The following is a synopsis of some of the matters covered in the Feb. 10 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting.

Five-Year Financial Plan

The RDEK Board of Directors has given first review to the draft 2017-2021 Five-Year Financial Plan and is seeking public input. The Financial Plan lays out how tax dollars are being spent on services in the RDEK. The overall draft budget proposes a 0.9% increase over 2016; however, it’s important to remember in the RDEK model, municipalities and electoral areas are all affected differently, depending on which RDEK services they receive. The 2017 operating budget is $28.1 million, virtually unchanged from 2016. The RDEK is accepting comments on the Five-Year Financial Plan until 10 a.m. on February 27. To view a copy of the plan, download comment forms, or see the short two-page summary at www.rdek.bc.ca.

New contractor for Wasa, Ta Ta Creek, Skookumchuck Mosquito Control Program


The board authorized the Chair and CAO to sign a contract with Duka Environmental Services Ltd. (Duka) for mosquito control services in the Wasa/TaTa Creek/Skookumchuck Mosquito Control Service Area for a five-year term. The RDEK and Duka will be meeting with the community this spring to provide the community with an opportunity to meet Duka and its staff prior to the start of the mosquito control season.

Grizzly Ridge Bylaw amendments defeated

Bylaws No. 2744 and 2745 to amend the Lake Windermere OCP and the Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw to permit a six lot residential subdivision south of the District of Invermere were defeated by the board after the results of the public hearing held for the amending bylaws on January 25 was discussed. The board felt that the proposed development was not sufficiently supported by the public and was contrary to current planning policy. Also, a planning process to revisit and update the Lake Windermere OCP will likely be initiated by the RDEK in the coming months.

Mayook Light Industrial Rezoning – proposed commercial composting facility


The board considered an environmental impact assessment report for a proposed commercial composting and light industrial development by EarthRite Industries on Highway 3 in the Mayook area. A second public hearing on Bylaws No. 2672 and 2673 has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on February 22 at the RDEK boardroom in Cranbrook.

Wasa Area Commercial Rezoning

The board gave third reading to Bylaws No. 2755 and 2756 to amend the OCP and rezone 23 hectares of land on Highway 93/95 in Wasa to the C1, Highway Commercial Zone to permit a 120 site campground and other commercial development opportunities. The bylaws will now be sent for ministry approval before coming back to the board for adoption.

Reduced taxation for Emergency Program

A total of $96,602 will be withdrawn from the Elk Valley & South Country Emergency Program Reserve Fund to reduce taxation in 2017.

Funding for Tie Lake Dam Upgrade Project

Community Works Funds in the amount of $262,000 have been approved for the Tie Lake Dam Upgrade Project. The funds represent 80% of the funding for the project. The board will be considering options to increase the bylaw limit later this year.

Valley Visitor Services receives grant

A grant of up to $100,000 to fund the 2017 Valley Visitor Services has been approved from the Columbia Valley Economic Development Service. A contribution agreement will be negotiated with the Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Columbia Valley Economic Development Advisory Commission appointments


The following members have been appointed to the Columbia Valley Economic Development Advisory Commission for a two-year term: Patrick Maiani, Brenda Hopku, Dale Shudra, Susan Clovechok, Doug McIntosh, Dave Dupont, Barb Cote and Heather Rennebohm.

Rushmere Water funding

The Rushmere Water System will receive $12,500 in Community Works Funds for a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system upgrade. The upgraded SCADA will provide functionality for collecting, remote viewing, storing and analyzing water treatment plant data. The original SCADA system was installed in 2009.

Funding for septage receiving facility upgrades

A Community Works Fund grant has been approved for upgrades to the septage receiving facility at Kinbasket Water and Sewer Facility.

Funding for Columbia Valley Arts Council

The board approved a grant of up to $10,000 per year for five years to fund the Columbia Valley Arts Council. The funding will come from the Columbia Valley Economic Development Service and staff will now negotiate a contribution agreement with the council.

Funding boost for Wycliffe Park and Exhibition Grounds

For 2017, $20,000 of the BC Hydro payment in lieu of taxes for the Aberfeldie Dam has been allocated to the Regional Parks service. The funds will be used for improvement projects at Wycliffe Park and Wycliffe Exhibition Grounds.

Radium Library Board appointments and grant

The board appointed Tom Symington and Joanne Steedman (to the Radium Hot Springs Public Library Board for the term February 1 to December 31, 2018. In addition, the board increased the 2017 grant for the library to $18,140.

Letters of support for funding applications

The RDEK will provide a letter of support to the Summit Trail Makers Society for their funding application to build a new trail up to Pedley Ridge. A letter of support will also be provided to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for a trail surface upgrade, marking, rehabilitation, and interpretation project at the Dutch Creek Hoodoos property. Both organizations will be submitting funding applications to the Columbia Basin Trust’s Recreation Infrastructure Grant program.

Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)

The Elkford Arts Council will receive $1,600 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account to go towards operating expenses.

The Moyie Community Association will receive $250 from the Electoral Area C DGIA for its Canada 150 Birthday Party.

The Elk Valley Disc Golf Association will receive $3,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for the Wycliffe Disc Golf Park.

Public Hearings

Tuesday, February 21 – 7 p.m. at RDEK Board Room 19 24th Avenue South, Cranbrook for:

Bylaw No. 2759 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2615, 2015 – Amendment Bylaw No. 7, 2017 (Mayook / Elzinga)

Bylaw No. 2752 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2614, 2015 – Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2017, (RDEK / Wardner Cemetery) -and-

Bylaw No. 2753 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2615, 2015 – Amendment Bylaw No. 6, 2017, (RDEK / Wardner Cemetery).

Wednesday, February 22 – 7 p.m. at RDEK Board Room, 19 24th Avenue South, Cranbrook for:

Bylaw No. 2724 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2614, 2015 – Amendment Bylaw No. 4, 2016 (Mayook / EarthRite Industries)

Bylaw No. 2672 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2614, 2015 – Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2015 (Hwy 3/93 / EarthRite Industries Ltd.) –and–

Bylaw No. 2673 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2615, 2015 – Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2015 (Hwy 3/93 / EarthRite Industries Ltd.)

Wednesday, March 8 – 4 p.m. at Fernie Family Centre – 521 4th Avenue South, Fernie for:

Bylaw No. 2762 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2532, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 6, 2017 (Dicken Rd. / Kennedy) –and–

Bylaw No. 2763 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 85, 2017 (Dicken Rd. / Kennedy).

Wednesday, March 8 – 7 p.m. at Baynes Lake Community Hall – 468 Jaffray-Baynes Lake Road, Baynes Lake for:

Bylaw No. 2764 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – Baynes Lake Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2319, 2011 – Amendment Bylaw No. 6, 2017 (Palmer Rd. / Satink) -and-

Bylaw No. 2765 cited as Regional District of East Kootenay – South Country Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2320, 2011 – Amendment Bylaw No. 10, 2017 (Palmer Rd. / Satink)

Important Note

The public hearing that had been scheduled for Bylaw No. 2758 (Gold Creek / TerraLogic) for Tuesday, February 21, in the RDEK Board Room has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

Next board meetings

Thursday, March 2 – Committee meetings (times to be determined)

Friday, March 3 – RDEK board meeting – 9 a.m.

For more check out the RDEK website.

RDEK

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