By Times Chronicle Staff
The following are news briefs from the Oct. 11 meeting of Osoyoos Town Council.
CAO update
In his monthly update, Rod Risling, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town noted that Corporate Services have been doing some work on short-term rental enforcement involving a few properties.
Municipal ticket fines for unpermitted use of a property were increased to the maximum allowable fine – $1,000 – under the Community Charter during the Oct. 25 council meeting.
Risling also noted that Osoyoos Fire Rescue has been having issues with radio communication. The RDOS has acknowledged there are some problems with connectivity and they will be purchasing new equipment, “so there is no cost to the town,” Risling said.
Three new businesses were registered in Osoyoos in late Sept. and early Oct. – A-Z Pro Carpentry (Maple Ridge-based), Camerj-ph and Eastside Comics
Public works is currently busy with the change of seasons, and the Pioneer Walk Fountain lighting is set for final commissioning at the end of Oct.
Risling also noted that the beach cleaning machine is out of service and awaiting parts.
Okanagan Basin Water Board update
The invasive mussel inspection numbers are in with the period between April and end-Sept. seeing the province’s Invasive Mussel Defence Program (IMDP) inspecting 19,400 watercraft of which 12 were transporting adult invasive mussels.
The watercraft were travelling from Ontario (10), Manitoba (1), and Quebec (1), and were destined for the Lower Mainland (5), Okanagan (4), Thompson-Nicola (2), and Vancouver Island (1).
Most recent water testing suggests no mussels have been introduced into Okanagan waters this summer. In June, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) requested additional support for the Program from B.C.’s Budget 2023 Consultation committee.
That committee has now recommended 24/7 inspection facilities at all major border crossings. A full update on the OBWB’s OkWaterWise “Don’t Move A Mussel” campaign will be provided at the next Water Board meeting.
The OBWB Board also approved the 2023 water project grant program for the Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program.
The program awards grants up to $30,000 to Okanagan local governments, improvement districts and nonprofits, with $350,000 total available.
A call for applications and details about this year’s grant theme will be announced in November.
