Saturday, May 31, 2008

Another study down the drain!!!!!!!

Regional Governance Undecided for now

Fri, 2008-05-30 16:15.
Local News

Regional Governance has been put on the backburner.

Community Services Minister Ida Chong tells us she's decided not to do any restructuring for the next six months, especially with upcoming civic elections.

She says instead, her Ministry will continue to review the report.

"They will conduct a somewhat detailed analysis on a number of areas such as the costs, benefits, representation, and decision-making authority. And with that, we will then be able to take a look at the regional governance options for the area."

Nevertheless, Chong says she's pleased to see a Memorandum Of Understanding developing within Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and the District of Westside.

"The fact that they signed an M.O.U. indicates to me that they are looking at a valley-wide governance, or valley-wide opportunities in providing services. That I'm very encouraged about."

Chong tells us regional governance is still a topic of debate.

She says, "The report has given an indication that there is an interest in this. But to be fair, there isn't an absolute 100 percent agreement on how that is to be achieved."

Chong says this means there's no change for now, and that's largely because they do not want to interfere with upcoming civic elections.

Meantime Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd says she expected a delay in Minister Chong's decision.

"I'm not surprised by her conclusion. I knew if she decided to make some real drastic changes it would have a real impact eithor on the rural areas or the urban areas and it was kind of a no win, I think, for her."

Shepherd says she agrees with waiting until after civic elections because, depending on the governance structure that may have resulted, it could have effected the way the elections were carried out.

Shepherd adds the relationship the four largest municipalities are forming in the meantime may address some of the issues that keep coming up across the valley.

Denise Wong - Astral Media Radio News (Kelowna)

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It's anyone's guess how much time, money, carbon emission, hot air, etc. was wasted on the Okanagan Valley wide governance study. The result: nada, nothing but a few more icebergs melted from the excess heat. I guess senior governments have just as much talent in wasting our money as the locals do except they have it on a more grandiose scale.

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Sewer policies and the upcoming Public Hearing.

One of the residents of Whisby Drive addressed Council at the last Council meeting. Her presentation summarized the consequences of the proposed new policy of Council on unsuspecting residents. She lamented that after weeks of enduring road construction noise, traffic problems, dust and other realities going on with the servicing of the fire hall she now learns that she will have start paying $97.54 additional taxes (even if she does not connect), $340 sewer maintenance charge and within five years she must connect to the sewer and pay the annual fees (whatever that will be with the new schedule). She was not consulted in advance and it all happens because she happens to live next to the fire hall which now will be connected to sewer.

This scenario will be a fact for all the residents of Aberdeen Road if the proposed Community Plan Amendment is accepted in its present form. This is due to the fact that Council is demanding from the developer the construction of a sewer main along Aberdeen Road.

Let me ad that I am not against sewering the community. However, people who will be affected by these unexpected expenses should be consulted on these issues. They must have a say in the direction Council is taking the community and the financial and lifestyle changing consequences these directions will have on their lives. We have not elected dictators, we elected community leaders who will do our bidding. Their decisions must be in harmony with those who elected them.

So, remember to attend the Public Hearings on the 9th of June and have your input. Inform your neighbours who may have missed the ads about the hearings and are not aware of the blog. Also, call your Councillors and express your concerns about the sewer policies and the 50/50 proposal.

If you have any questions regarding those policies contact me and I’ll be glad to explain what is happening with the sewer policies.

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Friday, May 30, 2008

Monday, May 26, 2008

Council meeting --May 26, 2008 -- sewer report.

Council tabled the recommendations by Administration regarding the rate cut and the 50/50 principle.

It appears that further discussions are needed. It is hoped that those future discussions on this issue will be open to the public and the public will have a chance for input.

Attached is the report that was to be debated then tabled. I will comment on them later (it's bed time!).


Please examine page 89 (second page of letter above) and note the 5 to 7 year estimates for upgrading. The total is estimated to be $2,123,000. Note also the available funds (excluding DCC's) totaling $884,975 which were collected off the existing sewer customers. That is over 2.5 times the amount Coldstream needs for the operation and maintenance of the sewer system in Coldstream. A 50% reserve would be a healthy insurance for unforeseen expenses (about $180,000).

When the $625,000 upgrade to the Coldstream Creek lift station is required we could borrow it. The annual financing of that sum would cost each household about $25.00 and reducing annually as more customers connect (you can see all those new lots being developed on the hillsides and on Aberdeen Road. Those all will be new customers).

The major point is: let's keep my money in MY pocket until it's needed. Then I can be sure that my Council is going to use it for its intended purpose and will not raid it for the benefit of a preferred customer.

Discussing Financing Strategies for new sewer extensions is a unique idea. Should it not have been done before we built the trunk line from McClounie to Mackie Drive so we could have figured out HOW to include such remote areas as Bel Air Drive, the south extension of Giles Drive and the rest of the presently inaccessible areas? How much will those extensions cost and who will pay? Is it fair to force those people to connect and pay when they were not consulted (or ignored!) in advance?

It seems to me that Council is rushing ahead with more and more sewer trunk lines WITHOUT consulting with those who they eventually want to FORCE to connect. "Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead!!!" seems to be the operating motto of Council. Yet they have not mentioned anything about the potential problem at Coldstream Valley Estates.

I have the email list of most of the CRPA members but these issues are very important for all of Coldstream. I ask everyone to spread the word among your neighbours. I am considering to have a general meeting of the Ratepayers to discuss current issues (have we received any improvement to our water or at least an apology for the lack of improvement?). I would appreciate some comments from all residents (those not sharing my views are also encouraged to comment).

