Council briefs
The following items came before District of Sooke council at their regular meeting on Feb. 25.
Bylaws:
Council introduced and gave first, second and third reading to Bylaw No. 566, Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw, 2013. The bylaw is intended to provide the ability to borrow funds from CIBC to meet current expenditures. Michael Dillabaugh, Director of Finance, stated, “this has never bee used and we see no reason why it would be used this year.” He added, “the cash flow is healthy.”
Reports:
Transit Bench Advertising Agreement
The District of Sooke approved the Amended Transit Bench Advertising Agreement with Island Advertising and authorized the mayor and CAO to execute an agreement.
The original agreement was deemed to be appropriately authorized without a council motion. The amended agreement will see the district benefit by approx. $14,350 over the remaining term of the contract. What was at issue was the fact that Island Advertising had been paying the district $700/yr for garbage removal when in fact it cost the district approx. $4,000. In addition to the financial benefit going forward, the proponent will retroactively pay the district $5,700.
Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC)recommendations from Feb. 18, 2013 meeting:
• A building application was approved for 6371 West Coast Road.
• Council directed staff to proceed with the preparation of a bylaw to close and remove the highway dedication and dispose of portions of unused gazetted road located at 7707 West Coast Road; and negotiate a direct exchange of the proposed gazetted road to be closed.
• A working group will be appointed to review Bylaw No. 65, Subdivision and Development Standards Bylaw, 2003. The group will make recommendations to council.
• The LUEC will provide recommendations as to when Phased Development Agreement should be utilized.
Reports for Information:
• Development Cost Charges Project — Pump Station Upgrades.
Funds meant for pump station upgrades to the sewer system were mistakenly left out of the budget for 2012 but there is no impact on the actual financial plan bylaw. The upgrades were carried out at a cost of $105,000.
District engineer Elizabeth Nelson stated that the upgrades were carried out in 2012 and finished in 2013.
Director of Finance Michael Dillabaugh said the money has been in the DCC reserve fund but the project was somehow left out of the capital projects in the 2012 budget. He said the money was approved in the DCC bylaw and the project was included in the capital projects but somehow disappeared from the final budget document.
“We’re not short the funding,” he said. No amendment would be required to the bylaw.
• The Sooke Fire Rescue Society will be celebrating 100 years of service to the community in 2013 and they have a number of events planned throughout the year. They will be restoring the 1942 fire truck, participate in the Rotary Spring Auction, a firefighters fitness challenge on May 11, and participation at the Canada Day events. Other events include a show and shine; Sooke Firefighter Centenary Ball; historic display at the museum, a sign promoting the anniversary and commemorative street banners.
• A unused trailer in the Kaltasin Works Yard will be considered for use by community non-profit groups. The trailer does require some maintenance.
• Council accepted departmental year end reports and they can be viewed on the district website under the agenda for the Feb. 25 meeting.
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