Council approved a Town of Creston boundary redefinition following lengthy discussions with the province.
The town boundary to the south on Erickson Road now moves to the north side of the road from its previous line near the centre of the road. A preliminary agreement was the basis for the Ministry of Highways repaving project in 2014.
In return, the Town of Creston assumes responsibility for the maintenance of Ash Road’s north side.
“There is no net gain or loss of land,” planner Jamai Schiele said.
Council Briefs
•A letter of support will be sent for Kootenay Employment Services’ launch of Tech Central, a technology hub for the Creston Valley.
•Following consultation with the Lower Kootenay Band, a $200 donation was made to the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society towards its BC Without Barriers campaign.
•The expansion of the Coffee Talk program — in which Mayor Ron Toyota, town staff and others have a coffee house question-and-answer session with the public — that was established by the previous council was referred to committee of the whole for discussion.
•Council was provided with a schedule for dealing with Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives 2015 grant applications. The deadline for applications has now passed and they are being vetted by the Regional District of Central Kootenay to ensure they meet the program’s criteria. A public meeting will be scheduled for April 24, at which time applicants can attend to answer any questions council might have. The final recommendations will be approved on April 28. Council will request to see grant decisions made by Areas A, B and C before it makes its final recommendations.
•Discretionary grants for $500 each were approved for the minor hockey midget team to assist with costs to attend the Tier 4 provincial championships in Clearwater, and for the East Kootenay Volleyball Club girls’ under-17 team to assist with participation expenses in provincial and national tournaments in Calgary.
•A request for a discretionary grant for the BC Seniors Games’ East Kootenay Zone did not receive support.
“I’m in favour of supporting youth teams, but when you are over 55 you can pay your own way,” said Coun. Jim Elford.
•Membership dues of $3,515.96 for the BC Union of Municipalities were approved for payment.
•The temporary closure of Hillside Street from 16th to 20th Avenue was approved for the June 6 annual Just Tri It triathlon.
•Discussions about extended health care benefits and mayor and councillor remuneration were referred to committee of the whole. Both Mayor Ron Toyota and former mayor and current councillor Joe Snopek said they supported any adjustment to remunerations put in place for the next council, not the present one.