The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Feb. 14 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting.

20-Year Service Award

The board presented Communications Manager Loree Duczek with her 20-Year Service Award. During her time with the RDEK, Duczek has provided education and communication to the region. Congratulations on this milestone Loree!

Solid Waste Management Plan Receives Board Support

The board has thrown its support behind the updated Solid Waste Management Plan. The plan, which was developed over the past 18 months following consultation with an Advisory Committee and the public, will now be submitted to the Ministry of Environment for review and approval.

RDEK Provides Additional Funding for Invermere Transfer Station

The RDEK will provide $100,000 in funding to the District of Invermere for the operation of the district’s transfer station in the Invermere Industrial Park. The district has reported that its pilot program to staff the site has been highly successful and this additional funding will help contribute to the ongoing operation of the facility.

Contract Awarded for Upcoming Water Project

The contract for the East Side Lake Windermere / Timber Ridge and Swansea Water Looping Project has been awarded to Kaon Infrastructure Ltd. The project is expected to get underway later this year.

Funding for Valley Visitor Services

A grant of $100,000 has been approved from the Columbia Valley Economic Development Service for the Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce to support the 2020 Valley Visitor Services Program, which offsets the cost of staffing at the Invermere and Radium Visitor Info Centres as well as seasonal kiosks in Fairmont Hot Springs and downtown Invermere.

2020 Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund Projects Approved

Eight projects will receive funding through the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF) this year:

• Lake Windermere Community Based Watershed Monitoring – $11,296
  • Reintroducing the Northern Leopard Frog to Columbia Marshes – $21,000
• Columbia Valley Swallow – $10,000
  • Columbia Valley Farmland Advantage Stewardship – $17,985
  • Conservation of Biodiversity in the Columbia Wetlands – $20,000
  • Luxor Linkage Resiliency and Forest Restoration – $15,000
  • CLSS Water Quality, Quantity, Education & Communication Work – $13,000
• Strategic Invasive Plant Control of Leafy Spurge – $6,500

The CVLCF is administered by the Kootenay Conservation Program on behalf of the RDEK and information on the fund and its projects can be found at the KCP website.

RDEK Pursues Emergency Preparedness Grant Funding

The RDEK will apply for a $100,000 grant through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to organize an East Kootenay Emergency Support Services (ESS) training conference, create a regional ESS Response Plan, and purchase necessary ESS equipment. In addition, the RDEK will submit a grant application to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – 2020 Flood Planning Program for $150,000 to conduct baseline flood hazard mapping across the region. If successful, the RDEK will provide overall management for both grants.

Partnership Agreement to be Signed for Fernie Tourism Master Plan

The Board Chair and Chief Administrative Officer have been authorized to sign the partnership agreement at the Tier 2 level for implementation of the Fernie Tourism Master Plan for the period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024.

Funding to Support Upcoming Anniversary Celebration

The RDEK will provide a grant of $7,500 for the Kootenay Indian Residential School 1912-1970 50th Anniversary of Closing. On June 26, 1970 the Kootenay Indian Residential School was permanently closed. The Ktunaxa Nation is hosting a four-day gathering to commemorate this date.

RDEK to Continue to Operate Water System in Baynes Lake

The RDEK will sign the agreement with the Baynes Lake Seniors’ Housing Society to operate the water system for Spirit Pond Haven March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2025.

Utility Advisory Commission Appointments

Sherry Avery, Oliver Egan, Robert McClinton, and Barry Swan have been reappointed and David Smith has been appointed to the East Side Lake Windermere Water System Utility Advisory Commission (UAC) for two-year terms. In addition, Rob Dickson, Bruce Kaufman, and Tom MacRae have been re- appointed to the Spur Valley Water System UAC for a two-year term.

Discretionary Grants in Aid (DGIA)

The following organizations will receive grants:

• The Fernie Chamber of Commerce will receive $3,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account for Griz Days 2020 (March 4-8).
• The City of Cranbrook will receive $832.50 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for a public skate and swim.
• The Columbia Valley Arts Council will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area F and $500 from the Electoral Area G DGIA accounts for the installation of a kitchen fire suppression system.
• Family Dynamix will receive $11,000 from the Electoral Area F and $5,000 from the Electoral Area G DGIA accounts for Columbia Valley Victims Services in 2020 and 2021.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at Baynes Lake Community Hall (468 Jaffray-Baynes Lake Road Baynes Lake) for – Bylaw No. 2972 – cited as South Country Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2320, 2011 – Amendment Bylaw No. 21, 2019 (Koocanusa West / Flood, Hopkins & C.D. Reay & Sons Ltd.)

OTHER MEETINGS

Steamboat Jubilee Mountain OCP Public Meeting

During the meeting, we will review the survey results, draft policies, proposed ESA Development Permits and present mapping for review and comment.

Tuesday, March 24, 7 – 9 p.m. at Edgewater Community Hall, 4818 Selkirk Avenue.

The meeting is open to all residents and property owners within the plan area (Edgewater, Wilmer, Brisco, Spillimacheen, Dry Gulch, Radium Resort, Spur Valley).

NEXT BOARD MEETINGS

Thursday, March 5 – Committee meetings TBA

Friday, March 6 – RDEK Board Meeting – 9 a.m.

Lead image: St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino – the former St. Eugene Mission residential school. The RDEK will provide a grant of $7,500 for the Kootenay Indian Residential School 1912-1970 50th Anniversary of Closing. On June 26, 1970 the Kootenay Indian Residential School was permanently closed. The Ktunaxa Nation is hosting a four-day gathering to commemorate this date. e-KNOW photos

RDEK

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