municipal politics
Construction season set to start with awarding of Overlanders Bridge contract
KAMLOOPS - Expect to see roadwork begin in as little as a month as crews prepare to undertake the six-month $10.3-million Overlanders Bridge project. The contract, which was approved by council today, Tuesday, March 10, will include work on the connecting roads, the bridge deck and the west sidewalk. Work on the connecting roads will...
Millions promised for pipeline construction inconvenience
KAMLOOPS - The Kinder Morgan crude oil pipeline expansion has yet to be approved but it's not stopping the company from signing millions of dollars worth agreements with communities that will be affected by the project. Kamloops and four parts of the Thompson Nicola Regional District signed agreements with the company Thursday, Feb. 26, joining...
What are DCCs and why Habitat for Humanity wants them waived
KAMLOOPS - The confusion over development cost charges and the complexity of the mandatory charge came to a head Tuesday with Habitat for Humanity asking to have the charges waived on affordable home ownership projects and members of the public questioning how they affect larger capital projects. Development cost charges, commonly referred to as DCCs...
Tethering a bone of contention for city council
KAMLOOPS - The hows, whens and ifs of tethering dogs took a back seat to whether it would actually change the behaviour of bad dog owners and how much it would cost the city if a bylaw was in place to limit tethering practices. Claudine Sleik sent a letter to council urging for a tethering...
Snow clearing remains top of mind in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - It may be all but gone from our yards, but snow is still leading the discussion at council and budget meetings this week. Stan Stewart recently asked city council to have a policy to remove snow from designated handicap parking stalls as well as the adjacent curb and edge of the sidewalk. There...
Clean up after snow storm costs city $400,000
KAMLOOPS - Between regular city staffing hours, overtime, hiring contractors and the cost of hauling snow about a quarter of the snow removal budget has already been spent less than two weeks into the new year. Public Works Director Jen Fretz says the city spent $160,000 on regular staffing and another $240,000 on overtime, contractors...
Orchards Walk turns focus to seniors
KAMLOOPS - A development at the east end of Valleyview continues to grow at a quick rate with a 193-unit seniors' housing development next on the agenda for the ever-growing neighbourhood of Orchards Walk. The independent living complex, which developers are currently seeking a development permit for, will be situated on just over 15 hectares...
Anti-tethering activists to take another shot at Kamloops council
KAMLOOPS - A petition asking city council to impose a time limit on tethering of dogs has garnered more than 2,200 signatures and is set to be presented to council Feb. 24. At the beginning of January council members discussed the practicality of looking into an anti-tethering bylaw. A letter from Claudine Sleik was the...
City hopes to solve quorum issues with technology
KAMLOOPS - Last year the city tried to fix an ongoing problem of getting enough members to show up for the meetings by merging the arts and heritage committees but when there was pushback staff was asked to look at another way to fix the problem. Now city committees do have another tool in their...
Kamloops set to boost rent bank
KAMLOOPS - A program aimed at helping working people struggling to pay their rent is set to get a boost from the city through affordable housing funding. Administered by the Elizabeth Fry Society, the rent bank has been helping individuals and families by providing loans to help cover rental costs for just over two years....
Strong start to 2015 construction year
KAMLOOPS - With 28 new residential units approved through the permitting process in January, Kamloops has kicked off 2015 with some strong numbers. In total eight single family and 20 multi-family units were approved last month, up from a total of just five units in January 2014. Permit values for just residential units were valued...
Half of 2014 development on South Shore
KAMLOOPS - The number of lots created over the past several years has continued to decrease, leaving 2014 well behind the 10-year average of 392 new lots. With about 200 new lots created in 2014, last year had the second lowest number of lots created in the past 10 years and was well behind the...
Kamloops to take a look at what kind of arts centre best suits the city
KAMLOOPS - Arts and culture has taken yet another leap forward thanks to approval of a study that will outline exactly what Kamloops needs in a performing arts centre. While the study into what a performing arts centre would need to look like in Kamloops was approved alongside the city budget earlier this year the...
Petition against tethering in Kamloops gaining traction
KAMLOOPS - Earlier this month city council dismissed the idea of pursuing an anti-tethering bylaw for the city because they had not heard many complaints. Now a local dog rescue is hoping a petition with 1,500 signatures will be enough for city council to sit up and take notice. In a letter to council at...
UPDATE: Anti-tethering bylaw not on agenda for Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - The City of Kamloops will not be joining the ranks of the 14 municipalities and two regional districts that have alread put restrictions on tethering dogs outdoors. The B.C. SPCA has been lobbying councils across the province to adopt bylaws that help promote animal well-being and human responsibility. In late 2013 the Regional...