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Council Meeting April 29th 2008 - Recap

Council approved variances to permit:

1. A proposal for second kitchen at 891 Grant Rd
2. A proposal to vary certain regulations for 2528 and 2530 Thompson Dr to allow for the creation of a third lot.
3. A proposal to vary certain regulations for 1151 Crestline St to allow for the creation of a second lot.

Under the public inquiries section, Mr Scott Black and Mr Matt Wallin expressed the concerns of the tenants of Sydney Plaza about the proposed North Shore transit exchange.

Council approved a public hearing to hear any community input on a proposal to legalize a house with a secondary suite and permit subdivision at 607 Fraser St.

Council agreed to address the Sydney Plaza tenant concerns by leaving both accesses to their parking lot open in the initial construction of the North Shore transit exchange.  We also authorized the closure of the Dallas recycling depot and the relocation of the River St recycling depot to the old Mission Flats publics work yard.  All remaining recycling depots will offer expanded recycling opportunities.

May 2008 was proclaimed "Asian Heritage Month". May 4th to 10th was proclaimed "North American Occupational Safety and Health Week". May 4th to 11th was proclaimed "A Week to Celebrate Peace, the Environment, and Social Justice"

Ms Francy Hayward, from the United Way, presented on the Access Kamloops directory. Mr Doug Wittal, President of the Kamloops chapter of the Canadian homebuilders, asked council to make an exception to the Interior Savings Centre booking policy and confirm their March 2009 date for their home show. After much discussion, council decided to stick with the current policy. Ms Jennifer Gore, from the SPCA, launched the SPCA fundraising city challenge between Kamloops and Kelowna.

At the Mayor's request, council sent a letter to the BC Premier and Minister of the Environment asking for a province wide ban on the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides.

A request from the Kamloops Duplicate Bridge Club for a grant in aid so as to allow their hourly fee for heritage house usage to remain at $5 was deferred to the next regular meeting of council.

Artificial lawns - part of a solution to water and pesticide woes?

Had a walk around the spring home and garden show at the Mac Park sports and events centre today. Lots of interesting and good booths. One that particularly jumped out, given our community conversation on water metres and pesticide use, was a company called Synlawn.

These folks offer all sorts of artificial grass. Initially, this sounded quite icky and wrong to me, but after giving some of their samples the feel test, I think this stuff feels pretty much like the real thing.

Apparently, about 3 times more to install, but over times, a money saver. No water, pesticides, OR MOWING needed. I know how much most folks love mowing.

These types of products might offer a good meeting point between those who want green lawns and more money in their pocket, and those who want to reduce water and pesticide use. Even more beneficial perhaps for those struggling with all these concerns all at once.

Video Commentary: Colin Noble on Finding a Cure for Juvenile Diabetes...

At the Sun Life Amazing Race in support of Kamloops efforts to raise resources for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Council Meeting April 15th 2008 - Recap

Council closed a portion of road adjacent to 5432 Ronde Lane.

Under the public inquiries section of the agenda, Mr Denis Walsh inquired about council's policy towards sponsorship of local lectures and events. Mayor Lake responded that sponsorships are decided largely on a case to case basis, and that event organizers are welcome to approach council.

A resolution to look for a private partner for Phase II of the Kamloops Community Network was brought out of an in camera (closed) meeting.

Council approved a development permit for 2418 Valleyview Dr to allow for a lot subdivision.

Through distribution to neighbors of intent to issue a development variance permit, public input is sought for:

1. A proposal to vary various regulations to allow for the construction of a duplex with 2 individual titles at 801 Nicolani Dr.
2. A proposal to vary various regulations to allow for a smaller on site septic system to allow for the creation of 4 lots at 200 Puett Ranch Rd.

A proposal to create a duplex and an addition to an existing house at 2941 Bank Rd was sent to public hearing for community input. Council also approved requests for community feedback for the proposed lengthening of operating hours for Lake City Casino's liquor license, 540 Victoria St.

Council applied for partial funding from the Provincial government for an update to the Bicycle Master Plan. We awarded the contract for the construction of upgrades to Juniper Ridge water booster situations to Acres Enterprises.

Gas tax funds were also requested for the Valleyview interchange bike and pedestrian path, for solar heating for the Canada Games Pool, and for a pedestrian bridge on the Hillside Connector.

Council joined the Mayor, as he congratulated Curtis Bogetti for his great success in the national spelling bee.

April 28th was proclaimed "Day of Mourning". April 27th to May 3rd was proclaimed "National Volunteer Week". April 20th to April 27th was proclaimed "KamClean Week".

