve been clear that I’m looking for some predictability, the current by-law doesn’t provide that and while I don’t know that there’s the perfect solution, I think we’ve come to a pretty reasonable one and I’m looking forward to seeing how it will play out.”

Gough added changes can be made it necessary.

Meanwhile, Council has said yes to a partial fence at the Dundonald Storm Pond and no to one at Lakeview.

Two Lakeview community members told council fencing off part of that storm pond would limit recreational opportunities and argue their situation is safer than Dundonald.

But Councillor Mairin Loewen felt both are close enough to the community schools to justify fences.

“I find the main triggering point is proximity to school and that they’re both within that close distance I don’t feel comfortable supporting one recommendation and having it different from another community,” said Loewen.

A five year old boy who wandered away from the school drowned in the Dundonald pond last fall.

City Council has also unanimously approved naming a walkway at River Landing the “Joni Mitchell Promenade.”

Mayor Charlie Clark said it’s a fitting tribute to a city artist who has gained world-wide fame for her work as a champion for the environment.

“I know some people talked about naming streets and most people said naming a street after Joni Mitchell doesn’t seem quite right because she talked about paving paradise and putting up parking lots so let’s name somewhere where people walk as opposed to drive,” said Clark.

Joni Mitchell who started her career as a performer in Saskatoon will also be getting a honourary degree next month from the University of Saskatchewan.

Saskatoon ratepayers will get a break on their municipal taxes this year.

City Council has approved the 0.91 percent reduction.

The adjustment was made after the provincial budget put close to 2-million SaskEnergy tax-in-lieu dollars back into city coffers.

The money had been clawed back by the provincial government in 2017.