Council Matters: Rossland City Council Meeting, July 14, 2025
By Sara Golling
The cost of FireSmart vs. the potential cost of no FireSmart; how much the Centennial Trail improvements will cost the City and its taxpayers; Phase II of the “Glades” development at RED; Fun Runs coming up; Two dog attacks cause serious injuries; and more …
Present: Mayor Andy Morel and Councilors Maya Provençal, Craig Humpherys, Jeff Weaver, Stewart Spooner, and Lisa Kwiatkowski. Absent: Eliza Boyce.
Staff: CAO Bryan Teasdale, Deputy corporate Officer Cynthia Año Nuevo, CFO Mike Kennedy, City Planner Stacey Lightbourne, Manager of Public works and Infrastructure Scott Lamont and Deputy Public Works Manager Josh Solman, and Executive Assistant Rachel Newton.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
There were few people in the public gallery, and none spoke.
REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL DECISION:
Development Variance Permit – 1221 Black Bear Drive
The owner seeks a reduction in the front setback from four metres to zero, to build a doble carport with a deck on top, as there is too little space between the dwelling and the property line, and even with the requested variance, the carport will be shorter than normal. There is another four metres between the property line and the pavement, and another nine metre boulevard across the road. No neighbours objected to the proposal.
A motion to grant the variance CARRIED.
Development Variance Permit – 2070A Paul Street
This owner also seeks a front setback reduction from four metres to zero, to replace an existing entryway (small porch and stairs, in a state of deterioration) which encroach on the setback. There is no way for this dwelling to have a front entryway without a variance.
Provençal recused herself and left the room, as she is a neighbour of the applicant.
A motion to grant the variance CARRIED, and Provençal was called back in.
Development Permit Application – 3990 Old Red Mountain Road (Glades, Phase II)
The application is for a further 10 buildings, with 45 residential dwelling units, as the next phase of a 77-unit townhouse project. It is located within three Development Permit Areas in the Rossland Official Community Plan: Environmental and Riparian, Wildfire Interface, and Multiple Unit Residential, Commercial and Mixed-Use.
The property is on the uphill side of Old Red Mountain Road, to the south-west of the Caldera development.
Discussion: Spooner reported that he has spoken with some of the neighbours; he had concerns about the suitability of the wildlife corridor, but is now satisfied, and noted that standards have improved since Phase I. He is sad to see that bit of forest lost. Humpherys said that building # 15 appears to be in a wetland area; Lightbourne spoke about adjustments to the riparian setback, and Weaver pointed out that the provincial government has given approval under the Water Act.
A motion to allow the application, subject to the 19 conditions recommended by staff, CARRIED.
Development Variance Permit – 2090 Sixth Avenue
The owner is asking for a reduction in the exterior setback from three metres to zero, and for an increase in the allowed parcel coverage from 40% to 45%, to accommodate renovations that will facilitate aging in place.
The changes include a full envelope upgrade, moving parts of existing decking to reduce encroachment, adding a partial cover over a deck, demolishing an existing shed and adding a tunnel from the existing garage to the basement.
Concerns from the neighbouring owner have been addressed, with the applicant accepting responsibility for repairing any damage done; there is a retaining wall of concern.
A motion to grant the variances CARRIED.
Purchase of Loader-mounted Snowblower:
A motion to award a contract to the lowest compliant bidder, Falcon Equipment, for the purchase of a 2025 LaRue loader-mounted snowblower and optional add-ons, in the amount of $194,394.65, plus applicable taxes, CARRIED.
Approval of the 2024 City of Rossland Annual Report:
A motion to approve the City of Rossland Annual Report, presented and discussed at the previous meeting, CARRIED unanimously. Morel said that he has published it on social media but doesn’t know how many people actually read it to gain information about the City’s actions and the scope of its work.
2025 Centennial Trail Improvements Project Award:
A motion to award the contract for the project to CopCan Civil Limited Partnership in the amount of $705,529.00, plus applicable taxes, CARRIED.
Discussion: Humpherys asked how much money the City is “on the hook for” after all the grants; Lightbourne replied, “None. No money, just some staff time.”
The cost of this project is included in the 2025 – 2029 Financial plant and is covered by funding totaling $855,329 – comprising $500,000 from the Ministry of Transportation, $100,000 from Columbia Basin Trust, and $255,399 from a combination of City Resort Municipality Initiative funds and Climate Action Reserve funds.
Provençal asked why the project does not include paving the Centennial Trail between the parking lot and the tunnel; Lightbourne explained that the City wants to moderate the grade of the path from the parking lot up the hill, but first needs to negotiate with the landowner – Teck.
The aim of the project is to improve the safety and accessibility of the Centennial Trail as an active transportation route, to make it easier for more people to use, and to encourage more of a shift away from reliance on cars.
