Public Hearing
A public hearing regarding a zoning amendment that would provide for the southerly portion of 908 - 5th Street to be rezoned from C2 Tourist Commercial to R3- Single Family Residential took place at council chamber on Monday, October 7.
There were no objections to the amendment, which council later carried to third reading.
Council Remuneration
Council agreed not to change the rates paid to mayor and council last year, but to review the issue in 2013 in time for the 2014 budget.
Staff researched a number of similar sized municipalities and compared mayor and councillor salaries to Keremeos.
Based on the information gathered, the average remuneration for a mayor is $12,400, where Keremos pays $10,115.
A councillor averages $6,845, while Keremeos councillors receive $6,354.
It would require an increase of 12 per cent in order for Keremeos politicians to reach the surveyed communities average .
Council agreed that a small increase was preferable at this time, rather than to continue deferring the matter until Keremeos fell so far behind the average that an increase unpalatable to voters would be needed.
Mayor Bauer and Councillor Evans suggested a 1-1/2 per cent increase at this time. Evans noted that a recent union negotiated settlement of a group of private sector workers in Keremeos had agreed to a seven year, zero per cent increase.
Councillors Cowling, Thielmann and Arlow agreed that two per cent was preferable, and that amount was subsequently agreed upon. Over the next three years, further increases will be tied to the Consumer Price Index.
The increase works out to an additional $10 per month per councillor.
Boulevard maintenance
Council revisited the boulevard issue once again, having received additional information regarding the subject from staff.
Chief Administrative Officer Laurie Taylor told council that information gathered revealed that most villages surveyed did not have formal policies or bylaws regarding the maintenance of boulevards and alleys, and none had village staff maintaining them.
Taylor noted that up until new policy was adopted by Keremeos in 2011, boulevard maintenance had been done on a “ad hoc” basis, raising concerns about the amount of time taken to provide this maintenance. It was estimated that boulevard maintenance by village staff would cost an additional $13,500 per year, averaging a two per cent increase in taxes.
There was also some discussion surrounding noxious weed control, Mayor Bauer stating that it would be virtually impossible to control spread of weeds within the village. Village staff have a maintenance program for weeds, but village policy is to avoid spraying near private properties because of the risk of overspray and drift.
Age Friendly Community Grants
Council agreed to endorse the age friendly assessment and community planning process, and will “participate, support, promote and work with the South Similkameen Healthy Living Working Group to implement an age friendly initiative to assess and improve accessibility and inclusion of older persons and for the whole community.”
A maximum of 25 grants of up to $20,000 are available through the Ministry of Health, with priorities going to municipalities that have completed an age friendly plan.
2014 budget
Council received information regarding the 2014 budget process. Staff presented a timeline for preparation of the 2014 budget.