Cranbrook’s Mayor gives his first “State of the City” address

The mayor's report is an annual tradition at the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.

Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt, (right) Dave Struthers, Chamber president (left) and accountant Trent Taylor (center) at the recent Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce luncheon — Marie Milner photo

Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt offered up his first “State of the City” report at the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. The report has become an annual tradition at the September Chamber event.

Mayor Pratt started his presentation by talking about the housing market where prices are up, August sales were up 12% and year-to-date sales are up 10%. So far in Cranbrook 188 houses have sold versus 171 last year, with a projected number of 258 homes selling in 2015. There are currently 116 homes for sale on the Cranbrook market.

Issued building permits are similar year-to-year, 109 in 2015 versus 111 at this time last year. The mayor spoke about one new housing development underway and another two projects pending. There were 83 new business licenses issued though there were 112 business licenses closed in the first six months. A total of 1,400 business licenses are registered with the city.

Airport passenger traffic is up 5% year-to-date. The mayor stated that ongoing discussions are taking place with Air North and Porter Airlines for possible ski charters into the airport this winter. Ongoing discussions are continuing with carriers WestJet and Alaska Air.

Hilo Investments was cited as a new company which has purchased the former Integra Air facility at the airport and is looking at developing a medi-vac business for the region. Though he didn’t offer many details Mayor Pratt said the City is working with the Kootenay Ice organization to ensure the WHL team remains in Cranbrook. As well, reference was made to Dycar’s Medical Marijuana project that potentially could employ some 200 people and establish a research and development arm with the College of the Rockies.

The city has also recently signed a deal with Surrey-based P2 Solar to lease a 25 hectare parcel of the land on the city’s spray irrigation property to build a solar farm. This should bring Cranbrook some $100,000 in fees over the course of the agreement. Cranbrook has also recently established a new tourism destination board to promote tourism to the city and access additional marketing and infrastructure dollars.

The mayor stated that another doctor is enroute to Cranbrook from Saskatchewan, a result of the City’s ongoing recruiting strategy. He also predicts next year’s airshow will be a big success by drawing visitors to this major Cranbrook event – one of the only airshows happening in western Canada next year.

Again without revealing details Mayor Pratt spoke of ongoing talks to re-develop the former Tembec lands on Theatre Road. Evidently talks are underway to secure several value-added resource sector companies to set up shop on the property. The opportunity promises good paying jobs and demands a skilled work force.

Other accomplishments mentioned by the mayor included: Elimination of the two-tier recreation facility fee, $3 million spent on road work, the purchase of the Python 5,000 one-man pothole patcher, cancellation of the $500,000 loan on the old Firehall and the listing of it for sale ($349,000), the re-zoning of a number of business properties and the general speeding up of the City’s responsiveness to license and building requests, and the process to hire an additional building inspector is taking place.

Mayor Pratt wrapped things up with reference to the Idlewild reservoir draw down. Grant applications have been submitted and are awaiting approval to start the re-build program. The first step will be dredging the pond and designing a new dam.  He hopes this project will elicit community support and build a lasting legacy for the citizens of Cranbrook. He also hinted at a broader goal of rehabilitating the entire length of Joseph Creek which runs through the city north to south.

All in all Mayor Pratt stated, “It has been a steep learning curve for our new council but we are pleased to have cut tax increases from a proposed 5.77% to 2.58% in the 2015 budget process and still accomplish the mandate of the City. We are a very pro-business council and are working very hard to remove any barriers to business in the City.”