Community Foundation of Castlegar
The Community Foundation of Castlegar gave a presentation at Castlegar’s city council meeting on Tuesday. President Dan Salekin, along with vice-president Bob Jackson and treasurer Paul Maier, told council about the foundation, which was incorporated as a society on April 20.
“In mid-2011 interested individuals and representatives of a number of community groups began discussions on the possible formation of a community foundation for Castlegar and district,” said Salekin. “The general idea was that the proposed foundation would accumulate and invest a capital fund, and distribute the income to benefit non-profit projects, services, and activities in the community.”
Council was told that the foundation has leaned heavily on similar foundations in Nelson, Trail, and Grand Forks.
“We’re the last community (in the West Kootenay) to have a foundation,” said Salekin. “Other communities are seeing the benefits of having foundations. That’s kind of how it got started. It made sense to get it started. We’ve drawn a lot (from the other foundations). They’ve been amazing. They not only help us. They’ll stop what they’re doing and go and photocopy something for us and send it off. They’ll answered all our questions. It’s been fantastic.”
Helping the foundation to get started was an initial investment from Kootenay Savings Credit Union.
“We have a few things we want to get done,” said Salekin. “At our next meeting, we’re going to divide up the tasks that we feel are most important such as policies and procedures. Lucky for us, the Community Foundations of Canada are supplying us with templates for that.”
The group has applied to the Canada Revenue Agency for charitable status, which will allow them to issue tax receipts to donors.
“That process takes six months, maybe even 12 months,” he said.
The foundation asked for and was granted a letter of support from council.
Doggy daycare permit
Kootenay Critters and Pet Supplies was given a temporary use permit to operate a pet daycare at 502 Columbia Avenue.
The permit is subject to the following conditions: the hours of operation shall be between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; Pets are permitted to go outside in a fenced area to relieve themselves. Only one dog may be outside at a time and must be leashed; All waste must be disposed of daily; A maximum of 15 pets may be on the property at any given time. The permit will be valid until 2015 and must comply with all other applicable city bylaws.
South Sewage Treatment Plant grant application
The city of Castlegar is applying for a grant for the Gas Tax Agreement’s General Strategic Priorities Fund to cover 90 per cent of the costs of proposed improvements to the South Sewage Treatment Plant.
“We’re looking at some upgrades for the plant,” said Chris Barlow, director of Transportation and Civic Works for Castlegar. “Partly, to do with some of the upgrades that have happened in the past, and also to address odour concerns that have come from the plant over the years. We’ll be applying for approximately $1.9 million in funding for a new blower system, controls, and a centrifuge with building and housing.”
The city would cover the remainder the costs (10 per cent). “We’ve had malfunctions and breakdowns of blowers in the past,” said Barlow. “We’ve looked at changing out the blower system so we have more control and that they are much more energy efficient. But that’s been cost-prohibitive at this time. Being able to wrap it up into one project that we can hopefully get 90 per cent paid makes a lot of sense at this time.”
