Home »
Calls to RCMP up in second quarter of 2022
By Nowell Berg
On October 11, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting.
Councillors Kyle Dalum, Kent Goodwin, Nigel Kitto, Jason McBain, Darryl Oakley and Sandra Roberts were present, along with Mayor Don McCormick.
An archive of the meeting can be found on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.
RCMP Report
Kimberley RCMP Detachment commander Sgt. Steve Woodcox presented the RCMP activity report for Q2 – July to September 2022.
His numbers reflect the summer season uptick in calls for service. Five Hundred-thirty-seven calls were received compared to only 430 calls in April, May and June.
Always an issue reported on, mental health calls drop to 18 from 24 the previous quarter. Despite the change, “It continues to be an area requiring resources,” said Woodcox.
In terms of constables on active duty, Woodcox told council the detachment was “running at 50%, with four members off sick and one transferred.”
Break and enters to construction site trailers and sheds and the theft of tools were a big problem. “We do believe we know some of the individuals involved, but we do need some more evidence to bring charges.” In one case, $15,000 of tools were recovered and returned to the owner, however, Woodcox urged residents to “call with any tips.”
Commenting on JulyFest activities, Woodcox reported there were only minor incidents of public intoxication, minor property damage and “several” impaired drivers taken off the road.
“Overall, people were very well behaved. I want to thank the City of Kimberley and citizens, they put on a great event. We did not see any major incidents. We are very happy about that.”
Building Report
Troy Pollock, Manager of Planning, reported on building activity in the third quarter (July to September). He said the collection of $60,000 in planning application fees “surpasses previous full-year totals.” However, he noted the “number of dwelling units is down compared to previous years.” By the end of September, 52 dwelling units have been or are being built. Last year that total was 63 units.
Building permit construction values are way up from Q3, which will reflect the increasing costs of construction materials noted Pollock. In terms of value, “We are looking towards a near record year for sure.”
Saying that building continues a “robust year,” Mayor McCormick raised one concern about the low number of new dwelling units being constructed. He pointed out the city needs “60 – 65 units per year to keep up with population growth.” Over last five years, “we are way way under that number.”
In order to reach the upper limit on housing, McCormick said, “We have to get there with multi-unit apartment style rental complexes. Its the only way we’re going to get the number of dwellings up.”
RDEK Subdivision Development
City staff brought to council’s attention a request by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) for comment on a proposed subdivision in Meadowbrook that borders city land.
The land is located on Meadowbrook Settlement Road adjacent to the proposed Taylors Mill Landing development.
City staff recommended that approval not be given for the subdivision.
Coun. Oakley commented that residents of Meadowbrook rejected a fire department four times in the past. He said, “Why is the city getting involved? It’s their risk. I will vote against this.”
Explaining the city’s position, Mayor McCormick said, “We, the city, are not recommending the subdivision because there is no fire protection [in Meadowbrook]. It creates a risk and therefore we are not recommending a subdivision.”
Despite the city’s rejection, McCormick added, “The RDEK can still go ahead and approve it.”
Chief administrative officer Scott Sommerville provided council with more background. “There is fire risk out in Meadowbrook. We don’t want that fire risk approaching us from that direction. It’s our exposed flank. We don’t have any [fire] protection through Taylors Mill. We’d like to shore up that flank by having some influence on limiting the amount of development that can happen alongside our border.”
At the vote, Councillors Oakley and Dalum voted against, while Councillors Goodwin, Kitto, McBain and Roberts voted in favour of not approving the subdivision.
Kimberley city council meets twice monthly starting at 7 p.m. The next scheduled regular council meeting: November 14.
An inaugural council meeting to introduce newly and/or re-elected councillors will take place on November 7 at the Conference Centre.
e-KNOW file photos
e-KNOW