Gyula


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Re-posting of Report to Council -- April 29, 2008.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Report to Council regarding rate reduction and sewer policies.

Note: The Appendices are presented in the previous posting under the title "Appendices for sewer report". I cannot post tables except as "jpeg" images and the appendices are in that format. You could print those images and use them as references when reading the text.

Submission to Council - re: sewer policies.

Executive summary.

A report is presented to Council for their sewer policy discussions.

1. 2008 rates could be reduced to $470.00 annually while still providing over $80,000 for reserves.

2. A case is made for policies to “pay as you go” instead of accumulating large surpluses at current taxpayers’ expense.

3. Two user pay models are presented for Council’s consideration.

4. Policies relating to multi-family dwellings should be revisited.

5. Inclusion of huge costs for building use ($95,227) in calculating base costs is questionable and should be revisited by Council.

Discussions.

There was much debate regarding the cost of the sewer line for Sewer Specified Area 2 (SSA 2). It is unquestionable that the majority of the expenditure of this construction was paid by SSA 1 customers (111%). Regardless to whom the Capital Reserve Funds belonged, it is SSA 1 customers who are forced to pay for the new system by having to replenish the lost reserve funds. Their sewer rates for the past three years reflect these extra costs. Appendix 1 illustrates the surplus collected by the District over the past three years. This is in addition to the pre-existing surplus.

Since 2005 SSA 1 customers paid over $490,000 towards the replacement of the spent reserves (the difference between revenues and costs). This year’s budget intends to produce a further surplus of $316,000, additional money out of the pockets of SSA 1 customers.

Here is where I urge Council to take action and reduce the financial burden on sewer customers. A second look proved successful for the tax reduction, it should work well for the sewer rate reduction as well. There is plenty of room to reduce the rates to $470.00.

Appendix 2 depicts the City of Vernon’s historical budgets and fund requisitions from Coldstream for sewer treatment and disposal. Unit costs for each year ($/m3) are calculated by summing the total treatment and disposal costs (i.e. treatment costs, pump stations, effluent disposal, capital costs and debt costs) and dividing it with the total sewage volume (last year the unit cost was $1.14862772840881). Based on Coldstream’s contribution of 446,864 m3 they requisitioned $513,280.00 in 2007.

Appendix 3 demonstrates the calculation of the District’s fixed costs. All data were taken from the report to Council by the Director of Financial Services. The only alterations made were the removal of $266,654 as that was part of the City’s bill and not a legitimate expense for Coldstream’s basic cost. The City does not bill separately for capital debt. It is included in the total bill which is based on the volume of sewage received from Coldstream by the treatment facility.

The other
change is the replacement of the capital replacement/enhancement of $150,000 by more reasonable sum of $85,275 which is 25% of the annual fixed costs. The resulting Annual base cost ($426,475) is divided among the households (2012) connected to the sewer system resulting in $212.00 annual cost per household. In fact, this sum should be paid by all residents along existing sewer lines. The operation and maintenance of the system should be the responsibility of all residents who are eligible to connect. Presently there are probably over 2100 residents along existing sewer lines.

Currently the sewer fees are basically parcel taxes on sewer customers. Every customer pays the same. Calculation of this year’s sewer fees is simple. The budgeted requisition by Vernon from Coldstream is $515,771.00 for 2008. The total of the annual base cost of $426,475 plus the City’s request of $515,771 total $942,246. This sum divided by 2012 (the number of households) results in $470.0
0. Individual households should only pay $470.00 ($117.50 quarterly) in 2008. This would still provide a healthy surplus of nearly $90,000. Added to the existing reserves of between $500,000-$600,000 we should be well healed for now. The infrastructure for SSA 2 is paid for (from reserves), the OBWB is contributing $17,158.74 and the SSA 2 parcel taxes provide $8,485.98 (a total of $25,644.72) annually to the capital reserve. You can and should reduce the financial burden on the long suffering SSA 1 customers.

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The Director of Finance indicated to me that her philosophy is to set aside significant reserves for the future replacement of infrastructure. I strongly believe that this is the wrong approach. The alternative of borrowing for infrastructure replacement costs and financing through taxation (parcel or general taxation) is much easier and more desirable on taxpayers.

The financing costs for every $1,000,000 borrowed is about $75,000 annually. For instance, if we borrowed the $1,390,515.00 for the new sewer system, annual repayment would have been $104,288.63 or about $48.00 per old customer. If we also included the OBWB grant payments of $17,158.74 then the payments would have been reduced to $78,943.91 or about $40.00 per old sewer customer.

A less unfair solution would have been if all households in Coldstream were required to contribute in which case the per household payment would have been about $20.00 annually. In any case, the reserves would have been intact and could be used for lift station replacements and other urgent needs. An example is presented below.
As can be seen a major opportunity was lost of retaining the surplus for other uses (lift stations, etc.) and still maintaining minimal additions to sewer fees (instead of the $60.00 added in 2007 and 2008).

Accumulating large reserves place a heavy burden on present customers who may never see any benefit of such reserves. They also provide unnecessary temptation for future Councils to search for excuses to use these reserves for other than their intended purposes.

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My next comments relate to the user pay method of fee payment Council adopted for implementation in 2009. Council is commended for finally addressing this issue as fees for service should reflect the value of service provided. Those producing more sewage that must be treated and disposed should pay more for the service.

