New Zoning for Half the Emcon Site; A Building for YAN; and What Does 'Abrasax' Mean?
By Sara Golling
Editor’s Note —For those who haven’t read this explanation before, the Council report below (like all the others reported here) is as objective as possible, fairly detailed, and attempts to reflect the positions taken by the different councillors so that residents can be aware of their different approaches well before the next civic election. Democracy really works only with a well-informed public, and being well-informed does take some attention to what the people we have elected actually say and do.
Regular Rossland City Council Meeting, December 14, 2015
All Councillor were Present: Mayor Kathy Moore, and Councillors Lloyd McLellan, Andy Morel, John Greene, Andrew Zwicker, Aaron Cosbey, and Marten Kruysse.
Staff: CAO/CFO Cecile Arnott, Deputy Corporate Officer Cynthia Añonuevo, Planner Stacey Lightbourne
Public Input Period:
A resident whose application for a set-back variance was up for decision later in the meeting addressed Council to answer concerns raised by his next-door neighbour, who opposed the application.
Mike Kent of the Youth Action Network (YAN) spoke about the “Me to We” Rossland youth group; they raised $1900 for the WINS Transition House (one of the many social programs of Trail FAIR Society). They are requesting that Council allow them to set up a temporary overnight camp in downtown Rossland on January 22, 2016, so they can camp out there to raise awareness of (and funds for) the homeless. When Kruysse asked how many homeless we have in Rossland, Kent replied that the group in Trail reported having supported 3 Rossland individuals, but that their funds would be used to benefit homeless people in the region, not only in Rossland.
Tim Peacock, Vice President of Rossland Search and Rescue (SAR) Society, spoke to Council about SAR’s need for shelter for its vehicles and equipment, and the fact that the Public Works Yard has already been identified as the best place for a SAR shelter. He asked Council not to forget them if the City will be doing any new building there. He noted that the funding model for SAR is in revision, but also noted that the Rossland SAR group is the only one in the region without a “home”. SAR groups in the region work together on most searches — requests from Trail generally result in Rossland being called, and Rossland gets called out to searches throughout the region.
AGENDA: Council amended the agenda by adding the request from YAN for permission to camp overnight downtown in January.
Delegation: Fletcher Quince presented on his Abrasax Institute and plans. In materials discussed, Quince states that the “Abrasax Institute was established as an Innovation Lab in 2012.” (UNICEF defines an Innovation Lab as “a space and a set of protocols for engaging young people, technologists, private sector and civil society in problem-solving.”) Quince spoke of “C3s” — Community Contribution Corporations, and referred to Rossland, with its population of ~3500, as a “mappable social landscape, and an ideal area for modelling social programs.” He referred to changing “vacant institutional space into functional social infrastructure,” and mentioned the old firehall, now being used as the “Rossland Social Club” and spoke of other potential uses, with the co-operation of the Kootenay Savings Credit Union.
Cosbey asked “what’s the advantage of a C3 as opposed to a group that might be composed of investors? What does the C3 offer that’s distinct?” Quince responded that the C3 legislation mandates that 60% of the property “belongs to” (must be dedicated to the purposes of) the community initiative. It’s a social enterprise in that it can earn profit to keep itself going.
Unfinished Business:
(a) Rossland Skatepark Association request:
A motion that Council direct staff to collaborate with the Skatepark Association on construction during 2016 CARRIED unanimously.
Then Council discussed a motion that Council direct staff to bring forward a bylaw amendment, changing the zoning for the Eastern half of the Emcon site from Light Industrial to Park .
Morel pointed out the this would allow space for building sound-deflecting berms and vegetation, and could also accommodate other civic uses besides the skatepark in the rest of the area. McLellan favoured including the area for the skatepark but no more, and Kruysse agreed. Cosbey pointed out that, by approving the rezoning of the land on which the building sits that YAN wants to use, Council would NOT be necessitating a new building in the Public Works Yard. Moore said she’s happy to see the property getting developed, and that rezoning half the site to Park “moves us forward to implementation of a really good plan.” With Moore, Cosbey, Zwicker and Morel voting in favour, the motion CARRIED. Greene, Kruysse, and McLellan were OPPOSED.
(b) Youth Action Network Delegation request to use one Emcon Site building:
Council discussed a motion that Council reallocate the building in question on the Emcon site to YAN as a location for youth services.
