RDEK Board Highlights

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Posted: January 23, 2025

The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Jan. 10 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors’ meeting.

Windermere bylaws proceed to public hearing

The board authorized a public hearing for two bylaws for properties in the Bench Road area of Windermere. The board considered the proposed density, water and sewer servicing and potential traffic impacts of the proposed land use proposal for limited new commercial and mixed density residential development. The public hearing to allow for public comment on the proposed bylaws will be held on January 29 via Zoom and requires pre-registration for all attendees.

Funding application for ESS modernization project

A grant application for $200,000 will be submitted to Union of BC Municipalities under the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training) to fund the East Kootenay ESS Modernization Project. If approved, the funding will be used to enhance training opportunities for ESS volunteers, support volunteer recruitment and recognition, purchase emergency supplies for use during emergencies and create a storage space for supplies.

Application to be submitted to WildSafe BC

The RDEK will submit an application to the 2025 WildSafe BC Program to provide a Community Coordinator in Electoral Areas F and G; and approved a program contribution fee of $5,000 from the Discretionary Grants-in-Aid Service ($4,375 from Area F and $625 from Area G).

Local Conservation Fund project funding approved

The following projects have been approved for funding under the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund for 2025:

Conservation of Biodiversity in Columbia Valley – $20,000;
Enhancing Bat Habitat and Monitoring Populations in the Columbia Valley – $24,955;
Environmental Restoration of Brewer Creek Trail – $8,184;
Hydrological Modelling of Wilmer/Boulder Creek Watersheds for Sustainable Water Management -$20,000;

Lake Windermere Monitoring and Education – $16,000;
Re imagining the Ties that Bind Wildlife Conservation to Farming – $6,000.

The following projects were also approved for multi-year funding:

Columbia Headwaters Monitoring and Education: Columbia Lake Project: Year two of two – $15,000;

Kootenay River Headwater Restoration: Year one of three – $20,000;
Strategic Invasive Plant Control of Leafy Spurge: Year one of three – $12,750.

Resolutions to be submitted for consideration

The board will bring forward three resolutions for consideration at the 2025 Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments Annual General Meeting related to the following topics:

Collection of fines by transfer to property taxes.
Capital costs for RCMP.
Standardized wake surfing regulation.

In addition, a resolution will be submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for consideration at its 2025 March Board Meeting calling on the FCM to urge Transport Canada to develop science-based criteria where wake surfing would threaten lake or ecosystem health and that standardized federal regulations be developed and implemented.

Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)

The Cranbrook Community Forest Society will receive $6,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for its Trail Maintenance Program.
The Cranbrook Minor Hockey Association will receive $1,500 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account and $500 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account for the U15 Tier 3 Provincial Championships.
The Groundswell Network Society will receive $1,570 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $500 from the Electoral Area G account for operational costs for the Garden of Lights initiative.
The Kimberley Curling Club will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account to offset costs for hosting the 2025 U18 & High School Curling Championships.
Summit Community Services Society will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C and $1,000 from the Electoral Area E DGIA accounts to help bring an accredited Facility Dog to the Community Based Victim Services Team. The team’s previous dog, West, retired last year.