Andrea Kramer of Berg Lehmann Chartered Accountants presented the audit for the city’s 2015 financials to council. Kramer had three suggestions on how council could improve the city’s control and accounting procedures. The first was to update the city’s tangible capital asset database and continuity schedules so that the city can track the cost and accumulated amortization of the city’s capital assets. The second was to perform the city’s balance sheet account reconciliations regularly so that interim budgets to actual reports are reliable and council can review the actual financial activity against the annual financial plan at regular intervals. The third recommendation was that a more formal review of the city’s potential liability for contaminated sites should be made.
Tourism Rossland explains Red Resort Association
Deanne Steven, executive director of Tourism Rossland, explained the Red Resort Association for council. The association is a registered non-profit society under the Mountain Resort Associations Act with the purpose of promoting, facilitating and encouraging the development, maintenance and operation of the Red Mountain resort area. Each year, 112 members pay $45,000 to the association. Residential owners pay $250 if their property is not available for short-term rental or $500 if it is; commercial owners pay $700-$2000, depending on square footage; and Red Mountain Resort pays $10,000. The money is then passed onto Tourism Rossland with the Red Resort Association acting purely as a flow-through funding organization.
Steven also encouraged Rosslanders to attend the BC Transit input session taking place at the Rossland Public Library on Wednesday at noon. The session is an opportunity for Rossland residents to weigh-in on transit service in the area.Council then voted to approach BC Transit about enhanced bus service between Rossland and the Red Mountain neighbourhood.
Students present Rossland life and environmental action plans
Peter Holton and students from the Selkirk College Integrated Environmental Planning program presented some of the action plans they’ve been working on for Rossland. Chelsea Mathieson presented her complete streets plan, Suzz Bergler presented her LED streetlights plan, and Jessica Swan presented her urban forestry plan. The City of Rossland has been given digital and hard copies of all of the Rossland life and environmental action plans, which they can now review for implementation as resources allow.
Injured city workers to act as bylaw officers
Darrin Albo, manager of public works, recommended that injured workers who need to be put on light duty be employed as bylaw officers. Council expressed some concerns about informing Rosslanders that parking bylaws would be more strictly enforced, but ultimately supported the idea.
Praying for Rossland
A Rossland resident has requested to be able to come into council chambers when they’re not in use and pray for the city. After a lively discussion council agreed to let her do so on a trial basis.
Piano back in the park
Councillor John Green said that the piano should return to Harry Lefevre Square by the end of the week.