Decisions and discussions at Tuesday meetings of Oliver Town Council

Budget 2013:

Sewer Operating and Capital – increase of 1.5 percent authorized with staff asked to bring before council a rates bylaw prior to December 31st.

Water Operating and Capital – increase of 2.2 percent authorized with staff asked to bring before council rates bylaw prior to year end.

Discussion – Tax Revitalization Bylaw – Council reviewed report of Manager on various options. Manager to study feedback ideas and bring forward bylaw for consideration as soon as possible. This bylaw would allow council to exempt taxes on improvements made to certain properties, in certain business/commercial categories and uses to encourage development and getting builders to proceed with construction. The tax benefit would not exceed 5 or 10 years based on the law of the provincial government.

Three water matters approved:

1. application for tenure on property at Buchanan Well site to allow town use for water distribution system
2. award of tender to Dawson Construction in the amount of $1.7 million to construct box culvert under Hwy 97 at McIntrye Bluff allowing for road widening. No cost to Town
3. due to high costs in first tender – work on Flume #3 replacement north of Oliver will not proceed. Tender to be revisited in the new year

Delegation: Bill Ross and Murray Soder approached council on the idea of a linear park on both sides of the river north and south of the Fairview Bridge – 5 km in total with enhancements to natural plants, rest stops, lighting etc. Council supported the idea and urged the two gentleman to utilize current MLA’s as soon as possible as Ministry of Environment thought to be the biggest hurdle to overcome in order to complete the plan.