From the Cache Creek Council meeting Aug. 20.
Roll Call: Mayor John Ranta and councillors Lisa Dafoe, Herb Hofer, Wyatt McMurray and Darrell Rawcliffe.
Municipal Price Index
Council considered briefly supporting a Municipal Price Index as proposed by the District of Maple Ridge before voting against it.
Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin wrote to the Auditor General John Doyle suggesting that a Municipal Price Index be created by the new Municipal Auditor General as one of the tools to measure municipal spending and tax increases. Daykin suggested that taxpayers often wondered by municipal spending increases didn’t relate to the Consumer Price Index, but the usual food, clothing, shelter, etc., products on which the CPI is based doesn’t correspond with the “products” that municipalities are faced with buying, such as asphalt, aggregate, construction costs, etc.
“It just seems to be another layer of government stuff and I’m tired of paying for it,” said Coun. Wyatt McMurray.
Horticultural Contract
Council approved offering a two-year contract for the Village’s Horticulture/Plant Maintenance t Susan Graham of Stage Left Nursery for 2013-14.
Council contracted with Graham for the work this year when the Downtown Revitalization bylaw was rescinded. The Chamber of Commerce had been responsible for the work before that.
Staff noted in a report to Council that “Ms. Graham’s education and experience as a horticulturist has assisted the Village in implementing improvements that have reduced maintenance time and costs, and contributed to an improved Village aesthetic, the results of which continue to receive notice and praise from residents and visitors.”
“She’s done a wonderful job,” said Coun. McMurray. “The place looks great.”
Councillors agreed that they had been hearing comments from the public who appreciated the work being done around town.
The contract will pay $18,000 for 2013 and $18,360 for 2014.
Paving Stone contract
Council awarded a $45,100 contract to Cache Creek company Inside Out Home & Business Services for installing paving stones. Although not the lowest of three companies bidding for the contract, Administrator Leslie Lloyd said the staff took into consideration work done previously for the Village by the company, and that the material they used was sourced locally. Their bid was $1,000 higher than the lowest bid, which was from Pronto Enterprises of Kamloops.
“It’s nice to see that a local contractor has been able to bid successfully with out of town companies,” said Coun. Darrell Rawcliffe.
Garbage Collection Bylaw 759
Council tabled the first reading of Bylaw 759, which attempted to consolidate Bylaw 713, 2007 – Garbage Collection Amendment and Bylaw 748-2011 – Garbage Collection, Disposal and Rates Amendment with Bylaw 458, 1991 – Village of Cache Creek Garbage Collection, Disposal and Rates Bylaw.
Coun. McMurray, who made the tabling motion, remarked that the new draft bylaw was still full of mistakes and needed more work.
It will be reviewed at a workshop later this year.
Garbage Collection Plan
The Garbage Collection Public Information Program was also tabled, “until after we decide what we’re going to do with the garbage,” suggested Coun. Rawcliffe.
The information program was intended to educate the public about how to package their garbage and what they could and could not put out for curbside pickup.
Indoor Fitness Centre
Plans for an indoor fitness centre in the Community Hall were slowed down until some of the details can be worked out.
Staff presented an update to Council, suggesting they were ready to implement the plans if Council had no objection.
“I’m glad we’re moving ahead (but) I do have questions, concerns,” said Mayor John Ranta.
His first concern was the provision that Fitness Centre members could gain entry to the building by swiping a card. That would give access to the entire building, not just the Fitness Centre.
He also wanted to know what the partnership with fitness coach Vicky Trill involved and whether unsupervised activity was going to be allowed.
“It may mean the October timeline is not achievable, but I’d like more info about what we’re getting into,” he said.
Dog poo in the cemetery
The Village will be dog-proofing the cemetery with a gate, after receiving complaints of dog excrement on the grounds.
Coun. Herb Hofer said he would like to see Public Works install a simple gate at the entrance to keep dogs out. The rest of the cemetery is already fenced off.
The Village will also install a sign prohibiting dogs from being in the cemetery so owners know not to bring them in.
Next Meeting
Council meets on Sept. 10 at 7 pm in the Village Office.