However, a user pay system must be realistic and reflect actual realities. The model must represent the true cost of the service to each customer. Personal feelings have no place in determining the fee structure and implementation time table. Council expressed reservation on introducing the system quickly as being too harsh on customers used to be paying lower fees. Councilors should temper their emotions by the fact that the present system is extremely unfair to customers contributing minimum volumes to the sewer system and paying through the nose.

The City of Vernon is not harbouring such sentiments. Below is the sewer rates used by Vernon.

* Sewer Base Fee of $47.79 per quarter per residence (20 m3)

* Metered Sewer @ $2.39 per cubic meter in excess of 20 m3 (based on Jan-Mar water consumption).

* This rate is adjusted the first quarter each year and remains the same through the fourth quarter billing.


* Flat rate sewer $68.75 in addition to the Sewer Base Fee.


The implications of this schedule is shown in Appendix 4. A single occupant pays $191.16 (if consumption stays at or below 80 m3 per year). A family of 6 might be looking at a fee of up to $1,032.44 annually ($258.11 quarterly). Actual fees depend on water consumption during the first quarter.

We could easily adopt the same system. Appendix 5 is a model based on Vernon’s model but using 2008 data for demonstration purposes (although Council could opt to implement it in 2008). Estimated costs are tabulated based on family sizes.

Our total costs (base costs plus treatment and disposal) estimated at $942,246 (see above). Total anticipated sewage volumes are given as 426,252 m3, thus, unit costs are calculated to be $2.22. Assuming 100 m3 per annuum as the base minimum cost would be $222.00 ($55.50 quarterly). A family of 6 would expect to pay $955.90 ($238 quarterly. Vernon’s rates would be $1,032.44 annually). While it looks quite high I wish to remind Council that water rates already recognize that larger families must pay more.

An alternate model (Appendix 5a) might also be considered but less equitable. Here the base cost of $ 426,475 is divided by all sewer customers, connected or not but paying the parcel taxes and would also pay their share of the base taxes (estimated 2100 households). This sum is estimated to be $203.00. Total sewer volumes multiplied by the unit cost by Vernon ($1.122) plus the calculated base cost of $203.00 provide the annual fee per household. The tabulation estimates annual costs based on family sizes.


Council is reminded that treatment and disposal costs are the same for all sewage. Thus, multiple family units should pay the same fee for the volume of sewage they produce as do single family dwellings. Policies relating to multiple dwelling should be revised.

Although my study accepted most of the data presented by the Director of Finance for the Base costs I do wonder if it is necessary to include some of the building costs in the sewer base costs of $95,227. I would have considered these costs coming from general revenue paid by all of us. However, it is up to Council to decide how they treat this subject. Having been charged for a sewer system from which I have no benefit whatsoever I thought some of these costs included in the base cost calculations are somewhat petty.

I have spent considerable time on this study and I hope Council will treat it as a serious submission for their deliberations.

Respectfully submitted:

Gyula Kiss

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I assume all sewage customers are interested in reducing sewer rates. Those with larger number of dependents must realize that equal rates to all households are unjust. However, if we can convince Council that unrealistically high reserves are not in our interest and providing reasonably priced services is their duty.

Your comments are welcome.

The Eagle

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

50/50 proposal revisited.

I cannot emphasize enough the unfairness of the proposed 50/50 principle staff is putting forward for Council's approval.

Let me give you some background information.

The
Community Charter requires that Councils provide some assistance for new growth. The magnitude of this assist factor is left up to individual Councils. Those Councils craving for growth provide higher assist factor in their policies, those not so keen on growth are less magnanimous. The point here is that if Councils provide a certain growth assistance it is extended to the whole of the community and not just selected segment of the taxpayers.

The proposal by staff singles out existing sewer users to bear the financial burden of developing new sewer additions and replacing old infrastructure. Replacement of the old infrastructure and the expansion of the service is required due to growth. Extending the sewer trunk line from McClounie to Aberdeen Road was strictly demanded by growth. Coldstream Meadows could not proceed if it did not connect to community sewer. The overwhelming majority of the other residences DID NOT connect to the new system.

When Councils expended reserves from the existing sewer utility's account ($665,000 by previous Council and $250,000 by the present Council) they actually forced current sewer customers to assist new growth to the tune of 111%. We paid more for the sewer trunk than what it actually cost!!! If someone thinks that's fair I have a bridge for sale!

If Council insists that we should have a 50% growth assist rate than they must convince all of the taxpayers in Coldstream and must collect this assist rate from all of them. Of course, they should also volunteer to pay up as five of the Councillors are presently not affected by the proposed financial burden.

As I explained in my earlier article, reserves can also be misappropriated by succeeding Councils just as it happened with the reserves we lost.

If Council rejects the 50/50 principle then our sewer rates could be reduced further and would at least partially ease the unfair removal of our sewer reserves. When time comes to replace old infrastructure then we'll borrow the necessary funds and have all those involved in the sewer system pay for the financing as we go forward. We do not need to subsidize unknown future residents with our present hard earned cash.

The Eagle.

