1. AGREEMENTS, LICENCES PERMITS & POLICIES
1.1 2015 Griz Days Partnering Agreement with the Fernie Chamber of Commerce.  Council authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute the partnering agreement between the City of Fernie and the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, for the provision of municipal services, being the hosting of the 2015 Griz Days Festival, providing for the payment by the City to the Chamber the sum of $5,500 from the Province’s Resort Municipality Initiative, and more specifically the Tourism Incentives Investment Fund, for the services described in the Agreement.
1.2 Development Variance Permit Application No.323 for 32 Mt. Trinity Avenue. Council approved Development Variance Permit Application No. DVPA-323 and gave notice of their intention to consider the issuance of Development Variance Permit No. DVP-323 to Michael Davis to legalize the siting of the existing two-storey single family dwelling unit only by varying the minimum front yard setback along a portion of the southeast property line; and to vary the maximum sundeck projection for a first and second storey “L” shaped sundeck along a portion of the southeast property line.

1.3 Temporary Use Permit Application No. TUP-001 – LTS Infrastructure Services Limited Partnership for 1492 Highway No. 3.  (Old Fernie Ford Property) Council gave notice of their intention to consider the issuance of Temporary Use Permit No. TUP-001 to LTS Infrastructure Services Limited Partnership. The applicant has requested a Temporary Use Permit to use the building for warehouse and office space and to use the remainder of the area of Lot 1 for construction vehicle parking and to use the area partly as a fenced yard space for outdoor storage of construction materials and parking of construction vehicles related to the construction of a fiber optic network in the City of Fernie.
2. BYLAWS
2.1 Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2276 following statutory approval by the Ministry Council adopted Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2276.
DCC Bylaw No. 2276 offers the option of paying for DCCs at time of building permit issuance as opposed to at time of subdivision approval on single detached housing, DCC cash flows will likely be deferred which could result in growth related infrastructure projects being delayed. Alternatively, developers may be required to frontend the cost of development related projects if DCC reserves are insufficient at the time construction of the project is required to accommodate new development.
2.2 Bylaw No. 2273 Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2231, 2014, Amendment No. 2, Bylaw No. 2273, 2015. Council gave first and second reading and referral to a public hearing.
During the preparation of proposed Bylaw No. 2273, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources (FLNR) was consulted regarding the definition of “Watercourse protection area”. The FLNR official agreed with the revision that would have the watercourse width measured perpendicularly either from 15 metres or 30 metres measured (depending on the watercourse) from the natural boundary of a stream rather from the top of bank.
The Engineering Department noted that the Steep Slope policies included in proposed Bylaw No. 2273 provided more clarity when reviewing development applications. The Building Official noted that the Steep Slope policies included in proposed Bylaw No. 2273
are an improvement to the current OCP policies? The Building Official recommended that a “natural boundary” of a watercourse be determined by a registered professional in the province.
3. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3.1 2015 Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade Project Tender Award. Report from the Director of Operations Council approved an increase to the budget for the 2015 Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade Project of $52,000 to $1,552,000 to be funded from Sewer Reserve as well, awarded the 2015 Sewer Treatment Plant Upgrades Project be awarded to Cumming Construction Ltd. for the tender price of $1,269,000.00 exclusive of GST.
3.2 Request for Use of the City’s Portable Stage in support of Fernival Concert at Fernie Alpine Resort. Council directed staff to proceed with rental of the City’s portable stage to Resorts of Canadian Rockies Fernie Alpine Resort in support of their Fernival Community Concert as per the request attached to the report for the rental fee specified by Council subject to amendment of Leisure Services User Regulation and Fees Bylaw No. 2056 to include the fee.
3.3 Letter from Emergency Management BC. re: Invitation to attend a Seniors Elected Officials Workshop Council authorized any member of Council and Senior Staff to the Elected Officials Workshop to be held in Cranbrook, on June 16, 2015.
3.4 Ministry of Community , Sport and Cultural Development re: Restructure Implementation (Planning) Grant announcement (West Fernie) Restructure Project Council will forward a letter of thanks to Minister Coralee Oakes for the recently issued grant in the amount of $50,000 to facilitate work the City will be undertaking for the implementation of the City of Fernie (West Fernie) Restructure Project.
3.5 Invitation to Food Franchises along Highway #3 Council recently spoke with the owner of the local McDonalds Restaurant regarding the possibility of an extension of hours to assist the needs of citizens within our community. Council authorized staff to extend an invitation to the owners of Subway, A & W, Dairy Queen and Tim Hortons to attend an upcoming Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss with them the possibility of an extension of hours regarding their franchises.

4. UPCOMING MEETINGS AND OTHER NEWS
4.1 Upcoming Meetings of Council:
– Monday, March 30 at 10:00am – Special Meeting
– Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 7:00pm
2015/2016 CBT Community Initiatives & Affected Areas Programs – Grant Applications
– Monday, April 13, 2015 at 10:00am & 7:00pm, Committee of the Whole @ 10:00am, Regular Meeting of Council @ 7:00pm
Public Hearings:
– Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, Amendment Bylaw No. 173, Bylaw No. 2266, 2014 for 521-5th Avenue
– Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, Amendment Bylaw No. 176, Bylaw No. 2275, 2015 for 1301-10th Avenue
– Bylaw No. 2273, Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2231, 2014, Amendment No. 2, Bylaw No. 2273, 2015
Informal Hearings:
– Development Variance Permit No. 323 – 32 Mt. Trinity
– Temporary Use Permit Application No. TUP- 001 – 1492 Highway No. 3
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.
4.2 The Fernie Leisure Services Spring Registration Fair will be held at the Fernie Community Centre, 901 – 6th Avenue / April 1 & 2, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:30pm.  Register for a number of different community programs, sport groups and more. If you are an organizer for your community or sport group please contact Leisure Services at 250 423.2245 or email sharon.switzer@fernie.ca to book your Free Registration Table.
4.3 Summer and Other Job Postings A number of employment positions are currently available at the City of Fernie including fulltime, summer and temporary/casual positions.  Please visit our Job Opportunities page for full job descriptions, qualifications, duties and details on closing dates and application methods.
4.4 2015 Climate Action Revenue Incentive (CARIP) Report has been released.  This survey reports on actions taken by the municipality to reduce GHG emissions and create a more complete, compact and energy efficient community.  The report includes areas of improvement such as buildings, lighting, water efficiency, research and analysis, etc.
4.5 Facility Lighting Review and Upgrade RFP The Request for Proposals for the Facility Lighting Review and Upgrades project closes March 31, 2015 at 4:00pm. 
For details and links download: 2015-03-23 Council Connection