(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27

City council voted to put medical marijuana grow-op designation to public hearing, Nov. 27, giving Kamloops residents a say in whether medical marijuana is grown in industrial areas.

The decision was brought to council in light of pending federal legislative changes regarding the commercialization of licensed medical marijuana and phasing out of residential neighbourhood grow-ops.

Mayor Peter Milobar stressed that the discussion at council was regarding public safety at the local level, not the philosophy regarding medical marijuana.

Councillor Nelly Dever said it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars to draw a large crowd in a public hearing.

"We're putting the cart before the horse," Dever said, acknowledging that only some municipalities are being proactive with federal legislative changes. "I won't support it."

Councillor Tina Lange also opposed the motion.

"I think it's a bit too narrow," she said, adding she would like to hear from agricultural experts regarding the use of agricultural land as opposed to strictly industrial.

Councillor Nancy Bepple supported the motion.

"Let's keep it simple, let's do one thing at a time," she said.

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Inaugural arts festival gains financial support from City

The City approved a $75,000 startup grant, Nov. 27, for an annual arts festival to begin in 2013.

"I think we're seeing a pretty broad base across the arts community," said Mayor Peter Milobar. "I can support it."

The B.C. Living Arts is spearheading the locally-driven artistic showcase called THRIVE that is expected to begin June 21 to 23, 2013.

The event is expected to become a signature artistic event in the City showcasing local arts and community organizations.

With several big-name sponsors already on board, including Tourism Kamloops, TRU, Ajax and New Gold Mines, the money would be used for retaining artists, securing venue and equipment, developing a website and producing promotional materials.

Council bumped heads over the proposed budget.

"I think we need more information in order to consider an application like this," said Councillor Marg Spina.

"I'm comfortable enough moving forward," Milobar said.

The decision was tabled until further into the meeting to allow further budgetary reports to be presented at council.

There was no additional discussion before voting to approve the grant.
 

UPDATE: 9:30 a.m. Nov. 24

Council to consider specified areas for medical marijuana grow-ops

Kamloops city councillors are considering designated zones for medical marijuana grow operations.

It is being considered to identify local issues with Health Canada's existing regulations as well as prepare for anticipated federal legislative changes that would commercialize licensed medical marijuana production and phase out residential neighbourhood grow-ops.

Changes would come through an amendment to Zoning By-law 5-1-2001 regarding the siting of federally-licensed medical marijuana grow-ops in Kamloops.

'Twin box' system expected to go, letter to council from Canada Post

After writing Canada Post for clarification about the fate of the mail sorting facility in Kamloops, the company cited increased competition and declining mail volume as reasons.

Council expressed concern over loss of jobs and longer wait times for mail in October because effective Nov. 4, all Kamloops local mail is being sent to the Vancouver Mail Processing Plant for processing.

"The majority of the mail being picked up in Kamloops is intended for locations outside the city and is already being handled by the VMPP. Eventually we will be eliminating the 'twin box' system in Kamloops," said the letter addressed to council from Canada Post.

It said the changes will reduce operational costs and ensure better productivity at the Vancouver plant.

It also said the company faces significant challenges from increased competition and declining mail volume that is not expected to rebound.

"This has had a huge financial impact on Canada Post, leading to multi-million dollar loses in 2011 and likely beyond."

Inaugural arts festival seeks financial support from City

The B.C. Living Arts is requesting $75,000 from the City at the Nov. 27 council meeting for support for the first annual Kamloops THRIVE festival, June 21 to 23, 2013.

The event is expected to become a signature artistic event in the City showcasing local arts and community organizations.

With several big-name sponsors already on board, including Tourism Kamloops, TRU, Ajax and New Gold Mines, the money would be used for retaining artists, securing venue and equipment, developing a website and producing promotional materials.

News from © iNFOnews, 2012