CITY OF REVELSTOKE

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2000
COMMENCING AT 3:30 P.M.



PRESENT: Council: Mayor G. Bernacki
Councillors: M. Fransen, P. Frew, B. MacFarlane, N. Richardson, M. Singh, T. Scarcella

Staff: D.H. DeGagne, Chief Administrative Offi-cer/Director of Corporate Administration
G. Inglis, Director of Finance
T.L. LeRose, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration
E. Greenwood, Administration Secretary
T. Knight, City Planner
B. Yeomans, Superintendent of Public Works

Others: G. Chamberlain, Revelstoke Times Review
S. Filipchuk, Revelstoke Cable TV
D. West, Unique
Mr. & Mrs. D. Todoruk*
B. Matheson*
B. Kindret*
K. Rishi*
J. Gawiuk*
* Present for Portion of
Meeting Only

CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Bernacki called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance.


ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:

Moved by Councillor MacFarlane, seconded by Councillor Fransen that the Agenda be adopted as presented.

CARRIED

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES:

1. Regular Council Meeting - September 25, 2000

Moved by Councillor Fransen, seconded by Councillor Frew that the Minutes of the Regular Coun-cil Meeting held September 25, 2000 be adopted as presented.

CARRIED
DELEGATIONS:

1. Dennis Todoruk Re: Utility Rates

Dennis Todoruk informed Council that he is the owner of a 7 unit apartment building in Revel-stoke and is concerned with the increase to utility rates. He advised that utility rates have in-creased substantially since 1997, whereas his rental rates for a one bedroom apartment have actu-ally decreased. Another issue is the high vacancy rates currently being experienced in Revelstoke.

Mr. Todoruk provided Council with examples of more favourable rates from Enderby and Vernon and indicated that Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Armstrong are changing to water meters. Golden is currently on a metering system and after comparison, Revelstoke is almost four times higher than Golden.

Mr. Todoruk referred to a letter he received from Mr. G. Inglis, Director of Finance, where it stated that the Citizens Water Advisory Committee recommended that the City investigate the feasibility of installing water meters. Mr. Todoruk suggested that now may be a good time for this study in order that apartment building owners be charged based on consumption.

2. Brian Matheson Re: Utility Rates

Brian Matheson informed Council that he owns two apartment buildings in the City (Crescent Apartments and Mountain View Manor) and is concerned regarding the increased utility rates. With the high increase in propane, annual increases for hydro and taxes it makes it extremely diffi-cult to operate.

With respect to revenue, over the past seven years rents for a one bedroom apartment have in-creased 20% and for a 2 bedroom 25%. According to CMHC the vacancy rate is at present ap-proximately 15 - 18% in Revelstoke.

Mr. Matheson asked Council how a senior's usage of water and sewer can be compared with that of families and requested a reduction in the utility rates for apartment buildings.

3. Kewal Rishi Re: Utility Rates

Kewal Rishi advised Council that he is the owner of two apartment buildings in Revelstoke (Riv-ersedge and Columbia Garden Apartments), and that these apartments have a combined total of 52% vacancy. Mr. Rishi advised that it is very difficult to operate these buildings with such a high vacancy rate. Mr. Rishi informed Council that he owns apartments in Alberta and provided Coun-cil with examples of utility charges for those buildings, which are much lower than charges in Revelstoke.

Councillor Fransen asked what would be the most equitable way to charge apartment owners. Mr. Todoruk responded that water meters would be the best way, but felt that a one bedroom apartment should be paying 1/3 of the cost for a single family dwelling.

Mayor Bernacki thanked the delegation for attending and they then retired from the meeting.


BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:

Regular Council Meeting - September 25, 2000

Nil.
CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Helen Hammond - Letter of Resignation from Revelstoke Community Heritage Commission

Moved by Councillor Frew, seconded by Councillor Fransen that a letter of appreciation be sent to Helen Hammond for her many years of service on the Heritage Commission.

CARRIED

2. The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 46 - Request to Parade to Cenotaph - No-vember 11, 2000

Moved by Councillor Fransen, seconded by Councillor Richardson that Council approve the re-quest from the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 46 to parade from City Hall to the Cenotaph on Saturday, November 11, 2000 at 10:30 a.m.

CARRIED

3. Bobbi Fox & Larry Hansen Re: DVP-2000-10 - 2065 Laforme Blvd.

4. Jeff & Mengia Nicholson Re: Revelstoke River Trail

Moved by Councillor MacFarlane, seconded by Councillor Richardson that a letter be sent to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson clarifying the issues and noting that the City does not have answers to all the questions raised in their letter.

