Administrator Penny Feist presented council with annual reports for the village for 2012 and 2013. This is the first year that the village had put out the documents.
“I see this as a tool more geared for larger communities where the public doesn’t have access to the municipality and may not understand all of the projects that are going on,” Mayor Randy Kappes explained. “But it is a requirement and it is supposed to be done. This is the result.”
Each report is 37 pages long and includes a statement of objectives, progress report and a copy of the audited financial statement.
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A request from the Country Western Bluegrass Association that their event be covered under the village’s insurance hit a snag. Feist reported that she has been informed that only the portion of the event being held in the arena can be covered by the municipality’s policy.
She explained that the group qualifies for a $75 add-on to the village policy that will cover only the arena portion of their event. A separate policy would be needed for camping in James G. McMynn Park.
Feist reported that the recent BCSS reunion paid $300 for their coverage, which included the arena.
Options under discussion were to reduce the $1,000 facility rental charged the group or for the village to take control of it with paid staff running the festival—Feist recommended against this option as it would increase the village’s exposure should any liability issues arise.
Mayor Randy Kappes said, “I am starting to feel like an insurance salesman.”
After a discussion that lasted nearly half an hour council agreed the liability insurance is a required cost for the event organizers. The facility rate will remain at $1,000, the village will cover the $75 cost for the arena insurance and the bluegrass organizers will have to purchase insurance for the park venue.
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Jim Reeves wrote to council requesting an exemption from fire protection service charges for St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Kettle Valley — council was unanimous that he should be asking Bill Baird or the Kettle River Lions. Feist said the coverage would cost $450 per year.
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Council drafted a list of meetings they would like to have with provincial officials while at the UBCM convention at Whistler in September.
They include a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss changes to the Agricultural Land Commission, as well as other officials to discuss the community forest, loss of Small Business Timber Sale fibre from the local area, RCMP and BC Ambulance Service.
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Sherwin Engineering of Osoyoos, hired to oversee the installation of pedestal foundations for timber entry canopies to the arena, reported to the village that there are water drainage issues along the west and north sides of the arena that will eventually erode the foundation. Council directed staff to continue to investigate options for installing a proper drainage system for the building.
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The Ministry of Forests has donated a 1987 Ford water tender to the Midway Volunteer Fire Department. Council voted to approve adding the new vehicle to the fleet, specifically for use in the rural fire response area.
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Feist reported that the Statement of Financial Information (SOFI), the 2013 Gas Tax Report and the 2013 Strategic Community Investment are complete and have been
submitted.
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Council has opted to invest some money into planning into the development of Riverfront Park rather than proceeding immediately with the new washroom directly across the street from the current campground washroom and showers as had been set out during budget planning this spring. $40,000 had been budgeted this year for the washroom, but Feist said the amount is not sufficient and she recommended it be a multi-year project in any case.