Sechelt council tabled a motion at its April 18 meeting to execute the 2012 municipal RCMP agreement until more information can be gathered via a phone conference and provincial mayors’ meeting.
Director of corporate services Jo-Anne Frank told council Wednesday night that the following afternoon (April 19) a teleconference would be held that could answer many of the questions councillors had regarding the new contract.
“They’ll discuss what the nature of the negotiations were, outline the details of the new contract and there’ll be representatives from the negotiating team there to answer any questions that anybody may have,” she said.
Mayor John Henderson noted a provincial mayors’ meeting on Friday (April 20) would also hold more information.
“From my point of view I suggest we table this for two weeks. Let’s find out the rest of the details,” Henderson said. “I’d like to make sure we really know what we’re voting for.”
All were in favour of tabling the motion until more information can be gathered.
Garbage rates
Council gave three readings to a new garbage control, collection and disposal bylaw that will see residents charged 10 per cent more for garbage and recycling services in Sechelt.
The former annual rate of $147 will now be $161.70.
“The landfill tipping that the Sunshine Coast Regional District charges us has gone up 11 per cent so we right off the hop have to pay that,” said chief financial officer Andrea DeBucy. “We extended our garbage contract with Direct Disposal and he’s charging us more, so that 10 per cent is directly offset by costs we have to pay. There’s no element of profit.”
Sewer fees
Council gave three readings to a sewer user fees amendment bylaw that will see fees for the service rise five per cent across the board.
The increase means single detached residences will soon pay $372 a year for sewer user fees.
“That is to help offset some of our rising operating costs and also to continue putting some monies into our sewer reserve, which we’re drawing down to pay for the treatment plant this year,” DeBucy noted.
