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Norton Avenue re-paving and more paving
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On August 28, City of Kimberley council held its bi-monthly meeting.
Councillors Kent Goodwin, Albert Hoglund, Bev Middlebrook, Darryll Oakley and Sandra Roberts were present along with Mayor Don McCormick.
Councilor Nigel Kitto was absent.
Norton Avenue re-paving sparks debate
The city received letters from two Norton Avenue residents complaining about the proposed removal of sidewalks and re-paving the road after water and sewer upgrades are complete.
Beth and Darcy Cornelson along with Jeremy and Susan Irons wrote separate letters raising concerns about re-paving Norton Avenue with a strip of pavement down the middle and no sidewalks.
Each side of Norton would have a strip of gravel running along the road between the pavement and residents property.
With a strip of gravel and no sidewalk, the Cornelsons are worried about “curb appeal” and a reduction in property value. Their letter asks, “Will the city then reduce our property taxes?” A concern echoed by the Irons.
Both the Cornelsons and Irons raised the issue of safety. They contend the absence of sidewalks increases the likely conflict between pedestrians and vehicles, especially during winter.
Mr. Irons made several points about the positive impact of sidewalks in a neighbourhood. Sidewalks promote walking which increases health and wellness. They also provide a demarcation between vehicles and pedestrians.
Both letters can be found here, on pages 21 to 24.
In response to these letters and Norton residents’ feedback at an August 23 public meeting, council weighed in with thoughts.
Mayor McCormick said the purpose of the August 23 meeting was to listen to residents’ concerns and comments, and not to provide solutions at that time but take the information back to council. He hoped that out of council’s discussion, a policy on sidewalks would be developed to provide residents with clarity can happen in the future.
The Mayor also noted the cost of putting in sidewalks on Norton Avenue, which was not allocated in the Capital Plan, would be $200,000. This would amount to a 2% increase in all residential property taxes.
Coun. Middlebrook, while noting sidewalks were “really important”, said they were “a luxury these days.” A Marysville resident, Middlebrook said there were “no sidewalks” there, except downtown.
Mayor McCormick added that “70% of Kimberley [including Marysville] don’t have sidewalks.”
Coun. Roberts was “not excited about paying for sidewalks, when I don’t have them on my street.” She also said it was important for the city of develop a policy on sidewalks, especially for residents who live on streets that have them.
Disagreeing with Coun. Middlebrook and Roberts was Coun. Hoglund; he stated that if Norton residents paid the “extra tax” for sidewalks and the city rips them up, then they “should be put back.” He attended the August 23 meeting and was sympathetic to residents’ concerns.
CAO Scott Sommerville noted that Norton Avenue was paved “curb to curb” in 1986 and at that time there were “no sidewalks.” He also said the life expectancy of the paving was 20 years after which it could be changed. The city is fortunate the Norton Ave. paving lasted 31 years.
Another councillor attending the August 23 meeting was Coun. Oakley. He said there were “huge concerns over safety” voiced by residents. Being sympathetic to those concerns, Oakley also spoke about limited resources at the city’s disposal. In the past couple of years, priorities were voted on by council which shifted tax dollars into some projects and away from others. He summed up saying that councillor voted democratically and that “process leads to decisions” which we shouldn’t “beat ourselves up over.”
Coun. Goodwin was unable to attend the August 23 meeting, but said he “agreed with some elements of each councillor’s comments.” He also wants a policy that would be “transparent with what happens and what criteria are used” in a situation like Norton Avenue sidewalks.
Council will consider Norton Avenue residents sidewalk concerns and comments at an up-coming meeting.
More paving on the way!
Council voted unanimously to award a paving contract to Power Paving Ltd. of Cranbrook worth almost $272,000.
This contract is not connected with the Norton Avenue issue.
The paving under this contract will take place at:
– Montgomery (from Marsden to Dalgren, and ~35m north and south of Archibald);
– Burdett (90m west of Wallinger);
– North Star Drive (150m, south end);
– Spokane Street bike path.
The original approved budgeted was just over $400,000. Once geo-technical reports are complete, the extra $128,000 will be used for paving work on Jim Ogilvie Way and Knighton Road.
To busk or not to busk!
During the open question period at the end of the council meeting, a concerned resident, identified as Merna, asked why the city Bylaw Officer was “threatening” two Mexican buskers playing on the Platzl. This resident said the buskers were told they had to have a $150 permit, or face stiff fines for performing without a permit.
Mayor McCormick indicated the Bylaw Officer was “just doing their job.” He also thought the city had dealt with buskers in the past.
The resident said that buskers are a draw, they bring people to the Platzl and provide an international flavour to the Platzl. She asked why the city could not provide a “letter of exemption” for buskers who can’t really afford the permit fee or fine.
CAO Sommerville noted council had received a presentation from the Chamber of Commerce on the importance of buskers and urged council to make policy changes to allow buskers to perform without having to pay the permit fee. Sommerville said that amendments to the policy were never made and they “fell through the cracks.”
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. Click on the 2017 folder and follow the link.
The next council meeting is Monday, September, 11.
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