Karen Rosenke and Diane Lawson presented to council on a search for Kamloops Best 150 community volunteers.  The Kamloops therapeutic riding association came to repay a grant. Russ Chambers presented a progress report on the Kamloops Foundation.

Council agreed to partner with Developing World Connections to apply for $500 000 from CIDA to fund a trades training centre in Tangalle Sri Lanka. Thanks to Judge Terry Shupe for presenting on this project.

TRU Prof Corey Sigvaldason on Kamloops

Ryan Walter on Kamloops and the Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament (KIBIHT)

Video Commentary: Cheryl and Steve on Fighting Cancer and Relay for Life...

Council Meeting April 8th 2008 - Recap

The larger sign for The Little Red Store at 3010 Westsyde Rd was approved.

Under public inquiries section of the agenda, Ms Diane Czyzewski asked council to ban pesticides and, if that was not to transpire, put in a bylaw prohibiting the use of pesticides by the neighbours of people with medically diagnosed sensitivities to pesticides.

Council approved $200 000 in additional funding for the completion of the new public works centre and a $350 000 relocation and construction of office space for the parks, recreation, and cultural services department at the Tournament Capital Centre.

Nelly Dever and Kevin Scollon were reappointed to terms on the Parks and Recreation Committee. Deborah Cooper and Darcy Lintott were reappointed to terms on the Sister City Advisory Committee.

Council authorized continuing funding security and installation of signage listing prohibited actions at the Lansdowne St transit exchange. Council also put into place various more stringent regulations for the local taxi industry.

Council directed staff to commission a heritage plan for the community and to do a regular review of the workings and membership of the heritage commission.

Council heard delegations from Supt Jim Begley of the RCMP on crime reduction initiatives,  and from Project X Theatre Production's Samantha MacDonald and Derek Rein, requesting a letter of support be sent to the Canada Council for the Arts (this was approved).

In response to correspondence from the John Howard society, council agreed to waive DCCs for a proposed social housing project at 275 Columbia Street, dependent on the proposal getting final approvals through the appropriate processes. In response to a written request from Ms Diane Czyzewski, council asked staff to bring back information on a bylaw restricting those neighboring people with medically diagnosed pesticide sensitivities from using pesticides.

Council Meeting April 1st 2008 - Recap

Your council approved the variance of various regulations to allow for the creation of 4 new lots at 2030, 2031, 2035, 2038 Saddleback Drive.

Under the public inquiries section of the agenda, Mr Peter Thornhill inquired what plans are in place if the developer of 30 Hudsons Bay Trail, Mr Mike Rink, does not complete the development. Chief administrative officer, Randy Diehl, responsed that the city works closely with all developers to ensure all guidelines of the development are met.

City Hall's business licence inspector, Mr Don Garrish, along with his project team, were awarded the Premier's Public Service Award for their implementation of the business licensing BizPal system. Local artist and creator of the City of Kamloops logo presented on an honour the logo and he had received from Corel Draw, the software used to create the logo. Corel Draw has featured the logo on its web site and on other promotional materials.

We issued a development permit for a 12 unit townhouse development at 1110 Hugh Allan Dr.

Through distribution to neighbors of intent to issue a development variance permit, public input is sought for:

1. A proposal for second kitchen at 891 Grant Rd
2. A proposal to vary certain regulations for 2528 and 2530 Thompson Dr to allow for the creation of a third lot.
3. A proposal to vary certain regulations for 1151 Crestline St to allow for the creation of a second lot.

Council also asked that the appropriate residents and owners of the proposed renaming of Lasage Rd to Monarch Dr. An amendment for the transit operating agreement to allow for service changes and increases in the city transit was approved.

A funding application was sent to the Union of BC Municipalities to assist in the creation of a healthy food and beverage program in recreation facilities and other community facilities.

Various council committee assignments were changed. Councillor Harker is the new council rep on the social planning council. Mayor Lake is the new rep on the Tourism Kamloops board. Councillor Lange is the new rep on Venture Kamloops.

City staff were directed to provide a report concerning a potential loan agreement with the Kamloops Tennis Asssociation for the purchase of a new bubble. Updated comprehensive costs were also requested.

March 26th 2008 was proclaimed as "Daffodil Day" sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society, and April 2008 was proclaimed "Daffodil Month".

Council heard a very interesting delegation from Mr Bob Turner, presenting on a GeoTour of Kamloops (pdf file, need adobe reader). We also heard from Hoberly Hove and Mary Campone about the very exciting BC provincial heritage fair, to be held in Kamloops May 29th to Jun1st.