City of Cranbrook Engineering Services will be presenting the ‘State of Infrastructure in the City’ to Mayor and Council and the public on Monday November 19, 2012 at City Hall.
The presentation, by Jamie Hodge, Director of Engineering Services, will provide an in-depth analysis of what the City owns, what condition it is in, the remaining average service life, current value and required costs to address the issue of bringing the infrastructure up to a reasonable condition. Engineering Services will also be presenting a plan to help begin dealing with the issues.
The public is invited to attend Monday November 19, 2012 beginning at 6:00pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Chris Zettel provided an in depth report of the projects the City of Cranbrook have undertaken in the past year including road construction ( including new sewer lines, water lines and gutters), upgrades to our spray irrigation fields, a new outfall pump station, Wall of Recognition in Rotary Park, the Centennial Garden, the tennis courts at Mt. Baker High School (partnered with School District #5).
Jamie Hodge, Director of Engineering Services spoke to our infrastructure deficit. Presently we are underspending by over $12 million dollars a year just to maintain our present infrastructure. Much of our infrastructure is reaching its end life and the City will need to start a multi-year initiative to deal with these issues. Mr. Hodge made several recommendations including;
- a cross department committee
- continued investment in maintenance to extend the service life
- start saving more in reserves
- strategically reduce services by obtaining community input. Some of the reductions might include no sidewalks or reducing public transit.
It is unlikely that the City will be able to obtain all of the funding for these upgrades through service cuts. Increasing tax rates significantly would not be a feasible option. Many Mayors in BC are pressing for a change in the funding formula from which they receive money from the province. This, along with the suggestions made by Mr. Hodge mean we will prioritize our infrastructure shortcomings.
Unfortunately, it also means that the Citizens of Cranbrook will be driving on terrible roads for many years to come. There will be some difficult decisions to be made and we need to start deciding what services the City must provide to its citizens including services those that are no longer a priority.
Chris Zettel provided an in depth report of the projects the City of Cranbrook have undertaken in the past year including road construction ( including new sewer lines, water lines and gutters), upgrades to our spray irrigation fields, a new outfall pump station, Wall of Recognition in Rotary Park, the Centennial Garden, the tennis courts at Mt. Baker High School (partnered with School District #5).
Jamie Hodge, Director of Engineering Services spoke to our infrastructure deficit. Presently we are underspending by over $12 million dollars a year just to maintain our present infrastructure. Much of our infrastructure is reaching its end life and the City will need to start a multi-year initiative to deal with these issues. Mr. Hodge made several recommendations including;
- a cross department committee
- continued investment in maintenance to extend the service life
- start saving more in reserves
- strategically reduce services by obtaining community input. Some of the reductions might include no sidewalks or reducing public transit.
It is unlikely that the City will be able to obtain all of the funding for these upgrades through service cuts. Increasing tax rates significantly would not be a feasible option. Many Mayors in BC are pressing for a change in the funding formula from which they receive money from the province. This, along with the suggestions made by Mr. Hodge mean we will prioritize our infrastructure shortcomings.
Unfortunately, it also means that the Citizens of Cranbrook will be driving on terrible roads for many years to come. There will be some difficult decisions to be made and we need to start deciding what services the City must provide to its citizens including services those that are no longer a priority.
Regular Council Meeting
Delegations
5.1 BC Transit – Tania Wegwitz of BC Transit, Victoria, will present Cranbook Transit Service Review Terms of Reference. The Powerpoint to be presented can be viewed at: https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2637
Tania Wegwitz made a presentation regarding our public transit system. There will be a Service Review which will include public input which will improve efficiency and effectiveness, reduce the budget, and to build awareness and support for public transit.
Several Councillors expressed concerns over seeing empty buses and hoped that the review would look at using smaller buses. As well, other Councillors mentioned that perhaps Cranbrook needed an "on call system" for transit and to cut Sunday service.
Tania Wegwitz made a presentation regarding our public transit system. There will be a Service Review which will include public input which will improve efficiency and effectiveness, reduce the budget, and to build awareness and support for public transit.
Several Councillors expressed concerns over seeing empty buses and hoped that the review would look at using smaller buses. As well, other Councillors mentioned that perhaps Cranbrook needed an "on call system" for transit and to cut Sunday service.
5.2 Cranbrook Connected, Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, Chris Ayling
Quarterly update
Requested that any monies unspent in last years budget be forwarded to this year. The primary goal of the committee will be to establish the Community Builder of the Year Award.
Requested that any monies unspent in last years budget be forwarded to this year. The primary goal of the committee will be to establish the Community Builder of the Year Award.
7.1 Administration Update
Kia Sign
The sign does meet the new by-law regulations
The sign does meet the new by-law regulations
Idlewild park Riding Arena
Can be read at:
9.1 – 9.7 Correspondence
RDEK Highlights
Fire Protection, Fort Steele - the City is still waiting on the province to ensure that they will be compensated for providing Fire Protection to Fort Steele.
EK party Program
Dogs and Idelewild - A local business has installed doggie bag dispensers but perhaps the City in partnership with other businesses could provide a solution to the problem of dog feces in City parks.
EK Science Fair - Approved
Lions Light Up Tour - Approved
Adoption Awareness Month Proclamation - Approved
Can be read beginning at:
11.1 Committee Recommendation Cranbrook in Motion
Most importantly the City will be installing 30km signs in the school zones and this will be enforced by the RCMP.
Most importantly the City will be installing 30km signs in the school zones and this will be enforced by the RCMP.
12.1 New Business - Solar BC, Memorandum of Understanding - Approved
12.2 New Business – Cranbrook Transit System Service Review - Approved
12.3 New Business RDEK Referral Zoning Bylaw2425
13.1 Bylaws – 3750 Zoning Amendment Airport Lands
Public Meeting Dec. 10 6pm Manual Training Centre.
Public Meeting Dec. 10 6pm Manual Training Centre.
13.2 Bylaws – Draft Sign Bylaw 2012, This 34 page document can be read at: https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2652
Pubic Meeting Dec. 5, 7pm-9pm Manual Training Centre.
Pubic Meeting Dec. 5, 7pm-9pm Manual Training Centre.
This was a particularly LONG meeting (almost 3 hours) but it was an important one to attend. Mr. Hodge, the City Engineer, stated that public input is needed to determine some of the priorities in meeting the many problems of aging infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteIt is inexcusable that successive municipal councils across Canada, including the City of Cranbrook have permitted infrastructure deteriorate to the point of a national crisis.At least this Cranbrook mayor and council have started a review process,but it remains to be seen if they will really bite the bullet and focus on the challenge before it.
ReplyDeleteAlso a review of public transit in Cranbrook is much needed. While I support public transit, it sure has taken council a long time to see the empty buses and suggest maybe a smaller size and look at schedules are perhaps necessary.