Lake Country Council Meeting Highlights

Council held its Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 19^th, 2010. There were a number of recommendations and reports and some important announcements that we wish to summarize for our readers.

Important Announcements

1. The Water Bills are due October 29^th. If you miss this deadline, you will be charged a 5% penalty. You can pay by coming to the Municipal Hall. One of our Customer Service Clerks will be happy to assist you.
   
2. Halloween in Lake Country will be celebrated in Oyama and Beasley Park. The Oyama festivities will be held at the Oyama Community Hall from 6pm to 8pm and it will be packed with activities, hot chocolate and goodies. The Beasley Park event will be host to the Annual Fireworks and Bon Fire and will commence at 7:30pm. Come and celebrate with all of us.
   

Delegations

Roger Bailey from the BC Fruit Growers Association, made his annual report to Council. We have learned a few interesting things. For instance, Transit busses from Vernon to Oyama were extensively used by seasonal workers during the summer harvest. Just the ones going to Roger's farm numbered 120. Fruit flies are causing some issues with our beautiful fruit. The interesting and somewhat shocking part is that mainly the problem comes from international import stocks. In other words, Canadian regulations are very strict when it comes to our own fruit being inspected and exported but very lax when it comes to fruit being imported from other countries. Hence, infested fruit from other parts of the world comes through and can be found in our supermarkets. The suggestion was made that the federal government be approached to review this issue. We think it is very important for the health of our consumers and our own grown fruit. Finally, there was some discussion on campgrounds and RV parks on agricultural land. It can be an issue as we assist to the proliferation of those throughout our orchards. On one side they can help the economy of farmers with an alternative source of income. On the other side, though, they can 'take over' pieces of productive land and create problems to the orchardist when the occupants are left unattended to use the hosting grounds. This would be a discussion for our provincial government.

Development Services Reports

Council adopted a Temporary Commercial Use permit for a property located at 15130 Highway 97, in Oyama, for a pet grooming operation. The site used to be the location for a cheesecake factory and has changed owners and activity a variety of times. The permit is good for 2 years and is subject to a renewal at its expiration for an equal period of time. The operators will now be able to obtain a business licence.

Council also discussed at length the installation of a boxwood hedge adjacent to a statutory right-of-way on Woodcreek Lane subdivision. The trail is on Vernon Creek and is a long-standing project of the District. The Strata of the subdivision was requesting that the project be delayed as the hedge is encroaching on their property and there is an obligation to maintain the buffer. They would prefer that the planting be done when the trail is constructed and that be placed on the actual right-of-way. The discussion was lively, as Council disagreed with the Strata and confirmed previous resolutions on this matter. In other words, the requirement was part of the original development permit issued to Trek Development, which developed the site. Council maintained also that the Strata members were aware of the development permit conditions at the time they purchased their property and for all this time.

The Planning Department introduced the Carbon Neutral Plan the District is working on. We will write more specifically about the plan in the next week or so and a copy of the presentation can be viewed at the following web link: http://lakecountry.civicweb.net/FileStorage/A0775A6488834AC5B1B1B7214BD87127-Carbon%20Neutral%20Operations%20Plan.pdf

Other Reports

A Notice on Title was placed on a property located at 12796 Cliffshore Road. The property was the location of a marijuana grow operation that was busted during the summer. The concern is mainly with the conditions of the electrical system, which was modified for the purpose of the criminal activity. Mould and humidity levels are a concern, too. A Notice on Title warns all potential purchasers of the property of the building issues discovered by District inspectors.

The Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, an initiative taken on by all municipalities in the Okanagan was approved and will provide a way to dispute contraventions to the various bylaws. More information to come as the bylaw is implemented. A Tax Exemption Bylaw was also passed in favour of the Oceola Fish & Game Club. There was a mistake made by BC Assessment that needed this Bylaw to be adopted. The Club can now continue with its activities without needing to worry for a large tax bill that had been issued to them by mistake.

Council endorsed a request from staff to hire a Strategic Services Manager. The issue of capacity and understaffing, as compared to other municipalities, came up and Council felt that they should continue with their visionary approach to strategy for the benefit of the community. Much more is added on a regular basis to staff to work on and the need for this position has become evident in the last few months with the addition of a number of functions to the already busy plate of the community and the organization. Specifically, this position will be responsible for special projects, especially grant applications, economic development, social development, public communications and social media, First Nations liaison and youth liaison. The issue of grant opportunities from other levels of government is huge for Lake Country. Much needs to be done and much is out there to be tapped into. Current resources are not sufficient to explore all the opportunities and this position will be able to do that. There will be very minimal impact on the budget in 2011. The full impact will be borne in 2012. Staff are confident that, by then, the economy will be back to full activity, as it is already showing much improvement. The new growth for this year alone will abundantly cover for the costs of the new position and more.

Finally, a grant-in-aid request from the Lake Country Food Assistance Society was approved to a maximum of $380 to cover rental fees at the Creekside Theatre on December 11^th for the Lake Country Big Band Christmas Musical.