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RDEK Board Highlights
The following is a breakdown as to what transpired during the May 1 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board meeting.
Edgewater Water Upgrade Project gets additional funding

Up to $300,000 in Community Works funds has been approved for allocation to the Edgewater Watermains Upgrade Project. The construction contract has been awarded to Copcan Civil Ltd.
JimSmith Lake development
The board gave first and second reading and authorized a public hearing for Bylaws No. 2594 and 2595 for a proposed development near JimSmith Lake (pictured above). The Bylaws will amend the Rockyview OCP and the Cranbrook Rural Zoning Bylaw to permit the subdivision of nine new residential parcels on McDonald Road. The public hearing for Bylaws No. 2594 and 2595 will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at the RDEK office in Cranbrook.
Letter of appreciation for contribution to roof replacement

A letter will be sent to the Columbia Valley Recreation Society thanking them for allocating an additional $50,000, for a total contribution of $100,000, towards the replacement of the roof of the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.
Transfer Station contract awarded
The bid submitted by Southeast Contracting Ltd. for the operation of the Cranbrook and Kimberley Transfer Stations has been accepted and the Chair and CAO have signed the five-year agreement.
Transit agreements signed
The Chair and CAO have signed the Annual Operating Agreement with BC Transit and Olympus Stage Lines for the operation of the Columbia Valley Transit System. They have also signed the Annual Operating Agreement with BC Transit and Sun City Coachlines for the operation of the Elk Valley Transit System. Both are one-year agreements with a term ending March 31, 2016.
RDEK to assist Elk River Alliance
RDEK staff will assist the Elk River Alliance in overseeing the Elk River Flood Solutions Strategy. All associated labour and expenses will be paid from the Electoral Area A Flood Control Service.
Pound agreements signed
The Chair and CAO have signed the agreement with Damien Richard for the supervision of the Columbia Valley pound for the term May 15 to December 31. An amended agreement with the District of Invermere for Columbia Valley pound facilities has also been signed.
Fernie rural fire protection agreement amended
The Chair and CAO have signed the agreement amendment with the City of Fernie to expand the area provided with fire protection service to include properties recently added to the Fernie Rural Fire Protection Service Area.
Letter of support for Biosolid Review Committee
The Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health will be advised that the RDEK Board supports the recommendation from the Thompson Nicola Regional District that a committee be formed to examine the biosolid regulatory review process.
Regional parks to include Westside Legacy Trail
An amendment will be prepared to the Regional Parks Service Establishment Bylaw to include the proposed Westside Legacy Trail as a regional park, with costs apportioned from Electoral Areas F and G, the District of Invermere and Villages of Canal Flats and Radium Hot Springs.
Canada Day fireworks planned for Fairmont
A Special Event Licence has been issued to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for its Canada Day Fireworks, which will be held at the Resort on July 1.
Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)
– The Cranbrook Celebration for Peace Committee will receive $500 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account and $500 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account to go towards the Cranbrook Celebration for Peace Programs.
– The Kimberley Dynamiters Junior Hockey Club will receive $250 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for the Bull a Rama fundraiser.
– The Kootenay Children’s Festival will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account to help offset costs for the entertainers at the upcoming Kootenay Children’s Festival.
– Mount Baker Secondary School will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for the 2015 Prom Night celebrations.
– The Columbia Headwaters Community Forest Association will receive $50 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $50 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for annual membership dues.
– The Fairmont Business Association will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $250 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for the Visitor Information Centre to provide additional operating hours.
– The Glacier Peaks Gymnastic Society will receive $4,000 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $1,000 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for new gymnastics equipment.
– The BC Conservation Foundation will receive $1,250 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $1,250 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for the WildSafe BC Program.
Public meetings
Steeples Draft Official Community Plan & Zoning Bylaw Open House – May 20 —7 to 9 p.m
. Wardner Community Hall
-and May 21 —7 to 9 p.m. at the Bull River Community Hall. The presentations will begin at 7:30 pm. The presentations will be tailored to the individual communities within the plan area.
Columbia Valley Community Directed Funds Committee – May 22 —10:30 a.m. 
Windermere Fire Hall
Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Committee – June 12 —9:30 a.m. 
Fernie City Hall
Public hearings
Thursday, May 14 —4 p.m. – Regional District of East Kootenay Bylaw No. 2594 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Rockyview Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2255, 2010 – Amendment Bylaw No. 14, 2015 (Jim Smith Lake Rd. / 1009891 BC Ltd.)” –and–
Bylaw No. 2595 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Cranbrook Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 1402, 2001 – Amendment Bylaw No. 35, 2015 (Jim Smith Lake Rd. / 1009891 BC Ltd.).”
Wednesday, May 20 —4 p.m. Fernie Family Centre. Bylaw No. 2597 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 73, 2015 (Highway 3 / Webster)”
Wednesday, May 20 —4 p.m. Fernie Family Centre – Bylaw No. 2598 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 74, 2015 (Hand Ave. / Heslop).”
Next board meetings
Thursday, May 28 – Committee meetings; TBA
Friday, May 29 –Regular board meeting; 9 a.m.
RDEK
