Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

On September 11, City of Kimberley council held its bi-monthly meeting.

Councillors Kent Goodwin, Albert Hoglund, Nigel Kitto, Bev Middlebrook, Darryl Oakley and Sandra Roberts were present along with Mayor Don McCormick.

Continued violation of water restrictions

Council received the August Bylaw Enforcement Report, which noted a continued disregard for current water restrictions.

Despite a “noticeable reduction” in warnings, 17 residents were cautioned about watering when they were not supposed to. Another three residents received “warning notices” which would result in fines if the violations continued.

The Bylaw Enforcement Report noted several noise complaints, six in total, all coming from the Alpine Resort Zoning area. An additional seven warnings were issued for Platzl smoking violations.

Three verbal warnings and one written warning were issued to businesses using sandwich board signs with no permit.

Coun. Middlebrook raised the issue after receiving several complaints about the sandwich board warnings.

Corporate Officer Maryse Leroux pointed out that sandwich board signs required a permit due to insurance considerations and to limit the number of signs spread around town.

Two memorial walls slated for Veterans’ Memorial Park

Cindy Postnikoff, on behalf of Military Ames, requested from council approval for three additions to the Veterans’ Memorial Park.

The most significant request was for the installation of “two granite memorial walls” that would sit on the large concrete circle surrounding the Cenotaph. The granite would match the existing stone used on the three towers making up the Cenotaph.

Each wall would allow for 80 bronze plagues that “memorialize friends and family who have served.”

Military Ames as already received over 20 requests for a plaque.

Postnikoff also asked council to approve the planting of a Vimy oak sapling. This sapling is “directly descended from oak trees that once grew on Vimy Ridge.”

The last request was for approval to install a “three tiered drinking fountain” in the park.

Fundraising for these projects has started. Military Ames will need to raise at least $35,000 for the construction of the Memorial Walls.

Coun. Goodwin queried Postnikoff about the fountain, asking if it would be winterized. She responded saying that it would be done at the same time as the under-ground irrigation system is winterized.

A motion to approve Military Ames’ requests passed unanimously subject to the city’s Operations Department being part of the construction process.

Slo-Pitch League seeks to build Quad Ball Diamonds

The Kimberley Slo-Pitch League made a presentation to council regarding their quest to construct four new regulation sized ball diamonds along with washrooms, a concession booth and parking.

Established over 20 years ago, the league has 15 teams and over 200 members. They hold three tournaments each year that bring in several hundred players and their families. The economic spin-offs are considerable.

Because of the number of teams and players, the league used the Wasa field 32 times this past summer.

The current Kimberley Fields the league uses are not regulation size and are in “poor playing condition” which results in injuries to players. Because the fields are small and slo-pitch is played by adults, “stray balls” are hit into playgrounds, tennis courts and the curling rink.

League representatives noted that Kimberley is under-serviced when it comes to ball fields. In their report, they noted that Cranbrook has eight fields, Creston six and Golden four.

The league suggested to council that a location for the facility could be in the “new industrial park” or on reclaimed land at the “old dump site.”

Coun. Oakley sought clarification from the league on the location asking if they meant the industrial park land owned by Tyee Homes in Marysville. The league indicated that it was the location they had in mind. Oakley also mentioned the Forest Crowne original master plan had called for green space and parks, but wasn’t sure if it could accommodate a ball park.

Coun. Middlebrook ask what the cost of the project would be. The league had not costed-out its plans, but said the Cranbrook quad park cost $1 million which would include parking and fencing.

Mayor McCormick asked how much land would it take for the quad facility. The league suggested the facility would need 10 acres.

Coun. Hogland wrapped up the discussion by suggesting the Tyee Industrial Park was “not a good fit” for a ballpark. He also said the reclamation of the old dumpsite was a Regional District of East Kootenay responsibility and it may not want to see any type of development there. One suggested location he made was south of Bootleg Gap Golf Course, but noted the land is owned by Marathon Realty.

The mayor summed up the session saying he and council appreciated the league’s presentation and that a “dialogue” had been opened.

Sept. 25 meeting cancelled

The previously scheduled September 25 council meeting is being canceled due to the mayor and councillors attendance at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Conference in Vancouver that week.

The next council meeting will be Tuesday, October 10.

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.

It’s your city; get involved.

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