Wayyyyy Too Much Government

Not just today, but frequently.

Just a sampling of my recent mail/instructions/contacts initiated by local or provincial government:

This from the provincial Government ... because I have a liquor license.  Note the ultra-expensive high-gloss wax-finish white cardboard mailer...for the "mandatory to display" crap that it contained.

from Liquor and Cannabis Regulation in Victoria

By clicking on the photo above, you will see that--since Cannabis has been legalized in Canada--the letter(s) are signed by not one--but two--individuals.  The Assistant Deputy Minister/General Manager of the Liquor Agency, and an "Executive Lead" from the Population and Public Health Division.
Sheesh, folks!  (Cannabis!  I do NOT allow cannabis consumption at my facility's patio...I don't care that it's been legalized!)

Then there was the telephone call from Interior Health--a nice fellow named Mr. Nickel--who booked an appointment for a Health department inspection here (either today or tomorrow).

In addition, here's a letter from the District of Coldstream's Matt Treit, the Protective Services Coordinator, stating he will be conducting a fire inspection of my facility.

Local government letter

Yes, I will phone him to schedule an appointment for the inspection.

And then there was a letter from the feds...the Canada Revenue Agency's "Bob Hamilton, Commissioner of Revenue" (ahem!) regarding the GST and BC climate action tax credit (huh?).
Two pages to basically say nothing...so I didn't take a photo of it.

It's unfortunate that none of these bureaucrats was here this morning.

They could've helped me reduce the 3 hours it took to box/bag and load for the recycling plant the empty drink containers (some of which smelled particularly icky from being in garbage containers in the sun).   Plus drive to and from the facility.

Oh yes, a couple of days ago the three invoices (for my 3 water meters--residence, clubhouse and irrigation--for this Quarter) arrived from our local government's Greater Vernon Water Authority accounting department (through DoC).  To save all but myself from the shock component, no photos were taken of those invoices.

And of course, a few days before that the annual Property Tax payment was due.  Also didn't take a photo of it because nobody (including me) can hope to understand the myriad charges from the following "taxing jurisdictions" ... are you sitting down?  (deep breath to read...)  Local School, Basic School, for both Residential and Business and R/Non Profit, as well as a small reduction for my PHOG Basic, plus for each of Residential and Business and R/Non Profit the following:  General Tax, Debt, MFA, NORD, Hospital, BC Assessment, Parks & Rec, OK Library, Multiuse, Theatre.  Plus Bylaw 4004, NORD Septage, whatever the hell that means since my property is on numerous septic tanks/fields.
A total of two pages!

Oh, and a visitor (zoom in by clicking the following photo) when I returned from recycling this morning:

"That last photo is likely also a government employee," Kia would've said.

Could be, Kia.
There certainly are enough of them.
 

Zoning Equals Taxation, and Conformity

Plain and simple.
Yup.
Specific zoning equals specific taxation applicable to that zone.
And hefty fines.

The District of Coldstream is responding to--albeit after the fact--changes brought about by an increasingly online world.

The Mayor's June 2019 Community newsletter on Page 7, under Short-Term Rentals, addresses the issue of the popular AirBnB, VRBO, and Owners Direct rentals.

The District's zoning bylaw was recently rewritten and property owners are reminded that the only residential properties where short-term residential rental is allowed are ones where Residential Bed and Breakfast use is permitted.

If your property has not been zoned RBB (Residential Bed and Breakfast), RCD1 (Residential Comprehensive Development 1), RE2 (Residential Estate 2), RU1 (Rural 1), RU-ALR (Rural 2), or RU-LH (Rural 3), you may not offer your property (either individual rooms or the entire house) for short-term rentals.


So if your property is R1 (Residential Single Unit), or R6 (Residential Recreation), short-term rentals are not an allowed use.

The newsletter doesn't indicate how long (days, weeks, months)--or how short--the term is.

So does that apply to a new "monthly" tenant who decides to vacate the premises after one month?
Or after one week?
It appears to apply to where you have advertised the property for rent.

That's a tad murky.
What isn't murky is the fine the community will levy if you are in violation of your zoning.

"If we receive complaints about this type of rental happening, you can expect a letter from the District requesting that you stop this type of activity...you can be ticketed with a fine of $500 for each day that the use is occurring," the article states.

In conclusion, the newsletter states "If you are thinking about operating a short-term rental, please contact the District Planning Department to discuss the process to have your property rezoned for a Bed and Breakfast use."

...because "the District does expect people to comply with its bylaws."

Pay.  
And.
Conform.

"It appears Coldstream wants one of your sheckles," Kia would've said.

