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City of Grand Forks' council gives three readings to sewer, water bylaws

The City of Grand Forks is looking to amend sewer and water regulation bylaws.
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Grand Forks city council at its May 21 meeting.

Grand Forks city council gave three readings to a bylaw (Bylaw 1952) that would amend sewer regulations and rates at its May 21 regular meeting.

The 2013 to 2017 five-year plan reflects a $2 per month flat rate increase in user fee collection for sewer rates and Bylaw 1952 reflects this as well.

Council gave the first three readings with all councillors voting in favour.

Council also gave three readings to Bylaw 1953, which would amend the water regulation and rates bylaw. As with sewer rates, the latest five-year plan (2013 to 2017) reflects a $2 per month flat rate increase in user fee collection for water rates.

There was also a wording change to one of the sections. According to the city, part of Section 26 was worded “For any water service disconnected from the city system, Section 17 of this bylaw shall apply. Should the property owner elect to have water service to a building turned on or off, as described in Section 18 of this bylaw, water basic fees and user rates will continue to be charged.”

It was changed to: “Should the property owner elect to have water service to a building turned on or off, as described in Section 18 of this bylaw, water customer charge and fixed capital fees will continue to be charged.”

The city said the change was made to reflect the original intent of the original bylaw.

And as with Bylaw 1952, council approved all three readings of Bylaw 1953, with none of the councillors present voicing dissent.

Both will have to pass final reading before taking effect.

Flat tax and electrical local area service

Final reading was given to Bylaw 1955, which allows for a flat tax and the direct establishment of a northwest 79th Avenue electrical local area service.

Ad in travel guide

Council received a presentation from Vicom Design Inc., which asked council to consider purchasing advertising in the 2014 Kettle Valley Express Adventure Travel Guide.

MAAP concerns

A contingent of residents was at the meeting and expressed concern about the Whispers of Hope, Habitat for Humanity Boundary and Boundary Emergency and Transition Housing Society Multi-Agency Accommodation Project (MAPP) set for the old veterinary building at 7212 Riverside Drive.

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Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
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