Keeping Families in Rossland? 🏡
How do we keep families thriving in Rossland?
The Family Action Network is presenting their regional "Growing Up Here" initiative to City Council on September 15th - a plan to tackle childcare shortages, support working families, and strengthen our local economy.
👨👩👧👦 This isn't just about services - it's about keeping our community vibrant and sustainable for the next generation.
🌟 Family Action Network has supported Lower Columbia families for over a decade
📞 Operates family navigation services with 1-800 number for support
🎯 Runs Rossland Youth Action Network - engaged 250+ youth in 2024-25
💼 Childcare spaces exist but can't open due to staffing shortages
🚪 Some families report feeling disconnected and considering leaving the region
🤝 Seeking Rossland's partnership, not just funding - want our voice included
📋 Children's Charter - guide for family-friendly investment and community design
🏧 Family-Centered Planning Framework - tool to align infrastructure, workforce and services
📊 Family Impact Assessment Tool - helps councils evaluate how decisions affect economic participation
🌍 Regional Collaboration - bringing together municipalities, families, businesses and service providers
💰 Currently exploring funding options after initial program deemed ineligible
🎨 Goal: create tools that work for rural communities like Rossland
📅 September 15, 2025 - Council Meeting Heather Glenn-Dergousoff presents to Council
🗣️ How to Engage: • Attend the delegation (15 min + Q&A) • Contact: coordinator@familyactionnetwork.ca • Phone: 1-855-368-3707
🎆 Next: Council support could help shape regional family-friendly tools that strengthen Rossland's workforce.
Should City Support Senior Programs? 🎯
The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is asking City Council to support their federal grant application that would expand programs specifically designed for local seniors. 🏛️
This includes historical talks, workshops, community clubs, and even transportation services to help seniors access programming. The question: Should the City write a letter of support? 📝
🏛️ RMDC serves as Rossland's cultural and community hub
👥 Already hosts several seniors-focused programs including Rossland Recollections series
🎤 Runs Speaker Series and Senior's Workshop Series
💻 Offers both in-person and online resources
🤝 Benefits from senior volunteer contributions to programming
What Would Federal Funding Support? 💰
🚌 Transportation services - shuttles to and from RMDC events
📱 Enhanced digital and distance programming for accessibility
🤝 Strengthen social connections among seniors
What Would Federal Funding Support? 💰
🌱 Create volunteer opportunities and intergenerational exchange
🎯 Sustain and expand existing senior programming
Should the City support RMDC's federal grant application to expand senior programming and services?
How to Participate 📅
Next Steps:
- Council will decide on this support letter request
- RMDC would use city endorsement for their federal grant application
- Grant program: Employment and Social Development Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program
Your Voice Matters: Contact Council or attend meetings to share your thoughts on supporting local senior programming! 🗣️
💬 Better City Communication Coming?
Will Rossland finally fix its communication problems? 📢
Council is deciding whether to invest $75,000 in a new communications strategy that promises to make city information more timely, accessible, and engaging for residents.
The big question: Is this taxpayer investment worth it? 🤔
📊 Only 78% of residents read city email updates - many find them hard to understand
⏰ City information often isn't timely or accessible when residents need it
😟 City staff rated current communications just 3.4 out of 5 due to capacity issues
🔄 Council wants more proactive storytelling instead of reactive responses
📱 Residents struggle to find city information when they need it most
🔍 Build trust through transparency - clearer, more open city communications
🤝 Make engagement easy and two-way - residents can actually talk back to city
🏡 Celebrate Rossland's identity and build community pride
⚙️ Build internal capacity - staff training and better tools for consistency
Should Rossland invest $75,000 in better city communications, or are current methods good enough?
📅 Council Meeting: Monday, September 15, 2025
What happens next:
- If approved, hiring begins immediately for Communications Coordinator
- Website improvements targeted for Q2 2026
- New communication tools and training start right away
Have your say: Attend the meeting or contact Council before the vote! 🗣️
🚛 $345K Decision: New City Truck
Rossland City Council is deciding whether to spend $345,142 on a new dump truck that will handle your winter snow plowing and summer road maintenance.
This multi-purpose vehicle would replace a 15-year-old truck and improve the city's ability to keep roads clear and safe year-round. 🌨️❄️
Council meets to vote on this significant infrastructure investment.
