On January 27, 2014, senior staff held their regular semi-annual priorities meeting with council. These meetings are held to provide a status update on the corporate priority work list and to seek direction from council on new items to be addressed as current projects are concluded in the upcoming six months.
Thirteen “in progress items” were identified as ongoing top priorities, to be completed without further delay. These are listed in Table 1.
Table 1 – In-Progress Items
IP-1 Recycling Contract Changes with MMBC MMBC contract in place. BFI contract changes still in progress with RDOS/ Penticton/Osoyoos/Summerland
IP-2 Theatre Governance & Operating Agreements Complete contracts with SD53/RDOS/ Theatre Society & prepare for referendum
IP-3 Back-up Sewer treatment agreement with OIB OIB/Vincor want to explore Town backup options for Oct & Nov Vincor flows;
IP-4 Water Twinning Phase 3 Construction underway; to be completed spring 2014
IP-5 Buchanan Road Well & River Crossing Land tenure in place; Well drilling complete; river crossing TBD; must complete by Mar 2015
IP-6 Water Regulations Bylaw Consolidation Currently at public works for final re- view. To be brought to council in Q1 or Q2 2014 IP-7 Zoning Bylaw (v.2.0) Council has reviewed draft; public process to begin; adoption mid 2014?
IP-8 Riverside East Side Trail Completion Fairview Rd Bridge north to VDS 13 Paving is complete; stairway access to Oxbow trail is complete; concrete ramp from trail to drop structure
IP-9 Public Work Succession Matters Manager competition closes Jan 13; Decision in Feb
IP-10 Oliver Promotional Guide Prepare guide to promote Oliver to potential prison employees and others considering relocation to the South Okanagan. First draft complete.
IP-11 Development Servicing By- law Draft Bylaw sent for legal review. Design specifications by PW and engineers in progress
IP-12 Road Capital Funding Strategy Explore options for sustainable long term funding of road capital and maintenance requirements. Perhaps not realistic without additional tax funding.
IP-13 Southwest Airport Electrical service extension Civil design underway. To come to council for cost sharing decision
After confirming the need to continue work to complete items in Table 1, council voted on the priority status of several upcoming projects. Six projects were identified, as listed in Table 2. These projects will be addressed by staff on a priority basis as time permits, while still working to complete the in-progress projects in Table 1.
Table 2: Upcoming Corporate Priorities Set by Council
PRI-1 Riverside Park East side dyke from Fairview Bridge to VDS 11 Land tenure tied up in inter- ministry land transfer process. Likely months or years away
PRI-2 Development Cost Charge Bylaw review and/or re-write Review status of DCC projects and fund balances; explore projects and costs for new growth horizon
PRI-3 Municipal Manager Succession Solicit recruiting proposals; begin recruiting process
PRI-4 Miller Road Driveway Restoration Design and build driveway im- provements adjacent to Miller Rd pump station
PRI-5 Community Service Building Evaluate current use/revenue/cost related to CSB and consider selling property
PRI-6 Water Main Replacement Mountainview Drive Replace approx. 100 m former SOLID pipeline with deeper alignment
Table 3 – Projects for Future Consideration
1.Comprehensive reserve management policy development for council approval
2.November 2014 election
3.Collective bargaining preparation – current contract expires December 2014
4.Building Regulations Bylaw – incorporate hazardous material assessments for renovation and demolition of older buildings
5.Assemble missing rights-of-way for 1960s sewer mains
6.Station Street Land Sale and Development – awaiting details from proponent
7.Sewer Regulations Bylaw – Update and consider variable billing .
8.Review outstanding 18 recommendations from 2012 Operations Review report
9.System 7 water system land exchange with MoT
10.Street light conversion to LED
11.Growth boundary discussions with RDOS for RGS
12.Bylaw enforcement policy for temporary signs