COUNCIL MATTERS: Rossland City Council, October 21, 2024
By Sara Golling
The Rossland Heritage Pool Society wants to help keep the pool operating; a resident seeks support for improved highway signage; Second Avenue project 23% under budget; some scofflaw STRs being fined; a letter to go to the Regional Director of Mining Operations
PRESENT:
Council: Mayor Andy Morel and Councillors Stewart Spooner, Craig Humpherys, Eliza Boyce, Maya Provençal, Jeff Weaver and Lisa Kwiatkowski.
Staff: Chief Administrative Office Bryan Teasdale, Deputy Corporate Officer Cynthia Añonuevo, Executive Assistant Rachel Newton, Manager of Recreation & Events Kristi Calder, Manager of Operations and Infrastructure Scott Lamont, and Deputy Operations Manager Josh Solman.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
The gallery was full, with standing room only, and Mayor Morel asked people to speak only if they had new points to make about their topics, such as Rossland’s outdoor pool.
One resident wondered whether the new condominium units being built at Red might provide enough additional tax revenue to keep the pool operating.
Another resident spoke in support of Noel Muller’s requests in his presentation to Council as a delegation (below), regarding highway signage – particularly truck traffic speeding and using engine brakes along the section of highway from the gas station to Spokane Street.
DELEGATIONS:
1. The Rossland Heritage Pool Society
Michele Skuce, Patti Grimsruud, and Kayle Robson addressed Council, seeking the City’s help in finding ways, and funding, to keep Rossland’s 93-year-old outdoor pool operating.
Skuce pointed out that they are not asking for a new facility, just to keep the pool open. She wondered if there has been any exploration of the possibility of re-lining the pool.
Grimsruud pointed out that there is “an overwhelming desire” in Rossland to keep the pool open during the summer; that it is within walking or biking distance of most of the town, a valuable asset of “our 15-minute city.” She argued that the pool provides not only swimming, but also swimming lessons, socializing, cooling during hot spells, socializing, employment, and fun. She expressed disagreement with the direction given to the authors of the white paper on the pool, saying that the goal should have been to identify “what is necessary to keep the pool in operation.” She noted that there were 6000 pool visits in 2022, and that there is no requirement to upgrade the pool to meet modern standards; they are asking that the pool be kept open with only necessary maintenance and repairs. She quoted from Silken Laumann’s book, “Child’s Play,” which emphasizes the importance of natural outdoor play to the well-being of children, families, and communities.
Kayle Robson stated that drowning is the second most common cause of death in children up to the age of 14 [Ed.: see statistics in the World Health Organization’s page on drowning] and doesn’t understand how the City can see the increase in demand for pool use and swim lessons, and still contemplate letting the pool go. She pointed out that most kids can get to this pool under their own power, but if they had to drive to another community, transportation would increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adding to the problem of climate change rather than helping to curb it; she asked what the City could do to minimize or compensate for those increased emissions.
Humpherys asked if the Society members consider themselves a fundraising group; the answer was, yes.
2. Noel Muller
Muller, who resides on western Columbia Avenue, is seeking a letter of support from the City for his requests of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (MOTI) to change and improve signage along Columbia Avenue, specifically, to remove the misleading sign near the gas station that says “Rossland 1 kilometre” as it gives the impression that people are not already in Rossland. He also asks that MOTI add signage there prohibiting the use of engine brakes, and that MOTI install a speed tracker at the bottom of the hill, along with a sign restricting speed to 30 km/hr when pedestrians are on the highway, and a “Hidden Roadway Entrance” sign at the beginning of the Columbia riser, and that Department of Transport provide enforcement for truck traffic in Rossland until the patterns of driver behaviour improve.
Muller explained that his partner had written a letter to MOTI about a year and a half ago, and was told that without the support of Council and the community, MOTI would do nothing – so he is asking for a letter of support from Council, and he will be seeking additional support from neighbours.
Boyce asked whether the City could put up the desired signs; Operations Manager Scott Lamont answered that the City would have to get permission from MOTI to do that; as Columbia Avenue is part of the provincial highway system.
POLICY REVIEW:
1. Regional District Appointments Policy: A motion to reconfirm the policy CARRIED unanimously. A further motion to confirm the proposed appointments also CARRIED.
2. Council Committee System Policy: A motion to reconfirm the policy CARRIED, and a further motion to adopt the recommended Council Committee appointments also CARRIED.
