Post Notes for the Council meeting of March 5th

5.1 Delegation

Jennifer Krotz from Columbia Basin Trust  talked about CBT grants which the City and its citizens are eligible for.  A total of 17 million dollars are distributed in the Columbia River Basin as a result of these grants.

7.1 Administration Updates
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2087

- Cranbrook Homeless Shelter is requesting funding from the City and the RDEK to complete the new shelter. Administration feels that the City will already be making a large contribution through its contribution of $34866 towards the RDEK contributions as well as waiving Development Cost Charges which are approximated to be $138,856 for the development.  It is felt Cranbrook ratepayers contribution to the project is already significant.
The donations of $34866 per annum towards the RDEK contribution plus the waive of the DCC charges will stand.

- Secondary Suites Update
The City held an Open House on January 25 at the Manual Training Centre. The City received 5 responses which were generally supportive of the idea

- Asia Pacific Twinning Initiative
The Director of Finance travelled to Wonju, Republic of Korea and Taicang, China between Feb. 13 - 18
Kevin Weaver, Economic Development Officer gave an interesting report on his and Wayne Staudt's along with a consultant's visit to the Republic of South Korea and China.  It is felt there is potential for economic cooperation and reciprocal learning on several fronts such as lumber, coal and agriculture.  Canada's exports to the United States have dipped from 75% to about 45% of its total exports and it is no secret that Canada is pursuing these new markets.

- Engineering  Moir Gravel Pit Master Redevelopment Plan include the following;
Pit lifespan analysis
Determination of  final contours of excavation
Shape of the Park
Tree and shrub plan
Off leash dog park
Irrigation
Benches
Washroom facilities

- The Playpen will be putting in Waste Dog Disposal Bag dispensers at Kinsmen Park and the Cranbrook Community Forest

Comment
Kudos to the Playpen for doing this.  We first scooped and published this article from Nanaimo in August of last year.  
http://livablecranbrook.blogspot.com/2011/08/dealing-with-dog-doo.html

It is great to see The Playpen also using this great opportunity to advertise and contribute a valuable service to the community.  Many Thanks to the Playpen.

- Bike Skills Park
The City is going to require liability insurance requiring the Bike Skills Park Society to name the City of Cranbrook as one of the insured. As well the City feels the Society should have enough money, if the Society can no longer care for the Bike Park, have the funds to return the site to its original condition. While the Society thinks raising the monies will be challenging they are willing to work with the City to resolve this problem

- Solid Waste By-law Update
Administration is looking into changing the Solid Waste Bylaw  3634 reducing the number of bags from 5 down to 2.

Correspondence
beginning:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2088

9.1  Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition - Jan 2012 Update.  There are some funding opportunities.

9.2  Requesting that the City urge the province to invest in cycling infrastructure in rural communities
9.4  UBCM Secretariat declaring Local Government Awareness Wk. May 20-26

9.5.  UBCM update on the ongoing CETA negotiations between Canada and the European Union.  This issue is still of concern to Municipalities and they are watching closely. This could potentially affect the advertising of contract jobs to a much wider population.

9.6  Order of BC, Call for 2012 Nomination
9.7  Cranbrook Family Connections requesting support for a Cranbrook youth to be sent to the National Youth Conference in Ottawa.  This was denied as it was felt by several councillors that amount required was attainable by the delegate and support groups own efforts.  Councillors whole heartily supported the delegate and will contribute from their own pockets but did not feel this was the job of the municipality.

9.9  Kootenay Children's Festival requesting in-kind City labour and equipment.  The request was granted.

9.11  Rocky Mountain Naturalists requesting the City repair fading signs in the Confederation Park area as they are concerned about the number of off-lease dogs using the park.  The recommendation to replace two City of Cranbrook bylaw signs and direct bylaw enforcement to periodically patrol municipal lands adjacent to Elizabeth Lake was carried.

9.12  Letter from the Bike Skills Park Society requesting that the City take full financial responsibility for the demolition of the park if it is no longer in use.  This was granted.  The issue of insurance for the park and its participants caused more discussion as insurance will cost the city approximately $1000 per year.  Councillor Scott asked whether users of the park could not contribute to this cost through a membership. The request was granted however.

9.13  Home Run Society requesting $50,000 to repair existing bleachers at Confederation Baseball Park.
Referred to administration and the budget process.

Business Arising

10.1  Councillor Warner resolution that a roof be placed over the outdoor exercise equipment near the Rec Plex to extend the lifespan of the equipment and to provide shade in the summer. Referred to Wellness and heritage.
10.2  Councillor Davis resolution that there be a moratorium on the installation of Smart Meters due to the controversy it is causing.  Postponed until a Hydro representative is able to speak to Council.

New Business

12.1 Adopt terms of reference for Community Builder of the Year.  An amended motion  to replace the Chamber of Commerce representative with a representative from Cranbrook Connected carried.

12.2 Authorize staff to proceed with the development of the Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw. Councillor Whetham questioned whether the cost of administration outweighs the benefit.  Administrator Pearce elaborated with incremental samples and explained that although the process will be somewhat heavy in paperwork the end result will be worthwhile to all parties.  Council appreciated this explanation and the motion to proceed carried.

12.4 Consider approval of a Steep Slopes Permit to enable a multi-family residential development on 30th Av. N. Carried

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2107

12.6 Staff recommends that Council not approve the use of electronic changeable signs along arterial roads within the City of Cranbrook
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2109

After considerable discussion and diverse opinion on the aesthetic value of signage it was agreed to defer this decision until the next council meeting.  Councillor Scott commented she felt The Chamber of Commerce input was needed.  Councillor Warner and Councillor Davis were all for non-regulation or interference. Mayor Stetski while understanding differing opinion wishes to see a Highway 3 Committee struck to thoroughly examine all issues with 'the Strip.'

Comment
Cranbrook's sign policies have been discussed by many for a very long time.  Maybe the public also needs to be consulted about what many feel is a mess of signage throughout the city.  The issue of signs has been a topic of discussion by Communities in Bloom and their judges.  City administration have made a recommendation which some Councillors feel could be ignored, yet once again the review, rewrite and implementation of the Sign Bylaw is being sidelined by a squall over one sign.
Disappointing.

12.8  The $180000 grant from ACAP Contribution Agreement for a Runway Sweeper was applauded.

Bylaws


The application for a zoning change from C1 to R1 at 134 5th Av S. was given first reading and carried.