THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF ENDERBY
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of Council held on Monday, August 15, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Present: Mayor Phillips
Councillor Sue Brookes
Councillor Beryl Ludwig
Councillor Earl Shipmaker
Councillor Hubert van Berkel
Councillor Tony Vetter
Councillor Dee Wejr
Administrator Maggie Knox
Treasurer Geri Ferguson
Recording Secretary Bettyann Kennedy
The Press & Public
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The following items were added under New Business:
- Sidewalk Maintenance
- Pre-Council Planning Meetings
The following item was added under Reports:
- Administrator’s Report
Moved by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Ludwig that the agenda be approved as amended.
Carried Unanimously
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Committee of the Whole (Planning) Minutes of July 18, 2005
Moved by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Wejr that the Committee of the Whole (Planning) Minutes of July 18, 2005 be adopted as circulated.
Carried Unanimously
Regular Meeting Minutes of July 18, 2005
Moved by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor van Berkel that the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of July 18, 2005 be adopted as circulated.
Carried Unanimously
Special Meeting of Council August 2, 2005
Moved by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Ludwig that the Special Meeting Minutes of Aug 2, 2005 be adopted as circulated.
Carried Unanimously
REPORTS
Councillor van Berkel
- Councillor van Berkel attended most of the Centennial celebrations. A fabulous job of promoting the City was done by the Centennial Committee. The Spallumcheen Band events were also well organized.
- Community in Bloom judges had many wonderful things to say about the community. There were both positive comments and suggestions for improvement. They had emphasized the need to promote some of the City’s gems, like Tuey Park, with additional signage.
Councillor Vetter
With the large number of tubers on the river, it was noted that there is no public access signage on the river. The Administrator stated that this item will be brought forward on the next agenda of the Enderby/Area F Services Committee Meeting.
Councillor Shipmaker
Councillor Shipmaker informed Council that the revised contract between the City and the Chamber of Commerce is on the next Chamber Agenda.
Councillor Brookes
Councillor Brookes attended the Centennial volunteer appreciation banquet along with other members of Council. She also attended many of the Centennial events including the logging show, community play, car show and Pow Wow. Everything was well organized and congratulations are due to the committees.
Councillor Wejr
Hats off to the Centennial Committee. The Reunion and Centennial events drew a lot of people to town.
Councillor Ludwig
- Councillor Ludwig also attended Centennial events.
- A request was made for donations of desserts for the Enderby in Bloom fundraiser auction taking place at the Mediterranean Feast on August 24th.
Mayor Phillips
- The Centennial events were phenomenal. Good feedback has been heard and accolades are extended to the Centennial Committee.
- The Lions Club has invited Council to ride on their float in the I.P.E. Parade on September 3. Interested persons to participate and help out with the float are needed. Councillor Wejr and Mayor Phillips will take part.
Disclosure of Contracts with Councillors and Former Councillors
Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor Ludwig that the report be received and filed.
Carried Unanimously
Revenue and Expenditure Report to June 2005
The Administrator noted that revenues from development fees are down as there have been fewer applications. However, the type of applications are much more involved which has resulted in increased expenditures. If development activity keeps ups, it may become necessary to access contingency funds.
Moved by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Wejr that the report be received and filed.
Carried Unanimously
Regional Transit Report
Ridership numbers are up. Councillor van Berkel noted that there has been interest expressed in having Saturday bus service. The cost of such a service would depend on whether or not there is an existing run that can be utilized.
Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor Ludwig that the report be received and filed.
Carried Unanimously
Administrator
The Administrator informed Council of paving work that is being done on Waterwheel Street by a developer. The City is paving the east side of the street at the same time. The contractors offered a good price on 1 _” of overlay to pave Waterwheel north of the Paul King property to Tuey Park. Fortune Parks has agreed to fund 50% and as the Public Works Superintendent is confident that funds can be found, the work has been authorized.
Last week the pump at the Shuswap Well broke down. A new pump was on order, and fortunately arrived the same day. The works crew worked into the evening to get the new pump installed on operational which resulted in no negative impact to local residents.
NEW BUSINESS
Development Variance Permit Application No. 05-0493-END-DVP
Lot 1, DL 226, ODYD, Plan KAP59773 – 203 Bass Avenue
To vary the rear yard setback from 8 metres to 3 metres for a covered sunroom and wrap around deck.
