TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 1, 2016 PRESENT: Mayor McKortoff Councillors Campol and King Absent: Councillors Rhodes and Youngberg Staff: Barry Romanko, CAO Jim Dinwoodie, Director of Operational Services Brianne Hillson, Deputy Corporate Officer Mayor McKortoff called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS 1. None MOTION C 2/16 Moved by Councillor Campol Seconded by Councillor King That the Committee of the Whole agenda be adopted. CARRIED DELEGATIONS 1. Osoyoos Desert Society Presentation - Presented by Denise Eastlick, Executive Director of Osoyoos Desert Society - Copy of the Power Point presentation is attached to the minutes. - Presentation on highlights from 2015. - The Osoyoos Desert Society had a record setting opening day with 168 visitors. The Society partnered with photography club for their opening day. - The Desert Centre had approximately 7500 visitors in 2015. - Record setting winter programming series. Partnered with South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls (SORCO and the Osoyoos Water Lake Quality Society (OLWQS). - Installed new entrance signs at the Desert Centre and replaced all interpretive signage. The project was funded by FortisBC, Community Foundations and local businesses. - Multi-year seed mix study for Vineyards. - Upcoming projects for 2016 include: Bluebird viewing deck, signage, re-finishing of the two smaller kiosks, additional habitat restoration and signage for Town gardens. - Winter Lecture starts on February 20 th. - Osoyoos Desert Society s 25 th Anniversary is this year and are in the process of planning an event. March 4 th is the 25 th anniversary. Event will probably be held in April. - Mission of the Osoyoos Desert Society is Conservation, Restoration and Education. - There are plans to build a new building for the Desert Centre. - The Osoyoos Desert Society is able to succeed from incredible community and volunteer support. - Town of Osoyoos is one of the most vital partners with the Osoyoos Desert Society. 1 P a g e
TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 1, 2016 - Town provides core funding not available from other sources. - The Society s is requesting $15,000 for 2016. This is similar to previous years of funding. - Would like to partner with Town on any workshop or public education. - Provided handout of 2015 Funders, Financials and Board Information which is attached to the minutes. - Ms. Eastlick thanked the Town and the Society s other partners for their support. - Mayor McKortoff inquired about the seed mix and if available for retail? - Ms. Eastlick stated that they are in the midst of a scientific report which will be available on their website. - Councillor King thanked all the volunteers and encouraged the public to tour the facility. - Councillor Campol congratulated the board for a job well done in obtaining the funding and volunteers to do the work. - Mayor McKortoff thanked the Ms. Eastlick for her presentation. ACTION: The presentation was received for information. 2. Proposed Travel Rebate Incentive Program for American Tourists - Presented by Cam Bissonnette, General Manager of Osoyoos Duty Free Shop - COR-541 - There was a similar program that ran in mid-1990 and 2000 s. - Still have customers coming into the store looking for the rebate. - The money is given back to the travellers on the spot. - Canada is the only Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country that does not have this program. (United States does not have a national sales tax) - Councillor King queried to what type of support that Mr. Bissonnette is looking for. - Mr. Bissonnette stated that he is requesting that the Town support the program and will provide a letter of support that they can present to the Minister of Finance. - CAO Romanko stated that this should be moved to this afternoon s agenda and Council could pass a resolution to support or not support the program. - If this program is adopted on a national level, it would be a marketing/advertising that all businesses could use as a sales tool. - There is no minimum amount. Previous program had thresholds that visitors need to achieve. There may be a maximum threshold. Action: Presentation was received for information. MOTION C 3/16 Moved by Councillor Campol Seconded by Councillor King To move the Road Travel Rebate Incentive Program (Road Trip) to the Regular Meeting held on February 1 st, 2016. CARRIED 2 P a g e
TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 1, 2016 BUSINESS 1. Bee Friendly Plants - COR-543 - Mayor McKortoff read the email from Carla Jorgens from Osoyoos Home Hardware. - Director of Operational Services stated that there are some landscaping projects that this could be incorporated into. - Hoping to purchase 2 more self-watering planters and possibly put bee friendly plants into these planters. - CAO Romanko stated that the D.O Services could talk to Ms. Jorgens from Osoyoos Home Hardware on the potential to use the plants and the possibility of signage that could be used to acknowledge that we are using bee friendly plants. Action: Director of Operational Services will talk to Osoyoos Home Hardware regarding Bee Friendly Plants 2. Proposed Updates to the Existing Snow and Ice Control Policy - Report from Director of Operational Services - POL-041 - Director of Operational Services they had a telephone call from someone wanting to land on the Airport this winter and what the conditions of the landing strip were. - Mayor McKortoff asked for clarification why the Airport was a higher priority than Churches. - CAO Romanko clarified that the Town does not plow Church parking lots but the roadway in front of the Churches. However, on the weekend, Churches receive a higher priority. - Councillor King queried as to who prioritizes inclines. - CAO Romanko identified that it would be the road to the high school, dividend ridge and other major arterial roads. - CAO Romanko stated that this would give the Town 72 hours to remove the piles of snow from Main Street after a major snowfall. MOTION C 4/16 Moved by Councillor Campol Seconded by Councillor King That Council move the report to this afternoon s meeting. ADJOURNMENT CARRIED MOTION C 5/16 Moved by Councillor King Seconded by Councillor That the meeting be adjourned at 9:39 AM. CARRIED 3 P a g e
TOWN OF OSOYOOS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 1, 2016 APPROVED: CERTIFIED CORRECT: Original Signed by Mayor Sue McKortoff MAYOR McKORTOFF Original Signed by Brianne Hillson DEPUTY CORPORATE OFFICER 4 P a g e
OSOYOOS DESERT SOCIETY Presentation to the Town of Osoyoos Monday, February 1, 2016
PRESENTATION 2015 highlights 2016 projects and events Future plans Town of Osoyoos support
2015 HIGHLIGHTS Record-setting Opening Day at the Desert Centre Partnered with Photography Club (Photo Walk)
DESERT CENTRE Welcomed approximately 7,500 visitors Night tours very popular
WINTER PROGRAMS Highest attended winter program series Partnered with Water Quality Society and SORCO
NEW SIGNAGE Installed new entrance signs and interpretive signs Funded by Fortis BC & Community Foundation
KIOSK RE-FINISHING Sanded and re-stained two large kiosks Labour provided by volunteers
PLAZA EXPANSION Expanded entry plaza for groups and events Equipment donated by local businesses
VINEYARD STUDY Completed multi-year seed mix study Funded by Real Estate Foundation of BC
NEW VIEWING DECK Built viewing deck for butterfly habitat area Constructed entirely by volunteers
UPCOMING PROJECTS Bluebird viewing deck and sign Kiosk re-finishing (two small kiosks) Habitat restoration (invasive weed control) Sign for Town garden
2016 EVENTS Winter program series Topics include: Fire ecology Food forests Bats Sagebrush ecosystem
25 th ANNIVERSARY EVENT Desert Society incorporated in March 1991 Mission: Conservation, restoration, education Society formed for two key reasons: To enhance the community To protect the environment
HABITAT IS ENDANGERED Our desert habitat (antelope-brush ecosystem) one of four most endangered in Canada Less than 9% remains relatively undisturbed
SPECIES AT-RISK Region has one of the highest concentrations of at-risk species in the country
RARE SPECIES Pallid bat one of BC s rarest mammals Desert night snake rarest snake in Canada
RARE SPECIES Behr s Hairstreak In Canada, found only in the South Okanagan Ground mantid found only in extreme south of the Okanagan Valley
FUTURE Society s role just as relevant and important today as it was 25 years ago Reason why we are planning for a new interpretive building
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER SUPPORT Able to succeed and look to the future thanks to incredible community and volunteer support (50-60 volunteers)
FUNDING PARTNERS Our funding partners also vital to our success and future Society aggressively pursues funding for projects (e.g. signs, deck, restoration, etc.) List of 2015 funders provided
TOWN PARTNERSHIP Town of Osoyoos is one of our most vital partners Town provides core funding not available from other sources (most funding project-based) The range of services we provide the community would not be possible without the Town s support
2016 REQUEST $15,000 line item funding (same as previous years) Enables us to continue providing services to the community Look forward to working with the Town on future projects Workshops and community education New building Other
INFORMATION Other information: List of board and staff List of 2015 funders Financial reports Contact Information: Osoyoos Desert Society Box 123 Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0 250-495-2470 mail@desert.org
THANK YOU Your support makes a difference! Your funding helps us continue to provide important services to the community and contributes to our long-term sustainability.