Arne Petryshen
Cranbrook city council had its inaugural meeting Dec. 8.
A brand new mayor and council were sworn in as representatives of Cranbrook.
Mayor Lee Pratt joined councillors Tom Shypitka, Wesly Graham, Ron Popoff, Norma Blissett, Isaac Hockley and Danielle Cardozo.
Mayor Lee Pratt said the new council are there to represent the citizens of Cranbrook.
“I fully support openness and transparency at city hall," Pratt said. "If you have any questions or concerns regarding city affairs, please do not hesitate to call my office.”
Pratt said he and the new council shares the outlook of change that residents voted for.
“We want to see growth and prosperity in all areas of Cranbrook — growth in population and growth in jobs that will keep our youth here once they finish their education," he said. "We want them to raise their families here and remain closer to their parents and grandparents.”
Pratt said to achieve those goals they would need to work with the Regional District of East Kootenay, Columbia Basin Trust, College of the Rockies, the Ktunaxa Nation, MLA Bill Bennett and MP David Wilks, as well as the Downtown Businesses Association, the Chamber of Commerce and all the existing businesses.
Monday night’s agenda included setting meeting dates for the year and appointing the Acting Mayors.
Members of council were appointed to city committees — as well as other organizations — and regional committees.
The committee appointments run from now until the next organizational meeting in December 2015.
Coun. Wes Graham and Coun. Ron Popoff were appointed as non-voting members of the Advisory Planning Commission.
Coun. Tom Shypitka and Coun. Isaac Hockley were appointed to the Cranbrook in Motion Committee.
Coun. Norma Blissett will represent council at the Cranbrook Public Library Board.
Coun. Danielle Cardozo and Popoff were appointed to the Family and Community Services Committee.
Hockley and Graham will represent council at the Urban Deer Management Advisory Committee.
Cardozo was appointed as representative of council to the Wellness and Heritage Committee.
Mayor Lee Pratt was appointed as chair of the Personnel Committee, which will also now be a Committee of the Whole.
Blissett was appointed as representative of council to the Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Foundation.
Pratt was appointed as representative to the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce.
Popoff will represent the city at the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Advisory Committee, and Pratt as alternate.
Pratt and Shypitka will represent the city at the Regional District of East Kootenay Board and Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board. Graham and Popoff are alternates.
Pratt and Shypika will also represent the city at the East Kootany Hospital District Board, with Popoff and Graham as alternates there as well.
Council will dive into the city budget starting on the next meeting, Jan. 5.
The meeting also set the dates for the next year of meetings: They are Jan. 5, Jan. 19, Feb. 2, Feb. 23, March 9, March 23, April 13, April 27, May 11, May 25, June 8, June 22, July 13, Aug. 17, Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Nov. 2, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7.