Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The following are Oliver town council briefs from the May 24 meeting.
Council denies request
The Town of Oliver has denied a request from FortisBC to contribute towards a water upgrade project.
The corporation is currently undertaking a water distribution improvement at 6701 Tucelnuit Drive and requested the Town to contribute towards the cost.
Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell recommended the Town contribute 15 per cent (equating to $18,300).
Goodsell said the upgrade would provide some benefit to the Town and provide a future tie-in for upgrades on Park Drive.
However, water councillor Rick Machial said he didn’t think the Town should be helping FortisBC with this project, saying the company makes profits and local water users should not be subsidizing them.
Fellow Coun. Dave Mattes agreed, saying the Town should not be giving FortisBC a subsidy.
“I don’t think we should be paying a dime for the engineers (in this project),” he said.
Mayor Martin Johansen said he totally agreed with Machial and Mattes.
Councillor Aimee Grice also said no after learning the project will not affect the Town’s future capital plans.
Town seeks grant for airport plan
Council has directed staff to apply for a special building grant to undertake a strategic plan for the Oliver Airport.
The plan will encompass business development, operational improvements, financial management and infrastructure.
Housekeeping approved
Council adopted a bylaw relating to some zoning housekeeping amendments.
The bylaw includes changes to definitions for “net floor area” and “structure,” along with some changes to setbacks, fencing and retaining wall heights. It also outlines permitted locations for accessory buildings and mobile homes as a residence.
A structure is defined as anything that is constructed or erected, supported by or sunk into land or water, and includes swimming pools and manufactured home spaces.
The use of a mobile home as a residence is prohibited in all zones except AG and RSM zones.
No fence can exceed 1.2 metres in height within the front setback. In AG and AGX zones, all fences can be 1.8 metres in height. Deer fences are not limited in height if they are wire mesh.
Razor wire is prohibited in all zones.
Retaining walls within any required setback must not exceed a height of 1.2 metres.
New bylaw officer appointed
A new bylaw enforcement officer has been hired in Oliver, while another appointment has been rescinded.
Council hired seasonal full-time officer Cassie Vandael, who will work alongside bylaw enforcement supervisor Dayyan Robbie.
Council also rescinded the appointment of previous officer Amanda Reeve, who was seasonal last year but is no longer employed by the Town.
Bylaw officer Wayne Belleville continues to assist the Town for vacation coverage.
Town proclaims AAD
Council has proclaimed June 4 as Access Awareness Day.
This day also falls within National Accessibility Week from May 29 to June 4. The theme for this year’s Access Awareness Day is “Accessibility Is Inclusion.”
No to radon project
Council has turned down participation in a free radon testing project for homeowners in Oliver.
Corporate Officer Diane Vaykovich said Take Action on Radon reached out to the Town to take part in a free program (100 kits) to help residents test their homes for radon.
But Vaykovich said the program would require significant staff time to manage.
She noted that six years ago Interior Health promoted a radon-testing program, resulting in Town buildings being tested. Vaykovich said some of them required remediation due to high levels of radon.
Council voted not to participate due to the time commitment required by staff.
Minister meetings sought
The Town of Oliver will soon meet to discuss what issues it wants addressed at this year’s UBCM convention.
Council will meet June 13 to make a list of ministers it wants to meet with.
Past issues that council brought forward included the Gallagher Lake Siphon project, RCMP costing, long-term care homes, primary care network, and secondary wine tasting rooms.
Council was informed that the “tiny home” (affordable housing) resolution was endorsed by the Southern Interior Local Government Association and will be forwarded to the UBCM convention.
Councillor Petra Veintimilla said it would be worth raising the wine tasting idea again, noting the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
But Mayor Martin Johansen said the Town didn’t get a positive response to that project last year. He noted it was because of trade and competition issues with the United States.
However, the mayor did say he had a meeting with Health Minister Adrian Dix to talk about the doctor shortage, which Johansen believes will get some attention.
Façade upgrades
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger gave kudos to Black Sage Butcher that moved from Station Street to Main Street recently.
“The owners have done a great job inside and out; the façade looks wonderful.”
Schwartzenberger added he hopes that other businesses on Main Street consider upgrading their facades too.
Councillor Aimee Grice said it’s also nice to see another new business (café) on Main Street called The Ditch (formerly Cock & Bull).
