Recreation clubs pushing for continued use of logging roads slated for deactivation — 4
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The state of the infrastructure
editor@revelstoketimesreview.com
Asset management. It's a term that comes up frequently during a 90 minute conversation I had about infrastructure with Mike Thomas, the City of Revelstoke's director of engineering and development last week. Asset management — meaning knowing the condition of Revelstoke's infrastructure assets, what needs and will need replacing, and what it will cost to maintain or replace existing infrastructure in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. "I don't want to be going into a road and digging up a water main if in five years time we'll have to go back and do the sewer main," Thomas tells me "If we can get away with doing all of it at once — that's where we're trying to get to with the asset management." I sat down with Thomas to get an idea of the state of the city's infrastructure; infrastructure deficits are major issues in municipalities across the country, so how is Revelstoke doing? The goal is to look at issues facing the city as we head into a municipal election campaign, much as the Times Review is doing with the series on poverty.
New art show!- 11
It’s official: David Raven running for third term Alex Cooper
editor@revelstoketimesreview.com
Proper asset management and sustainable infrastructure the key to the future, says Mike Thomas, the city’s director of engineering and development. Alex Cooper
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"The infrastructure side of things, I want to get to a point where's there's confidence we're designing infrastructure for a sustainable future," Thomas said. "That doesn't mean it's going to last for generations, but it's been designed in such a way it would be easy to maintain." The interview covered a wide range of topics, but the main focus was on water, sewer and roads.
On water Revelstoke has about 100 kilometres of water pipes circulating beneath the ground throughout the city. They’re all connected to the water treatment plant in the Greeley Area that was built in 1996 for a cost of about $6 million. Thomas said the city's water system meets all the requirements set by Interior Health. Still, there are issues, notably in determining how much water is leaking from the system. A report released late last year estimated the water loss through leakage at anywhere from 24 to 78 per cent of water in the system. Now work is underway to refine those numbers and determine where those leaks are happening.
see Infrastructure, page 3
In an expected move, David Raven confirmed he is seeking re-election for a third term as mayor of Revelstoke. "I'd like to continue on the work I've got started here," he told the Times Review in an interview Monday morning after returning from the Union of BC Municipalities conference in Whister. "There's things particularly around fiscal prudence, addressing debt and building up reserves that I'd like to complete." Raven has been mayor since 2008 when he won a three-way election battle against Bill MacFarlane and Matt Singh. Prior to that he was a councillor for 1.5 years. He was the manager of the Columbia Forest District for 20 years until he was let go as part of a restructuring in 2010. He was acclaimed as mayor in 2011 after no one ran against him. This time he will face a battle against Mark McKeee, his predecessor as mayor. Raven's two terms as mayor have seen some controversy. In his first term, the city, led by former planning director John Guenther, embarked on several ambitious planning exercises that were predicated on explosive resort growth. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on plans that were either canceled or remain in draft form. As well, big money was borrowed for infrastructure projects. Raven was also knocked for high spending at city hall and increasing debt levels. Business owners complained of high taxes and slow and confusing permit processes. Still, the number of business licenses issued by the city has grown and hotel revenues have increased since 2008. The annual financial reports from finance director Graham Inglis grew increasingly dire. Last year the city changed course when Guenther resigned and a restructuring began at city hall. The last two budgets have had more of a focus on lowering debt and building up reserves. Raven said he thinks the city "is in fairly good fiscal shape." "The reports will show a big decrease in the debt we've got and at the same we'll be able to build reserves," he said, referring to 2014. "Reserves allow us to complete projects without having to borrow into the future and provide a conservative buffer for future operations." When asked about his accomplishments, Raven pointed to infrastructure investments, the growth of the resort, social initiatives and supporting to the economy. "There's been fairness in everything that we've approached, and transparency. We've addressed the needs of the economy in a growing, balanced economy," he said. "We provided tax relief to Downie when they needed it but they're now in a position where they're a very major and successful employer in the community." Raven and the current council are being challenged by a slate that is campaigning on better fiscal prudence and a more business-friendly environment in Revelstoke in order to encourage growth. "What they're saying is the council of the day is a bunch of spend thrifts and don't have a clue," he said when asked about the challengers. "When they get in here and look at the accounts and have to put their opinions and recommendations on the table, it will be a different matter." His goals, if re-elected, are to continue to find restraints in spending, address infrastructure and encourage more business growth in the tourism sector of the economy. For more election coverage see pages 5, 6 and 9.
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