Grand Forks City Newsletter

6 Friday, July 30, 2010

THE Boundary

Advertiser

City of Grand Forks Newsletter Grand Forks City Hall • 420 Market Avenue • 250-442-8266

Connecting with the Community

Annual Community Volunteer Recognition COUNCIL POLICY: VOLUNTEER OF THE CITY In the past, the City used to mail out invitation letters to organizations that generated volunteers, but this process was flawed due to the fact that many individuals and groups for which the City may be unaware, would not have received a much deserved invitation. In 2009, Council adopted a new policy that publicly announces the event as opposed to invitations to organizations.

POLICY:

City of Grand Forks P.O. Box 220 7217-4th Street Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0

Phone: 250-442-8266 Fax: 250-442-8000 Email: info@grandforks.ca Web Site: www.city.grandforks.bc.ca

UPCOMING 2010 COUNCIL MEETING DATES All Regular Meetings of Council are held in Council Chambers at City Hall beginning at 7:00PM unless otherwise advertised.

Monday, August 16th Tuesday, Sept 7th Monday, Sept 20th Monday, October 4th Monday, October 18th Monday, November 1st Monday, November 15th Monday, December 6th Monday, December 20th

“Council may give recognition to a volunteer or a group of volunteers for service above and beyond of those generally performed in the Community.”

POLICY PROCEDURE: When Council is giving consideration to the recognition to an individual or group, it shall make its deliberations “in camera” and when a decision to give recognition has been made, it shall then be announced by the Mayor at the Annual Community Volunteer Recognition Evening.

CRITERIA: •The individual or group should be honoured for its volunteer work in the City of Grand Forks or for volunteer work that has had an impact on the City of Grand Forks; •The individual or group should not have been paid or received any form of financial remuneration for the work or activity for which the volunteer is being considered; •The individual or group should have made a significant commitment to the community to be considered for the recognition; •There is substantial support from the Community through letters of recommendations outlining the volunteerism history and the impact on the community; •A special volunteer recognition may be given after the passing of the individual; •Prior to giving any recognition of volunteer of the year, the City must call for nominations publicly in a Regular Council Meeting and through the City’s Newsletter.

The following is a list of Primary Committee Meetings of council which are scheduled to follow the Regular Meeting of Council.

Monday, August 16th Monday, Sept 20th Monday, October 18th Monday, November 15th Monday, December 20th Please note that there is only one Regular & Primary Meeting in the months of July and August.

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS

PUBLIC MEETING ON THE RAIL ABANDONMENT ISSUE AND THE IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY DATE: AUGUST 9TH, 2010 TIME: 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM LOCATION: DR. D.A. PERLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYMNASIUM. 1200 CENTRAL AVENUE Council invites everyone to attend this meeting

Grand Forks Hospital Auxiliary to the Boundary Hospital Receiving Their Award in 2008

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: At their Regular Meeting on June 28th, 2010, Council adopted the resolution that publicly announced this year’s volunteer appreciation evening and the call for nominations. Individuals or groups may nominate another individual, group or organization by obtaining and completing the City of Grand Forks Nomination Form for Exceptional Volunteer Service.

The nomination forms are available at the front counter at City Hall and also via our City’s website at: www.city.grandforks.bc.ca/city/bulletin . Returned, fully completed forms can be either dropped off in person, mailed to: City of Grand Forks, P.O. Box 220, Grand Forks, BC, V0H 1H0 or emailed to: dheinrich@grandforks.ca as a PDF format.

Completed forms must be returned to City Hall by 4:00 pm on August 27, 2010.

THE EVENT: This year’s event is scheduled for: DATE: Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 VENUE: Grand Forks Art Gallery (Heritage Courthouse) on Central Avenue TIME: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Snacks and Beverages will be served.

The Volunteer(s) who are the recipients for this year’s Certificate of Merit will be honoured at the evening event. In addition, Mayor, Council and the City of Grand Forks are extending the invitation to attend the festivities to all of our residents and volunteers to this year’s recognition evening.

Many of our community events and programs would not be possible if it weren’t for those individuals and organizations who donate their selfless time, involvement and efforts through the year.

THE Boundary

Friday, July 30, 2010 7

Advertiser

July/August 2010

City of Grand Forks Newsletter Connecting with the Community

Advisory: Power Theft

SPRINKLING REGULATIONS

Power theft is electricity taken that is not recorded at the consumer’s meter and is not paid for by the customer. Power may be illegally diverted for drug growing operations, hot tubs, porch lights and more.

