Rachael Lesosky
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Five community groups will receive grants from the Community Development Program. Adjudication was tabled last council meeting so that applicants could provide presentations to council.
Arrow Lakes Search and Rescue (ALSAR) will receive $2,000 to purchase uniforms for members. Uniforms will be weather-proof with ALSAR identification to increase responder safety, efficiency, and team cohesion.
The Nakusp Mixed Slow Pitch Society will receive $10,000 towards upgrading the electrical service for the Nakusp ball field, along with upgrading the field lights to LEDs. The total cost of the project is $40,000.
The Arrow Lakes Caribou Society will receive $2,000 to create a short documentary video about the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen. The documentary will help broaden public understanding of how the maternity pen can increase caribou herd population growth.
Arrow Lakes Fine Arts Guild Society will receive $6,040 for a series of three art workshops on oil painting, acrylic pour painting, and watercolour painting. The funds will pay for instructor fees, art supplies, advertising, venue rental, and travels fees for out-of-town instructors.
The Arrow Lakes Historical Society will receive $3,000 to update and reprint brochures. Along with outlining the society’s services, the brochures will also feature a self-guided walking tour of buildings and sites in Nakusp. The update will add five new buildings to the tour, and some other sites of interest.
Sports complex committee terms of reference
The terms of reference for the Nakusp and District Sports Complex Usage Committee were accepted by council.
“The Committee’s purpose is to engage with the public and stakeholders to determine ways to increase usage in the Nakusp and District Sports Complex,” the terms state.
The committee will be disbanded once it presents its report to council with its findings.
Committee members will include two councillors, one RDCK board member, and six community members. A broad spectrum of recreational activities will be represented on the committee.
Councillor McLaren-Caux asked about the staff time needed to support the committee. CAO Robinson explained that the hours of the Recreation Clerk position are being increased from three to five days a week. The Rec Clerk will work with the committee using that extra time. The Rec Clerk position is funded by the COVID-19 Safe Restart grant, and has already been accounted for in the budget.
Workforce housing
The Upper Arrow Housing Society is looking for land for affordable housing, and approached council for help.
A letter from Corinne Tessier, president of the Nakusp & Area Development Board (NADB), asks the Village to approach the Province about leasing the Ministry of Forest’s properties at 113 and 115 6th Avenue NW, and the unused sections of 503 1st Avenue NW.
Mayor Tom Zeleznik said that the previous council had talked with the Province about these lots, but the lease opportunity fell through.
Council will seek more information.
New subdivision and development bylaw
Staff will begin drafting a new Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw, with a budget of up to $80,000. The current bylaw dates back to 1995, so council agreed it was time for an update.
The new bylaw will correct errors and integrate current engineering standards and best practices, known as Master Municipal Construction Documents (MMCD). The goal is to make it easier to use for both staff and developers.
Since the bylaw requires input and designs from civil engineers, it is costly to update. Luckily, the Village received $157,704 from the Province through the Capacity Funding for Local Government Housing Initiatives (CFLGHI). The funding supports local governments in meeting the new legislative requirements of Bills 44, 46, and 47, which relate to housing development and financing.
The Village’s Official Community Plan will also be updated with the funds. If council decides, funds may also go towards creating a Development Cost Charges bylaw.
Operating and capital budgets
Although council approved some minor changes to the 2024 draft operating budget, residents are still looking at a 10% tax increase over last year.
The operating budget is now sitting at $6,405,903. The general operating budget is $3,922,733; water is at $686,488; sewer is at $585,882; and the hot springs is at $1,210,800.
Council also approved changes to the 2024 capital budget. Of the total $3,892,415, the general capital budget is $1,348,827; water capital is $808,000; sewer capital is $1,323,538; and the hot springs capital budget is $412,050.
Council is set to give first, second, and third reading to the five-year financial plan, along with the tax rate bylaw, at its meeting on April 22. Adoption of both is set for the May 13 meeting.
The Village included information about the 2024 budget in the utility mailout, but no input was received from residents.
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