From the Ashcroft Council meeting of May 24.
Roll Call: Mayor Andy Anderson and councillors Alice Durksen, Jerry Fiddick, Helen Kormendy and Colin Williams.
Expense Policy
Council amended Policy 2.2 to include Friends of Historic Hat Creek Ranch Society on its list of travel authorized meetings and that “travel within 25 km of the Village of Ashcroft does not qualify for reimbursement of mileage costs”, meaning a trip to Historic Hat Creek Ranch and back would not be eligible for reimbursement.It also amended the mileage rate to the same rate paid by the Canada Revenue Agency, which is 52 cents per kilometre for the first 5,000 km, after which it falls to 46 cents per km.
Celebrations
Coun. Helen Kormendy questioned Council’s presentation of a plaque to the Royal Purple in honour of their 50th anniversary in Ashcroft and Cache Creek. She said she thought Council was no longer gifting people for any volunteer work, giving them instead, maybe, recognition certificates rather than plaques that eventually wind up in a landfill. “It’s a dated way of recognizing people,” she said. Mayor Andy Anderson said the plaque was an appropriate way of honouring the Royal Purple. “Some groups have regalia that is part of their meetings,” he said. “If it ever gets thrown away, it will be because the organization ceases to exist.”Coun. Alice Durksen said she thought a plaque would be appropriate for an organization with that kind of history. “Otherwise, I’m fine with certificates.”“I like plaques,” said Coun. Jerry Fiddick. “I think a plaque was appropriate for their anniversary. It celebrates a milestone.”Kormendy suggested that Council could make a policy on who would receive a plaque instead of a certificate.“I think a policy is a cumbersome way to deal with it,” said Anderson, suggesting that Council should decide on each case.“The most important thing is that it needs to come to Council prior so the Minutes can reflect the discussion,” said Kormendy.Administrator Michelle Allen noted that Minutes of each Council meeting record the decisions made, but not the discussion.
Chamber of Commerce
Council approved a funding agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for their annual grant of $2,500 plus 25 per cent of the total business license sales for each calendar year.
Tolko agreement
After an hour-long in camera meeting, Council approved an Agreement for Provision of Services with Ashcroft Treating as it was presented to them.Coun. Helen Kormendy requested that the item be taken off the public agenda and dealt with by Council only as is permitted by the Community Charter.The agreement is for five years, ending in 2016. In return for the annual grant of $8,000 which the Tie Plant has been providing to the Village for over 15 years, the Village will provide Fire Protection Services, standard road maintenance on Evans Rd., discussions with Tolko on any capital upgrades planned for Evans Rd., and “any other services that may be agreed upon during the term of this agreement.”
AIB Water
Council agreed to send a letter of support to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada on behalf of the Ashcroft Indian Band to fund a Water Connection Study what will “examine all aspects of the Village’s supply as well as the needs of the Band and will determine if it is feasible to proceed.”The costs for the study would be paid for entirely by INAC.Ranch RodeoCouncil turned down a donation request from Historic Hat Creek Ranch for the 4th annual Ranch Rodeo, July 9-10.Coun. Helen Kormendy said the request didn’t fit the Village’s Grants in Aid Policy. Coun. Fiddick felt that it did.“There are still so many things we don’t know about them,” said Coun. Alice Durksen.
Next meeting
June 13 at 4:30 pm
