Regular Council Meeting May 28, 2008
Posted by admin in : Uncategorized , comments closed1) New Fire Chief Hired
As a result of the pending retirement of present City of Fernie Fire Chief, Mr. Brian Schmitz, the City of Fernie is pleased to announce that Mr. Shawn Ivany will take over the position of Director of Fire and Rescue Services effective July 2, 2008. Mr. Ivany has extensive experience in the fields of fire protection, rescue and emergency services in addition to related training and education in the field.
He has served as a fire chief, assistant chief (fire prevention), acting regional fire commissioner, lieutenant, firefighter/inspector and firefighter/structural. Council agreed that Mr. Ivany’s skills, knowledge and abilities make him an excellent fit for the position.
2) Fire and Rescue Services Strategic Plan
Council approved an Agreement between the City and Results Management Services of Surrey, BC for the preparation of a Ten Year Strategic Plan for the City’s Fire and Rescue Services Department. A major goal of the Plan will be to optimize the delivery of fire and rescue services and to examine whether opportunities exist to reduce operational and capital costs of the Department and what the implications of any changes may be. The cost for development of the Plan is $20,600 and it is expected to be completed by March 15, 2009.
3) Rural Fire Protection Service Bylaw
Council gave first three readings to Fernie Rural Fire Protection Services Authorization Bylaw No. 2075. The Bylaw authorizes the City to provide rural fire protection services to specified rural areas in the Fernie area as detailed in the Fernie Rural Fire Protection Agreement between the City of Fernie and the Regional District of East Kootenay. The services to be provided include fire
suppression, rescue services and medical first responder services.
The Agreement replaces the Fernie Snow Valley Local Service Area Fire Suppression Agreement and the agreement with the former West Fernie
Waterworks District and expands the service area to include certain properties in the Cokato, Anderson and Vanlerberg Road areas.
4) Development Variance Permits Approved
After fulfilling the mandatory notice requirements and providing an opportunity for input from the public, Council approved the issuance of Development Variance Permits (DVP) #184, #185 and #187.
DVP #184 legalizes the siting of the existing single family dwelling at 722 – 9th Avenue and will enable the construction of a 1.22 metre x 6.4 metre covered porch (including stairs and deck) on the west side of the subject single family dwelling. The covered porch will project into the minimum front yard setback as authorized by the DVP. No verbal or written comments on the permit from the public were received.
DVP #185 varies the minimum side and rear yard setbacks along the east and south property lines of 16 Ridgemont Drive to facilitate the construction of a proposed detached garage in the back yard. No verbal or written comments on the permit from the public were received.
DVP #187 varies the parking requirement of the Zoning Bylaw from 13 parking spaces to 0 parking spaces to facilitate the installation of an outdoor patio containing 38 seats for patrons at Nonstop Adventure & Red Tree Lodge located at 1101 – 7th Avenue. The number of existing parking spaces will remain the same. A letter from the Bargain Shop expressed opposition to issuance of the permit.
5) Contract for 13th Street Upgrade Awarded
After receiving and reviewing the two tenders submitted for the 13th Street Reconstruction Phase 1 project, Council awarded the contract to Copcan Contracting Ltd. based in Nanaimo, BC. The amount of the contract including GST is $1,346,000. The other tender was submitted by Metro Paving. The project which will significantly improve 13th Street between 6th and 2nd Avenues, is expected to commence in mid-June and be completed by late August.
6) Council Supports Proposed Dirt Jump Park
Council passed a resolution in support of the Fernie Mountain Bike Club’s proposed development of a dirt jump and skills progression park to be located on the grounds behind the Fernie Aquatic Centre. The outdoor rink/ basketball court will be moved to an area adjacent to the east end of the parking lot while the new park will be located where the existing outdoor rink presently is. The Club will have primary responsibility for maintaining the park.
7) Zoning Amendment Bylaw Advances
Council gave first and second reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2068 which applies to the residential property located at 1042 11th Avenue. The property is currently zoned R-1 Single Family Residential but the applicant would like it to be re-zoned to R-1B Single Detached Residential. If eventually adopted, the amendment Bylaw would permit a secondary residential unit to be placed on the same lot as the primary residential unit. The draft Bylaw will now proceed to a public hearing in the near future.
Council Supports Fernie Oil Derrick
Council passed a resolution supporting the care, preservation and restoration of the Fernie Derrick Artifact in its present location near the Chamber of Commerce building on Highway #3. The Fernie Derrick Society approached City Council for its support of preserving this important part of Fernie and Flathead Valley heritage. Council agreed to provide in-kind donations of equipment and manpower and stated that if the Chamber of Commerce site should ever be altered, that every effort should be made to preserve the artifact and if necessary, to provide another suitable site for it.
Regular Council Meeting May 12, 2008
Posted by admin in : Uncategorized , comments closed1) Fernie Derrick Society Speaks to Council
Mr. Fred Lightfoot of the Fernie Derrick Society provided Council with an update and proposal to save the Akamina Oil Derrick which is currently located at the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Lightfoot submitted a petition with 517 signatures requesting that the oil derrick be preserved at its current location and provided Council with a list of actions that need to be done as soon as possible. Mr. Lightfoot requested Council’s support in preserving the oil derrick at the Fernie Chamber of Commerce site. Mayor Macnair asked Councillors McSkimming and Cox to bring forward a resolution on this matter to the May 26, 2008 Regular Council meeting.
2) 2007 Financial Statements Approved
Mr. Gerald Price from GPI Chartered Accountants and auditor for the City of Fernie was in attendance to present the 2007 Audited Financial Statements to Council. Mr. Price reviewed the highlights in the Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The Community Charter requires local governments to prepare and present an annual financial statement for the preceding year by May 15th of the following year. Council approved the 2007 Audited Financial Statements with Mayor Macnair noting the solid financial position the City of Fernie is in. The document is available for viewing by the public.
3) Financial Bylaws Adopted
The following three finance-related bylaws which were all given three readings on April 28th, were adopted by Council:
Land Development Reserve Fund Expenditure Bylaw No. 27 (Bylaw No. 2069)
This bylaw authorizes the expenditure of $460,000 (including $10,000 legal fees) from the Land Development Reserve Fund for the purchase in fee simple of the property located at 491 2nd Ave which is commonly known as the Heritage Hydro building.
2008-2012 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw
Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2070 covering the 2008–2012 period is the City’s guiding document for financial management for the next five years. The document represents the termination of the annual budgeting process which began last Fall.
2008 Tax Rates Bylaw No. 2071
The 2008 Tax Rates Bylaw No. 2071 increases the municipal residential tax rate by 4.4% over 2007. The increase results in the average single family residential dwelling paying approximately $44.00 more this year in municipal property tax.
4) Annual MD Canada Hamburger Days
The 21st annual Fernie Fire Fighters Muscular Dystrophy Canada Hamburger Days will be held at the Fire Hall on May 21st. Council approved the Fire Fighter’s written request to hold this fund raising event at the Fire Hall. The event will also take place at Overwaitea on May 23rd and 24th.
5) OCPIC Communications Plan Approved
Ms. Amanda Ridgway, Chair of The Official Community Plan Implementation Committee (OCPIC) presented a report to Council indicating the Committee’s desire to increase public awareness of the work it does and the support it provides to Council, through enhanced public messaging. The Committee’s recommendations to Council are:
• Update the community on OCPIC’s mission and progress through a press release;
• Approval of OCPIC’s plan for ongoing public communication by including the Committee’s agendas and minutes on the City of Fernie website; and
• Create an email address that will allow the Committee to receive communication from the general public.
Council approved all the recommendations as presented.