Property Tax information goes onlineMore than 2,500 <strong>Kamloops</strong> property owners registered for the online system “My<strong>City</strong>” in <strong>2010</strong> to access and process property tax information.The <strong>City</strong> added the property tax section early in the year, making it easy and convenient for residents to access their accounts. The site, which isavailable through www.mycity.kamloops.ca, allows customers to check and update information any time, claim home owner grants, view levyinformation for current and previous years, view assessment information, transactions and verify payments. The My<strong>City</strong> system also gives access toDevelopment and Engineering Services permit applications, business licenses, and dog license accounts.Municipal property salesSales activity levels were up 14% in <strong>2010</strong> compared to the year previous with 40 activefiles versus 35 in 2009. Activity included the sale <strong>of</strong> the former Scoopz lot on Lorne Streetto Northland Properties for $2.25 million, the sale <strong>of</strong> the former Mission Flats CentralMaintenance Yard to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District for $450,000, and two smallopen space sales resulting in $44,500. In addition, six road closures and sales to adjoiningproperty owners in <strong>2010</strong> amounted to $151,500. Between 2008-<strong>2010</strong> total sales proceedswere more than $6.7 million.18 <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kamloops</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
Good Governmentimproving ourorganization andcitizens’ quality <strong>of</strong> lifeEmergency responseexercises prepare city staffAs an integral partner in facilitating safetymeasures during an emergency situation,the <strong>City</strong> focused efforts in <strong>2010</strong> on practicingemergency operation proceduresacross various municipal departments.Because <strong>of</strong> the number <strong>of</strong> forest fires inthe region in the past few years, the <strong>City</strong>took advantage <strong>of</strong> funding through theJoint Emergency Preparedness Programto ramp up training protocol and procedures,and to update equipment. Duringa true emergency, various first-respondersand provincial organizations such as theBC Fire Service have an immediate role toplay in an incident itself, while the <strong>City</strong>’sEmergency Management Program focuseson what comes next. Several departmentsparticipated in a <strong>Kamloops</strong> Fire and Rescueday-long fire simulation exercise in Erin Valleylast spring, to practice management <strong>of</strong>evacuations, communications, and supportservices. This preparation proved valuablewhen an interface wildfire broke out in anearby area a few weeks later.Uji delegation enjoys 20thcelebration with sister city<strong>Kamloops</strong> has enjoyed more than twodecades <strong>of</strong> sharing in the benefits <strong>of</strong>social, cultural and education opportunitieswith its sister city, Uji, Japan. To markthe 20th anniversary, the <strong>City</strong> hosted agroup <strong>of</strong> 24 Uji representatives who weretreated to a multi-day cultural celebration.The delegation, including Mayor IsamuKubota, two city councillors and 18 citizens,were involved in a formal presentation at<strong>City</strong> Hall, then took part in a tour <strong>of</strong> theMcQueen Lake Environmental EducationCentre, Tournament Capital Centre, TRUHorticulture Gardens and the SecwepemcMuseum. The group also traveled to SunPeaks and were able to enjoy Canada Daycelebrations at Riverside Park as well as thegrand opening <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Kamloops</strong> Children’sMuseum on July 1.Online business licenseprocess increases efficiencyA <strong>City</strong> move to implement online creditcard payment options for business licensepurchases and renewals has taken whatwas once a multi-day process and boiledit down to minutes. Since November,businesses can purchase or renew licensesthrough the “My<strong>City</strong>” online portal and havetheir payments processed right away. Futureplans for further streamlined improvementsinclude an online business licenseapplication form that can be filled in andsent with the credit card payment.<strong>City</strong> honours dedicated citizensWhat does it mean to make a positivedifference in our community? For fivespecial people who were honoured atthe Distinguished Service and Freeman<strong>of</strong> the <strong>City</strong> Awards in <strong>2010</strong>, it coversa scope <strong>of</strong> kindness and good deeds,from haunted-house fundraising forthe food bank to volunteering timefor hospital and healthy-communityevents to involvement in local serviceclubs, furthering cultural initiatives andsupporting sport and recreation at alllevels. Sue Adams, Jan Cook, Elizabeth(Liz) Lyne and Izzy McQueen were <strong>2010</strong>’sDistinguished Service recipients, whilelongtime <strong>Kamloops</strong> resident and localbusinessman Ron Maguire received theFreeman <strong>of</strong> the <strong>City</strong> Award, the highestaward the municipality can bestowon a <strong>Kamloops</strong> resident. Criteria forDistinguished Service Awards includevolunteer service that contributes tothe well-being <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kamloops</strong> citizensand to the growth and development<strong>of</strong> the community, while the Freedom<strong>of</strong> the <strong>City</strong> is a designation awardedinfrequently and only with theunanimous support <strong>of</strong> the Mayor andCouncil Members.<strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kamloops</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 19