Cosbey acknowledged the “great social value” that YAN has brought to Rossland, bringing back together kids who have been separated by going to different schools. He would like to see some exploration of whether we can get the “price tag down” before deciding on budgeting for a new building for storage in the Public Works Yard. Morel noted that the renovations YAN is proposing are internal, and “the building is an eyesore; it would be a shame if we got tied into keeping that building where it is, unless we make the building look more attractive.” Lightbourne said she was sure improving its appearance is part of their plan. Kruysse was concerned about building code issues and safety. Lightbourne assured Kruysse that the building inspector has had a long talk (and site visit) with YAN and they are keen to go forward with it. Kruysse expressed concerns that it might cause a “roadblock” for future development. McLellan opposed the motion, and cautioned YAN against spending too much money on the building because the City might have other plans in the future that would necessitate moving it. Cosbey argued that the skatepark and the proposed YAN space are “sandwiched” together and will complement each other, so there should be no reason to move the building; he is not worried about it limiting future options. Responding to a suggestion that the Mid-Town Transition Plan is “stale” and needs to be reworked, Cosbey said he has looked at it and thinks it’s still a good plan. He pointed out that the YAN facility will create public washrooms in the area, and one thing the Family Action Network “has been on about” is the need for accessible public washrooms. Greene thinks that “making it look like part of the skatepark” would cost a great deal. Cosbey responded that it would not cost the City anything. Moore said Rossland has done very little for our youth, and thinks “we should go forward with this” instead of “skirting around the issue of what to do with the property” and doing nothing. Kruysse said we should do a land-use plan before we do something like this. The motion to dedicate the storage facility to YAN CARRIED, with Greene, Kruysse, and McLellan OPPOSED.
Recommendations from Staff for Decision:
(a) Recreation programs displaced by renovations in Miners Hall:
A motion to direct staff to report on possible alternative spaces and their costs, for recreation programs that will be displaced by the renovation work on the Miners Hall during 2016 CARRIED unanimously.
(b) Development Variance Permit Application for 2531 St. Paul Street:
A motion in favour of the variance allowing the side-yard setback to be decreased from 1.2 meters to 0.6 meter for construction of a garage CARRIED unanimously.
(c) Development Variance Permit Application for 1006 Silvertip Road:
A motion in favour of the variance allowing the driveway width to be increased from 4 meters to 6.7 meters CARRIED unanimously.
Bylaws:
(a) Review Process for Collection of Business License fees:
Arnott brought a recommendation to Council for a review of the City’s Business License bylaw. After discussion, Council added the word “comprehensive” to the motion. Kruysse commented, “This has been an issue in communities around the province and it hasn’t been resolved. The original purpose of business licences was to protect businesses from unscrupulous competitors.” An amount roughly equal to the business license revenue used to go to the business association, but the City reduced Chamber of Commerce funding last year. Cosbey supports the review, but notes that the past three years of overdue license fees and fines adds up to a total of only $3700. Greene commented that if you have a bylaw, you ought to enforce it. McLellan agreed that it’s important to be consistent. The motion for a comprehensive review of the bylaw and process CARRIED unanimously.
Member Reports:
Zwicker reported that the local agriculture group submitted letter of intent for an application for funding and have now received confirmation that it was received.
Greene reported that the Museum development is “going ahead full steam.”
Cosbey reported that Rossland’s fibre cable for broadband is now all laid. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may offer free hook-ups for a limited time, but only to those who will guarantee a year’s subscription. The library is concerned about potential costs of a hook-up, given that their operating funding was cut last year and they are also trying to raise funds for their “renewal” project.
Kruysse noted that “Rekindle” was a really good event, very busy; “Hats off to everybody who participated.”
McLellan reported on the East End Services Committee meeting on December 8. Trail had “revamped” the contribution agreement that had been agreed to by all parties, and both Rossland and Warfield objected; it was then referred back to Trail Mayor Mike Martin, Warfield Mayor Ted Pahl and Rossland Mayor Kathy Moore, and “they resolved it in a matter of minutes.” McLellan noted that Trail has always questioned the sewage flow reports submitted by the engineers, and said that if Trail wants to buy additional meters, they should be free to do so, but the other partners are not willing to pay for two sets of flow meters. Riverview / Oasis now have a magnetic flow meter.
Moore explained further the terms of East End Services agreement agreed upon, which have now been made more explicit. She was was pleased to see that the Regional District’s Christmas dinner had a cash bar instead of an open bar, as in the past (which would have been paid for by taxpayers). Moore toured the pipe crossing bridge site with Mayor Martin and others; she’ll go down there every other month and track progress. She noted that the Library wants to be a demonstration spot for broadband. Moore attended the RSS PAC and reported that there had been an incident with a schoolboy stepping through the ice on one of the Jubilee Wetland ponds and getting wet up to his knees; his mom had to bring dry clothes to school. There is yellow warning tape around the ponds to discourage such incidents.
There will be a Winter Market on Saturday, December 19, and Moore elicited Council members to be present at the Market for interaction with interested members of the public.
Release of Declassified In Camera Minutes for November 10, 2015:
Moore commented that the included report contains “a few historical inaccuracies, but overall it’s a good overview.”
Council then recessed to an IN CAMERA session pursuant to Community Charter Section 90(1)(e), (g), and (i).
Your reporter bundled up and trudged home in the crisp cold night, making lots of noise with those spiky traction devices, and pondering some large issues such as the wonderful intelligence, far-sightedness, wisdom, talent, humility, generosity and graciousness of many humans, contrasted with the likes of those who go around looking for things to steal — whether it’s just expensive toys in someone else’s car, or the very land and its resources that others depend upon for their living. We are such a varied lot, and the struggle of the far-seeing ones against the damage done by the heavier-duty thievish variety is likely to continue for as long as we exist. A holiday toast: here’s to all of our far-sighted, wise and generous beings.
