Post Notes for the Council meeting of June 25th, 2012

Public Hearing into rezoning of the airport lands.  This item was postponed as the Ktunaxa would like more discussion.


Council Inquiries
There were many inquiries from the public through different councillors.
Councillor Cross - from David Humphrey.  Why has the city's report from Engineering to MOE concerning the Spray Irrigation Fields  recommended against ongoing testing of cattle drinking water when the Provincial Vet recommended that testing continue and the Ministry of the Environment showed concern for the quality of the cattle water in a letter that was sent in the Fall of 2011?  Referred to engineering


from four members of the public - Why was the City booth at Sam Steele Days manned by the Chamber of Commerce and not city staff? Referred to staff


Councillor Scott - Why was MLA Bennett not invited earlier to the Filipino Independence Day Celebration when an NDP MLA was present? Mayor Stetski indicated that the City had not put the invitations together, the Filipino Community had taken care of that.  Mayor Stetski immediately phoned MLA Bennett's office when he discovered the oversight.
Councillor Scott also questioned Councillor Warner as to why he chose to write a column on a topic that was discussed at the Council Table.  She felt this was a conflict of interest.  Councillor Warner responded that he was disappointed Councillor Scott would not have discussed this topic privately and that he has every right to express his opinion.  Councillor Scott did not want to let this topic go and Mayor Stetski had to intervene and ask that this be discussed privately.  Councillor Scott indicated she did not appreciate being "shut down".  She later brought the topic up again at the round table comments.


Councillor Warner had been asked  if the City's Bylaws were unenforceable.  CAO Staudt responded that the City continues to be currently understaffed in that department but that the Bylaws were enforceable although it becomes difficult without the appropriate quota of staff to do the job.  This will change in the near future.  Mayor Stetski reinforced that this is an area of prime concern to several councillors and will be given thorough scrutiny in the near future.
Other inquiries through Councillor Warner included a Policy on Boundary Expansion in order to tidy up the current bitty boundary and progress on the Off Leash Dog Park.  CAO Staudt reminded Council that it is anticipated that the gravel pit that was Moir Park will eventually become a dog park.  Councillors did ask staff to consult with the School Board again to discuss the possibility of the Muriel Baxter site.


Other inquiries included topics - Dogs on Leash Signs at Elizabeth Lake, enforcement of dogs on leashes at Elizabeth Lake, switching low flow toilet rebates to commercial next year, offering rain barrels incentives, whereabouts of the speed reader.


Administration Updates
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2381

-CBC will no longer offer free tv. This will only effect those people still using rabbit ears to receive their signal.
Councillor Davis felt this decision was unfair to those with lower incomes and felt CBC should be held accountable.  Mayor Stetski pointed out a compensation package is being offered and suggested waiting to see how this decision actually does affect people in the coming months.

-The City of Cranbrook is preparing for a visit from the City of Wonju, Korea. The delegation will be arriving August 12 and the City is putting together an itinerary with the Chamber of Commerce and the neighboring First Nations communities.

-Bob Dylan will be playing at the REC PLEX on August 12

-The City is working with a local promoter to bring a mixed martial arts event to the City this fall

- Potholes are filled with asphalt by Public Works to keep them safe. Pothole patching is performed on an as-needed basis. The City relies on public reports. There are several priority roads such as Victoria Ave., Theatre Road, Echo Field Rd., 2nd Street North, and 7th Street South although it is likely that funding will run out before all the repairs can be made and some will be carried forward to 2013.

Interim CAO Staudt commented that the city continues to field a lot of calls regarding potholes.  He went on to say there is a full time crew that circulates the city trying to take care of needs.  However, the recent heavy rains have not helped an already very difficult situation.  Both he and Mayor Stetski said they welcomed notification about bad potholes that have not been taken care of.

Correspondence

9.1 Cat Licensing
Councillor Davis pointed out that cats keep vermin such as mice under control.  Councillor Scott pointed out that this topic has been discussed many times in the past and that council does not need to reinvent the wheel.  Staff were asked to look into this topic.


9.2 Protection of Fish Habitat in Waterways - Notice that the City of North Vancouver is requesting that the Federal Government abandon the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act Section 35 which would remove provisions banning or limiting activities that result in the "harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat".
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2383
9.3 Water Conservation
9.4 Animal Husbandry -Letter from Sven Hyde expressing his disappointment in the recent decision  to reject animal husbandry in the city limits.
Councillor Pallesen noted Mr. Heyde is moving out of town.  Councillor Scott felt this topic should not be revisited as a decision has been made. Councillor Whetham agreed and Mayor Stetski pointed out that the topic can come forward again after 6 months.


9.5 Protection of Fish Habitat - Town of Qualicum Beach requesting that the Federal Government abandon the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act.
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2386
Comment
It is interesting to note two communities objecting to the changes in the Fisheries Act which remove previous protections for fish habitat.

Councillor Cross made a motion in support of these communities' stand on protection of Fish Habitat and their concern with the changes to Section 35 of the Fisheries Act.
Councillor Pallesen wanted to know more about this new regulation and the motion was then tabled until the July meeting of Council.


Comment
As the use of our waterways and their care has been raised many times in this last year and 'water ' was the number one concern in the Cranbrook Connected Document.  It is a disappointment that some Councillors would not familiarise themselves with this information especially when the Council package contains two letters dealing with this topic.


