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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Council Notes - March 4th


5.1 Delegation
Dean Nicholson, East Kootenay Addiction Services, Marijuana Use presentation

An interesting presentation about the failings of the Prohibition Model and the associated costs such as policing and how we need to have a serious discussion around legalizing marijuana. Mr. Nicholson explained that marijuana is not a "gateway" drug to heavier drug use and perhaps more money should be spent on treatment and prevention programs.

Deer Population Reduction Program - Completed with 24 animals killed
Economic Development -  CMHC Rental Market report - There is a 8.1% vacancy rate for both apartments and town homes in Cranbrook. 
Engineering – Science Fair, British Columbia Institute of Agrologists AGM and Conference, April 24-27 2013-03-03, 2013 Annual Capital Roads Program - Preliminary Assessment,
Finance and Computer Services -

  City Engineer Jamie Hodge presented 4 areas in the City which require some storm water management mitigation. It is unlikely that the City will have the money to compete all the projects this year but hopefully 1 or 2 will be completed.  Councillor Cross indicated her concern about all the hard surfaces particularly around one of the problem ares near the Green Clinic. With more permeable surfaces the water would have a place to go. Engineer Hodge indicated that going forward some of the work by the City has been to encourage more of these methods.
The City has also identified areas where monies will need to be spend including the 400 block of Kootenay Street N. and 2 blocks of 2nd Street South. Unfortunately there is not enough money in the budget of the Capital Roads Project to complete these projects so Engineer Hodge indicated that there are alternatives solutions that can be looked into. Several Councillors including Mayor Stetski mentioned the use of traffic circles to assist with some traffic flow issues as well as being a lower cost alternative to lights

Council Contingency Fund Update February 2013 - $1000 has been spent 
Columbia Basin Trust funding for Youth Project - City of Cranbrook will work with the various non profits involved and distribute the monies which amount to $25,000 per year for 4 years.

9.1 Correspondence
RDEK Agricultural Plan Newsletter
School Speed Zones
Notes from Coffee with the Mayor - 10 people spoke with the Mayor ranging on issues from the Deer Cull to length of traffic signals
Auditor general for Local Government
Friends of the Women’s Resource Centre
Parent Prom Committee
Kimberley Hospice Society

11.1 Committee Recommendation – Cranbrook in Motion
Parking on Sylvan Lake Road Community Forest entrance

This has been an ongoing problem and the City does not feel it is able to resolve the parking problem for the homeowner. The committee does suggest that depending on budget consideration it considers providing increased parking for the Cranbrook Community Forest.

 New Business

12.1 NOTICE OF MOTION: from Councillor Cross

"WHEREAS over 80 Canadian municipalities and the Union of BC Municipalities
have passed resolutions outlining their concerns regarding the Canadian
government's negotiations with European Union (EU) on a Comprehensive
Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), including the inclusion of municipal
procurement in the agreement, the potential diminished abjlity of local
government to hire or buy locally so as to use public spending as a tool for local
economic development, and the secrecy with which the negotiations have been
conducted;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT given the concerns raised about lack of
openness and transparency in the negotiation process, Council asks the
Province of British Columbia and the Federal Government for an exemption for
the City of Cranbrook from the Canadian-European Union (EU) Comprehensive
Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), as resolved by UBCM Resolution B1 08
in 2010 and B87 and B88 in 2012 should the FCM 7 trade principles not be
respected. "

CAO Staudt expressed some concerns about how it limits the ability for the City to award contracts to local businesses which encourages local economic development.
Councillor Davis spoke strongly in support of the motion.
Passed with the support of all Councillors except Councillor Scott who appeared to abstain from voting.

12.2  Appointments to Advisory Planning Commission and Cranbrook in Motion
Committee

12.3 Highway Corridor Commercial Development Permit
Smart Centres Management for First Mountain Brook Shopping Centres Ltd.
New Commercial Retail Building. Sportchek and Dollar Tree
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2855
In reviewing the Council package information it appears there may be traffic issues with this proposed development.

This generated much discussion and concern regarding the traffic issues that were expressed by both our City Engineer Jamie Hodge and by the Ministry of Transportation. While the proponent meets the letter of the application there is a concern that future traffic issues will be borne by the taxpayers of Cranbrook as historically has been the case. Councillor Whetham moved that approval for the permit be delayed so that City Engineer Jamie Hodge can speak to the developer to assist with traffic management. Councillors Cross, Davis, Whetham, Warner and Mayor Stetski voted in favour of the delay while Councillors Pallesen and Scott voted against the delay. 

12.4 To formalize a Letter of Understanding between the City of Cranbrook, the City of Kimberley and the NorthStar Rails to enter into a management agreement for the NorthStar Rails to Trails.

Each City has put $10,000 towards the the maintenance of the trail. Councillor Whetham indicated that to complete the planned work the committee would require an additional $12,000. The City has been holding money for the Rails to Trails Committee so there is more than enough money to provide the additional $12,000.

Bylaws
13.1 Review of Building Bylaw 3725
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2857

Staff at the Engineering Department and Corporate Services have completed the preparation of a new bylaw that will bring into force, once adopted, appropriate updates to the regulations associated with building construction in Cranbrook, while managing the risks to which the City is exposed by being involved in the building permit approval.

This is a "draft" bylaw and there will be extensive consultation with the various interested parties including those within the development community.

13.2
Zoning Amendment Bylaw 3764
To consider third reading and adoption of a proposed bylaw amendment to the R-8, Mobile Home Park Residential Zone to reduce the minimum separation distance required between mobile homes, single family dwellings or structures from 6.0 metres to 4.0 metres. (Third Reading)

Passed unanimously

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