Council of the Town of Oliver met Monday in two public sessions – one at 4pm and a second at 7pm.
Decisions and discussions:
1. Appeal to council from Ivy George of Bing Ave. Bylaw officers had pointed out that the residence has three dogs contrary to by-law. Ms. George indicated one of the pets is not hers but being cared for on a temporary basis. Councillors will review wording of bylaw as it refers to “owner of” and “harbouring”. Legal advice may be sought and the language in the bylaw may have to be amended.
2. Report by Chris Garrish, contract planner, on Demographic Trends and Growth Management as part of a dialogue on the Regional Growth Strategy and the Official Community Plan.
Garrish says the OCP talking to a growth rate of 2% is somewhat optimistic. Growth rate actual 1966 to 1986 was 1.1% and 1991 to 2012 the rate was 1.38%. BC stats say the population has actually declined in the last year. Peak building years recently were 2005 to 2008 – but the amount of building has decline radically since then. The amount of persons were housing unit has also declined averaging at 2.2 persons per unit.
“Taken together, The town seems to have enough vacant land to meet 75% of its projected growth in the next 30 years.” “….the Town should continue to meet its future growth through densification and increased variety of housing stock to meet the needs of aging population.”
3. Council heard some suggestion that civic voting opportunities held at care facilities could be eliminated in future. All of council rejected this idea and stated that opportunities should be ensured for residents of Sunnybank and McKinney Place.
4. Council has rejected the idea that funding could be cut in budgets of the Heritage Society and the Parks and Recreation Society to pay for operations at the Venables Theatre. Both of those societies are funded by RDOS/Area C Joint Services Agreements.
Mayor Ron Hovanes states that negotiations between the RDOS, School District #53 and the Town of Oliver continue this week in an effort to reach a settlement on a budget for the management and operations of the new theatre scheduled to open officially in early February.
5. Mayor Hovanes reported that in conversations with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – staff are indicating that Hwy 97 could be paved within a 4 year period.
6. Larry Schwartzenberger has been appoint as liaison to the Oliver Fire Department (Emergency and Protective Services)
7. Sewer rates will not increase in 2014. Water rates will increase by 1% with two exceptions. The flat rate for non-farm irrigation will remain at $715 per acre/per year and a new meter rate for the same water is available at 52 cents a cubic meter if the owner purchases and installs a Town water utility meter. The metered rate for domestic service is 58 cents a cubic meter. Non-farm irrigation is in most cases untreated water.
8. The Town will proceed with a new contract with the MMBC (Multiple Materials BC) which should result in a $32/home subsidy for recycled material. That is a subsidy to local taxpayers of about $57 thousand annually.