Council Matters: Rossland City Council Meeting, June 2, 2025
By Sara Golling
Taxes! Rossland Taxpayers Association wants a seat at the table, and more information (but not to attend Council meetings). Pool update: a boiler has failed– the water is cooler.
Present: Mayor Andy Morel, and Councillors Craig Humpherys, Maya Provençal, Stewart Spooner, Eliza Boyce, Jeff Weaver and Lisa Kwiatkowski.
Staff: CAO Bryan Teasdale, CFO Mike Kennedy, Deputy Corporate Officer Cynthia Añonuevo, Executive Assistant Rachel Newton, City Planner Stacey Lightbourne, Manager of Recreation and Events Kristi Calder, and Manager of Public Works and Infrastructure Scott Lamont.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
No one spoke.
DELEGATION:
Deb Nelson of Rossland, representing the 2-week-old “Rossland Taxpayers’ Association” (“RTA”) spoke to ask for “a seat at the table” when it comes to planning City budgets. The materials for the delegation appeared mainly directed at taxpayers, urging them to join the RTA, and noted that “Every City department increased their budget this year!” and wondered whether there is a “spending culture” at City Hall. There were links to CBC articles about calls for more provincial oversight of municipal spending (triggered by some questionable practices in the Lower Mainland) and about the Prince George Mayor having done some irresponsible spending on travel, meals and accommodation.
Nelson stated that Rossland taxpayers “have no meaningful opportunity to participate.” She suggested that the City prepare three budgets each year – an austerity budget, a middle-of-the-road budget, and “heyday” budget; and she characterized the 2025 budget as a “heyday” budget. She contended that if City spending and taxes continue to increase, some residents will be squeezed out, and Rossland will lose some of its diversity.
Nelson said that taxpayers deserve a detailed monthly explanation of all City spending.
She provided some suggestions for the City: to place a moratorium on staff and councillor travel (no one to attend AKBLG or FCM or UBCM gatherings); and she wanted proof that water meters are really needed. (Morel had pointed out, at a previous meeting, that without water metering, a municipality becomes ineligible for certain government grants, and that metering really does reduce water usage.) Nelson suggested that grants just incentivize more spending. She also explained that, though taxpayers want to understand the City’s spending, they don’t want to “sit through Council meetings when our focus is on taxpayer -funded spending.”
Nelson invited questions.
Spooner noted that he shares her feelings, but that Council members “are not oligarchs” and are dealing with the legacy of all the decisions made for the past hundred years. There are no simple solutions, he stated.
Provençal defended the value to the City of attendance by some Councillors and key staff at conferences such as the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the Union of BC Municipalities, and stated that it is personally expensive and often inconvenient for Councillors to attend them. She invited Nelson to let them know if she finds a model of participation that works well.
Morel accepted responsibility for inadequate communications leading up to the proposed tax increases, and is working toward a better process for the 2026 budget.
Spooner pointed out that “all our spending is taxpayer funded,” except for grants. He explained the process of developing a budget, step by step.
Nelson reiterated her question, “Are you willing to work with us?” Morel responded that he wants to involve the community, not just one group.
Kwiatkowski said she was glad to see people showing up. She expressed appreciation for the effort put into the presentation, and emphasized that we’re all on the same team, and that different perspectives are valuable. She welcomes input as long as it’s well-intentioned.
Nelson complained that “taxpayers have no leverage, and it’s just not working.”
Morel pointed out that it has become more expensive to run municipalities and regional districts, and it is not going to become less expensive. There are basic services such as water and sewer, and then there are various “nice to have” amenities and the City has to make decisions about all of them.
Provençal said it is important to her that “taxpayers” don’t have a bigger voice than “residents” and “community.” She hopes that the RTA can mobilize taxpayers and other community members to attend engagement events.
Nelson urged the City to publish information in an easy to read and easy to understand format.
BYLAW:
Zoning Amendment Bylaw # 2852 – 1345 Spokane Street
This will remove the property’s B&B zoning, and replace it with R1-I (Residential Infill). A motion to give the Bylaw third reading CARRIED unanimously, as did a second motion to adopt the bylaw.
REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL DECISION:
Development Variance Permit – 1960 Davis Street
The owner is applying for a front setback variance to reduce the setback from 4 metres to 0.0 metres, to construct a roof over the existing deck, which encroached on the setback.. Staff have no objections, but recommend that an encroachment be registered on title.
A motion to grant the variance CARRIED.
Development Variance Permit – 2059 Second Avenue
The owner wished to build a carport, which will require a lot coverage variance, from 40% to 50% coverage, and stats that the carport will be constructed to bear snow loads, and will drain into a rock pit.. A motion to grant the variance CARRIED.
Development Variance Permit – 1850 View Street
This application, for a one-metre decrease in the front setback and a .5 metre increase in the height of the home, is to enable to owner to renovate an existing home with deep energy retrofits. The home is isolated from other dwellings, and the small potential height increase will not impact any neighbours’ views.
A motion to grant the variances CARRIED.
Provincial Meeting Requests at the 2025 UBCM Convention:
Council deliberated on the question of which issues are most important to Rossland to pursue with Provincial Ministers if they can arrange to meet with them, and proposed some for a later decision.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
2025 Update on the Rossland Seasonal Outdoor Pool:
This starts on page 70 of the 82-page package of materials for this meeting. Information includes the fact that one of the two boilers that heat the pool has failed. Whether or not the failed unit will be replaced depends on the cost, which is not yet known. Teasdale explained that replacing the boiler may not be a simple matter, and could involve other, greater costs such as structural changes to the building.
The pool is now open, albeit a bit cooler than usual. Staff noted that the Warfield pool operated for a whole season on just one boiler, and Kwiatkowski commented that cold plunges are reputed to be healthy.
Weaver was concerned about the fire reported along with the boiler failure; Lamont reassured him that staff are taking precautions.
Boyce noted that no member of the RTA had stayed to hear Council members wrestling with the potential costs of the pool’s boiler failure.
MEMBER REPORTS:
Weaver reported that he will be attending a LeRoi Foundation event.
Morel had just returned from attending the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, along with 2499 other elected officials from across the country. He noted that the speeches from that gathering are available on YouTube, and said that Elizabeth May, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada, drew a standing ovation.
Morel also reported that there is a meeting coming up to discuss the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision on the status of the Sinixt people, and the Province of BC’s response; the SCC decision does not include anything about title or rights to land.
The meeting adjourned, and your reporter strolled home in the pleasantly cool evening, wondering how much the RTA’s requested monthly financial reports (presented in easy-to-understand form and language) would cost in staff time, and thinking that it might be a good investment for the City and its citizens, and mulling over how it could best be presented.