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Council Agenda item Re: Sewer -- May 26, 2008

Recommendation to Council

Sewer: Funding for Upgrades, Sewer Rates, and Timely HookUps

· Report from the Director of Financial Administration, dated May 15, 2008

Recommendation

THAT the report from the Director of Financial Administration, dated May 15, 2008, regarding Sewer: Funding for Upgrades, Sewer Rates, and TimelyHookUps, be received;

AND THAT the District adopt a 50/50 policy for sewer upgrades, whereby 50% of the projected cost is built up in reserves, and 50% is borrowed at the time the project is commenced;

AND THAT in conjunction with the 50/50 financing policy, the quarterly residential sewer user rate be reduced from $142 to $126, commencing with the billing for the second quarter of 2008;

AND THAT customers fronting on sewer mains be required to hook up within five years and be charged the rate of $85 per quarter immediately upon sewer main completion, such rate to be adjusted in conjunction with rate changes to the fixed fee portion of the quarterly sewer charges;

AND THAT customers fronting on the Kalamalka Road sewer extension from McClounie Road to Mackie Drive be required to hook up by the end of December 2012 and be charged the rate of $85 per quarter commencing with the billing for the third quarter of 2008, such rate to be adjusted in conjunction with rate changes to the fixed fee portion of the quarterly sewer charges;

AND FURTHER THAT a bylaw be brought forward for Council’s consideration.

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The above recommendations will be in front of Council at the May 26th meeting.

Perhaps we should be grateful for small mercies and thank Council for their magnanimity of giving us some crumbs. They obviously examined my report of April 29 (see report) and found some merit in reducing the rate. However, the recommendations advanced to Council's approval is scandalous. Let's have a critical review of the recommendations by the Director of Financial Administration (DFA).

1. 50/50 policy for sewer upgrades.
It appears that the DFA recommends to Council the "rewarding" of the environmentally conscientious citizens of Coldstream, who paid for their sewer system and maintained it for 30 years, to continue paying and amass massive reserves for adding to and upgrading the system for the benefit of yet unknown customers.

I for one resent the notion that I should pay for future growth in advance. Note that neither the DFA nor five members of Council will be financially affected by this recommendation. The only residents affected are the ones already paying for sewer and those located along existing new sewer lines. None of the rest of the residents of Coldstream are paying for sewer and contributing to the proposed reserves. I believe this proposal is biased, ill conceived and punishes those who already bear a heavy burden for environmental protection.

I wish to direct the reader's attention to the fate of the last massive sewer reserve $665,000 of which was expropriated by the previous Council for the construction of a sewer trunk which benefited mostly one developer. Another $250,000 of the sewer operating reserve was expropriated by this Council for the purchase of latecomer fees from the same developer.

It is obvious that there is a danger in accumulating massive slush funds for future Councils who may misuse it for the benefit of favoured developer at the expense of taxpayers. The cavalier attitude of Councils removed about $500 from the pockets of each sewer user and then they are forced to refurbish those spent reserves.
2. Reduction of sewer rates from $142 to $126 a difference of $16 per quarter.

This is a good start but it again recommends the 50/50 policy. My calculations in the above report (see report) appears to have been accurate as the recommendation proposes half of the suggested rate cut ($48). I have the same objections her as above for the 50/50 principle. Council should cut the rate by $98 for 2008.

3. Five year hook up requirement and $85 per quarter fixed fee charge.
This proposal would be fair if residents along new sewer lines were consulted and consented to the projects in advance of those projects. However, bringing massive new costs to unsuspecting residents is at the peril of Council.

Another issues is the size of the fixed fee charge. I do not appreciate the DFA's attempts to "pad" the budget at the expense of the customers who actually pay her salary.

The figure on the left is the DFA's calculation of fixed fees, the amount that Coldstream expends on the maintenance and operation of the system within the District. On the right is my calculation after removing expenses that are not direct costs to Coldstream but are fees charged by the City of Vernon for the treatment and disposal of the sewage we send to them. As can be seen even with the addition of a reasonable sum for reserves ($82,275, about 25% of direct costs) the actual fixed fee should be $53 per quarter.

4. Council must convince residents along the new route that their decision is fair and equitable even though those residents did not consent to sewer service.

Council must be fair to ALL of their constituents!

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Council meeting --May 26, 2008

REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 26, 2008
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:00 PM

A G E N D A

1. DELEGATIONS

a. Vernon Prostate Cancer Support & Awareness Group
Dudley Deleenheer and Len Steck from the Vernon Prostate Cancer Support & Awareness Group will be in attendance to speak to this matter.
b. District of Coldstream 2007 Audited Financial Statements
Mr. Brian Cockburn of BDO Dunwoody will be in attendance to speak to this matter.
c. Development Variance Permit Application No. 08011DVP (Martel), 8700, 8704, 8708, 8712, 8716 (8720 or 8740), and 8746 Hofer Drive, Lots 1016, Section 22, Township 9, ODYD, Plan KAP82990
There may be persons in attendance to speak to this matter.
2. PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS COUNCIL
(Total Time Allotted: 10 Minutes)
NOTE: This time is to afford members of the public the opportunity to address issues on the agenda dated, May 26, 2008. Issues that are not on the current agenda will not be heard by Council. If you have items to address that are not contained in this agenda, please contact the Municipal Clerk to make a formal request to appear as a delegation at a future meeting of Council.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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Some of the important issues on the agenda:
(1) Development Variance Permit Application No. 08011DVP (Martel), 8700, 8704, 8708, 8712, 8716 (8720 or 8740), and 8746 Hofer Drive, Lots 1016, Section 22, Township 9, ODYD, Plan KAP82990

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(2) District of Coldstream 2007 Audited Financial Statements · Financial Statements from BDO Dunwoody, for the year ended December 31, 2007

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(3) Sewer: Funding for Upgrades, Sewer Rates, and Timely HookUps
· Report from the Director of Financial Administration, dated May 15, 2008
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Item 3 deserves further examination and I will do so in a later article.

