RDKB agreement
Council agreed to approve a funding contribution agreement from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. The agreement is principally between the district and the City of Trail regarding the new Trail bridge, but since Rossland is listed in the agreement as a “participant” in the initiative, Rossland council also needed to approve the contents.
Council’s main concern was that the City of Rossland wouldn’t end up paying for any maintenance of the bridge that didn’t directly relate to the sewer pipes, but that is being covered in a separate operations and maintenance agreement.
Revenue Anticipation Bylaw
Council approved the first, second and third reading of a Revenue Anticipation Bylaw, which is a standard bylaw that allows council to borrow funds so it can cover expenditures until annual property taxes are collected. The bylaw is required as part of the City of Rossland’s agreement with the Nelson & District Credit Union to fulfill the requirements of an overdraft clause, but the City has not actually had any reason to borrow under the bylaw since 1999.
Snow skating at Winter Carnival
The Rossland Winter Carnival Committee made a request to extend the closure of Spokane St. between First and Second Ave. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31 to accommodate a new event, downhill snow skating. Council approved the request.
Community Food Action Initiative
Councillor Andrew Zwicker asked council to approve a request from the Sustainability Commission. The commission is working on a food security action plan with a budget of $90,000 and has been invited to apply for a multi-year Community Food Action Initiative (CFAI) grant from Interior Health, following a letter of intent the commission submitted. Zwicker asked that council approve in principal the allocation of $20,000 from the City toward the budget, for the purposes of applying for the CFAI grant. The first $5,000 of that is from the Sustainability Commission’s budget, while the other $15,000 would have to come from elsewhere in the City’s overall budget; however, it’s possible that the commission will be able to find other grants and funding sources before the project actually moves forward. Council approved the request.
Road closures on Washington St.
Mayor Kathy Moore wanted to notify the public that there will be temporary road closures beginning Monday, Jan. 18. The Washington St. entrances to Fourth Ave., Sixth Ave. and Turner Ave. will all be closed on a trial basis so the City can see how it impacts residents. Permanent closures of the three spots have been proposed as part of the Washington St. renovation. The closures will be in effect until Friday, March 4.
