Regional District of East Kootenay public meetings in 2023
19 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
RDEK Board of Directors
The Board approved $42,000 in grants for Cranbrook recreation and event strategies and adopted an amended Board Code of Conduct. Several bylaws regarding delegation and development applications were adopted, and two ALR exclusion applications were moved to public hearings.
- Approved $22,000 grant to City of Cranbrook for Recreation Study
- Approved $20,000 grant to Cranbrook Tourism for Event Strategy
- Adopted amended Board Code of Conduct (section 9.5 social media wording changed)
- Defeated amendment to remove section 12.20 Remuneration from Code of Conduct
- Approved $6,126,638.52 August 2023 cheque register
- Adopted Delegation Bylaw No. 3260 and Development Applications Bylaw No. 3261
- Approved $45,000 annual funding (2024-2028) for Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisor program
- Granted DVP No. 27-23 and DVP No. 31-23; refused DVP No. 32-23
Governance and Regional Services Committee
The Governance & Regional Services Committee approved an updated Board Code of Conduct and authorized funds for a fire hall assessment. The committee also approved the August 2023 cheque register and introduced a permissive taxation exemption bylaw.
- Approved amended RDEK Board Code of Conduct (CARRIED)
- Approved change to section 9.5 Use of Social Media in Code of Conduct (CARRIED)
- Approved August 2023 General Account cheque register of $6,126,638.52 (CARRIED)
- Allocated up to $20,000 from Electoral Area A Elk Valley Tax Sharing funds for Hosmer Firehall assessment (CARRIED)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3258 Permissive Taxation Exemption Bylaw (CARRIED)
- Approved removal of section 12.20 Remuneration from Code of Conduct (CARRIED; later defeated by Board on Sept 8)
Planning and Development Services Committee
The committee approved a five-year contract for the Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisor program and granted two development variance permits. Two ALR exclusion applications were moved to public hearings, and one ALR subdivision was supported.
- Approved up to $45,000 per year (2024-2028) for Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisor program
- Granted Development Variance Permit No. 27-23 (Edgewater / Hutchinson)
- Granted Development Variance Permit No. 31-23 (Windermere South / Pow)
- Refused Development Variance Permit No. 32-23 (Windermere South / Schapps Consulting Ltd.)
- Supported McKay ALR subdivision application for 4302 Coy Road
- Approved public hearing for EarthRite Industries Ltd. ALR Exclusion at 8891 Burton Lake Road
- Approved public hearing for Ken and Joyce Streloff ALR Exclusion at 7124 Rosen Lake Road
- Introduced Bylaws No. 3247, 3260, and 3261
Electoral Area Services Committee
The Electoral Area Services Committee approved two grants for the City of Cranbrook and Cranbrook Tourism. The committee also authorized GIS services agreements with Radium Hot Springs and Invermere and approved funding applications for flood and debris flow mitigation projects.
- Approved $22,000 grant from Electoral Area C Economic Development Service to City of Cranbrook for Recreation Study (Carried)
- Approved $20,000 grant from Electoral Area C Economic Development Service to Cranbrook Tourism for Event Strategy (Carried)
- Approved applications to Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Hosmer Creek, Mine Creek, and Cold Spring Creek projects (Carried)
- Authorized GIS management services agreement amendment with Village of Radium Hot Springs for Oct 1, 2021 to Sept 30, 2026 (Carried)
- Authorized GIS management services agreement amendment with District of Invermere for July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024 (Carried)
RDEK Board of Directors
The Board increased the Local Government Climate Action Plan budget to $70,000. Several development variance permits and zoning bylaws were approved, while a permit for Fernie Alpine Resort was postponed and a zoning amendment for Cranbrook West was defeated.
- Increased Climate Action Plan budget to $70,000 (Carried)
- Approved $6,400 in Discretionary Grants-in-Aid for Lazy Lake and Summit Community Services (Carried)
- Approved building and plumbing inspection agreement with Village of Canal Flats (Carried)
- Filed Notice on Title for four properties in Fernie and Windermere for bylaw contraventions (Carried)
- Approved 2024 Board meeting schedule and February 7 special meeting for financial planning (Carried)
- Granted Development Variance Permits for Wardner, Windermere North, Fairmont, and Fernie (Carried)
- Refused Development Variance Permit No. 26-23 for Fairmont / Turtle (Carried)
- Defeated Bylaw No. 3231 regarding Rockyview Official Community Plan (Cranbrook West / Kiedyk)
Planning and Development Services Committee
The Planning and Development Services Committee approved several development variance permits and supported two Agricultural Land Commission subdivision applications. One variance permit was refused, and a housing agreement bylaw was introduced.
