The regular August 14 meeting of Creston Town Council was held at the Community Complex as cleanup continues after a flood in Council chambers and the lower level of Town Hall.
Mayor Ron Toyota arrived to work early on Monday morning and heard water running. He discovered that the lower level was covered “in an inch or two” of water, and alerted Town staff. A water pipe joint had failed, causing a leak, he said. Fans and heaters were moved in immediately to begin the drying process.
Damage is not believed to be major at this time.
In other Council news:
• Council passed a resolution that will allow a borrowing term of up to 30 years if the fire hall referendum passes in October. The next Town Council would determine the length of the repayment term, but it cannot exceed 30 years.
• Creston recently received a request from “Vancouver Supernatural” for permission to conduct a paranormal investigation in Town Hall. The request did not explain why Town Hall had been selected, as no one seemed aware of any history of ghosts in the building. The letter was received for information.
• A future meeting will include a report about possible additions to the Permissive Tax Exemptions Bylaw for non-profit organizations’ properties.
• A bid of $144,860 for the supply, delivery, and installation of three vertical turbine pumps and four suction cannisters for the Schikurski water booster station was accepted.
• Couns. Adam Casemore and Mayor Ron Toyota will represent Creston at the Union of BC Municipalities Conference in Whistler in September.
• Acting Fire Chief Jared Riehl received a certificate of appreciation from Emergency Management BC for his provincial work during the 2017 food and wildfire season.
• The Creston Valley Arts Council is organizing a Scarecrow Festival in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Creston Valley Fall Fair.
• A request for a Development Variance Permit for 517-8th Avenue North to construct a master bedroom over a garage will go to the public for input.
• A donation of a Town jacket was approved for the Ducks Unlimited Canada (Creston Chapter) annual fundraising dinner and auction.
• A letter from an East Shore group that is promoting the relocation of the Kootenay Ferry landing from Balfour to Queen’s Bay requesting support from Town Council was read. Council will provide a letter of support for the proposal.
• Manager of engineering Colin Farynowski presented a report regarding the role of Recycle BC in providing curbside collection of recyclables. The service is likely to be available in about two years, he said.