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CAMPGROUND BYLAW RECEIVES THREE READINGS
Town of Princeton CAO Patrick Robins provided Town Council with a report concerning the Municipal RV Campground at the April 18th meeting.
His recommendation was that Bylaw No. 769, Princeton Municipal RV Campground be given three readings.
In the report were details on:
Purpose: This bylaw updates the municipality's previous legislation with respect to the operation of the municipal campground. The bylaw will ensure a minimum standard for the operation of the campground is maintained and enforced. The campground rates have also been reviewed and updated.
Time Critical: This bylaw is before council at this time to ensure that the new legislation is passed for the 2006 season that runs from May 1st to September 30th.
Background: Council last reviewed the rate structure in 2002. There has been no specific recent review of the rules and regulations governing the operation. Bylaw No. 769 ensures a minimum standard is maintained.
Financial Implications: The new rates will ensure that the campground remains competitive and recovers the operating and future capital costs. A review specifically of the operating costs, including caretaker/contractor commission, utilities and repair and maintenance indicated that the campground fees charged were not sufficient to cover these costs. It was also noted that future capital requirements could not be covered by the existing fee structure.
The bylaw contains a total of eighteen sections, including rules and regulations for the Municipal RV Campground and a complete schedule of rates.
On discussion of the campground user fees, Councillor Jim Manion pointed out that in his view the discount provided for seniors was "fairly substantial" and suggested a small variation to bring the seniors discount closer to a saving of between ten and fifteen percent, as is the customary level of discount for seniors in many retail outlets.
Manion's suggestions were accepted and the user fee schedule was altered to reflect the change.
Councillor Jim Manion made a motion to accept the CAO's recommendations to give the bylaw it's first three readings with the amended fees. Council Maria Sadegur seconded the motion.
The bylaw is expected to be adopted at the May 1st Town Council meeting. Once passed, the caretaker/contractor will be informed of the new fee structure for implementation with the 2006 season.
STUDENTS UPDATE COUNCIL ON PLAN
Two Princeton Secondary School Students, Jana McKenzie and Nicole Thomas, spoke to Town Council at their April 18th meeting. The pair had put together a plan a year ago to plant a row of caragana trees along the outer rim of the landfill site. The bushes were going to become a barrier to trap some flying debris and also act as a visual barrier hiding the landfill site from road traffic along Highway 40.The girls brought Council up-to-date on their program stating they were able to secure a price of $8.99 plus taxes for a two gallon plant. The price came from Don & Anna's Greenhouses in Keremeos.
The pair have also collected a total of $705.00 in donations they figured would allow a purchase of 68 trees, a start in what may become an ongoing project.
Town Council indicated a willingness to work together on the project and offered to provide matching funds up to $1,000.00.
Councillor Ray Jarvis and the girls will visit the site this week and conduct a rough measurement to calculate the approximate number of trees required with a spacing of between four and five feet between each planting.
"Thank you again on behalf of the Town," Mayor Randy McLean said to McKenzie and Thomas. "That is a problem we've been wrestling with for a lot of years until you came up with this idea."
ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY INFORMS COUNCIL
BC Associate Deputy Minister of Environment, Joan Hesketh, wrote a letter to Town Council regarding the Compliance Energy project.The letter was written on behalf of Environment Minister Barry Penner and was in response to a letter from Town Council dated January 18.
The letter states in part, "The project proposed by Compliance Energy Corporation (proponent) has recently been designated as a reviewable project under section 10 of the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act, as the proposed Project exceeds the 50 MW threshold for power plants. The Proponent is proposing to construct and operate a 56 MW wood residue and coal power generating plant. An environmental assessment of the Project is therefore required before construction may proceed."
Councillor Jim Manion pointed out at the April 18th regular meeting of Town Council a small detail in the letter.
"I see the project has gone up from 49 to 56."
"Duly noted," added Mayor Randy McLean. "The smoke and mirrors continue."
