Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society provides grassroots leadership and an inclusive process, with a voice for all community members, to ensure that our community grows and develops in a way that incorporates an environmental ethic, offers a range of housing and transportation choices, encourages a vibrant and cultural life and supports sustainable, meaningful employment and business opportunities.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Always something to do at Fort Steele

Baby's Breath overlooking the Kootenay

dressmaking with Donna Smith

Gold panning

Ice cream anticipation

Gossip tour

Wagon ride

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

More Garden Workshops Offered


Photo Caption:
  Local gardening and permaculture expert Chris Vassallo
 discusses the benefits of the "no-dig" potato growing method
 at a previous One World Gardening Workshop in Kimberley.
“The One World Garden Workshop series has been lots of fun so far, and there are still 4 more to come!” commented Shannon Duncan who is coordinating the One World Garden Project.

As well as learning tricks and tips from a variety of local experts, there has been great food sponsored by the Snowdrift Café and prepared produce from the garden.  For upcoming workshops, Hot Shots Café will also be offering up some of their delights and local gardens are producing abundantly so we are guaranteed more great food!

The goal of these workshops is to welcome newcomers to our community, along with increasing the amount of food grown locally.  If you are new to Canada or if you have a friend or neighbour who is new to Canada, invite them along with you for an evening of garden fun.

There are written notes provided after each workshop, so don’t worry if you’ve missed the first ones.

These workshops are a great opportunity to learn more about growing food in our area, as well as mingle with people in a casual atmosphere.  It’s easy to relax in the garden, and a wonderful way to meet new people.  The garden provides a neutral backdrop where people relax and open up to their surroundings naturally.  They are also a great introduction to local community gardens that anyone in the community is able to access free of cost. 
These workshops are part of the Welcoming Communities initiative and are a partnership between Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook and Cranbrook Food Action Committee, made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of BC.

The next workshop, Berries, Roots, and New Shoots, is August 6 in Kimberley and August 7 in Cranbrook, 6-8pm.  The workshops are free and a light meal included, but registration is required. Call Shannon at (250)427-7981 or email (Cranbrook) cranbrookfood@gmail.com (Kimberley) Shannon@wildsight.ca .   


Monday, July 29, 2013

Gone Fishin'

With a young family to feed this loon has plenty of fishing to do.

Thank You to Sally Passey for these lovely photos.





Saturday, July 27, 2013

How many of Cranbrook's Urban Artsy Deer have you found?

Quest forms at the Farmer's Market tomorrow Saturday July 27th.  A $50 prize will be awarded to the person who locates all deer and correctly identifies them in the shortest period of time.  Prize to be awarded at the Cranbrook and District Arts Council 'Art in the Park Event' August 24th,Rotary Park 1:00 -10:00pm
Quest forms are also available in the Cranbrook and District Arts Council office at 135 Tenth Av S. and there are still a few deer left for you to decorate!








Friday, July 26, 2013

Michael's Musings

B.C. Boy Justin Trudeau adopts no frills approach as he meets and greets from Cranbrook to Vancouver

By Michael J Morris

Justin Trudeau, the 'B.C. boy' enjoyed celebrity status as he crossed the province on his RV tour of the Kootenays and Okanagan and arrived  in Vancouver where he was surrounded by the media and supporters in the city's West End.

The leader of the federal Liberal Party started his tour in Cranbrook on July 21 with a meet and greet at Rotary Park unusual in politics for its informality. Introduced by Mayor Wayne Stetski, Trudeau then hopped onto the stage dressed in  designer jeans and casual shirt and gave an impromptu speech - a formula that was followed at every stop of the tour with minor variations.

In Creston at Truscott Farms he was presented with a cherry pie, and in Nelson he arrived for the meet and greet  on the city's famous street car with his wife Sophie Gregoire and children Xavier and Ella-Grace.

The no frills approach continued across the province perhaps defining a new political style consistent with the kind of politics Trudeau wants to see in Canada. Based on the reaction from the crowd in Cranbrook and news reports from other communities  he visited, it worked. I just can't imagine Stephen Harper, the prime minister, trying it, although he did wear cardigans at one point.

