1. BYLAWS
1.1 Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 2284 Council adopted the Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw. It is a requirement that the municipality provides notice in regards to the Permissive Tax Exemptions being given within the Municipality. Exemptions that are approved will only exempt the said property from the portion of land and/or building that is applicable. The Municipality still collects other charges such as; utilities (water, sewer), frontage tax, and waste collection (if applicable). This Bylaw will be in affect from 2016-2025.
2.  OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
2.1 Cranbrook & District Community Foundations This funding request was referred to upcoming budget deliberations for Council’ s consideration. Ms. Jody Jacob was in attendance and provided an overview of the proposed Community Fund program for Fernie. She indicated the fund is governed by local community members and will form its own granting committee and will serve Fernie and the surrounding geographical area of Morrissey, Fernie Alpine Resort, West Fernie, Dicken Road and Hosmer.
 
2.2 Budget Variance Analysis & Capital & One-Time Project Update (Jan – Sept, 2015 Council accepted the above noted report as information. The primary information provided in this 2015 Year-to-date Financial Report is a comparison of the annual budget amounts to actual revenues and expenditures for operating departments and projects, which is presented to Council as information.
2.3 Age Friendly Community Project Grant Council passed a motion in support of the proposed project and grant application, initiated by the Senior Citizen Society of Fernie and District. The Senior Citizen Society of Fernie and District desire to hire a part time administrator that will be involved in the overall administration of the senior’s center. This position would be responsible for a variety of administrative items, which would enhance the operation and utilization of the Center.

2.4 Clean up of Unsightly Property Located at 825-4th Street
Council authorized that Officers, employees or agents of the City of Fernie be authorized to enter onto the property located at 825-4th Street, after giving reasonable notice to the owner of the property, to take the required action to remove all garbage, derelict vehicles, accumulation of junk, sheet metals, motor vehicles parts, debris and refuse on entire property at the expense of the owner of the subject property, and recover the costs incurred from that owner as a debt in accordance with sections 16 and 17 of the Community Charter. The deadline for cleanup is November 16-20, 2015.
2.5 The Royal Canadian Legion – Remembrance Day Ceremony
Council granted the requests to The Royal Canadian Legion to hold a parade to the Cenotaph on the Courthouse Grounds on November 11, 2015 as well permission to fly the Poppy Flag during Veterans week (Oct 30 – Nov 11, 2015).
2.6 Mount Fernie Park Road Council will be addressing the condition of the Mount Fernie Park Road at the upcoming budget deliberations.
2.7 Sustainable and Inclusive Communities in Latin America (CISAL) Council has offered their support to Councillor Qualizza in her volunteerism in joining the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) who will mobilize Canadian municipal experts from resource communities to work with their counterparts in Colombia and Peru. Together, they will find innovative solutions to help local governments build more sustainable and inclusive communities in areas where mining activity is taking place.
3. UPCOMING MEETINGS AND OTHER NEWS
3.1 Statutory Holiday – City Hall, Fernie Memorial Arena and Fernie Aquatic Centre will be closed for the Statutory Holiday (Remembrance Day) Wednesday, November, 2015.
3.2 Next scheduled meetings of Council are:
– Monday, November 9, 2015 Committee of the Whole (COTW) @ 10:00am and Regular Meeting of Council @ 7:00pm
– Monday, November 16 & Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Budget Meetings 9 – 1:00pm
– Monday, November 23, 2015 Committee of the Whole (COTW) @ 10am and Regular Meeting of Council @ 7:00pm
Council meetings are streamed live and can be viewed on-demand on the City’s website or watched on Shaw TV Channel 10 at 3:30pm on Tuesdays and 11:00am on Thursdays.
3.3 George S. Majic Spiritus Award Nominate your un-sung hero for this Award which is presented annually by the City of Fernie in memory of George Majic.  The award is for citizens who enhance and honour community values that enrich our town.
For Additional information visit the Cities webpage. www.fernie.ca Nomination forms are available at City Hall, 501 – 3rd Avenue during regular office hours 8:00 – 5:00pm. Deadline for submissions is Friday, November 13, 2015 at 5:00pm.  Please return your nomination forms to City Hall.
3.4 Grant Funding Requests – The deadline for submission of completed application forms is Friday, October 30, 2015. 
The City of Fernie is now accepting applications for grant funding for the 2016 budget year. Any community groups or organizations that are interested in requesting grant funding from the City for the upcoming year and can demonstrate financial need are encouraged to submit an application. Application Forms  and Guidelines  for obtaining grant funding are available online or for pick-up at City Hall at 501–3rd Avenue.
Completed applications can be faxed to 250.423.3034, mailed to City Hall, PO Box 190, Fernie, BC V0B 2G0, emailed to carla.fox@fernie.ca  or dropped off at City Hall, 501 – 3rd Avenue.
The detailed report can be downloaded here: 2015-10-26 Council Connection