FireSmart Bins in the arena parking lot:
A motion to approve placing FireSmart bins in the arena parking area until October 1st of this year, for residents of dispose of FireSmart material (NOT general yard waste!), CARRIED.
Weaver said he was shocked at the “massive increase in spending” on the City’s Spring Clean-Up and FireSmart work, and wants to weigh the value to the community against the expense. Humpherys agreed that “we need to talk about it.”
Lamont noted that the City is looking at alternatives. Lightbourne explained that previously, the City could only apply for and receive a $10,000 grant to assist with FireSmart expenses, but that limit is no longer in effect and the City has applied for $34,000 for this year, but does not know yet whether or not a grant will be approved for that amount.
Spooner said it doesn’t seem fair that people who produce huge piles of stuff to be hauled away are subsidized by those who don’t. Morel is concerned about the FireSmart bins being abused by people dumping yard waste in them. Weaver wondered, “What constitutes abuse?” and Lamont responded, contractors dumping yard waste in the FireSmart bins. Someone suggested that cameras might help deter abuse.
Weaver suggested that people might not support FireSmart as much if they were aware of how much it is costing. Teasdale suggested monitoring how it goes this year and re-assessing after October.
The materials in the agenda package for this meeting contain a discussion of the increasing costs of providing services such as Spring Clean-up and hauling away and disposing of FireSmart material, and noting that when residents fail to comply with the requirements, City costs go up further; this impacts not only the City’s ability to deliver other expected services, but also property taxes.
City of Rossland expenditures for June 2025 – the monthly cheque register:
A motion to approve the City’s spending for June of 2025 CARRIED unanimously
Expenses for June totaled $649,771.06; the agenda package included a summary of notable expenditures adding up to $436,000 and explanations of what they covered. All expenses are listed for public information, and are in line with the City budget, but not all are explained in detail.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
- City of Rossland 2025 Corporate Management Plan, Report on Q2 progress:
The report lists City priorities and their assigned level of urgency, explains the progress made on each to date, the cost or expected cost, and the source of the funds to cover them.
- 2025 Budget Update for Q2:
This report explains in detail how closely City expenditures to date match the annual budget, and where they do not match, explains why there is a delay, or a change in the amount being spent.
- RCMP Report:
There were no startling changes or revelations in the numbers of the various types of crime reported.
- Monthly reports to Council for June, 2025:
- Building Permit Report
- Building Permit Inspections by Type.
- Step Code Energy Rebates_2025
- Public Works & Water Production Report
- Eye on Water Report
- Bylaw Enforcement & Animal Control Monthly Report – Among the many other issues our Bylaw Enforcement Officer dealt with last month were two dog attacks resulting in serious injury, and seven instances of people being careless about – not complying with the bylaws on – wildlife attractants, i.e., things that are likely to bring hungry bears around. Or raccoons.
Morel noted that our Bylaw Enforcement Officer spends a lot of time on parking issues, and one particular offence Morel has noticed is people without a disability tag parking in spots for the disabled. Someone commented that in some communities, annoyed citizens have thoroughly wrapped offending vehicles in toilet paper. Lamont hastily commented, “We don’t do that,” and indicated that the City would have to clean up the mess afterwards, at taxpayer expense.
REQUESTS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE:
Red Mountain Fun Runs Event:
RED Resort will be putting on a series of Fun Runs over the summer and early autumn, and is seeking the non-exclusive use of the Centennial Trail for sections of some of them. Runners will pay $5 to participate in the 5K run, and $10 for the 10K run. RED will carry the necessary insurance, naming the City as an additional insured party.
A motion to approve non-exclusive use of the Centennial Trail for the July 25 and September 12 runs CARRIED unanimously.
MEMBER REPORTS:
Provençal had attended the Canada Day celebrations and handed out cake.
Weaver reported on a meeting regarding local health care, and said he had also met a physician from the US who is considering moving to Canada and seemed very taken with Rossland.
Morel had attended the Kootenay Learning Centre graduation ceremony, toured the Waneta Dam and the Fruitvale water treatment plant, hiked up Mount Roberts on Canada Day before attending the celebrations, and had also gone to an early performance of this year’s Gold Fever Follies, which he highly recommended. Morel also reported that Rossland Search and Rescue had requested a letter of support for a gaming grant; a motion to provide a letter of support CARRIED.
THE MEETING RECESSED to an in camera session and your reporter walked home feeling happy for the rain showers falling, and for the lack of smoke and tiny bits of ash (for the time being) from the 6,000+ acre Hope Fire not very far southeast of Northport in the US, and recalling the entertaining commentary by Steve Burgess in the Tyee about complaints from some Republican politicians about Canadian wildfire smoke interfering with their enjoyment of summer. Here’s the link for those who haven’t already read it and could use a laugh: https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/07/14/Please-Advise-Sending-Smoke-US/
