Board Meeting - July 2022 Highlights
July 27, 2022
Electoral Area E Library Contribution Service Establishment – Alternative Approval Process
The Board directed staff to proceed with obtaining approval of the electors within Electoral Area E to establish the Electoral Area E Library Financial Contribution Service Bylaw. The new bylaw would establish a service for the purpose of providing financial contribution towards the costs of operating the Nelson Municipal Library. If approved, all residents within Electoral Area E will receive a free library membership rather than having to purchase it.
Approval is to be obtained through the Alternative Approval Process (AAP). The Board obtains approval if fewer than 10% of eligible electors in the area covered by the AAP submit elector response forms in opposition of the particular matter. The elector response form must be received before 4:30 pm on September 5, 2022.
If the service receives elector approval, the proposed requisition amount for 2023 would be $106,138. An average residential property in Electoral Area E with an assessed value in land and improvements of $483,312 would expect to pay $35.37 for library services. Go to www.rdck.ca/AreaELibrary for more information.
Salmo and Electoral Area G Library Financial Aid Service – Alternative Approval Process
The Board directed staff to proceed with obtaining approval of the electors within the Village of Salmo and Electoral Area G for the repeal and replacement of Salmo and Portion of Electoral Area G Library Financial Aid Service Bylaw. The new bylaw would expand the service area to include all of Electoral Area G for the purpose of providing a financial contribution towards the costs of operating the Salmo Valley Public Library. The expansion of the service will provide additional funding, but little to no change in taxation to current participants.
Approval is to be obtained through the Alternative Approval Process (AAP). The Board obtains approval if fewer than 10% of eligible electors in the area covered by the AAP submit elector response forms in opposition of the particular matter. The elector response form must be received before 4:30 pm on September 5, 2022. Go to www.rdck.ca/SalmoGLibrary for more information.
Southeastern BC Regional Connectivity Committee
Rob Gay, Regional Connectivity Committee Chair for the Southeastern BC Regional Connectivity Committee (SE BC RCC), appeared as a delegation at July’s Board Meeting. The SE BC RCC works with local governments and First Nations in Southeastern BC to address high speed connectivity and mobility access challenges. The goal is for all residents, especially those in rural and remote areas, to have access to connectivity adequate enough to achieve the users intended activity, whether it be access to employment, education or health care. Currently the main focus of the SE BC RCC is its application for the Universal Broadband Fund which provides federal funding to bring high speed internet to rural and remote households.
Kootenay Cannabis Economic Development Council
Shannon Ross and Chè LeBlanc from the Kootenay Cannabis Economic Development Council (KCEDC) appeared as a delegation to discuss their mandate to support economic development of the regions vital cannabis sector. The region has a strong reputation for high quality cannabis and the potential economic benefits have been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture. The KCEDC continue to work through the challenges of legalization and identifying opportunities for policy changes to lower the barriers for those seeking a federal licence to produce or process cannabis.
Service case analysis for a Drinking Water & Watershed Protection Service bylaw
The Board direct staff to prepare a service case analysis and report on the implications of establishing a Drinking Water & Watershed Protection Service bylaw for the protection of watersheds and drinking water throughout the RDCK. A potential service could support a whole watershed ecosystem based planning approach that includes the consideration of the land, water and the humans and animal uses of the land. This service could also provide consistent funding, monitor both ground water and surface water, educate the public on conservation and licensing, and help to build partnerships with the Province, First Nations, industry and residents. Staff will report back to the Board in 2023 to determine if a service will be established.
Potential for new park land near Taghum Hall
With an increased interest for more parks and trails, the Board direct staff to work with Teck Metals Ltd. to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for working towards a lease agreement for the vacant land by Taghum Hall. The 17 hectares of land has the potential for outdoor recreation activities. The MOU will outline the purpose, timing and sequence of events for finalizing a lease agreement for managing the land for park and trail purposes.
New user fees and rental fees for RDCK Community Services
The Board approved a 3.7% increase to all user fees and rental fees at the Castlegar & District Community Complex, Creston & District Community Complex, Nelson & District Community Complex and Salmo & Area G Recreation effective September 6, 2022. The increase is based upon the March 2022 British Columbia cost of Living Index increase of 3.7% in 2021. Recreation services at the RDCK are funded through a combination of user fees and taxation, so that recreation is subsidized by the community for the benefit of the community.
Traditional Use Study in partnership with Ktunaxa Nation Council
Working with Ktunaxa Nation Council, the Board approves an amount up to $100,000 for Traditional Use Study work at five locations in Electoral Areas A, B, C and Creston: Crawford Bay Regional Park, Martell Beach, Powerline Beach, Goat River and the West Creston Ferry Landing. The work includes archival research, archaeological research and knowledge holder outreach by means of family focused oral interviews. The goal is to improve the RDCK’s understanding of Ktunaxa and Yaqan Nukiy culture, determine how these properties were historically used, while also providing common ground on which consultation and collaboration can continue to occur.
City of Castlegar Councillor Dan Rye appointed to RDCK Board
Effective July 18, 2022, the Board approved the appointment of City of Castlegar Councillor Dan Rye as the RDCK Board Director and Mayor Kirk Duff as the Alternate Board Director for the term ending November 30, 2022.
RDCK Quarterly Report
The Board received the 2022 Q2 Quarterly Report which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK. Please follow the link to the most recent RDCK Quarterly Report.
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports explaining what they have been working on. Click here to read the July reports in the Board minutes (agenda item 4.4, pg.156).
Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.
The content on this page was last updated July 28 2022 at 2:34 AM