Committee of the Whole Meeting November 24th 2014.
Kehar & Sharanjit Khaira – 247 Oak Avenue – roadway washout
The Khairas were at the Committee Meeting to await Council’s decision on relief from the original bill sent to them for work done to repair damage from a water leak which occurred in late August of last year.
Director of Operations, Shawn Goodsell reviewed his November 14th report in which he suggested three options;
1. Charge Khairas the full amount of 9,475.30.
2. Charge for a portion being $7,980.61 charged the Town by the third party contractors.
3. Council decide on a reasonable amount or not charge the Khairas.
4. Council exercise its discretion.
These recommendations were based on information which Council had requested at a previous meeting:
Q. Is Oak Avenue a Town Road?
A. Yes.
Q. Is 247 Oak within the Town Boundaries?
A. No it is in the RDOS.
Q. Do we need a legal opinion to make a decision?
A. The Town has a duty to taxpayers to make good the nuisance caused by the washout and has the right of recovery of those costs (Sic).
One Water Councillor expressed concern that by initiating work a precedent has been set. Mr. Goodsell explained that the washout damage could not have been left untouched for the time it could have taken for insurance adjusters and companies to settle who should pay the bill. Council resolved to adopt option 2. at the Regular Meeting.
Councillor Mattes had an agenda item regarding budget items which he wanted Council to adopt:
1. Council agreed that staff will report on presenting total labor costs for Inside and Outside Workers as three different categories and broken down into Water, Sewer and General for Public Works. The intent of this report is to enable Council to have a better understanding of how money is spent when making financial decisions. This was carried.
Councillor Bennest commented that; “financial reports were more directed to accountants not Council”.
Mayor Hovanes asked whether Council should get down to this level of scrutiny when the Town has an efficient system and efficient staff. He asked whether Council is ‘fishing’ for a staff reduction.
2. Councillor Mattes made a motion that staff draw up a policy detailing that future budgets use a starting point of ‘0’ % using the previous year’s budget and addition tax revenue of new construction.
3. Mattes’ final motion to reduce the Water Councillors Travel and Conference budget from $2,500 (approx.) to $500 drew some comments of displeasure from Councillor Miller who; “found it offensive”, as he considered it was targeting him; Mayor Hovanes stated he could not support it and Water Councillor Miller commented that Council spends considerably more on going to UBCM and SILGA etc.
Water Councillor Machail suggested that Mr. Miller has; “got the message”. The motion was defeated.
.
Regular Meeting November 24th 2014.
The Town will be sending the Khairas a bill for 7,980.61 which is the amount the Town paid for third party contractors to repair the damage at 247 Oak Ave. The Town will absorb its own costs. The motion to invoice was carried but Water Councillor Machial commented that it appears when insurance companies and local government are involved the costs go up.
The Megale property east of Tucelnuit Lake is back to square one and the zoning is the same as it was before Mr. Michael Megale made his rezoning application.
Due to Community Charter regulations, Council had to bring the matter back to the table as a resolution; “That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1350.02 be read a third time and be adopted” and then Council would be legally able to defeat the motion which was done and Mayor Hovanes commented when asked by a reporter why this step was taken, that Mr. Megale was not able to make adjustments to his application conditions that Council desired.
Meeting adjourned.