The Town of Gibsons will be on the hook for around $60,000 in consulting fees related to the Gospel Rock planning process.
Following a short in-camera session at its Feb. 7 committee-of-the-whole meeting, Gibsons council released a brief statement related to outstanding costs from the neighbourhood planning process.
“In 2009, the Gospel Rock refinement committee was established to review and refine the planning that had been done to date and make recommendations to council on the Gospel Rock neighbourhood plan. At that time it was felt that some of the land owners in the Gospel Rock neighbourhood planning area would contribute financially to the process and the committee commenced with its mandate. Regrettably, the parties involved had different expectations of the process and the process moved forward without a formal, legally binding agreement. The Town of Gibsons will be responsible for the remaining costs in the Gospel Rock neighbourhood plan process,” reads the Town’s statement.
Garbage deal
Council voted to direct staff to enter into a two-year waste management agreement with Direct Disposal Corp, effective March 1, 2012.
An offer from Direct Disposal was the only tender received by the Town of Gibsons as it explored the possibility of a one, two or three-year contract that could lend it flexibility to incorporate organic collection in the future.
Coun. Gerry Tretick had originally been pushing for a one-year deal to avoid the Town being locked into a contract while it explored organic collection services.
“But subsequently, I have talked to staff. I’ve also been involved with the Regional District in going through a number of reports, and I have come to the conclusion that it would be totally unrealistic to go through the entire process and make a good decision, rather a fast decision within a one-year timeframe,” he said. “I like to get all my facts.”
Coun. LeeAnn Johnson shared her frustrations at the process of moving towards more efficient disposal of waste on the Coast.
She voiced her support to continue efforts co-ordinated with the Sunshine Coast Regional District to move towards goals of reducing waste and expanding collection services.
“Over time I have become increasingly aware of and frustrated by our efforts to co-ordinate around the sensible waste management and really to move toward reducing our waste,” she said. “You think you’re getting there and then something pops up. It distracts the efforts.”
Parkland geo flush
Staff were instructed to award a contract to Parkland Geo Energy System Flushing and Improvements in the amount of approximately $23,510.
The Gibsons geo-energy system requires a flush of the system’s water and ethanol solution, a task that needs to be done manually. Additional items include maintaining service connections, installation of a water meter, insulation of filters at the pump house and some fluid sample taps.
Growth on the project has been slower than expected, with four homes currently connected to the system so far. But as a national leader in this type of development, the Town is optimistic that growth lies around the corner.
Another eight units are being constructed that will use the service and the Town has discussed the possibility of creating its own utility corporation to oversee the service.