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Dead flies in bottled water not worth 340,000: Supreme Court

Thu May 22, 11:26 AM

OTTAWA (AFP) - A Canadian man who found a dead fly in his bottled water and claimed it ruined his sex life, hair salon business and even made it hard for him to shower lost his legal bid for redress on Thursday.

Waddah Mustapha of Windsor, Ontario had said in court documents that he and his wife saw a dead fly, and later half of another dead fly, in an unopened bottle of drinking water delivered to their home in November 2001.

The couple was cleaning the bottle's neck before opening it, and so did not drink any of its contents.

Even so, Mustapha claimed he suffered from "major depression, anxiety, specific phobias, and obsessional thoughts flowing from seeing the dead flies in the bottle water."

He fought for reparations from the suppliers Culligan of Canada all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which on Thursday threw out his claim.

"We all know flies of that kind, with the blue butts -- they land on feces and dead rats on the side of the road and end up in the water," Mustapha told public broadcaster CBC. "This is a public health issue."

Although a lower court deemed his reaction "objectively bizarre," it ruled the nature of bottled water was to assure "purity and cleanliness" and thus psychiatric injury from finding a bug floating in it was foreseeable.

The trial judge in 2005 ordered the bottler to pay Mustapha 341,775 dollars (Canadian, US), but the award was overturned a year later on appeal.

The Supreme Court of Canada on Thursday upheld the appeal court decision, saying that Culligan was indeed responsible for Mustapha's "debilitating psychological injury which had a significant impact on his life."

However, Mustapha's laywers "failed to show that it was foreseeable that a person of ordinary fortitude would suffer serious injury from seeing the flies in the bottle of water," Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin wrote.

"Unusual or extreme reactions to events caused by negligence are imaginable, but not reasonably foreseeable," she said.

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I wonder what Mr. Mustapha's reaction would have been if he got his drinking water from GVW's Goose Lake and he happened to venture a trip up to the source!? Any guesses?

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Boil water advisory lifted -- by Richard Rolke

Most Duteau Creek water users can start drinking out of the tap again.

On Tuesday, the Greater Vernon Services Committee lifted the boil water advisory which had been in place for 5,000 homes for the last two weeks because of seasonal runoff.

“Turbidity has been low for the last five or six days,” said Al Cotsworth, utility manager, adding that water quality for the Duteau system is currently listed as being fair.

The boil water advisory covered customers of the former Vernon Irrigation District in the BX-Swan Lake area and parts of Coldstream and Vernon.

It has now been replaced by a water quality advisory for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

People in those three categories should continue to boil their water for one minute or seek alternate water sources for drinking, washing produce, making ice or brushing teeth.

However, it’s expected that a full boil water advisory for all Duteau Creek customers will return in about a month, said Cotsworth.

“This was just the low-elevation snow melt (causing turbidity) and we anticipate high-level melt in mid to late-June and it will likely cause another event,” he said.

It’s unknown how long another boil water advisory could be in place.

“It will all depend on how the snow comes off the watershed,” said Cotsworth of a quick melt compared to a slow melt.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Coldstream taxes set -- by Jennifer Smith.

The average Coldstream homeowner will be handing over an additional crisp red bill for this year’s taxes.

A tax hike of 6.95 per cent has officially been adopted by Coldstream council.

The increase works out to approximately $49 more on the tax bill for the average home worth $483,750.

The percentage jump is actually down more than two per cent from the original recommendation of 9.17 per cent. But extra money in the bank from 2007 meant the district was able to cut their original figure down.

“We did better last year than we expected so that’s where that money comes from,” said Catherine Lord, director of financial administration.

Coldstream’s taxes were adopted Monday, just in time for the May 15 budget adoption deadline.

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Add to it your water and sewer bill increases and you'll hand over another crisp, red bill! Oh well, it's only money and it's only OUR money!


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Senior’s development denied refund -- by Jennifer Smith

A senior’s care facility hoping to cash in on more than $100,000 in refunds is out of luck.

Coldstream Meadows Retirement Community, located on Mackie Drive in Coldstream, had made a refund request for development cost charges to Greater Vernon Services.

The development had paid DCCs for water under residential classification and paid parkland DCCs under the dwelling unit classification. Both of these classifications cost substantially more than what the developer is requesting he be charged.

For water DCCs the residential rate is $1,857 per multi-family unit, while institutional DCCs are $8.88 per square meter.

If the development had been charged under institutional the total water DCC charge would have been $41,000 less.

Likewise, parks DCCs are charged at a rate of $2,844 per dwelling unit, whereas if the development was charged under the congregate care facility classification, the total fees would have been reduced by $68,000.

The Greater Vernon Services Committee, with opposition from director Stan Field, agreed that no refunds shall be made. The reasoning comes from the congregate care definition which the particular development phase falls under.

Coldstream Meadows is based on the idea of aging in-place, therefore there are several phases of the community. The portions seeking DCC refunds are The Cottages and The Views.

The Cottages are eight units of independent living, with assisted living services (medial assistance) provided and access for full meal service. The Views is a 33-unit apartment-style building. The units are independent but residents are provided the option of full meal service served in the commercial service areas and access to medical assistance.

Although the DCCs are charged through GVSC, because the development is located in Coldstream, it falls under Coldstream’s classification (which does not allow for the cheaper DCC charges).

“This particular development does not fit the definition,” said Catherine Lord, Coldstream’s director of financial administration. “The actual definition of congregate care differs from municipality to municipality.”

While the next phase of development at Coldstream Meadows will likely fall under the congregate care definition, these do not as they are self-contained units, said Lord.