3. Gift Certificates for City Employees: This policy is being renamed “Annual Winter Holiday Policy” and now includes, as well as a gift certificate for each employee for $50, a provision for closure of City Hall – worded as follows: “City Hall will close for a pre-determined time (i.e. approximately 3-5 days) as authorized by the Chief Administrative Officer (or their designate) in and around the end of December to the beginning of January. Certain departments may still be required to have a presence during this time (i.e. Recreation, Finance and Corporate Services) and Public Works staff will also remain on duty during this time to complete necessary operations for the City. All emergency contact information will be posted on the front doors of City Hall. Communications regarding any December closure begins in mid-to-late November via the City’s usual communication channels. Employees are encouraged to utilize either current vacation and/or banked time entitlements for this pre-determined time.”
A motion to approve the policy as amended CARRIED unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS & UPDATES:
Council Schedule for 2025:
Discussion: Spooner queried having only one meeting in each of July, August and September; CAO Teasdale noted that if there is a need for Council decisions when there is no regular meeting scheduled, a special meeting can be called. A motion to approve the following schedule of Council meetings for 2025 then CARRIED unanimously:
Monday, January 13 Monday, June 16
Monday, February 3 Monday, July 14
Tuesday, February 18 Monday, August 11
Monday, March 10 Monday, September 15
Monday, April 7 Monday, October 6
Tuesday, April 22 Monday, October 20
Monday, May 5 Monday, November 3
Tuesday, May 20 Monday, November 17
Monday, June 2 Monday, December 8
Acting Mayor Schedule for 2024-2025:
A motion to adopt the following schedule CARRIED unanimously:
November: Weaver June: Boyce
December: Kwiatkowski July: Provençal
January: Humpherys August: Spooner
February: Weaver September: Boyce
March: Spooner October: Humpherys
April: Provençal November: Weaver
May: Kwiatkowski December: Kwiatkowski
City of Rossland-Village of Warfield Bylaw Enforcement Services Agreement:
This agreement is for bylaw enforcement services, up to 10 hours per week, to be provided to Warfield and invoiced at rates to be updated at the beginning of the year for hours of work and mileage. A motion to approve the service agreement CARRIED unanimously.
Cheque Register Report for September 2024:
A motion to approve the report on City expenditures for September, 2024, CARRIED unanimously.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: Council perused the following reports and thanked Staff for their clarity.
2024 Corporate Management Work Plan – Q3 Progress Report
Third-Quarter 2024 Budget Update
Kwiatkowski noted that the final costs for the Second Avenue infrastructure project are expected to come in at 23% under budget. [The project was 100% funded by grants, and savings will remain in the Growing Communities Fund.]
Spooner noted that the City had spent only $6000 of the $25,000 budget for pool maintenance; Teasdale explained that the remaining $19,000 will go into the Pool Reserve Fund, and can be used to leverage grants.
Rossland-Trail Recreation Agreement Update to Q3
Council will discuss possible renewal of the agreement for the coming year(s) with Trail during Q4.
Monthly Reports to Council for September:
Building Permits
Building Permit Inspections by Type
Step Code Energy Rebates
Public Works and Water Production
Eye on Water – Humpherys wondered why “we lost three users.”
Bylaw Compliance – Boyce was glad to see that the Short-Term Rental information is now available and that fines are being issued.
REQUESTS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE:
Remembrance Day Ceremony Event Request: A motion to approve the closure of Washington Street between First Avenue and Columbia Avenue from AM to 11:15 AM, and the use of the cenotaph plaza for the event CARRIED unanimously.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS:
Morel reported that “transit is a hot topic at the East End Services, and will continue to be a big expense.” He said that ridership is still down from pre-COVID levels, but is improving; and that there is a new and more efficient operator. There will be a new line starting in 2025 to Castlegar that will benefit students of Selkirk College, and improve access to medical services.
Morel moved that the City write a letter to Kathie Wagar, regional director for mining operations, on the latest iteration of the West High Yield application for a permit to begin an open-pit mine operation on Record Ridge. Morel suggested that the letter should address the issues of truck traffic through town, and water – where does WHY expect to obtain water for the proposed operation? He also wanted an in-person public meeting before an official decision is made about the latest proposal by WHY, which involves reducing the annual output of ore to 75 tonnes in order to avoid an Environmental Assessment. The motion CARRIED.
Morel also asked for a motion for a letter of support for the Kootenay-Columbia Trails Society, to apply for a REDIP grant for proposed new trails on Red Mountain, with the support of RED resorts, and Spooner left the room. The motion CARRIED.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM, and your reporter uncharacteristically accepted the kind offer of a ride home instead of walking, not having worn quite enough layers for the chill of the evening.
