1) Development Variance Permit Approved
After fulfilling the mandatory notice requirements and providing an opportunity for input from the public, Council approved the issuance of Development Variance Permit (DVP) #181 which applies to the property located at 522 – 11th Avenue. No verbal or written comments from the public were received.
Due to the irregular shape of the lot with its 30 foot front parcel line along 5th Street and 66 foot rear parcel line, the variance to the minimum side yard setback on 11th Avenue and the rear yard setback adjacent to the property located at 542 11th Avenue was requested to allow an adequately sized building envelope on the lot for the proposed dwelling. The single family dwelling will be sited towards the wider north side of the lot. The proposed side yard setback will mimic the setbacks of other buildings along 11th Avenue to the north.
2) DMO Funds Released
The Fernie Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) was registered as a non-profit society on November 30, 2007 and has commenced operation. City Council budgeted seed funding to the Fernie DMO in the amount of $50,000 in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 in its Five Year Financial Plan.
The Fernie DMO was incorporated to execute cost-effective, strategic marketing initiatives promoting Fernie and the surrounding area as a premier resort and recreational destination and will be an important contributor to the further growth and development of Fernie’s tourism economy.
The City of Fernie supported and facilitated the creation of the Fernie DMO and used City funds to defray associated expenses on the understanding that once formed, the DMO would reimburse the City for those expenses. To date, the City has paid $99,145.14 in expenses and received $56,196.42 in revenue from industry contributions and UBCM Community Tourism Funds (City and RDEK allocations) leaving a balance of $42,948.72 to be repaid to the City. On March 28th the Fernie DMO submitted an invoice requesting the City’s 2007 and 2008 seed funding contributions (totaling $100,000) less outstanding expenses. Council approved payment of the DMO invoice in the amount of $57,051.28.
3) Fernie Hotel Liquor Licence Application Proceeds
The Fernie Hotel has applied to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) for two changes to their Liquor Primary Licence. One of the changes is to increase the interior person capacity from 160 to 173 while the other change is for the addition of a 36-seat outdoor patio on the north side of the building.
The City of Fernie now has the opportunity to provide its comments to the LCLB on the proposed changes. The next stage in the application process is for the City to conduct a site and community assessment of the proposed liquor licence changes. The City will now begin the process of gathering the views of residents and considering the potential for noise and the impact on the community.
Public notice of the Fernie Hotel’s proposals will be given and a public hearing on the proposed changes is tentatively scheduled to take place at the May 26, 2008 Regular Council meeting.
4) Boundary Adjustment Process Proceeding
On April 7, 2008 the City received notification from the Ministry of Community Services stating that a certified Council resolution asking the Minister to implement the requested boundary extension of 159.9 acres of land owned by Tembec Industries Inc. to the south of the City along Cokato Road was required to allow the annexation process to continue.
The notification also stated that a second certified Council resolution was required in order to allow the removal of 311.1 acres of land from City boundaries in the southeast corner of the City from a portion of the same parcel owned by Tembec, to proceed.
Council passed a resolution requesting the Minister to extend the boundary as requested and further, to reduce the boundary as requested noting that all public notice and other legal requirements contained in sections 20 and 26 of the Local Government Act (Act) have been met.
The Ministry indicated that once a copy of the certified Council resolution has been submitted, the letters patent and other required documentation would be prepared. It is anticipated that the boundary amendment proposals will proceed to Cabinet for consideration by June 30, 2008.
5) Council’s Comments on CBM Finalized
In a letter to the City of Fernie dated February 20, 2008, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources requested the City’s comments by April 21, 2008 on a proposal by BP Canada Energy Company and Elk Valley Coal Partnership to obtain petroleum and natural gas rights for the exploration of coalbed methane (CBM) gas in the Crowsnest Coalfield.
After hearing from the community on the matter at a public meeting held April 7, 2008 at the Community Centre and through the submission of written comments, Council formed its comments by way of a resolution which it will submit to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the Premier’s Office.
The resolution acknowledges, amongst other things, that the people of Fernie have expressed their overwhelming objection to the granting of tenure to BP Canada for the exploration of Coal Bed Methane, that BP Canada has failed to demonstrate a willingness to work with the community in a transparent manner, there are considerable unknowns with respect to the impacts on the environment, the economy and the human community of the Elk Valley and that the Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas has indicated that Coal Bed Gas development has never been conducted in a rugged, mountainous, geologically fractured environment such as the Crowsnest Coalfield.
Council’s resolution further states that the City of Fernie feels that Coal Bed Gas development is inconsistent with the leadership position of the Province with respect to the environment and climate change and will impact the Fernie area’s ability to grow the tourism economy and support the Province’s stated objectives of doubling tourism revenue by 2015.
Council’s resolutin states that the City of Fernie expresses its opposition to the granting of tenure to BP Canada and that the Province of British Columbia be requested to deny tenure to BP Canada for the exploration of Coal Bed Methane in the Crowsnest Coalfield and that should the Province disregard the objections of the City of Fernie and its citizens, that BP Canada be instructed to consult with the City of Fernie and the citizens of Fernie and interested parties to agree to appropriate terms and conditions for all phases of Coal Bed Gas exploration and development in the Crowsnest Coalfield.
6) Tax Sharing Agreement Bylaw Read 3 Times
Council gave three readings to its Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement Authorization Bylaw No. 2066, 2008. The Bylaw will authorize the City of Fernie to enter into the Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement with the Elk Valley Coal Corporation. The Districts of Elkford, Sparwood and the Regional District of East Kootenay’s (RDEK) Electoral Area “A” have also agreed to the terms of the new Agreement.
The new Agreement replaces the Elk Valley Industrial Tax Base Sharing Agreement which was entered into in 1982 and provided revenue to the above-noted local governments. Under the former agreement the amount of revenue provided was frozen in 1991 until 2007. The City of Fernie received $2.25 million in 2007 but will receive $2.6 million in 2008 under the new Agreement.
The new Agreement also includes an inflation adjustment factor that will increase taxes levied on Elk Valley mines which will ensure that the property tax revenue contributed to the Parties to the Agreement will keep pace with other property class contributions and local government revenue requirements.
Furthermore, as a result of the new Agreement, Area “A” will contribute $80,000 annually of its share of the funds to the City of Fernie in recognition of municipal services provided by the City to Area “A” residents from 2008 through 2012. If the proposed revisions to the Fernie Rural Fire Protection agreement presently being negotiated with the RDEK are agreed upon, Area “A” will also contribute up to an additional $100,000 per year for five years to the City of Fernie for a water tender and expansion of the City of Fernie Fire Hall from its share of the Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement. The revised Fernie Rural Fire Protection agreement would provide fire protection services to Fernie Alpine Resort, West Fernie, Anderson Road and properties around and south of Vanlerberg Road and Cokato Road.
7) Council Requests BC Transit to use Biodiesel
Council is sending a letter to BC Transit requesting BC Transit to use Biodiesel fuel in vehicles operating as part of the Elk Valley Transit system. The District of Elkford recently made a similar request to BC Transit.
8) BCAS to be Invited to City of Fernie
In response to a letter to Council from the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) regarding BCAS’s commitment to providing emergency services to the residents of Fernie, Council will invite Mr. Larry Jackson, Executive Director for the BCAS Interior Region to attend a meeting of Council or Committee of the Whole. Council is interested in having a discussion about the provision of ambulance service in Fernie and the Elk Valley.