Lyonel Doherty, Times-Chronicle

The following briefs are from the March 14 meeting of Oliver town council.

Council amends solid waste bylaw

Oliver town council gave three readings to the Solid Waste Services Amendment Bylaw.

This will see an increase in user fee revenues of approximately $11,000.

The solid waste budget is now entirely relied on user fees.

Fees and charges change

A new fees and charges amendment bylaw is up for adoption on March 28.

The amendments being considered by council include:

• Finance fees, real estate assessment data download ($500)

• Building file requests ($10) plus applicable copy fees

• Freedom of Information application fee ($10 non-refundable)

These changes support streamlining access to records that can be accessible without the need for a FOI request.

Zoning amendment approved

Town council has adopted a zoning amendment to facilitate a two-lot subdivision on Rockcliffe Road.

Staff informed council that a single-family dwelling already exists on the property and that there is adequate space for the construction of a 2,200 square foot dwelling within the required setbacks.

According to staff, the proposal is the “gentlest form of densification” in an established neighbourhood.

In a letter to council, the property owner stated his goal is to increase the supply of affordable home availability in Oliver.

He noted his original plan was to demolish the existing home, but the cost and site preparation were not financially feasible.

He pointed out his second option was to build a carriage home on the lot. “However, that would increase the value of the property so high that it would be unobtainable for single-family home ownership.”

But in the end, the property owner decided the best option is to subdivide into two lots.

It was noted that development cost charges for the creation of an additional lot will be $8,743.

Tax penalty set

The Town of Oliver has approved a 10 per cent penalty rate on unpaid property taxes effective July 5, 2022.

“Now that we are in post-recovery for COVID, a return to the general method is preferred from an administrative perspective,” said Chief Financial Officer Elma Hamming.

In 2021, the Town collected a total of $35,524 in penalty revenue, compared to $14,097 in 2020.

Hamming said the Town will be accepting credit cards this year, noting many taxpayers want to pay their property taxes by credit card to collect points and rewards.

Councillor Dave Mattes said this is a positive step forward.

Town to light up hall in May

By request, Town council has proclaimed the month of May as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

It also directed staff to light up the Town Hall in light blue and/or green during this time.

Cystic Fibrosis causes various effects on the body, including the digestive system and lungs.

Town to write ministry

Town council has directed staff to write the Ministry of Health to ask an important question.

It wants to know if the province’s commitment of 85 Primary Care Networks includes Oliver with a capital funding commitment.

Last year it was resolved that the Union of BC Municipalities ask the ministry to establish team-based primary care clinics in all B.C. communities to ensure patients are at the centre of health care delivery.

Town supports hockey team

The Town of Oliver authorized a financial allocation of $500 to the South Okanagan U13 Rep hockey team to attend the provincials in Trail.

This money helped pay for travel, accommodation, and meals for the players and their two coaches.

The Town took the money from its grant-in-aid discretionary fund.

Fire calls total 28

The Oliver Fire Department responded to 28 calls during the month of February.

These calls (eight rural, 16 in town and four OIB) included four motor vehicle incidents, 10 medical calls, five structure fires, four direct alarms, one chimney fire and one dumpster fire.