June 14,2012 Tri City News

 


By Sarah Payne - The Tri-City News
Published: June 13, 2012 4:00 PM
Updated: June 13, 2012 4:50 PM

The next municipal election is going to look a lot different in Port Moody.

Council voted to adopt the recommendations of the election task force, which included doing away with the clutter of candidate signs usually seen on public property. Task force member Coun. Rick Glumac said the group not only found the signs unsightly, but were also a disincentive to voting.

The task force instead recommended putting up election awareness signs at 11 locations throughout the city; council then added two more to cover the north shore. The signs will direct voters to the city's website and social media accounts for more information.

An election awareness card will be mailed to each household in the city, which will contain candidates' brochures. Candidates will also be able to post a photo and brief bio on the city's website.

The cost for the re-usable signs is estimated at $2,145 and the election awareness card mail-out was pegged at about $4,100. Candidates would foot the bill for including their brochures in the mail-outs, estimated at about $415 per candidate.

In other Port Moody news:

SHARK FINS

Port Moody will be asking all cities in B.C. to get behind a resolution to ban the possession, trade, sale and distribution of shark fins.

At Tuesday's meeting council approved a resolution to be submitted to the 2012 Union of BC Municipalities convention, which is taking place this September in Victoria.

The resolution is for the UBCM to call on the provincial government to enact legislation banning the possession and sale of shark fins.

CHARGING STATIONS

Owners of electric vehicles may be able to "fill up" at one of four charger stations in Port Moody.

Council approved a recommendation to apply for a provincial community charging infrastructure grant for the stations. The grants will cover up to 75% of the cost of equipment and labour, to a maximum of $4,000 per installation.

Staff estimated the capital cost of building the stations at $32,000, half of which would be covered if the city receives the maximum grants, and almost $2,500 in annual operating costs.

Mayor Mike Clay questioned why the government should be footing the bill to build gas stations and pay for the fuel in people's cars, while Coun. Rick Glumac countered the ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money on fuel (for city vehicles) would be worth it.

Clay and councillors DIana Dilworth and Gerry Nuttall voted against the motion.

BC SUMMER GAMES

Port Moody is getting behind the city of Coquitlam's bid to host the BC Summer Games in 2016 or 2018.

Council agreed to provide up to $10,000 worth of in-kind value for facility rentals and related services for events happening in Port Moody, such as water-based events like canoeing, sailing and kayaking.

In exchange, PoMo will be identified as a supporting partner in the bid documents and advertising material.