Interesting Recent Issues at Kamloops City Hall - Aug 20th 2009

Just got through writing these up:

Bylaw To Prevent Private Trees from Falling on Public Property
In recent years, City Hall has spent about 6 million dollars on pine beetle removal efforts on community owned land. Now, attention is being turned to another potential hazard - trees on private property that could fall on public property. City Arbourist Greg Houghton has identified over 200 such trees on private property and Council has now given city staff authority to require property owners to take down these trees. Once an order is given, there will be a 21 day window to comply. The average ballpark cost for removing a tree, depending on size and location, is about $2000 according to the city staff report. For more info, call Parks and Rec at (250) 828-3400.

City Upholds Availability of Public Payphones...
City Council discussed issue of safety, accessibility, and crime when talking about a proposed restriction on the payphone at 480 Tranquille Rd. The proposed restriction was to limit the calls from the phone to 911 only from 5pm to 9am. Council voted to keep the phone as is, with no restrictions. The general sentiment seemed to be that public payphone are a necessary service for law abiding citizens, that there already has been a large decrease in public payphones, and that people undertaking criminal activitiy would not stop the activity if the payphone was restricted.


Kamloops Vies for 2015 Canada Summer Games...6000 Volunteers Needed
Kamloops is competing with Kelowna and Prince George to host the 2015 Canada Summer Games. There quite a few steps in the bid process, and the final announcement is slated for August 2010. The games will host about 3400 athletes and coaches who will need support from 6000 community volunteers. If Kamloops is successful, the community is required to spend 3 million dollars on capital / facility improvements. There is an estimated 90 million dollar economic spinoff.

Comments

[Bob Ulevog]

What about the trees that are on City property that are a nuisance and/or dangerous to private property? I contacted the City last summer regarding a tree that is dying and overhanging on my property and am still waiting for something to be done about it.
Shouldn't I be able to give 21 day notice to the City? Or have it removed and then send them the bill!

[Arjun Singh]

Have you tried contacting City Hall again?