Debate and decisions

1. Letter received from SO Chamber of Commerce indicating a desire to operate the Centennial RV park and campsite to the south of their offices in the historic CPR building. Council has decided its next step is to give the public some time to think about this and an advertisement will be place allowing other business interests to express an interest in the future management of the park. A previous meeting Council heard from the present management team indicating their desire to continue on.

2. The annual report of the Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen was received. Council resolved to make inquiries as to the benchmarks set by council prior to granting funds from a previous budget for “economic gardening”.

The report states: ” we will always credit you with being innovative and supportive of small business “. The report states what Community Futures has done in the last year for a number of Oliver based companies – all in the rural area. Loans to Oliver companies since 1984 amount to over $2 million.

3. Council has appointed Corporate Officer Cathy Cowan as Chief Electoral Officer for a by-election September 21. First notice of such by-election will be next week. Council received a report which included the resignation of Councillor Linda Larson.

4. A public hearing was held to review Bylaw 1343 – which legitimizes Temporary Use Permits in all zones in Oliver. Only one member of the public was present.

5. New cemetery amendment bylaw adopted  which increased some rates based on increased costs of burial liners.

6. Adoption given to Bylaw 1343 – Temporary Use Permits.

7. New billing rules enacted on agriculture irrigation:  new bylaw given first, second and third reading – that states in part – once BC Assessment Corporation has changed the status of a property from agriculture to something else – town staff will check on whether water is still being used for agriculture purposes.

8. Council has opted to continue to apply a flat rate water parcel tax to all properties in the water utility and that fees be assessed based on user fees consistent with all other use classes.

9. New tie-down fees are being implemented at the Oliver airport as recommended by the Airport Manager and the advisory committee. New fees will be rolled over into a new Operations Manual that is set to be reviewed by Council soon.

10. Council has revised a policy on applications for sewer and water hook-ups. All costs associated with the application shall be recovered from service applicants.