Hedy Fry, the Liberal MP for Vancouver Centre told The Province newspaper, she believes Trudeau’s popularity is rooted in his authenticity.  “I think he is not like other politicians,” she said. “When people see him there is a deep sense of trust. People just seem to naturally gravitate to him. He is a B.C. boy and British Columbians seem to be warming to him".

Yes indeed, he is a B.C. boy, and although he is the son of Pierre Trudeau, from Quebec, his mother is Margaret Sinclair, the daughter of James Sinclair, a Liberal MP representing Vancouver area ridings from 1940 to 1957, and minister of fisheries from 1952 to 1957. Trudeau also attended the University of British Columbia and taught in the province.

In Cranbrook, Trudeau talked about paddling the Kootenay River with his father and brothers more than 25 years ago, and prior to a meet and greet in Trail, Trudeau and his family hiked to Nelson’s Kokanee Lake, the site where Trudeau’s brother Michel died in 1998 during an avalanche.

Trudeau posed the question along the way: "Why has politics itself become such a dirty word?", in recent years.Answering his own question in part, Trudeau commented that it is always easier in politics to divide, to attack, go negative, calculate where most votes are and practise the politics of division. 

He even admitted elections can be won this way, but he hopes to turn it around despite many advising him that he must go negative.

In Vancouver, in a speech from atop a table at English Bay, Trudeau is reported by The Province as saying, ""What I have seen across the county is people want to reconnect – we want to be once again part of the solution,This is what people are excited about across the country. I’m just an excuse for it. It’s not really about me, it’s about all of you."

In Kelowna, Conservative Party MP Ron Cannan attended theTrudeau meet and greet and told a local newspaper he agreed with several things that the Liberal leader said. "I believe in working together, as Justin advocates.

"What he said, it's hard not to agree with—all comments about balancing the environment and the economy, working together for a stronger future for not only our children, but our grandchildren (as well)." Kelowna-Lake Country voters heavily favoured the Conservative candidate in the 2011 general election; Cannan earned about 57 per cent of the vote.

Good that this MP showed respect and common decency by attending the Trudeau function. Maybe the prime minister will get the message.

As I was reflecting on Trudeau's on the road tour, and the positive reaction, one thing I sensed for sure, and heard it in Cranbrook, folks are fed up with the present negativity and general goings on in Ottawa in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Duffy Senate affair. This was confirmed in news reports from across the province in each place Trudeau visited.

In the midst of my musings I received an email from a friend who is a pretty astute observer of the national political scene. He commented in part  that the Tories are a "bit nervous" and I agree as their negative attack ads have so far flopped. However, my friend added that he is not sure we are as ready for Justin as we were for his father in the late 1960s. 

Again I agreed as one who covered the "Trudeaumania" election campaign in 1968 as a reporter and editor and witnessed it first hand -- but hold on to your seats folks, in my view the son re-ignited the flame on this RV tour. Let's see how brightly it now burns.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca
Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

What's Happening.......

Urban Artsy Deer Quest and Competition
Ongoing
Details under events at:
https://www.facebook.com/CranbrookArtsCouncil


Friday July 26th

Cranbrook's Energy Diet begins
Rotary Park
11:30 - 1:00pm
Come and find out more

Saturday July 27th

Cranbrook Farmer's Market
9:00am - 1:00pm
Rotary Park

Summer Sounds
Rotary Park
1:00pm - 3:30pm
     
Red Girl performed Saturday July 20th














Kootenay Oudoor Club

Hike
Vertical Mountain
phone Lorne
426-8864

Sunday July 28th

Kootenay Outdoor Club
Hike
Goat Lake/Howling Mountain
phone Ruth 427-3761

Tuesday July 30th

The Selkirk Trio
Knox presbyterian Church
7:30
Tickets $15 at the door

Open Art Exhibition
at Cranbrook and District's Art Council Gallery
Entries due by Thursday August 2nd
135, 10th Av S.

Don't forget Summer Theatre in Kimberley and daily activities at Fort Steele.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

To cool you down or heat you up

Will we collectively ever do anything to change ?

