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Village Strategic plan initiatives delayed; reservoir gas tax funding approved

The mayor received a donation for $750 from former Keremeos firefighters at the November 19 regular meeting of council.
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Mayor Manfred Bauer accepts a donation of $750 from the Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department. The money was raised at the pancake breakfast during this year’s Sizzlefest event and will go towards construction of an overhang to the community kitchen behind the Infocentre. The project will be built with donated labour by tradesmen who are also Keremeos firefighters. Presenting the cheque on behalf of the KVFD are retired firefighters Red Bosscha and Walter Despot.

 

The mayor received a donation for $750 from former Keremeos firefighters at the November 19 regular meeting of council.

The money will go towards construction of an overhang at the  Infocentre’s community kitchen.

Council also heard a presentation from CUPE 608, the union representing village union workers. Brianne Wilson, Acting President, spoke to council about the advantages of conducting an internal core review of village procedures.

Council received a number of letters, including the following:

- a letter from Gagan Lasser regarding the condition of the recreation centre.

- a letter from the regional district outlining changes to recycling programs.

- a request for feedback regarding the BC Coroner’s service from the Southern Interior Local Government Association.

- a request for assistance from Similkameen Country during Christmas light up celebrations on December 7.

CAO Laurie Taylor gave council an update on the village’s strategic plan. Highlights of her report are as follows:

Communication

- the new village website’s “live” date has been postponed from mid October to the first part of December.

- Quarterly newsletter to be implemented alongside the website in 2013.

- Village takeover of Infocentre readerboard delayed as well.

Public Works and Services

- Funding in the amount of $300,000 for the proposed reservoir has been approved under the Regionally Significant Gas Tax program and the funding agreement has been signed. A joint meeting between the KID and council to discuss the project was held on September 19. A preliminary timeline  meeting was held and a report will be coming to council. There are critical statutory dates that must be met to accommodate the borrowing.

Village Parks and Trails

A risk control survey from the Municipal Insurance  Association recommended that the suggested that, rather than use the trail link on the utility easement at the north end of Fourth Street up to K-View Crescent, the village consider installing a trail system in another area that does not involve an easement and where the soil is stable. Staff continues to look at other areas.

Improve and update municipal legislation - Combine village municipal bills

Staff has consulted with the village’s financial software suppliers and will be combining garbage, sewer and taxes into one notice in 2013.

Automate the election process

It is anticipated that the voting process will be automated in time for potential referendum on borrowing of funds for the water reservoir.

 

CFO Rob Hager presented his budget variance report to council, revealing the following:

- most budget categories are at or near budget, however, development in the village has been slow with the result that  building permit revenue is below budget.

 

- Hall rentals have come in under budget so far, but equipment sales have raised $6,700 that was not budgeted for.

- Development Cost Charges (DCC’s) will not likely meet budget, again due to lack of development activity.

- The village has recieved $1,250 in donations and contributions to date, against $100 budgeted.

- Cemetery, curbside garbage pickup, Victory Hall costs and parks expenditures are expected to end the year with a favourable variance.

- Sewer operating costs also appear to be headed for a favourable variance this year.

Keremeos expects to see an operating surplus of five per cent, based on the September variance report. The actual number will not be known until December 31.

(For a complete rundown on the village’s strategic plan and the budget variance report, see the village’s website at: www.keremeos.ca and click on the link to the November 19 council agenda.)

Council ended the evening’s business with the adoption of the council remuneration and expenses bylaw.