Hangar lease dispute raises hackles

The Oliver Hangar Association has managed to alienate town council and staff as it drags out the process of signing a new lease with the town for hangar space at the airport.
At issue is whether there is a dispute resolution clause in the lease, a feature that Chief Administrative Officer Heidi Frank said is not included in other town leases and is not needed.

A recent letter to Frank from Bill Michael of the association was “derogatory to staff and the whole process,” said Councillor Jack Bennest. He suggested that council simply receive and file the letter until “they have their ducks in a row.”
Frank told council the matter was brought forward to “let council know the level of frustration that staff is feeling” over the unnecessary complications over the lease.
Councillor Maureen Doerr asked with a chuckle, “The lease costs $400 a year and they’ve hired a lawyer?”

Developer gets break on deposit

The developers of the old Las Gallerias property on McKinney Road got a break Monday as council cut almost in half the landscape deposit required before they can re-start work.
The required amount was reduced from $156,462 to $84,324 as some members of council said they are anxious to see the long-stalled development get moving again.
The town requires the deposit in the event that the developer fails to fulfill its requirement to properly landscape the property. The town would use the funds to finish the landscaping.
Councillor Jack Bennest said the developer is unlikely to not finish the landscaping because it would make selling the residences much more difficult.
Council two weeks ago approved the 30-unit project at the west foot of McKinney Road. Development on the property began in 1995 but has foundered over the years for a variety of reasons.

Annual report available
The 2014 Town of Oliver Annual Report is available on line at the town website or on paper at the Town Hall.
Members of council Monday lamented the fact that the document gets little attention from the public, even though it is a thorough and exhaustive account of the town’s activities.
“It’s a huge amount of work (by town staff) that doesn’t get much attention,” said Councillor Jack Bennest.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said: “(The report) is a snap shot of what Oliver was in 2014 … what we did and what it cost.”

Looking for a ride
Town council looking for a ride in the annual Sunshine Parade set for July 11.
Mayor Ron Hovanes suggested that since he and Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger both own Miata convertibles, perhaps they could find some more of the sports cars and ride in those.
CAO Heidi Frank offered her Jeep convertible.
In the end, council decided to ask Nk’Mip Golf Club to lend them some golf carts for the parade, as they have done in the past.