An acquaintance suggested she was looking to buy a property where she could offer a bed, but no food...probably necessitating an entirely new zone.  *grin*

Snitches, which appear to be encouraged, should jot down the District's telephone number...

Roses 'n Thorns

Roses to the District of Coldstream!
Despite it being only March 1st in this particularly long, cold and snowy winter, Coldstream deserves appreciation for wasting money!

Yes, wasting money.
Coldstream has--earlier than usual--patched many of the deepening potholes on our roads.
Residents appreciate it, even though the work will likely need redoing with continued freeze thaw cycles.  But potholes three inches deep, their size that of serving trays had been dangerous for motorists.

I'm only aware of two areas that were repaired:  Buchanan Road and Aberdeen Road, at the mailbox; and at the sharp curve on Aberdeen Road, heading south towards Kal Lake Road.  I'm sure there were others.

Now...the thorns.
A huge problem.
Every year.

Highway 6 at the 27th Street intersection!
All three sides...heading east at the curb just through the lights; existing Hwy 6 as you turn onto the 27th up-ramp; and heading west on Hwy 6 just through the lights as the overpass curves to the right...curb side.  If that weren't enough, there's a long and deepening crack in the middle of the intersection!

Huge numerous holes every year at that intersection.
In the same places.

So who's responsibility are those?
It's a B.C. highway, so it's the responsibility of the B.C. Ministry of Transportation.
Remember last year's "repair" of the Hwy 6 railway overpass down to the Polson Park entrance?
What a horrible repaving/patching job that was...and that hasn't lasted either.

NOT a photo of the areas the blog mentioned...because it's unwise to use a camera while driving!

It'll probably be the end of May before the MoT gets around to repairing those perennial trouble spots.
But Coldstream made their residents happy.
Even if it cost a few bucks for a few shovelsful of asphalt...and, yes, they smoothed the repairs!

"The MoT road repairs are synonymous with putting lipstick on a pig," Kia would've stated, adding "it's always a bad job."

Lipstick on a pig doesn't last?

Many people are hoping B.C.'s new coalition government will last about as long as the lipstick.
Or their asphalt patching on Hwy 6.
Certainly as long as the paint dividing the road lanes!

Anyone know of a season's pass for wheel alignments?

Tale of Two Cities?

Okay, Coldstream is a municipality and not a city.
But it's right smack dab adjacent to the City of Vernon.
And that is the problem.

I give Coldstream credit for their recent effort in notifying the homeowner whose property abuts Howe and Mackie Drives.  Tall ugly--and ready to bloom, and spread throughout the valley on westerly winds--thistles lined the homeowner's fence.  Coldstream's Keri-Ann Austin not only immediately replied to my email reporting the thistles, but copied their Roads Supervisor, Mike Pethick.

One thistle...the beginning of thousands and thousands whose seeds spread on the winds.

 

City of Vernon?
Nope, not so much....turns out from their website, that they don't eradicate noxious weeds "for cosmetic reasons".

Interesting, though, that the City of Vernon is quick to have their residents comply, even asking residents to water boulevards...with that very expensive GVW water!

"Obligations of City residents 

City of Vernon Good Neighbour Bylaw # 4980, requires property owners and residents to maintain the boulevard(s) and lane adjacent to their property. The City does not provide this service and does not include any funds in the budget for such work. Most of this work involves landscape cutting, trimming, and watering of grass on the boulevards and lanes. The City encourages property owners and residents to maintain the boulevards for the beautification of our city and the enjoyment of all."

Excerpt from City of Vernon Weed Control page on their website.

While some folks may agree spraying noxious weeds for "cosmetic reasons" isn't a good idea, some weeds are so insidious that they shouldn't be in the same category.

Frankly, I think it's a cop-out by the City of Vernon.

Why?  

Because the City of Vernon Good Neighbour Bylaw #4980 doesn't take into account its adjacent community.  I mean Coldstream's residents, who work hard to keep properties and acreages presentable and free of noxious weeds.

So let's see what happened in Coldstream on Howe/Mackie Drive...this photo shows the neighbour obviously responded to Coldstream's request to not only spray the thistles, but REMOVE them and bag the seeds into the garbage:

thistles were not only sprayed, but their stems/seeds were bagged.  Thank you, Coldstream and Homeowner!

In Vernon?

Not so much, as the saying goes.

Look at these photos of the steep bank above Highway 6 (photo taken from Sarsons Road, just east of Middleton Way, looking north and northeast toward the condos west of Hillview Golf Course).  