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Monday, May 19, 2008

Defence Minister MacKay plays 40 minutes in Rugby Canada Super League game.

By The Canadian Press

BRANTFORD, Ont. - Defence Minister Peter MacKay played 40 minutes in his Rugby Canada Super League debut Monday in a losing cause for the Nova Scotia Keltics.

But the 42-year-old MacKay did his part at inside centre. It was only 9-0 for the Niagara Thunder at halftime when he made his exit. The Keltics took it on the chin in the second half, going down by a final score of 49-5.

MacKay, a native of New Glasgow, N.S., played rugby a decade ago with recently retired Canadian captain Morgan Williams.

The match was the first of the season for the Keltics. The Thunder are 1-0-1 after drawing 23-23 with the Quebec Caribou in their season opener.

The Rugby Canada Super League is the highest level of club rugby in the country, featuring regional teams drawn from provincial clubs.

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Apparently our Defence Minister can do some defence in rugby as well. Good for him! Something he can do when he retires from politics!


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Sunday, May 18, 2008

Another harbinger of summer! -- Readers' write.


I'm attaching a photo of a kayak cavity filled with beer bottles, beer cans and other garbage tossed from boats into Kal Lake on Friday May16th. This was collected in about 20 minutes off shore of theKalavista boat launch, and Kal Beach. One would have thought that the idiots that do this kind were long extinct, but apparently not. As most of the cans/bottles were alcohol, not pop, perhaps it's routine to throw away the evidence of excessive drinking, before coming to dock. If I can find this stuff on the surface, what must the bottom of the lake look like?

Greg Ockert

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Vernon Jubilee Hospital facts and figures.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2008

The Vernon and Districts Taxpayers' Association has some clear facts for Mr. Tom Christiansen taken from the Interior Health Authority's (IHA) own documentation showing that Vernon Taxpayers and North Okanagan - Shuswap Taxpayers are getting less for their dollar than counterparts in Penticton and Trail:

Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) does not have an MRI machine (magnetic resonance imaging), a vitally important diagnostic tool, yet Penticton and Trail do.

Vernon Jubilee Hospital has 125 beds for a population of 135,000. Penticton has 129 beds for a population of 80,000. If we were funded proportionally we should have 210 beds. Even if you subtract the 40 beds in Salmon Arm and 10 beds in Revelstoke this is still 160 beds. If we had 160 beds he occupancy rate in 2007/08 would have been 87% since the average census was 139, which is exactly the recommended level (85-90%) for patient SAFETY. Instead, at 125 beds, we were an AVERAGE of 11% overcapacity for the whole year.

VJH was code purple with approx 20% overcapacity over 40 times in 2008, as a direct result of inadequate funding for acute care beds. This means the "temporarily funded" 13 bed short stay unit is full, there are at least 7 patients in hallway beds and there are still at least 4 admitted patients in the emergency room (ER).
VJH has 4 funded operating rooms (ORs) yet Trail, with a pop of 80,000, has 5 ORs. If we were funded at the same level per population we should have 8 ORs. Even if you subtract the two very limited ORs in Salmon this still leaves six. We have been trying to recruit a third Urologist for three years because of unacceptable wait lists to see a Urologist and unacceptable wait lists for urological cancer surgery. Our inability to recruit a third urologist is a direct result of not enough OR time.

Vernon's surgery program in 2007/08 required $5 million for surgical supplies but we are only funded for $3 million. Our surgical program has not received an increase since 2001, not even for inflation or the increased cost of supplies.

Here is a table from the Interior Health Authority (IHA) document which shows the reduction in beds after the IHA was created.

Some highlights:
Our region (North Okanagan-Shuswap) lost 41 beds in 2002. At the same time Penticton's beds increased. Yet our population growth was not only greater than Penticton's at the time but also has had greater growth than Penticton since. The problems with overcapacity at VJH began with this reduction.

One important concept that people must understand is that reduction in beds in 2002 was not the same as reduction in beds in 1992. In the early 90's laparoscopic surgery was developed and over the next ten years this allowed surgeries that used to require a hospital bed for a week to be performed as a day care surgery. By the year 2000 most hospitals had reduced the number of beds because, as a result of technological improvements, they actually were not needed.

However, in 2002 our hospital was already running at optimal efficiency and a reduction in beds at this point started to affect patient care because at a reduced level it could not meet the demand and there were no ways to improve efficiency. Now we are code purple every other day as a direct result.

The other important concept is that a residential care bed is not equal to an acute care bed. First of all, they are a lot cheaper and very limited. If someone in a nursing home has any kind of serious medical problem they are sent to emergency. Yes, residental beds decompress patients occupying acute care beds but it is a two way street. There are also significant numbers of sick patients admitted to the hospital FROM residential care beds. This is why, despite increasing the numbers of residential beds, Vernon Jubilee Hospital is still code purple gridlock.

Therefore, it would be wise for Mr. Tom Christiansen and the Hon. George Abbott to pay attention to these facts--facts that are suffered on a daily basis by patients, doctors, nurses and all hospital staff that provide services to patients.

Contact: Tony Stamboulieh 250-260-1082

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A harbinger of summer in the Okanagan.

Is it summer yet?

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Public Hearings -- Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Coldstream residents will have not one, not two but three public hearings to enjoy on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7:00 pm, in the Municipal Hall Chambers. These decisions were the result of Monday's Council meeting.

