10-Year Service Award
RDEK Planning Technician Jean Terpsma was recognized for her 10-years of service in the Planning and Development Services Department.
New OCP Process to Begin for Toby Benches
The Board has authorized staff to proceed with the preparation of a new Official Community Plan for the Toby Benches area west of Invermere. The planning process is expected to take about one year to complete and will include a variety of opportunities for residents and landowners to share and discuss their ideas for the future of the area.
Seeking Funding for West Fernie Project—Phase 2
The RDEK will be submitting two separate applications for funding for the West Fernie Servicing and Restructure Project—Phase 2. Applications will be submitted under the Building Canada Fund Program and the Federal Gas Tax Fund Strategic Priorities Fund.
Applications to be Submitted for Fairmont
The RDEK will support the Fairmont Hot Springs (FHS)Utilities application for funding through the Building Canada Fund for a groundwater source development program for the benefit of their private community water system subject to there being no requirement for the RDEK to take over the water system or any component of the system should the application be successful. If the conditions of the FHS Utilities application cannot be met, the RDEK will make application to the Fund for the Fairmont Creek Upstream Mitigation Phase 2 and 3 project.
ESS Coordinator for Central Subregion Emergency Program
An Agreement has been signed with Bev Middlebrook for coordination of the Emergency Social Services Program for the Central Subregion Emergency Program for the term January 12, 2015 to December 31, 2016.
In Support of Broadband
A letter will be sent to FlexiNET, Tough Country Communications, Wink Wireless, and Yahk Area Communications Society for their applications to the Connecting Canadians program, indicating an intent to provide a contribution of up to 17.5% towards their proposed broadband infrastructure projects, subject to:
Written commitment to provide 15% of the capital costs of the project;
Receipt of confirmation of commitments from Industry Canada to provide 50% of the capital as requested from the Connecting Canadians program;
Establishment of a regional district service, which will require approval of the electors within the area(s) affected by the project; and,
The Regional District and ISP entering into a partnering agreement which will set out the terms and conditions of the funding.
In addition, the RDEK will send a letter to the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation indicating that the RDEK has unused strands of fibre optic cable available in its Columbia Valley fibre optic backbone and is interested in making them available for the provision of improved internet connectivity in the Columbia Valley; and further that the RDEK supports the CBBC application for funding to the Connecting Canadians component of the Digital Canada 150 Strategy.
Submitted by the Regional District of East Kootenay