Thousands and thousands of noxious thistles ready to blow a new population of thistles east...directly into Coldstream!

Maybe someone should tell the City of Vernon that their new and very expensive signage that welcomes visitors (from the east on Highway 6) needs some work already!

How much did these signs cost?  Already lost the letter "r".  Shoddy!

 

The above photo of "Ve non" was taken from Sarsons Road, looking northwest to the new welcome sign on Highway 6 at the edge of Hillview Golf Course.

"Good neighbour is a misnomer," Kia would've said, suggesting Vernon's bylaw should be called entirely something else.

Thanks, City of Vernon, for not giving a damn about the Coldstream valley.

And don't count on RDNO to care either, even though they have weed ID on their website.

Despite the regional district having an email address (at the bottom here) on their website for "weed control", no emails to them ever receive a reply!  So they might as well cancel that website page, despite it looking good!

Let's end the doublespeak!

The Coldstream Dinosaur

Nope, it's not the District of Coldstream competing with the Okanagan Science Center's display (which runs until August in Vernon).

The dinosaur term describes the "workings" (or not)  of the District of Coldstream's elected officials.

Today's Morning Star story had Mayor Jim Garlick berating Councillor Peter McClean for having only attended two meetings since the beginning of November.  Even Councillor Cochrane said "(the absence) is out of hand."

They point to the B.C. Community Charter, which states:

"...if a council member is absent from council meetings for

(a) a period of 60 consecutive days, or

(b) four consecutive regularly scheduled council meetings,

whichever is the longer time period, the council member is disqualified from holding office."

Peter's been in Arizona since November and countered the District's criticism with a valid point:

  "Despite efforts to get council into the 20th(sic) Century--isn't it the 21st Century?--they still have yet to create the policy to allow us to attend meetings via the Internet while away."

The iPads that taxpayers bestowed on councillors provide the capability to video conference.

Mayor Garlick's in a snit that Councillor McClean missed the meeting where his vote would've been welcome to break the council tie relating to an ALR farm housing variance.

Oh, and just in case Mayor Garlick's ready to get into the 21st Century, here's GeeksBlog's instructions on video conferencing. 

Easy peasy, especially since that's what iPads were designed for.

"Doesn't Coldstream have an IT person?" Kia would've asked.

And Garlick could choose to video conference ONLY when there'll be voting taking place.

The Mayor?  or a Steggosaurus(sp?)

Note to Peter McClean:  When you return from Arizona, you can go visit Dinosaurs Unearthed at the Vernon Science Center.

Or just go to Coldstream municipal office.

Humps, Bumps or Tables

What's next...a concrete ant hill with a ladder?
Either way you cut it, traffic calming devices are a pain.
The only benefit is they indicate when your vehicle needs shock replacement.

The new humps, bumps, or tables on Kalamalka Lake Road adjacent to Coldstream Elementary School are irritating more than a few residents, not just drivers.

As reported by Smith in today's Morning Star:  "If it's not cars bottoming out, it's grabbing gears," said Dan Paterson, who wants rubber speed bumps installed at the school area.  (Dan's idea is that school custodians could put them out before and after school...as though that would fly!)

Apart from the fact that many roads adjacent to schools have no such barriers, there are specifications for speed barriers.  Do Coldstream's speed barriers meet those specs?

Some examples of traffic calming devices are pictured below.

These fellows are probably not school custodians...

oops...not this!

.

A three-inch high speed table would certainly have been sufficient for Kal Lake Road, but I'm not getting out of the car to measure their height.

And being made of materials different than the road surface may draw attention to them, as is explained in the first page of this website. 

Read a little further on that page, and you'll learn that a disadvantage is "increased noise", which was entirely Mr. Paterson's point.

"He omitted one thing", Kia would've said, "the sign pollution that Coldstream has created."

Good point.
Now if we could just convince a few of the SUV-Moms, as they are affectionately called, to not do U-turns in front of the school...

Bumpy ideas get a bumpy ride in Coldstream.

Vernon Competing with Silver Star?

Seems the City of Vernon wants to find a site for a bike skills park.

No matter that Silver Star Mountain has spent megabucks to develop bike trails all over the mountain.
Bureaucrats--and most politicians--don't see that a city's desire to build a facility should not compete with existing commercial operations.

It's not the first time either.

The Regional District a few years ago announced they would be building a new park on the old garbage dump site at the East BX/Coldstream municipality boundary.
What's the matter with that?
Well, they decided they'd construct disc golf. 

