Fernie is covered with a blanket of soft white and it looks gorgeous. A perfect day for checking out the Craft Fair at the Community Center where I purchased the most adorable handmade wooden horse and buggy by Fernie resident Ted Ashmore and a teapot arrangement by master crafter Mary Pisoni. There are always so many beautiful crafts to choose from that I always find it hard to walk away empty handed as well baking, honey, and fresh Creston fruit was difficult to resist.

After the craft fair my husband and I took in the United Church Tea. There was a festive mood to the room with tables dressed in red linens and colourful centrepieces. Long tables were filled with an astonishing assortment of fresh cookies for the Church’s annual Cookie Walk. Fifteen dollars gets you a plastic glove and a large container that you can fill to the brim with whatever dainties catch your fancy.

Now let me tell you a little of what has been going on at Council. GPI Chartered Accountants have been appointed the City’s municipal auditors for five years, a 2014 Wheel Loader has been ordered and the City is modifying an agreement that will eliminate the requirement to construct an eighteen hole golf course at Coal Creek. Established golf courses struggle these days, finding interest and funding to build new ones is very challenging; one only has to look towards our neighbouring communities to see that this is true. Council recognizes that but with the future in mind Council has ensured that the lands set aside for a golf course will be retained for that specific use when the situation changes.

After much research by staff Council has finally authorized the purchase of appropriate audio/video equipment so that council meetings can be televised.

The beautification committee has met with Hal Anderson of South East Disposal and Neil Cook of Waste Management to discuss painting of the large dumpsters in order to make our town look more attractive. More about this initiative will come forward this spring when the call for artists goes out. I want to thank Courtney Baker of the Arts Station, Vanessa Croome of the Fernie Fix, Gail Adams of the Beatification committee and Julie Comette of the Royal for joining me in this endeavour by forming a subcommittee to work on this project.

I have been asked to address the water turbidity notices put out by the City. Our water system relies on Fairy Creek spring as the main source for Fernie and West Fernie. A structure directs chlorinated water into a pipeline that goes into homes. Turbidity levels are measured regularly on a daily basis and when it is FAIR: it means turbidity levels are higher than 1 NTU, Children, seniors, people with weakened immune system are advised to drink boiled water or a safe alternative. POOR; means turbidity has exceeded 5 NTU’s and everyone is told to drink boiled water or a safe alternative. NTU stands for nephelometric turbidity units. Turbidity is caused by fine suspended particles of organic and other microscopic matter picked up by the water as it passes through the watershed. The City is developing wells at James White Park so that this problem of turbidity can be solved. To accomplish bringing the wells online the budget includes 2.6 million to be spent in 2013 and 2014 that includes cost of crossing the river that was done two years ago as part of setting the community up with two pressure zones, one for low neighbourhoods such as the Annex, Mountview, Maintown and one for the high neighbourhoods such as Ridgemont, Castle Mountain and Parkland Terrace. This may sound costly but the alternative is a water treatment plant for Fairy Creek that could cost between 7to10 million or more. Fairy Creek will always be the main source however when the turbidity levels are high it will be possible to switch over to the wells once functional. I understand the inconvenience and ensuing problems for businesses when turbidity levels are high however safety is paramount for residents and visitors. It is expected that having another source of water will prevent turbidity notices.

Another issue I would like to address is the amendment to the partnering agreement with Veneto Place Properties. First some background. The City has been part of all affordable housing in town by providing assistance in some form. When this project came forward Council and mayor of the day approved $338,000 and with a partnership that included BC Housing 45 units were created, a number for rent and some for sale. The rentals filled quickly but home ownership had two sales in the past years since this project was completed. There are a number of reasons that could have contributed to this lack of interest one being the covenant placed on sale restricting the ability to resale at a profit. Others that did look at the units were dissatisfied with lack of elevator and communal laundry. The covenant is now being changed to make the units more saleable however the covenant still restricts who is eligible, has an income threshold and requires that buyers must be the residents for two years before they can resell the unit. This is a solution presented by BC Housing in order to keep the units still in the affordable range. At last council meeting a motion was passed, “Following the review of the correspondence received from Cindy Corrigan and Ian Bradburn, and the presentation made by delegation Gayle Vallance, on behalf of Fernie Family Housing Society, Council approved the draft Amendment to the Partnering agreement to delete the requirement for repayment of 2/45 of the $338,165.80 contribution to the City upon discharge of the 10 year AHO covenant for each strata lot where it is proposed to be discharged and substitute with a requirement that upon the sale of the a strata lot subject to the replacement BC Housing Covenant, the City shall be provided with a copy of the Vendor’s statement of Adjustments in relation to such a sale and shall pay to the City 50% of the net proceeds (as defined in the Amendment) resulting from such a sale.”
When this project was begun it was hoped to be a success, the rental section is indeed a huge success and with the home ownership units being used as rental until they sell a niche has been filled that is needed here. It should be pointed out that although the City has invested the above amount it has also gained development cost charges ($312,000), taxes, permit costs and finished roads going into and out of Veneto. But most of all it has provided housing rental for many people including seniors and those with disabilities.

As usual the month has passed filled with meetings on a variety of topics. I welcome feedback from everyone regarding decisions made by Council. Negative and positive remarks are appreciated because it is through those that Council hears other points of view. Every decision made by Council is arrived at with much thought and discussion for the good of the whole despite opinions to the contrary.