|
April 2022
Issue #78 (for full pdf click here)
Council News
Council was pleased to honor our Chief Administrative Officer’s, Long Service Recognition Award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators. Bryan Teasdale has been in senior local government administration for over 15 years, and engaged in local government for many more years. He has been a leader and mentor for many municipal staff throughout the Kootenay Boundary region. In addition, with over 6 years in Rossland, he is the longest serving CAO we have had since 1999. His stability, competency and team building has served us well. Congratulations, Bryan.
Planning and Infrastructure:
A public hearing was held on April 19th on a rezoning application at 1081 Olaus Way to change a parcel from commercial to residential. No one spoke in opposition. On April 19th, Council approved to a request for infill development at 1936 Planer Crescent. A Public Hearing was held on April 4, 2022 no one spoke in opposition. Council awarded the tender for infrastructure improvements on 3rd Ave to Kays Road Contracting for $1.5m. This project will improve underground utilities as well as road surface, sidewalk and infrastructure for EV charging.
Recreation:
Council reviewed the 2021 Recreation and Culture Cost Recovery Report which details costs and revenues from all of our facilities. Having accurate information helps us to make informed decisions. Its important to note that this report does not capture the incredible contribution made by dedicated volunteer groups. We invest $1.2m in recreation and culture for the benefit of our little town. See report here.
Council approved a request to hold the TransRockies Inc Singletrack 6 Event to be held in September 2022. Its wonderful to see this event return to Rossland.
Council reviewed the Curling Club’s contract and directed staff to offer a 5-year agreement with a one time 30% increase, an additional $4k per year, to bring the payment more in line with the costs of running the facility and an annual CPI increase. Based on our Recreation and Culture Cost Recovery report, the operation of curling portion of the arena complex makes up approximately 35% of the total operating costs of the facility as a whole.
Council received an update on the work of the Communications and Event Liaison position that was established in part with Covid recovery funds. The intent of this position is to help revive events that were impacted by Covid and better communicate these offerings within the community.
Administrative Matters:
The 2022-2026 Five Year Financial Plan was given 1st and 2nd reading at the April 4th meeting. After a lightly attended public consultation held on April 19th, it was read for a 3rd time – with final adoption occurring in May. Our CFO, Mike Kennedy, did an excellent job laying out the various categories of spending along with anticipating inflationary pressures and other demands throughout the year. The financial plan accurately represents the needs of the community based on the priorities in Council’s Strategic Plan. Rossland’s operations budget is projected to be $10.8m this year and our capital plan anticipates projects totaling $8.4m. Key features also include the establishment and initial funding of our new Police Reserve.
The 2022 Municipal Tax Rate Bylaw was given three readings and will be on the May 2nd agenda for adoption. Our plan will hold the overall tax increase to 3% for residential and to 4% for all other tax classifications despite larger increases from the Regional District. The annual review and adjustment of the local area service parcel tax bylaws for Ophir Reservoir and Red Mountain Water and Sewer Service were also given 3 readings.
Council appointed election officials, Cynthia Anonuevo and Kristi Calder for the municipal election to be held Oct 15, 2022. Now is the time to consider running; come to Council Meetings, speak with sitting councillors, and learn about the contribution you can make to your community.
Council approved the purchase of dedicated laptop computers for future city council members. This will increase security and reduce the chance of cybercrime. It will also facilitate effective and efficient IT support from city staff.
Council reviewed an assortment of informative monthly staff reports, including the Q1 2022 Corporate Management Work Plan and Q1 Budget Update. Both reports were informative and comprehensive. Activities and spending are on track with the City’s plans. All reports can be found on our website on in council meeting agendas. For specific info on the Midtown Housing Project, including upcoming information about applying for a rental unit, contact Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society. https://www.lowercolumbiahousing.ca
Sign up for Eye-on-Water. This is an app linked to your property’s water meter that helps you track your water usage. A key feature of the app is it’s leak detection alert function, which will send a notification to your phone if a leak is detected. The average leak in Rossland last year went undetected for 6.7 months and resulted in close to 50 cubic metres of wasted water per month! Over 90% of active leaks are at properties without the Eye-on-Water App installed. To create your account visit www.eyeonwater.ca/signup. Call our Finance Team at 778.457.5031 with any questions you might have.
Community:
The City has a newly designed website, which was updated to provide an improved and user-friendly web experience for Rossland residents, businesses, and visitors. Check it out!
