Feb 8, 2016 - The One with the Local Improvement Rate Change
Council Highlights – February 8, 2016
Good evening everyone! We just wrapped up a fantastic Winter Carnival and I hope everyone was able to take in something during the festival!
Let’s have a look at last week’s RCM!
Recommendations from Committee of the Whole (C.O.W)
By-Laws
Notice of Intention to Undertake Local Improvement
1. Recommendations from Committee of the Whole:
By-law amendment 100-10-3 – by-law dealing with proceedings of Council. This amendment basically states that no Councillor can abstain from voting unless a conflict of interest exists.
Steeves Family Reunion Grant – Council denied a request of $15,000 for the Steeves Family Reunion. Majority of Council felt that this grant request did not meet the grants criteria and that we did not have the funds in the budget to accommodate this request regardless.
Local Improvement Rates – Whenever the town undertakes a local improvement, there is always a cost to residents on that street. That cost should amount to about 15% to 20% of the cost. In 1990 the rate was set at $18/foot of frontage and has not changed since. Fast forward to 2016, $18 no longer represents 15%-20% due to inflation (the cost of work has increased about 200%) so a motion was passed to raise the rates to keep the percentages the same. The new rate is $35/foot of frontage. Residents have to option to actually pay this over a 10 year period as well.
Animal Control By-Law – This was a revision to the animal control by law. Revisions included:
-Allowing impounded animals that are not retrieved by their owners to be brought to any established animal rescue organization and not specifically to the SPCA. This change will allow staff to work with organizations who specialize in finding permanent or temporary homes for animals, in particular stray cats.
-Providing a clearer definition of an “owner” of an animal. A clearer definition of an “owner” will assist the town should we ever have to prove ownership in a court of law.
-A clear definition of a “service animal” and its inclusion in the by‐law in place of “seeing eye” dog.
-A change in the “At Large” fine to reflect repeated offences by charging $50 for a first offence,
$75 for the second offence and $100 for third and subsequent offence. The inclusion of an elevated fine will act as a deterrent for animal owners to ensure their pets are not at large.
Reduction in speed limit – portion of Gunningsville Blvd
This change reflects a reduction in speed from 70km to 50km at the Robertson and Pinewood intersection on Gunningsville Blvd and also the left turn lanes be installed.
Traffic By-Law – Council made a motion to revise the Traffic By-Law with the following changes to parking restrictions:
Replace Devere Road north side with: Devere Road north side west from Cleveland Avenue to end
Replace Findlay Boulevard both sides with: Findlay Boulevard both sides from Whitepine Road to Gunningsville Boulevard
Replace Pinewood Road both sides from Findlay Boulevard to Gunningsville Boulevard with: Pinewood Road both sides from Findlay Boulevard to Pine Glen Road
Replace Whitepine Road both sides from Trites Road to Warren Avenue with: Whitepine Road both sides from Buckingham Avenue to Cleveland Avenue
Add: Wilson Road west side from 117 Wilson Road to Waterfall Avenue
Approve Proposal to Update Strategic Plan
Council agrees that the Strategic Plan should be reviewed and updated in 2016. Planning session will be scheduled for the third quarter of 2016.
2. By-Laws
300-32 – This was the third and final reading of the by-law dealing with radio communication towers in the Town of Riverview.
100-10-3 – Council proceedings. First and Second Readings - This by-law dealt with the voting abstention issue and also removed a section that stipulated that if a Councillor was not present during a public hearing that they could not vote on the motion during the next meeting. Our solicitor advised that there was no law enforcing this thus it was not needed as a Councillor could simply be updated on the information they missed.
600-5-3 – Animal Control – First and Second Readings - Dealt with animal control issues previously mentioned
R700-10-3 – Traffic by-law – First and Second Readings - Changes previously mentioned
100-17-07 – Council Remuneration – First and Second Readings – Last year, a citizens committee conducted a review of Council salaries and provided a report, which Council accepted. The resident committee felt Council salaries should be more in line with similar communities. This by-law is formally adopting those changes into the by-laws. The Mayor will receive an addition $5000, Deputy Mayor and additional $1000. Councillors will simply receive a CPI increase. These changes can only take effect when after the next Council is elected.
3. Notice of Intention to Undertake Local Improvements
Council passed motions that Town Council authorize the necessary steps (including but not limited to the passing of the Notice of Intention and the respective by‐laws) be taken to proceed with the proposed local improvement to all frontage and flankage property that abuts on Woolridge Street, Hawthorne Drive and Beverly Crescent in the Town of Riverview.
That’s all for this update. As always if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know! You can also visit my website www.andrewjleblanc.com for previous highlights!
