Ladysmith town council highlights from its March 15 regular meeting included Grant In Aid fund allocation and Lot 8 Park Plan Phase one implementation.
Council heard a delegation from Mark Walsh, secretary-treasurer of School District 68, regarding enrollment projections and anticipated future school site needs in Ladysmith.
Council will consider a School Site Acquisition Charge Bylaw at an upcoming meeting and any proposed new charges would apply to future developments.
The School District is organizing a public consultation with the development community later in March. See a list of frequently asked questions on the school board’s website to learn more about school site acquisition charges.
The dates for the Spring Clean Up are now set for April 19–25. Council directed that additional disposal would be hauled to a private service this year, rather than a Cowichan Valley Regional District facility.
Staff were also directed to schedule two yard waste collections in 2022 – one coming up in the Spring and the other in the fall. More details on these dates will be available in the coming weeks.
Mayor Stone proclaimed March 21, 2022 as World Down Syndrome Day in Ladysmith, highlighting the unique abilities, strengths and needs of our community members with Down syndrome.
Council approved a Development Variance Permit to waive the requirement for works and services at 1260 Churchill Place, simplifying the requirements for subdividing the plot so a portion is preserved as parkland.
Council also gave first three readings to a park dedication bylaw for 1260 Churchill Place.
Moving on, council approved the recommendations from the March 8 Committee of the Whole meeting, which included the 2022 Grant In Aid requests.
RELATED: Ladysmith council allocates Grant in Aid funding
All Grant-in-Aid requests are subject to final adoption of the 2022 Budget.
Next, council approved the committee’s recommendation to include $50,000 as part of the 2022–2026 Financial Plan for Social Planning council to form the Poverty Reduction Task Force.
The town’s contribution is subject to grant funding and council confirmed its support to submit an application to the Union of BC Municipalities’ Poverty Reduction Planning and Action – Stream 2 grant.
Next, council increased the Lot 108 Park Plan Phase 1 budget by $130,000 to include an outdoor fitness area and overall project management. A portion of the funds will come from the Canada Community Building Fund (formerly known as the Gas Tax Fund) and the COVID Safe Restart funds previously received by the Town.
A pair of community banner designs [Hummingbird Season and Sea Searching (Otter)] created by Stz’uminus First Nation artist Jason Harris will hang throughout the downtown this year.
Council approved the recommendations of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Advisory Committee and Public Art Banners Selection Committee, which endorsed Harris’ submissions.
The 2022 theme for the banners is Community on the Coast.