- Introduced Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 3248 (Cranbrook South West / Sherriff)
- Supported ALR Subdivision for 3180 Toby Creek Road (CARRIED)
- Supported Georgeson ALR Subdivision application on Highway 95, north of Edgewater (CARRIED)
- Granted DVP No. 20-23 (Fernie Alpine Resort / Robinson) (CARRIED)
- Granted DVP No. 21-23 (Wardner / C & C Ranch Ltd) (CARRIED)
- Granted DVP No. 22-23 (Windermere North / McAllister & Ross) subject to restrictive covenant (CARRIED)
- Granted DVP No. 23-23 (Fairmont / Daviduke) subject to BC Building Code fire requirements (CARRIED)
- Refused DVP No. 26-23 (Fairmont / Turtle) (CARRIED)
Electoral Area Services Committee
The Electoral Area Services Committee approved several discretionary grants and authorized a building and plumbing inspection services agreement with the Village of Canal Flats. Three bylaws regarding fire protection, water systems, and authority to enter were introduced.
- Approved $1,000 grant to Lazy Lake Environment Association for FireSmart and Fire Suppression
- Approved $5,400 total grant to Summit Community Services Society for Police Based Victim Services
- Authorized agreements with Village of Canal Flats for building and plumbing inspection services (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2026)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3185 (Cranbrook Rural Fire Protection Local Service Area Establishment)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3250 (Edgewater Water System Service Establishment)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3251 (Authority to Enter)
Governance and Regional Services Committee
The Governance & Regional Services Committee approved the 2024 Board meeting schedule and the July 2023 cheque register. Members accepted the quarterly financial statements through June 2023 and increased funding for the Local Government Climate Action Plan. The meeting adjourned to a closed session to discuss a solid waste contract.
- Approved July 2023 cheque register for $2,650,877.50
- Approved 2024 RDEK Board meeting schedule
- Scheduled Special Meeting for February 7, 2024 to review 2024–2028 Five Year Financial Plan
- Accepted financial statements for January to June 2023
- Increased Climate Action Plan budget to $70,000 by allocating $15,000 from reserve fund and $25,000 from Fortis BC Strategic Community Energy Fund
- Adjourned to closed meeting to consider Solid Waste Contract
RDEK Board of Directors
The Board adopted the 2023 Strategic Plan and the 2023-2024 Priority Projects list. Several zoning and official community plan amendments were introduced, and multiple development variance permits and temporary use permits were granted. The Board also approved discretionary grants and supported several Agricultural Land Commission applications.
- Adopted 2023 RDEK Strategic Plan and 2023-2024 Priority Projects list
- Approved $15,550 in Discretionary Grants-in-Aid for five organizations
- Supported $453,220 UBCM Community Resiliency Investment Program grant application
- Granted Temporary Use Permit to 489581 BC Ltd. for sand and gravel extraction
- Granted Development Variance Permits for Flowitt, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ltd., Thomsen, and Ondrik
- Introduced zoning and OCP amendment bylaws for Cranbrook West/Kiedyk and Koocanusa North/Reeves
- Approved Special Event Licences for Cranbrook Pro Rodeo and Mountain-Mere Music Fest
- Directed filing of Notice on Title for three properties due to bylaw contraventions
Elk Valley Services Committee
The committee updated the operating hours for the Sparwood Transfer Station and Landfill. The group also discussed the scope of a request to establish an Elk Valley Economic Development Service.
- Amended Sparwood Transfer Station/Landfill hours to 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Sunday, closed on five specific holidays (Carried)
- Adopted the meeting agenda (Carried)
- Adopted the June 8, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
Planning and Development Services Committee
The committee referred the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permit Policy back to staff to review fees, enforcement, and occupancy. Several zoning amendments, development variance permits, and land-use applications were introduced or approved.
- Referred Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permit Policy to staff for further review (Opposed: McCormick, Wilks)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3231 and 3232 for Cranbrook West / Kiedyk
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3240 and 3241 for Koocanusa North / Reeves
- Introduced Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 3244 (Wycliffe / Twardy, Bremner & Morland)
- Supported ALR non-farm use applications for Reeves and Braund (Windermere Valley Youth Centre Society)
- Supported ALR subdivision application for Zaugg at 143 Wycliffe Park Road
- Granted Development Variance Permits No. 14-23, 17-23, and 18-23; granted DVP No. 15-23 subject to a covenant
- Granted Temporary Use Permit No. 2-23 for sand and gravel extraction with operational hour restrictions
Electoral Area Services Committee
The committee approved several discretionary grants for community organizations and supported a $453,220 grant application for the East Kootenay FireSmart Program 2023. It also authorized an application to expand Waldo Cove Regional Park and amended a sewage holding tank agreement for a property on Lakeview Drive.