And don't forget the old Lakers' Golf clubhouse on Cummins Road, now owned by the City of Vernon.
The building was reportedly built without a building permit years ago, had myriad water problems as a result.  But the City of Vernon spent taxpayer dollars to fix it up and now rents it out for meetings/weddings/banquets, etc.
All in direct competition with other such facilities, i.e. golf courses that rent out clubhouses for events.

And don't forget the Municipality of Coldstream.
They bought the old Women's Institute building and do the same thing as Vernon.  They rent it out for meetings/weddings/banquets, etc., again in competition with other such commercial rental spaces available!

"Pirates of the Okanagan," suggests Kia.

Yup.

Official Community Pipedream

Who knew?
Who knew that OCP means official community pipedream instead of official community plan?

I'll spare you reading the 156 page document.

Judging from the following excerpts, it's a bunch of nonsense!
Why?

Consider that you're a resident of Saskatchewan or Alberta, wondering whether to retire to Coldstream, so you have a look at the Official Community Plan.
Just to get an idea of what you can--and can't expect on land you may consider purchasing, maybe pass on sloped land for these (page 3) reasons:


Area 1, contains an extensive area of natural grassland, is habitat to several of the identified species and is primarily comprised of steep hillsides. Area 2, contains a minor riparian ecosystem and some areas of steep slopes. Area 3, part of a single title containing ALR and non-ALR lands. Some minor hazard issues related to erosion potential and steep slopes. Contains lands rated as high and very high conservation value. Area 4, a block of land on the eastern edge of Kalamalka Provincial Park. Contains lands rated as high and very high conservation value and has steep slope areas.

Those reasons may impact things you may wish to do on your land.
Unless you're government, that is.
Or a university.
In which case it's A-OK, and the steep slope, erosion and conservation rules don't apply!

Like what's planned on the steep slope, likely to erode pristine lands at the college:  an amphitheatre with seating for 5,500.

So that makes the OCP a pipedream?
Nope.
Because they'll ignore the steep slope rules and build it.
Because they're government...because they're a university.

But this relegates the OCP to pipedream status:



 "...may not be achieved but are continuously strived(sic) for."

Consider this:
"Local shopping opportunities" page 18
"Good transit services, even light rail"

Shopping?  in a community located 7 minutes from downtown Vernon?
Light rail?
Sheesh.

Back to the amphitheatre.

Here are segments of a letter to the editor from Joan Rowan, Concerned Neighbours of Okanagan College, Vernon Campus:

"We believe that this is not a suitable location for the following reasons:  The two large gullies are the only natural habitat left within the enclave bounded by College Way, Kickwillie Loop Road and Highway 97.

The steep slopes of this historic glacial gully are composed of fine textured soils that are subject to erosion due to runoff from the sports complex, the college parking lot and the bypass.  Considerable funds have already been expended to control drainage into and through this gully.

The gully is an ecologically sensitive site comprising steep slopes, sensitive, native bunchgrass cover, with arrow leaf balsam root, prickly pear cactus, and sumac.  It is home to the threatened western gopher (bull) snake and hawks are regularly seen hunting over the open grasslands.

The concept plans for the amphitheatre portray green, grassy slopes all around the amphitheatre where up to 4,500 additional (1,500 in amphitheatre) people can sit.  This would require removing all of the native vegetation and planting irrigated turf on these over-steep, highly erodible slopes.  Access to the amphitheatre for equipment and event staging would be off Kickwillie Loop Road, close to the College Way junction.  This location for an access for large trucks and vans would present considerable safety risks and inconvenience to local traffic..."   Joan Rowan.

Now, look back (above) at Areas 1 - 4 "rules" governed by the Official Community Pipedream...er...a...Plan.

Remember that you're a resident of Saskatchewan or Alberta considering retiring here...or purchasing acreage.
Consider also just how much bureaucratic interference occurs here in the North Okanagan, and British Columbia generally.

This letter from a Coldstream resident (entitled Controlled Living at its Best, July 8, 2012) will open a prospective resident's eyes...especially if they hail from Saskatchewan or Alberta (where a modicum of self-determination and empowerment still exist).



"...hate bureaucracy and all the nonsense that comes with it."  Jack Welch, former CEO General Electric

OCP.
Official community pipedream...
with rules that apply to residents, but not government...or universities.

50-40-10 Funding Split?

If the District of Coldstream's requested infrastructure funding split of 50 Federal, 40 Provincial and 10 Municipal actually sees the light of day, it certainly won't be called a P3 given the ratios.

Seems everybody has to chip in a higher amount, including residents (3.5 per cent 2016 tax increase).

But the District of Coldstream is balking at having to pay 1/3 of any typical P3 project.

