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RDEK Board Highlights
The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the March 6 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board meeting.
Volunteers of the Year announced
The 2015 RDEK Electoral Area Volunteers of the Year have been announced. They are:
Electoral Area A – Shelby Rawson; Electoral Area B – Anne Gonnelly; Electoral Area C – Bob Bjorn; Electoral Area E – JC McPhee; Electoral Area F – Terry and Shirley White; Electoral Area G – Vi Wittman.
NorthStar Rails 2 Trails funding approved
The RDEK board has approved $23,000 from the Community Works Fund trails reserve for the following upgrade projects along the NorthStar Rails 2 Trails:
– Pavement or stone base around benches and tables;
– Improved access to trail from Shadow Mountain parking lot;
– Interpretive signage of nature and history along trail.
In support of Homeless Shelter
The Board of Directors has confirmed its grant of $260,000 for the East Kootenay Homeless Shelter. The grant will be paid over two years when the project proceeds. In addition, a letter will be sent to the Minister Responsible for Housing expressing the board’s strong support for the proposed shelter and urging provincial financial support.
West Fernie Servicing & Restructure Bylaws adopted
The board adopted the service establishment and loan authorization bylaws for the West Fernie Servicing & Infrastructure Project. The adoption of these two bylaws was required for the work to begin on the West Fernie Servicing & Infrastructure Upgrade Project (Phase 1). Engineering will take place this year. This will include public consultation, survey, design and approvals. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2016.
Regional Broadband Committee MOU signed
The chair signed the Memorandum of Understanding for participation on the Regional Broadband Committee for a three-year term ending December 31, 2017. The Committee, made up of four regional districts, the Ktunaxa Nation Council and Village of Valemount, will develop a regional broadband strategy and implementation plan.
In support of funding for the multi-use facility
A letter of support will be provided to the District of Invermere for its application to the Strategic Priorities Fund for the multi-use facility project.
Letter of support for Idlewild Park upgrade funding application
A separate letter of support will be sent to the City of Cranbrook for its application to the Strategic Priorities Fund to upgrade Idlewild Park.
Elk Valley Victim Assistance Agreement signed
The CAO has been authorized to sign the funding agreement with the province for the Elk Valley Victim Assistance Program for the term April 1/15 to March 31/16.
Joint application to be submitted for Westside Trail
An application will be submitted jointly with the Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance to the General Strategic Priorities Fund for construction of the Westside Legacy Trail. The application will be made with the understanding that the legal framework for the RDEK to take over ownership and maintenance of the proposed trail must be in place before funding is accepted.
Fairy Creek Bridge supported
A letter of support will be provided to the Fernie Trails Alliance for the Fairy Creek Pedestrian Bridge Project. The Alliance is in the process of securing funding for the project through grants and other funding sources and the letter will be used in these fundraising efforts.
Letter of thanks for CV Rec Society
A letter of thanks will be sent to the Columbia Valley Recreation Society thanking them for reallocating their $50,000 internally restricted reserve fund towards the replacement of the roof at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. The society will also be requested to contribute an additional $50,000 to the cost of the roof replacement.
Library Board appointment
Joanne Steedman has been appointed as the Electoral Area G representative on the Radium Hot Springs Public Library Board for the term March 6, 2015 to January 31, 2017.
Discretionary Grants in Aid (DGIA)
– The Fernie Chamber of Commerce will receive $3,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account for the 2015 Griz Days Festival.
– Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club will receive $2,500 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for the Kootenay Rockies Kids Fondo.
– The Cranbrook Minor Hockey Bantam Tier II Hockey Club will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA to help offset the costs of referees for the 2015 Provincial Bantam AA Hockey Championship.
– The Edgewater Recreation Society will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for Edgewater highway signs.
– The Windermere Valley Youth Centre Society will receive $500 from the Area F DGIA and $250 from the Area G DGIA accounts for the Youth Centre of Canada’s Annual Youth Conference.
– Wings Over the Rockies will receive $750 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $250 from the Area G DGIA account for a Bird Checklist for the Wings Over the Rockies Festival.
– The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $250 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for new ski equipment.
– The Lake Windermere Ambassadors will receive $1,250 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $250 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for their Strategic Planning Session.
– Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network will receive $500 from the Area B DGIA account, $1,500 from the Area C DGIA account, $650 from the Area E DGIA account, $750 from the Area F DGIA account and $250 from the Area G DGIA account for its Wild Voices for Kids Program.
Public meetings
Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Committee March 13 —9:30 a.m . at Fernie City Hall.
Columbia Valley Community Directed Funds Committee April 20 —10:30 a.m. Windermere Fire Hall.
Central East Kootenay Community Directed Funds Committee May 7 —3 p.m. at the RDEK Boardroom (Cranbrook).
Next board meetings
Thursday, April 9 – TBA
– Friday, April 10 – 9 a.m. at the RDEK boardroom.
For more information, please visit our website: www.rdek.bc.ca or follow us on Facebook and let the news come to you www.facebook.com/eastkootenay
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