Council agreed to award the contract to develop a plan for the Rossland Midtown Transition Area — a.k.a the Emcon Lot — to CTQ Consultants after receiving proposals from three contractors.
City staff sent out requests for proposals (RFP) to four companies, but only received proposals from three: CTQ, Bear Land Development and Metropolitan Collective. Staff determined that CTQ had both the best methodology and the better team to complete the project.
After defining the parameters for the project and collecting background information, CTQ will provide the City of Rossland with two to three land use scenarios.
The city will then choose one scenario to move forward with and in the end CTQ will provide a brief report that includes a development plan that conforms to and benefits the community, developer profit potential, the current value and sale price of the land, the means to proceed with an RFP and will identify the need for any further analysis, design or market research if it is required.
Council interested in health benefits for council members
Council has directed city staff to explore the option of a blanket policy for council members that covers health benefits.
Coun. Andrew Zwicker made a motion to have staff look at possible benefits packages during a discussion about the City of Rossland’s Council Minimum Benefits Policy.
Coun. Lloyd McLellan opposed the motion because he felt it would effectively mean more money for councillors, since they have the option to opt out of the benefits and add the cost to their salary.
Coun. Andy Morel supported the motion, saying, “There are people on the community that have said to me they can’t afford to sit on council…. We’re one of the lowest-paid councils in the whole province.”
He felt that offering better compensation in the form of health benefits would make it possible for people with lower incomes (relatively speaking) to consider running for a seat on council.
Council also discussed the Employees-Management Minimum Benefits Policy, and made a small change to the policy’s holiday clause. After 25 years of service, management employees will receive one additional day of holidays for each additional three years of service, instead of one additional day for each additional year.
Water usage was up in 2016
The City of Rossland Annual Water Report 2016 showed that Rossland’s water usage was 721,459 cubic meters, as compared to 703,462 cubic meters in 2015. The report also said that 38 water connections in Rossland are still unmetered. McLellan asked what the city is doing to encourage people to install meters, and Elma Hamming, manager of finance, reminded him that council approved a $100 per quarter fee for non-compliance.
City of Rossland sponsoring Kootenay Healthy Lifestyles Expo
Following a request from Audry Durham, executive director for the Trail and District Chamber of Commerce at the last regular council meeting on Feb. 6, council decided that the City of Rossland would to contribute $500 to the Kootenay Healthy Lifestyles Expo as an exhibitor welcome reception sponsor.
In exchange the city will receive podium recognition at the reception, the city’s logo will appear on a banner at the reception, the city’s logo will be attached to all reception advertising and invitations, and the city will receive an invitation to the reception and two complimentary expo tickets. The expo will be held on May 6.