Council Matters: Rossland City Council Meeting, May 4, 2026
By Sara Golling
Rumors about the West Kootenay Transit route in Rossland; Five-Year Financial Plan adopted; clarifying community grant funding; Library Board seeking a new member; Enduro race in June; and more …
PRESENT:
Mayor Andy Morel and Councillors Stewart Spooner, Jeff Weaver, Craig Humpherys, Maya Provençal, Lisa Kwiatkowski and 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, and Executive Assistant Rachel Newton.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
Matt Williamson spoke to express his opinion that residents should not have to pay for a storm sewer hookup beyond the property line.
Tracy McCallum said she is concerned that WK Transit is going to stop coming through Lower Rossland. Morel asked where she obtained that information, because he has heard nothing about changes in route, and he will look into it.
Paul Gibson spoke on the same topic, saying that he had been informed by three different bus drivers that the route along Thompson will be discontinued; Gibson explained that he relies heavily on the bus for all his needs; he thanked Morel for looking into it.
Morel also mentioned that BC Transit is looking for feedback form rural communities now.
BYLAWS:
Motions to adopt the following four bylaws all CARRIED unanimously – each had been discussed at previous meetings and had already been given first, second and third readings.
2026-2030 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw # 2861
2026 Municipal Tax Rate Bylaw # 2869
Water Parcel Tax Bylaw # 2858
Sewer Parcel Tax Bylaw # 2857
POLICY REVIEW:
Permissive Tax Exemption Policy (amended):
The amendments consist of a provision allowing Council to reconsider multi-year exemptions part-way through the term of the exemption; and another provision allowing Council to provide Grant-in-Aid funding in lieu of a permissive tax exemption. Council has been working to make all community supports more transparent, and these amendments are part of that effort.
A motion to approve the amended policy CARRIED unanimously.
Energy Efficient Building Incentive Policy:
The funding that supported this policy has been discontinued, and other sources of financial encouragement for energy-efficient building are, or may be, available. Current participants will receive their rebates, but no new applicants will be accepted. A motion to rescind the policy CARRIED, with discussion about creating a new policy when funding is available to support it.
Lightbourne suggested that people lobby the Province to fund more similar programs. Morel suggested putting in on the City’s “UBCM list” of issues to raise.
Community Grant Funding Policy:
Spooner queried the line reading “the applicant is providing assistance or competing with a business” and suggested it was unclear as a disqualifier; discussion led to re-wording the line to read, “the applicant is providing direct assistance to a business.”
Another amendment was changing part of line 6 from “the applicant must demonstrate a financial need …” to read, instead, “the applicant cannot demonstrate a financial need …”
A motion to approve the policy as amended CARRIED unanimously.
REQUESTS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE:
The Rossland branch of the Royal Canadian Legion requested the City’s support for a commemorative crosswalk at Washington Street and First Avenue, in honour of the Legion’s 100 years of service to the community and its veterans. The request was for the City to pay for installation and maintenance. Installation would cost approximately $1,200, and the cost of maintenance was not provided but would probably be at least that much annually.
Boyce said she likes the idea of the commemorative crosswalk, but queried the “ongoing maintenance.”
Provençal said she doesn’t object to the crosswalk, but was uncertain about the City taking on an additional ongoing expense; and giving a benefit to an organization outside the normal routes.
Weaver wondered if there was an expectation that it be maintained in perpetuity, or if it was intended as a one-year event for the 100-year anniversary.
Kwiatkowski objected to the mechanism of the request – she feels that it would set a bad precedent; Humpherys said he’d rather it went through the Grant-in-Aid program, and he questioned how slippery the paint is.
A motion to approve the request on a one-time basis CARRIED.
MEMBER REPORTS (selected highlights only):
Provençal noted that a Library board meeting is coming up May 13, and they are looking for a new member.
Weaver spoke about the Rossland Light Opera performance, and how he had learned how expensive it is for them to put on a show; he was amazed at the cost, and spoke highly of the show.
Kwiatkowski noted that this is her last in-person meeting until July; she will be participating remotely.
Morel reported on RDKB issues; he mentioned a new “risk calculator” for communities, being developed by Selkirk College. Look up “Selkirk Innovates” to check it out. He attended the East End Services meeting; the committee approved a one time, $30K contribution towards the Trail Skills Centre for operating expenses this year in support of the many non-profit groups who rent office space in this building.
Green Link Trail: decision to support further exploration of this active transportation corridor. The proposed route is to parallel Hwy 3B up the Montrose hill through the Beaver Valley to Fruitvale.
Enduro mountain bike event being hosted in Rossland June 6 &7. Red Mountain will be the principal location with riders competing on many of the KCTS trail system.
The meeting adjourned, and your reporter walked home in the warm evening, admiring the zippiness of the skatepark users and enjoying the balmy air.
