City of Castlegar Council Highlights - Dec. 2, 2024
By City of Castlegar
Delegation – WildsafeBC
Tara Pejski, WildSafeBC Castlegar Coordinator, presented a comprehensive overview of the organization’s 2024 activities.
Highlights included:
- Wildlife Monitoring: The Wildlife Alert Reporting Program (W.A.R.P.) noted a reduction in bear activity within the community.
- Bin Management Efforts: Bin tagging was carried out over 16 nights during garbage collection weeks to identify and address attractants.
- Community Engagement: Activities included a free bear spray workshop, a family movie night, and door-to-door canvassing to promote wildlife awareness.
- Future Focus: Recommendations emphasized expanding education to address all wildlife, including rats, skunks, and raccoons, and enhancing organics program education and attractant management strategies.
Following the presentation, Council directed staff to explore the costs associated with adding an educational component on rats for consideration in the 2025 draft budget.
Bylaws
As part of ongoing financial planning and asset management, Council assessed additional capital requirements for water and sewer utilities, guided by updates to the Municipal Price Index (MPI). The MPI is a tool used to measure and forecast inflation specific to municipal costs, such as construction and wages, which are not fully captured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). By incorporating the MPI into financial planning, the City aims to ensure utility rates adequately fund current operations and future infrastructure needs.
This analysis informed the decision for Council to adopt the following bylaws:
- Water Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw 1431 – Adoption
Council adopted Water Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw 1431. The amendment sets the water utility rates for 2025, with a rate increase of 5.6%.
- Sewer Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw 1432 – Adoption
Council adopted Sewer Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw 1432. The amendment sets the sewer utility rates for 2025, with a rate increase of 10.6%.
MMBC Recycle Inc. Agreement Renewal
Council authorized a new five-year Master Services Agreement and Statement of Work with MMBC Recycle Inc. for the residential curbside collection of recycled materials, ensuring continued service through 2029.
Key updates in the agreement include:
- Allowable contamination rates increased from 3% to 5%.
- Curbside household financial incentive fees adjusted to $76.10 per household annually, up from $47.05. These fees are funds provided by Recycle BC to municipalities to help offset the costs of delivering curbside recycling collection services.
Additionally, Council directed staff to conduct a cost-benefit analysis in 2026 to explore expanding curbside recycling services to include glass, flexible plastics, and multi-family properties.
Want to catch up on Council meetings?
Visit castlegar.ca/council to watch meetings and see all the presentations.
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