SIDNEY — Employees who have put in 10 years or more for the Town of Sidney were recognized for their service at council’s Dec. 15 regular meeting.
At 10 years are: Chris Wallace, Rob Cooke, Wes Nelson, Al Holt and John Macedo.
Twelve years: Adriano Sumberac.
Fifteen years: Randy Humble.
Seventeen years: Greg Collins.
Eighteen years: Craig Warburton.
Twenty years: Leanne Stanners.
Twenty-one years: Greg Benson.
Twenty-two years: Mike Kimber.
Twenty-five years: Gary Youell and Stu Fenton.
• Councillors ratified their decisions out of the Dec. 8 committee of the whole meeting, forwarding three development proposals to their Advisory Planning Commission. A fourth, redevelopment of the East Village residential complex, will see staff prepare changes to the area’s density.
• Sidney no longer has a community development committee. During a Dec. 8 special in camera meeting, council dissolved the committee. During that session, they approved appointments to its Advisory Planning Commission and other boards, committees and the official town crier — which is Kenny Podmore, who has been Sidney’s town crier since the role was accepted by the municipality. The appointment is for one year, expiring in December, 2015.
• Sidney’s Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Unit 302 (ANAF) received the support of council to seek an increase to its occupant load through the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch. ANAF wants to increase the capacity of their facility from 220 to 250 to better accommodate people during special occasions. Council said they support the change as there would be no significant noise or other impacts.
Coun. Mervyn Lougher-Goodey excused himself from the discussion and vote, citing his membership with ANAF. Mayor Steve Price noted he is a member as well, but said he didn’t think there was a conflict of interest.
• The council agreed to a new sublease between Seaport Place Holdings and Ready Engineering to occupy 9851 Seaport Place.
• Sidney will renew its animal control services agreement with the Capital Regional District for a one-year term. The Town started using the CRD’s animal control service in 2010 at a cost of $47,793. Under the terms of the new deal, the service will cost $51,600 in 2015.
• Sidney councillors will continue using iPads and Microsoft Surface devices to reduce paper use. Council approved a continuation of the program to supply them with the electronic devices. Only one device will be purchased this year, at a cost between $910 to $1,200.