Scientists link frozen spring to dramatic Arctic sea ice loss

A snow-plough clears the A66 near Bowes, County Durham, where the road was closed for several hours due to heavy snow. Forecasters have warned that another cold snap is on its way - with parts of the country facing more snow and freezing temperatures.
Arctic ice loss adds heat to the ocean and atmosphere which shifts the position of the jet stream, which affects weather in the northern hemisphere. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA
Climate scientists have linked the massive snowstorms and bitter spring weather now being experienced across Britain and large parts of Europe and North America to the dramatic loss of Arctic sea ice.
Both the extent and the volume of the sea ice that forms and melts each year in the Arctic Ocean fell to an historic low last autumn, and satellite records published on Monday by the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colorado, show the ice extent is close to the minimum recorded for this time of year.
"The sea ice is going rapidly. It's 80% less than it was just 30 years ago. There has been a dramatic loss. This is a symptom of global warming and it contributes to enhanced warming of the Arctic," said Jennifer Francis, research professor with the Rutgers Institute of Coastal and Marine Science.
According to Francis and a growing body of other researchers, the Arctic ice loss adds heat to the ocean and atmosphere which shifts the position of the jet stream – the high-altitude river of air that steers storm systems and governs most weather in northern hemisphere.
"This is what is affecting the jet stream and leading to the extreme weather we are seeing in mid-latitudes," she said. "It allows the cold air from the Arctic to plunge much further south. The pattern can be slow to change because the [southern] wave of the jet stream is getting bigger. It's now at a near record position, so whatever weather you have now is going to stick around," she said.
Francis linked the Arctic temperature rises to extreme weather in mid latitudes last year and warned in September that 2012's record sea ice melt could lead to a cold winter in the UK and northern Europe.
She was backed by Vladimir Petoukhov, professor of Earth system analysis at Potsdam Institute in Germany, whose research suggests the loss of ice this year could be changing the direction of the jet stream.
"The ice was at a record low last year and is now exceptionally low in some parts of the Arctic like the Labrador and Greenland seas. This could be one reason why anticyclones are developing," he said.
The heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures which have marked March 2013 across the northern hemisphere are in stark contrast to March 2012 when many countries experienced their warmest ever springs. The hypothesis that wind patterns are being changed because melting Arctic sea ice has exposed huge swaths of normally frozen ocean to the atmosphere would explain both the extremes of heat and cold, say the scientists.
recent paper by the US government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also found that enhanced warming of the Arctic influenced weather across the northern hemisphere.
"With more solar energy going into the Arctic Ocean because of lost ice, there is reason to expect more extreme weather events, such as heavy snowfall, heat waves, and flooding in North America and Europe," said the researchers.
The Met Office's chief scientist has previously said the melting Arctic ice is in part responsible for the UK's recent colder winters.
The possible links between Arctic sea ice loss and extreme weather were made as the UK's government's outgoing chief scientific adviser Sir John Beddington warned that the world could expect more extremes of weather.
"The [current] variation we are seeing in temperature or rainfall is double the rate of the average. That suggests that we are going to have more droughts, we are going to have more floods, we are going to have more sea surges and we are going to have more storms." He said that said there was a "need for urgency" in tackling climate change.
"These are the sort of changes that are going to affect us in quite a short timescale," he warned. Last year saw record heat, rainfall, drought and floods in the northern hemisphere.


Monday, July 22, 2013

How to Become a British Monarch

Armond Has a New Owner

Congratulations to Jean Trimble on becoming the new owner of the Armond Theatre.  Owning the sad and neglected but integral part of our community has been a dream of Jean's for a long time.  Many will remember the support that was thrown behind a previous push to 'do something' and the letters of support have been under our letters tab for quite some time.  It is obvious there is huge support for keeping this building as a functioning Cranbrook gathering place.  We are thrilled that at last new life may begin in this worthy landmark and we wish Jean all the very best in her new venture.

Jean received the good news after a court bidding process this morning at the Cranbrook Court House.

Justin Trudeau Makes a Stop in Cranbrook

Justin Trudeau stopped the bus in Cranbrook yesterday Sunday July 21st, to connect with people of the area.  A large crowd was on hand to welcome him and despite the high temperatures many stood in the blazing heat to listen to his every word.

Mr Trudeau paid tribute to this area where he and his brothers spent many happy hours hiking when they were young.

