Members of Oliver Town council have many priorities for 2015 and beyond. Budget talks began this week and the mayor and council hope to schedule a strategic planning session in the near future. From left are Water Councillor Rick Machial, Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger, Councillor Maureen Doerr, Mayor Ron Hovanes, Councillor Petra Veintimilla, Water Councillor Andre Miller and Councillor Jack Bennest. Lyonel Doherty photo
Oliver Town council has a lot on its plate this year as it sorts through several priorities to enhance the community.
“I said it at our inaugural meeting that I believe Oliver’s future has never looked so bright,” said Mayor Ron Hovanes.
He noted that a much needed strategic plan will give council some solid direction this term.
The mayor said council needs to finish off the linear parks project on Fairview Road and Gala Street, and complete the hike and bike trail loop.
Hovanes said council needs to review its Official Community Plan because of the many changes that have occurred during the last few years. He noted that Oliver’s citizen makeup has also changed during this period. The last census showed that about 25 per cent of residents have lived in Oliver fewer than five years.
“I believe it’s time to engage the people to see where they would like to see Oliver progress.
Hovanes said the Town needs to work harder to ensure that it is open for business.
“Developers need to recognize Oliver as a place to invest in. We have significant housing starts just to the north of us and we should work with developers to ensure that some of the new long-term, sustainable jobs stay in our community.”
The mayor said attracting a hotel to Oliver would do much for the local economy.
“We know that every event, tournament, festival or seminar fills our neighbours’ hotel rooms. A recent feasibility study states that we can support a hotel. We need to continue this pursuit.”
Hovanes said water delivery, reclaimed water and recycling have had investment and community support, so the Town needs to continue these practices.
The mayor also noted that Oliver has strong, cooperative relationships with its funding partners (Osoyoos Indian Band, Area C residents, School District 53 and the fire protection district).
Councillor Maureen Doerr said they will be busy with the budget soon before tackling a number of priorities, such as updating the Official Community Plan that needs to reflect the changes and growth of Oliver in the 21st century.
Although a strategic plan is necessary to move forward, council really needs to be fiscally responsible to its citizens, Doerr said. “We really need to watch our bottom line.”
She said council can increase bylaw enforcement funding, but will have to engage with the RCMP to enforce a lot of issues.
The councillor said she would like to see better accessibility for seniors who use walkers and scooters in town. She expressed her desire to improve safety at crosswalks.
She too is anticipating the completion of the linear parks project and sidewalks around the high school.
Doerr wants to continue the strong working relationship with the Oliver Tourism Association.
“They have worked very hard on the “wine capital” concept and I feel they are the partners we need going forward for growth and collaboration.”
Doerr believes the Town needs an economic development plan – a round table of businesses, citizens, community leaders and interest groups.
New Councillor Petra Veintimilla said she is excited to get started on the strategic planning process.
“We all have different ideas and it will be nice to get those all out and on paper and to start to prioritize what items will be worked on and in what order in the coming months and years.”
Veintimilla said it’s important to her that the Town take a hard look at its parks and trails to see what can be done to have an immediate effect on them (keeping them clean and safe).
“Looking a little farther down the road I would like to make sure that the well-being of our downtown core is kept top of mind, as well as working with our partners to find ways to use our powerful Wine Capital of Canada brand to its full potential.”
The councillor agrees that the OCP needs to be reviewed.
“Our town has changed greatly in recent years and continues to do so, and it is time to have a look at our OCP and make sure that it is current and in stride with our changing needs.”
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said he’s pushing for an increase in bylaw enforcement, with more attention paid to local parks and the hike and bike trail.
He would also like to see more cooperation among the Town, the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce and the Oliver Business Association to build on the “Wine Capital of Canada” brand in the downtown core.
“If you were blindfolded, driven to the centre of town and then could see again, would you know you were in the Wine Capital of Canada?”
Schwartzenberger said he is looking forward to completing the linear parks project and soliciting input on the proposed traffic circle at Fairview Road and Spartan Street.
The councillor is still not giving up on the formation of a youth advisory council to get more young people involved in municipal issues. He believes it’s a chance for high school students to advise council on youth priorities in Oliver.
Schwartzenberger said growth within the Town has been slower than previously projected due to a number of issues, therefore, an OCP review is warranted.
Councillor Jack Bennest said he wants to work on several issues, starting with the restructuring of Centennial RV Park.
He noted that council has talked about a citizen’s park on the south end – to have four parks at each corner of Fairview bridge.
“It is time to take the first step with a task force to study the issues, obligations, the design, the re-configuration, the budget and the action.”
Bennest said if the plan is done this year with a budget available for 2016, this project could be done within 24 months.
The councillor is pushing to establish an economic development plan that needs the input of the community. He said a charrette (intense planning session) would be the first step in order for a task force to be successful.
Bennest’s other goal is a plan to increase the crowds coming to indoor and outdoor events in the community. The councillor said the Town needs to review its labour costs and bylaws/policies in order to make them more relevant to the community. He also noted the importance of enhancing the Town’s mutual relationships with the Osoyoos Indian Band and the regional district.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
