Development permit approved
Council approved a development permit with two variances for the construction of a storage building in the laneway behind the Firehall Bistro.
The variances would reduce the side parcel setbacks, and the parking lot would consist of decorative gravel.
The applicant, Hart Buckendahl, said the lot does not have street access and has very little value other than storage.
The property is located between the BC Ambulance Service building and Structurlam.
Water rates go up 1 per cent
Council resolved to move forward with a 1 per cent increase in water rates for 2014.
Homeowners will see their consumption rate go up one cent to 58 cents per cubic metre.
Councillor Dave Mattes said the reason for the increase is to build up reserves, which are becoming depleted.
Water councillor Rick Machial was pleased that council whittled the increase down to one per cent, but he’s not in favour of the non-farm irrigation rate set at $715 per acre. He called this rate “unfair,” saying the Town should charge rural residents what it actually costs to supply this water.
“We’re asking these people to subsidize everyone else,” Machial said.
Recycling plan signed
The Town is signing a contract with Multi-Materials BC for the collection of paper and packaging materials for recycling.
Under the contract, MMBC will pay the Town of Oliver an incentive for collecting packaging and printed paper. The Town will receive $57,700 per year for curbside collection.
Municipal Manager Tom Szalay said the Town will be looking at reducing part of the fees that households are currently charged for collection.
Don’t cut parks budget
Council let it be known that it does not support cutting the Parks and Recreation and/or heritage budgets to fund the operation of the new Frank Venables Theatre.
Councillor Dave Mattes made that motion after hearing talks that the regional district was considering cutting these budgets.
Councillor Jack Bennest said this is not in the best interest of taxpayers.
Mayor Ron Hovanes agreed, saying he doesn’t want Parks and Recreation money or heritage funds go towards the theatre’s operating budget.
In the meantime, School District 53, the regional district and the Town of Oliver are in the midst of finalizing an operating budget for the $12 million theatre. The facility is slated for completion in February, with an open house to show off all of its features.
Highway repaving coming
Mayor Ron Hovanes reported that a Ministry of Transportation official assured him that Highway 97 through Oliver will be repaved within the next four years.
Hovanes has been lobbying the ministry to address this after concerns about the condition of the highway through town.
