TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 19, 2015

Transcription

1 TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 19, 2015 PRESENT: Mayor McKortoff Councillors Rhodes, Youngberg, Campol and King Water Councillor Sarabjit Rai (later) Staff: Barry Romanko, CAO Alain Cunningham, Director of Planning and Development Services Lori Scott, Deputy Corporate Officer Mayor McKortoff called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS 1. RFP Water Metering Strategy MOTION C 1/15 Moved by Councillor Rhodes and seconded by Councillor Campol and resolved that the above item be added to the agenda and that the agenda be accepted as amended. CARRIED DELEGATIONS 1. Glen Harris, Rob Rausch and Diana Thomas, Osoyoos Airport Development Society Airport Repurposing - Presentation is attached for information - Glen Harris, Watermark Beach Resort Resort provided his background in the community as developer of Watermark, involved with rebranding of Osoyoos - Spoke about the origins of the Waterfront Master Plan for Gyro Beach enhancements and marina - Airport expansion and improvement were proposed to be undertaken in three phases in 2006 and Noted that Tom McHale develops airports for oil patch and other resource employers. He met with former Mayor Wells and the business community to discuss airport expansion. A steering committee was formed. - An engineering report/assessment was prepared that concluded lands would be appropriate for airport use. A second report was completed in 2014 which supported expansion of an airport - A society was formed with five members - Would like to formalize an airport steering committee - Rob Rausch provided technical information concerning the obstacle assessment report - Would have capability to attract aircraft which fly on instruments and are able to navigate in all weather conditions, e.g. WestJet or AC Jazz - instrument approach system is now GPS based - would like to see little or no cost to taxpayers - circulated costs for a proposed three phased project - hope to get to stage to accommodate charter aircraft size - Diana Thomas spoke about her previous involvement with DO and the initial airport obstacle assessment - Stated that individual free-hold lots would be a huge draw for private aircraft owners. Osoyoos Airport has the ability to provide these lots. Individuals could build a home with a hangar on the property, similar to having a car garage. 1 P a g e

2 TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 19, Glen Harris spoke about approval of Area 27 motorsports country club development with memberships for racing enthusiasts. 110 memberships have been pre-sold. - Would like to see fly-in ski options for skiing at Mt. Baldy - Hopeful that Council would be open to a win-win partnership - Mayor McKortoff thanked the group for its presentation and stated that the town is looking at repurposing the airport lands for industrial and commercial use. Also noted Peak Solutions report reference to funding by the Town - Councillor Rhodes comments on Penticton Airport financial liability for residents of Regional District - $300,000 annually. Oil prices impact the community first jobs eliminated are those that rely on travel. - Rob Rausch stated that Penticton Airport is on first nations land and governed by Transport Canada, unique situation. NAV Canada was privatized and most other airports are funded through airport improvement fee. Penticton does not have this arrangement. Difficult to secure land for new businesses. Commented that the oil industry is cyclical and there will be a recovery at some point. Want to market Osoyoos as the best place to be able to live and commute to employment. - Once the airport is gone and the land is repurposed, a valuable asset will be lost. Requesting time to examine all options and make the best decision. - Glen Harris commented on the Hesketh property and ALR. Met with 4 levels of government and stated that airport use is an approved use for ALR lands. The Hesketh land would require an exchange as it is located in the RD. In the case of the marina, the Town was the applicant. - Councillor Youngberg how does the society envision operation funding? Who will manage, pay operational costs? Through user fees or cost to the Town? Concern about noise to nearby residents. Rob Rausch - combination of landing fees and user fees, lands sold and tax base increased, grant funding. Return on investment to be realized over a long period of time. Noise objections only occasional helicopter and nominal frequency from small aircraft. Noise compliance is more rigid now. - Councillor Campol commented that the bulk of his career was in hospitality and tourism. Repurposing the airport could lead to job creation. Inquired about vision for short and long term employment. Mr. Rausch stated that airports generate a small amount of employment, however an airport brings a different level of industry. New business could be encouraged to partner to bring industry. Cited Kelowna Airport as an example of expansion of high paying aviation-related jobs. Indirect benefit of transient employment. - Councillor King request for extension to put a business plan together what is the timeline? Glen Harris stated that the society would request that a steering committee be established with a three to six month review. Members to include society members, town staff, and business community. - Mayor McKortoff thanked the delegation and stated that Council would receive the information. The delegation left the meeting at 9:54 a.m. Water Councillor Rai entered the meeting at 9:54 a.m. ACTION: The presentation was received for information. 2 P a g e

