Decisions and discussion by the Town of Oliver as a result of meetings held April 8 2013
1. Council granted Councillor Linda Larson a leave of absence from her duties for a one month period April 15 to May 14 without pay.
The provincial election – writ – will be dropped one week from today
2. K and K Construction awarded contract in the amount of $51,744 for the replacement of doors and windows at the Historic CPR station. The building was rebuilt after a fire in 2003. The highest of three bids was over $61 thousand. The project will be financed in a two year budget period with half the monies spent in 2014.
3. Bylaw Enforcement Officers appointed – Steve and Patricia Marshall and Shilo Lyver. Marshall Enforcement Services granted a three year contract at an earlier meeting.
4. Annually a report on financial information is filed with the public including remuneration and expenses paid to publicly elected officials and employees:
In the period 2012 pay and expense reimbursement total
Mayor Ron Hovanes $35,246.82
Councillor Linda Larson $18,463.30
Councillor Dave Mattes $18,197.43
Councillor Maureen Doerr $17,713.05
Councillor Jack Bennest $14,357.55
Councillor Andre Miller $8474.49
Councillor Rick Machial $5676.37
Town Employee wages paid $1,989,223.05
5. Willow Beach land issue referral – Councillors voted to not participate in Area A Osoyoos application for land use permits ( OCP and Zoning ) at Willow Beach. Plan calls for 80 homes based on available nearby services for domestic water and sewer provided by Town of Osoyoos.
6. Town staff will conduct survey of retail business owners as to whether they prefer a 2 hour parking limit on Highway 97 (Main Street) in the Downtown Business District or a retention of the existing policy of 1 hour only and 2 hour parking on east-west avenue immediately adjacent. Some concern expressed that some customers need more than 1 hour to conduct appointments or business in that area.
7. Food Vendors – staff will review licensing provisions for vendors which travel between sites in Oliver to sell food in the open
8. RCMP officials made presentation on annual planning and statistics – local priorities are safer roads by enhanced enforcement, safer youth – developing partnerships, diverting cases from courts to restorative justice, increase number of aboriginals graduating from high school, reducing number of distracted drivers and stepping up school zone traffic enforcement. Day to day police work reflects action in response to complaints, crime or incidents. The program priorities above are directives and goals. RCMP were asked about the amount of traffic enforcement when some want more action on crime. Sgt. Ken Harrington told council that what we see are ICBC funded work to increase safety on the roads and reduce claims. This work is done by the South Okanagan Similkameen Traffic Division and is not controlled by the local detachment.