CARRIED

5. District of Kitimat Re: Treatment for Autistic Children in British Columbia

6. Penny Kellett and Jim McDermott Re: Child Service Equality Act


COMMITTEE REPORTS:


COUNCILLOR FRANSEN, Chairman Environmental - Public Works

1. Monthly Revelstoke RCMP Detachment Report - September 2000

2. Monthly Fire Department Report - September 2000

3. Monthly Animal Control Report - September 2000

4. Tourism Development Minutes - October 3, 2000 and Report - September 2000

5. Contract Renewal - Oscar Street MHP Manager

Moved by Councillor Fransen, seconded by Councillor Richardson that the contract with Douglas Hulley for the performance of management services at Oscar Street MHP be renewed for the period January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001 subject to the same terms and conditions of the existing contract.

CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS: (Continued)

COUNCILLOR FREW, Chairman Environmental - Planning and Land Development

1. Monthly Building Permit and Accumulative Permit Summaries - September 2000

2. Minutes of the Heritage Commission Meeting - September 5, 2000

3. Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting - September 27, 2000

iii. Amendment to Accessory Building Size

Moved by Councillor Frew, seconded by Councillor Fransen that the combined floor area limit for accessory buildings to 80 square metres (864 sq.ft) be retained and that the exist-ing regulation be reworded to improve clarity.

CARRIED

vi. B.C. Interior Forestry Museum Society

Moved by Councillor Frew, seconded by Councillor Fransen that the City apply for acquisi-tion of the property through a Land Act Application and that all supporting documentation for the application be provided directly by the Museum Society.

CARRIED

viii. Steve Fullerton - 1107 Cottonwood Street

Moved by Councillor Frew, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that Council authorize staff to proceed with a Court Injunction to have the illegal dwelling unit converted to an acces-sory structure as per Bylaw No. 1605.

CARRIED

4. Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting - October 5, 2000

NOTE: Mayor Bernacki stated that she may be in a possible conflict of interest situation due to her residing in the immediate area of the proposed accessory building. Mayor Bernacki turned over the position of Chair to Councillor Frew and she then retired from Council Chambers at 4:15 p.m.

i. Jim Gawiuk - 2065 Laforme Blvd

Moved by Councillor Fransen, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that Development Vari-ance Permit DVP-2000-10 be denied.
CARRIED

NOTE: Mayor Bernacki returned to Council Chambers at 4:20 p.m. and resumed the position of Chair.

Note: Mr. Gawiuk left the meeting at this time.


COUNCILLOR MACFARLANE, Chairman Economic Development

1. Monthly Business Licence Summary - September 2000

COMMITTEE REPORTS: (Continued...)

COUNCILLOR RICHARDSON, Chairman Social - Culture, Child & Youth, and Commu-nity Liaison

1. Monthly Victim Services Program Reports - July and August 2000

2. Food Bank Update


COUNCILLOR SCARCELLA, Chairman Finance

1. Summary of Accounts - October 2, 2000 - $817,728.42

2. City of Revelstoke 2001 Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 1646

Moved by Councillor Scarcella, seconded by Councillor Frew that Bylaw #1646, being a bylaw to allow for exemption from taxation pursuant to Sections 339 and 341 of the Local Government Act be given First, Second and Third Readings by Council.

CARRIED


COUNCILLOR SINGH, Chairman Social - Parks and Recreation

1. Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce - Quarterly Report (July - September 2000)

2. Minutes of the Enhancement Committee Meeting - October 3, 2000


MAYOR BERNACKI, Chairman Administration, Policy, Bylaws and Public Relations

1. Contract Renewal - City Hall Janitorial Services

Moved by Councillor Fransen, seconded by Councillor Richardson that the contract with Sure-Ly's Kleen Care for the performance of janitorial services at City Hall be renewed for the period January 1, 20001 to December 31, 2001, subject to the same terms and conditions of the existing contract.

CARRIED

OLD BUSINESS:

Nil

NEW BUSINESS:

Nil

RESOLVE INTO IN CAMERA:

Moved by Councillor Richardson, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that Council resolve into In Camera at 4:30 p.m. to further consider items of business pursuant to Section 242.2 of the Local Government Act.
CARRIED
BUSINESS ITEMS TO REPORT:

1. RCMP - Purchase of Cameras for Cell Block Area

That Council accept the low bid of $8,394.35 (plus GST) from Revelstoke Alarm Service for the purchase and installation of seven cameras plus monitoring equipment for the RCMP building.


2. New RCMP Facility - Public Process

City Council approved the draft press release, as presented, for immediate release.


3. Memorial Bench Donation - Lee Camara

That the City of Revelstoke contribute $100 towards the purchase of a bench in memory of Lee Camara.


4. Tour Bus Parking - Downtown

The issue of tour bus operators parking along the main street causing poor visibility for residents was referred to the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce to make comment to the tour bus operators via the Tourism Committee.

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION(S):

Moved by Councillor Frew, seconded by Councillor Scarcella that the resolutions as approved by Council In Camera, be adopted.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT:

Moved by Councillor Richardson, seconded by Councillor Frew that the meeting adjourn at 5:55 p.m.

CARRIED


CERTIFIED CORRECT:



_________________________________ ________________________________
DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE MAYOR
ADMINISTRATION


Certified a true copy this _____ day
of ________________, ______.



__________________________________
Director of Corporate Administration