• #1 – Council Supports Proposed Plan – A proposed Urban Systems Ltd. Work Plan and application for funding in the amount of $5000 under the Gas Tax Agreement’s General Strategic Priorities or Innovations Fund to conduct a Community Assessment to assess the City’s readiness to engage in integrated community sustainability planning, was approved. The Plan will review current plans and capacity relative to community sustainability, conduct an analysis regarding community sustainability and prepare a community sustainability scoping paper that will create a framework for defining future sustainability plans and projects. The project does not commit the City to further action but will form the basis for future sustainability activities.
• #2 – Council Approves New Policies – A new Council Remuneration and Expense Reimbursement Policy was approved which reflects the changes to Council’s annual remuneration that were recommended by the Council Remuneration and Review Committee and subsequently approved at the April 23, 2007 Council meeting. Council Remuneration was formerly set by bylaw but recent legislative changes allow this to be established by resolution. Council also approved a new Employee and Officer Expense Policy. The objective of the two new policies is to establish the parameters under which expenses incurred by Council and staff when acting on behalf of City of Fernie may be claimed for reimbursement. Both policies confirm increases from 39¢ to 45¢ per kilometer payable when a private vehicle is used for City business outside of the City of Fernie. In addition to this, the policies reconfirm previously established meal per diems, accommodation guidelines, event registration procedures, travel advances, other expenses and non-allowable expenses.
• #3 – Borrowing Bylaw Adopted – Sewer Treatment Plant Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2047, 2007 was adopted, thereby giving the City of Fernie the green light to proceed with borrowing up to $800,000 for improvement works to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Bylaw required approval of the electors by way of the Alternative Approval Process which means that if less than 10% of the number of electors of the area to which the approval process applies respond, Council may adopt the Bylaw. Electors had a one month window to express opposition to the proposed Bylaw. No responses were received.
• #4 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Tender Awarded – Council awarded the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion – 2007 Civil and Earthworks (Phase 1) Contract to Fernie Contractors Ltd. in the amount of $2.85 million. The Ministry of Community Services will contribute up to $2.46 million toward the three phases of this project through the BC Community Water Improvement Program.
• #5 – Appointments Made to the Liquid Waste Management Plan Steering Committee – Council has appointed Mayor Macnair, Councillor Giuliano and Councillor McSkimming as Council representatives for the Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) – Steering Committee. Completion of a LWMP will provide the City with solutions to problems related to hydraulic capacity as well as provide a holistic approach for a long-term plan for the safe and sustainable treatment and disposal of sewage. The first LWMP meeting is scheduled for June 5th at 1:00 p.m. and will include the Steering Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee and the Public Advisory Committee. Members of the public who are interested in sitting on the Public Advisory Committee are asked to contact Dave Cockwell, Director of Operations @ 423-2230.
• #6 – Fernie Judo Club Seeks Suitable Location – In a letter to Council the Fernie Judo Club indicated a desire to use the basement of the Curling Club and requested financial assistance to prepare the basement so that it is suitable for Judo Club use. As funds for this request were not included in the annual budget, the City plans to meet with Judo Club representatives to gather more information and explore options.
• #7 – Council Members to Attend Fernie Secondary Recognition Ceremonies – A letter from the Fernie Secondary School, Office of the Principal was received requesting a representative from the City be present when the City of Fernie Scholarship is awarded. Councillors McSkimming and Thomas plan to attend the ceremonies scheduled for Friday, June 29, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fernie Memorial Arena.
• #8 – Volunteers Urgently Needed – Sarah Thomas, Community Development Facilitator appeared before Council to provide an overview of her role with the Interior Health Authority. Ms. Thomas explained that a new delivery model for the “Meals on Wheels” program and new volunteers for this important program are urgently needed. She also asked for one member of Council to be appointed to work with her on establishing the best bus routes and stops for bus service between Elk Valley communities which should be up and running by 2008. Ms. Thomas would also like to hear from members of the public who are interested in providing their input on the proposed bus service. She can be contacted at 425-6212.