Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

On November 13, City of Kimberley council held its first regular bi-monthly meeting since the October local government elections.

Re-elected Councillor Sandra Roberts filled in as acting Mayor for an absent, but re-elected, Don McCormick.

Re-elected Councillors Kent Goodwin and Darryl Oakley were present. Councillor Nigel Kitto was absent.

New Councillors Kyle Dalum and Jason McBain attended their first regular council meeting.

Third Quarter Financial Update

Chief financial officer Jim Hendricks provided an over-view of the city’s financial status as of September 30. Hendricks provides this report on a quarterly basis so that councillors can track city finances and do not have to wait until year-end to understand how the city is financially doing.

Hendricks noted “the most significant variance” in departmental revenue and expenditures is for the Kimberley Fire Department. This came about because of the wildfire hazard and forest restrictions during this past summer. “Due to the summer we had not a lot happened,” he said.

A large amount of the forest management work will be carried over into next year.

Building permit revenue has already topped budget expectations. As of the end of Q3, over $90,000 has been received.

Councillor Oakley asked about the Forests, Land and Natural Resources (FLNRO) $25,000 contribution for the deer translocation project and whether the funds had been received. Hendricks indicated they had.

Councillor Goodwin asked about FOI (Freedom of Information) monies. Hendricks said the increased revenue came from requests by “realtors.” He also noted that city staff is being “more diligent” in collecting the FOI fee.

The other significant revenue increase came from the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding. So far, RMI revenue is almost $87,000 “due to the province favourably revising the RMI funding formula,” said Hendricks.

Animal Control & Bylaw Enforcement

In terms of animal control, dogs continue to be the largest category of issues investigated by the Bylaw Enforcement Officer (BEO).

Dogs at large or off-leash along with barking dogs, unlicensed dogs, vicious or aggressive dogs are the issues most often dealt with.

The report also noted an increase in the use of “electronic leashes.”

The use of e-leashes brought a question from Coun. Goodwin, “Are we [the city] considering them to be the same as physical leash?”

Corporate Officer Maryse Leroux responded saying there is nothing in the current bylaw, but she’s been looking into what other municipal jurisdictions are doing. While not finding any Canadian rulings, a US Court has ruled that “e-leashes were not an actual leash.” She added the city will “require some clarification in the bylaw.”

Currently, the BEO is asking residents to demonstrate they have control over the dog when using e-leashes.

Coun. Dalum commented: “People may not be trained in their e-leashes and the potential for harm to animals. It’s just my thought that came to mind.”

Until the Animal Bylaw is adjusted, the city urges dog owners to use a physical tether to make sure their dog is under control.

In terms of bylaw enforcement, the largest issue is that of unattached trailers on city streets. The BEO’s report noted 120 such notices were given to residents with trailers parked on streets. The BEO is working to educate residents are resolve the issue.

SunMine Production

City chief administrative officer Scott Sommerville presented a quarterly report “on conversion of photons to electrons to revenue for the city.”

Smoke from wildfires affected the amount of revenue the city received over the summer. “That’s two summers in a row that August has been affected by smoke,” said Sommerville.

July, August and September revenue totalled $64,434, which was 91% of projected revenue.

Sommerville also noted the city has “ordered 10 refurbished motors” to replace 10 water damaged motors that drive the vertical inclination of the solar panel arrays. This will “cost approximately $15,500, not including install labour,” his report noted.

In the October election, residents voted in favour of the city “negotiating” to sell the SunMine to Teck. Sommerville said that Teck was undertaking its due diligence and financial review.

Coun. Goodwin suggested the city do whatever it can “to expedite the sale [it] would be a good thing.”

Sommerville assured council he is and would be providing Teck with all of the information it requires to complete the sale.

Kimberley city council meets twice monthly. All meetings start at 7 p.m. and are open to the public.

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for November 26.

Lead image: City of Kimberley council 2018-2022. Left to right: Councillor Jason McBain, Councillor Kent Goodwin, Councillor Darryl Oakley, Councillor Sandra Roberts, Mayor Don McCormick, Councillor Kyle Dalum, Councillor Nigel Kitto and Chief Administrative Officer Scott Sommerville. City of Kimberley photo

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