Miners’ Hall reno shortfall, selling off Rotary building
Council voted to fund the shortfall on the exterior renovation of the Miners’ Hall, including the replacement of the south facing windows, the roof, the siding, painting and the scaffolding, with $100,000 from the Land Sales Reserve Fund.
Councillor Martin Kruysse mentioned that he’d like to see a fixed cost contract for the project.
“This is a really, I think, straightforward project and I think we want to ensure that we avoid any cost overruns or changes,” he said.
Councillor Andy Morel was uncomfortable with the idea of a fixed cost contract.
“I see where Martin wants to go with this idea; my concern is that when you request fixed price, often it’s reflected in the quotes,” he said.
Council then voted to sell the Rotary building to replenish the Land Sales Reserve Fund.
Mayor joins Hospice Society Swimathon
Brenda Hooper, chair of the Greater Trail Hospice Society Swimathon, challenged Mayor Kathy Moore to join the Swimathon and raise more than other mayors in the region. The mayor accepted and invited councillors to join her. Councillor Marten Kruysse was eager to participate and encouraged the other councillors to take part. Mayor and council were dismayed to learn that the Trail rec fees would not be waived for the event, and Moore challenged Mayor Mike Martin to waive the fees for Rossland residents participating in the Swimathon.
Rainbows for Rossland
Ellie Knox and Joel Moyer presented on behalf of the Rossland Youth Action Network (YAN) and their Creating a Supportive Rossland (CSR) group. Knox and Moyer requested that council approve flying a rainbow flag outside City Hall, either year-round or during Kootenay Pride Week in September, and painting a rainbow crosswalk outside Rossland Summit School following the construction on Washington St. YAN would cover the costs of the flag and crosswalk. Council will vote on the matter at the next regular council meeting.
Trail recreation subsidy
Council voted to put the balance of the $50,000 it allocated for a Trail recreation subsidy—$25,000—toward reimbursing Rossland residents the TRP fee on two 10-punch passes, or the equivalent amount on a more expensive pass, for the Trail Aquatic Centre. Councillor Andrew Zwicker was opposed, because he felt they were leaving a lot of people out by requiring the minimum purchase of a 10-punch pass.
Last call on water and sewer rates
Council did third reading of the bylaws to raise the water and sewer rates by 4.5 per cent each, and will adopt the bylaw at the next regular council meeting. As of Tuesday night, council had not had any public input on the increases and is issuing a last call for any objections or public input on the matter.
Borrowing capability for Washington St. infrastructure
Council adopted the bylaw that will allow the city to borrow up to $4 million to complete the Washington St. Infrastructure Renewal project if necessary. The bylaw went through an alternative approval process, and there was not enough objection to prompt a referendum. It also received approval from the inspector of municipalities.
