• A pair of delegations opened the May 16 meeting of Rossland council.
The Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation presented their recent accomplishments and identified ongoing projects at council on May 16, while the BC Social Procurement Initiative (SPI) presented their unique contributions and the community benefits of following a social procurement model.
Council later passed a motion for city staff to investigate the possibility of Rossland becoming a member of the SPI, when time permits.
• Council agreed unanimously to give first, second and third reading to an amendment to the Freedom of Information (FOI) and Protection of Privacy Policy. The bylaw was adopted in 1994, and has not been revisited since.
• Council approved the draft Recreation Facilities and Programs in Adverse Weather and Severe Climatic Conditions Policy. In the event of extreme weather events like thunder and lightning, heavy rain, extreme heat, or poor air quality, facilities and programs may be cancelled or postponed.
“It is the intent with this policy to protect both staff and the public by setting clear guidelines on when to close or delay facility and program operations,” read the report.
• A new business applied for a development permit to re-paint the front of 2040 Columbia Ave., formerly the Powderhound location. The city’s Design Review Committee approved the design as presented and council deemed the project to be consistent within the parameters of the Design Guidelines for Downtown Rossland and approved the application.
• An application to amend a development permit for a subdivision at 1016 Olaus Way requested to decrease the setback near a small stream from 7.5 m to 5 m.
“This watershed has been greatly affected over the years by the impacts upstream and all around in the lower areas by development,” said Coun. Andy Morel. “So I am not in favour of seeing these kind of setbacks relaxed. I would like to see us restrict that setback to what the guidelines are and if that means not allowing that development so be it.”
Council supported Morel’s view and voted unanimously to reject the application.
• A request for council decision for a temporary road closure at Queen St. south of Columbia Ave. to accommodate the Rossland Community Farmers Market every Wednesday afternoon, from June to October, was unanimously approved and applauded.
• Improvements to Aqueduct Trail will continue as council awarded the Tender to Copcan Civil Limited Partnership. The plan is to complete construction on the trail from Mann Road to Gibbers.
“It’s a huge win-win, it’s great from a recreational point of view,” said Mayor Kathy Moore. “It’s such an old hike that’s needed improvement for decades so this is awesome.”
The city received $500,000 in funding for the project from the Tourism Dependent Communities Fund. Total cost of the original project was estimated at $670,000. The city leveraged the remaining funding from the Resort Municipality Initiative, third party grant funds, and some of the city’s own DCC Reserve Funds.
• After more discussion than expected, council voted 6-1 to grant the 2nd Rossland Scouts a stipend to purchase badges for their trip to Finland for a Scouting Jamboree.
Go to rossland.ca to access agendas and minutes, staff reports, news and much more.
The next meeting of council goes on June 6 at 6 p.m. at Miner’s Hall.
Read: Rossland invites input into Official Community Plan
