Council Matters: Rossland City Council meeting, January 12, 2026
By Sara Golling
PRESENT:
Mayor Andy Morel and Councillors Stewart Spooner, Lisa Kwiatkowski, Jeff Weaver, Craig Humpherys, Maya Provençal and Eliza Boyce (online).
Staff: CAO Bryan Teasdale, Deputy Corporate Officer Cynthia Añonuevo, CFO Craig McDonald, Manager of Public Works and Infrastructure Scott Lamont, City Planner Stacey Lightbourne, Manager of Recreation & Events Kristi Calder, Executive Assistant Rachel Newton, and Deputy Operations Manager Josh Solman.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
The lone member of the public in the gallery at this time did not wish to address Council. Three other members of the public arrived later in the meeting.
DECISION: 2026/2027 Community Grant Funding
A motion to approve the following disbursements CARRIED unanimously. Where there is a second figure, that is an amount approved in advance for 2027.
Black Jack Ski Club 1,167
Golden Bear Children’s Centre 4,584 4,417
Kootenay Columbia Trails Society 44,848 46.400
Living Lakes Canada 3,500
Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society 5,083
Rossland & District Search and Rescue 8,383 8,500
Rossland Arts Centre Society 18,000
Rossland Council for Arts and Culture 12,000
Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre 63,000 65,833
Rossland Tennis Society 3,067
Rotary Club of Rossland 570
Save Record Ridge Action Committee 1,717 Seven Summits Centre for Learning 1,917 1,833
Take a Hike West Kootenays Program 833
Tourism Rossland 8,667
REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL DECISION:
Development Variance Permit (1944 Kootenay Avenue):
A motion to allow a small variance to the interior setback, necessitated by a surveying error, CARRIED unanimously.
Liquor License Application – Redstone Patron Participation Endorsement:
A motion to approve Redstone’s endorsement application CARRIED unanimously, in view of the likely minimal, if any, impact on nearby residents.
Rossland Tennis Society 2026-2031 Facility Use Agreement:
A motion to approve the Agreement CARRIED unanimously; discussions between the Society and the City regarding the condition of the facility will continue. Spooner questioned how much the use of this parcel of the City’s land is worth, and would like the value contributed by the City acknowledged.
Road closure for BC Winter Games:
A motion to approve the closure of Spokane Street between Third Avenue and the laneway between Third and Second Avenue for BC Winter Games activities from February 24th to March 1st, 2026, CARRIED unanimously.
Regional Age Friendly Coordinator Agreement Renewal for 2026-2027:
A motion to approve the updated Age Friendly Coordinator Agreement, at a cost of $21,770 to Rossland, CARRIED unanimously. The communities of Warfield and Trail each pay the same amount for the services provided by the contractor. Humpherys queried the undisclosed expenses referred to in the agreement; Calder explained that those expenses are disclosed to Council when the totals are known, and that they are limited to the approved services. Spooner also noted that it as difficult to assess the value to the community.
Water for Snowmaking: updated agreement with Red Mountain Resort
An updated agreement imposes a lightly higher charge for RED’s withdrawal of raw (untreated) water ($2,700 for2025- 2026, plus a 2% increase each year, ending with $2,923 for 2029-2030) and also includes additional safeguards for the City. RED will be required to install a City-approved water meter, and the City may choose to bill RED on the basis of the amount of water withdrawn, with notice to RED. Also, water levels in both reservoirs (Star Gulch and Ophir) must be at adequate levels, and the City can interrupt water withdrawal for snowmaking for various reasons, including a lack of water flowing in.
A motion to approve the revised agreement CARRIED unanimously.
RossGlen Park Infrastructure Improvement Grant Funding:
A motion to direct staff to apply for the Sparc BC Local Community Accessibility Grant in the amount of $25,000 for RossGlen playground structure equipment CARRIED unanimously.
A further motion to direct staff to apply for Kal’s Replay Fund in the amount of the rubber surface quoted cost for RossGlen Park also CARRIED unanimously.
City Expenditures in December, 2025:
A motion to approve the City’s “Cheque Register Report” for December, detailing expenses totaling $1,518,504.95, CARRIED unanimously. Repairs done to the Cook Avenue infrastructure accounted for a significant amount.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY; Council perused the following reports:
2025 Corporate Management Work Plan (Q4 Progress Report)
This document lists projects and priorities the City is working on or planning, and explains the progress made so far. High-priority projects include (in no particular order), updating Rossland’s Official Community Plan; advancing our Climate Action Plan, and the Interface Wildfire Management Plan; improving the City’s communication to residents; reviewing how the City supports community groups; working on Capital Infrastructure Projects; advancing Asset Management and information sharing; and many more.
2025 Budget Update (Q4 Report)
The document provides much more detailed information, but Staff note that both operating expenses and capital expenditures are broadly in line with expectations, as is revenue. Spooner queried the increased number of homeowners who were late in paying their property taxes.
Building Permit Report
Building Permit Inspections by Type
Step Code Energy Rebates
Public Works & Water Production Report
Eye On Water Report
Bylaw Enforcement & Animal Control Monthly Report
Weaver said he was heartened by noting that the Bylaw endorcement officer was doing his best to enforce downtown parking regulations. Provençal congratulated the City workers who put up the community Christmas tree for the fact that it withstood the great windstorm without being blown down. Morel noted that about 400 trees had fallen at Black Jack.
REQUESTS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE:
- The City received a letter from a resident about the interruptions in cellphone service in recent months. Council members discussed now they could address the problem. Weaver wondered if it would help if enough people demanded money back for lack of service; Morel said he could open a discussion at East End Services, and mentioned federal regulators.
- KCTS is asking the City for a letter of support to the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC for an application for $8,000 in funding from the Outdoor Recreation Fund, to be matched by their own funding, to assist in upgrading local trails to better withstand extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. A motion to send a letter of support CARRIED. (Spooner recused himself and did not discuss or vote)
MEMBER REPORTS
Humpherys raised concerns about the provincial “professional reliance” bill and asked if other Councillors are interested in providing input to the Province. He moved that the City send a letter expressing concerns, and the motion CARRIED.
Kwiatkowski noted that the BC Winter Games still need more volunteers.
Morel reported that RCAC is seeking a letter of support for funding applications for accessibility upgrades for the Miners Union Hall. A motion to provide a letter CARRIED.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm , and your reporter (there being slippery slush everywhere and being old and frail) drove home, wishing for saner minds to prevail in other governments whose operations ultimately affect us all.
