1) Bear Hazard Assessment and Bear Human Conflict Management Plan
Ms. Kathy Murray, Bear Aware Coordinator was in attendance and reviewed a Bear Hazard Assessment and Bear Human Conflict Management Plan. The principle behind achieving “Bear Smart” status is to move from reactive management to ‘problem’ bear behaviour to applying a proactive, community planning approach.
2) 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
The City of Fernie received an $8,000 grant from the Provincial Government to offset the costs of hosting the Olympic Torch relay planned for Saturday, January 23, 2010. The torch will arrive in Fernie at approx. 8:00 a.m. There will be a multimedia presentation and presentation of the Torch at City Hall. Please see the City Website for additional information. www.fernie.ca
3) Canadian Avalanche Centre
That Council become a partner with the Canadian Avalanche Centre and provide up to $5,000.00 towards supporting Fernie Youth Avalanche Education for grades 1 – 12. The City Fernie will also be contacting the Canadian Avalanche Centre requesting a small area forecast product for the Elk Valley.
4) Fernie & Area Resort Development Strategy Funding for Winter Grooming
The Fernie and Area Resort Development Strategy allocates
$ 20,000 each year for winter grooming to local non-profit community groups for trail grooming. The Fernie Nordic Society and the Fernie Snowmobile Association were approved to each receive $10,000 for the 2009/10 season.
5) Design and Development of New City Website
Council awarded the contract for the design and development of a new City Website to Atomic Crayon Web Development Ltd. at a contract Price of $44,330 + GST and reasonable travel expense.
6) Columbia Basin Water Smart Initiative (Water Smart)
The Columbia Basin Water Smart Initiative is working to establish a comprehensive approach that aims to achieve a 20% Basin-wide reduction in domestic water consumption by 2015. Council endorsed their support of the Charter.
7) Bylaws
Bylaw 2113, cited as Sewer Connection and User Charge Amendment Bylaw No. 6, 2009 was granted first three readings. This bylaw is before Council on December 14, and once adopted, will set new user charges for 2010-2014 which will enable the Operations Department to ensure long term sustainability of the sanitary sewer system.
Bylaw No. 2114 cited as 2009 – 2013 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2114
At the August 24, 2009 Regular Meeting Council gave direction to staff to prepare a Bylaw amendment to the 2009-2013 Financial Plan to include the expenditure of $ 15,093.00 to refund Teck Coal Ltd. the City of Fernie’s proportionate share of property tax that was paid to the province in 2008 that would not have otherwise been paid if boundary extensions in Sparwood and Elkford had been completed in the year intended.
Council gave three readings to this Bylaw amendment.
Council will also advise the Provincial Government (Minister Bennett) of the City of Fernie amending its Financial Plan to refund Teck Coal Ltd. taxes paid to the Province.
7) Fernie Tourism
Council will be contacting Fernie Tourism to put forth the recommendation that Councillor Palmer be considered for appointed to its Marketing Committee.
8. George Majic Spiritus Award – 2009
Congratulations to Mr. Vern McGarrigle this year’s recipient of the 2009 George Majic Spiritus Award.
9) Infrastructure Funding Awarded
Fernie has been awarded $10,000 from the Ministry of Community and Rural Development for their Liquid Waste Management Plan Stage 2 which aims to establish a long-term direction for the safe and environmentally sustainable collection, treatment, discharge of municipal sewage for the City of Fernie.
