West Coat Amusements Ltd. will once again be allowed to use Town of Creston property adjacent to Millennium Park when it comes to the area from May 2-5 this year.
At Tuesday's regular council meeting, Coun. Jerry Schmalz voted against the motion, arguing that it doesn’t contribute enough to the community.
Town employee and Creston Valley Blossom Festival committee chair Bev Caldwell told council that the committee receives about $3,000 or more from West Coast Amusements under the land use agreement. In addition, she said, the amusement park accepts non-perishable food donations in exchange for a ride pass discount on one of the days it is in Creston. The donations are then contributed to the food bank.
•Council agreed to review any issues or resolutions that arise before regional, provincial and federal conferences to discuss voting strategies.
•In the next citizen survey, Creston residents will be asked how they prefer to get communications from the Town of Creston, whether via email, letter, newsletter, website, social media and more.
•The town will donate items up to a $100 value for the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club’s annual wild game dinner and awards night on Feb. 16.
•Mayor Ron Toyota will attend the BC Mayors’ Caucus steering committee meeting in Prince George on April 29 and 30.
•Councillors voted to pay for two half-day stipends to council members who participated in daytime strategic planning sessions on Jan. 16 and 17.
•Council received a draft copy of Cultivating Creston, an integrated community sustainability plan that it spearheaded over the last year. Ross Beddoes, the town’s municipal services co-ordinator, who organized much of the work for the town, received compliments and thanks for his efforts on the project.
•Council approved a request from Schmalz to rename the Community Pride Committee to the Creston Valley Spirit Committee. Updated terms of reference for the standing committee are being created and representatives from community organizations will be invited to join.
•The engineering and public works department was directed to move forward several equipment purchases that were planned for the coming year. Purchases made before the harmonized sales tax is discontinued later this spring will save the town about $47,000 because they will qualify for a full tax rebate.
•Varela reported that an agreement with the Regional District of Central Kootenay to continue to provide fire protection service for Erickson residents is nearly complete and should be signed within the next week or two.
She also said that preliminary discussions are underway to consider adding fire protection to other areas, including Lakeview and Arrow Creek, which currently have no fire protection.
•Varela read an announcement by the Canadian Federation of Municipalities that Toyota will be receiving a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Toyota later learned that all mayors and chairs of regional districts and their equivalents will be similarly honoured.