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Noise Bylaw has depth and teeth
Fernie Mayorâs report â March 2012
By Mary Giuliano
Another month filled with meetings and interactions. It sure would be great if we could make everyone happy but thatâs not possible so council does the best it can.
A Public Nuisance Bylaw No.2181,âto regulate and prohibit nuisances, disturbances and other objectionable situations in public placesâ was voted on unanimously at the last council meeting. This means there will be fines for fighting, throwing objects, obstructing the movement of persons or vehicle traffic, discarding or depositing litter or garbage, urinating or defecating in public places.
BC Hydro has informed that Smart Meters will be installed soon. There are concerns but Hydro reassures that they are safe, although the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union Local 378 states that âpeople are concerned about potential health, environmental, cost and privacy impacts.â Another concern is the loss of 400 meter reader jobs.
Another issue is loss of the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. On March 1, municipal leaders met with Hydro and provincial reps to discuss this issue. Hydro is to reduce 1,200 jobs across the province. The $4.3 million for the program will remain to come back to the region in a new delivery model
On March 7, Councillor Iddon and I attended the Community to Community Forum at St. Eugene Golf Resort. Sharing information between regional districts, municipalities and the Ktunaxa Nation seems to be an excellent way to strengthen relationships and cooperation. Dialogue included Columbia River Treaty and putting in money to restore salmon runs to right a historic wrong. Additionally, include membership on Advisory Planning Committees to deliver both points of view on joint land use planning such as the Koocanusa Official Community Plan (OCP) and parks planning and joint management, invite each other to special events like inaugural council meetings, having gardens on Ktunaxa lands, sharing of history and cultural events, and storytelling, such as when the curse was lifted off Fernie.
Broadband, emergency preparedness, public transit, and sharing of house inspectors were also discussed. We donât have to agree or be best buddies we just need to work together and support one another; we need to change our mindset to meet the needs of both parties.
Locally it was suggested that we could do a survey to find out the number of Aboriginals living in Fernie; fly their flag as a symbolic gesture of recognition of our First Nations neighbours or use the Ktunaxa word for welcome on our signs so as to show our appreciation of their history and culture in this area.
Here are stats for BC Transit use locally. January 2011- 301 passengers; 2012- 537; February 2011- 608; 2012- 587. The Health Connections Bus for January 2011- 196; February- 152; January 2012- 257; February- 244. These numbers are very low in comparison to other communities; it is hoped more people will take advantage of this service in order to ensure continuation.
The Resort Municipality Initiative five-year strategy was reviewed and referred to a public meeting of stakeholders. It was suggested that a group of stakeholders, staff and council reps form a new group to work on this. With the HST removal in the future the province may fund this initiative from a general pool of money instead of from hotel room tax.
Council discussed ways of making city hall accessible to all, but due to high cost for alterations required, including removal of outer and inner walls or adding a new section to the building, it was determined that in future regular meetings could be held several times a year in a more accessible building owned by the city. If someone is unable to access city hall for business they can make arrangements by phone to have a staff member or employee come outside to them to provide assistance.
Council has donated $1,000 to the STARS in the Valley Golf Tournament being held in May. STARS provides an invaluable service to Fernie residents in emergency situations by flying them to hospitals where they can get required care.
The OCP implementation committee is working on a survey that will be distributed to every person to get information to update the Quality of Life Index Report. Please fill it out and return it. This will provide an accurate snapshot of life as it is led by the people who live here on a fulltime and part-time basis.
Congratulations to Fernie Alpine Resort for celebrating 50 years of skiing. They celebrated last week with numerous events that included a street party for everyone.
Last week council approved a whistle cessation resolution. There are a lot of disappointed people. However, council needs to listen to everyone. I understand those who want to have the whistle removed as it impacts their quality of life. I also understand those who love the sound and appreciate what it means. Most of all there is the safety issue. No final decision will be made without consultation with residents about cost and safety.
Budget discussion is underway; Here are some of the services paid by your tax dollars: water distribution, sewer, storm sewer, fire protection, building inspection, bylaw enforcement, parks, recreation ( includes aquatic centre, arena, curling club, disc golf, bocce pits, baseball, tennis, mountain bike trails, dirt jump park, skate park, soccer fields, other trails), street lights, snow and ice control, sidewalks, planning, garbage collection and recycling, dog licensing, streets and traffic, land use, building design, subdivision, signage, business licensing, building permits and inspection, fire prevention, noise control, an amazing library, assistance to the arts centre, museum and chamber and roads. It canât be emphasized enough that only half of what is collected on your tax bill is for city taxes, while the rest is for other agencies including school, regional district, hospital and policing.
This year it was deemed that a 5.25% hike to taxes is what is needed to maintain the levels of service provided. Several councillors and I have said this is unacceptable, so now our entire operation has to cut back on budgets to make up the shortfall of nearly $74,000 annually. A total of $1.5 million is budgeted for implementation of water meters in 2014. Taxpayers should express whether they would prefer to have water meters or not.
The Fernie Pets Society is a volunteer-based group that has been taking care of lost dogs in the past and are now requesting using the dog pound, and for provision of a fenced off leash area for dogs as well as providing other services. It is the volunteers who contribute so much to our community that allows everyone to enjoy the good quality of life that we have. Most of the time volunteers do a great deal with very little publicity. I want to commend this group and all the other amazing volunteers in our community. You are the heart of Fernie. Thank you for all you do.
Several requests have been made regarding snow removal of the sidewalks along the Miners Walk so that it can be enjoyed in winter. This work has to be done by hand as the stamped sidewalks cannot be cleared without damage by equipment. Council will discuss this in depth to see if monies left by the fundraising will be enough to afford clearing so that visitors and residents may enjoy the exhibit year round.
The city was awarded a $125,000 grant from Federal Gas Tax Funding to complete the OCP update.
A process is underway to initiate cancellation of dedication as road of the un- built portion of 3rd Avenue north of 13th street for transfer to School District No. 5 in exchange for a portion of the School District Bus Maintenance property for the extension of 9th street east of 2nd Avenue to the CPR right-of-way.
February 2011 had a $402,500 value, 2011 to date a total of $544,500 while this year so far it only $40,000 with February coming at zero, according to the Building Officialâs monthly report to council.
Much of the above mentioned are part of budget talks that are most important, I encourage everyone to attend the meetings that discuss this very significant topic.
