At last week’s regular city council meeting, council awarded the contract for scaffolding to Industrial Scaffold Services of Nanaimo, as they had the lowest bid, but they have since withdrawn their tender. Chinook Scaffold Systems was the second lowest tender at $45,360, but was disqualified because they did not use the right pre-printed Bid Form when submitting their bid. That means that the contract will now go to DJM Contracting, who bid $66,948 and were also awarded the contract for the construction on the hall. In light of the tight budget for the hall, DJM has agreed to bring their cost down to $50,000 and will partner with Chinook for the job.
This left Phase 1 of the Miners’ Hall Renovation project with a $38,000 shortfall, so council voted to take the extra funds out of the capital reserve fund.
Washington St. improvement project gets going
The Washington Street Infrastructure Improvement Project will officially get started on Monday, May 2. The construction will take place in three stages, with each phase lasting six to eight weeks.
Phase 1: First Ave. to Third Ave.
Phase 2: Third Ave. to Sixth Ave.
Phase 3: Sixth Ave. to Kirkup Ave.
Residential tax rate decreased slightly in 2016
Council read the 2016 tax rate bylaw for the first time on Monday night. While the city’s assessment rose 4.6 per cent this year, the 2016 tax increase is only 3.5 per cent, so the residential tax rate has actually decreased from $7.25 per $1000 of taxable assessment in 2015 to $7.17 this year. This is good news for any home owners in Rossland whose assessments decreased or remained unchanged.
Council supports YAN’s application to CBT
Mike Kent, coordinator for the Rossland Youth Action Network (YAN), asked council to support YAN’s application to the Columbia Basin Trust’s (CBT) new Basin Youth Network. If the application is approved by CBT, YAN will receive $55,000 for the next three years. Council voted to support the application, but Councillor Lloyd McLellan took the opportunity to once again challenge council’s previous decision to allow YAN to take possession of the building on the east side of the Emcon lot. He made a motion to rescind the previous decision and take a look at the other building on the Emcon lot instead. Councillor Aaron Cosbey made a friendly amendment to take out the part about rescinding the previous decision, but the motion was ultimately voted down anyway.
Rossland Search and Rescue pursuing funding for building
Council voted to write a letter of support for Rossland Search and Rescue (RSAR) so they can pursue funding for a new building to be located somewhere in the arena parking lot. RSAR proposed putting the building in the south-west corner of the lot, but Councillor McLellan suggested that the building might be better located in the north-west corner to allow arena users to park on the south end and because he said the north side of the lot is more level. Council directed staff to work with RSAR to determine the best location for the building.
Rep from Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association offers assistance to council
Murray McConnachie, vice president of the Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association, addressed council because he had heard that they intended to close the arena. Council assured him that no decision has been made to close the arena, and he offered to work with council to look at opportunities for increasing the arena’s revenue by optimizing the association’s use of the ice.
Location approved for V-Formation sculpture
Council approved placing the V-Formation statue in the courtyard next to Mountain Nugget Chocolate, as per the Rossland Council for Arts and Council’s (RCAC) original request. Council had requested that staff talk to the RCAC about choosing a more visible location for the new statue, but no alternate location could be found.
New CAO officially appointed
Council voted to officially appoint Bryan Teasdale as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Corporate Officer (CO) of the City of Rossland. Monday was Teasdale’s first day on the job and his first council meeting.
Council to honour volunteers
During her mayor’s report, Mayor Kathy Moore introduce a motion for council to hold an annual event honouring the volunteers recognized in Rossland News’ monthly “Volunteer Vibe” feature. The motion was unanimously approved.
April is Poetry Month
Local writer Jennifer Ellis read a poem before council in celebration of Poetry Month.