1) Kodiak Lounge Liquor Licence Final Resolution Delayed
After hearing the views of the applicant and residents by way of written comments and a hearing held during the April 28th Regular Council meeting, Council determined that it will not draft a final resolution on the matter of the Kodiak Lounge’s (Raging Elk Hostel) 112-seat Liquor Primary Licence Application to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) commenting on the application until the May 12th Committee of the Whole meeting.
Approximately 20 interested citizens showed up for the public hearing. Approximately 35 written submissions were also received by Council – some for and some against the proposed lounge.
Once Council has provided its comments on the application in the form of a detailed resolution to the LCLB, the LCLB will then consider the entire Kodiak Lounge application including Council’s resolution, before deciding whether or not the licence will be issued.
2) Judo Club Lease Approved
The City of Fernie intends to enter into a lease agreement with Mr. Fred Gietz of the Fernie Judo Club for training space in the basement of the curling rink. The Club has agreed to lease the space directly from the City of Fernie for $100 per month for a 7-month period ending October 14, 2008. After that time the Curling Club will have the ability to sub-lease directly to the Judo Club. Prior to signing the lease Council will post public notice of this intended disposition of property as required by the Community Charter.
3) Brickhouse Licensed Patio Application Proceeds
The Brickhouse located at 401 2nd Avenue has applied to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) for the addition of a 13-seat outdoor patio to be located at the front of the building on the sidewalk along 2nd Avenue.
Council is moving the application forward and will provide its comments to the LCLB on the proposed change after gathering the views of residents and considering the potential for noise and the impact on the community.
If approved, the patio would operate from 11:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. during the May 1st to October 14th period each year. A removable 40-inch high railing perimeter enclosing the patio would be temporarily in place during this time period each year.
Public notice of the Brickhouse’s proposal will be given and a hearing on the proposed change will take place at a June 2, 2008 Special Council meeting.
4) Agreement to Purchase BC Hydro Building Approved
Council approved the Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the BC Hydro Building located at 491 2nd Avenue in the amount of $450,000. Acquisition of the building has been a long-standing goal of City Council. The intended purpose of the purchase is to provide a permanent home for the museum and downtown visitor information centre as well as provide some commercial rental space on the second floor to help offset costs. The next major step in the acquisition process is for Council to adopt a bylaw that authorizes expenditure of the necessary funds from the land development reserve fund. It is expected the purchase of the building will be complete by September 15, 2008.
5) Financial Bylaws Given Three Readings
The following five finance-related bylaws were all given first, second and third reading by Council:
Land Development Reserve Fund Expenditure Bylaw No. 27 (Bylaw No. 2069)
If adopted, this bylaw will authorize the expenditure of $460,000 (includes $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 Council held a Special Meeting of Council earlier in the evening to allow a final opportunity for public input on the proposed Five Year Financial Plan, Bylaw No. 2070 cited as the 2008–2012 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2070. The Bylaw was given three readings at the Regular Council meeting. It represents a culmination of the annual budgeting process that began in November, 2007. The revenues and expenditures summarized in the Bylaw are the result of a consultative process involving the public, elected officials and city staff. The Bylaw is an important tool for managing City finances.
2008 Tax Rates Bylaw No. 2071
The 2008 Tax Rates Bylaw No. 2071 increases the municipal tax rate by 4.4% over 2007. A 1.0% increase to the municipal tax rate generates additional revenue of $32,400 to fund budgeted expenditures and reserve contributions and results in the average single family residential dwelling paying an additional $10.03 in municipal property tax.
Sewer Treatment Plant Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2072
This Bylaw will provide for the borrowing of up to $1.3m for Phase 2 of the Sewer Treatment Plant Expansion. It includes a $300,000 contingency to provide for the possibility of the tender process resulting in bids that exceed budget due to the escalation of construction costs. The 2008 Sewer Capital Plan budgeted $1.5m for completion of this phase of the project. The Bylaw must now receive approval by the Inspector of Municipalities and then elector approval before Council can consider its adoption. After this complex municipal borrowing process is complete, the Municipal Finance Authority receives notification of the approval and instructions to include the borrowing in either their Spring or Fall debt issue. The maximum term for which debentures may be issued to secure the debt created by the Bylaw is 20 years.
Northwest Water Reservoir Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2073, 2008
The 2008-2012 Financial Plan includes a budget of $2.54m to enable construction of the Northwest Water Reservoir near the City’s Fairy Creek water source. The Water Supply and Storage Study suggested that the long term yield of the watershed is not sufficient to provide adequate fire flow or peak hour demand under all situations. This Bylaw will provide for the borrowing of up to $3m and follows the same approval process as Sewer Treatment Plant Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2072.
6) Land Reserve Fund Expenditure Bylaw Adopted
Land Development Reserve Fund Expenditure Bylaw No. 26 (Bylaw No. 2067) which authorizes $99,000 to be taken from the fund for the purchase of land was adopted by Council. The money will be used to purchase two 30 X 94 foot side by side vacant lots located at 431 and 441 1st Avenue. The City has no immediate plans for the land but due to their location in the downtown core they may be considered for public parking or some other use that future demand may dictate.
7) Tax Sharing Agreement Bylaw Adopted
After receiving the first three readings at the April 14th Regular Council meeting, Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement Authorization Bylaw No. 2066, 2008 was adopted at a Special meeting of Council held April 17th. The Bylaw authorizes the City of Fernie to enter into the Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement with the the Districts of Elkford and Sparwood and the Regional District of East Kootenay’s (RDEK) Electoral Area “A”. The City of Fernie received $2.25 million in 2007 but will receive $2.6 million in 2008 under the new Agreement.
8) 2007 Remuneration and Expense Schedule Approved
Council approved the 2007 Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses and the 2007 Schedule of Suppliers of Goods or Services. The Financial Information Act requires that within 6 months of the end of the year a corporation must prepare a statement of financial information that includes employee earnings if they exceed a prescribed amount, the total of all remuneration paid to all other employees, the amount paid to suppliers if they exceed a prescribed amount and a total of all other payments made to all other supplier during the fiscal year. The accompanying staff report and schedules are public documents and are available to the public.
9) BCWF 2009 Convention in Fernie
Council received a letter from the East Kootenay Wildlife Association indicating that they have been asked to hold the 2009 BC Wildlife Federation Convention and Annual General meeting in Fernie in late April, 2009. The Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford Rod and Gun Clubs will be working together to host the event. Their request of Council is for use of the Arena, Community Centre and possibly the Curling Rink as well. The letter noted that the event was successfully held in Fernie in 2002 in part due to the generous assistance of the City of Fernie by making these facilities available to the non-profit group at reduced rates. Council referred the matter to staff who will report back with a recommendation on the request.
10) Heritage Cemetery Committee Supported
Council received a letter of request from the Fernie Heritage Cemetery Restoration Committee for a letter of support from City Council as the Committee endeavours to secure grant funding for operating and capital costs for restoring and upgrading the cemetery. The group listed a number of local organizations, including the City of Fernie, who have offered their support in the past. Council agreed to provide the Committee with a letter of support.