Council Matters: Rossland City Council Meeting, February 2, 2026
By Sara Golling
A BC Winter Games Update, retaining walls, the pool, the regional fire service, emergency centres and bad cellphone service …
PRESENT:
Mayor Andy Morel and Councillors Craig Humpherys, Jeff Weaver, Lisa Kwiatkowski (online), Stewart Spooner, Maya Provençal. Absent: Eliza Boyce
Staff: CAO Bryan Teasdale, CFO Craig McDonald, Manager of Public Works and Infrastructure Scott Lamont, Executive Assistant Rachel Newton, and Deputy Operations Manager Josh Solman.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
No one spoke; only one person occupied the public gallery.
DELEGATION:
Brian Stefani, President of the BC Winter Games Committee, presented background information and an update: “We’re about 23 days away from the Games now, and so far all events are a go.” The biggest need is for more volunteers; the Games need about 200 more people to help. Every schoolchild, K to 12, will have a “passport” to attend all events. He spoke of the value to young people of being exposed to and inspired by the events, and the positive experience for participants in the Games.
Humpherys asked about the readiness o f the new Black Jack day lodge; Stefani said, it will not be fully complete, but they hope to have an occupancy permit so it can be used as a warming facility.
Stefani expressed gratitude for the help and work by Rossland’s Manager of Recreation and Events, Kristi Calder; “She’s been great,” he said, “Your have a real asset there.”
POLICY REVIEW:
Council reviewed and approved the following policies:
- CBT-ReDi Grant Allocation Policy
- Personal Expenses and Travel Policy, as amended to streamline forms and update Canada Revenue agency rates
- Council Minimum Benefits Policy, with minor amendments to align with other City policies
- Employees – Management Minimum Benefits Policy, as amended for clarity
- Privacy and Information Policy, with minor administrative amendments
REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL DECISION:
Warfield Seasonal Outdoor Pool Agreement 2026
A motion to approve the agreement with Warfield for cost and service sharing for the Rossland and Warfield outdoor pools, building on last year’s experience, CARRIED unanimously.
RFP Review and Award — Engineering Design Services for Retaining Wall Remediation
Council discussed a motion to approve the award of providing Engineering Design Services for the Retaining Wall Remediation Project to EarthTech Group up to the amount of $419,990 (exclusive of GST), and further that, upon completion of both final project engineering design components and future formal construction approval of the project, the City look to utilize specialty construction materials for the intended project that are to be supplied by EarthTech Group, at a cost currently estimated at $529,965. Payment will be made only as designs and material are provided.
Spooner asked about the system to be used – can it be used by other contractors? The answer was, yes. Weaver noted that there seem to be no grants available for replacing retaining walls.
Kwiatkowski asked if there was any risk for the City in committing to the particular “specialty material” in question. Solman explained that the contract will control the financial risk; but, to use the material, the City is obliged to purchase it from those who designed it and the system.
Morel commented that he was favorably impressed by the City’s having consulted Colliers for an opinion about the proposals and the proponent, and feels comforted by the responses. Solman commented that the contract will have a two-year material warranty.
The design and materials are for three major retaining wall projects.
The motion CARRIED unanimously after discussion.
Communications Consultant Proposal Review & Award
A motion to contract Writer’s Block Services for 30 to 35 hours per month for one year at $30,000 for the year, to support the City’s Communications Strategy, CARRIED unanimously after positive comments from several Council members.
MEMBER REPORTS
Provençal proposed two motions for presentation at the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local governments:
- that the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments advocate to the Province of British Columbia to expand EMCR policies and funding programs to support the activation, operation, and resourcing of warming and emergency community centres in rural and remote communities during extended power outages, including events that occur outside of existing temperature thresholds or without a secondary disaster trigger; and,
- that the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments advocate to senior levels of government, relevant regulatory agencies, and telecommunications providers for improved cellular coverage, capacity, and reliability in rural and remote communities.
Council approved the motions separately, by a unanimous vote in favour of each. Humpherys commented that since it will take a long time to effect any change at the provincial level, he thinks a “Plan B” is advisable.
Provençal also had a Library Board meeting, and noted that the Library has its “community information corner” nearly finished.
Weaver noted that several people have come to him to complain about the noise and other inconveniences associated with the ongoing construction of the “Glades” development.
Kwiatkowski reported on the praise people offered to the City for “finding winter” for Winter Carnival.
Spooner raised the issue of complaints about the public washroom; Lamont responded that the City checks and cleans the washroom every morning, but they are planning to make an additional check in the afternoon.
Humpherys had attended a recreation planning meeting, which focused on accessible playground fittings.
Morel had attended the SRRAC update and funding event as one of the speakers, and was impressed by the energy, knowledge and dedication in opposing the proposed open-pit mine on Record Ridge.
Morel reported that the regional fire service is becoming more and more expensive – and also more necessary. The greatest number of calls to the fire service are first-responder calls; and the incidence of drug-related problems and deaths in the region has risen by 26% since 2024.
On a more positive note, Morel also spoke about the success of Remi and Jasmine Drolet of Rossland who will be representing Canada at the Olympic Games. He said Jasmine and Remi are only the second sister and brother duo to represent Canada at the Olympics, and that since 1980, all of Canada’s cross-country Olympians except one have come from Rossland.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM, and your reporter emerged into the dark, drizzly and remarkably un-snowy landscape, contemplating the increasingly evident effects of climate change and wondering what new weather extremes the next few years will bring – especially since our neighbouring nation to the south is busy defunding and dismantling the organizations there that collect and analyze data to better inform everyone about current and likely future trends.
