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.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Post Notes for the Council Meeting of October 6th 2014

The entire package for the Council meeting can be read at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3743


Bylaws

6.1 3811 Permissive Tax Exemption
Three readings
The value of municipal property taxes exempted in 2014 was $219,419. If Council's decision is to continue with the exemptions in place, including the additions, eliminations and amendments referenced in the background information below, the value of the municipal property taxes exempted in 2015 is estimated to be $205,297.
Carried

6.2 3812 Loan Authorisation
Motor Control Center (MCC) Replacement -
Spray Irrigation Facility
For Council to authorize staff to proceed with an alternative approval process as set out in section 86
of the Community Charter to obtain elector approval on a borrowing not to exceed $700,000.
Carried

6.3 3813 Rate Increase Amendment
To increase monthly Sewer User Rates for 2014 from $18.00 to $21.00 per month.
Three readings
Carried

7.1 Business Arising
To consider appointments to fill two vacancies on the Urban Deer Management Advisory Committee.
Gerry Tate (sp ?) Jacob Larson

New Business

8.1
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4232Consideration of Electronic Devices/iPads and Council Agendas Policy No. 40-901.
RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff
THAT Council approve Policy No. 40-901 Electronic Devices/iPads and Council Agendas Policy as presented
Cost will be approximately $15000 with software.
Carried.

8.2 Development Variance The Whins, Wildstone

8.3 To consider approval of an application for a Multi-Family Residential Development Permit to enable
construction of an addition for an existing commercial building located at 1901 Willowbrook Drive and zoned R-5 - Medium Density Multiple Family Residential Zone.
Carried

8.4  PURPOSE:
To consider approval of an application for a Downtown Commercial Development Permit to enable exterior (facade) renovations for an existing commercial building located at 121 Kootenay Street N., zoned C-1 - Community Commercial Zone, and located within the Downtown Commercial Development Permit area.
This is for the Cranbrook Flooring Building.
Carried

8.5 To appoint BDO Canada LLP as the City's independent external auditor for the fiscal years 2014 -
2016.
Carried

10.1 Administration Update
This longer than usual report can be read in full at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4266
This report is very informative as are the attachments.
Contains project updates and reports from Energy Management , Economic Development, Finance and Computer Services, Fire and Emergency Services
Attachments to this report include a cost and energy use chart, a report on Scotty's House, an operating contingency fund report and a report from Fire and Emergency Services.

excerpts from report:
The Acting Director of Engineering advises that the sidewalk and streetlight program for 14th Avenue South was put on hold due to higher than expected  tender results for the core program work in the 2014 Capital Roads Program. If there are funds remaining, the City could purchase a number of bolt-on delineators, as was previously discussed between E. Sharpe and W. Staudt.

Line painting and picnic tables at Elizabeth Lake Tourist Centre
The line painting work was scheduled for the last week of September,  first week of October. By the time Council receives this update, it is anticipated hat the work will be complete.
At this time, there are no plans for additional picnic tables.

Joseph Creek stabilization projects behind the liquor store and beside First
Baptist Church

Trail connecting Rotary Way to the North Star Rails to Trails, past the Chamber office, transfer station and Home Depot This project is underway. The contractor is expected to be on-site the last week of September. This work will complete the trail from the railway track to connect at the Chamber of Commerce. The contractor expects this work to be complete by the end of October.

The Energy Manager is gradually becoming acquainted with Western Financial Place (WFP), the corporation's single largest energy cost and source of emissions. This has been lengthened considerably due to operational, resource and technical system challenges.  Initiative: WFP Detailed Study/Design
Over $50,000 funding is available through Fortis and BC Hydro to carry out specific, detailed en,ergy conservation investigations and designs. We are looking to commence 'this study in fall 2014, with completion towards summer 2015.

4th Avenue South Vehicle Fire
In the evening of Friday, September 12, Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services
responded to a semi-truck fire located on 4th Avenue South. Upon arrival crews found a
semi-truck truck fully engulfed. They extinguished the fire using a combination of water
and biodegradable foam, and the scene was turned over to the RCMP for further
investigation.
Approximately 6:00pm on Wednesday September 17, Cranbrook Fire & Emergency
Services were notified of a fuel odour coming from the storm sewer culvert at the bottom
of 11 th Street South. Crews responded and containment equipment was put around the
culvert opening, which drains into Elizabeth Lake. Both the Ministry of Environment and
Environment Canada were contacted.
On the morning of Thursday September 18, investigators with both the Ministry of
Environment (MOE) and Environment Canada arrived at the site, along with City of
Cranbrook staff from Engineering and Fire & Emergency Services. Investigators found
hydrocarbons in the culvert, and a request was made of the City of Cranbrook to conduct
the cleanup.
Hydrocarbons are predominately found in crude oil and other petroleum-based products
like motor oil, rubber hoses, tires and most plastics. In any vehicle fire or house fire
there will always be a release of hydrocarbons.

Staff have been advised by representatives from Shaw that, with the municipal election approaching, Shaw will not be broadcasting Council Meetings during the campaign period from October 10 - November 16, 2014. For consistency, the October 20, 2014 and November 3, 2014 Regular Council meetings will not be posted on the City's website. 

Barriers to Business Update 
Kevin Weaver reported to Council on the progress being made with the 13 items on the Barriers to Business list provided by the Chamber of Commerce.  A series of backgrounder documents are gradually being put up on the City Website to assist businesses in meeting city requirements.  Councillor Pallesen referred to the 'Landscaping Backgrounder' document and enquired as to whether businesses would find it easy to understand.  The economic development officer, Kevin Weaver responded that businesses would be asked for input.  We are uncertain if this document is available for the public as yet - we were unable to find it on the City webpage.
Mr Weaver also described the public service training program that all staff is taking.  Some departments will receive more intensive training than others. The difficulties in dealing with some City departments was a topic that arose during the Community Conversation exercise earlier this year.

Correspondence
Begins at:
12.1 https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4242

12.2 Proclamation  Canada will celebrate its annual National Waste Reduction Week from October 20th through October 26th,2014.

12.3 Proclamation November Pulmonary Hypertension Month.

12.4 to 12.10 Correspondence including donation requests
The last item of correspondence resulted in a motion for $300 to come out of contingency to provide a one time only donation of $300, to the Cranbrook Women's Shelter, for food that is currently urgently required to alleviate some very difficult situations. The motion carried. Councillor Scott was opposed. 

The meeting concluded with round table comments. Councillor Warner gave notice of motion:

Council should refer the matter of potentially toxic substances being leaked or discharged intothe City's storm sewer system to the Environment and Utilities Committee to make a recommendationto Council on whether the City should draw up a bylaw with penalty provisions to cover such spills.


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