Oliver Theatre Society 2021 Budget Presentation –
Mr. Gordon Hahn, Treasurer, and Ms. Leah Forman, Theatre Manager, presented the Oliver Theatre Society’s 2021 – 2022 Proposed Budget and Annual Report for the past year. The Theatre was building their momentum through growth in audience numbers and presenters requesting bookings, unfortunately, due to COVID-19 – 56 performances were cancelled primarily during the March to June peak season. The financial situation of the Theatre mains stable despite a decrease in revenue. The Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program from the federal government assisted greatly in maintaining staff levels.
2020 Water Budget – Third Quarter Update –
Council received an update on the 2020-2024 Financial Plan for the Water Utility. The fifty percent reduction in first quarter water invoices and eliminating the four percent rate increase was reflected in the 2020 budgeted amounts.
The total impact from the rate decrease was $221,000 that was recovered through the water accumulated surplus. As of September 30th, water capital expenditures have allocated $638,000, or 31% of the 2020 budget. Some projects will be carried over into 2021.
Water Quality Summary Report for October 2020 –
Oliver had a total of 37.2 mm recorded in precipitation in the month of October. According to Environment Canada the normal precipitation for Oliver from 1981-2010, is 21.6mm. This year the Town received 9.6mm on October 12, 2020.
Desert Sun Counselling – Temporary Emergency Shelter –
Marieze Tarr, Desert Sun’s Executive Director outlined the need for a temporary emergency shelter in Oliver. The presentation outlined that in 2019, Oliver had 50 plus people struggling with homelessness. The ten-bed proposed shelter would operate from November 1 to March 31 if approved and funding from BC Housing is secured; this year the start date will be later. While clients are in shelter, staff will be working to set goals for the shelter stay, connecting with appropriate services, and trying to secure employment and long-term housing. Three meals will be provided per day along with laundry services. Desert Sun Counselling will provide 24/7 staffing with 2 staff members on site at all times. Prior to approval of a Temporary Use Permit, an advisory committee will be formed that will gather feedback from the community and ensure that a shelter is a “good neighbor” and address feedback and concerns from the community.
Temporary Use Permit – 511 Church Avenue – Cold Weather Shelter –
Council directed that a public information meeting be held for Temporary Use Permit 2020-18 for 511 Church Avenue. Results will be compiled and provided to Council at a future meeting.
Road Closure Bylaw 1399 (Station Street) –
Council gave first two readings to Road Closure Bylaw 1399 (Station Street) and directed staff to submit the bylaw to Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure for approval and proceed with public notification.
COVID-19 Safe Restart Grants for Local Governments –
Council received the information regarding the $1,591,000 COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant awarded to the Town of Oliver and directed staff refer to the 2021-2025 budget process. Eligible costs that local government can apply the grant fund towards include – addressing revenue shortfalls, facility re-opening and operating costs, emergency planning and response costs, bylaw enforcement and protective
services like fire protection and police, computer and other electronic technology costs (to improve connectivity and virtual communications), services for vulnerable persons (e.g., persons living with disabilities, and mental illness or addictions, persons experiencing homelessness or other vulnerabilities.
Update of BC Community Housing Fund January 2021 Intake –
Council received the update and directed staff to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kiwanis Housing Society for the submission to BC’s Community Housing Fund for the ownership and operation of the affordable housing units. The BC Community Housing Fund application is for a mixed use development on the town-owned lots on Main Street that will contain 13 units of affordable
housing, commercial space with a new Town Hall and Council Chambers.d
Source document: Town of Oliver
Stan Marshall says
Too bad, it was a great local secret when Main Street is busy
Richard Simmons Jr. says
The turn at the legion would be tough for large trucks , and by that I mean tractor trailer units. The “bump outs’ took care of that. The entrance to 97 by the legion is awfully hand in a truck and visibility is good up high. As for the spot behind the mall the intersection at 97 and similkameen has always been a tough on especially if coming from the south and making a right and also heading west and turning right. (Most people do not know that you are to stop behind it which takes up vital space for trailers) If one just goes down to co-op and turns right it is much easier. I’m quite sure many people have had close calls at 97 and similkameen.
Given that the entrance to the mall off off coop is a gong show an I don’t envy council on that one.
Beware of engineers as just because the book says it works does not mean it will. If any council member would like to be shown the challenges a truck faces at these intersections I would be more than happy to take them out in the truck. It’s a real eye opener to folks who are previously unaware of the space needed.
