Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

City of Kimberley Council met at its bi-monthly meeting October 24. Here is an overview of some city business conducted at the meeting.

All councilors were present for the meeting. Mayor Don McCormick was absent. Coun. Sandra Roberts chaired the meeting as Acting Mayor.

Proposed second medical marijuana dispensary

Local resident Kimberley Cox made an impassioned presentation to council asking them to grant a business license for a second medical marijuana dispensary in the city.

Cox’s purpose behind the request is to provide education and research information about “the non-psycho active parts of the marijuana plant” that can be used for medical purposes. Cox wants to build a “professional, comfortable and discrete” dispensary that will “compliment not compete” with the existing one in Marysville.

Coun. Kent Goodwin asked Cox if she had any detailed plans regarding location, supplies and security. Cox said she did and would provide them to council.

Coun. Daryl Oakley moved, seconded by Goodwin, that this matter be heard at the next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. It passed unanimously. Cox will now present a detailed plan outlining her proposal. The Committee-of-the-Whole will decide if it goes to council for a formal vote.

Council supports MainstreamS Environmental Initiative

Laura Duncan from MainstreamS made a presentation and request to council.

“We are an environmental non-profit charitable society based in Kimberley focused on facilitating water education and stewardship in the Columbia Basin,” said Duncan.

Since 2004, MainstreamS has run water education programs for “school classes and community events” in the East and West Kootenay.

Currently they are running a three-part education program which they hope will form the basis for establishing “a Streamkeepers group” in the city.

The goal of Streamkeepers Kimberley would be to assist with rehabilitating the Lois Creek “riparian habitat.” Additionally, they would help “to eradicate invasive plant species in the riparian zone of Mark Creek.

“We request that Kimberley city council endorse the general concept of our plan and approve MainstreamS working with city staff,” Duncan asked.

Coun. Oakley appreciated the presentation and suggested a partnership would be “a good fit.”

Coun. Albert Hoglund also thanked Duncan for the presentation and asked why they would only focus on Lois Creek. Duncan responded by saying it “is easily accessible and widely used by Kimberley residents.”

MainstreamS wants to “start small.” According to Duncan, she’s been part of organizations with good intentions that want to be “big” and end up failing.

While council did not fully endorse Duncan’s request, a motioned passed that MainstreamS report and information be sent to city staff for evaluation and then report back to council.

New Animal Control Bylaw goes into effect

The old 1988 Animal Control Bylaw and all amendments were repealed and a new bylaw was unanimously passed by council.

Corporate Officer Dawn Attorp (pictured) outlined the significant changes between the old and new bylaws. Overall, the new Animal Control Bylaw is brought up-to-date and it’s “more enforceable.”

The biggest change is the removal of the pitbull licensing fee which Attrop said was “unsuccessful.” Attrop pointed out the $1,000 license fee was too high and not practical in achieving the new bylaws goals.

Attrop said the “vicious dog” clauses of the bylaw will take care of controlling pitbulls and other dogs. Clauses in the bylaw include vicious dog designation, control and restraint of a vicious dog, maintenance and keeping of a vicious dog and dangerous dogs.

The “vicious dog” license fee will be $150.

According to the new bylaw, “No owner or occupier of a lot or dwelling shall keep or harbour more than three dogs older than four months of age on that lot or dwelling.”

Restricted animals include livestock, poultry and rabbits. Bees will be allowed, but only on land designated “industrial.”

Penalties for successful prosecution of the Animal Control Bylaw violations include paying “a fine of up to $10,000.”

For a complete copy of the draft bylaw, click here and scroll to page 95.

Kimberley Soccer Association gets $23,000

Council voted unanimously to support a motion from Coun. Oakley, seconded by Coun. Hoglund, that they approve the Kimberley Soccer Association (KSA) request for $23,000. These funds will be used to winterize the washroom facility at Purcell Field. The KSA had made the request at the October 11 vouncil meeting.

The KSA will now move quickly to finish and lock-in the washroom to prevent damage from winter weather and vandalism.

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 council meeting agenda. Click on the 2016 folder and follow the link.

The next council meeting is Monday, November 14.

It’s your city, get involved.

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