The funding for three storm sewer projects intended to improve heavy rain runoff was approved by Creston Town Council at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
A total of $141,000 in spending was given pre-approval for the 2019-20 budget so that the projects can begin as soon as weather conditions allow.
The targeted areas include Cedar Street at Highway 21, 16th Avenue North at Murdoch Street and the 1000 block of Devon Street. All sustained residential flooding in last year’s late June rainstorm.
Director of Municipal Services Ross Beddoes recommended the pre-budget projects, to be done by the Town works crew, so that they can be completed before the typically wet spring season.
Asked if the projects would eliminate the problems identified, Beddoes said, “We couldn’t plan for that heavy rain event, but we believe the work will address the problems residents experienced.”
In other Town Council news:
• A delegation from the RDCK Regional Energy Efficiency Program, Trish Dehnel, and Carmen Proctor—presented Council with an update on regional efforts to reduce energy consumption. REEP “will make it easier for homeowners and tenants to make their homes more energy efficient, and will support the RDCK in achieving its climate action goals,” Council was told.
With the province moving toward a new building code (BC Energy Step Code) that will eventually require all new construction to be compliant with energy efficiency standards, a checklist has been created to help current homeowners and builders easily focus on efficiency considerations, such as water conservation, waste management and building energy efficiency.
Incentives from utility providers can be found on-line at efficiencybc.ca.
• Ernie Polsom of FireWise Consulting reported on the initial meeting of the recently appointed Fire Hall Technical Building Advisory Committee and outlined the process that the committee will work through toward creating a design for a new fire hall.
• Council will amend the policy for the issuance of proclamations. Council will now typically consider the requests for proclamations unless the timing requires the mayor to make a decision.
Proclamations will not be issued for matters of political controversy, ideological or religious beliefs, or individual conviction; events or organizations with no direct relationship to the Creston Valley; campaigns or events contrary to Town Policies or Bylaws; campaigns intended for profit-making purposes; and attempting to influence government policy.
• Coincidentally, Council approved a proclamation to make February 18-24 Heritage Week, which is a province-wide effort.
• Council voted to allow an application from property owners to change the zoning of a property at 440 Erickson Road to proceed. The zoning would change from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-3 Multi-Family Residential if the application is successful.
• The Fees & Charges Amendment Bylaw (Cannabis Retail) will result in an annual business license fee of $500 for retail cannabis stores and a one-time start-up fee of $1,500.
• A donation of Town-logoed items was approved for the annual Rod and Gun Club’s Annual Wild Game Banquet Dinner.
