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RDEK Board Highlights
New Fees for Boat Launch
There will be a new fee this year for commuter vehicles parking at the Yaqakxaqlamki Boat Launch (Lake Koocanusa). The RDEK has amended the bylaw to include a $5/day parking fee for commuter vehicles. This new fee will be implemented this season and will be in addition to the current $10/day fee for vehicles launching boats. Commuter vehicles are classified as those vehicles carrying passengers (but no boats).
2013 Electoral Area Volunteers of the Year named
The following people were named as the 2013 RDEK Electoral Area Volunteers of the Year May 3 by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK):
Electoral Area A – Judith Johannsson
Electoral Area B – Gary Mitchell
Electoral Area C – Louise Dunn
Electoral Area E – Orleana & Hugh Campbell
Electoral Area F – Norbert Schab
Electoral Area G – Barbara Neraasen
The Volunteers of the Year will be formally recognized at a community event later this spring or summer.
10-Year Service Award
Records Management Technician Michelle Landry was presented with her 10-Year Service Award. Michelle started her time at the RDEK as an Office Assistant before being promoted to Records Management Technician in 2008.
Wasa Lions Trail to be repaired
The regional board approved $9,167 in Community Works Funds for the Wasa Lions Club. The funds will be used to repair the Wasa Lions Trail that was damaged during the flooding last summer.
Applications to be submitted for flood protection
The RDEK will submit a Category One application for $467,330 in funding from the Flood Protection Program to reconstruct the Fairmont Creek channel through the golf course, improve the inlet into the golf course pond, increase the channel capacity through Marble Canyon and install signage. (Lead photo shows some of the carnage following the 2012 Fairmont Creek slide at Fairmont Hot Springs.)
In addition, the region will apply for a Category Two application for $30,000 in funding will be submitted to remove silt and gravel from the Glencairn Creek/Dam reservoir.
GHG Emissions Funds to go to Reserve Fund
The RDEK will allocate $25/tonne of corporate greenhouse gas emissions for 2012 to an Energy Conservation Reserve Fund. Previously, the board had opted to go carbon neutral and purchase carbon offsets from the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Darkwoods project. However, that resolution has been rescinded and the money will instead be directed to the Reserve Fund. While the RDEK will no longer be able to call itself carbon neutral for 2012, it is hoped that the creation of the new fund will help advance more local energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction projects in the future.
Province requested to resume responsibility for St. Mary Lake Road
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be sent a letter requesting the province take back ownership and responsibility for that portion of St. Mary Lake Road that runs through District Lot 6400. A letter will also be sent to the City of Kimberley requesting that they submit a requisite boundary reduction application. The issue has arisen after concern was raised regarding the lack of maintenance and repair on the road, which is currently within the City of Kimberley’s boundary.
Green policies adopted
The RDEK has adopted three new policies related to improving its environmental performance. The Green Building Policy is aimed at reducing the carbon emissions and improve the performance of all RDEK owned facilities. The Green Fleet Policy addresses the replacement of light duty and passenger vehicles utilized by the RDEK and the Green Purchasing Policy reaffirms the life cycle costing, green procurement, energy efficiency and GHG emissions reductions are part of the RDEK’s corporate purchasing objectives.
Area A Director appointed to Transportation Committee
Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski has been appointed as the RDEK representative on the Fernie Visitor Transportation Committee.
Discretionary Grant-in-Aid (DGIA) funding
The Fernie Child Care Society will receive $150 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account to help offset snow removal and lawn maintenance costs.
The BC Seniors Games Zone 7 will receive $300 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account to support their program.
The Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club is busy raising funding for the Gran Fondo (Big Ride) Cycling Event in September and will receive a $2,000 sponsorship from the Electoral Area C DGIA account.
The Borderline Barrel Racing Club will receive $900 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account for their Barrel-o-Rama.
Other RDEK happenings
Notice
The RDEK’s Cranbrook and Columbia Valley Offices will be closed on Thursday, May 16. The offices will reopen on Friday, May 17 for regular hours.
Public meeting
Columbia Valley Community Directed Funds Committee – Monday, May 13 —9:30 a.m. at the Windermere Fire Hall—1627 Highway 93, Windermere.
Public hearings
* Wednesday, May 22 —7:30 p.m. at Columbia Ridge Community Centre—6890 Columbia Lake Rd., Fairmont Hot Springs. Bylaw 2468—Regional District of East Kootenay—Fairmont Hot Springs Area Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1734, 2004 – Amendment Bylaw No. 22, 2013 (Columbia Lake / Bella Vista Properties) and Bylaw 2469—Regional District of East Kootenay—Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 286, 2013 (Columbia Lake / Bella Vista Properties).
* Monday, May 27—7 p.m. at the Centennial Centre—100-4th Avenue Kimberley. Bylaw 2446—Regional District of East Kootenay—Kimberley Rural Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1924, 2006 – Amendment Bylaw No. 8, 2013 (Meadowbrook / Geyer) and Bylaw 2447—Regional District of East Kootenay—Kimberley Rural Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 1925, 2006 – Amendment Bylaw No. 14, 2013 (Meadowbrook / Geyer).
* Tuesday, May 28 —4 p.m. at the Hosmer Community Centre—Front Street & 6th Avenue Hosmer for Bylaw 2449—Regional District of East Kootenay—Land Use Contract Bylaw No. 5, 1977 – Amendment Bylaw No. 4, 2013 (Hosmer /Hutchinson).
NEXT BOARD MEETINGS
* Thursday June 6 – Committee Meetings TBA
* Friday June 7 – RDEK Board Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS is a monthly publication of the Regional District of East Kootenay. The Regional Board meets on the first Friday of each month (subject to periodic change) at the RDEK office in Cranbrook. Board Meetings are open to the public. For more information on this publication, contact Loree Duczek at [email protected] or visit www.rdek.bc.ca
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