Public hearing # 1:

District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1382, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1524, 2008, Amendment No. 20
· Proposed Bylaw No. 1524, 2008
· A bylaw to amend Schedule A, Map Sheet 8202423 by changing the zoning of part of Lot 1, Plan KAP54491, Sec. 22, TWP 9, ODYD, and Part Lot 23, Plan 455 (shown on Plan B3644), lying east of RightofWay (shown on Plan A308), Sec. 22, TWP 9, ODYD (Except Plan 25629), from C1 General Commercial to C2 Highway and Tourist Commercial
Comment

As per Council’s request, staff has discussed the proposed bylaw amendment with the applicant. Mr. Dalgarno has committed to registering a Restrictive Covenant on title that will only permit the subject property to be used for the rental of cabins as proposed and that RV pad and tent site rentals will not be permitted on the areas proposed to be rezoned to C2. The Restrictive Covenant would need to be on title prior to Fourth and Final Reading.

This property is at the entrance to Coldstream on Kalamalka Lake Road by Alpine Centre.

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Public hearing # 2:


District of Coldstream Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1445, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 1529, 2008

· Report from the Director of Engineering Services, dated May 7, 2008
· Proposed Bylaw No. 1529, 2008
· A bylaw to change the designation of Lot 2, Sec. 25, TWP 9, ODYD, Plan KAP84722 from Residential to Multifamily Residential and to amend Schedule G by including Lot 2, Sec. 25, TWP 9, ODYD, Plan KAP84722 within the Multiple Family Development Permit Area
Recommendation

FIRST READING

THAT the report from the Director of Engineering Services, dated May 7, 2008, regarding Sugoi Property Management – Rezoning and OCP Amendment Application for 9728 Aberdeen Road, be received;

AND THAT the applicants for the rezoning of this property be advised that sewer servicing for any development will require the installation of a trunk sewer to direct sewage south on Aberdeen Road to Wisbey Drive, regardless of the outcome of the Rezoning and OCP Amendment process.

This issue is tricky. We are again requesting the extension of a sewer line without a detailed plan. A normal plan would identify the total boundaries of the specified area, costs and time-lines for those being served, public input including a referendum for those required to connect, etc.

In fact, there are more issues that must be investigated before we jump into the program with both feet. There are two pipelines that could deliver sewage to the Vernon treatment plant. The more direct route would be the existing line from the existing subdivisions of the area. A problem here is that the capacity of the line from 15th Street towards the treatment plant is limited.

However, the trunk line from McClounie to the Alpine Centre connection and from that connection to the treatment plant is also limited and will have to be replaced in the near future. A study to identify the most cost effective alternative route must be investigated before a decision to spend the dollars on the Aberdeen connection is finalized. Coldstream Valley Estates are in dire need of connecting to sewer. With those residential connections and those from other residential on the Aberdeen route the need for this replacement will be very soon.

We should not repeat the mistakes made with the McClounie-Aberdeen trunk line construction. Smart people learn from the mistakes of others, less smart individuals learn from their own only ignorant people repeat their own mistakes (I deliberately made the expression polite!).

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Public hearing # 3:

District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1382, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1528, 2008, Amendment No. 21

· Proposed Bylaw No. 1528, 2008
· A bylaw to change the zoning of Lot 2, Sec. 25, TWP 9, ODYD, Plan KAP84722 from Rural Two (RU.2) Zone to Residential Apartment and Multifamily (R.3) Zone
Comment

The applicant has verbally agreed to place a Restrictive Covenant on title prior to Fourth and Final Reading that would restrict the proposed land use to townhouses rather than other uses allowed in the R3 zone (i.e. 3 storey apartments). The applicants will be providing a letter in writing confirming their willingness to place a Restrictive Covenant on title.

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This is the zoning change if the OPC change is approved.

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Monday, May 12, 2008

Tax Bylaw No 1525, 2008.













The above Bylaw is before Council for tonight's meeting.

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

Greater Vernon battle erupts -- by Richard Rolke, MS 05-11.

The drama of Greater Vernon Services Committee continues. "It's disappointing because when everyone puts some effort in, Greater Vernon works very well,” said Gary Corner, GVSC chairman and Coldstream mayor.

The Mayor is right, everything works well if we ignore everything that does not work at all.

The Master Water Plan did not work. After millions of dollars of extra fees a large segment of the customers got nothing for their money. None of the customers in Directors Kanester and Field have received an iota of benefit for their huge rate increases. Even today they are under a boil water advisory which probably be repeated several more times before the end of the year. They have every right to be screaming on behalf of their electors.

At least half (likely more) of Mayor Corner's constituents received no improvements in their water quality. However, he does not complain, being the Chair of the Committee, he appears to be satisfied with the progress. Holding on to power seems to be more important than demanding fair treatment for Coldstream water customers.

The huge waste of funds on never ending debates, staff changes and constant changes to the plans only benefited city customers. Even those benefits could have been realized at a fraction of the cost.

Having seen a number of delegations protesting lack of neighbourhood parks on Middleton Mountain raises doubt on my mind that the Parks program provides all the benefit many residents would like to see. I am sure these issues are also raised by residents of Areas "B" and "C". However, these issues could be resolved with more cooperation. Eliminating future end runs around Council and residents of Coldstream would prevent issues, such as the infamous Sports Complex issue creating a public uproar.

The "delegated authority" under which GVSC operated originally was never on solid grounds. It was always a creature of NORD and should have been always responsible to NORD. I don't believe the legislation has a provision for an independent body operating as an independent entity. NORD could never transfer taxing authority to its creature.

All the extra staff hired by GVSC and the independent office downtown created an uneasy feeling in customers wanting some answers to issues of interest.

