After being asked to fill out a survey from the Ministry of Community, Sports and Cultural Devel-opment on the development of a municipal auditor general (MAG), Gibsons council has decided to put their response on hold.
In their first meeting back after the August break, on Sept. 6, councillors discussed the survey. Its purpose is to obtain feedback in the establishment of the MAG and receive views on the role it would operate, what duties would be assigned, to whom it should report, and how the position would be funded.
Coun. Bob Curry shared his concern over the possibility of having to hire consultants and potential additional costs.
Council, feeling more information was needed, voted to decline responding to the survey until after the Union of British Columbia Munici-palities convention later this month.
Public art
The new RCMP facility in Gibsons may be gifted with a piece of public art.
While the building itself is still under construction, council voted to accept the art piece, as a gift, although the gift remains contingent on fundraising. The amount needed is just over $45,000.
The piece, titled The Pod, is a metallic sculpture resembling a seed pod created by local artist Bodhi Drope, The Gibsons public arts advisory committee has already approved the design, and next steps include fundraising to pay for the piece as well as approval from the RCMP for the sculpture's exact location on the site.
As for the ongoing issues with the actual construction of the new RCMP facility, Gibsons chief administrative officer Warren Waycheshen said that, due to the Town owning the building and leasing it to the RCMP, the two parties had to work out budget issues for critical security features for the cellblock area.
Waycheshen cited concerns by the Town possibly going over budget due to cellblock work, but after discussion, the matter seems unlikely.
While an exact completion date has not been confirmed, Waycheshen said once construction work resumes, it will take 10 months to complete and is expected to be wrapped up by mid-2012.
Bylaw review
As council proceeded to give second and third readings on a 15-year-old property maintenance bylaw and discussed amendments, including a clause to specifically address how to handle derelict vehicles, boats and appliances, some councillors felt a full review of the bylaw was in order.
Curry said the bylaw was dated and needs a full overhaul. Council passed the amendments, with Curry opposed, but voted to add a bylaw review to their 2012 work plan.
