The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the October 11 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting.

Short Term Rental enforcement contract

The board authorized a financial plan amendment for 2024-2025 to allocate funds for Short Term Rental (STR) compliance monitoring. An extended contract will be utilized to assist with identification and communication with non-compliant STR operators and property owners. These services are in addition to the 24/7 hotline that is anticipated to be launching soon.

Maximum capacity maintained for STR applications

The board considered three applications for Short Term Rental Temporary Use Permits for permitted occupancies greater than10 people. Following deliberation on the applications the board authorized approval of the three permits (Windermere, Panorama and Fairmont Hot Springs) at a maximum occupancy of 10 persons to align with the maximum occupancy limit established in the Short Term Rental Temporary Use Policy. In its deliberations the board considered the policy, public comment received on the applications and rationale for the requested higher limit for each of the applications.

Transfer station optimization plan to be crafted

The RDEK Board has asked staff to prepare a plan for an optimized transfer station network that develops or expands existing sites, considers new sites for development if existing cannot be expanded, and proposes closure of low volume and undevelopable sites.

Yellow Bin Program phase-out plan requested

The RDEK Board has directed staff to prepare a plan to phase out the Yellow Bin Recycling Program in 2025. The program provides yellow recycling bins to businesses, institutions and rural transfer stations.

Grant application to be submitted for Fernie pathway

An application will be submitted to the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure grant program for $500,000 to support Phase 2 paved trail construction between the City of Fernie and Fernie Alpine Resort. Once constructed, the trail will be added to the RDEK Parks Plan as an Electoral Area A park.

Letter to be sent regarding decreased funding for location search and rescue

A letter is being sent to British Columbia Search and Rescue Association expressing concern regarding the decreased funding allocation for the Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR). BCSARA has implemented a new funding formula for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which has resulted in a 45% decrease to CVSAR’s funding.

CV Landfill scale shack contract renewed

The Columbia Valley Scale House Operations Contract with Sparkling Creek Silviculture has been extended for an additional five-year term.

Silver Springs parking area to be designated an Area B park

The board has designated Silver Spring Public Access as an Electoral Area B Park and amended the Regional Parks Plan to include it. In addition, the board authorized the Chair and CAO to sign the Licence of Occupation agreement with the landowner, Cardinal Meadows LLC, to operate the Silver Spring Public Access Park as a Day Use Public Park and Parking Area.

Moyie Lake public access designated an Area C park

At the request of the Moyie Community Association, Moyie Lake Public Access has been designated as an Electoral Area C Park included in the Regional Parks Plan. The Access is located at the southwest end of Moyie Lake; one km north of Aldridge Regional Park at Braunagel and Park Road. The lake access area includes limited parking, a gravel boat launch, and small dock.

Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)

• The Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area B DGIA account, $2,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account, and $1,000 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account for its Essential Items Project. Through this project, CMHA provides community members with essential items during the holiday season so they can focus their attention on household and other expenses during this time. In 2023, 127 Essential Items Boxes were distributed to those in need with the DGIA funding provided.
• The Windermere Valley Youth Centre will receive $2,500 from the Electoral Area F DGIA and $500 from the Electoral Area G DGIA accounts for their Basketball Skills Clinic.

UPCOMING EVENTS

KIMBERLEY RURAL FIRE ASSENT VOTE

Assent voting day for the proposed Kimberley Rural Fire Protection Service for a portion of Electoral Areas C and E in portions of St. Mary Lake Road and Wycliffe will be held as follows:

General Voting Day – October 26 – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. RDEK Board Room in Cranbrook (19-24 Avenue South).  (Advance voting was held Oct. 16.)

FAIRMONT GUIDANCE PROJECT INFORMATION MEETING

To help introduce the Fairmont Hazard Guidance Project and gather input from the community, we will be hosting an introductory information meeting: October 30, 2024 – 2-4 p.m Via Zoom.

To learn more or access the Zoom link.

NEXT BOARD MEETINGS

November 7

RDEK Committee Meetings – TBA

November 8

RDEK Board Meeting – 9 a.m.
Kootenay East Regional Hospital District 11:30 a.m.

Lead image: A view across Moyie Lake from near Aldridge Regional Park.  e-KNOW file photos

RDEK

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