1)    Development Variance Permits approved:
a)    Development Variance Permit No. 191 was approved for     152-4A Avenue to vary the maximum parcel coverage, the maximum open porch and open porch eave projections into the minimum rear yard setback to legalize the construction of an ‘L’ shaped open porch.
b)    Development Variance Permit No. 213 was approved for 701 & 711 2nd Avenue to vary the required number of off-street parking spaces from 34 spaces to 2 spaces to enable the operation of an 80-seat restaurant and a retail store and further, to vary the fencing height requirement in the front yard from 1 metre to 1.68 metres for a wrought iron fence to enclose an outdoor furniture display area.
2)    BP Canada Energy Company – Mist Mountain Coalbed Gas Project
Representatives from BP Canada Energy were in attendance to provide council with an update on the Mist Mountain Coalbed Gas Project and further to discuss the  details regarding the tenure application process leading to the Provincial  Government awarding BP tenure for lands in the Crowsnest Coalfield, excluding lands in the Flathead Watershed.
3)    Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
Ms. Megan Walsh was in attendance on behalf of Wildsight and provided an overview of the City of Fernie’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan on the     community emissions inventory.  Ms. Walsh noted that Council had previously approved a corporate emissions inventory and     that these steps lead towards meeting the City’s commitment to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program.
4)    Notice of intended Disposal (lease) of the Heritage Hydro Building at 491 2nd Avenue
Council authorized notice of the proposed disposal (lease) of the Heritage Hydro Building to the Fernie and District Historical Society for a period of 25 years at rental rate of  $1.00 per year in accordance with the requirements of the Community Charter.
The following are among other things some areas that the Society will be responsible for:
➢    Paying any taxes or license fees;
➢    Repairing and replacing the leased area (building and land and every part thereof and improvements thereon and all equipment and fixtures0;
➢    Providing janitorial services, rubbish removal, snow clearing or sidewalks and the parking area;
➢    Paying all costs for garbage collection, telephone, internet, natural gas, water, sewer and electricity etc.
➢    Purchasing and maintaining in force during the term public liability insurance in the sum of at least $2M;
➢    Purchasing and maintaining standard fire insurance.
The Society will provide a public museum and archives and operate a downtown visitor information centre in the building.
5)    Liquid Waste Management Plan Steering Committee (LWMP)
The Process and contents of a LWMP are influenced in  large measure by the requirements of the Province set forth in Guidelines for Developing a Liquid Waste  Management Plan relating to the management of sanitary  sewage.
Council appointed Councillors Goos, Giuliano and Mayor Corrigan to sit on the (LWMP) Committee.
6)    Teck Coal Limited – Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement (EVPTSA).  Recent boundary extensions to bring Class 4 rural properties into the EVPTSA were not in place prior to the end of June 2008 resulting in Teck Coal having paid the taxes twice on these properties.  Teck     Coal is requesting the Ministry to refund the overpayment.
Council referred the letter to staff for review and requested a report be brought back for Council’s consideration.
7)    Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane’s Five Point Plan
Council moved to support the Citizens Concerned about Coalbed Methane’s five-point action plan “Building a safe future for CBM” calling for the following:
➢    Suspend CBM drilling across B.C. until four key policy improvements are in place:
➢    Local communities have a clear say in deciding where and how CBM projects proceed;
➢    CBM projects undergo mandatory environmental assessments that address cumulative impacts;
➢    “World-class” CBM regulations promised in B.C.’s Energy Plan are fully implemented and enforced; and
➢    Funds are dedicated to independent baseline research and to proving the safety of “world-class” technologies.
8)    Bylaws
Bylaw No. 2078, cited as Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 Amendment Bylaw No. 85, 2008 (Applicant – Pat Dwyer for 1561 10th Avenue) was adopted.
This will allow for the construction of eight dwelling units located above the first storey of the building at 1561 10th  Avenue.