Rossland council convened for its June 19 meeting inviting delegates and input from the community, while taking care of municipal business.
• The Rossland Public Library executive director Stacey Boden and board chair Richard Kemick gave a presentation and update on the finalized strategic plan, an overview of services offered in 2022, its contribution to the community, and some insight into future support needed.
The library has one of the highest patronage numbers in B.C. with almost 50 per cent of residents holding a library card, and with more than 30,640 visitors last year.
As library use continues to grow, they expect there will be challenges. The provincial government has frozen funding since 2009, and the lack of dependable resources makes it difficult to staff the library, and limited space is also becoming more of a problem.
• Melanie Mercier, with Friends of Record Ridge, presented to council, and as first order of business changed the name to Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC).
In an update, Mercier advocated for the protection of Record Ridge against West High Yield (WHY) Resources application to build and run an open pit mine. She outlined the groups mandate, to inform and ask people to participate in public consultation process, while questioning WHY’s data and claims.
SRRAC encourages residents and all concerned citizens to send letters opposing WHY application to regional director of southeast mines, Kathie Wagar, and to Mines minister Josie Osborne, George Heyman Minister of Environment, and federal Environment Minister Steven Guibeault.
According to SRRAC, on June 24 the Mine Development and Review committee (MDRC) met to review WHY’s permit application. After June 24 the 30 to 90 day official consultation period begins. MDRC is required to review all letters received before and during that period.
SRRAC says: “Send your letters now!”
• Council reviewed and approved the Half-Masting of Canadian flag bylaw. The policy remained relatively the same, with one notable addition, the inclusion of Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Council also passed policies which included Communicable Disease, Freedom of the City, Proclamations, and Advertising and Promotions.
• Council requested a review of the annual committee and liaison appointments, citing high demands on their time. An excessive number of groups takes away from councillors duties and obligations to the city.
Council requested a Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss which committees are necessary and which are not.
• The 2022 City of Rossland Annual Report was approved by council.
• Short term rentals continues to be a hot topic with council, staff and the community.
Council discussed the possibility of changing zoning permits at the Red Mountain base area, comparing it with Old Town and Redstone.
A motion passed that directed staff to draft Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment bylaws to align with the short term rental regulations with Old Town Rossland, allowing for permanent residents to operate STRs for certain zones around Red.
• Council reviewed city reports on building permits, Step Code Energy Rebates, Public Works and Water Production, Eye on Water Report, Bylaw Compliance, Rossland Midtown Status Report, and the Updated Task List, which can all be viewed at rossland.ca on the June 19 agenda.
