It was another quick meeting for those assembled on Jan. 28. With no delegations, petitions, or presentations, Acting Mayor Ulli Mueller, council and staff leapt right into the agenda.
Low water sooner than expected
Original estimates by BC Hydro of the annual low watermark were for April, but now the crown corporation has told Columbia Power Corporation that low water will be the end of February, CAO Linda Tynan told council.
For that reason, construction of the long-awaited boat launch will be beginning shortly. A public meeting was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 4 with the contractor building the ramp.
Lagoon to have Danish cover
The sewage lagoon is soon to be covered not with flaky pastry but an innovative cover made in Denmark. Funding for the cover from the Gas Tax Innovations Fund has been approved, the CAO’s report announced.
Tynan said the ministry is very excited about the Danish product, which is a new technology to B.C. If it works well, it will likely become a model for other municipalities, she told council.
Waiting for arena funding
Funding for the Arena is still in the works, said the report, but the $400,000 application has not yet been approved although it’s still in the running for a Community Recreation Program grant.
CAO report includes staff updates, and more
The CAO’s report will be including updates about training and changes for Village staff as they come up. One of the notes in this week’s report was that Mike Pedersen’s 20-year anniversary working with the Village of Nakusp was on Jan. 18.
In a brief summary of the financial side of things, the CAO’s report stated that the water and sewer bills will be mailed out the first week of February. The report noted that some categories have changes resulting in some changes to individual bills.
Local business owners have likely received their business license renewal notices, which were mailed mid-January.
Now that billings for the two utilities are done, the focus for the financial department is now on updating accounting software.
“Year-end entries and reconciliations are a focus in preparation for the development of the 2012 financial statements and external audit,” the report stated. The audit is scheduled for the week of March 22.
Street storage a problem for snow removal
Unlicensed vehicles, boats and trailers on Village streets have been causing headaches for Public Works staff trying to clear snow. The Village staff will be issuing reminders that vehicles must be kept off the road.
Keeping the heat bill down in the arena
The Heat Recovery project at the arena will be receiving a boost, thanks to Area K director Paul Peterson. Peterson has indicated that he has committed $125,000 in Gas Tax funds for Phase II of the project. The application is being prepared by staff to be sent to the RDCK for final approval.
“We’re doing all the background work on what we have there and where the next phase will take us,” said Tynan, who said Phase II will reduce heating costs at the arena significantly.
Hot time at the Hot Springs
Nakusp Hot Springs was busy over the Christmas season, with 122 to 222 people visiting per day during the extended holiday hours.
If you’ve driven the north highway, you may have noticed the new streamlined sign on the highway pointing the way up to the Nakusp Hot Springs. The sign looks like it went for a dip and came out rejuvenated itself.
The footbridge up at the hot springs will be replaced this year. Landmark Forest Management from Salmon Arm will be installing the steel and lumber, and Prince George’s Stinger Welding will be supplying steel for the project. Construction is slated to start May 1, with completion scheduled for June 30.
Auditors back again
Chartered accountants Berg, Lehmann have been hired to audit the Village’s 2012 books. The professionals conducted audits for the previous two years as well.
To tree or not to tree…
In order to keep the maples that shade the picnic tables near the beach, BC Hydro is planning to move their power lines toward the road out of the reach of the trees. Council voted in favour of Hydro’s plan to cut down the few scrubby evergreens near the road in order to move the lines and preserve the maples. Hydro will be picking up the tab for costs, and will be kicking in $4,000 to replace the trees that are cut down.
Developing economically
A one-day workshop on economic development in Castlegar will have attendees from Nakusp. The workshop is geared toward local government and staff, and covers a range of topics and will be taking place on March 27.