He fondly remembered his paddle down the Kootenay with his father Pierre and he gave credit to the Neidermeyers for not just their hockey skills but for their stand on protecting parts of this area which are so important to the world.  Justin Trudeau's speech obviously resonated well with the crowd as he talked about why so many are turned off politics because of the negative campaigning and the vicious circle that it can and has become. 


Many of the things he had to say were reminiscent of another politician in this Province who tried recently to win on positive campaigning.  Let's hope this young and charismatic politician wearing ripped jeans and a healthy smile can succeed where others have not in bringing back the respect and honour to a profession that surely needs it.
high fives

and a winning smile!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Cranbrook Saturday at Rotary Park

Having fun during Summer Sounds

Monty checks out the market

New Creston potatoes for sale



Good 'Ol Goats play Summer Sounds

Friday, July 19, 2013

Michael's Musings

No Dog Days of Summer This Year
By Michael J Morris
Gosh, it's supposed to be the dog days of Summer when nothing much newsworthy happens in Canada. Not this year.
On the national political front, Stephen Harper, the prime minister, shuffled his cabinet, hoping to bring a new face to his government caught up in the ongoing Senate scandal.
No sooner had he announced the cabinet remake, which brought the total number to 39 members, and the media was accusing the Office of the Prime Minister, of having some sort of enemies' list which prompted Peter Kent, a Conservative member of parliament, who was dumped from the cabinet to comment.
In an interview with Postmedia, Kent said that the alleged request for an enemy list reminded him of former U.S. president Richard Nixon, who was revealed to have had an "enemies list"during the Watergate scandal.
Kent added that Nixon's “... political horizon was divided very starkly into friends and enemies. The use of the word ‘enemies list,’ for those of us of a certain generation, it evokes nothing less than thoughts of Nixon and Watergate.”
So much for a happy and united Tory backbench.
The national media also reported that the same Office of the Prime Minister was accused of "stonewalling" a Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation into Senator Mike Duffy by not providing an email which allegedly outlined a deal between Duffy and Harper's former chief of staff Nigel Wright. Wright gave Duffy a personal cheque for just over $90,000 to repay some expenses.
That one is ongoing but all could be settled pretty quickly if the prime minister, after all it is his office that is involved, simply ordered that his office give the RCMP what it needs to complete its investigation without delay. Alternatively, the RCMP could request warrants to obtain information.
Just wondering if David Wilks, the Tory MP for Kootenay-Columbia, who spoke out about the Senate scandal some time ago, is willing to tell the prime minister to step in and advise the prime minister to provide full co-operation. Wilks is a former RCMP officer.
Also wondering if the Duffy investigation includes the senator's visit to speak to the Kootenay-Columbia Conservative riding Association during the last federal election campaign.
Back to the size of Harper's new cabinet for a moment. The United States with a population of 315 million people has 15 secretaries in President Barack Obama's cabinet. Canada has a population of 35 million and 39 cabinet ministers. Methinks there is something wrong with this picture.
OK, enough already on national politics.
On the business front, Target has launched many of  its Canadian stores, including one in the Tamarack Centre in Cranbrook, while Sobeys has made an offer to buy Safeway and Loblaw wants Shoppers Drug Mart. Target had taken over many Zellers leases in 2012. Local chatter centres around any potential changes in the Cranbrook Safeway, Real Canadian Superstore (owned by Loblaw) and Shoppers, and the effect of Target in the local marketplace.
A bit too soon to tell maybe but the proposed sales are big deals that if finalized will no doubt change the retail landscape in Canada. Target is a huge player in the United States market, and we shall see if it can become the same here.
On one of my daily walks I headed down the Strip to Walmart and the Superstore, and noticed that construction was underway on SportChek and Dollar Tree stores which were subject to some discussion at Cranbrook city council when proposed. However, they were approved.
Finally, and back to politics for a moment. Justin Trudeau, the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, is scheduled to be in Cranbrook on Sunday July 21 for a meet and greet at Rotary Park beginning at 12:30 p.m. 
The last time I saw Justin was in 1984 when I interviewed his father, Pierre Trudeau, then the prime minister of Canada, about an egg throwing incident at Revelstoke, BC, for CBC Television News. The prime minister was travelling by train with his children.
My email is  mj.morris@live.ca

Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Armond Theatre up for Sealed Bid


Cranbrook's Armond Theatre in the heart of downtown, sitting on a lot that supported an Opera House before it, comes up for sealed cash bid auction in the Cranbrook Court House on Monday July 22nd morning.