3 TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 19, 2015 BUSINESS SILGA Convention Resolutions and Nominations - CAO Romanko explained that resolutions being forwarded to UBCM must be first submitted to SILGA - February 26 th is the deadline for receiving resolutions in the required format - Mayor McKortoff noted that Council will be attending elected officials conference later in the week, some thoughts may come forward from that session. - Councillor Rhodes would like to bring forward the topic of endorsing electronic voting in the Province. Supports submitting a resolution to SILGA. ACTION: Councillor Rhodes will circulate the previous report on electronic voting to Council. Bring forward to February 2, 2015 Committee of Whole meeting to review and discuss and then determine whether to bring to February 16 th regular meeting for approval. Noted that nominations for SILGA executive is February 27 th. 2. Chain of Office for the Mayor - Report from Deputy Corporate Officer - Mayor McKortoff noted that Town of Oliver has a chain of office and Mayor Hovanes had advised the chain was created locally - An unofficial (not registered with Chief Herald of Canada) coat of arms was circulated for Council s information - CAO Romanko noted the significance of the chain of office with respect to the ceremony of the office. - Councillor Youngberg inquired whether funds could be set aside each year over this term in order to purchase a chain of office at the beginning of the 2018 term. ACTION: Accept the report for information. Forward to the 2015 budget process. Staff requested to research process for registering of an official coat of arms and report back to Council. MOTION C2 /15 MOVED by Councillor King and seconded Councillor Youngberg and resolved that the creation of a Mayor s Chain of Office be referred to the 2015 budget process. CARRIED 3 2 Mayor McKortoff and Councillor Campol opposed 3. Public Budget Session Identified Projects - Report from CAO - Reviewed requests from current line budget organizations Destination Osoyoos, Osoyoos Museum Society and Osoyoos Desert Society - Desert Park Exhibition Society was requested to provide clarification on their funding request. - Residents on Jasmine Drive requesting reconsideration of road improvements and road plan implementation - Representative of Watermark Beach Resort requesting a number of improvements around Gyro Park and other improvements through the Resort Municipality Funding 3 P a g e

4 TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 19, Cactus Jalopies Car Show request for funding to contract motorcycle stunt show - 68 th Avenue to Main Street modernizing sidewalk to improve pedestrian safety - Councillor Rhodes inquired with respect to Jasmine Drive improvements and previous petition submitted by residents. Will there be a report on the project? CAO Romanko stated that the project has been included in the five year capital plan and has been moved back in priority. Noted provision in the Community Charter and confirmed that projects may be moved ahead as a priority when affected residents contribute to funding. Noted consideration of community benefit of commercial roads versus residential streets. - Councillor King suggested developing a policy governing residents participation in projects ACTION: Items will be brought forward to 2015 budget process. MOTION C 3/15 Moved by Councillor King and seconded by Councillor Youngberg and resolved that Council requests that staff prepare a policy on cost sharing by residents with respect to area infrastructure improvements. CARRIED 4. LATE ITEM Request for Proposals Water Metering Strategy - Report from CAO - Universal water metering strategy was discussed by previous Council for Town and water improvement areas - Implications of total cost, various fee systems, types of meters that could be used, public consultation, staffing impacts ACTION: No additional actions requested by Council to be included in the RFP. ADJOURNMENT MOTION C 4 /15 Moved by Councillor Campol and seconded by Councillor King and resolved that the meeting be adjourned at 10:40 AM. CARRIED APPROVED: Original signed by Mayor Sue McKortoff MAYOR McKORTOFF CERTIFIED CORRECT: Original signed by Lori Scott DEPUTY CORPORATE OFFICER 4 P a g e

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