No backyard burns in 2016
City council voted to ban backyard burning in the city of Port Alberni starting on April 16, 2016. While backyard burning is currently banned between April 15 and October 15 of each year, this new ruling will ban it year-round. Campfires are unnafected by the decisions.
Management review begins
Mayor Mike Ruttan announced that Judy Rogers Consulting Inc. has been awarded the contract for the city’s management review at a cost of $48,300 plus expenses. Ruttan said he expects the cost to remain under the budgeted $50,000 but declined to state exactly what information council hopes to obtain from the report to be released this fall.
Council to meet ministers
Council will have an opportunity to meet with provincial ministers during the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in September. Coun. Denis Sauve expressed interest in seniors issues while Mayor Mike Ruttan said he was hoping to meet with the minister of municipal affairs regarding financial support and the minister of forests for possible community forest expansion.
Free transit day for seniors?
Seniors could soon get a free day on public transit each week to get them more mobile and out in the community. City staff will return to council with a report on the viability of the idea.
Rogers Creek trails get $70k
The city of Port Alberni will receive a $70,000 provincial grant towards the Rogers Creek ravine trail project as part of the BikeBC program. The trails, which stretch from Tebo Avenue and Cherry Creek on the north side of the ravine to the Fall Fair Grounds on the south side, are set to be completed by the end of July.
