Board Meeting - December 2022 Highlights

2023 appointments for external committees

The Board appointed RDCK Directors to external committees for varying terms. These appointees represent regional interests on external bodies that deal with specific matters and issues relevant to local stakeholders. These committees include:

  • Municipal Finance Authority – Director Tom Newell
  • Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia – Director Andy Davidoff
  • Regional Agriculture Liaison Services Steering Committee – Director Kelly Vandenberghe
  • Selkirk College Regional Innovation Chair for Rural Economic Development – Director Aidan McLaren-Caux
  • Southeastern BC Regional Connectivity Committee – Directors Garry Jackman & Walter Popoff
  • Central Kootenay Food Policy Council – Directors Henny Hanegraaf & Aidan McLaren-Caux
  • Columbia Basin Regional Advisory Committee – Directors Garry Jackman & Teresa Weatherhead
  • Columbia River Treaty Local Governments Committee – Directors Aimee Watson & Aidan McLaren-Caux
  • Creston Valley Tourism Society – Director Kelly Vandenberghe
  • Kootenay Cannabis Council – Director Keith Page
  • West Kootenay Transit Committee – Directors Maria McFaddin, Diana Lockwood & Walter Popoff

Columbia Basin Trust introduces Resident Directed Grants

Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO Johnny Strilaeff, along with Board Chair Jocelyn Carver appeared as a delegation. Columbia Basin Trust completed a full review of its Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs and have now combined both into the Resident Directed Grants (ReDi) program. While it has a new name the grants will still have the same purpose to support local projects that provide additional value to Basin communities. There is no change to the funding allocation to communities, however, there will be increased  funding to the RDCK for grant program administration and an increased presence from Columbia Basin Trust in the community public input  processes for grant awards . Applications for ReDi Grants within the RDCK will be accepted starting January 9, 2023. For more information go to www.rdck.ca/ReDi

Long term service awards

The Board recognized and thanked 17 employees for their long term service to the RDCK.

  • Shari Thederahn - 25 years
  • Bronwen Wetter - 25 years
  • Karol Clockner - 20 years
  • Shanna Eckman  - 20 years
  • Joseph Feit - 20 years
  • Jason Craig - 15 years
  • Jim Crockett - 15 years
  • Edward Gregorich - 15 years
  • Christy VanRuyskenveld - 10 years
  • Ann Gillender - 10 years
  • John Southam - 10 years
  • Rene Groenhuysen - 10 years
  • Cary Gaynor - 15 years
  • Amy Maddess - 5 years
  • Travis Barrington - 5 years
  • Chad Voykin - 5 years
  • Nora Hannon - 5 years

Whitewater ski resort: BC Destination Development Fund

In partnership with Whitewater Ski Resort Ltd., the RDCK will submit two grant applications on behalf of the ski resort to funding programs recently announced by the Province of British Columbia aimed at fostering resort destinations and building year-round visitor economies. A $750,000 application will be submitted for the Hummingbird Lodge and Campground Phase Two Project. A $1,000,000 will be for civil works infrastructure to support resort development. If the grant applications are successful, the RDCK will administer the funding, while Whitewater will be responsible for delivering the project.

In early 2021, the RDCK assisted Whitewater Ski Resort Ltd. in obtaining a $1,000,000 grant from the Province to assist with building the Hummingbird Lodge, a campground for RV’s and tents, and an accessible mountain biking trail.

New Denver Fitness Centre

The Board approved the New Denver Fitness Centre remains a multi-use facility with a full open floor gymnasium dedicated for multipurpose use, including full court sport activity. Open gym will officially return on December 17.

Invasive plant management

The Board direct staff to enter into a sole-source agreement with the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society for invasive plant management on RDCK owned/leased properties, as outlined in the 2022 RDCK Invasive Plant Management Plan up to a maximum cost of $48,230 plus GST. The objectives of the program is to control invasive species in the most cost-efficient manner through education management and outreach; ensure the program is efficient, region-wide and continues over the long term; and multi-jurisdictional coordinated planning and treatment.

Director Code of Conduct

The Board direct staff to initiate a review of the Director’s Code of Conduct in accordance with the Community Charter requirements and to be brought back to the Board at the April 2024 Board meeting. The RDCK’s current Directors Code of Conduct was adopted by the Board in 2016. The policy review will involve an assessment of best practices from other local governments, while taking direction from the newly developed Model Code of Conduct from the Union of BC Municipalities.

Directors Reports

RDCK Directors provide monthly reports explaining what they have been working on. Click here to read the December reports in the Board minutes (agenda item 4.6, pg. 354).

Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.

The content on this page was last updated December 14 2022 at 6:14 AM