🚛 Current 2009 Sterling dump truck needs replacement after 15+ years
❄️ New truck will serve dual purpose: winter snow plowing/sanding
🏗️ Summer equipment transport to improve fleet versatility
⚙️ Includes specialized hooklift and sander equipment
🔄 Old truck will be traded in as part of the deal
Only 1 of 5 Bids Met Requirements
🌨️ Improved winter road clearing with modern plow and sanding systems
🚛 Better reliability than 15-year-old equipment for emergency response
💰 Enhanced fleet versatility reduces need for multiple specialized vehicles
Should Council approve spending $345,142 on this new dump truck to improve winter road maintenance and summer equipment transport?
📅 Next Steps: Council will vote on this equipment purchase at their next meeting.
🏢 Make Your Voice Heard:
- Attend the council meeting in person
- Submit written comments before the meeting
- Contact your councillors directly
💰 This represents a significant infrastructure investment in maintaining essential city services that affect every resident.
🏒 Arena Lounge Makeover for Big Events?
Should Rossland spend $200,000 to renovate the Arena Lounge before hosting the BC Winter Games and potential Coy Cup in 2026? 🎯
Council needs to decide if this community space upgrade is worth the investment for these major sporting events coming to our city! 🏆
🏟️ BC Winter Games coming February 2026
🏆 Potential Coy Cup hosting March 2026
📅 Current lounge is outdated and needs modernizing
🎯 Renovation aligns with 2023 Recreation Master Plan
🤝 Project developed with Rossland Arena Society
🕨 Complete kitchen upgrade with new appliances & counters
💡 LED lighting throughout and new rubber flooring
🏆 Redesigned trophy case with integrated lighting
📺 Projector mount for presentations and events
🏠 Fresh paint and exterior touch-ups around entries
Should Council approve the $200,000 Arena Lounge renovation to prepare for the BC Winter Games and Coy Cup?
⏰ Work Timeline: October 2025 - April 2026 (phased to avoid disrupting major events)
🗳️ Council Decision: Pending - staff are requesting direction
💭 Your voice matters! This affects a key community space that hosts events year-round, not just these major competitions.
Stay engaged with your local democracy! 🏛️
🚨 Pool Crisis Alert
Fire destroys Rossland Outdoor Pool boiler in June 2025 🔥
The remaining aging boiler is at high risk of complete failure - meaning no pool in 2026 unless Council acts now.
Council is deciding on a $39,300 emergency replacement project to ensure the pool can safely operate next season.
Will residents have access to their outdoor pool in 2026?
🔥 June 2025: Mechanical failure caused fire in pool's mechanical room
💥 One of two boilers completely destroyed in the blaze
⚠️ Pool operated through 2025 season on remaining boiler only
🔧 Can't just replace damaged boiler - too difficult to integrate new parts with aging system
⚡ Operating with only one old boiler = high risk of total system failure
🔥 Replace BOTH boilers with new Hayward H400FDN units (400,000 BTU each)
💰 Main Plumbing & Heating quote: $31,800 + taxes
🔧 Additional City labor & supplies: ~$7,500
💵 Total project cost: $39,300
⏰ Work scheduled for fall 2025, ready for 2026 season
Should Council approve spending $39,300 in taxpayer funds to replace both pool boilers and ensure safe operation in 2026?
🗓️ Council Meeting Details: Monday, September 15, 2025
💬 Have Your Say:
- Attend the meeting to hear the discussion
- Contact your councillors with your thoughts
- Consider the balance: taxpayer investment vs. community recreation access
⚡ Urgent Decision: Work must happen fall 2025 to be ready for 2026 pool season. Delaying means no pool next year.
🚨 Cook Avenue Crisis Hits City Budget
A storm drain collapse during spring flooding has triggered an emergency $905K infrastructure project on Cook Avenue - but the money wasn't budgeted for 2025. Council must decide how to fund critical repairs while other planned projects get delayed. 💰📊
🌊 Storm drain collapsed during 2025 spring flooding
🔧 City expanded repairs to upgrade aging sanitary sewer and water systems
⏰ Emergency tender issued in late August with September 8 deadline
🏢 Two bids received: Triahn Enterprises ($905K) vs COPCAN Civil ($917K)
✅ Engineering recommends lowest bidder despite no prior city relationship
💰 Money will be reallocated from 6 other planned infrastructure projects
📊 Total reallocation needed: $1,284,470 to cover emergency costs
📋 Requires formal budget amendment since nothing was budgeted
⏸️ Other community infrastructure projects will be delayed this year
🏗️ Cook Avenue will need complete street repaving after repairs
Should Council approve this $905K emergency contract and delay other planned infrastructure projects to fund Cook Avenue repairs?
