Council for the District of Squamish unanimously passed a motion during its regular meeting Tuesday (Sept. 8) directing staff to investigate council remuneration in comparable communities, using the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) salary site and other available human resource information.
Mayor Greg Gardner said there has been discussion in the council and the community about whether the remuneration for the mayor and the councillors is appropriate. He said after the staff studies how other communities are doing in terms of council salaries, the information could be considered in the 2010 budget process. The current salary for a councillor is $17,243 a year while the mayor is paid $35,923.
In April this year, council received a letter signed by 14 residents asking for a review of councillors' salaries to ensure they are being properly compensated. The signatures included well-known locals such as Bob Fast, John Buchanan, Ueli Liechti, Tom Bruusgaard and Eric Armour.
Family Dinner Night established
Council unanimously proclaimed Sept. 17 as the National Family Dinner Night in the District of Squamish. The idea of dinner night is the brainchild of M&M Meat Shops. Andrew Grant, the retails shop's local representative, said a study by Angus Reid suggests that 82 per cent of Canadians believe they participated in family dinners more frequently when they were growing up than they do now.
Taking this advice, M&M Meat Shops launched National Family Dinner Night five years ago, and since then, has encouraged thousands of families to sit down and have dinner together.
He said the M&M Meat Shop will be asking families to register their participation in National Family Dinner Night on the website: www.nationalfamilydinnerniqht.com .
He said for every person who registers, M&M Meat Shops would donate $1 to the Colitis Foundation of Canada.
Justice week adopted
Council unanimously proclaimed Nov.15 to 22 as the Restorative Justice Week. The idea is to heal emotional wounds by bringing together victims and the offenders together in the same room, said Jan Hagedorn, Sea to Sky Restorative Justice Society chair. She said restorative justice is reserved for minor offences and is used as an alternative to the courts.
"Offenders meet the victims, apologizes and takes responsibility for his and her actions. Healing really happens," she said.
She said often there is an emotional exchange of dialogue, admission of guilt and a real sense of forgiveness. She said the victim gets to hear the offender who seeks forgiveness. In doing so, he or she gets to right a wrong and go back in the community.
DCC funds withdrawn for arena roof
Council approved $992,367 from the Development Cost Charge Reserves Fund towards the interim financing of an arena roof at the recreation centre. Staff told council they are currently anticipating expenditure in the range of $700,000, but they would be clearer on how much the project will need as they near completion.
Gardner called for greater clarity on the exact amount of money that needs to be borrowed.
The district uses the reserve fund for roads, sewers, water works and park facilities. By the end of August, there was a balance of $11, 900, 910 in the fund.
Water metering passes third reading
The first three readings were passed for the Water Metering Phase 1. The 2008-2018 capital plan provides $7,500,000 for water metering, of which $500,000 has been provided from this year's budget.
The Phase 1 of the water metering plan includes meters to measure flow and enable us to determine consumption by neighbourhood. In the same phase, water meters would be installed on previously developed institutional, commercial and industrial properties.
Wildlife bylaw adopted
Council unanimously adopted the wildlife attractant bylaw, which requires residents to store refuse and food securely to discourage bears, cougars, coyotes and wolves from accessing becoming dependent on food.
Wildlife attractants include edible products intended for humans, animals or birds. It also includes oil, paint, grease, antifreeze, compost, grass clippings, leaves or branches.
