The Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation is about to launch a Request For Proposals to engage consultants who will help guide it through the complexities of determining the best marketplace options for the continuing expansion of district energy in the city.
“There are a wide range of options that might be put forth to help RCEC achieve its goals. The options may be referred to as various “ownership models,” RCEC Chairman David Johnson said in a statement.
These models cover a range of approaches, and could include any one, or some combination of the following:
The City of Revelstoke maintains 100% ownership, and RCEC remains as is, or to expand, it raises funding through loans and/or grants.
A defined partnership, which could include either a proportional share ownership based on the investment of the City and external partners, or a split asset arrangement, where in part of the operation, for instance the distribution, be maintained by RCEC and another portion, such as the plant, be purchased by a partner.
A co-operative ownership model could be considered, wherein the users share the ownership, and the risks.
The outright sale of all the assets and operations to an outside party would be the opposite end of the spectrum of models from the City retaining full ownership. In this case all existing contracts would have to be fully respected.
“Each approach has a wide range of pros and cons, and may, or may not, be a realistic reflection of the energy market at the present time,” Johnson said. “It is due to the complexities of planning the future of district energy, and the RCEC, that the RCEC Board and City Council have established a joint Task Force to solicit input and make recommendations on the future development of the Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation.”
The Task Force recommendations to the RCEC Board and City Council will be presented to the local citizenry prior to any decision being made, he said.
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Unsure how the proposed Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendments may affect you and your family or the non-profit groups you belong to?
The City plans to clarify the issues and answer your questions at a special workshop on March 20 at the Community Centre at 7 pm.
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The City will back a Chamber of Commerce application to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Economic Opportunity Fund for $10,000 to redevelop its website.
“The Community Economic Development department, the Revelstoke Accommodation Association and the Chamber of Commerce have been working cooperatively for the past few months to develop a community web portal and upgrade their respective websites to ensure they have a consistent look and are closely linked,” Community Economic Development Director Alan Mason said in a report to Council. “This funding will allow the Chamber to upgrade their website, and provide a better marketing tool for the community which will help attract new investment and additional visitors to the community.”
When asked if the City would suggest to the Chamber to that it hire a local website developer to build the new site, Mayor David Raven said how the Chamber chooses to proceed is up to the Chamber — not City Council.
Last year, the City chose to contract development of its own new website to an American company rather than a local or Canadian developer.
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The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s ever-popular Big Bike fundraiser will be held on Mackenzie Avenue between First and Second Streets on Saturday, May 12 from noon until 5 pm.
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The City is considering a policy to curtail idling by City vehicles.
In a policy to be brought to Council on Tuesday, March 13, the City will allow an idling time of two minutes for gas-powered vehicles. Diesel vehicles will be allowed to idle for up to two minutes, unless temperatures are below 0° C. Then idle time may be extended to three minutes and below -10° C the idle time may be extended to 5 minutes when necessary.
The policy says vehicles may idle for the purpose of defogging, defrosting or deicing windows. When window ice or frost conditions are present, attempts to remove the ice or frost from window with a scraper must take place before idling begins. Idling must end once fog, frost, or ice conditions have been eliminated.
Emergency vehicles and equipment while engaged in operational activities or vehicles assisting in an emergency activity are exempt from the policy. So, too, are vehicles that, in extreme heat or cold, are permitted to idle for the well being of the driver and/or passengers. Vehicles are are being serviced or inspected are also permitted to idle.
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