Emcon Lot
Mike Kent from Rossland Youth Action Network and Robin Strachan and Heath Clement from the Rossland Skatepark Association both made presentations to council regarding the Emcon Lot. YAN would like to move the Space to a city building on the Emcon lot, which would complement the Skatepark Association’s plans to turn the southeast corner of the lot into a skatepark.
Strachan and Clement also asked council if it would be possible to piggy back on the Washington St. construction. Since the city will be buying large amounts of concrete, the Skatepark Association would like to take advantage of their buying power to order their own concrete. Similarly, since there will be heavy equipment on site for Washington St., the association would like to take advantage of that and reduce costs by using the same equipment. The Skatepark Association will still pay for their own concrete and equipment fees, but piggy backing off the city will allow them to reduce overall costs.
Water and sewer rates
Council officially voted to rescind its motion to introduce new water and sewer rates by Jan. 1, 2016. Council also voted to have staff look into options for getting a planning tool for setting new rates at a cost of up to $3,500.
Sustainability Commission
Councillor Andrew Zwicker made a motion that staff should look into an a separate funding procedure, outside the community group funding application, for the Sustainability Commission. As it stands, the commission has to submit an annual budget before receiving strategic direction from council. Allocating funding for the commission outside the community group funding would allow them to put off constructing a full line budget until after they had an idea of their objectives for the year. It would not effect the overall funding the commission receives.
The motion passed with only Councillor Lloyd McLellan opposed.
Guest house
Following a public hearing on Monday, council approved a new guest house at 2075 Thompson Ave. at Tuesday’s regular meeting. Council received two letters regarding the guest house — one for and one against — and heard from two speakers — Angela Price and Janie Simister.
Price, who runs a guest house and B&B, questioned whether or not Rossland could support another guest house, and Councillor John Greene suggested that it would be best to let the market decide.
FireSmart grant
Staff recommended that the City of Rossland apply for a 2016 FireSmart grant that will cover 100 per cent of costs up to $10,000 to support residents in undertaking FireSmart planning activities on private lands. Council felt this way a no brainer and voted to have staff apply for the grant.
