Grand Forks city council re-worded a bylaw intended to authorize infrastructure spending at a meeting on Monday (Aug. 15).
Bylaw 1923 authorized the borrowing of up to $4.2 million for road, water and sewer capital projects in accordance with the community charter but the inspector of municipalities for the province deemed the original wording on how the money would be spent was too vague, so council made adjustments.
Under the amendment, city council would be authorized “to borrow, upon the credit of the city, a sum not exceeding $4.2 million for multi-utility projects that combine road, water and sewer needs into the same project and estimated to be 45 per cent for roadways, 35 per cent for water system and 20 per cent for sewer system, for the purpose of undertaking and carrying out, or causing to be carried out, the planning, study, design and construction of works for the provision of facilities and equipment relating to the road, water and sewer capital renewal projects.”
Council would also be authorized to acquire all real property, easements, rights-of-way, leases, licences, rights or authorities as may be requisite, or desirable for, or in connection with, the building capital renewal projects related to road, water and sewer.
The bylaw was given three readings at a July 18 council meeting and whether the money is actually borrowed would depend on a referendum during November’s city election.
“Council resolves to rescind the third reading to Bylaw 1923,” Mayor Brian Taylor said during last Monday’s meeting.
“It’s important to note here that it is a language upgrade from the inspector,” explained Coun. Gene Robert.
“We’re not losing sight of the fact that the electorate will have a say in this (in a referendum).”
Council subsequently rescinded the original third reading of Bylaw 1923, made the amendment and gave the amended bylaw third reading.
In other council-related news, Jack Fisher, chair of West Kootenay Crime Stoppers, made a presentation and council offered funding in the way of $500.
Sandra Barron, a sales consultant with Mountain Media Advertising, made a presentation about geo-pictorial map billboards and asked if council wants consider purchasing advertising – council made no decision.
The city received a rezoning application for a property situated along Central Ave, which seeks to rezone the southern part of the property from single and two family residential zone to a highway commercial zone, leaving the northern section as residential.
The rezoning issue will go to public hearing.