This building which is part of Cranbrook's history, built in 1950 has longed for a new owner and revitalisation for over 15 years.  It's potential is enormous both in terms of the building and what facilities it might provide for the downtown.  Let's hope its new owners will be able to keep the integrity of this mid-modern era building and maybe provide a new hub in the heart of downtown.

By searching on Armond Theatre other articles we have featured can be found, including letters of support for a plan which unfortunately was unable to come to fruition.


What's Happening.....

Ongoing
Urban Artsy Deer Quest
forms available at the Arts Council office
$50 1st prize for the person who locates all deer in the shortest time
135, 10th Av S
Only one month left to decorate your deer.
Deer available at the gallery office.
All judging and prizes awarded August 24th

Friday July 19th and Saturday July 20th

Car Show

by Brother's Insurance
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brothers-Insurance-Agency-Charity-Car-Show/386373124714579
Brothers Insurance Agency Charity Car Show Schedule of Events

Friday, July 19, 2013

5pm-7pm Pre-registration at Brothers Insurance Agency (1317 Cranbrook Street North – beside McDonald’s Restaurant).
6pm-8pm Junk in Your Trunk Swap Meet at Western Financial Place – pre-registration is available, please see our website for our registration form – you can also register that night, the cost is $10 per spot.
9pm Gates open for DRIVE IN MOVIE at Moir Park- Movie will be the Croods – movie will get underway at approximately 9:45pm

Saturday, July 20,2013

Brothers Insurance Agency Charity Car Show at Western Financial Place:10am-4:30pm All Makes And Models Welcome
3:30pm – 4:00pm Presentation of Awards

Saturday July 20th

East Kootenay Outdoor Club

Hike
Bear Lake
Call Lorne
250-426-8864

Cranbrook Farmer's Market

9:00am - 1:00pm
Adjacent to Rotary park

Sunday July 21st

Justin Trudeau

Meet and Greet in Rotary Park, Cranbrook, with Justin Trudeau. 12:30pm



Bernie Krause, The Voice of the Natural World

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Mayor Stetski's July Message

What’s Up Around Cranbrook

We’re heading into the middle of summer and I thought that you might be interested in getting an update on what’s happening….

Engineering
Roads
It is always challenging for staff and Council to decide on where our annual budget of $3,000,000 will be invested, as there are so many streets needing improvement.  The focus this year is on:
·        Continuing the work on 14th Ave., from 13th Street to 17th Street
·        Completing the frontage road from Kootenay Granite to the new Denham Ford building along Hwy 3.  These new buildings are great additions to our city!
·        Building a retaining wall and improving the intersection at the corner of 11th Street South and Hurry Ave. in Slaterville
·        Rebuilding the road surface on Kootenay Street from 18A Ave. North to Victoria Ave. (from Realm to Fas Gas)
We are also working on resolving some drainage issues at 11th Street South and Innes Ave., 7th St. NW and Cranbrook Street, and in the alley behind Baker Street and the Green Clinic.

Unfortunately that will use up the available dollars for this year.

Staff are working on a very exciting plan for 2nd Street South from Hwy 3 to 7th Ave. and then on to 14th Ave. commencing in 2014.  This is the “Welcome to Cranbrook” entrance for people coming from the west.  The conceptual design includes trees, sidewalks with pedestrian benches, an attractive median and round-a-bouts.  Stay tuned as you will be asked for your input, particularly if your property abuts 2nd Street South.

Wastewater System
·        The reclaimed wastewater being used to irrigate the city’s spray irrigation lands are now being disinfected using ultra-violet rays
·        Cattle grazing on spray irrigation lands are now being provided with fresh drinking water.  While not required under any Federal or Provincial regulations the City initiated this as a good thing to do.

