Clinton Council Meeting Feb 10/2021

Council approved a request from Clinton Communities in Bloom to hold their annual Seedy Sunday event at the community garden. The event is scheduled for Sunday, April 11.

Council reviewed correspondence between the District of Logan Lake and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District regarding the cancellation of free disposal days at TNRD-operated eco-depots and transfer stations. The letter noted the 300 per cent rise in the cost of providing the disposal days and the increased amount of material that ends up being sent to landfill rather than being recycled. It also stated that in part because of the cancellation of the free disposal days, there is no longer a tipping fee for the disposal of tires on rims (as well as tires off rims), mattresses, and box springs.

McIlravey recused herself from the discussion of this topic, which looked at the provisions of the village’s Animal Control Bylaw relating to the keeping of livestock for 4-H Club projects, as it was brought to council on behalf of her daughter Libby, a Clinton 4-H Club member.

Section 18b of the bylaw allows for the keeping of livestock on properties otherwise prohibited under the Zoning Bylaw, for a youth raising an animal for a 4-H project. The issue identified was the wording “an animal”, as it was felt that the singular identification could become an issue if a livestock project requires breeding of the project animal and the subsequent need for the offspring to stay with its mother.

Mayor Susan Swan suggested that it would be a good idea to overhaul the entire bylaw rather than just the section under consideration. CAO Murray Daly agreed, saying it would be good to review it in conjunction with the Zoning Bylaw. Coun. David Park noted that the village had been living with the bylaw for several years and that as with anything, “things come up”, so it would be appropriate to look at the whole bylaw.

Daly said that the issue would probably be reviewed by a working group with input from the general public. “We’re not going to focus on this one element; we’re going to take a holistic approach and get some good feedback from the community. We’ll see how it’s working and where it’s failing.” Coun. Sandi Burrage noted that with the pandemic, people were also looking for other animal-related changes, such as keeping chickens at their home. “It’s very timely to do.” Council passed a motion to do a complete review of the Animal Control Bylaw.

Council also passed a motion to direct staff to allow TRUE Consulting to apply for up to $150,000 in grant funding through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund on the village’s behalf to do flood risk assessment, flood mapping, and flood mitigation planning. The funding would cover 100 per cent of the costs.