By David F. Rooney
Citizens concerned about municipal spending can register their disapproval by voting against any, or all, of five separate projects for which Council is seeking to borrow $2.6 million.
The Alternative Approval Process as it is known allows citizens to directly approve of the borrowing plans by not voting. Eligible electors who oppose the City’s plans can use an Elector Response Form available at City Hall to register their disapproval. There are an estimated 3,750 registered electors in Revelstoke and at least 10 per cent must vote against the planned borrowing measures in order to stop them. The deadline for signatures to be received is 12 noon, Monday, August 29.
City Council approved initiation of the Alternative Approval Process for the projects during a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon
The projects the City needs the money for are, according to City documents:
1. Court House Roof Dome Reconstruction Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1979
This Bylaw will authorize the borrowing of no more than $300,000 for a period of 25 years to undertake the reconstruction of the Court House Roof Dome. The borrowing will be financed by general taxation.
Project Information: The copper dome roof at the Court House has reached the end of its functional life and is in need of immediate replacement. The City is considering replacing the roofing material with either copper or an elastomeric material. The decision as to which material will be used will depend upon tendered value results for replacing the roof with either of the 2 materials as well as an analysis of the long term maintenance costs and expected life span of the roofing materials.
2. Road Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1993
This Bylaw will authorize the borrowing of no more than $620,000 for a period of 25 years to undertake the road reconstruction and rehabilitation. The borrowing will be financed by general taxation.
Project Information: The work to be funded by this bylaw includes pavement repair and curve realignment on Power House Road and road reconstruction on King Street and 2nd Street in lower town. Failure to complete the Power house project could impact the movement of traffic through the industrial area of the City. Failure to complete the 2nd Street and King Street work will result in further deterioration of the road infrastructure and effective collection of storm water in the surrounding residential area.
3. Community Centre Roof Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1994
This Bylaw will authorize the borrowing of no more than $200,000 for a period of 25 years to undertake the replacement of the Community Centre Roof. The borrowing will be financed by general taxation.
Project Information: As part of the City’s roof replacement plan a portion of the roof on the Community Centre has been identified for replacement as the existing roofing material has failed. Failure to complete the project could compromise the integrate of the building envelope.
4. Downie Force Main Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1995
This Bylaw will authorize the borrowing of no more than $1,000,000 for a period of 25 years to undertake the Downie Force Main Replacement. The borrowing will be financed by sewer rates.
Project Information: The Downie Street sanitary sewer force main, which runs from the Downie Street lift Station to the sewage lagoon, is potentially reaching the end of the pipe material’s life. The project includes sampling of existing pipe material to determine the condition of the material and if replacement is warranted. Additionally, the project will include the installation of pipe pig launch and retrieval ports to restore capacity to the force main pipe in the event that it does not require replacement. Failure to carry out the work could lead to failure of the pipe which would negatively impact the sewage collection system for 2/3rd of the City.
5. Desludging Lagoon #1 Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1996
This Bylaw will authorize the borrowing of no more than $500,000 for a period of 25 years to undertake the Desludging of Lagoon #1. The borrowing will be financed by sewer rates.
Project Information: The accumulated septage in Cell 1 at the sewage treatment plant has reached the point where it needs to be removed in order to restore capacity to the cell. Based upon survey information gathered, it is estimated that there is approximately 950 dry tonnes of material which will need to be removed. Failure to complete the work will prevent the waste water treatment plant from working properly.
