Post Notes for the Council Meeting of October 20th

Two candidates for Council in the upcoming election were present in the gallery, Norma Blissett and Ron Popoff.

The full agenda can be found at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4271

Bylaws

6.1  3811 Annual Tax Exemption
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.
One of the parties refused for this exemption was advised to apply to the City for a Grant.
Adopted

6.2 3813 Sewer Rates
To increase monthly Sewer User Rates for 2014 from $18.00 to $21.00 per month.
Adopted

6.3 3815 Revenue Anticipation Borrowing

The revenue anticipation borrowing bylaw will authorize borrowing up to $6,000,000 to cover Corporate cash flow requirements, including any cash flow issues that could arise due to major capital or special projects, pending receipt of the 2015 tax revenues.
This procedure is normal practice and ensures that in the case of an emergency the City would be prepared.
Three readings carried.

New Business

8.1 PURPOSE:

To consider approval of a Development Variance Permit for the relaxation of "City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw No. 3737, 2012" and the "Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw 3633, 2008" to permit the replacement of a septic system rather than the requirement for properties under 2 ha to
connect to the City sewer system.
RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff
That Council not approve the application for a Development Variance Permit for a property located at 1404 - 12th Avenue S., legally described as Lot 33, District Lot 3912, Kootenay District, Plan 869 Except Plan NEP 88112 (PIO 016-021-941), by:
1. Varying Section 5.01.4 of the City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw No. 3737, 2012", to permit the replacement of an on-site sewage disposal system for a property less than 2 ha; and,
2. Varying Section 8.1 of the "Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw 3633, 2008", to permit installation of an on-site sewage disposal system and not connect to the Municipal sewage system.
Furthermore, that Council permit a private sanitary sewer service connection to 15th Street South for the existing dwelling, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, until further development and/or subdivision occurs on the property.
The property owner has agreed to hook up to the municipal sewer service as in this instance, the cost will be similar to installing a new septic system.  However this item resulted in considerable discussion around what constitutes new development.  If the owner of this property were not to be so conveniently located to the City system the problem would be more complicated.  If a home previously serviced by a septic system, were to request hook up to the City system it would normally qualify as new development which must be paid for by the home owner.  In this case the cost is no more than a new septic system but in another case the costs might be considerably more.  There are apparently approximately 23 (an unconfirmed number) homes on septic systems within city limits.  The question of how septic tank replacement might be dealt with in these circumstances was then discussed.  CAO Staudt pointed out that this would really be no different than replacing a roof and discretion might be used with bylaw interpretation.

10.1 Administration Update

The full document can be read at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4277

Urban Deer
On October 7, 2014 staff received a general wildlife permit from the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations, which permits the City of Cranbrook to move forward with an additional population reduction of 50 animals from the urban deer herd.
The permit is valid from December 1, 2014 to March 15, 2015.
Staff made the permit application to the Province following the unanimous approval of
Council to make the application at their regular meeting of Monday July 14, 2014.
Part of this process includes the Urban Deer Management Advisory Committee conducting another deer population count this fall. Staff is working with the Committee to coordinate the count. No date has been set yet.

Fluoride Open House
When: Thursday October 23, 2014-7:00pm to 9:00pm MT 
Where: Manual Training School, 1212 2nd Street North, next to the Cranbrook 
Public Library 

Also included are items on scooters on sidewalks and economic development

Correspondence
12.1 Correspondence begins:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4278

Louis Riel day was proclaimed for November 16th with the week from November 16th to 23rd to be proclaimed "Metis Week"

12 6.  A request to use Firehall No 1 for assembling Christmas hampers was denied as the building has just undergone asbestos removal.  The building is also undergoing a structural analysis paid for by the Cranbrook and District Arts Council as part of their Memorandum of Understanding with the City.