April 22 is recognized worldwide as Earth Day – a perfect day for Lorene Archdekin and Anne Heard of the Kaslo Community Garden Society to present to council, asking for municipal support for protecting pollinators.
The pair told council that pollinator insect populations are facing a precipitous decline, due in part to native habitat loss, invasive species, pest-and-herbicides, and climate change.
One solution to protect pollinators is to convert traditional turfgrass lawns into ‘habitat gardens’ – vibrant ecosystems that support and attract a diversity of wildlife. They are also known as pollinator gardens, native plant gardens, or naturalized landscapes.
Alongside their presentation, the garden society included an open letter to Canadian municipalities from representatives of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Ecological Design Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University.
“Habitat gardens demonstrate a proactive, local response to the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss,” reads the letter. “However, municipal property standards, practices, and bylaws can limit the potential of these personal and community initiatives."
As recommended in the letter, Archdekin and Heard asked the Village to revise property standard bylaws that discourage or prohibit habitat gardens; to train staff in native and prohibited plant identification; to encourage a high level of ecological awareness and practices among Village employees tending public greenspaces; and to commit to community outreach programs to shift public perception.
Later in the meeting, council passed a motion for staff to invite the garden society and Kaslo Climate Action Team to identify amendments to Village bylaws that may be applicable to their cause.
Beer garden regulation
Council officially agreed to do away with its beer garden regulation bylaw.
The bylaw was enacted in 1989 to regulate beer gardens in the Village and ensure the public was aware of licence holder responsibilities. Since then, the Liquor Control and Licencing Regulation – administered by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch – has developed a comprehensive framework for educating the public and issuing special event permits.
With provincial regulations already in place, chief administrative officer Robert Baker said the Village’s bylaw is redundant and could be repealed without adverse effect.
Janitorial services
Kaslo Building Maintenance (KBM) was awarded a contract to provide janitorial services at City Hall, Front Street Park, the Public Works building, and the Kemball Memorial Centre. The services will cost $195,840 for a five-year term, until 2029.
The Village has been contracting KBM for its janitorial services in municipal facilities on a month-to-month basis. To clearly define the level of service and to budget properly, the Village invited interested parties to offer quotes. KBM’s was the only quote received.
The Village previously negotiated with the campground operator to complete janitorial services at Vimy Park for a lump sum of $2,500, from April 15 to Oct. 15. This arrangement is cost-effective, so will remain in place and KBM will not provide services at Vimy Park.
Campground policy
Council spent some time discussing revisions to the municipal campground policy, including use of overflow camping areas.
Certain areas are used as overflow during big events such as May Days, Jazz Fest, and on long weekends. This year, the campground operator has made bookings in these areas outside of those dates.
Council agreed that the 2025 bookings will be permitted, but that the updated campground policy will impose some limits on certain areas for 2026 and beyond.
Staff will revise the policy with the council’s feedback before bringing it back for final approval.
