Council has once again amended the fee schedule for the Rossland Arena. At the last regular council meeting on Sept. 6, council approved the third reading of a bylaw amendment to bring Rossland’s arena fees more in line with Trail’s. However, it turns out that the rates were based onn Trail’s non-resident fees, so on Monday council rescinded the third reading and approved new rates based on Trail’s resident fees.
At the beginning of the meeting, during public input, Janice Nightingale spoke on behalf of some of the Rossland Arena’s adult user groups. She said that “the user groups are united in their desire to increase the viability and revenue recovery of our arena to previous levels, and beyond,” and to that end suggested that council put the new, increased adult prime time and adult non prime time rates into effect by Oct. 1. Councillor Andy Morel put forward a motion to implement the adult rates as soon as possible, but it was defeated in a tie vote. The new rates will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017, pending council’s approval at the next regular council meeting on Oct. 11.
Council awards $74,957 contract to Urban Systems Ltd.
Council voted to award a $74,957 contract for updating and further developing the city’s Asset Management Investment Plan (AMIP) to Urban Systems Ltd. The city put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for someone to develop the plan after receiving a $75,000 federal gas tax grant in February. Urban Systems was one of five firms to submit a proposal, and was not the lowest bidder, but City of Rossland staff recommended accepting Urban Systems proposal because the company was the original creator of the assessment tools endorsed by both Asset Management BC and UBCM, and the company is familiar with the City of Rossland as it completed the city’s previous AMIP, among other reasons.
Berg Lehmann appointed as auditor
Council also voted to appoint Berg Lehmann to conduct the 2016 audit. Berg Lehmann had a five-year contract with the city to act as auditor that expired last year. Usually the city would put out an RFP, but because of the high staff turnover at City Hall recently, staff is recommending engaging Berg Lehmann for one additional year, since they are familiar with the city’s recent finances.
Council amends Official Community Plan to accommodate Seven Summits Coffee
Council put the final stamp of approval on two bylaws to amend the Official Community Plan and rezone the old Rotary Health Building to downtown core. The change is to accommodate Seven Summits Coffee; the company plans to relocate from Warfield to downtown Rossland.
RCAC to commission new sculpture outside Miners’ Hall
The Rossland Council of Arts and Culture (RCAC) requested council’s permission to place a new sculpture outside the Miners’ Hall. The RCAC plans to put out an RFP to commission a new sculpture for Rossland that would occupy the space. Council approved the request.
Utility due date extended
Staff requested that council extend the utility bill deadline by 30 days due to a technical issue with the utility bill emails. Council extended the deadline until Oct. 31.