(Please note that these regulations are applicable year round)

Power theft results in higher electricity rates for all, and can pose a serious fire and safety hazard. Bypassed electric services do not comply with the BC Electrical Code.

Wiring in violation of the code poses a threat to those installing the bypass as well as residents, emergency responders, City of Grand Forks service crews, home inspectors, landlords and tenants, who may not be aware that power theft is occurring at the premise.

Un-metered electricity can result in overloaded wires, transformers and distribution equipment. Overloaded electrical equipment can create power outages to entire neighborhoods and may result in replacement of expensive equipment.

The cost of un-metered electricity and other costs associated with power theft are reflected in the rates that consumers pay for service.

If you think that power theft is occurring, please contact:

Sprinkling shall be restricted to the following days and times: “EVEN” numbered civic addresses may sprinkle on “even” numbered days (02, 04, 06, etc) “ODD” numbered civic addresses may sprinkle on “odd” numbered days (01, 03,05, etc)

MANUAL SPRINKLERS From 7:00 AM until 9:00 AM And From 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM On the 31st day of any month: MANUAL SPRINKLERS: “EVEN” numbered civic addresses may sprinkle in the mornings from: From 7:00 AM until 9:00 AM And “ODD” numbered civic addresses may sprinkle in the evening from: From 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM

City Hall: 250-442-8266 Public Works: 250-442-4148 Fire Dispatch: 250-364-1737 Grand Forks RCMP: 250-442-8288 BC Ambulance: 250-442-2022 Crime Stoppers: 800-222-TIPS

HST and Residential Energy Credit Effective July 1, 2010, BC harmonized the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) with the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is important to note that the price you pay for residential electrical usage will not be affected by the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) but your bill will look different.

Once the HST takes effect, hydro customers will see a bill that shows the 12% HST applied to energy usuage, products and services, instead of the 7% PST and the 5% GST. However, hydro Residential customers will also see a 7% credit from the Province of B.C. as a separate line called the Residential Energy Credit.

In addition, as of July 1, 2010 hydro customers will no longer be required to pay the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund levy (0.4%) on electricity.

Compostable Yard and Garden Waste Collection Dates North Side of Hwy 3 between Riverside Drive and North Fork Road (Current Wednesday Garbage Pick-up) Yard & Garden Pick up will be Mondays AUG 16, SEPT 27, OCT 25, NOV 22 Ruckle Addition and Valley Heights (Current Tuesday Garbage Pick-up) Yard & Garden Pick up will be Tuesdays AUG 17, SEPT 28, OCT 26, NOV 23 South Side of Highway 3 between Riverside Drive and Spraggett Road (Current Thursday Garbage Pick-up) Yard & Garden Pick up will be Fridays AUG 20, OCT 1, OCT 29, NOV 26

City Parks & Cemetery will adhere to the same numbers of hours as residential sprinkling.

Flower, vegetable gardens and newly planted lawns & landscapes may be hand watered at any time using a hand held nozzle. I.e. No manual sprinklers.

The City has authority to shut water off at the property line to those residents refusing to comply with sprinkling regulations.

The first offense will result in a warning letter. The second offense will result in your water being shut off.

A reconnection fee of $50.00 will be required before your water is reconnected.

AUTOMATIC TIMED UNDERGROUND SPRINKLERS EITHER from Midnight until 4:00 AM OR From 7:00 AM until 9:00 AM AND From 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM BUT NOT BOTH On the 31st day of any month: AUTOMATIC TIMED UNDERGROUND SPRINKLERS: EITHER from Midnight until 4:00 AM OR “EVEN” numbered civic addresses may sprinkle in the mornings from: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. “ODD” numbered civic addresses may sprinkle in the evening from: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, BUT NOT BOTH

FOR NEW PLANTED LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES FIRST MONTH ONLY Newly planted lawns & landscapes may be sprinkled twice a day everyday from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM-9:00 PM for the FIRST MONTH using either manual sprinklers or automatic timed underground sprinklers.Automatic timed systems can be used to water up to 5 minutes per zone at a time, with total watering time NOT to exceed 4 hours. Newly planted lawns and landscapes may be hand watered using a hand held nozzle at any time i.e. No manual sprinklers.

Make Every Drop Count!