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Military Ames service dog statue narrowly voted down
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On January 9, City of Kimberley council held its first regular bi-monthly meeting for 2023.
Councillors Sue Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Jason McBain and Steven Royer were present along with Mayor Don McCormick. Coun. Sandra Roberts and Woody Maguire participated remotely.
A video archive of the meeting can be found on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.
Military Ames Service Dog Statue
Last December 12, Military Ames presented council with a request to install a service dog statue in the Memorial Park. After referring the issue to city staff for a report, council re-visited the issue Monday evening.
Military Ames adjusted its request by removing the plan for a columbarium under the dog statue and moving its location within the park to avoid conflicts with city infrastructure.
Coun. McBain opened remarks by indicating his respect for Military Ames and its activities in supporting veterans. However, he also noted that he did not receive any negative feedback regarding his previous comments about the need for the monument to be situated in a different location. McBain believes, as does the Mayor and Coun. Dunnebacke, that the Cenotaph is a memorial for the men and women who served their country in conflict.
Mayor McCormick said he received feedback from veterans who were “not in favour” of the dog statue. “I think the opinion of the vets is what counts,” said McCormick, compared to the 2,700 signature petition from residents who support the statue being located at Memorial Park.
At the vote, Councillors Cairns, Roberts and Royer were in favour. Coun. Dunnebacke, McBain, McQuire and Mayor McCormick voted against.
At this time there will be no service dog statue at Memorial Park.
2022 Building Permits Report
Troy Pollock, Manager Planning Services, presented council with a summary of building activity over the past year.
“A very busy year for planning and building permit applications. The busiest year on record,” he said, adding planning application fees reached $70,000 in 2022. Building permit construction values also set a record at $35.4 million. The highest since 2007.
New dwelling units totalled 68 over the past year, four shy of last year’s total. Pollock indicated there has been an average of 70 new dwelling units constructed per year for the past four years. He concluded by saying the community needed many more and different types of dwelling units.
Mayor McCormick said, “It’s good to see the multi-unit dwellings starting to have an impact in the last three to four years.” He also pointed out that there are several larger 40-to-75 unit apartment style buildings being proposed.
Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control Report
City communication officer Maryse Leroux told council that in September the Bylaw Enforcement Officer (BEO) began focusing on preparing city streets for winter. This includes making residents aware of the need to remove abandoned vehicles, unattached utility trailers parked illegally, uninsured vehicles and other obstructions on streets.
As a result, the BEO dealt with 134 streets-oriented calls for service, out of a total of 265 calls during Q4. A total of 34 tickets were issued for street violations totaling over $1700 in fines.
In terms of animal control, out of 115 delinquent dog licenses for 2022 only 22 remain unpaid by years end. Dog license renewal for 2023 is now underway.
Six warnings were issued for dogs being off-leash. Ten complaints were received about dogs being “at large.” One vicious dog attack is being investigated.
Dog owners are urged to renew their license.
Kimberley city council meets twice monthly starting at 7 p.m. The next regular council meeting: January 23.
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