Council Matters: Rossland City Council Meetings, February 17, 2026
By Sara Golling
- COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE (3:30 PM)
Money money money! It’s all about the evolving Financial Plan – and taxes (etc.) and whether spending and taxation are “sustainable” and if not – what services and amenities should stop? Only two residents showed up for this session.
PRESENT:
Mayor Andy Morel and Councillors Stewart Spooner, Jeff Weaver, Craig Humpherys, and Maya Provençal. Lisa Kwiatkowski joined the meeting online at 5:15 PM. Absent: Eliza Boyce.
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:
Chris Trautman: Quoted a comment by a Councillor at an earlier Council meeting: “We’re living in la la land. We can’t keep funding all this stuff.” Is concerned about continuing to increase operating budgets beyond cost of living increases. Wonders when tax increase will stop increasing dramatically? Are there any other projects in danger of overspending? Wonders when the City will begin making hard decisions.
Laura Pettitt: It’s about money not in the budget which could have been; RE the Centennail Trail project – was there money the City could recover because of a contractor’s error?
Lamont: We’re still waiting for a section of paving between the tunnel and the parking area, need more information form Fortis. The contractor had to repair a pipe they hit by accident.
Teasdale and McDonald pointed out that cost of living increases do not cover the true increase in costs for municipalities, as the costs of materials used in infrastructure replacement and repairs are rising much faster due to tariffs and other factors, and the volatility of costs and availability from the trade war means that budgeting must account for “worst-case” scenarios.
DISCUSSION:
The materials for this meeting include a time-line for the different stages of preparing the financial plan, which Council must give final approval – by adopting the yet-to-be finalized 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan Bylaw — in May.
Also included is a summary of the expected financial impact of the planned increase in taxes, not only Rossland-specific but also regional: see chart below. Note; some items are not included, such as any projected increase in School, Police, or Hospital taxes, as that information is not yet available. Also note: the figures in the working draft of the Plan will be further adjusted as reality rolls on. The huge increase in the RDKB requisition is because of the Columbia Pollution Control upgrades – required by law — to how our sewage is treated before being dumped into the Columbia River.
For the “Average” Rosslander: $ Per Year: $ Per Month: $ Per Day:
Property Tax Increase (8%) 213.45 17.79 0.58
Parcel Tax Increases (10%) 26.12 2.18 0.07
Water Rate Increase (10%) 43.27 3.61 0.12
Municipal Sewer Increase (10%) 20.64 1.72 0.06
Regional Sewer Increase (65%) 160.92 13.41 0.44
RDKB Increase (11%) 87.06 7.26 0.24
TOTAL: 551.46 45.96 1.51
The document summarizes the goals of Rossland’s 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan, and the items included in the 2026 Operating Plan and their expected costs. For more detailed information about where the money goes, and the current uncertainties that make forecasting of expenses more difficult, your reporter strongly recommends studying the document in its entirety.
https://rossland.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/53820/?preview=53818&splitscreen=true
The Capital Plan is also itemized, with discussion of the expected expenses and risks associated with each project – and of not doing them.
There is a “Paying for it” section, which shows that municipal property taxes pay a relatively small portion of the costs of capital projects such as replacing the undersized and high-risk Warfield Sewer Trunk, as well as hazardous retaining walls and equipment such as a superannuated street sweeper. The bulk of these expenses is covered by grants, with some draws from reserves, and in 2027, the City is prepared to increase debt to help pay for needed projects. Debt costs money too, but is arguably less expensive than increasing the City’s infrastructure deficit by delaying urgent replacements and repairs, risking the severe consequences and high costs of failures.
Weaver commented that he would like the spring clean-up and Hugel program scaled back, and wants to discuss that at the next opportunity. Teasdale commented that there will be serious discussion about it for 2027, with the new Council.
Morel mentioned recent major weather events that contributed much more material to be hauled away to the Hugel. Lamont noted that increasing awareness of FireSmart recommendations has also increased the amount of material.
Provençal noted that the program is healthy from a FireSmart perspective; would be interested in piloting a hybrid program with bins put out earlier at the arena and letting residents know that the City may phase out door-to-door collection of tree debris. Lamont commented that City collection of winter-deposited sand and gravel will continue — it’s necessary.
Humpherys thinks the matter of dealing with tree debris should be the responsibility of homeowners, not the City, and is happy to try Provençal’s idea as a transitional measure. Morel pointed out that scaling back collection may increase illegal rural roadside dumping. He also mentioned that the Green Bin program may be able to include some types of yard waste in future.
Weaver spoke about the cost of Housing Needs Assessments which are provincially-mandated; Lightbourne commented that, last time, the assessment was grant-funded so the City took full advantage of that fact; but in future, there are ways to reduce the cost.
Spooner expressed frustration with the Official Community Plan, which, as he put it, directs the City to “do everything for everybody.” He wondered how the City can be affordable while doing that, and how the City could get back to “sticking to its core services”. He said, we have to focus on core municipal responsibilities.
Humpherys would like to see the City focus in some way on childcare and affordable housing, as it will benefit the community.
Teasdale commented that the OCP is a “wish list” of our residents, and the City’s job is to figure out how much of it can be implemented, and most of the budget is for actions and projects that must be done.
From the gallery, Chris Trautman asked how the City assesses the value of studies and plans; Lightbourne explained that some, such as the Climate Action Plan, are required for grant eligibility.
Regarding protective services including FireSmart; Lightbourne pointed out that the provincial FireSmart program funding ends soon. Spooner thinks that taking steps to protect the City from wildfire is important; Morel agreed.
