Skye Cunningham
Cannabis bylaw public hearing overlooked by residents
Nakusp town council’s public hearing regarding zoning regulations of cannabis retail sales facilities brought zero attendees.
The meeting held on July 9 in Nakusp was open to residents to discuss the regulations around Bylaw #614-22.
The bylaw sets specific properties with council approval, “limiting to one within Village limits,” and establish a 500-metre setback from schools, day cares or playgrounds.
Mayor Karen Hamling said there were a few people who showed up initially to the first two public hearings regarding the bylaw, but once they asked their questions the council hasn’t see much attendance since.
No correspondence to the Village office was received from the public either.
Another bylaw (#614, 2018) added “a provision for undersized lots that will allow the lot to be used for any permitted use in the zone subject to meeting all of the other regulations for that zone.”
Downtown Nakusp is a hotspot for bears
Nakusp and area bear awareness has also been on the rise due to the increase in recent sightings of wildlife during this summer season.
Nakusp WildSafe BC community co-ordinator Bree Lillies presented data to council that outlined the sightings in Nakusp.
“Downtown is the highest density for reports,” said Lillies.
The assessment of reports that WildSafe BC records each year is for the purpose of reducing human-bear conflict and is used as a reference.
In the Nakusp area, WildSafe has estimated that there are 34 Grizzly bears per 1,000 kilometres, but Lillies said she didn’t have black bear numbers.
Reports from administration
CAO Laurie Taylor reported that reminder letters for outstanding property taxes and utilities will be sent out shortly.
Fire Chief Terry Warren told council there have been 60 incidents this year, including 18 incidents in two hours during intense wind storms.
Director of Recreation and Parks Terry Welsh told council the Nakusp Hot Springs attendance has been the “highest we’ve ever had,” in May because of the rainy, cold weather.
A representative from public works also talked about the damage the recent wind storms caused and told council they are currently cleaning up the right of ways on power lines, which will reduce the risk of a power outage happening again.
Permissive tax exemptions for 2019 discussed as new business
Council received tax exemption requests from the Arrowtarian Senior Citizens Society, Old Firehall Collective Society, Nakusp Senior Citizens Branch #71 and the Kinship Connection Society.
“I would like to speak for option C to proportionally reduce everybody [who applied this year] to 58 per cent for one year and then next year have everybody come back and apply for whatever there is at that time,” said councillor Ulli Mueller. A notice to be sent to all properties in Nakusp with five-year tax exemptions (ending 2019) was also carried.
Pride Week Annual Spring Clean Up changed to Community Clean Up
Since 2008, the Village has recognized the first week of May as a period to clean up debris. The clean-up period was moved to be changed by council to the first two weeks of May each year because it takes more than one week to clean up. Changing the policy name to Community Clean Up week “clarifies for the public the actual purpose of the project,” said Taylor.
CBT funding stays in Village of Nakusp and affected area Defined Area K
Organizations that receive funding from CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Area Programs will now have to directly affect the Village of Nakusp and Defined Area K. Applicants must also be present at the community vote and must receive five per cent of the vote in order to be granted funding. The committee will review the applications and funding available and decided how much to allocate to each area for the vote so there is fairness in funds distribution.
Nakusp and Area Climbing Society seeking insurance
The Nakusp and Area Climbing Society wants to build a climbing wall and is seeking insurance. The council approved the Service Provider Agreement from the Municipal Insurance Association of BC between the Village of Nakusp and the Nakusp and Area Community Climbing Society. The cost of the insurance will be paid for by the Nakusp and Area Climbing Society.