Jill Zacharias of the Revelstoke Social Development Committee presented her organization’s “Age-friendly plan for Revelstoke and area” to council. The plan, which involved polling the town’s seniors, makes several senior-friendly recommendations for inclusion in Revelstoke’s Official Community Plan.

The “Age-Friendly Plan” proposed by the Social Development Committee calls for the establishment of sites for seniors’ housing that is: located centrally in Revelstoke; built with smaller, more manageable units; and which has transit services and a “comfortable walking environment, even in winter.”

Along with seniors-specific housing, the Social Development Committee says that the city should “support where ever possible the development of affordable rental housing.”

Accessibility issues are also addressed in the plan, which calls for increase in the number of disabled parking, improvements in the maintenance of bus stops, and repairs to specific sidewalk areas. The plan also calls for the creation of “Seniors’ Walking Routes” between “the places where seniors live and services in the downtown core” which would be more thoroughly maintained and cleared during the winter months.

The Social Development Committee’s recommendations also included calls to extend the hours for public transit along with including a stop at the Seniors’ Centre, along with a more general recommendation that the city “develop planning protocol for municipal and community organizations and committees that encompasses the needs [of] an increasing[ly] senior population.”

Councillor Antoinette Halberstadt said of Zacharias’ presentation: “These are excellent reports with excellent recommendations, and I don’t want to see these end up on the shelf.”

Illecillewaet Rd

residents oppose

motocross track

City council received two letters in opposition to proposals by the Revy Riders Dirtbike Club to reopen the motocross track located adjacent to the city’s industrial park.

Several Illecillewaet Road residents called for city councillors to continue earlier plans to decommission the motocross track located across the Illecillewaet River from their homes.

“The area that we live in is very peaceful and quiet and we want it to continue this way,” wrote Gord and Judy Bennett of Illecillewaet Road, continuing: “We too ride bikes and enjoy riding, but we also know that they can be noisy. There has to be a better place for a track than in a residential area. We don’t believe that Mayor and Council would like this type of activity in their back yards—so please keep it out of ours.”

In their letter, Don and Margaret Pacaud, also of Illecillewaet Road, wrote: “Not only is the noise excessive, but to police those who ride ... is practically impossible as one of the neighbours has found out when he called the RCMP.” The Pacaud’s continued, writing: “We would ask you to seriously consider not opening up this land to the Dirt Bike Association for their purposes ... We have no objections to motorcycles as we have ridden great distances on ours over the years but to allow people to harm vegetation, animal habitat, and the beautiful scenery where people like to walk is just plain silly.”

In an effort to mitigate the concerns of nearby residents, the club has proposed mandatory maximum noise levels for bikes, as well as strictly enforced riding times and club supported policing for violators. Currently, city staff are considering granting members of the Revy Riders Dirtbike Club access to the currently decommissioned track.

Water utility operators to issue tickets

Revelstoke city council approved a plan to give utility operators the ability to issue tickets to individuals violating the city’s water bylaws.

“A request was received from staff and public works to provide additional bylaw enforcement services to oversee water regulation bylaw 1643 during day-to-day operations,” said Councillor Phil Welock. “The water and utility operators will complement the designated bylaw enforcement officers.”

Councillor Welock explained the rational behind having the new bylaw, saying: “As water utility operators are servicing water infrastructure daily, it is convenient for them to oversee some of the offences ... such as waste of water, unauthorized water connection, tampering with water systems, unauthorized sale of water, unauthorized use of hydrants, installing an unauthorized water fixture, and violating water restrictions.”

According to Brian Mallett, director of engineering and public works, two current city employees would be given the ability to write tickets. Mallett assured Major David Raven that the two would be given training on issuing tickets.

“Right now we have bylaw enforcement officers and utility foremen and operation managers are cited under the bylaw as being able to enforce certain parts of the bylaw, and we are wishing to extend that down to some other staff below the utility foremen so they can enforce parts of the water bylaw with regard to violation of watering restrictions, installation of unauthorized fixture ... and that sort of activities,” noted Mallet. “The reason I would like to do this is because these gentlemen ... are out dealing with this on a day to day basis and are able to see these things.”

This decision does not influence bylaw enforcement in the Big Eddy, said Councillor Welock.

Trade Group calls for fair trade town certification

In a letter sent to city council, the Fair Trade Group is calling for Revelstoke to become a certified ‘Fair Trade Town’. The Fair Trade Group is calling on Revelstoke to join towns like Golden, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, and Nakusp by becoming a ‘Fair Trade Town’.

In the letter the Fair Trade Group pitched the concept, stating: “Buying Fair Trade products helps to ensure small-scale farmers and workers get paid a fair price for their products and labour; it encourages farming and production practices that are environmentally sustainable; and allows consumers to purchase high quality products from an ethical source.”

The group, which is composed of individuals from several businesses and organization in Revelstoke, say that in order for the city to be certified as a fair trade town, it must meet a set of criteria which includes promoting awareness surrounding fair trade goods, having council switch to purchasing fair trade products, creating a fair trade steering group, and having shops, restaurants, schools, and other groups use fair trade products.

“Our community is well positioned to meet these goals,” wrote the group. “We believe this initiative will not only contribute to Revelstoke’s vision as a leader in achieving a sustainable community, but also its reputation as a great place to live.”

Councillor Peter Frew said that Susan Night and Mary Clayton of the Fair Trade Group indicated that, “they want the chamber of commerce to be informed and hopefully involved” in the proposal. Councillor Tony Scarcella stated that he also felt that the chamber of commerce’s involvement was important.

City councillors decided to wait for a July 2 presentation by the group before making a decision on the issue; said Mayor David Raven, “We look forward to the presentation.”