They don't see a need to actually reduce their budget to reflect increased construction costs and tough economic times.

While some of the listed projects point back to Mr. Harper's reign, presumably Mr. Trudeau's infrastructure renewal plan is being rolled out.

About halfway down this page are projects that are likely to receive grant funding.

Narrowing their chances of any successful Coldstream grant applications is the District of Coldstream's desire to only pay 10 per cent, after suggesting the Feds pay 50 per cent, and the provincial government 40 per cent.

With more bravado than brains, the District of Coldstream last night considered:

"Build Canada Grant Funding

Recommendation

THAT the following motion be forwarded to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities with copies to Mel Arnold, MP for the North Okanagan-Shuswap, and Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon Monashee:

WHEREAS the Federal Government's Build Canada grant program generally shares the costs of all approved infrastructure projects equally between the province and the local jurisdiction at one third each;

AND WHEREAS for nationally and provincially significant projects, where projects provide a greater national and provincial benefit, and where communities are disproportionately and directly impacted by such projects, the burden of one-third of the cost is inequitable and too high for the local jurisdiction;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federal Government's Build Canada grant program, National Infrastructure Component, be amended to fund a minimum of 50% of the project cost;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial funding contribution for significant projects be a minimum of 40% of the project cost." 

 

Yes, depository is mispelled...but that's not the issue.

"Considering the area voted to remain a Conservative riding," says Kia, "it's probably unwise to demand P3 changes to the Province or Feds."

Brain?

Nope...slip bravado through slot in door, though they'd probably both fit.

 

 

Damaging Property Tax

Property taxes have long been a bone of contention for owners of residential property, who today are facing tough economic times.  Add to that the ever-increasing fees for base rates and water consumption and something needs to be done.

But government is averse to letting the largest contributors to their revenue--domestic customers--off the hook.  Government states that residential properties are the largest users of government services.  That may well be the case.

Government must however listen when two of the largest businesses--one industrial which provides much of the area's employment, one agricultural--cry foul of the gouging that is now commonplace.


From the recent District of Coldstream's council meeting:

"Coldstream Ranch has requested several times since 2012 that Council review its current tax multiplier and give consideration to reducing the rate.  At each time, Council reviewed the request and determined that the current tax rate multiplier would remain at a rate of 4.5:1.

Subsequent to these requests, at the March 9, 2015 Council, Mr. Keith Balcaen from the Coldstream Ranch came as a delegation to Council and expressed his disappointment and dissatisfaction with respect to the tax multiplier for farm property in the District of Coldstream.  He indicated that farm operations in neighbouring jurisdictions enjoyed a much lower tax multiplier and that if his business was located almost anywhere else, he would save as much as 12% in taxes.  He suggested that if Council was serious about encouraging agriculture in the District that they should make it less onerous, financially, for agricultural producers.  He further stated that the tax multiplier was unfair and punitive to agricultural producers and that he expected Council to reconsider the issue."

Several years ago, Tolko Industries requested that their tax multiplier be revised as well.

"Coldstream Council's Tax Policies:

• where possible, supplement revenues from user fees and charges to help offset the tax burden of the property tax base.
• the class 2 rate will be set at the maximum rate as permitted under current legislation.
• the District will seek to reduce the class 4 tax rate by 2.5% per year.
• the class 5 rate will be calculated as a multiplier of the residential rate.  The District will seek to maintain this multiplier at a rate of 2.95 to 1.
• the class 6 rate will be calculated as a multiplier of the residential rate.  The District will seek to maintain this multiplier at a rate of 2.4 to 1.
• the class 8 rate will be calculated as a multiplier of the residential rate.  The District will seek to maintain this multiplier at a rate of 1.0 to 1.
• the class 9 rate will be calculated as a multiplier of the residential rate.  The District will seek to maintain this multiplier at a rate of 4.5 to 1."

“Distribution of Property Taxes:

The distribution of the property tax revenue across the different property classes is as follows:

C1	Residential	90.37%
C2	Utilities	0.99%
C4	Major Industry	3.59%
C5	Light Industry	1.24%
C6	Business/Other	1.86%
C8	Rec/Non-profit	0.20%
C9	Farm	1.75%
		100.0%

  
"Objective:

• Over the next several years, reduce the share of property tax paid by Major Industry.
• In the longer term, ensure that the light industry and major industry rates are aligned with other competitive municipalities.

 

"Government would never think to decrease their budget requirements," intones Kia, "no, they'd never think of easing the burden on business and residential payers."

But that's the only way it'll work.

In the interim, major industry's contribution will decrease by 2.5 per cent per year.