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Selected articles MS -- 2008-05-11


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Saturday, May 10, 2008

REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL -- MAY 12, 2008

REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 12, 2008

IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:00 PM

A G E N D A

Highlights:

(1) Stakeholder Input Re: Future of Blue Bag Recycling
Program Processing Facility

· Report from the Director of Engineering Services, dated May 8, 2008

Recommendation

THAT the report from the Director of Engineering Services, dated May 8, 2008, regarding Stakeholder Input Re: Future of Blue Bag Recycling Program Processing Facility, be received;

AND THAT the District takes the position that it would favour either Option 1 or 2 as presented in the report from the Director of Engineering Services, dated May 8, 2008, based on the economic assessment in order to maintain the current benefits to the local economy and overall Regional District control over the recycling program. (I'll post the options when I find out what they are).
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g. Notice of Withdrawal – Greater Vernon Governance

· Letter from the Regional District of North Okanagan, Electoral Area B and C Directors, dated May 2, 2008. (See letter at bottom of this post).
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h. City of Vernon Withdrawal from the Greater Vernon Water Service

· Letter from the Ministry of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues, dated May 5, 2008. (See letter on bottom of post).
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9. BYLAWS

a. District of Coldstream Annual Tax and Special Rates Bylaw No. 1525, 2008
· Proposed Bylaw No. 1525, 2008 (previously circulated)
· A bylaw to set the tax and special rates for the year 2008
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b. District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1382, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1524, 2008, Amendment No. 20

· Proposed Bylaw No. 1524, 2008

· A bylaw to amend Schedule A, Map Sheet 8202423 by changing the zoning of part of Lot 1, Plan KAP54491, Sec. 22, TWP 9, ODYD, and Part Lot 23, Plan 455 (shown on Plan B3644), lying east of RightofWay (shown on Plan A308), Sec. 22, TWP 9, ODYD (Except Plan 25629), from C1 General Commercial to C2 Highway and Tourist Commercial
Comment

As per Council’s request, staff has discussed the proposed bylaw amendment with the applicant. Mr. Dalgarno has committed to registering a Restrictive Covenant on title that will only permit the subject property to be used for the rental of cabins as proposed and that RV pad and tent site rentals will not be permitted on the areas proposed to be rezoned to C2. The Restrictive Covenant would need to be on title prior to Fourth and Final Reading. (This property is at the entrance to Coldstream on Kalamalka Lake Road).
--------------------------------------------

c. District of Coldstream Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1445, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 1529, 2008

· Report from the Director of Engineering Services, dated May 7, 2008

· Proposed Bylaw No. 1529, 2008

· A bylaw to change the designation of Lot 2, Sec. 25, TWP 9, ODYD, Plan KAP84722 from Residential to Multifamily Residential and to amend Schedule G by including Lot 2, Sec. 25, TWP 9, ODYD, Plan KAP84722 within the Multiple Family Development Permit Area
Recommendation

FIRST READING

THAT the report from the Director of Engineering Services, dated May 7, 2008, regarding Sugoi Property Management – Rezoning and OCP Amendment Application for 9728 Aberdeen Road, be received;

AND THAT the applicants for the rezoning of this property be advised that sewer servicing for any development will require the installation of a trunk sewer to direct sewage south on Aberdeen Road to Wisbey Drive, regardless of the outcome of the Rezoning and OCP Amendment process;

AND FURTHER THAT “District of Coldstream Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1445, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 1529, 2008”, be read a first time by title only.

(This property is on Aberdeen Road across from the Spicer Block of Sports Complex fame.)
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d. District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1382, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1528, 2008, Amendment No. 21

· Proposed Bylaw No. 1528, 2008

· A bylaw to change the zoning of Lot 2, Sec. 25, TWP 9, ODYD, Plan KAP84722 from Rural Two (RU.2) Zone to Residential Apartment and Multifamily (R.3) Zone
Comment

The applicant has verbally agreed to place a Restrictive Covenant on title prior to Fourth and Final Reading that would restrict the proposed land use to townhouses rather than other uses allowed in the R3 zone (i.e. 3 storey apartments). The applicants will be providing a letter in writing confirming their willingness to place a Restrictive Covenant on title. (Same property, zoning change).
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f. District of Coldstream Sewer Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure Bylaw No. 1526, 2008

· Proposed Bylaw No. 1526, 2008

· A bylaw authorizing the expenditure of monies from the Sewer Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund


These letters provide a small window of opportunity to see how our representatives spend their time, energies and the fees we are paying for our water. These resources could be much better spent if they were concentrated on providing better service and fewer "boil water advisories".

Does anybody have a guess what the future of Greater Vernon Services will be?
































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Coldstream Ratepayers News! All Coldstream residents are ratepayers!

The opinions expressed by "Coldstreamer" are strictly his own and do not represent the opinions of Coldstream Council!

Because I value your thoughtful opinions, I encourage you to add a comment to this discussion. Don't be offended if I edit your comments for clarity or to keep out questionable matters, however, and I may even delete off-topic comments.

Gyula Kiss
coldstreamer@shaw.ca;

***Coldstreamernews***

***Coldstreamernews***
We must protect our rights and freedom! (Photo courtesy of D. Gibson) Click on eagle to watch EAGLECAMS

About Me

My photo
I have been a resident of Coldstream since 1976. I have had 15 years of experience on Council, 3 years as Mayor. As a current Councillor I am working to achieve fair water and sewer rates and to ensure that taxpayers get fair treatment. The current direction regarding water supply is unsustainable and I am doing all I can to get the most cost effective water supply possible.