Warming/cooling centre: the City currently has nothing available, but council and Staff discussed some options and the funding that might be needed.
Provençal moved to put aside a one-time amount of $25,000 funding toward an emergency shelter, and seeing whether the climate Action Fund could be used for a portable generator. Spooner said he can’t support expanding the City’s responsibilities. Weaver thinks that people have responsibility for their own safety, and that if the City begins taking on emergency events “it will just balloon … I’m a hard NO on this one.”
(Kwiatkowski joined the meeting online at this point.)
The motion FAILED.
Weaver cited the large anticipated expenses of maintaining facilities such as the arena to support his suggestion that user fees be increased for those facilities, for able-bodied adults. Spooner thought that if the user fees were high enough to cover expenses, too few people would pay them.
Spooner commented on the cost of servicing (paying interest on) debt in 2027 and following years. He said, we do need to reduce services.
The CoW adjourned at 5:50 PM and Council took a brief break for a snack.
- REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING (6:12 PM):
Civic elections coming up in October this year; a new sculpture by a local artist; and a new City focus on communications …
Opening the meeting, Morel spoke about the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, and the importance of community – and how important it is to invest in, support and celebrate community. He expressed his heartfelt best wishes to everyone in Tumbler Ridge.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
The two people in the gallery did not volunteer any further comments.
BYLAW:
Election Officials Bylaw No. 2866:
This October, voters will head to the polls again to elect the next set of City Councillors. This bylaw sets the remuneration for the people who will be responsible for running the election, and brings their pay levels up to be comparable with other nearby municipalities. Poll clerks will be paid $25 per hour, while “election officials” will receive a flat rate of $400. The Chief Election Officer will be paid $1700, and the Deputy Chief Election Officer will be paid $900. The City’s CAO is responsible for appointing the Chief and the Deputy Chief Election Officer, who then hire the other officials and poll clerks.
Spooner questioned the amount of the increase in remuneration and asked if it’s difficult to find people to work the election; Anonuevo said, yes, it’s challenging.
The motions to give the bylaw updating their remuneration first, second, and third readings CARRIED unanimously.
REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL DECISION:
Development Variance Permit: 1615 Victoria Avenue
Council discussed the application to build a double carport with a front setback variance from 4 metres to one-half metre, and an interior side setback variance from 1.8 metre to 1.12 metre, and the motion to allow it CARRIED unanimously.
Rossland Council for Arts and Culture:
A motion to approve placement of the carved and painted wooden sculpture called “Mr. Longear” by Lars Baggenstos, formerly of Rossland and now living in Ymir, at the rotating sculpture location on the corner of Washington and Columbia, CARRIED unanimously.
Municipal Cheque Register Report for January, 2026
Of the $735,345.13 spent in January, staff identified several of the “notable expenditures”:
$17.1K to Living Lands Agroecology for Hugels Project Co-ordination
$17.2K to WCH Holding Ltd (The Josie Hotel) for refund of prior year(2024 and 2025) property taxes due to their successful Assessment appeal with BCAssessment
$138.2K to Copcan for work on the Centennial Trail accessibility Project
$25.8K to Family Action Network for their YAN Contract
$48.3K to Green Roots Play Equipment for playground equipment at the Nickel Plate playground
$22.7K to Tourism Rossland for Admin & RMI fees
$25.7K To Community Energy Association, $25k for Retrofit Assist 2026 funding and $750 for 2026 membership fees
$48.8K to to ISL Engineering for services on a range of projects including: Cook Avenue
Infrastructure Improvements, Trail Improvements, Sanitary Trunk Main, Engineering Services, and Centennial Trail Project
$31.5K To WSP Canada Inc, $21K for Public Library Building Assessment and $10.5K for a Stormwater Management Planning Project.
A motion to approve the expenditures for January CARRIED unanimously.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
2025 Communications Statistics: As part of its effort to improve communications between the City and residents, the City is tracking the numbers of calls, emails and other avenues of communication to different departments on various topics. The report sets it all out, and how numbers have changed (or not) from the previous year.
Council also perused the usual monthly reports:
Building Permit Report
Building Permit Inspections by Type
Step Code Energy Rebates
Public Works & Water Production Report
Eye On Water Report: As the City points out, “EyeOnWater allows users to connect to supported water utility accounts and track their latest water usage, detect leaks, and discover trends for of usage.” People can easily sign up for it.
Bylaw Enforcement & Animal Control Monthly Report
REQUESTS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE:
Rossland Winter Carnival: A motion to approve a Letter of Support for the Rossland Winter Carnival Society for their application to the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) Cultural and Artistic Merit Grant CARRIED unanimously. (Kwiatkowski recused herself.)
BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program: A motion to send a letter of support for the program to the Honourable Josie Osborne, BC Minister of Health, CARRIED unanimously.
MEMBER REPORTS:
Spooner, Humpherys, Provençal, Weaver and Morel had all attended a meeting at RED regarding (inter alia) improvements at the Castlegar airport. Weaver noted that he has volunteered for the Games and will be awarding a medal for curling.
Morel reported on recent budget discussions at the RDKB, hoping to reduce the proposed increases somewhat. There will be service reviews for transit, and for fire services. BC Transit is investing in a building in Genelle for storage and maintenance of buses, and Trail is working on an improved transit hub.
Morel commented that the Rossland Search and Rescue facility has potential value for other community uses.
Winter Games opening ceremonies are coming up soon.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM, and your reporter made her way home with another old Pink Floyd song playing in her head – perhaps strangely, it always brings a smile:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl-Ms_ek-kE
