Post Notes for the Council Meeting of February 17th 2014

No Delegations

In accordance with the newly approved Council meeting procedure:

Bylaws
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3673
6.1 3790 Automated voting machine authorisation
carried
6.2 3791 OCP Amendment
The proposed amendment will: 
• add a new area plan for lands in the northern part of the City which were incorporated in a 2007 boundary extension; 
• add new land use designations to the properties in the plan area which currently do not have an OCP land use designation
carried
6.3 3792 Athletic Commission repeal
Carried
Now that the Provincial Government  has taken over the monitoring of such events as Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing there is no need for a local commission.

New Business

Report Recommendations
8.1 Coffee with the Mayor report.
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3676
8.2 Appointments to the Economic Development Committee
The representatives nominated by the organizations are not residents of Cranbrook and thus these appointments would be an exception to the Terms of Reference for 2014. 
Mike Adams and Joey Hoeschman appointed.
8.3 Appointment to Highway 3 Committee
Coenraad Fourie appointed as representative of the Ministry of Transportation

8.4 RDEK Referral Development Variance Permit 1-14 Wycliffe pk Rd.
8.5 Downtown Commercial Development Permit for Kootenay Kwik Print
Approved
8.6 Climate Resiliency Project Selection
Approved
This $10,000 matched grant will enable reduction of fire hazard material in the Community Forest.

8.7 Graduated Business Licence
Resolution 
Whereas there is only one business license fee of $150 charged by the City of Cranbrook regardless of the size of the business.
And whereas there are approximately1 ,300 to 1,400 businesses in the City of Cranbrook at any given time.
And whereas these businesses range greatly in size, from single proprietorship's and home-based businesses to large businesses and corporations with many employees.
And whereas, despite their size, they all pay the same business license fee regardless of their size and the revenue they generate.
And whereas this seems on the surface to be unfair to small businesses that generate far less revenue than big businesses that pay the same business license fee.
Therefore be it resolved the City investigate how other cities in the province deal with this situation and whether a graduated business license fee would be a more fair and equitable way of dealing with business license fees than the one size fits all approach being used now.
Councillor Gerry Warner
Feb. 11,2014
This resolution was discussed at length by those present and there was agreement that although the intention is a good one, the fee is for the work involved with the issuing of a business licence is the same regardless of the size of the business.  Monitoring of a graduated license fee system would involve more work and potentially produce more problems.  This issue was examined several years ago by Council and turned down then.
Defeated

Committee Recommendations
9.1 Urban Deer
Councillor Warner expressed his strong feelings that a cull should take place.  However, it was felt by the majority of Council that it was time to gauge the predominant feeling of the community once more.  A survey, possibly on line, will be put together.  All Councillors were in agreement that the Province is not doing its part in this provincial problem.

Administration Update
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3684

Correspondence
12.1 - 12.10
beginning:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3685
12.1 It was agreed to contribute $1250 to the Wildsafe program which will benefit the community with education around wildlife
12.2  It was agreed to contribute $700 in work in kind to assist with the installation of a ventilation system required for the pottery room at the Senior's Centre.
12.5 Councillor Whetham will follow up with the Ministry of Sport and Cultural Development over the issue of Preliminary Layout Approval procedure - the point being that currently a PLA can trigger sales before proper planning is in place for the land development.
12.6 Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3690
12.9 Correspondence from Theresa Bartraw seeking to establish a peer network for the visually impaired
Please contact Lori Harris coordinator for Better at Home if interested. 426-2943
12.10 Correspondence from Daniel Pizarro Senior Regional Transit Manager.  More effort is being put into finding smaller buses for Cranbrook.
12.11 A new community infrastructure grant has been announced.  The City has three priorities for  application - The sewer pipe connection to the Spray Irrigation Site, Idlewild dredging and Roads.  The proportion of cost sharing is not known at this time.

Reports and Inquiries
Mayor Stetski asked for updates from administration on earlier requests concerning:
A Sidewalk Clearing bylaw, The Two Tier System of pricing for recreational facilities, which Mayor Stetski would like to see removed and the Barriers to Business program.
Councillor Warner passed on public frustrations over lack of outcome for the Dog Park discussions that have been ongoing.