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Notes from City Hall
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Community Initiatives & Affected Areas Program Funding
Each year, the Regional District of East Kootenay, under the direction of the CBT, supports projects identified as priorities within individual communities. The programs are designed to help address the needs of Basin communities and incorporate community-based funding decisions (by council) to better meet local priorities. Applications are due to the RDEK by 2 p.m. on January 21. Late applications will not be accepted. Go here for more information.
Christmas Tree Disposal
The Regional District of East Kootenay Transfer Station located at 800 Jim Ogilvie Way is the designated area for disposal of Christmas trees. All residents are encouraged to have their discarded Christmas trees delivered to this area. City trucks will make one pass through each neighbourhood the week of January 14 – 18, to pick up any remaining trees (dependent upon weather events). If you are unable to dispose of your own tree, please leave it at your garbage collection location in a manner that will not conflict with snow removal equipment.
2019 Utility Rate Adjustments
City council is committed to maintaining and upgrading Kimberley’s aging water and sewer system infrastructure as well as our garbage collection equipment. To fund planned utility infrastructure renewal and budgeted operating cost adjustments, effective January 1, 2019 Utility Rates for residential properties will increase by a total of $2.17 per month ($26.04 per year). This adjustment relates entirely to an increase to sewer rates with the bulk of the additional revenue collected being directed to helping fund the future construction of a new waste water treatment facility to replace the existing plant. The flat rates for Water and Garbage will remain at 2018 levels. The new aggregate rate for water, sewer, and garbage collection for residential properties in 2019 will be $73.90 per month ($886.80 per year). This amount will be billed in equal quarterly instalments of $221.70. Sewer flat rates for commercial and all other classifications of use will be adjusted by the same percentage increase as the residential rate.
Clearing Snow and Ice
Icy sidewalks can be a hazard for everyone including seniors, children, mail carriers, meter readers, firefighters, and paramedics. As the weather warms up and then freezes again, water from melting snow can run onto cleared sidewalks. Here are a few tips to help maintain your walkways:
- Warm weather during the day can make ice soft, so it’s easier to chip or shovel away.
- Spread sand or gravel on icy patches to make your sidewalk safer for pedestrians. Spreading sand on a sidewalk before ice forms can also make future ice easier to remove.
- Microwaving sand in a microwave-safe container and spreading it while it is still warm will make the sand embed itself into the ice, creating a gritty top layer.
- Pile snow in a place where it will not run across your sidewalk when it melts and aim your downspouts away from areas where people walk.
Streets and Traffic
The Bylaw Officer continues to enforce the Streets and Traffic Bylaw 1877, 2015 and reminds residents of the following:
Campers and licensed cars, trucks, trailers, RVs, boat trailers, etc. are not to be left or stored on streets, lanes or boulevards which interfere or obstruct snow plowing and/or snow removal. Recreational vehicles must be off the streets and boulevards.
Unattached utility and construction trailers are not permitted on city streets. They must be attached to a vehicle, or stored on private property.
Unlicensed vehicles, trailers, boat trailers, etc., are not to be parked on streets, lanes or boulevards at any time.
All waste, refuse, building materials, rocks, wood, bricks, dirt, yard clippings etc. from private property are not to be placed on lanes, boulevards and other public property, as this may impede snow plowing and/or snow removal and cause damage to city equipment and injury to equipment operators.
Non-Compliance with the Streets and Traffic Bylaw may result in a fine, or the city removing or towing these items at the property owner’s expense. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Free Family Swim
Come to the Aquatic Centre and enjoy a Free Family Swim on Wednesday, January 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. sponsored by Bavarian Home Hardware. Remember persons 18 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the water.
