The Village of Canal Flats has been busy applying for grants and planning a variety of projects throughout the community, many of which will be implemented within the next few months. On Monday, April 24th council met to discuss the status of a number of these projects, including new signage, mainline sewer repairs, and the street network and servicing plan.

Village staff had applied for funding from BC Museums Association part of the British Columbia Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada grant program. The village was successful in their application and was approved for a grant of $1,500. Funding will go towards a new Source of the Columbia sign. Interim CAO Dawn Attorp estimated the sign will be installed in early July.

“The sign will be consistent with the style of the existing directional signs in the Village and the large sign at Tilley Memorial Park,” said Attorp.

Council discussed upcoming repairs and maintenance to Burns and Cottage Lane with repairs beginning in early May on Burns Ave. Village staff will be completing repairs on the mainline sewer and expect work to be completed within a couple days. A fire hydrant on Cottage Lane will be repaired. No timeline was given for the project as a repair plan has not be finalized.

In the 2017 municipal financial budget council included funding for the development of a street network and servicing plan, which could cause an amendment to bylaws in the future.

“Consideration will be given to existing servicing and regulatory bylaws in the development of that plan. There may or may not be amendments required to other bylaws but we will not know that until the street network and servicing plan has been developed,” said Attorp.

Council discussed the Road Frontage Tax Amendment Bylaw No 181 which allows for an additional tax increase of $1.00 per taxable frontage.

“It is a frontage tax that is applied to properties based on road frontage that runs along the front of the property. It’s a permanent increase,” said Attorp.

Funds collected from the additional tax increase will be deposited into the Roads Capital Reserves which it will accumulate until there is enough for road capital projects.

Canal Flats has received six new volunteers who are joining the volunteer fire department. Attorp stated the village is very pleased with the six new firefighters.