The City of Rossland COVID-19 Community Support Fund. To date, funds have been awarded to provide financial assistance for programs, projects, services, and/or events that benefit the citizens of Rossland – and there is still some money to be disbursed. The City of Rossland’s COVID-19 Community Support Fund will continue to award one-time grants up to $5,000 to eligible community groups to help offset costs related to COVID-19 until the fund is fully exhausted. Grants were made to the following groups in April: Red Mtn Racers ($5k), Rossland Scouts ($3k), WKMinor Lacrosse ($1.2k), WK Timberwolves Lacrosse ($640) and the Rossland Seniors ($2.2k). for additional info, please click here.
Council approved becoming a donee for the Phoenix Neighbourhood Small Grant Program. Successful applicants can receive $500 for their project. Funds are provided by the Phoenix Foundation. Click here for more information.
Rossland’s FireSmart Program continues into 2022 and supports Rossland residents preparing their properties for the fast-approaching wildfire season. Rossland’s Wildfire Hazard Cleanup Day will be Saturday, April 30 with homeowners encouraged to spend a few hours in their yards reducing vegetation and debris that contribute to wildfire spread when fire danger climbs later in the summer. Branches, stems and yard debris will be collected starting Monday, May 2 – for more information on how to do your wildfire hazard cleanup and other great FireSmart tips click here or contact City Hall.
Rossland’s FireSmart Neighbourhood Program has nine FireSmart Neighbourhoods eligible for participation - residents in these nine areas that apply and complete approved work to lower wildfire hazard on a property are eligible for a FireSmart mitigation rebate – for more information visit the City FireSmart website here.
Contact our Age-Friendly program to learn about fun and educational events being offered for seniors this spring: [email protected], by clicking here, or visiting www.facebook.com/skseniors.
The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is looking for volunteers! They are seeking community members for their committees. https://www.rosslandmuseum.ca/news/2021/committees, or [email protected] or 250-362-7722 for more info.
The Rossland Heritage Commission is looking for volunteers too! The Commission’s mandate is to educate those within and beyond our community on the unique heritage of Rossland and to maintain the Rossland Heritage Register. The Heritage Register identifies buildings, sites and neighbourhoods valued by the community for their historic significance in telling the story of Rossland’s development, particularly of the gold mining era, 1895 – 1929. More information can be found at www.heritagerossland.com. To learn more about joining the Heritage Commission, email [email protected].
Earth Day news: Check out the Sustainability Commission's Facebook page HERE for a full list of Earth Day events and activities in Rossland.
Rossland's Food Task Force news: Happy Earth Day 2022! This garden season we invite you to consider ways to create habitat in your yard for our local pollinators including birds, bees, butterflies, and more. Join us Thursday, April 21, at 7 pm for a public lecture on the topic: “Blurring the Fence: Native Plants in our Gardens presented by: Dr. Beckwith. Eventbrite tickets & Facebook Page. Annual Plant Swap & Sale Saturday, May 7 outside Mountain Nuggett.
Council had a committee of the whole meeting to distribute the Columbia Basin Trust funds for the Community Initiative Program. As always demand outstripped supply: We had almost $120k in requests from worthy volunteer groups but only $51k to allocate. Here is the list of awards: Rossland Scouts ($2462) Arrow Lakes Environment Stewardship ($836) BCSPCA ($675) Beaver Valley Fastpitch ($700) Bee Awareness ($1964) CKISS- Youth ($1071) CKISS- EcoGarden ($1084) Greater Trail Hospice ($1177) KBRH Health($2143)Kootenay Brain Injury ($2643) KCLC SD20 -pollinator garden($308) SD20-outdoor education kits ($671) Red Mountain Racers ($3453) Rossland Arena Society ($5854) RCAC ($1057) Rossland Fall Fair ($2183) RSS PAC ($3893) Rossland Tennis ($1330) Selkirk College Foundation Mir Centre ($429) The Canadian Red Cross Society ($929) VISAC Gallery-kids ($221) Gold Fever Follies ($6664) Maple Leaf Band
($86) Tourism Rossland ($970) Trail and District After School Band ($762) Trail and District Senior Citizens' Villa ($750) Visions for Small Schools 7Summits ($2929) EcoSociety -Farms to Friends ($1586) EcoSociety- marginalized communities ($1357) West Kootenay Cycling Coalition ($586) West Kooteny Minor Lacrosse ($701).
Be in Touch! City Hall: 362-7396. Sign up for City updates at www.rossland.ca Next Regular Council meeting: Monday May 2, 2022. 6 p.m. at the Miners Hall. Public input at 6pm or contact City Hall to sign up as a delegation.
| 
