RDCK Board Highlights - June 2023
June 23, 2023
Electoral Area F Local Conservation Fund – Alternative Approval Process
The Board directed staff to proceed with obtaining approval of the electors in Electoral Area F for the adoption of the Electoral Area F Local Conservation Fund Service Establishment Amendment. The Local Conservation Fund provides funding for projects that benefit conservation in the rural areas around Kootenay Lake and the Slocan Valley. 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. If approval of the electors is obtained, Electoral Area F will be a full participant in the Local Conservation Fund Service at a cost of $15 per parcel of land to be collected annually. Click here to learn more about the RDCK Local Conservation Fund.
RDCK Climate Actions
The Board approved additional resources to support communication and engagement related to RDCK Climate Actions. These funds will go towards putting on events, advertising, consultant support and hiring a one-year contract position to support the communication and engagement process. As well, the RDCK is launching an online public engagement platform to create a hub to share ideas, provide feedback and ask questions on projects and initiatives within the RDCK.
The community open houses will be re-scheduled for this fall from which staff will collate all information and learning. Residents are encouraged to continue to provide their feedback over the summer to climateaction@rdck.bc.ca. The Board allocated up to $121,700 for this initiative.
For more information about the RDCK Climate Action Plan go to www.rdck.ca/climateaction.
Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Board received an initial draft of the Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee (RAAC) bylaw for discussion and input from municipalities within the RDCK.
In June 2021, the Accessible British Columbia Act was enacted with the purpose of establishing a framework for government and organizations to work with people with disabilities and the broader community to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility. Local governments must establish a committee, create a plan and have a mechanism for providing feedback. The RAAC will advise the RDCK and provide input and recommendations on the development of the accessibility plan. By removing barriers, accessibility encourages public engagement and may provide new opportunities within programs, services, initiatives or facilities for individuals interacting with the RDCK.
Emergency Operations Centre support for Lower Kootenay Band
The Board directed staff to draft a service agreement to support the Lower Kootenay Band residents during an active emergency by providing Emergency Operations support. The type of support requested by the Lower Kootenay Ban includes helping with a declaration of a State of Local Emergency and issuing, maintaining, and rescinding Evacuation Alerts and Orders.
Moratorium extended for acquisition of new RDCK water systems
The Board extended the moratorium on the acquisition of water and wastewater systems until June 30, 2024. As well, the Board direct staff to present updated plans, policies and acceptance matrices as required, to the Water Services Committee on or before the end of June 2024 with the intent to lift the moratorium at that time.
Since August 2011, the RDCK suspended intake of acquisitions from new water and wastewater systems due to the significant demands placed on staff. However, over the years staffing levels have increased and the water group has been restructured to handle a manageable growth rate in the future.
West Kootenay Transit fare free days
West Kootenay Transit free days were approved by the Board and include; Local, Provincial and Federal election days, Earth Day, Go by Bike Week, Clean Air Day and Seniors Day. No fees will be collected for any riders on these days. As well, the Board direct staff to introduce an in-lieu option on the closest day to a West Kootenay Transit free day, for areas that do not have the service on that day.
Growing Communities Fund Allocation
The Board approve the allocation of $3,925,000 from the Growing Communities Funds. This allocation of funds will enable each service to reduce taxation directly, or indirectly by reducing borrowing, reducing the use of reserve funds of freeing up other grants for other purposes.
The Provincial Government’s Growing Communities Fund provides a one-time total of $1 billion in grants distributed among all of BC’s local governments. The grants support the delivery of infrastructure projects necessary to enable community growth.
|
Service |
Description |
|
Amount |
|
S231 |
Recreation Commission No.8 |
150,000 |
|
|
S209 |
Recreation Facility-Area A (Riondel) |
150,000 |
|
|
S291 |
Fire Response - West Creston |
150,000 |
|
|
S101 |
Rural Administration |
25,000 |
|
|
S156 |
Emergency Communications 911 |
125,000 |
|
|
S129 |
Fire Protection-Areas A and C (Wynndel, Lakeview) |
92,034 |
|
|
S130 |
Fire Protection-Area B (Canyon Lister) |
105,584 |
|
|
S134 |
Fire Protection-Area F (North Shore) |
144,982 |
|
|
S136 |
Fire Protection-Area G (Ymir) |
131,206 |
|
|
S137 |
Fire Protection-Area I (Tarrys, Pass Creek) |
126,745 |
|
|
S141 |
Fire Protection-Area E (Balfour, Harrop) |
230,235 |
|
|
S142 |
Fire Protection-Areas H and I (Slocan Valley) |
180,330 |
|
|
S145 |
Fire Protection-Area J (Ootischenia) |
73,885 |
|
|
A117 |
Recycling Program – Central Subregion |
142,875 |
|
|
A120 |
Organics Program – Central Subregion |
30,402 |
|
|
A120 |
Organics Program – West Subregion |
38,693 |
|
|
S186 |
Refuse Disposal (East Subregion) |
115,399 |
|
|
S187 |
Refuse Disposal (Central Subregion) |
100,849 |
|
|
S188 |
Refuse Disposal (West Subregion) |
336,782 |
|
|
S222 |
Arena (Castlegar Complex)-Castlegar and Areas I and J |
203,000 |
|
|
S227 |
Aquatic Centre-Castlegar and Areas J and I |
38,668 |
|
|
S224 |
Recreation Facility-Creston and Areas B, C and Area A |
241,664 |
|
|
S226 |
Recreation Facility-Nelson and Areas F and Defined E |
241,668 |
|
|
S202 |
Regional Parks-Nelson, Salmo and Areas E, F and G |
35,235 |
|
|
S221 |
Community Facility Recreation & Parks-Kaslo and Area D |
94,211 |
|
|
S205 |
Regional Parks-Area A |
25,554 |
|
|
S241 |
Water Utility-Area A (Riondel) |
17,191 |
|
|
S243 |
Water Utility-Area B (Lister) |
33,892 |
|
|
S248 |
Water Utility-Area F (Duhamel Creek) |
84,624 |
|
|
S250 |
Water Utility-Area B (Erickson) |
90,811 |
|
|
S252 |
Water Utility-Area K (Burton) |
72,715 |
|
|
S253 |
Water Utility-Area K (Edgewood) |
10,754 |
|
|
S254 |
Water Utility-Area K (Fauquier) |
55,931 |
|
|
S255 |
Water Utility-Area E (Balfour) |
95,469 |
|
|
S256 |
Water Utility-Area J (West Robson) |
83,637 |
|
|
S259 |
Water Utility-Area D (Woodbury) |
49,976 |
|
|
Totals - $ |
3,925,000 |
Assent Vote – Firefighting equipment
The Board direct staff to prepare a loan authorization bylaw for five RDCK fire departments for critical life-saving equipment or infrastructure. After public consultation, voter approval will be undertaken by means of referendum.
West Creston Fire Response (Area C) – Construct fire hall and replace frontline water tender and fire engine. Prepare a loan authorization bylaw in the amount of $2,129,000.
Balfour Harrop Fire Department (Area E) – Replace frontline engine. Prepare loan authorization bylaw in the amount of $750,000.
North Shore Fire Department (Area F) – Replace frontline engine. Prepare loan authorization bylaw in the amount of $750,000.
Tarrys Fire Department (Area I) – Replace frontline engine. Prepare loan authorization bylaw in the amount of $750,000.
Winlaw Fire Department (Area H) – Replace frontline engine. Prepare loan authorization bylaw in the amount of $750,000.
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the June reports in the Board minutes (agenda item 4.4, pg. 200).
Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.
The content on this page was last updated June 23 2023 at 8:44 AM