Applicant: Heather Leask
The Committee of the Whole (Planning) met earlier in the evening and reviewed the application.
Moved by Councillor van Berkel, seconded by Councillor Wejr that the Development Variance Permit for Lot 1, District Lot 226, Osoyoos Division Yale District, Plan KAP59773 to vary the rear yard setback pursuant to Section 701.10(d) of the City of Enderby Zoning Bylaw No. 966 from 8 metres to 3 metres for a covered sunroom and wrap around deck be approved.
Carried Unanimously
Royal Canadian Legion – Request for Full Tax Exemption
Councillor Wejr indicated that her position as Treasurer of the Legion may be perceived as a conflict of interest and left the chambers.
Discussion:
- The Administrator informed Council of the present exemption status for the Legion. The hall section is exempt, with the lounge area still taxable. They are seeking full exemption.
- The Legion could qualify for exemption under the premise of being a charitable, philanthropic, or not for profit organization.
- Until recently, B. C. Assessment had not recognized the licensed portions of Legion properties as qualifying for exemption, but was now leaving it up to Councils to make such a determination. B. C. Assessment has permitted the municipalities to now determine which properties to exempt from property taxes.
- There were concerns that the monies raised by the Legion come in large part to alcohol sales, and that a tax exemption may give them an advantage over other licensed establishments.
- The good community support provided by the Legion and the desire to honour veterans is also a factor to consider.
- Property tax exemptions are reviewed and approved/denied annually.
Moved by Councillor Shipmaker, seconded by Councillor Ludwig that full tax exemption be granted to the property at 909 Belvedere owned by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #98.
Defeated
Councillor Wejr returned to the meeting.
Water and Sewer Connection Charges – 12 Preston Crescent
Discussion:
- At the time that the building permit was issued on the property (1992), it was practise to collect connection charges regardless of whether the property was pre-serviced. With the adoption of the Subdivision Servicing and Development Bylaw and after consultation with other municipalities, the practise changed to collect only on those properties that are not pre-serviced.
- Whether other properties on Preston Crescent were charged or not would depend on when the permits were issued.
- There were discussions at length as to the fairness of the changes made after the bylaw was adopted.
Moved by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Vetter that the request to refund water and sewer connection charges for 12 Preston Crescent be denied.
Carried Unanimously
UBCM – Community Tourism Program
Discussion:
- There were several ideas discussed including creating a joint committee with the Chamber of Commerce or partnering with the Regional District of North Okanagan.
- Several ideas were discussed for submission including extending the Riverwalk, and the Gordon Dale Trail.
- It was consensus of Council that the more stakeholders involved, the better.
Moved by Councillor Ludwig, seconded by Councillor Brookes that Mayor Phillips, Councillor Vetter and Councillor Wejr serve on a Community Tourism Program Committee to coordinate and obtain input from local groups for application for tourism funding.
Carried Unanimously
UBCS – Member Release
Moved by Councillor van Berkel, seconded by Councillor Brookes that the correspondence be received and filed.
Carried Unanimously
Sidewalk Maintenance
Sidewalk repair is required along a two-block stretch on the east side of George Street from Cliff Avenue to Hubert Avenue. The sidewalks are rough and difficult to navigate, and pedestrian access across the highway to better sidewalks is difficult due to traffic volume. This is a temporary fix until funding is available to replace the sidewalk or until the Ministry of Transportation does upgrades.
Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor Shipmaker that Council approve in principle the sidewalk repair to the east side of George Street from Cliff Avenue to Hubert Avenue subject to funding being available.
Carried Unanimously
Committee of the Whole (Planning) Meetings
Councillor Wejr questioned the necessity of holding Planning Committee-of-the-Whole meetings, noting additional staff costs, repetitive discussion and lack of attendance by Council members.
Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor Brookes that the practise of holding regular Planning Committee-of-the-Whole meetings prior to development applications being considered at the regular Council meetings be discontinued; and further that Council reserve the right to schedule Planning Committee-of-the-Whole meetings if individual applications warrant more in-depth discussion and/or consultation with the applicants.
Carried
PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD
Duncan Walker of 813 Regent Avenue expressed his concern that Council is not supporting the Legion. He commented that it would be a sad outcome if this Council was responsible for the financial demise of the Legion in Enderby.
ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
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MAYOR ADMINISTRATOR