From the Council meeting on July 23.
Roll call: Mayor Andy Anderson and Councillors Alice Durksen and Jackie Tegart
Cargo container bylaw
A public hearing about the proposed Zoning bylaw amendment regarding the placement and use of cargo containers within Village limits was held before the Council meeting on July 23. The draft bylaw amendment was discussed, with Ashcroft Fire Chief Brian Henderson expressing concerns about the draft not specifying that containers be placed a safe minimum distance from other buildings. Larry Van Leest questioned the need for cargo containers to meet the minimum setback requirement of 10 feet from property lines, arguing that they are moveable. Mayor Anderson replied “Why shouldn’t they be placed at the right distance from the property line; they won’t be moved once placed.” Village Administrator Michelle Allen added that the 10 foot setback is required for all structures for reasons of safety and access. Jim Duncan said that since other jurisdictions allow cargo containers to be used as housing, Ashcroft should not close the doors on that option. Allen replied that anyone wishing to use one as a residence could apply for a variance. Mayor Anderson said that all public input would be considered before the bylaw amendments are finalized.
Rail crossing “improvement”?
Phil Doddridge of Interior Roads presented his semi-annual report on area roads under his maintenance. Now that the improvements to Cornwall Rd. and Hwy. 97C between the bridge and Hwy. 1 have been completed, there are no big plans for summer for anything else in the area. The recent heavy rains mean some work has to be done to the shoulders on Hwy. 97C between Ashcroft and Logan Lake. When asked about the supposed “improvement” to the CP rail crossing at the north end of Ashcroft, Doddridge replied that CP had undertaken the job, which proved to be bigger than expected. More concrete ties are needed, but as the budget is exhausted the work will not be done until spring 2013.
Book donation to Village
Longtime local resident and artist Bill Drinkwater presented the Village with an inscribed copy of his book Canada’s 100 Mile Desert Corridor. It contains photographs and artwork celebrating the Thompson River Valley from Lytton to Kamloops, a stretch which has Ashcroft at its centre. “It’s the best place in BC to live,” said Drinkwater. “Lots of water and desert: two things that don’t often come together.”
Emergency room hours magnets
The Village has produced fridge magnets giving the phone number and website details for contacting Interior Health to find out the current emergency room schedule. The magnets are available free at the Village Office during regular hours.
Painting donated
Local artist Esther Darlington has donated one of her original oil paintings, entitled “Two Girls in White Hats, Ashcroft”, to the Village of Ashcroft. It is the second painting which the artist has donated to the Village, and it will be hung in the Village Office.
Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund
Details of this funding source, which is making up to $36 million available throughout the province, were only recently announced, and the Village hopes to be able to apply for funds before the deadline of Aug. 2. A maximum of $250,000 is available to the community (subject to matching grants) for “shovel ready” projects that will improve existing community infrastructure, and several small projects can be bundled together up to the maximum grant amount. Among the projects being considered are new safety ladders at the pool, better access for seniors to the second floor of the Village Office, a new furnace in the Community Hall, and a new furnace and air conditioning for the Ashcroft Museum.
Public consultation process
Council has expressed concern that the existing public consultation process has not been sufficient to allow residents to provide feedback on proposed changes to the Village’s operating procedures which may require residents to make changes to their own routines. Councillor Tegart said “Feedback indicates that the public has been surprised by some of the directions taken by council.” It was therefore moved that for a period of six months, all proposed operational changes that will impact residents will be introduced as a “Notice of Motion”. These will be included in the monthly newsletter so that residents may become familiar with the proposed changes. The items will then be included in the next Committee of the Whole meeting, so that the public may attend and present their comments. Only then will items be placed on the regular agenda for further discussion. At the end of six months, the process will be reviewed.
It has also been announced that the Village will host two Community Forums per year: one in April and one in November. These forums will provide a further opportunity for open discussion of Village operation matters.
Burning bylaw amended
The period during which burning will be allowed in Oct. 2012 has been amended to two weeks (Oct. 1 – 14) rather than for the entire month of October, as in the past. This will be the last time residents will be able to dispose of household waste by burning. Councillor Tegart asked if the Village could ensure that the special fall garbage pickup be scheduled to take place before the burning period, in order to act as an alternative to burning. Michelle Allen replied that Village crew work schedules might make this difficult, but the matter will be looked into.
BC Transit to take more active role
A resource person has been assigned by BC Transit to our region, to promote the transit system between Clinton, Cache Creek, and Ashcroft with an eye to increasing ridership. A survey regarding usage and scheduling is also planned, with Michelle Allen pointing out that “small systems have completely different challenges to larger centres.” BC Transit has also negotiated successfully with Interior Health for the latter to assume the full funding of the IH bus which travels from Lillooet and Lytton to Kamloops, and connects with the community bus. The Interior Health bus has, in recent years, been subsidized by the community bus service.
Barbara Roden
