At their June 21 regular meeting, Town of Virden Council considered a request from Cory Nixon to place a blade sign on the exterior of the former Gopher Creek Coffee Company building on Nelson Street, which he is developing into a new eatery.
Nixon, who serves as the Town’s Building Inspector and Development Officer, stated that such signs are considered an appearance upgrade in a commercial central zone. He brought his application to Council for approval, as a policy governing their use is not yet in place.
During discussion on the matter, Coun. Grant Gardiner acknowledged that the blade signs, as opposed to those that are flush with the front of a building, are beneficial when identifying a particular business. However, he questioned where the liability would lie if one were to fall and damage property or impact someone, possibly resulting in an injury.
“I’m going back a good number of years here,” he said. “We used to have signs like this one on every store front and they were taken down because the Town, at the time, was concerned about these signs falling down, and now we’re going back. I don’t want the Town to be held liable for any losses. The onus has to be on the owner of the building.”
It was suggested that a policy stipulate that an indemnification letter be signed, releasing the Town from any liability issues which may arise from the sign overhanging Town property. Should a building be sold, the purchaser would need to be made aware of the agreement being in place.
Councillors also discussed the possibility of blade signs interfering with snow clearing equipment on the sidewalk in the future.
“I’m wondering if in that agreement there should be something that says if we get a piece of snow clearing equipment on the sidewalk that’s bigger, we’re going to make you raise that sign,” said Coun. Tina Williams.
A motion was passed approving Nixon’s request, with the stipulation that blade signs must be a minimum of nine feet from the ground if attached to a building. In his case, there is nine feet of clearance and a five-foot setback from the curb.
Economic Development Manager Liza Park noted that the use of blade signs is provided for in the Town’s revitalization plan, and the Virden Boost Committee is currently working on an information package regarding their usage to circulate to the local business community.
INFLATION IMPACTS WATER WORK DEBENTURES
Chief Administrative Officer Rhonda Stewart reported that the funding of repairs to the water treatment plant roof, which are now underway, will be covered under the cost-sharing agreement and borrowing authority established for the new water well project in 2020.
At the time the financing was green-lighted by the provincial Municipal Board, the interest rate for the $1.5 million was set at 5%, amortized over 15 years. Currently, the lowest rate the Town is able to obtain from Virden financial institutions is 5.3%, which exceeds the previously approved borrowing authority. Stewart noted that Council had the option of accepting the higher rate and putting the debenture in place now, with the hope that the Municipal Board will authorize it without the Town having to hold another public hearing. The funds will not be levied for until 2023, prompting the provincial Capital Finance Officer to suggest that the Town hold off on issuing the debenture until next year, when it is felt interest rates will drop to stimulate economic activity should the province enter a recession. A rate drop is likely to bring the Town within the 5% which was originally granted, while exceeding it will cost the Town about $4,200 in additional interest in the first year. After discussing the matter, Council decided to accept the lowest current rate from RBC Royal Bank and gave first reading to the debenture by-law at the meeting.
LOCAL YARD NOMINATED
Council will nominate the yard of Bev & Charlotte Collier, located at Chester St. & Eighth Ave. in Virden for the 2022 Manitoba Good Roads Association Competition.
HYDRANT REPLACEMENT REVISITED
Chief Administrative Officer Rhonda Stewart advised Council that the By-Law granting borrowing authority for the resurfacing of King Street and Seventh Avenue had not been received from the Municipal Board in time for second and third reading to be given at the meeting. Included in it is the funding of fire hydrant replacement at three locations on King Street (Third Avenue, Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue) as well as at Wellington Street and Seventh Avenue.
The results of a call for tenders were brought before Council at their May 17 meeting, however the award was delayed to allow administration to obtain more information. A local firm, Castle Oilfield Construction, submitted the lowest of the three bids received. However, they advised the Town that they would only be available for a short period of time after receiving the contract before turning their attention to commitments outside the community. In the meantime, Council had concerns about the hydrants being replaced in a timely manner and not conflicting with the Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) street renewal. As of the meeting, there was still no definitive timeline as to when it will begin.
Utilities Manager Ron Routledge recommended to Council that the bid from Allen & Bolack Excavating Ltd. of Brandon, be accepted. The company submitted the second lowest price, and Routledge said that they are able to acquire the necessary parts and assign a crew to complete the work before MTI’s contractor arrives. Town staff will be involved in isolating water lines and shutting off valves as required, and Mayor Murray Wright was concerned there could be an even higher bill if they needed to be called in during off-hours and paid overtime in order to accommodate the local company’s availability.
After some discussion, Council accepted the Allen & Bolack quote, although approximately $9,000 higher, in order to get the hydrants replaced as soon as possible. The cost will be $82,650 plus applicable taxes.
NEW HORIZONS LETTER OF SUPPORT
A Letter of Support will be provided to the New Horizon Centre to accompany their application to the Richardson Foundation for a grant towards renovations to the building on Nelson Street.
