District shows deficit for 2009
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At the regular council meeting of July 27, council voted to support the Crystal Meth Society of B.C. with a $1,500 donation.
The Crystal Meth Society is in dire need of additional funding to carry on their programs.
“We’re up against the wall now, “ said Mark McLaughlin, executive director of the society. “We’re actually selling raffle tickets.”
— Council voted to fund two new hydro box wraps at a cost of $920 plus applicable taxes. The wraps will be on hydro boxes on Church and Throup Roads. The money will come from the Sooke Program of the Arts reserve fund. The reserve fund comes from a percentage of building permit fee revenue.
— The Sooke Fire Rescue Service continues to see an increase in the amount of emergency and non-emergency calls. As of June 30, the fire department had recorded 462 responses. Over the last 10 years the department has experienced a 15 per cent annual increase in demands for service.
Fire Chief Steve Sorensen reports that Volunteer Assistant Chief Richard McLeod has been hired as the new firefighter/inspector and began his new position on August 1.
The department is also involved in an intensive recruitment drive for volunteer firefighters.
— The District of Sooke will be experiencing a deficit for the fiscal year. The General Operating Fund will show a deficit of $46,962 for the period ended July 10, 2009.
“The revenue side is the unknown,” said Director of Finance Dave Devana. He said he is confident that by the third quarter the deficit will be completely gone and there would likely be a surplus, due to better than expected building permit revenue.
— Mayor Janet Evans wants Sooke to host the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention in 2012. If this was to move forward, the district would have to ensure that the community had adequate meeting facilities and accommodation for 250 delegates. Evans stated the new proposed hotel would have 128 rooms and the remainder of the accommodations could come from private B&Bs.
“We have more than enough,” she said.
— A public hearing will be scheduled for a rezoning application for 6962 West Coast Road. Council gave first and second reading to Bylaw No. 410, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (270-58). The applicant is looking to create a three-lot strata subdivision. The homes could include suites.
Coun. Ron Dumont was concerned that the planners were not looking far enough into the future in regard to road networks, neighbourhoods and accessibility.
A public hearing was held and third reading given in regard to a zoning amendment for 2075 Otter Point Road. The purpose was to change the zoning from Village Residential Zone (R-1) to Town Centre Commercial Zone (CTC-1) to allow an art gallery to operate as a home based business. The owners agreed to dedicate 1.5 m of 2075 Otter Point Road for a future sidewalk.
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