When is City property a "Private" Driveway? And: Rossland Skatepark -- The Art of the Possible
By Sara Golling
Regular Rossland City Council Meeting, November 10, 2015; 6:00 pm
Council Members: Mayor Kathy Moore, and Councillors John Greene, Andrew Zwicker, Andy Morel, Aaron Cosbey, and Lloyd McLellan. (Absent: Marten Kruysse)
Staff: Manager of Public Works Darrin Albo, City Planner Stacey Lightbourne. CAO/CFO Cecile Arnott arrived at 6:40 pm.
The Public Gallery was full, crowded, and overflowing. People set up extra chairs, sat everywhere there was space, stood instead of sitting, filled the space behind council as well as the normal gallery area, and lurked in the doorways and hallways to hear the proceedings.
Public Input Period: A member of the Rossland Tennis Society outlined a 30-year history of keeping Rossland’s “heritage” tennis courts usable; tennis enthusiasts have been seeking support from other residents for the tennis court refurbishment project, and they are asking the City for assurance that the land occupied by the tennis courts will still be used for tennis courts well into the future.
Another resident spoke about traffic issues on McLeod Avenue, and suggested that a way be found to “impede speeding traffic” coming off Kirkup (from the highway). He said there have been too many close calls and too much conflict already and that he will present some ideas at the next Council meeting.
Another resident expressed concern about the area of Thompson Avenue from Esling Avenue east to the highway, and asked the City to keep “an eye” on that area about the number and type of vehicles parking on the roadway and creating a hazard.
Delegations:
1. Youth Action Network (YAN)
Mike Kent spoke for YAN, first giving a brief overview. YAN is now into its 3rd year; it is a “program of the City of Rossland” funded by CBT and other grants. YAN provides programs for youth 12 to 18 years of age; it is youth-directed and community supported. The storefront space downtown opened in March 2015 and houses 8 programs at present — about 20 hours of programming per week, and is used by about 100 youth. The rent is $12,000 per year. The space was opened on a trial basis; now they have funding for it until the end of June. They have been looking at other spaces, and would like permission to use the empty City building on the former Emcon site, currently slated for demolition to make extra room for the skatepark. YAN recognizes that the building needs a lot of renovation, but thinks they could do the necessary work without additional cost to taxpayers, and could make it into a “really excellent youth space.” Kent suggested that it would be a benefit to the City to avoid tearing down the building, to clean up the area, and to provide washrooms for the site.
A member of the gallery suggested ways in which the building, if used by YAN, would complement the skatepark, and Kent agreed.
2. Rossland Skatepark Association (RSA)
Robin Strachan and Heath Clement presented on the skatepark association and its plans. To answer the question of why Rossland should have a skatepark, they had several responses. It’s “a natural fit” for the “kids, young and old” and would bring economic benefits to Rossland, they said. They asserted that it would be a “plus” for civic development; and they pointed out that it is entirely consistent with the Official Community Plan and has strong community support — amply demonstrated by the number of supporters trying to fit into the public gallery for their presentation. RSA began working on getting a skatepark for Rossland in 2009. (Editor’s Note: Rossland’s youth have been working for a skatepark much longer than that — Connor Mackay, than aged 13, presented to Council very persuasively in 2002.) They presented their modified, less expensive design, which leaves room for the building YAN wants to use. They identified the hard costs RSA will have to pay for construction, and asked that the City allow them to “piggy-back” on the Washington Street renewal project to get good prices for the purchase of concrete, and to avoid transport costs for the use of heavy machinery that will already be on site. The City would need to take care of the drainage tie-in, rezoning the site from light industrial to park space, and to keep the skate-park area clear of materials and equipment storage for the Washington St. project.
Zwicker asked if the design was “new and different” for the area; the answer was yes, it’s a “flow” park, whereas the other regional ones tend to be more of a “street” design. Moore asked if there was one like it anywhere around, and was told no, there isn’t. She asked also about sound deflection; the presenters explained that the park design sends sound more upward than outward, and that sound-buffering berms can be created from the material excavated. Asked whether there has been a geotechnical assessment, the presenters replied, yes; they didn’t find rock that would have to be blasted, but did find an old railway tie. A resident asked whether any further environmental remediation was required; Lightbourne said, no, it has its certificate already.
Council adopted their agenda and the minutes of previous meetings, then dealt with —
Unfinished business:
(a) City plowing of “private” driveways: A motion that council direct staff to amend the City of Rossland Road, Sidewalk and Stair Snow Removal Policy (#06-05) to clarify the criteria pertaining to (private) driveways and to bring it back to Council by January 1 CARRIED unanimously after discussion:
Morel spoke and said that the City should have a written policy on the issue of private driveways. Cosbey questioned whether it is necessary to clarify the policy itself, or just to define what is private and what is not; Lightbourne explained that several people had received letters notifying them that “their” driveways would no longer be plowed, but they were actually on the City’s map for showing what would be plowed in what priority. On the other hand, she explained that there are some “private” driveways that are plowed and will continue to be plowed because the City needs access to fire hydrants or other such facilities. The policy should be re-written so that all City decisions to plow or not to plow can be clearly supported by the policy.