Council meets Monday, September 15th to vote on this emergency contract award and budget reallocation. This unplanned spending affects our entire 2025 infrastructure plan.
🏢 Your voice matters - attend the meeting or submit written comments about municipal emergency spending priorities and infrastructure planning.
Build Closer to Property Lines?
🏠 Should a homeowner be allowed to build closer to property lines when steep terrain limits their options?
A Rossland resident is seeking council approval to replace their deteriorating carport with a proper double garage, but needs zoning variances due to the challenging slope of their lot.
📅 Council will decide at their upcoming meeting
🏠 Property owner needs to replace an existing carport that's in disrepair and can't be used
⛰️ Steep slope from west to east severely limits where a garage can be built
🚧 Standard placement would require extensive and costly retaining walls
❄️ New covered structure would improve drainage and snow management
🚪 Covered entranceway would improve accessibility for residents
📏 Front setback variance: from 4.0 metres to 0.0 metres (4.0 metre reduction)
📏 Side setback variance: from 1.8 metres to 0.3 metres (1.5 metre reduction)
🏠 Building a double car garage and covered stairway
📃 R-1 Residential zoning on 1,069 square metre property
✅ City staff recommend APPROVAL of the variance permit
🏠 No objections received from neighbors within 50-metre radius
🚗 If used for parking, garage would actually help snow removal operations
📄 Building Inspector and Operations Department have no concerns
⚖️ Staff found benefits to applicant outweigh any community concerns
Should Council approve these zoning variances to allow the garage construction?
📅 Council Meeting: September 15, 2025
🗣️ Have Your Say:
- Attend the council meeting
- Submit written comments to City Hall
- Contact your councillors directly
📜 What Happens Next: If approved, the variance will be registered on the property title as required by law.
💰 Protecting Your Tax Dollars
When the City of Rossland does work for outside organizations or private property owners, should you pay for it through your taxes?
Council is reviewing a policy update to ensure 100% cost recovery from third parties - meaning external work doesn't come out of your pocket.
📅 Council Meeting: September 15th
🏗️ City crews sometimes do work for external organizations or private property owners
💵 Current policy ensures the city recovers 100% of costs (labor, equipment, materials, admin)
📋 All third-party work goes through department heads for approval and documentation
🚫 Prevents taxpayers from subsidizing services to outside parties
📊 Revenue from this policy is described as "marginal at best" but principle matters
🔄 Policy Update Details
What's Changing: Staff want to add a new provision (item 1d) to strengthen the Third Party Charges Policy (AD-27).
How It Works: • Department heads schedule and approve all external work • Finance invoices third parties for full cost recovery • Covers work outside normal city operations
Staff Recommendation: Approve the policy amendments to ensure robust cost recovery
Should the city strengthen its policy to ensure 100% cost recovery when doing work for external parties?
📅 Next Steps & How to Participate
Council Meeting: Monday, September 15th, 2025
Your Voice Matters: • Attend the council meeting to hear discussion • Contact councillors with your thoughts • This policy protects your tax dollars
Alternative: Council could refer back to staff for more changes.
🏢 Stay informed about your community decisions!
❄️ Snow Removal Priority Changes Coming
Which roads get plowed first when winter hits Rossland? 🚛
Council is reviewing the city's snow removal policy with some big changes to which roads make the priority list. Several neighborhoods could see faster snow clearing, while one area will lose city plowing entirely.
Meeting: September 15th
🆕 New roads added to priority plowing:
• Centennial Place (3rd priority)
• Ridge Road (3rd priority)
• Topping Terrace (4th priority)
• Small Alley of Butte (4th priority)
❌ Service reduction:
• Red Mountain Road section (parking lot to Caldera) will no longer be city-plowed
📋 Annual policy review - Last updated August 2024
How snow removal works: 🛣️
❄️ Minor: <4 inches ❄️ Major: >4 inches
Roads maintained to "passable condition" - not bare pavement. City balances safe passage for vehicles, pedestrians & emergency equipment within budget.
💰 Staff calls this a "reasonable allocation of resources"
Do you support these changes to Rossland's snow removal priorities - adding 4 new roads while removing city plowing from one Red Mountain Road section?
