Transition Plan in Place for CAO
The RDEK Board of Directors has announced they have selected a new Chief Administrative Officer to replace current CAO Lee-Ann Crane when she retires later this year. Current RDEK Chief Financial Officer Shawn Tomlin will assume the role of CAO following Crane’s retirement in June. She has been CAO of the Regional District for over 18 years and has been an RDEK employee for almost 37 years. Tomlin has been with the RDEK for 13 years and has been CFO for nine. The RDEK will begin recruiting for a new Chief Financial Officer this week.

CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs
The RDEK will continue to administer the CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs for 2016/2017. Application forms are now available and will be accepted until February 15, 2016 at 9:00am. For more information, visit the RDEK’s website.

ALR Delegated Decision Making Agreements for Areas A
The Board received a letter from the Agricultural Land Commission concerning the framework for negotiating new delegated decision-making agreements and passed a resolution to proceed with the negotiation of new agreements for ALR subdivision and non-farm use applications in Electoral Areas A and E. The RDEK has previously had such agreements with the Commission but those agreements had both expired.

Tomlin Appointed to Fernie Working Group
CFO Shawn Tomlin has been appointed to represent the RDEK on the City of Fernie Resort Development Strategy Advisory Working Group for the term ending on December 31, 2017.

Discretionary Grants in Aid (DGIA)
The BC Conservation Foundation WildSafe BC Program—Elk Valley & South Country will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account and $500 from the Electoral Area B DGIA account for its 2016 Program.

Nominate a Volunteer of the Year!
Nomination forms are now available for the 2016 Electoral Area Volunteer of the Year. Nominees must be a resident of an Electoral Area and make voluntary contributions to their community. Read more.

Public Hearings:
Tuesday, January 26, 2016—7:00pm
Fernie Family Centre 521—4th Avenue, Fernie
Bylaw No. 2657—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2532, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2015 (Cunliffe Rd. / Tomlinson)
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Bylaw No. 2658—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 79, 2015 (Cunliffe Rd. / Tomlinson)