Cosbey asked if an appeals process would be part of the policy; Lightbourne said if the policy is clear, there should be no need for an appeals process. Arnott explained that when the policy is rolled out it will be a public item and people can come to Council and speak to it. Cosbey asked if the policy could be implemented during the winter; Morel asked if the new policy could be applied now rather than waiting until January. Arnott advised waiting until the written policy is in place, so that residents who need to make arrangements will have time to do so.
(b) Council Discussion of the Draft Corporate Strategic Plan for 2015 – 2018:
Council discussed some adjustments to one version of their DRAFT Strategic Plan, and made slight amendments. Cosbey suggested calling it the 2016 – 2018 plan; “2015 is over.” Council agreed. Thus renamed, Council’s 2nd version of the Strategic Plan was unanimously approved as amended.
(c) Water and Sewer Rate Implementation: Council unanimously rescinded the motion passed at the September 14, 2015 Regular Council Meeting to implement new water and sewer rates on January 1, 2016.
Cosbey suggested that the City needs a spreadsheet (which the consultant will not provide) for crunching the numbers to arrive at a more satisfactory balance of charges for water and sewer, and that the City could set a budget figure of $3500 to seek and obtain such a spreadsheet. A motion to that effect CARRIED unanimously.
(d) Zwicker moved that Council direct staff to investigate a separate funding procedure, outside the community group funding application, for the City of Rossland Sustainability Commission (SC). Zwicker explained that the City has not been giving direction to the SC, so the SC has worked on items they thought were important, only for the City to tell them it wasn’t something the City wanted, so some SC members became discouraged and quit; and the application schedule meant that the SC could not know — before applying for funding — what they were supposed to be doing and how much funding they would need. Morel commented that he didn’t think a new funding regime would preclude the SC from coming up with their own ideas and bringing them to Council. Moore was uneasy about changing the SC funding out of Community Groups; McLellan thought the current system provides greater accountability; Greene said he thought the previous Council didn’t take advantage of the SC ‘s energy; Cosbey pointed out the Council set a goal of capping the percentage of the City’s budget applied to community groups, so there is really no need to force the groups to have their budgets in at a certain date for the City’s budgeting process because the total amount is known, and the City can divide it up among them at a later time. Moore objected that the amounts must be allocated for the budget, and the groups need certainty about their funding.
The motion CARRIED, with only McLellan opposed.
Recommendations from Staff for Decision:
(a) Development Permit Variance Application for 2680 Iron Colt Avenue: the owner is seeking approval for a driveway 6.1 meters wide instead of 4 meters. A motion to grant the request CARRIED unanimously.
(b) Fire Smart grant: A motion to endorse a grant application seeking funding for “FireSmart” planning and activities to encourage property owners to reduce fire hazards on private interface lands in Rossland, particularly for neighbourhoods such as upper McLeod Avenue, Black Bear, and the South Belt, CARRIED unanimously.
Bylaws:
A motion to give third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw # 2602 for a guest house at 2075 Thompson Avenue CARRIED unanimously.
Rekindle event: Tourism Rossland submitted a letter requesting assistance from the City with such items as putting up the Christmas tree in Harry Lefevre Square, and permission for the other activities on City property; a motion to approve the requests CARRIED unanimously.
Members’ Reports:
Cosbey reported that “the point of presence” for broadband is installed; the fiber will be “lit up” by December; and Internet Service Providers could be offering terms to downtown businesses as early as January.
Morel has met with the RCAC Miners Hall renovation committee and spoke of the high levels of excitement and enthusiasm about the project. Morel asked about his role with the renovation project; Moore wants Council to be able to track all the expenses very closely and appreciates the extra “eyes and ears.” Albo explained that there will be a monthly meeting, and the architect will meet with staff and will be happy to meet with RCAC after that. Arnott noted that “we have committed to” tracking expenses of the total project, and she will be submitting her first report very soon.
Zwicker’s motion that the SC be allowed to use $500 from the SC budget to upgrade the City’s e-mail system CARRIED unanimously.
Zwicker also mentioned a food security meeting on November 18th, to apply for a grant for a food security plan, and invited everyone to attend.
Greene reported on the development of Council’s potential bobsled for the Winter Carnival bobsled race.
Moore reported that the Seven Summits Centre for Learning is requesting to use funding from a CBT CIP grant, originally granted for another purpose, to learn how to do research and use it to create a plan to bring in more international students. If Council agrees, then the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary board of directors would have to agree to the change. McLellan commented that the RDBK would likely refuse permission to use it for a different purpose, and make them re-apply for funding next year. However, Council agreed with the request and tasked McLellan with attempting to persuade the RDKB board to allow the change in purpose.
Moore went to the “Easy Peezy Station” public washroom launch at CBAL in Trail; she noted that Rossland will have an “Easy Peezy” washroom at the Library, and someone suggested that there could also be one at the YAN facility if they get to use the building at the Emcon site. Moore mentioned the water rate public meeting to be held on Thursday November 12 at the Seniors’ Hall. Moore and Morel attended the veterans’ dinner and noted that there are still two veterans of World War Two living in Rossland.
Council recessed the meeting at 8:15 pm to go into an in camera session, and your reporter walked home in the cold wet night thinking of Remembrance Day and the words of the Anzac song as written and sung by Eric Bogle; click on the link for one version of the song “And the band played Waltzing Matilda.”
