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Fernie Council Connection
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the July 10 City of Fernie council meeting.
1. STAFF REPORTS
1.1 West Fernie Official Community Plan – Terms of Reference Amendment
Council heard the recommended amendments to the Terms of Reference for the West Fernie Official Community Plan Update – Advisory Committee. The Terms of Reference for this committee would be amended to include: The Mayor, one council member, one alternate to act in the absence of either the Mayor or council member and up to seven members of the Fernie community including residents of the Regional District of East Kootenay (Electoral Area A) living in the area known as West Fernie This committees mandate is to assist and advise administration and council on community engagement and provide feedback on policy development.
1.2 Montane Developments Ltd. and Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendments
The Director of Planning provided an overview of his report for early and ongoing consultation of applications from Montane Development Ltd. for Zoning and OCP amendments to allow manufactured homes on Slalom Drive. Council moved to have staff complete early and ongoing engagement with residents in the surrounding areas.
2. CORRESPONDENCE
2.1 Canada 150 Gift – Aura of the City
Mayor Giuliano read an excerpt of the letter received from Mr. Andriyenko of Edmonton regarding an art piece titled Aura of the City, given to the City of Fernie in honour of Canada’s 150th.
3. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND COMMISSIONS
3.1 City of Fernie – Heritage Master Plan
Council moved that the City of Fernie participate in a Heritage Master Plan project led by the Heritage Fernie committee to undertake the following:
– Use the City of Fernie Heritage Values Report to create a Heritage Conservation Plan and a Heritage Register;
– Designate a steering committee to oversee the RFP process and to lay the groundwork for the creation of a Heritage Commission;
– Present the City of Fernie Heritage Values Report for input by stakeholders including but not limited to women’s organizations, sports associations, seniors’ organizations, children and family groups, and property owners;
– Conduct a heritage survey of the City of Fernie and the surrounding area, keeping the feedback from the workshop and community engagement in mind, particularly in regards to expanding the scope of heritage work beyond the downtown.
4. INFORMATION ITEMS
4.1 BC Fire Bulletins & Campfire Ban
The Fire Bulletin regarding campfire bans in the Southeast Fire Centre was received.
City of Fernie residents are reminded that a campfire ban (issued July 7) remains in effect for the City of Fernie and surrounding areas due to extremely dry conditions. The current City of Fernie ban follows the ban implemented for the entire Southeast Fire Centre and extends to all backyard fire pits and fireworks. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.
Anyone in violation of the ban is subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 as per the Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories.
For more information, please contact Fernie Fire Rescue at 250-423-4226 or via email at [email protected].
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL
5.1 Councillor Ange Qualizza presented the 2017 Bike to Work Week report to council. It was very successful event with great participation by local businesses. The event saw 240 riders, 71 teams, 3,574 km logged and 775 kg of greenhouse gases prevented. Thank you to the participants and sponsors of this event: Bike to Work Society, Bike to Work BC, ICBC, Province of BC, Tourism Fernie, The Park Place Pub, Fernie Heritage Library, Soar Cycle, Essential Yoga, Bridge Bistro, Gear Hub, City of Fernie, the event team and classroom leaders.
5.2 Canada Day Celebration
Council thanked the volunteers and sponsors for their contributions to the event including: Fernie Real Estate Company Ltd., Regional District of East Kootenay, Teck, Ann’s Your Independent Grocer, Fernie Home Hardware Building Centre, Super 8, Fernie Summit Fund, Re/Max Elk Valley Realty, Cook’s Electrical Service and Wapiti Music Festival. Council congratulated and thanked Mr. Smith and Ms. Switzer of Leisure Services for organizing a very successful Canada 150 celebration.
6. UPCOMING MEETINGS AND OTHER NEWS
6.1 Next Scheduled Council Meetings:
Monday, July 24 and Monday August 28
- Committee of the Whole (COTW) 10 a.m. and Regular Meeting of Council 7 p.m.
Lead image: City of Fernie’s council inauguration in 2014. Left to Right: City of Fernie Fire Chief Ted Ruiter, Staff Sergent Lorne Craig, Elk Valley RCMP, Councillor Dan McSkimming, Councillor Jon Levesque, Councillor Phil Iddon, Mayor Mary Giuliano, Councillor Joe Warshawsky, Councillor Dennis Schafer, Councillor Ange Qualizza and Firefighter Dave Kurshenska. City of Fernie photo
City of Fernie