Next Steps: 📅
🏢 Council Meeting: September 15, 2025 🗣️ Your voice matters - Contact council before the meeting 🗺️ Maps available showing road & sidewalk priorities
This policy affects winter safety & accessibility in your neighborhood. Get involved! ❄️
🐕 Major Pet Ownership Changes Coming?
Rossland Council is considering a complete overhaul of animal control rules that would affect every pet owner in the city.
🗓️ Sept 15 Council Meeting
From new licensing requirements to stricter leash laws and fines up to $500, these changes could reshape how you care for your pets.
This replaces the entire 2020 Animal Control Bylaw
🔄 Current 2020 bylaw needs updating for clarity and enforcement
📋 Staff want to align with provincial legislation and best practices
🏛️ Consolidates all animal control rules into one comprehensive framework
⚖️ Based on BC SPCA Model Animal Responsibility Bylaw guidelines
🎯 Aims to improve public safety and animal welfare standards
🏷️ ALL dogs over 4 months must be licensed annually (expires Dec 31)
🔗 Mandatory leashing in Downtown Core and designated Leash Areas
🚫 Dogs banned from ALL city parks, schools, and pool areas
💰 License fees set in upcoming City Fees and Charges Bylaw
🐕 Maximum 4 dogs per property (with some exceptions)
🐓 UP TO 15 HENS allowed in residential areas with strict coop rules
🚫 NO ROOSTERS unless on agricultural property
🏠 Minimum space requirements: 0.5m² indoor + 0.9m² outdoor per hen
🔇 Must not create noise, odor, or wildlife issues
⛔ No slaughter or burial of chickens on residential property
Should Council approve these sweeping animal control changes affecting licensing, leash laws, park access, enforcement powers, and backyard chickens?
🗺️ What’s Next:
- First Reading at Sept 15 Council meeting
- Public input period before final readings
- If approved, replaces 2020 Animal Control Bylaw
🏢 Get Involved:
- Attend Council meeting
- Submit written feedback to City
- Contact your councillors
This is your chance to weigh in before these rules become law!
Should a Nordic spa serve everyone? 🤔
🏔️ Council is deciding: Should a Nordic spa at a Rossland resort be allowed to serve the general public, not just overnight guests?
🗳️ Your voice matters at the upcoming council meeting as they vote on changing zoning rules that could impact your neighborhood and local economy.
🏨 Property has existing resort holiday park with cabins & campground
🚫 Current zoning only allows commercial facilities for overnight guests
🎆 Owner wants to add Nordic spa open to ALL residents and visitors
📅 Application submitted July 28, 2025 for zoning amendment
🚧 Staff recommends approval with infrastructure planning condition
Should Council approve changing the zoning to allow this Nordic spa to serve the general public instead of just resort guests?
🗳️ Public Hearing: October 20, 2025
🏛️ What's Next: If approved for first and second reading, community members can provide input at the public hearing before Council makes the final decision
📋 Your Input Matters: This affects neighborhood traffic, local economy, and tourism development in Rossland
Support Local Non-Profits or Keep Tax Revenue?
🏛️ Rossland Council is deciding whether to exempt four beloved local non-profits from paying property taxes in 2026
This would save these community organizations $27,000 combined - but means other taxpayers effectively subsidize this through foregone city revenue.
🗳️ Third reading vote happening at the next council meeting
🎨 Rossland Arts Centre Society - Community arts programming for all ages (85% Rossland residents)
🎠 2nd Rossland Scouts - Youth programming ages 5-26, serving 43 kids with 12 volunteers for 70+ years
👶 Golden Bear Children's Centre - Licensed childcare for 72 children, 30+ families on waiting list
🎭 Rossland Light Opera Players - Community theatre with 130 members, produces 2 shows annually
📜 How the Program Works:
Under provincial law, cities can exempt charitable and non-profit organizations from property taxes. Organizations must reapply annually.
🗺️ Two groups missed the 2025 deadline and got emergency grants - now applying properly for 2026.
⏰ Deadline: October 31st to meet provincial requirements
Should Rossland grant $27,000 in property tax exemptions to these four local non-profit organizations?
🗓️ What's Next:
This is the third and final reading - if passed, the exemptions take effect for 2026.
🏢 Join the Discussion: Attend the next council meeting or submit written comments
⚖️ The Balance: Community benefit vs. taxpayer burden - what's your view?
🗣️ Every exemption means other residents pay slightly more or services get reduced