Ambassadors – changing of the guard – Mayor Ron Hovanes presented plaques and flowers to outgoing youth ambassadors Ishika Gill, Gavin Buttar and Surmeet Sandhu for a job well done in 2015-2016.

Incoming youth ambassadors Simi Gill, Manvir Ghadu, Jeevan Gill and Jasleen Dhillon given certificates before taking an oath at Monday’s Town of Oliver council meeting.

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Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 1359.01 – Oliver Search and Rescue – on Town land and Oliver Curling Club – on Town land along with the ORL (library) – on leased land given an exemption of municipal taxes. The Town of Oliver now gives tax emptions to churches and civic organizations to the tune of over $100 thousand.

Dogs off Leash – Animal Control Bylaw 1224 – Council went along with recommendation of staff to make some minor changes to this law. Much discussion about dogs off leash and whether any changes should be made to existing wording. Unanimous consent to allow dogs off leash on Hike and Bike trail – SOUTH of Fairview from dawn to 9am. More bylaw enforcement is being recommended by council for the hike and bike path NORTH of the Fairview Bridge.

Irrigation Water Turn Off dates – Water should be turned off October 11 and the water will be dry in the canal starting October 28th

Boundary Expansions off the table on OCP review – Council is doing an Official Community Plan review and has taken the issue to the people. Council will hold another public open house in October but Boundary Expansion will no longer be discussed. Council wants to concentrate on land management in the business district and Tuc-el-nuit Lake area.

Changes to C5 zone and metal shipping container storage – Council has agreed to a public hearing on a Zoning Amendment Bylaw to allow more shipping container storage in C5 Commercial areas near Industrial Zones. The restrictions (historic) call for limited use of shipping containers within 70 metres of the highway and the main business core.

Council supports BC Cancer Society – Town of Oliver supports a complete ban of outdoor smoking in the municipality. Town would wait for BC government to establish such a law.

Sandwich Boards on sidewalks – Council has asked staff to review the present policies and bylaws, consult with the business community and bring uniform regulations back to council for adoption.

Goose Hunting – Council endorsed recommendations to continue granting 6 permits a year to hunters to control Canadian Geese populations inside town boundaries. The six year old program has been successful in controlling the number of geese that are attracted to the area including Tuc-el-nuit Lake beach and access areas.