The following is a synopsis of some of the items covered by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors during their Feb. 9 meeting in Cranbrook.

Seeking comment on draft five-year financial plan

The RDEK’s Draft Five-Year Financial Plan is now available for public comment. The plan includes $19,232,798 in capital projects and an operating budget of $43,026,331. It proposes an increase of $20 on the average residential property valued at $567,000. Copies of the Plan and comment form are on engage.rdek.bc.ca/budget and from our offices. The comment deadline is noon March 4.

Continued support for Cranbrook’s social development coordinator position

The board has committed to provide $85,000 in funding for the next two years toward the City of Cranbrook’s Social Development Coordinator. The Social Development Coordinator supports services directed toward homelessness and is working to improve the experienced outcomes of homelessness support services.

Concerns expressed regarding recreational impacts in Flathead Valley

A letter will be sent to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship expressing concerns with the recreational impacts of proposed road rehabilitations CC3 and CC4 in the Flathead Valley.

New Radium Transfer Station hours established

As work continues on the construction of the new Radium Transfer Station, the hours of operation have now been set for the facility. The Transfer Station, which is slated to open later in 2024, will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. seven days a week (closed for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Family Day).

Short-term rental temporary use permits

The board approved the first two Temporary Use Permits for Short Term Rental (STR) use of single family dwellings with occupancy of more than 10 people. The new requirement for STR operators to obtain a permit to operate came into effect in late 2023. Consideration by the Board of Directors allows for consideration of operation specific considerations when the requested use does not fall within the default guidelines of the approved policy to guide issuance of the permit by staff.

Secondary suite changes

The board provided direction to staff on changes to how secondary suites are regulated within the eight Regional District zoning bylaws. The changes are in response to required amendments under the Province’s Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Act which requires all local governments to amend density regulations by June 30. Bylaw amendment processes will now be initiated to implement the direction.

Funding allocated to regional parks service

$17,000 of the BC Hydro payment-in-lieu-of-taxes for the Aberfeldie Dam (pictured above) will be allocated to the Regional Parks Service for improvement projects at Wycliffe Park and Wycliffe Exhibition Grounds. As BC Hydro is a Crown corporation, it is exempt from regional district property taxes.

To compensate for the loss of this taxation revenue, BC Hydro provides a grant to the RDEK for each dam located within our boundary. The remainder of the Aberfeldie Dam grant is allocated to the Electoral Area C Discretionary Grant-in-Aid Service.

Regional parks plan expanded to include two new amenities

The Regional Parks Plan is being amended to include two new parks: the Elko (Elk) River Access in Electoral Area B and the Morrissey (Elk) River Access in Electoral Area A. The RDEK is working with Tourism Fernie on the development of both river accesses, which are expected to open in 2024 and will be maintained seasonally through the Tourism Fernie Ambassador Wild program.

Grant application for regional EOC readiness

An application will be submitted for a Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund grant for up to $210,000 to fund the Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Readiness and Capacity Building Project. If approved, the funds will be used for equipment and training to enhance the readiness and resiliency of the Regional EOC.

911 Service Communication Agreement signed

The Chair and CAO have been authorized to sign the Emergency Services Communication (911) Agreement Amendment No. 5 with the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) for the provision of 911 phone services through September 30, 2024. The RDCO manages the 911 call centre service contract with ECOMM. RDCO is in the process of negotiating terms for a new contract with ECOMM that has been delayed pending the implementation of NextGen 911 later this year. This agreement will ensure service is maintained until the implementation.

New administration building funding structure

Preparations and planning are continuing following a decision by the RDEK Board in 2022 to proceed with construction of a new administration building.  At its February Board Meeting, following a review of options, the board reaffirmed the new admin building will be fully owned by the RDEK. Staff have been asked to prepare a draft timeline including impacts.

Boundary extensions – Edgewater and Panorama Fire

Following a request from residents to be included within their respective fire protection service areas, the board has given three readings to bylaw amendments that, if adopted, will expand the Panorama Fire Protection Service Area to include 12 additional properties and the Edgewater Fire Protection Service Area to include 50 additional properties. The bylaws have now been sent to the Ministry for review and approval before coming back to the RDEK Board for adoption.

Accessibility Advisory Committee appointments

Helen Barron and LaVerne Planden have been appointed to the East Kootenay Accessibility Advisory Committtee for the term ending September 8, 2025. To learn more about the Committee, visit https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/accessibility.

Utility Advisory Commission appointments

Sherry Avery, Oliver Egan and David Smith have been re-appointed and Gord Copp has been appointed to the East Side Lake Windermere Water System Utility Advisory Commission (UAC). George Thierbach, Michael Hutchinson, Scott Ivers, and Gerry Wilkie have been re-appointed to the Edgewater Water and Sewer Systems UAC. Bruce Kaufman, Rob Dickson, Vaughn Taylor, Donna Douey, and Brandon Csokonay have been re-appointed to the Spur Valley Water System UAC. The Advisory Commissions make recommendations to the Area Director and Board on the operations and fees of their respective utility systems. All of the appointments are for a 2 year term ending February 9, 2026.

DISCRETIONARY GRANTS-IN-AID (DGIA)

• The Columbia Lake Stewardship Society will receive $6,440 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $1,610 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for the Columbia Headwaters Monitoring and Education, Columbia Lake Project.

• The Edgewater Recreation Society will receive $400 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for a sound system for the Community Hall.

• The Fairmont & District Lions Club will receive $3,455 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account for its Community Garden.
• The Windermere District Historical Society will receive $4,000 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $1,000 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account to go towards its annual insurance premium.

NEXT BOARD MEETINGS

March 7 – RDEK Committee Meetings TBA.

March 8 – RDEK Board Meeting 9 a.m.

e-KNOW file photos

RDEK

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