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As usual there was a full agenda
for Council members at the April 25th Council meeting.
The meeting started with
an informative presentation on air quality by Julie Laverdiere. Ms.
Laverdiere outlined the many causes of poor air quality and recommended
that the issue of air quality become a priority and that Council set up
an air quality committee made up of community members including industry
representatives and members of Council. The matter was referred to the
Administration, Policy, Bylaw and Public Relations Committee of Council
for consideration. Ms. Laverdiere will be asked to attend the meeting
for further input.
Council also continued
the process to bring about final approval of this years budget. The
following related Bylaws received first, second and third readings:
Bylaw 1782 which is
required by provincial law, adopts a five year financial plan for the
City for the years 2005 – 2009.
Bylaw 1783 is the tax
rate Bylaw for the year 2005. Final adoption of this Bylaw will result
in an average tax increase of 8.95% across all classes.
Bylaw 1784 is the Water
Regulation Bylaw and sets the water rates for the year. The new rates
will increase marginally by 1.79% and the residential rate will now be
$285.00 per year. Other rate classes will increase by a similar
percentage.
Bylaw 1785 is the Sewer
Rate Bylaw which will set the residential rate at $161.00, again, a
marginal 1.9% increase. The same percentage increase applies to all
other rate classes.
Council has reviewed the
budget documents numerous times over the last while. The rates set in
the Bylaws reflect the pressures to keep City services at current
levels, to meet inflationary pressures, to fund the new Aquatic Centre
and to keep the City on a good financial footing. Part of the process is
to now get public input. A copy of the Financial Plan and the Bylaws are
available at City Hall or online here
for your viewing and response. Final adoption of the Bylaws is required
by May 15, 2005.
City Council also dealt
with Bylaws to amend the Official Community Plan to provide for
directions and policies for the Mt. Mackenzie resort area and to amend
the zoning district from the Columbia Shuswap Regional Districts
designation of Rural Residential (RR), Recreation Commercial (RC) and
Institutional District (P) to the City of Revelstoke zoning designation
of Rural Residential 60 hectares (RR60) and Parks and Public Use
District (P1). These amendments are required to allow the City to govern
the newly incorporated properties with local regulations and guidelines.
These Bylaws, No. 1773 and No. 1774, were given first and second
readings and a Public Hearing has now been scheduled for Thursday, May
12, 2005 7:00 p.m. at the Fire Hall. The Bylaws are available for
viewing at City Hall. Citizens can either give input at the hearing or
give written submission to City Hall no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 12,
2005 so that these can be entered into the public hearing process.
Council passed a motion
opposing Greyhound Canada Transportation Corp.’s application to the B.C.
Passenger Transportation board to reduce the frequency of bus service
between Revelstoke, Sicamous and Salmon Arm. It is felt that the need is
there for the service and reduced service will have a negative impact on
transportation needs, on the economy and on the environment.
Also, Council is going to
outline its concerns to B.C. Hydro’s plan to institute entrance fees for
the Revelstoke Dam Visitation Centre. Council is pleased that Hydro has
agreed to extend opening hours for the Centre as it is a major tourist
draw but entrance fees may discourage people from going through the
Centre. This would not be good for our local tourist economy.
Prepared by Councillor Bill
MacFarlane
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