Home »
RDEK Board Highlights
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Oct. 9 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting.
GRANT APPROVED FOR PHASE 2 OF TRANSIT PILOT PROJECT
A grant of $9,000 from the Columbia Valley Transit Service has been approved for Phase 2 of the Transit Pilot Project. The grant will enable the David Thompson Secondary Climate Action Club and Wildsight Invermere to extend their pilot project by five weeks to December 17.
The “Late Bus” project started in late September and utilizes private buses running in the evenings combined with a public survey to assess demand for later-evening transportation in the Columbia Valley.
TRANSFER STATION OPTIMIZATION PROJECT ADOPTED
The Rural Transfer Station Optimization Plan has been adopted. The plan establishes service levels at rural transfer station sites in the Central and Columbia Valley Subregions as the RDEK transitions away from the yellow bin program and works to maximize waste diversion while maintaining reasonable public access to services.
The next step will be the implementation phase, which will be shared with the public as plans begin to take shape. The Elk Valley Subregion does not have any rural transfer stations, so is not included in the Optimization Plan.
APPLICATION TO BE SUBMITTED FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR FAIRMONT CREEK RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS ANALYSIS
An application will be submitted to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, Foundations of Disaster Risk Reduction Stream for Fairmont Creek Debris Flow Risk Reduction Options Analysis and Community Engagement. A 2025 hazard and risk assessment for Fairmont Creek identified five potential mitigation options; this funding will support the further technical analysis and engagement with residents, First Nations, the Resort and other stakeholders needed to determine the preferred approach.
NEW DENSITY CRITERIA ADOPTED FOR STRs
New density criteria has been adopted by the board as part of an updated Short Term Rental (STR) Temporary Use Permit Policy. The new criteria will apply only to Electoral Area F. The new criteria recognizes the number of permits issued to date and provides guidance on where new permits may be issued based on specific separation distances in residential areas. Further information can be found in the policy or by contacting the Planning Department staff.
WILDFIRE RESILIENCE PLAN ADOPTED
The board has adopted the East Kootenay Community Wildfire Resilience Plan. The plan provides a current, region-wide framework to guide wildfire resilience planning, project development, grant applications, advocacy, and coordination with provincial and other partners. It responds to changes in wildfire risk, development within the wildland–urban interface, provincial programs, FireSmart practices, and local experience with wildfire mitigation and emergency planning since the previous plan was completed in 2011.
COMMUNITY WORKS FUNDING APPROVED FOR TRAIL
A Community Works Fund grant for $105,000 has been approved for the Area B Parks Service to fund a portion of the Jaffray Trail construction project shortfall.
ENERGY RETROFIT FUNDING APPROVED
The board approved $90,000 from the Local Government Climate Action Program reserve fund for the Building Energy Retrofit Assist Program – Year three. The Retrofit Assist Program has been administered by the Community Energy Association for the past two years. With the funding for year three approved, a new intake of applicants is proposed to open November 1.
ASSET MANAGEMENT STRATEGY & IMPROVEMENT PLAN ADOPTED
Following the adoption of the Asset Management Strategy and Asset Management Improvement Plan, RDEK staff will begin working on a phased approach to implementing the Improvement Plan. Some of the first steps include updating governance documents, establishing an asset management framework, defining roles and responsibilities, consolidating available inventory data, and preparing a common service area asset management plan template.
STAFF TO WORK WITH TASK FORCE
RDEK staff will work with the East Kootenay Forest Task Force to identify collaborative opportunities that support the Task Force’s operational capacity and advance its environmental stewardship objectives.
SHUSWAP BAND SERVICE AGREEMENTS RENEWED
The Chair and chief administrative officer (CAO) have been authorized to sign agreements with the Shuswap Band for fire services, RDEK services and Kootenay East Regional Hospital District capital projects through 2030 on reserve and on leased lands. While First Nations are not required to pay taxes on reserve lands, the Shuswap Band Chief and Council have approved a contribution for RDEK services including the Emergency Program, Fire, Recreation, Transit, E-911, Electoral Area F Parks & Trails, Grant in Aid, Libraries, Regional Parks and Solid Waste Disposal in the Columbia Valley. A separate agreement has been reached for Shuswap Band Lands that are leased to other parties to provide a contribution toward RDEK services including all services noted above plus Area F Cemeteries and Invasive Plant Control.
VIDEO RECORDINGS OF COMMITTEE & BOARD MEETINGS
RDEK Board and Committee meetings will be recorded and posted for six months on the RDEK website starting next year. Once the budget has been adopted in March, recording software and hardware will be purchased with implementation of the new recording process anticipated in the spring. Currently, the meetings are live-streamed, but not recorded.
DISCRETIONARY GRANTS IN AID (DGIA)
The Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays will receive $200 from the Electoral Area B DGIA account, $2,500 from the Area C DGIA account and $1,000 from the Area E DGIA account for its Essential Items Project.
NEXT BOARD MEETINGS
November 5 – RDEK Committee Meetings TBA
November 6 – RDEK Board Meeting 9 a.m.
Lead image: Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services crew attends a grass fire in Gold Creek, south of Cranbrook, earlier this year. The RDEK board has adopted the East Kootenay Community Wildfire Resilience Plan. The plan provides a current, region-wide framework to guide wildfire resilience planning, project development, grant applications, advocacy, and coordination with provincial and other partners. e-KNOW file photos
RDEK
