November 4 city council minutes

This meeting was a good one. First up was a hearing for a rezoning allowing a liquor store around the corner from me. I spoke in favour after hearing from those persons who were planning on opening it. They are planning a boutique type liquor store, to complement The Market, Zambri's, somewhere to get a nice bottle of wine or spirits to go with the food purchased nearby. To me it was a no-brainer as it will add more life to a section of street that is basically a dead zone. Definitely a good thing.

Next up was a development variance to put up a big honking video sign outside the Memorial Arena (It will be a cold day in hell before I refer to it as the 'Save-On Foods Arena). They allowed it, but did lower the height from the 35'6" asked for to 28'.

Did I mention that they proclaimed November 15th as Medical Marijuana Day?

Another big move was a carry over form the Oct. 28th Commitee of the Whole meeting, and they have now instructed the city solicitor to prepare and amendment to the Parks Regulation Bylaw to restrict Pioneer Square to one hour before dawn until one hour after dusk. This is the old cemetery/park that has become a favoured spot to do drugs, and it has become kind of scary to walk through. Seeing as how the street kids are allowed to sleep at the church next door, I don't see this as an attack on the poor, but a kind of defence against criminals. It's a good thing in my books.

At the end they snuck in fee hikes for Rec Fees and Plumbing Fees.... I don't think anyone expects them to lead off with fee hikes.