Building Bylaw
·        At the July 15 Council meeting, a new bylaw, two years in the making, received first and second reading.  A final round of discussions is being held with developers and the Chamber to see if additional improvements can be identified prior to finalization.  The current bylaw is 26 years old.  Under the Local Government Act there is no requirement for the city to seek input from stakeholders – we do it because we believe it is the right way to do business.

Corporate Communications
·        We are working on revamping both the City and Western Financial Place websites and hope to target a public launch in September.
·        Six more citizens were recognized with Commemorative Banners which are now hanging along Hwy 3, bringing to 29 the number of individuals or groups from Cranbrook who have received national recognition and are celebrated along the Highway.  We are blessed with an amazing number of talented citizens!

Human Resources
·        On May 27 Council approved a new five year labour agreement between the City and our amazing CUPE workers.  This agreement covers from 2012 to 2017 and ensures that the daily services so highly valued by Cranbrook’s citizens will be provided uninterrupted.
·        In order to ensure effective and timely delivery of services the City has recruited:
·        11 full time positions including:
Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Construction Compliance Technologist, Municipal Engineer, Director of Finance, Financial Services Manager, Event and Marketing Manager and a Corporate Energy Manager (shared 50:50 with BC Hydro). 

Fire Services
In addition to providing fire and first response services to keep our citizens safe our Fire and Emergency Services Department:
·        Completed the fountain/landscaping project at the Fire Hall with Public Works assistance.  The community is invited to celebrate the project with refreshments and tours of the Fire hall on 2nd Street South on Friday, July 19 from 3 – 5 PM
·        Held the annual Sam Steele Fishing Derby with 150 kids participating
·        Participated in the Relay for Life and held a Mother’s Day Car Wash raising $1370 for cancer research.

Leisure Services
·        Dwight Yoakam has been booked for a September 19 concert and tickets are now on sale
·        Organized the Canada Day events, which concluded with a spectacular fireworks display thanks to Gord Felske’s fundraising and the generous donations from many businesses and individuals.
·        The new tennis and pickle ball courts were completed by Mt. Baker School and are open for use.  Try them out – they are exceptional!
·        Planning is underway to complete the trail that will link Rotary Way to the North Star Rails to Trails.  Once completed later this fall you will be able to cycle from downtown Cranbrook to downtown Kimberley, all on designated hard surface trails!
·        The new Bike Skills park located next to the Skateboard Park, is in use thanks largely to the efforts of dedicated volunteers.  This is a great addition that encourages a healthy community.

Public Works
These are the staff that keep our city looking great on a day-to-day basis, and includes 15 summer students.  In addition to mowing grass, hanging baskets, planting trees (e.g. Kinsmen Park) and dealing with infrastructure the crew have:
·        Completed constructing a ramp to provide access to the RCMP building for those in wheelchairs (long overdue)
·        Installed the Overhead Crosswalk at Victoria and 4th Street North (near Save On Foods) which is a real improvement for pedestrian safety.
·        Completed the information kiosk as part of the improvements to the Elizabeth Lake entrance to Cranbrook.  Watch for an official opening to this greatly improved site in September.

These are just a few of the initiatives that have been completed or are underway so far this year and it’s only mid-July!

Feel free to drop by city hall for a chat, come to Coffee with the Mayor at A & W or drop by the city booth at the Farmer’s Market on August 10th, attend the next Council meeting on August 12 or drop by Council Chambers on August 14 for the Brown Bag lunch.  Stay safe and enjoy the rest of summer 2013!

Mayor Wayne Stetski
Cranbrook


The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the City of Cranbrook.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Post Notes for the Council Meeting of July 15, 2013

Note
Additional and Late Correspondence is now up on the City's webpage at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3262

Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook have been advised by the Committee to Restore the Electrical Building the Delegation concerning the brick Electrical Building was advised not to attend as a delegation.  A petition concerning same was accepted.  CLCS has also noted correspondence concerning Provincial Heritage policies and practice in other jurisdictions, which were sent well before the cut off time for inclusion have not been included in the Council Package.
Additions were made to the Agenda at the beginning of this meeting to include the correspondence referred to above and which had not originally been included.  It was noted late correspondence was also included.

