The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Feb. 22 City of Fernie council meeting.

1. AGREEMENTS, LICENCES PERMITS & POLICIES

1.1 Development Variance Permit Application (DVPA) No. 382 – 2 Sunniva Drive

Council approved DVPA-382 and gave notice of their intention to consider the issuance of for Lot 15, District Lot 4589, Kootenay District, Plan EPP45555 to vary the minimum side yard setback along a portion of the east property line for a single family dwelling with attached garage.

1.2 Bylaw Enforcement and Response to Citizen Complaints Policy Amendment

Council adopted Bylaw Enforcement and Response to Citizen Concerns Policy, Amendment No. 1 dated February 16. This will allow for the increase in the level of enforcement of Dog Licencing, Regulating and Impounding Bylaw No. 1995 related to Dog at Large violations.

2. BYLAWS

2.1 RDEK Bylaw No. 2657 & 2658 Referrals, RDEK Elk Valley Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2532, Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2015 & Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, Amendment Bylaw No. 79, 2015 re: Brenners Road and Cunliffe Road – Gary and Lila Tomlinson

Council recommended that the RDEK Board give first and second readings toRegional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Bylaw No. 2657 and RDEK Bylaw No. 2658 subject to the land owners preparing a Traffic Impact Study to the satisfaction of the RDEK prior to adoption of RDEK Bylaw No. 2657 and RDEK Bylaw No. 2658 to address the intent of the following Policy 5.3(2)(d)(iii) of RDEK Elk Valley Official Community Plan (OCP). See the attached Staff Report for additional information.

2.2 Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 1400, Amendment #5, Bylaw No. 2291, 2016

Council approved first three readings to the Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 1400, Amendment #5, Bylaw No. 2291, 2016 which will allow the allow the Director of Operational Services to designate, discontinue, alter or reserve one or more parking spaces for the use of persons carrying out a special purpose i.e. mobile vending, construction, repairs to infrastructure if needed or other work in a specific location.

3. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

3.1 First Responder Efficiencies

Council authorized a modification to the level of First Responder Service provided by Fernie Fire Rescue to BC Ambulance Service by eliminating medical responses to the types of calls as indicated in the attached staff report, thereby shifting responsibility for these types of calls to BC Ambulance Service’s part–time unit, except in instances where the part-time unit is not available or is committed to a previous response in which case Fernie Fire Rescue would still respond if available.

3.2 Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update

Council endorsed a funding application under the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) and allocate $8,750 funded from the Accumulated Surplus Reserve towards the preparation of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Update project representing 50% of the project’s total cost of $17,500.

3.3 City of Fernie Affordable Housing Strategy Update

Council Approved the allocation of $40,000 to be funded from the Accumulated Surplus Reserve towards the preparation of the City of Fernie Affordable Housing Strategy Update project as well;

– endorsed a funding application for $5,000 to the Healthy Communities Capacity Building (Plan H program) as implemented by the BC Healthy Communities Society to be allocated towards the City of Fernie Affordable Housing Strategy Update project; and

– endorsed a Seed Funding application proposed to be submitted by Fernie Family Housing to CMHC to fund a $9,500 feasibility and development potential analysis for a site-specific affordable housing project to be potentially being informed by the Affordable Housing Strategy.

3.4 Letter from Avalanche Canada re: Request for a letter of support for their continued sponsorship from CP Rail

Council will be forwarding a letter of support to Avalanche Canada for their support sponsorship from CP Rail.

3.5 Letter from the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation re: Request for Letter of Support in their efforts to leverage matching funds through our donor and the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT)    

Council will be forwarding a letter in support of their effort to leverage matching funds through their donor and the CBT.

3.6 Letter from the City of Calgary re: Mayor’s Poetry Challenge: A celebration of Poetry, Writing and Publishing

Fernie will again be participating in the Mayor’s Poetry Challenge. Councillor Qualizza asked for council’s support in her initiative to garner support from the local schools to have students participate in the challenge this year. Letter from the City of Calgary

3.7 Fernie Recreational Vehicle Park Modification to Sections 2(e) and 3 of Covenant (CA3180103 related to Floodplain Construction Levels

Council authorize a modification to the above noted Covenant as noted in the attached report be prepared and registered against title at the cost of the landowner 0937657 BC Ltd.

3.8 Eirin Amundsen Memorial Pavilion Committee

Council supports the Committee’s initiative and has directed staff to reach out and assist them in any way they can as well, a letter of support will be forwarded in support of their Columbia Basin Trust Grant Application.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND OTHER NEWS

4.1 The next scheduled Council Meetings are as follows:

Special (Budget) Monday, February 29 at 10 a.m. in council chambers;

Committee of the Whole (COTW) Monday, March 14 at 10 a.m. in council chambers; and

Regular Meeting – Monday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.

4.2 Elk Valley P.A.R.T.Y Program re: Program Start up for 2016 Letter from Elk Valley P.A.R.T.Y Program

4.3 Temporary Discharge of Effluent to the Elk River

The City of Fernie wishes to advise area residents that in order to dispose of excessive amounts of storm water in the sanitary sewer collection system due to melting conditions and recent rains it is necessary to temporarily discharge treated effluent to the Elk River. The discharge began Monday, February 22, and goes through to Monday March 14, in accordance with the Ministry of Environment operating permit. FAQ. | Water and Sewer

4.4 Utility Discount – Pay your annual utilities by February 29 and receive a five per cent discount. The 2016 Annual Utility charges for single family dwellings and residential strata units are due. A five per cent discount is available if the full year is paid no later than February 29. Utility Discount

4.5 Leisure Services is looking for a Lifeguard Instructor 1, part time at the Fernie Aquatic Centre. Job posting closes February 29. Check the Job Opportunities page on the website for details. Job Posting- lifeguard-instructor

4.6 GRIZ DAYS – 2016

March 4 – 6 – Fernie welcomes the world. Please visit their website for more information.

City of Fernie

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