Kamloops City Council
One kilometer between liquor vendors in Kamloops a “ridiculous” idea
KAMLOOPS – Pitting the people who sell wine against those who make it, a public hearing will help Kamloops city council decide if there needs to be a kilometer between liquor vendors. The debate was started by Tracy Gray who owns Discovery Wines in Kamloops. She contends the city would be hit a “tsunami” of...
Businesses question how City of Kamloops handled pesticide ban
KAMLOOPS – Local lawn care businesses, directly affected by the new city pesticide ban, question the process which led to Kamloops city council’s decision. The City of Kamloops issued a ban on cosmetic pesticide use on Tuesday, July 14. As of January 1, 2016, pesticide use is no longer permitted on residential lawns, flower beds...
Kamloops pesticide ban passes, will be implemented January 2016
KAMLOOPS – Next year residents of Kamloops will no longer be able to hire licensed applicators to spray their lawns or ornamental shrubs. A ban on cosmetic pesticide use was passed today, July 14, in city council to a round of applause from those who remained in council chambers for the decision. The proposed ban,...
Pesticide ban back on the table in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS – The notion of a Kamloops-wide ban on cosmetic pesticide use is back on the city’s agenda this week. Tabled on June 2, the debate has seen lobbying from both sides of the aisle via the media, city council delegations and online petitions. First introduced as a motion by Coun. Tina Lange about six weeks...
Second week of Emterra strike with no end in site
KAMLOOPS – After four months of talks and two weeks of strike aciton, Emterra Environmental and its Steelworkers Union employees appear no closer to ending their labour dispute than when they began. Union head Marty Gibbons is currently in Langley bargaining on behalf of airport screeners. “Trust me; it’s going much better,” he says in...
Support for late night patios at new Kamloops casino
KAMLOOPS – When the new casino in Aberdeen opens later this summer patrons will be able to sit on a Cascades Casino patio into the wee hours of the morning. Located on Versatile Drive just off the highway near the Aberdeen and Pine View Valley neighbourhoods, council shot down a city staff suggestion to close...
Summer storms lead to review of Kamloops watershed
KAMLOOPS – A major storm in July 2014 ravaged Peterson Creek and other areas of Kamloops and now the city is reviewing the watershed plans to ensure everything possible is being done to protect those areas. The July 23, 2014, storm came in fast and hard, causing flash flooding of city roads, underpasses and trails...
Taking the next step towards a performing arts centre
KAMLOOPS – The next step in moving forward on a referendum for the proposed performing arts centre is set to take place this week. Residents will be asked if they are in favour of the city borrowing up to $49 million to design and construct the parkade and performing arts centre complex in a fall...
Kamloops pesticide debate put off until July
KAMLOOPS – A motion to prohibit cosmetic pesticides drew a large crowd to council chambers this week, but council was not quite ready to have the discussion many residents seemed more than ready to start. Residents packed council chambers yesterday, Tuesday, June 2, to voice their opinions regarding Coun. Tina Lange’s motion to further prohibit...
Councillor’s motion asks liquor vendors to keep their distance
KAMLOOPS – There could be new restrictions put in place to give liquor vendors a buffer zone if a motion being proposed by a councillor gains any traction. Coun. Marg Spina will be putting a motion forward asking for distance parameters on new liquor licenses. She is asking the city to change the zoning bylaw...
Anonymous donation makes cenotaph facelift a reality
KAMLOOPS – The clocks on the Battle Street cenotaph could soon be ticking once again, thanks to a $50,000 anonymous donation. This week council approved to accept an anonymous donation meant specifically to repair cenotaph. The project originally sought funding in the fall of 2014. Repairing the cenotaph and completing landscape alterations was expected to...
Performing arts centre referendum: Are you in favour of a $49M debt?
KAMLOOPS – Are you in favour of the City of Kamloops borrowing up to $49 million to design and construct the parkade and performing arts centre complex? That will likely be the official question of a fall referendum. A steering committee looked at several questions and came back recommending this one because it was the...
Hospital laundry workers deliver petition to province in attempt to save jobs
KAMLOOPS – Members of the Hospital Employees’ Union took stand on the steps of the provincial legislature in an attempt to save almost 200 jobs. Yesterday morning, May 14, the laundry workers presented a petition of over 12,000 signatures to three NDP MLAs including opposition health critic Judy Darcy prior to it being tabled during...
$7.4M Tranquille Road project set for public open house
KAMLOOPS – Improvements to the Tranquille Road corridor are set to focus on landscaping, multi-use paths and signage, and could cost $7.4 million. The Tranquille Road Beautification Task Force presented an extremely detailed plan of how to better roughly three kilometers from Desmond Street to Airport Road to council on Tuesday afternoon. Much of the...
Columbia Street construction costs going up
KAMLOOPS – Work hasn't even started on Columbia Street and the construction project is already set to cost the city more than originally anticipated. Based on the bids that were submitted the project is now expected to cost roughly $4.8 million, nearly $900,000 more than the city originally allocated. Now staff is asking council to...