Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

On March 12, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting.

Councillors Kent Goodwin, Albert Hoglund, Nigel Kitto, Bev Middlebrook, Darryl Oakley and Sandra Roberts were present along with Mayor Don McCormick.

Do not feed the deer

The February Bylaw Enforcement report to council noted “multiple complaints were received for deer feeding related to three different properties. Two of the offenders have complied. The third was ticketed following non-compliance.”

In follow up comments, Coun. Oakley said residents who feed deer are becoming a “big problem.” He believes there is urgency for the Bylaw Officer to work with residents to try stopping them from feeding deer.

Recently, biologists, conservation officers and Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources members were in town working on trans-locating deer and “they found a lot of places with rampant deer feeding.” More than the three noted in the Animal Control report.

Coun. Oakley added, “I spoke with residents who are feeding to try to understand what’s causing them to not back away from this.” One resident, who became very emotional, pointed out the amount of snow, deer were peering in their window and it looked like they were starving.

Coun. Oakley said he understands residents are “hugely compassionate,” but feeding deer, especially dry oats, makes it worse. “Let the animals be wildlife. They are perfectly capable and adapted to this [the weather and snow levels],” he said.

Mayor McCormick added, “The real irony here is the more they are fed the more deer we get and the more urgency there is to deal with it [excess deer in the city].”

Coun. Oakly’s message: “Do Not Feed the Deer.” Residents may think it’s compassionate, but in fact it does more harm than good.

Life Kit distribution underway

John Adolphe, Deputy Fire Chief, updated council on the Fire Department’s Life Kit & Fire Safety initiative.

The department is currently working with Seniors in Partnership, a committee of the United Way, and BC Ambulance to distribute Life Kits to seniors living in multi-unit facilities.

The key component of the Life Kit is a medical information sheet. When it’s filled out, it “provides first responders with vital information on the occupant of the home.” If residents are incapacitated or unable to communicate with first responders, the Life Kit provides them with medical history, emergency contacts, medications, vital patient statistics like their care card number and extended health care provider information along with advanced medical directives like a DNR or Living Will.

The kit also includes two red stickers, one to be placed on the front door and the other on the refrigerator door. It is recommended, as standard operating procedure, that the Life Kit package be attached inside the right side of the refrigerator so that emergency medical personnel now where to look.

Life Kits are also available at City Hall and will eventually be rolled out to all residents.

As part of this outreach, the Fire Department is “introducing the Seniors Smoke Alarm program which provides free service for smoke alarm and battery replacement to those seniors in need.”

Coun. Oakley noted that in B.C. the term “Living Will” is not a legal document. Instead the B.C. government recognizes the “Representation Agreement” as the legal tool for people to provide medical directions in case they are not able to do so themselves.

Centre 64 elevator construction to begin

Carol Redfern and Dennis Bathory of Centre 64 provided an update regarding the new elevator construction at the arts building.

According to Redfern, “The goal of this project is to make the second storey of the Centre 64 performing arts centre accessible to all patrons.”

The Centre has raised $200,000 in grants and donations towards construction costs. Heritage Canada granted $75,000 toward the project and BC Games kicked in $60,000. Local fundraising activities generated another $30,000.

The elevator will be built on the south side of the building near the fire exit doors. Several exterior windows will be removed to accommodate construction of a two-storey lift, which includes a direct fire-rated hallway straight into the theatre space.

New Dawn Construction won the open tender bid and will begin site preparation April 1 with completion of the elevator shaft by June 1. Once the shaft is built, it will be measured for manufacturing the elevator equipment, which is expected to be installed and ready for use by early September.

When complete, the ride will only take 30 seconds. In case of emergency, the elevator will also have a manual over-ride.

2018 Winter Games Legacy Grants announced

Council approved a recommendation from the Kimberley and District Community Foundation Board of Directors to award winter legacy grants to seven organizations worth a total of $7,383.

The groups receiving grants include Kimberley Curling Club, Kimberley Seahorse Swim Association, East Kootenay Climbing Association, Kimberley Junior Nordic Racers, Spirit Rock Climbing Team, Kimberley Alpine Team (Free style) and the EK Ice Avalanche Hockey Team.

Grants ranged from a high of $1,600 to a low of $500.

Kimberley City Council meets twice monthly. All meetings start at 7 p.m. and are open to the public. Check the city’s website here for the meeting agenda.

The next regular Council meeting will be on March 26.

It’s your city, get involved.

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