A presentation about the Success by Six program at the Feb. 23 regular town council meeting might lead to more financial support.
Following a PowerPoint presentation by Ellie Reynolds, co-ordinator of Valley Community Services’ Creston Valley Early Years team, Regional District of Central Kootenay Area C director Larry Binks, who was in the gallery, invited her to apply to rural directors for additional funding.
“I invite you to a Creston Valley Services Committee meeting to make your presentation,” Binks said. “More funding might enable you to add services while not taking away from others.”
Council Briefs
•Council approved the closure of some streets for the fifth annual Just “Tri” It triathlon, which will be held on June 16.
•A letter of support will be provided to the Ripple Ridge Recreation Association, which is planning to expand the cabin on Kootenay Pass, which is currently heavily booked throughout the year.
•An application was approved for Columbia Basin Trust funds to help pay for a sidewalk on Railway Boulevard that will improve pedestrian and mobility scooter traffic movement between Northwest Boulevard and the west end of Canyon Street.
•A letter from the Ministry of State for Emergency Preparedness seeking input into the future of the Emergency Program Act was received for information.
•Council approved a staff recommendation to close the dog park in March and April to help prevent damage to the surface during the typically wet spring weather.
•Council consulted by telephone with an advisor about what steps should be undertaken if it decides to move forward a plan to construct a new fire hall. The consultant, Kimberley Johnston, outlined a process that would include public involvement and input throughout planning stages and into a referendum.
“Really it is always best practice to make sure the public is as informed as possible,” Johnston said.
Including the public in everything from site selection and building orientation and design to sustainability is important, she said.
“Being open and bringing the public into the process is advantageous to engaging them in the issue,” she said.
Also, she said, input from the public and user groups helps a cost estimator to come up with accurate cost projections in a process that can take a year or more to start after a successful referendum.
“Public process is a really interesting part of a project,” she said. “It’s like showing your work in high school math. How you arrive at the answer is as important as getting it right.”