Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

On March 14, 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.

Due to pandemic restrictions, the public and media are not allowed to attend council chambers. Meetings live stream on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch the archive here.

Road reconstruction 314 Avenue and Boundary Street

Council approved the tender award for two large road reconstruction projects set for this year.

The 314 Avenue project has been awarded to the lowest bidder Gally Equipment Services Ltd. (Cranbrook). The value of the contract is $367,379.90.

Chris Mummery, Senior Manager Operations, told council the city received five bids. He noted that the road work would see “a significant improvement in the road in that area.”

In Mummery’s report to council, the project entails removing 650 mm (over 25 inches) of material from the road in order that the re-build meet current road construction standards. The project will also see “drainage improvements including curb and gutter.”

The second road project for Boundary Street received four bids. The contract has been awarded to Bad Ventures Ltd. (Cranbrook) for $986,050. The city’s portion of that cost is $698,693. Teck Metals will contribute $287,357.00 toward the cost for storm drain installation. The project also entails water main and sewer line replacement, plus the complete re-build of the road.

The expected completion for both projects is the end of September.

Sidewalk cafe fees

Mayor McCormick presented a motion to council that would see the city waive sidewalk cafe fees for another year.

“As we’re coming out of Covid, I think it’s prudent that we add one more year onto the waving of fees. Businesses definitely need the support and I think this would be a move in the right direction.”

Coun. Roberts asked if this wavier would extend to the application process itself.

Mayor McCormick answered, “Businesses would still have to apply and follow all application directions, just the fees will be waved.”

Coun. Oakley asked how much in fee revenue would be lost to the city?

The Mayor suggested the revenue loss would be $3,000 to $4,000. Troy Pollock, Senior Planner, confirm that figure was a reasonable “ballpark” number.

City Parade Float

The city received a letter from Jori Adank head of the Float Committee requesting financial support to “rebuild the float display.” The committee requested $5,000 in hard money and would provide the volunteers needed to complete the repairs. Adank said the city needs to respond before the end of March so that the committee would be able to reserve a stop in this year’s Calgary Stampede parade.

Adank concluded his letter, “This is the most important parade to attend as we will have a national audience.”

Coun. Oakley said, “It’s a real dilemma because they are real expensive and how important is it to have a float in the various parades.” He concluded, “There should be no float or a proper float.”

Coun. McBain added, “I don’t understand the purpose. I don’t think we need to do this. It seems like something that is antiquated. I don’t see the need.”

Mayor McCormick noted that float management “should have moved into their [Tourism Kimberley’s (TKs)] domain a long time ago, but for various reasons” it didn’t. He added, “I think it’s (TKs) a better place. If Council would agree. I will volunteer to move that on.”

Kimberley city council meets twice monthly starting at 7 p.m. The next scheduled council meeting: March 28.

e-KNOW file photos

e-KNOW

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