The following is a break down as to what occurred during the Dec. 4 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting held in Cranbrook.

Community Works Funds

The board has approved Community Works Fund grants to Fairmont Hot Springs Utility Ltd. in the amount of $39,000 for its extension of service to Ogilvy Wills, $145,000 for its extension of service to the Dutch Creek community and $555,000 for the Utility’s Groundwater Source Development Program. The approvals are all subject to receiving confirmation from the Comptroller of Water Rights that the utility is restricted from paying any profits to shareholders.

Wasa & Area OCP Development Permit guidelines

The board referred proposed environmentally sensitive area (ESA) development permit guidelines for the Wasa and Area Official Community Plan (OCP) back to staff to consult further with residents and consider some minor amendments. The development permit area was originally supported by area residents during consultation on the 2014 Wasa and Area Official Community Plan as a tool to help protect regionally significant environmental values on private land, but was not included in the original plan at that time due to resource constraints.

Funding approved for development initiative

A grant of $5,000 will be paid to the Cranbrook Kimberley Development Initiative from the Electoral Area C Economic Development Service in 2016. An additional $2,500 will be paid to the Development Initiative from the Electoral Area E Economic Development Service.

Operational funding approved for Lake Windermere Ambassadors


The Lake Windermere Ambassadors requested board consideration to providing an annual grant of $10,000 to assist with operations. The board supported such a grant; however, more work is required before the grant is final. To help with the decision, RDEK staff will be outlining options for providing the funding.

Director appointed to advisory group for coal project

Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski has been appointed to represent the RDEK on the environmental assessment advisory group for the Michel Creek Coking Coal Project.

Funding for surgeon recruitment

A grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Electoral Area A portion of the Elk Valley Mine Tax Sharing Funds will be paid to the City of Fernie for recruitment of a surgeon to the Elk Valley.

Library board appointments

June Vandenbergh and Fred Stevens have been appointed as the Electoral Area C representatives on the Cranbrook Public Library Board.

Gerriann Donahue has been appointed as the Electoral Area F representative and Daneve McAffer as the Canal Flats representative on the Invermere Public Library Board. A

ll four appointments are for the term January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.

Concern expressed over laundry service changes

A letter will be sent to the President and CEO for Interior Health expressing concern with the potential transfer and centralization of laundry services.

Holiday fireworks approved for Fairmont

The RDEK Board approved two special event licenses for Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for the resort’s annual Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fireworks. The resort is required to ensure all necessary precautions are taken to prevent fires.

Discretionary Grants in Aid (DGIA)

The Fernie Chamber of Commerce will receive $3,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account for the 2016 Griz Days Festival.

The Fernie Alpine Ski Team will receive $1,000 from the Area A DGIA account for its New Year’s Eve Fireworks event at the Fernie Alpine Resort.

Summit Community Service Society will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account and $1,000 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account for its Police Based Victim Services Program.

The Columbia Valley Community Foundation will receive $2,500 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $2,500 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for its Vital Signs Community Initiative.

Recreation Sites and Trails BC will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $1,000 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for the Foster Creek Trail Host for the upcoming winter season.

2016 Board Chair and Vice-Chair elected

The board has re-elected Area C Director Rob Gay as Chair for 2016. This will be his fifth term as chair. Area F Director Wendy Booth was re-elected as Vice-Chair for a fourth term.

Public meetings

– Central Community Directed Funds Committee – Thursday, February 25, 2016—3 p.m.
 RDEK Board Room (Cranbrook)

Public hearings

– Monday, December 21 —7 p.m. at the Fernie Family Centre
, 521—4th Avenue, Fernie, for:

Bylaw No. 2649—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 78, 2015 (Cunliffe Rd. / Canning)

– and -
Bylaw No. 2661—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 80, 2015 (McDonald Ave. / Botrakoff).

– Tuesday, December 29 —7 p.m. at the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, 651 Highway 93/95, Invermere, for:

Bylaw No. 2662—Regional District of East Kootenay – Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 308, 2015
(Panorama / Marshall).

RDEK celebrates anniversary

The RDEK celebrated its 50th anniversary last week. In honour of the landmark milestone, the board, staff, former chairs and dignitaries gathered for a special dinner Thursday night, which included presentations that highlighted moments and memories over the past half century. In addition, the RDEK Board of Directors has approved an updated logo for the organization. The new logo includes the addition of a sun over the mountain and will be gradually transitioned into use over the next few months.

NEXT BOARD MEETINGS

Thursday, Jan. 7 – Committee meetings – TBA

Friday, Jan. 8 – RDEK Board meeting – 9 a.m.

Lead image: RDEK board directors and some former directors gathered for a photo following the conclusion of the Dec. 3 50th birthday party held at Cranbrook’s Prestige Inn. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

RDEK

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