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One of the most important
projects that the City of Revelstoke has undertaken is the comprehensive
review of the Official Community Plan. It is expected that this review
will take 20 months and will include many opportunities for residents
and stakeholders to provide input. When completed this will be the major
planning tool used to guide city decision making on land use and policy
related to the social, economic and ecological well being of our
community.
In March a kick-off
meeting was held to hear ideas on the preferred future for Revelstoke.
The next step is to work with local community and stakeholder groups to
further define the preferred directions and priorities of the community.
These groups have been invited to participate in two day workshops on
May 29 and 30. These workshops will focus on future land use
considerations for the City and its neighbourhoods. Social, economic and
environmental factors will be looked at and consideration will be given
to the needs and desired character of each of Revelstoke’s unique
neighbourhoods. The results of these workshops will be displayed at the
Community Centre at an open house on Wednesday May 30 beginning at 4:00
pm. If you are interested in participating please contact the planning
Department at City Hall at 837-3637 or
dlevesque@cityofrevelstoke.com. To keep up to date on the review you
can go to the City’s website at www.cityofrevelstoke.com and click on
REVELSTOKE’S NEW OCP.
Two opportunities to give
input to the city are now open for applications. The first is the
Advisory Planning Commission. The Commission provides advice or
recommendations on matters that Council may refer with respect to OCP
amendments, rezoning amendments, preliminary development plans, and
other planning issues. If you are interested, apply in writing to Teresa
LeRose at City Hall by Friday June 1, 2007. The second opportunity is
the Heritage Commission. This Commission gives advice to Council on
heritage conservation and undertakes activities that promote heritage
awareness in the community. Again, written applications need to be in to
Teresa LeRose by Friday June 1, 2007.
At the last Council
meeting Karley Trauzzi from Community Connections made a presentation on
the Crystal Methamphetamine Survey she conducted last winter and fall.
The data that she collected showed that Revelstoke seems to have a good
knowledge of Crystal Meth and knows it is available in the community.
There also seems to be a desire to prevent Crystal Meth from having a
bigger impact on the community. The data indicates the community would
appreciate a public forum on Crystal Meth and that there is a need for
programs for youth and an emphasis on policing in the community.
Education is a key way to raise awareness about prevention methods and
treatment options.
Councillor Johnston
presented a number of recommendations on water conservation at the last
Council meeting. These recommendations were to further develop the water
conservation implementation program in the water conservation plan. The
recommendations included moving to allow sprinkling for odd numbered
houses on odd numbered calendar days and even numbered houses on even
numbered calendar days from 6:00am to 10:00am. If for some reason (eg.
unusually dry weather) further restrictions were required only watering
by hand would be allowed. The recommendations also directed city staff
to prepare necessary bylaw amendments and move forward with educating
the public on the need for water conservation strategies and to provide
information on other methods of conserving water.
Council also gave final
reading and adoption to the 2007 budget and bylaws related to the
budget. The financial plan provides for a 5.45% increase in taxes paid
for all property classes except major industrial and utilities. There
will be no increase in taxes for major industrial and utility class
taxes, which are governed by provincial legislation, will see a
reduction of 7.66%. Sewer residential rates will rise nine dollars (75
cents/month) to $173/year; water residential rates up six dollars (50
cents/month) $297/year and residential garbage collection rates will
rise seven dollars (58 cents/month) to $96/year. Equivalent percentage
increases will be applied to all other rates. Further information on the
budget can be obtained in the Finance department at City Hall.
Council welcomed a new
member as David Raven took his oath of office and took his seat at the
table. Mayor Mark McKee immediately put Councillor Raven to work on a
number of committees.
As always, I like to
conclude my report by reminding people that you can get information
about what is going on at City Hall in the weekly ads in the Revelstoke
Times Review. Also, you can get information about the City and its
various initiatives or give feedback at
www.cityofrevelstoke.com.
Submitted by Councillor MacFarlane
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