- Approved application to FrontCounter BC to expand Waldo Cove Regional Park
- Approved Discretionary Grants-in-Aid for Columbia Valley Airport Society ($650), Kimberley Health Care Auxiliary ($3,400 total), Living Lakes Canada ($7,500), Moyie Community Centre ($1,000), and Fernie Pride Society ($1,000)
- Amended Development Agreement for 492 Lakeview Drive to limit sewage holding tank connections to three buildings
- Supported $453,220 UBCM Community Resiliency Investment Program grant application for East Kootenay FireSmart Program 2023
- Adopted the agenda and June 8, 2023 meeting minutes
Governance and Regional Services Committee
The committee approved the 2023 RDEK Strategic Plan with specific amendments and authorized the 2023-2024 Priority Projects list. It also issued special event licenses for two local festivals and adopted terms of reference for the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
- Adopted 2023 RDEK Strategic Plan with amendments to 'Our Region, Our Futures' and 'Advocacy' sections
- Approved 2023-2024 Priority Projects list
- Decided to notify proponents of projects rated four to seven that RDEK cannot undertake them
- Approved June 2023 General Account cheque register for $2,598,615.89
- Issued Special Event Licence and noise bylaw exemption to Wycliffe Exhibition Association for Cranbrook Pro Rodeo
- Issued Special Event Licence and noise bylaw exemption to Windermere Valley Youth Centre Society for Mountain-Mere Music Fest
- Adopted East Kootenay Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
RDEK Board of Directors
The Board approved borrowing up to $9 million and allocating an additional $2.5 million for the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project. Other actions included approving water system fee bylaws and granting several development variance permits.
- Authorized borrowing up to $9 million for Fairmont Flood and Landslide – Cold Spring Creek Phase 2 project
- Increased Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project budget by $1 million from Fairmont Flood and Landslide Service Area and $1.5 million from Community Growth Fund
- Awarded Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project Construction Tender #2 to MacKay Contracting Ltd
- Approved $63,461 grant to Ktunaxa Nation Council for Flexinet Broadband Connectivity Project
- Adopted water system regulation and fee amendment bylaws for Elko (No. 3235) and Spur Valley (No. 3236)
- Granted Development Variance Permit No. 13-23 (Windermere North / Chuchman)
- Granted Site Specific Floodplain Exemption for Baisley-Marich property on River Drive
- Amended Private Landowner ALR Exclusion Application fee to $2,250
Planning and Development Services Committee
The committee introduced several zoning and official community plan amendment bylaws. It granted a development variance permit and a site-specific floodplain exemption. The Private Landowner ALR Exclusion Application Policy was amended to remove the annual intake period and increase the fee to $2,250.
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3229 (Moyie / Bessant) (Carried)
- Refused Reid reconsideration request for DVP No. 6-23 (Gold Creek / Reid) (Carried)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3186 (Windermere East / Webster) (Carried)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3204 and Bylaw No. 3205 (Baynes Lake / Beyeler) (Carried)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3219 (Miscellaneous / RDEK) (Carried)
- Granted Development Variance Permit No. 13-23 (Windermere North / Chuchman) (Carried)
- Granted Site Specific Floodplain Exemption for Baisley-Marich property on River Drive (Carried)
- Amended ALR Exclusion Application Policy to remove annual intake and set fee to $2,250 (Carried; Director Wilks opposed)
Elk Valley Services Committee
The committee adopted the meeting agenda and the minutes from February 15, 2023. Discussion regarding the Elk Valley Economic Development service area request was postponed for one month.
- Adopted the meeting agenda
- Adopted February 15, 2023 meeting minutes
- Postponed Elk Valley Economic Development service area request discussion for one month
Governance and Regional Services Committee
The Governance & Regional Services Committee approved the 2022 audited financial statements and the May 2023 cheque register. The committee also approved funding recommendations for 2023/2024 Resident Directed Grants and introduced two new bylaws.
- Approved 2022 Audited RDEK Financial Statements and Statement of Financial Information (Carried)
- Approved May 2023 General Account cheque register of $2,336,173.95 (Carried)
- Approved 2023/2024 Resident Directed Grants funding recommendations (Carried)
- Approved submission of health care, housing, and land use topics to MLAs Doug Clovechok and Tom Shypitka (Carried)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3238 (Procedure Bylaw) (Carried)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3239 (Public Notice Regulation Bylaw) (Carried)
- Adopted the Supplemental Public Notice Policy (Carried)
Electoral Area Services Committee
The committee approved borrowing up to $9 million for the Fairmont Flood and Landslide – Cold Spring Creek Phase 2 project and allocated an additional $2.5 million to the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project. Other actions included granting funds for broadband connectivity and introducing four water system regulation bylaws.
- Authorized borrowing up to $9 million for Fairmont Flood and Landslide – Cold Spring Creek Phase 2 project
- Increased Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project budget by $1 million from Fairmont Flood and Landslide Service Area and $1.5 million from Community Growth Fund
- Granted $63,461 in Community Works Funds to Ktunaxa Nation Council for Flexinet Broadband Connectivity Project
- Approved grants-in-aid for Windermere Community Carnival: $600 (Area F) and $200 (Area G)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3235 (Elko Community Water System Regulation and Fee)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3236 (Spur Valley Water System Regulation and Fee)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3237 (Rushmere Water System Regulation and Fee)
- Introduced Bylaw No. 3234 (East Side Lake Windermere Water System Regulation and Fee)
Columbia Valley Services Committee
The committee adopted the meeting agenda and the minutes from the April 13, 2023 meeting. Directors discussed funding options for the Fairmont Airport Society, but no decision was recorded.
- Adopted the meeting agenda (Carried)
- Adopted April 13, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)