From the Cache Creek Council meeting on Apr. 22.
Roll Call: Mayor John Ranta and councillors Lisa Dafoe, Herb Hofer and Darrell Rawcliffe. Missing: Coun. Wyatt McMurray.
Backhoe Purchase
Council voted to proceed in the purchase of a 2012 John Deere backhoe to replace its 1990 backhoe, as long as the price does not exceed $82,500.
It will be paid for out the funds the Village has put aside in the Landfill Legacy Reserve, which will be repaid over 15 years with a set term and interest rate, and prorated percentage amounts will be split among its primary uses of water, sewer and public works.
Coun. Rawcliffe said he would rather see the cost paid back to the Reserve in seven years so they can start saving for the next replacement when the backhoe reaches 15 years. “That way we don’t get bit,” he said.
Mayor Ranta said that was a possibility if they could work the finances.
Desert Bells
Council considered a donation request from the Desert Bells Handbell Choir, who recently purchased a used set of handbells for $2,500 with a loan. For the past two years, they were using a set borrowed from the Kamloops School District. Now they are looking for donations to repay the loan.
Coun. Rawcliffe wanted to give them a $500 donation, but treasurer Lori Pilon pointed out that Council has only $50 left in its Public Relations budget.
Mayor Ranta noted that each councillor has a discretionary budget which they can access to give donations to groups of their own choice. All council members in attendance agreed to contribute $50 from their discretionary funds for a $200 donation.
Airport Commission
Council has asked its administrative staff to determine whether the double wide trailer at the chip plant now owned by Belkorp is in good enough condition to use as a terminal building at the airport, and also to find out whether Belkorp would donate it to them.
They also approved the reappointment of Wyatt McMurray, Andy Anderson, Jamie Kendall, Chris Brezina and Daniel Berwin to the Airport Commission for another two years.
Mayor Ranta said TNRD Area I Director Steve Rice had expressed an interest in sitting on the Commission as his predecessor Barry Tait had. Council will recommend to the Commission that they ask Council to appoint Rice to the group.
Mother's Day Fly In
Council approved a $1,500 grant in aid request from the Campbell Hill Airport Commission to help pay for the 14th annual Mothers Day Fly in on May 12, held at the airport.
Graffiti Days
Council approved a $6,500 grant request from the Graffiti Days committee to pay for signs, expenses and initiatives to promote event and $500 for smoke show insurance.
Mayor Ranta explained that the event has grown over the years to the point where organizers asked the Village a few years ago to hire an event co-ordinator for the event. In lieu of creating a position, Council increased their grant so they could promote the event and recognize their volunteers. But, he added, Council should see a statement of expenditures from last year before approving this year’s grant.
This year’s Graffiti Days will be held June 7-9.
Landfill Drop Off
Council passed a motion, as requested from Belkorp, to seek tenure on four parcels to relocate the public drop off to accommodate the future Landfill Gas Utilization Plant. The new site will be located closer to the highway.
Coun. Herb Hofer noted that Council would have a long wait if they needed an ecological impact study on the site.
Mayor Ranta replied that one may already be underway.
The reciprocating engines that will generate electricity from landfill methane necessitates a move of the Residential Drop Off as one of the engines will be installed at the present location of the RDO.
Variance Permit
Council granted a variance permit for George and Barbara Simmons who wanted the setback changed from 1.5 meters to .5 meters for a new deck.
Normally the variance is asked for before a structure is built, but in this case, it was granted after the work was done.
2012 Water Report
Council accepted the 2012 Drinking Water Report. It will be brought back to the May 13 meeting for adoption.
Oasis Plaza
Answering a question from the public, Mayor Ranta said the owner of the Plaza did not show up between Apr 5-10 as he said he would to clean up the dead birds in the plaza.
Next Meeting
May 13 at 7 pm in the Village Office.