1. Agreement between RDEK and City of Fernie – Provision of building and plumbing inspection services on a temporary basis
Council authorized execution of an agreement between the above noted parties for the provision of building and plumbing services on an as required basis for vacation or other temporary relief for the City of Fernie. The term is from August 23, 2010 – August 22, 2015. The RDEK currently has similar agreements with Sparwood, Kimberley, Radium and Elkford.
2. 2010 – 2014 Five Year Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2139
On April 26, 2010 Council adopted the 2010 – 2014 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2129 which sets out the proposed expenditures, funding sources and transfers to or between each funds for each five year planning period.
Since Bylaw 2129 was adopted Council has directed or staff have requested the following financial plan amendments to accommodate expenditures that were unforeseen or the amounts undetermined at the time the budget was being deliberated:
a) Partnering Agreement – Veneto Affordable Housing Project
The expenditures summarized in year one of the 2010 – 2014 Financial Plan Bylaw No 2129 include a contribution to Veneto through a partnering agreement. The Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw proposes to modify the funding source of a portion of the contribution from the Land Development Reserve to the Accumulated Surplus.
b) Replacement of the Hot Tub Boiler at the Aquatic Centre
To coincide with ongoing work associated with the aquatic centre energy retrofit project, early replacement of the hot tub boiler is proposed. In addition to reducing the retrofit costs, an added benefit of the early replacement of the boiler is energy savings resulting from the new boiler being 93% efficient as compared to 69% for the existing unit.
c) Purchase and Installation of Window Blinds at City Hall
To replace blinds that were removed when new City Hall windows were installed.
d) Firefighter Wage & Benefit Adjustments
To reflect firefighter wage adjustments agreed to in the recently ratified collective agreement between the City of Fernie and I.A.F.F. Local 2827 covering the period from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011.
Further adjustments to correspond with a change in the way mobile equipment leases are now accounted for and to be consistent with accounting rule changes that require the calculation and recording of depreciation on tangible capital assets are also included in the financial plan bylaw amendment.
Council passed first three readings of Bylaw No. 2139.
3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Committee
Ms. Maren Esch was appointed to sit on the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Committee as the Chamber of Commerce representative.
4. Quick Start Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for Fernie
The Whistler Centre for Sustainability (WCS) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) have been working together to create an opportunity for small to medium sized BC communities to meaningfully initiate community sustainability planning efforts. The FCM has agreed, pending official approval of an application, to support 5 BC communities with a 50% grant (up to $25,000 contribution) to undertake a Quick Start Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) process.
Council approved the “Letter of Intent” to participate in the project for the development of sustainability strategy for Fernie. The City has allocated funding for OCP, Zoning, Subdivision and Development Servicing and Development Cost Charge bylaw reviews in its Five Year Financial Plan. The development of a sustainability plan should precede those reviews and serve to inform and integrate their amendments from a broad, holistic sustainability perspective.
5. Modification to an Easement Agreement
Council approved the modification to the Easement Agreement between the City and R.B. & D Holdings to allow for encroachments on 7th Avenue (Fas Gas – 601 Highway #3).
Previous plans to partially demolish the former Esso building were determined to be unsuitable as the load bearing walls were not structurally sound. Therefore the existing building had to be demolished to its foundation, resulting in a necessary amendment to the Easement Agreement.
6. Canadian Avalanche (CAC) Society
Council directed staff to forward a letter to the CAC in support of their grant application to the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch. If successful the grant would be used to enhance public avalanche warning services, increase youth education initiatives, deliver more outreach and awareness programs to snowmobilers, and help pay for basic operating of the program.
Further to this, letters will go out to the appropriate government agencies expressing concern that the CAC has to apply for gaming grants to provide this essential public safety service.
7. Small Water Systems Working Group
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Executive has approved a draft terms of reference for the establishment of a UBCM Small Water Systems Working Group. This group was established in response to ongoing local government concerns over the application of Drinking Water Protection Act and associated regulatory water quality standards to small water systems.
Council nominated the Director of Operational Services to participate on the Small Water Systems Working Group, subject to his acceptance.