The topic of permanent home for the Grand Forks and District Fall Fair was discussed at Oct. 9’s Grand Forks city council meeting.
Les Braden, fall fair society president, proposed three sites to council: (1) the Sugimoto property, which is currently farmland and located north of the city (2) a portion of a parcel of land south of 68th Avenue (3) Acreage to the west of Dick Bartlett Park.
Braden reminded everyone of a promise made in June of 1999 by that city council to designate property at the west end of the city (Parcel Z Plan 28940) for use for the Grand Forks Fall Fair Society and other stakeholders – the promise was reversed by the next city council a few months later.
He also cited discussion from meetings earlier in the year about possibly using land on the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) Hall, something that Braden didn’t see as feasible.
“During the election open forum sessions, you were all asked if you agree that Grand Forks should have an exhibition park and a community hall and everyone was in agreement; what happened?” Braden asked. “It didn’t go away, there’s nothing to show that it’s even being looked at and all we ask is that you give us a chance to show that we are serious. With council’s help we can get it done.”
Braden said that he felt that the issue was put off for way to long.
Coun. Michael Wirischagin said that he was fully in support of finding a permanent home for the fall fair and offered his opinions on the three sites suggested by Braden.
“When it comes to the Sugimoto field, the city does not own that property, so I personally can’t comment on that. In regards to the Dick Bartlett property, I don’t see that as a fit. However, personally, from my point of view, I don’t see Parcel Z as a bad fit,” explained Wirischagin, adding that he would like to see a business case before he could agree or make a motion.
“What are you looking to put on the property?” asked Wirischagin. “How much property do you need? What is your time frame? How are you going to fund it? What do you need from the city, whether it be putting poles, fencing, permanent structures? However it might be, just so I have a better idea.”
Wirischagin said that it a business plan could be presented, it could get a better response from council.
Councillors Cher Wyers, Patrick O’Doherty, Bob Kendel, Neil Krog and Gary Smith also expressed desire to see a business plan.
Braden said he would work on the plan and council accepted the presentation.
Present and succeeding CAOs
Current City of Grand Forks Chief Administrative Officer Lynne Burch was in attendance at the meeting along with successor Doug Allin. Burch is set to retire in November.
Boundary Museum Society-USCC lease
During councillor reports, Kendel mentioned that the Boundary Museum Society had entered into 10-year lease agreement with the USCC.
A visit from Premier Christie Clark?
The Union of B.C. Municipalities conference took place recently with members of council attending and Smith had a chance to meet Premier Christy Clark and extended an invitation to visit Grand Forks – he also made a motion to draft a formal letter of invitation.
O’Doherty seconded and the motion passed.
Community literacy
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) Community Literacy Co-ordinator Sheila Dobie made a presentation to city council and sought a delegate for a community literacy advisory committee. Coun. Neil Krog volunteered his services and will act as council’s representative.
Bylaws
Council was set to give final reading to Bylaw No. 1931 (Roxul Road Closure Bylaw) at a meeting on Sept. 17 but did not due to opposition and gave final reading at the Oct. 9 meeting. More on this in a future issue of the Grand Forks Gazette.
Council also passed Bylaw 1941, the annual tax exemption bylaw.