9.6 Memorial Scholarship Letter of Thanks from recipient Miranda Davis
9.7 Certificate from the Canadian Cancer Society recognizing the City of Cranbrook
9.8 Spray Irrigation Concerns Ongoing concerns expressed by Jim Roberts regarding the water the cattle are being allowed to drink which is 320-2000 times above the Canadian Standard.
Councillor Pallesen felt that Mr. Roberts had been responded to many times and that a response was not in order.  It was pointed out by other Councillors that this issue does not go away and maybe Mr. Roberts is frustrated by the lack of clear answers.  There is discrepancy between what ranchers say and what provincial authorities have to say. She questioned why Mr Roberts was using 2010 results.
Comment
In an enquiry just moments before, Council was asked why none of the cattle watering testing results were included in the public 2011 report, hence the reason for Mr Roberts  enquiry using results from 2010.




9.9 Sam Steele Days 2012
9.10 Armond Theatre Restoration - Requesting that the City act as the financial agent for the purpose of collecting donations for the Theatre Restoration project.
Approved


9.11 Urban Poultry Keeping
More discussion continued on the topic of urban poultry.  Councillor Scott felt although children's letters submitted were 'cute' the decision has been made and this topic should not come back for another 2 or 3 or 5 years.


9.12 Community Poverty Reduction Strategy Letter from the Ministry of Children and Family Development
This project is now in place with staff employed.


9.13 JCI Thank You
A discussion ensued regarding policy around the donation of funds from contingency.  After concern shown by some taxpayers, Councillor Cross enquired with staff about a policy and it was found amounts over $500 needed more information before a decision was made.  New Councillors had not known about this policy.  The Junior Chamber International were the fortunate recipients of $1000 at the last Council Meeting which most of Council now felt was rather an oversight on their part.  However it was agreed after this meeting, policy would be adhered to.


9.14 United Way Park on Us Campaign
9.15 Heliport Operations Requesting a letter of support for the use of night vision googles to make the Heliport a 24/7 operation

11.1 Committee Report Cranbrook In Motion
Recommendation made by the Committee that Council approve of the installation of a disabled person parking space on 9th Avenue South-100 Block as requested by Baker Hill Dental Clinic
Approved

11.2 Committee Report Wellness and Heritage
Recommendation made by the Committee that Council NOT proceed with putting a roof over the Senior Fitness Park. The Alternative is to proceed with the preliminary Design Study for the proposed installation of a roof.
Approved

11.3 Committee Recommendations - Athletic Commission
That Council authorize the City of Cranbrook Athletic Commission to submit correspondence to the province regarding Bill 50 which would establish a consistent framework to oversee the conduct of these professional events. While the committee is in support of the legislation they would have liked the opportunity to provide input and raise their concerns.
Carried

12.1 New Business - Draft Electronic Changeable Copy Sign Policy
Recommendation made by staff that the Draft Policy No. 30-03 be adopted and that Council authorize staff to add the policy guidelines as regulations in the new Sign Control Bylaw to be prepared by Administration as previously direct by Council.
Carried

12.2 New Business - Safe Communities Request
Recommendation made by staff that Council NOT authorize the permanent placement of the Safe Communities Cranbrook logo on the City of Cranbrook Website.
There was discussion around this as some Councillors would like this information included on the city's website.  However it would be necessary to have a policy regarding what links and information should be on the City's webpage.  This issue has been referred to staff to go on the 'worklist'

12.3 New Business - United Way Friendship Festival
Recommendation made by staff that that Council authorizes the request from Donna Brady Fields for items as requested.
Carried

12.4 New Business - Native Fastball Tournament
Recommendation by staff that the request by Chief Cheryl Casimer for the Canadian Native Fastball Championships be authorized except for the request for $5000 although the City will provide $540 to be allocated from Council contingency to cover costs associated with these requests.
Councillors had difficulty with this decision in light of a previous donation over $1000.  In the end it carried that Council would donate $540 of labour and another $500 cash donation. This decision was justified under the policy phrase 'or at Council discretion.'  Councillors Pallesen and Scott voted against the motion to donate the extra $500.  Council agreed policy must be adhered to in the future.


Councillor Cross further explained at the Brown Bag Lunch of June 26th that her rationale for voting for this although it did go against policy was that this request had been submitted at the same time as the Junior Chamber International request.  As they were given $1000 it seemed only right that this group which will bring in 60 Ball teams and their families and supporters should receive similar treatment.  Mayor Stetski agreed.


Comment
It is interesting that two Councillors who should have known about the $500 policy as they were on the previous Council, had no trouble the week prior, to donating a $1000 to Junior JCI for a Conference that will be held in Kimberley.

By-Laws

13.1 By-Laws 3750, 2012 Zoning Amendment has been postponed

13.2 By-Laws 3752.2012 Recommendation that Council adopt the Development Cost Charge Reserve Funds Establishment Bylaw
Carried

13.3 By-Laws 3753-2012 Recommendation that Council give first and second reading to the City of Cranbrook Zoning Amendment Bylaw
Mayor Stetski thanked Rob Veg for his creative solution to a long standing zoning issue in Slaterville.
Carried