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RDEK Board Highlights
Transit Superstar
Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Community Services Manager Shannon Moskal was congratulated by the Board of Directors May 2 on being named a BC Transit Superstar. Shannon works with BC Transit, our contractors and the public using the Elk Valley, Columbia Valley and Health Connections Transit Services in the East Kootenay.
Minister thanked for Restructure Assistance offer
A letter will be sent to the Honourable Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development thanking her for the offer of restructure assistance to the City of Fernie for the West Fernie (pictured above) restructure proposal. The minister has offered the maximum per capita restructure assistance available. The City of Fernie is expected to review the offer at an upcoming city council meeting and the RDEK hopes to meet with the residents of West Fernie in the first week of June to discuss the West Fernie Servicing & Restructure project.
Fairmont flood & landslide service
Following community consultation earlier this spring, the RDEK has given three readings to the Fairmont Flood & Landslide Service Establishment Bylaw. The Bylaw will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development for approval prior to coming back to the board for adoption.
Columbia Valley Recreation Funding Policy amended
The Columbia Valley Recreation Funding Policy has been amended to include the Multi-Use Arts & Recreation Facility in Invermere. The amendment will see the RDEK contribute $125,000/year in capital and operating funding for a period of five years commencing in 2015. Directors Wendy Booth (Electoral Area F) and Dee Conklin (Village of Radium Hot Springs) have also been appointed to the design committee for the new facility.
New Emergency Program coordinator named
Gerry Smith will take on the position of Coordinator for the Central Subregion Emergency Program for the period May 2, 2014 to December 31, 2015. Dan Flegel has signed on as the Deputy Coordinator.
ALR Non-Farm Use supported
An application by the IDEAL Society for an ALR Non-Farm Use in the Jaffray area was supported by the board. The society proposes to expand the residential and education components in support of the agricultural, education, arts and leisure program. The application will now proceed to the Agricultural Land Commission for consideration of approval.
Transit Operating Agreements signed
The board chair and chief administrative officer have signed Annual Operating Agreements with BC Transit and Sun City Coachlines for operation of the Elk Valley transit system, and BC Transit and Olympus Stage Lines Ltd. for operation of the Columbia Valley transit system. Both agreements are for one year terms ending March 31, 2015.
Transit Advisory Commission appointments
Anita Leskie, Cielle Cowles, Ken Wilder and Bernie Macala have been appointed to the Columbia Valley Transit Advisory Commission for a two-year term.
Board supports request for action on aquatic invaders
A letter will be sent to the Federal and Provincial Governments supporting the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s request for action to prevent invasive zebra and quagga mussels (pictured) from entering B.C.
Canada Day fireworks planned for Fairmont
A special event licence will be issued to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for the Canada Day Fireworks celebration to be held at the Resort on July 1.
Discretionary Grant in Aid (DGIA) funding
– The Fernie Transportation Committee will receive $1,500 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account for the Fernie Local Winter Ski Shuttle.
– The Cranbrook and District 4-H Club will receive $1,500 for its upcoming Show and Sale. The funding will be split equally between the DGIA accounts for Electoral Areas A, B and C, with each contributing $500.
– TM Roberts Elementary School will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for an upcoming Rock Lake camping trip.
– The BC Seniors Games East Kootenay Zone 7 will receive $500 from the Area C DGIA account to help cover costs associated with members participating in the 2014 BC Seniors Games in Langley.
– The Cranbrook Lions Club will receive $1,200 from the Area C DGIA to help cover promotion costs as the club prepares to host the 2015 District Conference.
– The Mount Baker Grad Parent Prom Food Committee will receive $500 from the Area C DGIA to help cover food costs for graduation celebrations in June.
– The Windermere Valley Youth Centre Society will receive $500 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $250 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account to help cover costs of the guest speaker at the society’s upcoming fundraiser.
Looking for project funding?
Is your organization looking for financial support to complete a project in either the Columbia Valley or Elk Valley?
The Columbia Valley Community Directed Funds Program or the Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Program may be able to help.
If your project aligns with one or more of the five community priorities identified in the Columbia Valley or Elk Valley Plan, then you are encouraged to complete a project information form and submit it to the RDEK.
All the information can be found on the RDEK website: www.rdek.bc.ca .
For more information contact Andrew McLeod, RDEK special initiatives, 250-489-2791 or toll free at 1-888-478-7335.
Public meetings
Central East Kootenay Community Directed Funds Committee May 8 —3 p.m. RDEK Conference Room;
Columbia Valley Community Directed Funds Committee June 12 —10:30 a.m. Windermere Fire Hall;
Central East Kootenay Community Directed Funds Committee June 16 —3 p.m. RDEK Conference Room
Public hearings
Wednesday, May 21 —7 p.m. at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (Birch Room) – 5225 Fairmont Resort Road, Fairmont Hot Springs – Bylaw No. 2518—Fairmont Hot Springs Area Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1734, 2004 – Amendment Bylaw No. 24, 2014 (Columbia Lake/Bella Vista Properties Ltd.) - and- Bylaw No. 2519—Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 291, 2014 (Columbia Lake/ Bella Vista Properties Ltd.).
Other news and notes
Elk Valley Draft Official Community Plan Open House Tuesday, June 10 – Hosmer Community Centre from 7 – 9 p.m. (presentation at 7 p.m.) Information will be presented on the draft OCP amendment, a review of the draft bylaw, offer feedback on the draft policies, and an opportunity to ask questions.
Next board meetings
June 5 (Thursday) – Committee meetings – TBA
June 6 (Friday) – RDEK board meeting – 9 a.m.
RDEK
