Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

On November 24, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting.

Councillors Sue Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Diana Fox, Woody Maguire, Jason McBain were present along with Mayor Don McCormick. Coun. Sandra Roberts attended by video link.

An archive of the meeting can be viewed on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.

Kimberley Edible Garden & Greenhouse (KEGG)

Sue Lysachok, President of KEGG, made a presentation on the group’s activities and two request of council. The KEGG is a gathering of community gardeners who work to produce sustainable food and increase food security.

Key to the group’s success is “sharing produce and local gardening knowledge,” said Lysachok. Located in Townsite at the McDougall Park, the group has grown from the original 20 persons to 30 with the intent to add another five gardeners in 2026.

A portion of the produce from the garden is donated to the Food Recovery Depot.

The group “runs a seed exchange program at the Kimberley Library.” KEGG was part of the garden tour program this past summer which included being the “information site” were residents learn about gardening, expand their knowledge and get gardening tips.

Lysachok noted the yields from the garden “per square foot has more than doubled.” The group is using more “intensive planting with wide row gardening.”

Over the next five years, KEGG plans to “expand garden capacity and production, strengthen organizational capacity and increase community education and collaboration.”

Two requests were made of council. First, renew the Land Use Agreement (LUA) with the city. Second, a request for “additional space immediately adjacent” to the existing site. The KEGG wants to add another 5,650 sq. ft. The existing site covers 5,400 sq. ft.

Coun. McBain said, “I’ve been impressed with the project, and I really like what it’s all about, bringing community together. I’m in support of expanding that space a little bit more.”

Mayor McCormick stated that after five years, “You’ve done an outstanding job.”

Chief administrative officer Jim Hendricks noted that he would request staff to prepare a report on renewing the LUA with an option to expand the area the KEGG has asked for.

Sewer and waterworks rates increasing

In 2026, sewer and waterworks rates will increase by five per cent.

The sewer rate is set to increase $6.06, going from $120.96 to $127.02 per quarter. This will result in an additional $119,000 per year.

The water rate is set to increase $6.84, going from $136.83 to $143.67 per quarter which results in additional revenue of $134,000 per year.

Bulk water rates are set to increase 15% in 2026. This brings the rate to $1 per cubic meter which is, according to the city, the amount needed for “full cost recovery” of what the city spends to provide bulk water. The users of bulk water are Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), for snow making at the ski hill and irrigation at Trickle Creek Golf Course, and Teck Metals.

Noting that both water and sewer systems are self-funding utilities, Mayor McCormick said, “We need to keep a close eye on what we need for infrastructure renewal. That’s the whole reason for taking the increases we are in the financial plan.”

At the vote, all councillors were in favour of the increases except for Coun. Dunnebacke who was opposed. He did not make a comment on his voting position.

Kimberley city council assembles twice monthly starting at 7 p.m.

The next regular council meeting: December 8. This is the last meeting for 2025.

e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

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