Budget Deliberations: Day 1

Today Council had a day of budget deliberations.

I was excited to see management propose a budget that would come with a 3% tax decrease. We learned about and voted on portions of it. We’ll resume deliberations tomorrow. Following is what has happened so far.

Read More
Guest Userbudget, DebtComment
Update: May 22 Cannabis Debate

On Tuesday, Council had a long and lively debate about cannabis. If you care to watch it, the video is posted here. While I was disappointed in a few vote outcomes, I appreciated the thought and discussion that went into each of them them.

The most notable changes Council discussed:

  • The Retail Overlay map was deleted.

  • Cannabis Retail Stores added as Discretionary Use in Commercial Districts. Approval for each location requires public advertisement, and the assent of Council's Infrastructure & Protective Services Committee.

  • A maximum of 10 Cannabis Retail Stores allowed in the first year of legalization

  • Reduction of the business license fee for Cannabis Retail Locations from $5000 to $2500.

  • Separation distances between some community facilities and where consumption is allowed increased from 10m to 30m. [this final change was passed and will not be debated further on June 18]

Read More
Update: March 5 Meeting and The Old Fire Hall

Last night we had a special Council meeting to discuss a potential sale of the old Fire Hall.

For me, this was the hardest decision I have made on Council. I’ve been going back and forth and losing sleep on it for some time. It was also one where I went to our meeting with a still open mind.

Following is what I was thinking about during this meeting.

Read More
Coming Up: Special Meeting on March 5

There has been lots of conversation about the old Fire Hall downtown. So far, discussion has been at the committee level, which does not allow any decisions to get made. On Monday, Council is having a special meeting to decide what steps to take next. Following is what we are discussing and some background information.

Read More