RDEK Board Highlights

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Posted: October 19, 2018

The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Oct. 5 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting.

20-Year Service Award

Jeff Nicolajsen was presented with his 20-year service award. Jeff works in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) section as a Mapping Technician and has been part of moving the RDEK’s mapping processes forward from the days of hand-coloured maps to the current multi-layer, interactive web maps. Congratulations Jeff and thank you for all you do for the region.

Solid Waste Management Plan review process moving ahead

The RDEK is currently completing a review and update of its Solid Waste Management Plan. One of the first steps is to form an Advisory Committee that will provide input to the RDEK staff and Board throughout the process. The board has appointed 14 members to the Advisory Committee who represent a cross-section of public, industry, community group, First Nation and stakeholder interests. In addition, the board has adopted the Terms of Reference for the Committee, which will hold its first meeting at the end of October. To see a list of the committee members and follow along with the Solid Waste Management Plan process, visit the RDEK’s website: www.rdek.bc.ca.

Westside Legacy Trail receives additional funding

The board approved a Community Works Fund grant of $375,000 for the Columbia Valley Greenways Alliance for the construction of a portion of the Westside Legacy Trail.

Request to be submitted for re-allocation of funds

The RDEK is seeking permission from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to re-allocate a portion of the New Building Canada Funds remaining from the West Fernie Servicing Project. While the numbers are not finalized on the West Fernie project, it is expected to come in under budget and the RDEK is hoping the Ministry may approve reallocation of these funds to two other RDEK projects: Lake Baptiste Dam and Timber Ridge Water Loop.

Area A septage disposal fees extended for West Fernie

The board has approved an amendment to the Electoral Area A Septage Disposal Regulation and Fee Bylaw to allow West Fernie residents who are preparing to connect to the City’s sewer system to deliver waste from their old septic tanks to the septage facility at the same rate as residents of Electoral Area A until December 31, 2020. As of December 2017, all of West Fernie is part of the city and would have been subject to higher disposal fees.

Sparwood Transfer Station operations contract awarded

Southeast Disposal Ltd. has been awarded the operations contract for the Sparwood Transfer Station for a five-year term.

Westview fuel treatment contract awarded

McD’s Enterprises Ltd. has been awarded the contract to complete operational fuel treatment in the Westview area. The work was started in 2017; however, was not completed due to soil and weather conditions. This contract will cover the remaining portion of the treatment area.

In support of connectivity

The board endorsed the Regional Broadband Committee’s Connectivity Strategy. The strategy communicates the vision for a plan to have a highly connected region. The strategy is overseen by the Regional Broadband Committee and covers the Columbia Basin and Boundary.

In a separate resolution, the RDEK Board also indicated its support for the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation’s application to the Connecting BC Program for a broadband backbone build between Jaffray and Roosville.

Tie Lake Dam project receives additional funding

The Tie Lake Dam project has received additional Community Works funding to help cover costs associated with unforeseen soil and compaction issues. Construction is underway.

Board amends Remuneration Bylaw

As a result of Federal changes on January 1, 2019 that will eliminate the 1/3 tax free exemption for elected officials, the Board Remuneration Bylaw has been amended to adjust the 2019 rates by 12%. The adjustment offsets the impact to the Board of Directors’ net remuneration due to the changes.

Edgewater Recreation Society to continue to oversee community recreation facilities

An agreement has been signed with the Edgewater Recreation Society for the provision of recreation services and maintenance of Edgewater recreation facilities through March 31, 2023. The RDEK has had an agreement with the Society since 2006 for the operation and maintenance of the following RDEK-owned facilities: Edgewater Community Hall and Park, Community Building (including Reading Centre), Frank Schnider Memorial Rink and Wittman Field.

Rural Dividend Fund application

The RDEK has taken over a funding application to the Rural Dividend Fund on behalf of Living Lakes Canada for a study on understanding the link between groundwater availability and resilient community development. If the funding application is successful, the RDEK will oversee the grant administration; however, Living Lakes Canada would be responsible for the project including the required reporting and applicant’s share of the funding.

Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)

The Fernie Trails Alliance will receive $5,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account to go toward the Fernie Valley Pathway 2020 preliminary design and alignment validation.

Tourism Fernie will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account to help offset the costs for a Tourism Master Plan for Fernie.

The Cranbrook & District Arts Council Society will receive $3,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account to go toward the “Idlewild and the Spirit of Joseph Creek” public art sculpture.

Public Hearings

Wednesday, October 24 – 4 p.m. at the RDEK Board Room 19 – 24 Avenue South, Cranbrook for;

Bylaw No. 2875 – cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Rockyview Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2255, 2010 – Amendment Bylaw No. 22, 2018 (Cranbrook West / van der Velden & Warren)”

–and–

Bylaw No. 2876 – cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay - Cranbrook Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 1402, 2001 – Amendment Bylaw No. 50, 2018 (Cranbrook West / van der Velden & Warren).”

Other happenings

Kimberley Landfill Closure Plan – Open House

Monday, October 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Centennial Centre – 100 4th Avenue, Kimberley. Join us to review the closure plan for the Kimberley Landfill. There will be a presentation from the consultant working on the project, discussion on possible uses for the land and a question and answer period.

Haunted House – Windermere Fire Hall 

Wednesday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. Windermere Fire Hall – 1635 Kootenay Hwy, Windermere. This free event is open to all ages. Treats will be handed out. NEW this year is “The Dungeon” an additional, scarier room for the older kids and adults.

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