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City council met on both June 09 with David Raven as acting Mayor, and
June 23 with Mayor McKee quickly returning from his vacation in Britain
to his mayoral duties.
Revelstoke is often a
stop over for charitable groups who travel across Canada raising money
and promoting worthy causes. While we are not able to meet with all
groups that pass through the city, we do offer our moral support for all
such groups who are willing to put forth an extreme level of dedication
that is required to undertake such a challenge. On June 22 I was
privileged to meet with a group of athletes who are crossing Canada by
wheel chair with the “Wheel to Walk Canada” program in support of
promising research into spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
Terasen Gas made a
presentation to council regarding the impending rate hikes for those
clients in the Revelstoke area. Terasen clearly explained the current
rate structure and why the proposed increase is directly related to the
rising cost of oil on the international markets, and does not include
increases in the actual delivery costs by Terasen. However this does not
diminish the impacts that a 23% increase will have on those customers in
Revelstoke who do not have the advantages of other Terasen customers who
have natural gas service. Interestingly Whistler and Revelstoke are the
only piped propane systems operated by Terasen, and Whistler is being
converted to natural gas this year.
The Revelstoke Community
Housing Society minutes of June 02 were reviewed by Council. The society
is working on planning and zoning requirements for development of the
former Coop lands with a goal of starting construction by the fourth
quarter of 2008, in addition to documenting the current supply and
demand base for the city.
Council will provide an
appropriate grave marker for Frank McCarty the first Mayor of
Revelstoke. Unfortunately there has not been such recognition of Mr.
McCarty in the past and we are now able to provide this important part
of our heritage.
After extensive
discussion and consideration of the comments received during the public
meetings and written submissions, Council addressed the revised
Development Cost Charge bylaw. The revised draft bylaw was reviewed by
the Provincial government for compliance with the enabling legislation.
Council adopted the Development Cost Charge Bylaw Number 1894.
The development proposal
for a golf course with residential and commercial accommodations along
the Westside Road area was presented to Council for consideration in
2007. Since that time Council have had staff and consultants review the
proposal. Council was presented with an opinion from Caroline Lamont who
is under contract to the city for the preparation of the new Official
Community Plan for the city with respect to the compatibility of the
proposed development and the intended uses envisioned for the area under
the new OCP. Unfortunately the proposed development does not address the
land uses envisioned under the new OCP, nor does it address many of the
other land use constraints that the city must consider for that
particular area. Council recognizes the need for a more comprehensive
Area Plan for portions of the Westside road area and does not support
the proposed golf course and residential development at this time.
Grizzly Plaza will be
alive in the evenings for the rest of the summer with music and other
forms of entertainment. Revelstoke is known internationally for the
festival in the plaza during the summer months and I would encourage
everyone to take the time to enjoy the music with friends and visitors
this summer.
The Forest Workers
Society have Timber Days planned for July 05 and 06 which is always an
exciting and good show. This is the 10th anniversary of the event in
Revelstoke and the community is encouraged to come and view this
exciting competition. The skill of the local and amateur competitors is
truly something to behold. A highlight of this years competitions will
be the “cross cut” race between Mayor McKee and Councillor Singh. Both
men have been training seriously for the challenge and there are rumours
of some high stake bets placed by other local politicians on the outcome
of the race.
Submitted by
Councillor David Raven
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