Moment of Silence
The Board observed a moment of silence in honour of former North Shore Fire Chief Fred Schneider, who passed away on July 29. Schneider joined the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department in 1983 and rose through the ranks, eventually be promoted to Chief in 2013. He retired in 2019 after 36 years of dedicated service to the North Shore. He remains the longest-serving member in the department’s history. The RDCK Board offered their condolences to his family and gratitude for his lifetime of service.
Goat River Watershed Sustainability
To advance the Goat River Watershed engagement project, the Board approved submission of a Community-to-Community funding application to the Union of BC Municipalities for the Building our Relationship for Working Together on Water Sustainability with yaqan nuʔkiy. The RDCK in collaboration with yaqan nuʔkiy is doing water sustainability planning to respond to growing concerns about water availability in the Goat River Watershed, which includes the communities of Canyon, Erickson, Kitchener, Lister, Creston, West Creston, Wynndel, and yaqan nuʔkiy. The objective is to address drought risk and support agriculture to adapt to changing water availability by ensuring our watersheds are protected and well governed. The funding will go towards supporting trust and a shared vision, identify governance pathways, and lay the foundation for a co-developed Water Sustainability Plan – one that reflects the valley’s economic backbone and ensures water sustainability for all users.
To learn more: Goat River Watershed Sustainability Planning | Engage RDCK
The Board also directed staff to apply to the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC’s Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program to support direct producer engagement in the Goat River Watershed. The funding will be used for facilitation or strategic engagement services, planning processes focused on identifying solutions to agricultural water supply challenges, and projects that support establishing frameworks and or processes that lead to collaborative dialogue between multiple affected parties within the community. The intention is for staff to conduct 50-75 farm visits, send direct mail outs (1,100 farms), and host in person events. The goal is to build trust with the agricultural community and support ongoing RDCK water system initiatives, like metering and leak detection.
Dog Control Services and Patrols
The Board approved a service agreement with 1494359 BC LTD for Dog Control Services in Electoral Areas E and F and Dog Control Patrols at Taghum Beach Regional Park and Crescent Valley Beach Regional Park. For the Dog Control Services in Electoral Areas E and F, the contractor will provide the following services; response and investigation of all complaints received by the contractor or the RDCK in respect to alleged violations of the Dog Control Bylaw, document complaints, provide patrol and other services as required in Harrop/Proctor and Blewett in Electoral Area E and on side roads on the North Shore in Electoral Area F, impound and/or provide warnings and/or fines to the owners of dogs found running at large within the service area, address any dog off leash and dogs in closed areas, and respond to all complaints by phone on a 24-hour basis.
The contractor will also provide regular patrols of Taghum Beach Regional Park and Crescent Valley Beach Regional Park, to ensure that dogs are on leash and only in approved areas of the park as per the Regional Parks Regulation Bylaw.
Refundable Collection Services
Recognizing an opportunity to redirect refundables brought to RDCK Resource Recovery Facilities, the Board authorized staff to direct award seven service agreements with local Not for Profit Organizations for refundable collection services. The Not for Profit Organizations will collect the deposit from the return of refundables for their fundraising and operational expenses including labour, equipment, hauling, and insurance.
Creston Lions Club – Creston Car Wash and Creston Landfill Recycling Depots
Salmo Community Memorial Church Association – Salmo and Ymir Recycling Depots
Balfour Seniors Branch #120 – Balfour Recycling Depot
Kootenay Contribution – Kaslo Recycling Depot
Burton Volunteer Fire Brigade Society – Burton and Edgewood Recycling Depots
Kootenay Carshare Corporation – Lakeside and Grohman Narrows Recycling Depots
Horse Association Central Kootenay – Ootischenia Landfill Recycling Depots
2024 Wildfires
The Board received a summary of the findings and recommendations from the 2024 wildfire season, as well as a comprehensive overview of the post-wildfire community recovery work. Follow the links to learn more.
2024 Wildfire – After Action Report
2024 Wildfire Community Recovery Work
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the August reports in the Board minutes.
RDCK Quarterly Report
For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.