Public art, skatepark ceremony, festival of lights: City Council July 8, 2013
By Bill Metcalfe
The following is a summary of the proceedings of the regular meeting of Nelson City Council held on July 8, 2013.
How public art money may be spent
As set out in the city’s Art in Public Places Policy, 3% of the city’s building permit fees go to public art. Missing until now has been a policy on exactly how the money may be spent.
Accordingly, council approved the Public Art Reserve Fund Policy (attached below) at its July 8 meeting.
The new policy gives guidelines on how the money may be used for acquisition, “de-accessioning,” maintenance, and repair.
Council supports local postal workers
Council agreed to write a letter to Steve Fletcher, the minister responsible for Canada Post, encouraging Canada Post to maintain and expand its services in rural communities, especially Nelson, instead of opening private postal services, and to make the upcoming revisions of the Canada Post Charter a public process.
This followed a presentation to Council by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 790 at two weeks ago at the Committee of the Whole meeting asking for such a letter.
Festival of Lights will expand
Council authorized the use of up to $10,000 from the Spurway Trust Account for the Nelson Festival of Lights project by the Chamber of Commerce and the Festival of Lights Committee this year.
The funds do not come from the city budget or from taxes. The Spurway Trust was set up by a private individual to provide lights and decoration in Nelson and only the interest on the account may be used.
Council authorized the donation of in-kind labour and equipment from the city for installation and maintenance of lights depending on their capacity at the time. Most of the new lighting will be placed on buildings, with the business owners responsible for providing the power.
Councillor Paula Kiss expressed concern about the cost of maintenance over the long term for the city. Councillor Deb Kozak agreed, saying a clearer maintenance plan is needed. Councillor Robin Cherbo said LED lights need very little maintenance. Councillor Bob Adams said the lights committee is working on getting a private contractor with a forklift to donate any maintenance.
Skatepark ceremony
Financial officer Colin McClure announced that there will be a ground-breaking ceremony for the new skatepark site in Rosemont on Wednesday, July 10, at 9 a.m. He said upgrades to the storm sewers have been done and that major earthmoving will start this week.
MS Society may serve liquor at event
Council approved a request from the West Kootenay Multiple Sclerosis Society for permission to serve alcohol at its event in Lakeside Park on August 17.
Accounts payable for June
Council received and approved the city’s detailed accounts payable list for the month of June.
Report on Homelessness
Councillor Donna Macdonald announced the release of the 5th Annual Report on Homelessnes for Nelson, produced by the Nelson Cares Society.