Delegation
Megan Lohmann, Community Energy Association, BC Hydro
Megan Lohmann described the new position of Community Energy Manager - a position created by BC Hydro in cooperation with CBT and the RDEK to create motivation and instruction on how to conserve energy.  We will be hearing more about the Energy Diet which BC Hydro would like all residents of the area to embark on.  The plan will be introduced in Rotary Park on July 26th from 11:30 - 1:30.  There will be trade shows in the Fall and home energy audits will take place during November and December for a cost of approximately $100 per home.  There will be an opportunity for the City to claim overall carbon reductions.


Inquiries

Councillor Davis used this time to list many concerns concerning empty buildings, the state of roads, support for a letter from Tracy McGuire concerning demolition of the Electrical Building, request for an invitation to the new administrator for the Railway museum and information regarding the Municipal Auditor's report.  (A report was given at the last Council meeting as to procedure for the Audit.)
Councillor Cross relayed an enquiry regarding the road markings left on Tenth Avenue after the Sam Steele Strong Man Competition and whether the Sam Steele Society would take responsibility for removing the markings. Referred to Administration.
Councillor Warner passed on an enquiry from the Wellness and Heritage Committee regarding whether it would be possible to send a letter to Interior Health recommending the placement of a smoking area away from the from entrance of the hospital.  Mayor Stetski commented that he could take this concern directly to the Hospital Board.


Administration Update
The full Admin. Update can be read at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3241

North Sector Area Plan
In accordance with the Corporation's 2013 Workplan, staff will be commencing work on a new area plan for the north sector lands which were included in the 2007 northern  boundary expansion. The purpose of the plan is to identify future land use and development, servicing phasing and timing and the land's relationship to the adjacent  Wildstone and St. Mary Neighbourhood Plan (includes Shadow Mountain)areas. The majority of the lands currently do not have a land use designation assigned to them in the City's Official Community Plan (OCP).  Staff has prepared a workplan which outlines the steps in the planning process over the next nine months. It is anticipated that consultation for the process will include interdepartmental and intergovernmental meetings, letters and newsletters along with a questionnaire to residents and property owners, a public meeting and an open house to present the draft plan when complete. Specific dates for the various events have not been determined at this point. Staff will advise of the dates when they are scheduled.

City Website Overhall

Economic Development
Cranbrook's BizPal presence was "soft launched" in June, in other words Cranbrook's information is made available on a limited basis for testing/validation purposes. Administration is currently testing the BizPal system to ensure that it works properly with the Cranbrook information. The testing phase and any associated clean-up for the Cranbrook information is expected to be completed by the end of July. At that point a BizPal web-page will be set up on the City's web-site and Cranbrook's presence on BizPal will be officially launched and available for public use.
It is hoped this program will be fully rolled out by the end of July.

Engineering
Capital Roads Program
including ;
14 Av Avenue South -13th Street to 17th Street South
Cranbrook Street/Highway 3 Frontage Road - New Denham Ford to Kootenay
Granite
4th Street NWand Hurry Avenue
2nd Street South - Highway 3 to 14th Avenue South
Drainage Improvement Projects
For the Report go to: https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3241

On DCC's it was interesting to note Engineering has noted a critical piece of information is missing from the Growth Management Study of 2009.  This piece of information is required before further recommendations can be made.
A resolution was made however at the Province's recommendation to review the City's DCC rates every 5 years. Carried.

Leisure Services
• Western Financial Place Events
On September 19, Cranbrook will host the iconic Dwight Yoakam. Yoakam has 12 gold
albums and nine platinum or multi-platinum albums, including the triple-platinum "This
Time". Five of those albums have topped Billboard's Country Albums chart with another
14 landing in the Top 10. More than 30 singles have charted, with 22 going Top 20,
including the incomparable hits "Honky Tonk Man," "Please Please Baby," "Little Ways,"
"I Sang Dixie," "It Only Hurts When I Cry," "Fast as You" and "Thousand Miles from
Nowhere." He has won two Grammies and earned a staggering 21 nominations.

