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City applies for FireSmart funding to reduce surface fuels
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On March 8, 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.
Councillors attended the meeting in-person, however, the press and public were not allowed in Council Chambers.
The meeting streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel. Watch the archive here.
FireSmart Application
Assistant Fire Chief Will Booth presented council with a request to submit an application to UBCM’s FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund.
The funds, if secured, would be used to “reduce surface fuels” on city-owned lots which have been identified in the CWPP (Community Wildfire Protection Plan). Some lots are small, less than a hectare, and others on the municipal boundaries are large “tens of hectares.”
Locations identified by the fire department include Wallinger Ave., Swan Ave., Taylor Slough South, Knighton Road and a section of the 95A Highway across from the Mark Creek Trail.
Coun. Goodwin asked about “hydrology problems after removal of materials.”
Booth indicated that if “soil and vegetation movement” was detected after work had been completed, then the fire department would “bring in geo-technical forester” to assess the situation.
Coun. Roberts noted the “hill above Centennial Hall contained lots of dead fall.” She was hopeful the application would be successful.
Mayor McCormick added, the fire department and those involved in FireSmart management were “doing an awesome job.”
VolunteerConnector
Pam Walsh, Manager of Community Development and Communications, reported to council the impending launch of the Kimberley VolunteerConnector.
The online Kimberley community profile page will allow local non-profit organizations to post a profile outlining who they are and list available volunteer jobs. The portal is free to the city and local groups.
According to Walsh, “Community organizations upload volunteer activities that are taking place in the city right now. It will give volunteers meaningful volunteer work and it will help organizations find volunteers quickly.”
The city is currently recruiting non-profit’s and will be holding “a webinar to teach organizations how to upload their data.”
Mayor McCormick called it “a volunteer market place.”
Walsh replied, “Absolutely.”
Noting that several local non-profits have calls out for directors, Coun. Roberts asked “if organizations would be able to seek out Board directors.” Walsh answered, “Yes, definitely”
Coun. Goodwin said he looked at the Kimberley portal and it contained “B.C. wide organizations.” He asked if they could be filtered out.
Walsh said they were just in “the initial up-load of organization data.” She concluded, “Our local organizations will be front and centre.” To which Coun. Goodwin replied, “Excellent.”
Underground Railway train set to run this summer
Coun. Oakley informed council the “underground railway train will be up and running this summer.” COVID-19 preparations and protocols that were used last summer will be in-place for the upcoming season. However, if PHO Dr. bonnie Henry relaxes protocols, the museum will follow that advice.
Coun. Roberts commented, “My basement is full of gigantic filthy pictures from the powerhouse. They’re covered in dirt, plaster and stuff. I have my work cut out for me getting them all cleaned and back to normal.”
The Powerhouse at the Museum has undergone renovations over the past several years. Coun. Oakley said, “They’re unbelievable [the renos]. It’s absolutely gorgeous, very pretty. It’s an amazing old building.”
With the 100-year anniversary around the corner, the Museum Society wants to celebrate with a grand re-opening, when allowed.
Kimberley city council meets twice monthly starting at 7 p.m. Due to pandemic restrictions, the public is not allowed to attend Council Chambers.
The next scheduled council meeting is March 22. It live streams on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel.
Lead image: Swift response by passersby and Kimberley Fire Department halted a fire beside Highway 95A in September 2020. Sgt. Chris Newel/Kimberley RCMP (retired) file photo
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