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RDEK Board Highlights
Transition plan in place as CAO eyes retirement
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors Jan. 8 announced they have selected a new Chief Administrative Officer to replace current CAO Lee-Ann Crane when she retires later this year. In making the announcement, Board Chair Rob Gay said the board felt it was important to have a plan in place to ensure a smooth transition. Current RDEK Chief Financial Officer Shawn Tomlin will assume the role of CAO following Crane’s retirement in June. She has been CAO of the regional district for over 18 years and has been an RDEK employee for almost 37 years. Tomlin has been with the RDEK for 13 years and has been CFO for nine. The RDEK will begin recruiting for a new Chief Financial Officer this week.
West Fernie Phase 1 construction RFQ complete
The Detailed Design for Phase 1 of the West Fernie Servicing Project is nearing completion and will be issued for Tender in late January. As part of the Tender process, the RDEK completed a Request for Qualification (RFQ). As a result of the RFQ, 11 contractors have been notified that they are qualified to submit Tenders for the project, including: Kanppett Industries, LNB Construction, Bob Mitchell Excavating, Copcan Civil, Dawson Construction, Gold Star Trucking, Hall Constructors, Jacob Brothers, Jenex Contracting, Mackay Contracting and Whissel Contracting. Required approvals and permits should be in place prior to the awarding of the Phase 1 contract, which is expected to occur at the RDEK Board Meeting in March.
CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs
The RDEK will continue to administer the CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs for 2016/2017. Application forms are now available and will be accepted until February 15 at 9 a.m. For more information, visit the RDEK’s website at www.rdek.bc.ca .
Columbia Valley Conservation Fund 2016 projects approved
The following projects have been approved for $75,000 in funding from the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund for 2016:
Neighbourhood Invasive Plant Program – $11,000
Northern Leopard Frog Reintroduction – $29,000
Kootenay Community Bat Project – $10,000
Strategic Invasive Plant Control—Leafy Spurge – $5,000
Water Quality / Quantity Monitoring (Lake Windermere) – $8,500
Groundswell Climate & Water Conservation Action Initiative – $8,700
Columbia Lake Water Monitoring – $2,800
Backyard agriculture in the Columbia Valley
The RDEK will be undertaking further consultation with the residents of Electoral Areas F and G regarding possible zoning bylaw amendments to permit a range of backyard agriculture opportunities on parcels zoned for single family residential development. Last year, the RDEK hosted two community conversations with area residents regarding the issue as well as conducted an on-line survey. However, because of the potential significance of the proposed regulatory changes, the board felt that additional opportunities to share information with area residents was warranted.
Lake Windermere Ambassadors to receive funding
The Lake Windermere Ambassadors will receive an annual grant of $10,000 from the Columbia Valley Economic Development Service for their operational costs. RDEK staff will now work with the Ambassadors to negotiate a contribution agreement.
Fuel treatment funding application to be submitted
The RDEK will submit an application to the Union of BC Municipalities for funding under the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative Program to complete operational fuel treatments in the Westview area. The total proposed project cost is $291,176 and the grant would cover 90% if funding is approved.
ALR Delegated Decision Making Agreements for Areas A and E
The board received a letter from the Agricultural Land Commission concerning the framework for negotiating new delegated decision-making agreements and passed a resolution to proceed with the negotiation of new agreements for ALR subdivision and non-farm use applications in Electoral Areas A and E. The RDEK has previously had such agreements with the Commission but those agreements had both expired.
E911 Dispatch Agreement
The Chair and CAO will sign the agreement with the City of Cranbrook for renewal of the E911 Dispatch Services for the term January 1 to June 30. Through the agreement, the City of Cranbrook provides fire dispatch services for the RDEK and member municipalities. The City of Cranbrook will be joining the RDEK in seeking a new fire dispatch provider and will no longer provide fire dispatch once the new provider is on line. This agreement will allow the City of Cranbrook to continue to provide fire dispatch in the interim.
Funding approved for high speed Internet project
A total of $48,900 has been approved for payment from the Community Works Fund for the FlexiNET Broadband Inc. project to improve high speed internet service in the East Kootenay, subject to receiving confirmation that FlexiNET is considered non-profit.
Funding for SIBAC and Child Care Needs Assessment
Two grants have been approved for payment from General Administration. The East Kootenay Child Care Needs Assessment Advisory Committee will receive $1,500 in 2016 upon adoption of the five-Year Financial Plan. The Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition will receive $5,000 per year for three years starting in 2016.
Advisory Commission appointments
Brian Conrad and Steve Brunell have been re-appointed to the Moyie Utility Advisory Commission for a two-year term. Wayne Stone and Bob Hogue have also been appointed to the Commission for two-year terms.
Letter of support for Cranbrook and Region Tourism Society
A letter of support will be provided to the Cranbrook and Region Tourism Society for its application for the collection of an additional three per cent hotel tax under the Province’s Municipal and Regional District Tax Program.
Tomlin appointed to Working Group
CFO Shawn Tomlin has been appointed to represent the RDEK on the City of Fernie Resort Development Strategy Advisory Working Group for the term ending on December 31, 2017.
Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)
The Lions Club of Sand Creek will receive $2,697.45 from the Electoral Area B DGIA account to help offset costs of recent repairs to the Ice Plant at the Galloway Curling Rink.
The BC Conservation Foundation WildSafe BC Program— Elk Valley & South Country will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account and $500 from the Electoral Area B DGIA account for its 2016 Program.
Steeplesview Reading Centre will receive $2,000 from the Area C DGIA account for the purchase of new books for their Reading Centre.
The Invermere District Curling Centre will receive $2,500 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and Electoral Area G DGIA account for the replacement of ice maintenance equipment.
Public meetings
Central Community Directed Funds Committee – Thursday, February 25 —3 p.m. RDEK Board Room (Cranbrook)
Public hearings
Wednesday, January 21 —7 p.m. Wasa Community Hall –
6145 Wasa School Road, Wasa FOR Bylaw No. 2652—Regional District of East Kootenay – Electoral Area E Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2502, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 9, 2015 (Wasa / Ford).
Tuesday, January 26 —7 p.m. Fernie Family Centre , 521—4th Avenue, Fernie FOR
Bylaw No. 2657—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2532, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2015 (Cunliffe Rd. / Tomlinson)
–and–
Bylaw No. 2658—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 79, 2015 (Cunliffe Rd. / Tomlinson)
Wednesday, January 27 —4 p.m. RDEK Board Room, 19-24th Avenue S, Cranbrook FOR Bylaw No. 2663—Regional District of East Kootenay – Rockyview Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2255, 2010 – Amendment Bylaw No. 15, 2015 (New Lake Rd. / Wilson)
–and–
Bylaw No. 2664—Regional District of East Kootenay – Cranbrook Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 1402, 2001 – Amendment Bylaw No. 38, 2015 (New Lake Rd. / Wilson)
Nominate a Volunteer of the Year!
Nomination forms are now available for the 2016 Electoral Area Volunteer of the Year. Nominees must be a resident of an Electoral Area and make voluntary contributions to their community.
Nomination forms can downloaded from www.rdek.bc.ca or picked up at the Cranbrook and Columbia Valley RDEK offices. Deadline for nominations is January 26.
Next board meetings
Thursday, Feb. 11 – Committee meetings – TBA
Friday, Feb. 12 – RDEK board meetings – 9 a.m.
RDEK
