Council Matters: Rossland City Council Meeting, April 22, 2025
By Sara Golling
Rossland heritage Pool society update; the City’s audited financial statements; Canada Day and cupcakes; crime stats from the RCMP and other reports …. It was a short meeting.
Present: Acting Mayor Maya Provençal, and Councillors Jeff Weaver, Lisa Kwiatkowski and Eliza Boyce. Absent: Mayor Andy Morel, and Councillors Stewart Spooner and Craig Humpherys.
Staff: CAO Bryan Teasdale, Deputy Corporate Officer Cynthia Añonuevo, CFO Mike Kennedy, City Planner Stacey Lightbourne, Executive Assistant Rachel Newton, Manager of Public Works Scott Lamont, Manager of Recreation & Events Kristi Calder, and Accounting Clerk Justin Brogan.
Public Input Period:
Patti Grimsrud provided a brief update on the work of the Rossland Heritage Pool Society, including their successful fund-raising dance at the Rossland Legion, which raised $3,310; she emphasized that all attendees really value the pool.
Jane Theriault referred to a statement on page 20 of the budget document in materials for the previous Council meeting, which identified “unreal expectations from recreational user groups” as a “weakness” for the City. She pointed out that for many Rosslanders, recreation is a very important part of their lives and a very important reason for living in Rossland.
Lewis McBride just wanted to confirm that May 5 is the date for discussions on the Five-Year Financial Plan.
Laura Pettitt wanted Council to make sure that citizens are “getting good bang for their buck” and asks that Council speak directly to the hard-working citizens who have kept the town going, and to hear what they have to say.
Sophie (whose last name I missed) hopes that the money from the ski hill will be included in the budget presentation.
Delegation:
Ashley Ruggiero, CPA, and Satinder Kaur reported to council on behalf of the City’s auditors, Grant Thornton LLP.
Justin Brogan of Rossland’s accounting department provided an overview of some of the key items in the financial statements, and explained in lay terms what some of the categories mean.
Ruggiero concluded by saying, “We really appreciate working with you guys.”
Provençal asked if the auditors had any comments about the City’s treatment of natural assets; Kennedy commented that Rossland’s natural assets have helped Rossland in applying for various grants.
Bylaws:
Zoning Bylaw # 2841 – 1999 Second Avenue: This bylaw will change the zoning of part of the property from Commercial to Residential Infill. A motion to give the bylaw third reading CARRIED unanimously, and so did a further motion to adopt the bylaw.
Zoning Bylaw # 2852 – 1345 Spokane Street: The owner seeks to change the zoning of the current Bed-and-Breakfast zoned portion of the large property so that it is all zoned R1-I Residential Infill, to allow for long-term rental suites on the property and to cease the B&B operation.
A motion to give the bylaw first and second readings CARRIED unanimously, as did a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on the matter for May 20, 2025.
Requests for Council Decision:
Approval of the 2024 Audited Financial Statements:
A motion to approve the statements CARRIED unanimously.
Boyce commented, “It’s always good to know that we can rely on our financial team.”
Rossland Museum request for Canada Day Event:
The Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre is seeking permission and contributions from the City for the annual Canada Day celebration, to be held at the Museum with the Rotary Club of Rossland, the Golden City Lions Club, the Golden City Fiddlers, and the Gold Fever Follies. Staff acknowledged that the City has allowed funds for these requests in its budget.
A motion to allow the use of City land, and to pay for cupcakes for the event, and for Mayor Andy Morel to open the event and serve cupcakes to attendees, and for the City to provide traffic barriers and transport them back and forth, CARRIED unanimously.
For Information Only:
2025 Corporate Management Plan (first Quarter Report):
Boyce commented that it’s good to see progress happening. Provençal asked when the housing needs assessment could be expected; Lightbourne responded that it might not be done until June.
2025 Draft Budget Update (First Quarter Report): This item drew no comments.
Monthly Reports to Council:
Council perused the Building Permit Report, the Building Permit Inspections by Type Report, the report on Step Code Energy Rebates for this year, the Public works and Water Production Report, the Eye on Water Report, and the Bylaw Enforcement Report. For inquiring minds,, these reports are all part of the agenda package for this council meeting, available on the City’s website.
Trail and Greater District RCMP Report to Mayors:
There were no startling changes in the RCMP statistics.
Members’ Reports:
Boyce commented that It’s nice to be back in Rossland, and that she’s looking forward to attending the AKBLG conference this weekend in Kimberly.
Provençal introduced a motion that the Rossland Heritage Pool Society be approved as a qualified donee for the LeRoi Foundation. The motion CARRIED unanimously.
The meeting recessed to an in camera session to discuss “litigation or potential litigation” affecting the City, and your reporter walked home wondering who is being sued by whom and what for, and admiring the calm evening, still light and bright, and being grateful for the swept sidewalks – thank you, Public Works.
