Stingrays in financial turmoil:
The Greater Trail Stingrays Swim Club has hit a rough patch ever since the implementation of the Trail Residency Program (TRP).
President of the club, Sean Miller stated that the club is nearly bankrupt and is spending much of their funds trying to cover the costs of the TRP for Rosslanders. Numbers have also declined significantly since the program was introduced as it makes it more of a hassle for many people.
After much deliberation, council decided to grant the club $5,000 and help them work on a case to deliver to the Trail council so this is a non-issue in the future.
RCAC kiosk:
After a lengthy discussion, council decided that the proposed design for the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture kiosk had not met their guidelines. The kiosk is set to be placed in Harry Lefevre Square, straddling the large boulder just outside Ferraro’s.
Both motions to have RCAC redo the sign or keep it as is were shot down. Council motioned to work together with the RCAC so that the kiosk may resemble the aesthetic plans of Rossland more closely.
Youth Action Network grant application requests:
A motion to approve the Youth Action Network (YAN) request to be able to apply for grants of up to $5000 without specific Council approval was carried unanimously.
Mayor Kathy Moore called the decision a ‘no-brainer’ and stated they were doing a fantastic job.
Audited financial statements:
The audited financial statements for the year of 2014 were approved by council unanimously.
Proposed affordable senior housing:
Steven Hill of Septen Financial appeared before council, Monday night, to discuss the possibility of expanding the amount of senior’s housing units in Rossland.
The gist of the proposal included plans to have the city provide the land for the building and then a team of builders, finance officers and the like would construct the modular homes in Kelowna before placing them on said land.
Hill said that this would hopefully deter seniors from leaving Rossland due to lack of affordable housing for them.
Hill did not have an overwhelming amount of information in his presentation as he did not want to go to all the lengths without first hearing the level and specificity of council’s interest in senior homes.
“A bit loosey-goosey” were the words Mayor Kathy Moore conjured up after hearing Hill’s presentation, due to this lack of exact information.
Councillor Andrew Zwicker asked how much land they would need for such a project and Hill told him that they could build between 14 and 18 units on just one acre.
Next, council member Martin Kruyse had to ask why they hadn’t considered working with private companies or looking into Redstone as a possible sight. This would defeat the purpose of an easy access, downtown, senior’s living facility Hill explained.
This project, according to Hill, would have the city see their money back in time. One such proposition he brought forth was a 50 year mortgage that would see the tax money returned eventually.
Bylaws:
Several bylaws were given the OK during a special meeting May 9, including:
#2583: Rossland’s 2015 – 2019 Financial Plan
#2584: Parcel Tax Bylaw for Sewer Service Bylaw
# 2585: Parcel Tax Bylaw for Water Service Bylaw
#2586: Municipal Tax Rate Bylaw
#2587: Red Mountain Specified Area Service Tax Rate Bylaw
#2588: Ophir Reservoir Local Area Service Parcel Tax Rate
#2589: Heritage Commission Bylaw
#2590: Annual Revenue Anticipation Bylaw
Additionally, #2591 Washington Street Borrowing Bylaw was given motion to have first, second and third readings. This bylaw allows for up to $6 million to be borrowed for the upcoming project.
Next city council meeting will be held on Monday, May 25 at 6 p.m..