Petition
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3242
8.1 K. Haberman Petition regarding the Electrical Building
The petition was accepted with Councillor Whetham noting some signatures were from out of town. It was generally conceded however that most were indeed from in town.
Councillor Cross spoke of what was at stake with this issue.  In effect she said to deny a group of volunteers the opportunity to take on this project would be to deny citizens their willingness to show love of community. That would be a an even bigger loss.
Comment
Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook note that while some signatures may have been from out of town it says something that people from out of town recognise Cranbrook's heritage  It should also be noted, this considerable number of signatures was obtained in a very short time in order to meet the deadline of this Council meeting.  Of note, a man from Paris who questioned why Canadians like to knock their old buildings down.

Correspondence
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3243
9.1  Pinewood Playground
It was suggested that the correspondents be advised to apply to Columbia Basin Trust.
9.2  Sign Bylaw, Billboards
A letter in opposition to Billboards.
9.4 Miracle Grow Garden Contest
9.5  Chamber of Commerce regarding changes to the Building Bylaw
The Chamber would like to see the changes to the Building bylaw be delayed for more consultation.
9.8 RDEK Highlights

9.9 - 9.10  These items do not appear currently(July 16)in the Council package. Letters from David Humphrey regarding Municipal Heritage Property and Community Heritage Registers.
Mayor Stetski thanked Mr Humphrey for the considerable research regarding municipal heritage property information, including that of Cranbrook.  As Mayor Stetski pointed out Cranbrook's record of heritage preservation, despite several studies and recommendations for improvement, has been poor.
The information reveals that the Electrical Building in question for demolition is included in Cranbrook's  list of Provincially Registered Protected Properties as it part of the City Hall complex.  The protected list is provincially registered and has only very few Cranbrook buildings on it. A Community Heritage Register, which is less formal but recognises buildings of significance was begun in 2003 but no buildings have been listed on it, unlike other municipalities which have considerable lists. 
A motion was made to refer the issue of a Register for Cranbrook's Historical Buildings to the Wellness and Heritage Committee. 
Comment
It is rather shocking that this information was not considered by those in charge before this issue came before Council. Any recommendations regarding the Electrical building are therefore null and void at this time, pending more research by those volunteers willing to save part of Cranbrook's history at their own expense.

Late items
9.13 A letter from CABDA concerning the proposed Building Bylaw and a request to delay readings for more consultation.  
9.14 A letter from the Home Builders Association
9.15 A letter from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the Sign Bylaw.
9.16 A letter from Ken Haberman

Report Recommendations

11.1 Wellness and Heritage
1. THAT Council consider the recommendation of the committee to proceed with allowing dog waste dispensers at Moir Centennial Athletic Park, provided that an off leash area be designated and is fenced; and further THAT additional signage is posted stating that all dogs must remain on their leash in other areas of the park, keeping off all sport playing fields.
Mr Hales (in CAO Staudt's absence) explained the cost for the dog off leash area to be about $20,000. This recommendation went over well with all of Council and it was agreed to put this item into the 2014 budget.
Approved.

2. THAT Council direct the Wellness and Heritage Committee to research options for additional dog friendly locations within the City for both on and off leash areas, and report recommendations back to Council at a future date.
Approved. Chris new , Leisure Services explained that comparative research has been done with other cities and that Cranbrook lags behind other cities in their development of dog parks. 

12.1 Mayor's Brown Bag Lunch
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3252

12.2  Rescue Vehicle Agreement

12. 3 Coffee with the Mayor
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3255


Bylaws
13.1 Building Bylaw 3725 First, Second Reading
This item created considerable debate.  It was pointed out several times that consultation can happen between and third readings which is part of normal process.  Councillors Pallesen and Davis felt they would like to see this done now even though it would result in another months delay in the bylaw's progress. It was pointed out that this Building bylaw is in some urgent need of updating due to liability issues.
Forst and second radings carried with Councillors Davis, Pallesen and Scott opposed.

13.2 Leisure Services Fees and Charges Bylaw3765, Adoption.
Carried

13.3 Sign Bylaw 3773 First, Second and Third Readings
A letter received from the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce requesting a height limitation of 10 metres rather than the current 7.5 metres and a time limit for removal of abandoned signs, was discussed.  Council voted in favour of implementing an abandonment agreement time limit for abandoned signs but not in favour of the 10 metre limit.  

13.4 Zoning Amendment 3774
Carried.