A report on roads was made and a time capsule was opened while Grand Forks city councillors discussed carbon neutrality and school connection grants during the city council meeting on Sept. 4.
Road conditions and infrastructure
Michael Trickey of Strategic Infrastructure Management Inc. made a presentation to council regarding a report on the conditions of the City of Grand Forks’ roads. Trickey said that 12 kilometres of the approximately 70 kilometres of roads in Grand Forks either need to be rebuilt or resurfaced. More on this in the next issue of the Grand Forks Gazette.
Time Capsule
The City of Grand Forks opened a time capsule prior to the city council’s regular meeting on Sept. 4.
The capsule has been stored in a vault in Grand Forks City Hall for the last 25 years. Items found inside included a VHS, some floppy disks and school yearbooks from 1987.
Mayor Brian Taylor noted that they would consider creating their own time capsule to be opened 25 years later.
Summer nephelometer study
The summer nephelometer study has now concluded and the final report will be presented to the Environment Committee at their Sept. 20 meeting.
“Summer student Jordan Andrews did an exceptional job,” said Coun. Cher Wyers.
The air quality study began in June and had Andrews drive around Grand Forks in a hybrid vehicle using the nephelometer to measure air quality. The nephelometer is an instrument that measures particulate matter in the air.
Reposting of animal control position
The city and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) are still requesting proposals for the position of animal control and regulation. This position also includes animal shelter operations in the Boundary Animal Service area.
Taylor noted due to lack of responses to the previous posting, the city would be reposting the animal control contract proposal.
Grand Forks Border Bruins logo on ice
The City of Grand Forks will renewed their support for the Grand Forks Border Bruins by placing a city logo on the ice at Grand Forks Arena. The logo amounts to $500.
Carbon Neutral Kootenay
City council received a staff report in regards to the Carbon Neutral Kootenay Group Plan Energy Audit that would have staff complete the 2012 energy audit for $3,600.
Originally, the cost for the audit was billed at $25,000 and council decided to move all carbon neutral projects to 2013.
“We have a deal here that looks too good to be true,” said Taylor. “But if you read it, if you join this carbon neutral group, instead of costing us enormous money, we can get it done for $3,600.”
Taylor noted that the proposal includes the grouping of other municipalities, including Fernie, Sparwood, Salmo and Nelson.
“It’s an important aspect of getting together and understanding how efficient our building and parts are,” Taylor added. “What we get for the cost will tell us how efficient our buildings are.”
New deputy finance officer
City of Grand Forks Chief Financial Officer Cecile Arnott has announced her resignation.
Arnott will be replacing Rossland’s Chief Administrative Officer Victor Kumar, who will also be resigning. Arnott’s last day will be Friday, Sept. 14.
Replacing Arnott is Roxanne Shepherd effective Monday, Sept. 17.
School connections grant
City council has voiced support for School District 51’s (SD51) application for the School Community Connections Funding for the upgrading of an existing storage shed.
The storage shed was constructed at Perley Elementary School and is being used for storage by various community groups that use the school grounds, including youth soccer and slo-pitch.
“I support this because it’s great that they’re going ahead with completing it,” said Taylor. “It makes it more accessible and more use can come from it on the school grounds.”
The grant is for $12,500 and will go towards a washroom, shelving and security.
The washroom facility within the storage shed would be for public use when the Perley school grounds are being used outside of school hours.