Publisher: Junior, some of the beginning lines a bit confusing to me.
But the last line or suggestion is the best – town planners, engineers and even the guys on council need to be in a big truck trying to negotiate these turns, exits etc.
Easy even for me to pontificate about trucks – but only a trucker knows….
It is true we face change but there is an answer – we just have to get at it. To be honest the truckers seem to know how to get around Oliver no matter what roadblocks thrown up. It is their job.
Richard Simmons Jr. says
* turning left onto the highway at similkameen
Richard Simmons Jr. says
Yes, sorry hit send before proof reading. So much for my journalism career!
Publisher: You might want to comment on the corner of Hwy 97 and Veterans Ave
Would a like help?
How would a large tandem gain access – swing into west lane?
Richard Simmons Jr. says
If coming up the hill, to turn north, one would have to go into the left (Wrong) lane blocking things and wait till traffic cleared to make the right. Hoping all the while that traffic will be aware and courteous enough to stop and make way for you. And yes one would probably have to cross the center lane. Would be worse a Bank ave because of bump outs and parking. Easy to turn around down there now but in future when developed it will not be possible.
Bill Eggert says
Interesting how MOTI “thinks”. I love that entrance to the hwy. It is very similar to any entry onto a major throughway off of a “cloverleaf” exit.
All they’d have to do is extend the run a bit and put in a yield instead of a stop sign.
I would assume the MOTI person referenced doesn’t do freeways..
Norma Mason says
The four leval building the town wants to build on Main Street dose not fit with all the other buildings on Main St .and where are these tennets going to park any cars as street parking is already a issue and how will people get to the Town Hall as merchants and staff still park on Main Street so where is our Bi Law officer ?
Publisher: To quote a previous conversation a few years ago at council – we want a parking problem.
If there is no parking it means the street is busy and the merchants have business. Parking for employees working in stores, living on biz lots should be self contained. There is lots of parking on Station Street, behind buildings, on the old Hotel Lot, on School Ave, Bank Ave, next to Subway. When you have a problem with not enough parking – then you have solved one thing — it is really busy – which is preferable to – NO biz, NO one comes to town, No growth. What the town would like to grapple with is a high rise parking garage on Main Street – six stories high with gobs of places to park.
Think about it. Malls are designed to park a lot of cars and use a lot of land. We have always said in Oliver grow up not OUT – keep the circle small – grow a city not a parking lot.
Lee Ann Wilson says
I can see a light having to be installed at the corner of the Legion, Theatre and Restaurant… including the Dairy Queen yet to come on the other corner lot… if the exit road is closed behind the Legion… I am not in favour of the road changes here or behind No Frills. Not because I don’t like change as a trivial excuse; I just don’t understand “Why” it’s necessary?? I agree with Bill. If it’s not broken why try to fix it???
Dave Mattes says
You are correct. It is the section behind the Legion to the highway.
Publisher: AND you would agree – large trucks, tandems, semi’s etc would not be able to execute the corner east and south of the Legion or at the Hwy next to the Legion.
Large trucks would have to re configure their plans to exit Station Street North and South of Fairview.
A jolt maybe – but attainable. Plans are afoot – some of which I am not up to speed on but a better, productive Station Street area is essential with less concentration on the freeway – called Hwy 97.
Dave Mattes says
No, I wouldn’t agree.
Richard Simmons Jr. says
Which part of station st would be closing ?
Publisher: A bit confusing for me as well. Council’s of the past wanted that stretch behind the legion and ok tire to be closed – but trucks would not be able to use the street to the south. As Oliver grows more use of coop street similkameen and fairview will be necessary because of turn lanes and the size of the roadway
there is some plan for a 2nd bridge near the CPR station but you would need to talk to a council member or the PW super.
Carolyn Tipler says
Good question, I was wondering the same. Why would the council want to close the access to the highway via the section behind the Legion and Ok Tire? With more traffic on Station Road now due to Oliver Eats, Butcher, Hotel, ACE Hardware etc. I am sure there are a lot of people using that exit.
Publisher: A number of reasons MOTI thinks the entrance to the Hwy at north end of Station is problematic. Poor visability.
The Town is planning “something” on Station Street between the old library and the legion. Park, hub, apartments, retail, a real area for the public that can be open to local traffic or closed for festivities. Nothing is very clear on that subject at the moment. It is all part of building on the Hotel area, Bridge Park, unused lots, street straightening etc.