Council Meeting Highlights - August 11th, 2025

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Please follow the links below to review the meeting agenda and watch the YouTube stream of the August 11th meeting. Meeting minutes will be available at an upcoming Council meeting.

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Delegations and Presentations

RCMP - 2025 First Quarter Report

Though scheduled to present the RCMP 2025 First Quarter Report, RCMP Cpl. Dean Kletzel was unable to attend due to an RCMP call-out. The full RCMP report is available for the public to review at the agenda link above.

Presentation by Leonard Jacques on Proposed Community-wide Speed Reduction

Long-time resident Leonard Jacques advocated to Council to reduce Kimberley’s local speed limit to 40 km/h throughout the community to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. He shared personal observations from the Speed Watch Program and highlighted data showing that lower speeds significantly increase survival rates in collisions. Jacques noted that many BC and Alberta communities have already made similar changes. After discussing Jacques' presentation, Council passed a resolution directing staff to consider the proposed speed reduction during an upcoming review of the City's Streets and Traffic Bylaw. Watch the full presentation at the agenda link above.

Age-Friendly Accessibility Plan - Presentation by Kate Milne of Cardea Health

The City of Kimberley has been working with Cardea Health Consulting to create an Age-Friendly Accessibility Plan that helps make our community safer and more inclusive for everyone. Project lead Kate Milne explained the process for creating the plan over the past year, stating that the team gathered public input through surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand what residents need most.

The final plan (linked above) highlights key areas to improve age-friendly accessibility in Kimberley, such as safer outdoor spaces, better transportation options, housing that supports aging in place, and clearer communication. It also introduces Five Big Ideas —like winter accessibility tips, emergency preparedness resources, and intergenerational programs—to inspire community participation and to help build a stronger, more connected community.

Next steps include sharing the plan in accessible formats and tracking progress each year to keep improving. Kimberley is taking meaningful steps to ensure everyone can enjoy and thrive in our beautiful city. 

Watch the full presentation at the link above or view the plan in the agenda package or at the link in the image above. Later in the meeting, Council approved the plan. 

Bylaws, Permits, And Policies

Bylaw No. 2790, 2025-2029 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2782, Amendment No. 1, 2025 for consideration of adoption

Council adopted amendments to the 2025-2029 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2782, 2025, as previously adopted at the April 28, 2025, Regular Meeting. Amendments include several expenditures and offsetting funds required for the following projects:

  • Fuels Treatment Project
  • NorthStar Trail Slope Remediation Project
  • Kimberley Bike and Skate Park Project
  • Rotary Park Playground.

Details of these projects are available in the staff report at the agenda link above. 

Development Variance Permit 2025-002 - 580 308th Street

Council directed staff to issue a Notice to Neighbours of 580 308th Street to reduce the minimum side yard setback of an accessory structure from 1.5m to 0.76m and to vary section 4.09(4)(b) of City of Kimberley Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 to allow eaves to project up to 0.91m into the required yard area to allow for the siting of a gazebo in the yard of 580 308th Street. The item will be brought back to a future Council meeting upon conclusion of the Notice to Neighbours period. 

Community Grants Policy No.FIN004 Revision

Staff requested and received Council approval for the revised Community Grants Policy, with two notable Council-directed changes - an increase in the total funding available from $30,000 to $60,000 and an increase in the maximum amount eligible per applicant from $4,000 to $8,000. Other changes in the revised policy include removing Long-term Grants information, which is included in the new Long-Term Grants Policy No. FIN005; the addition of the Resident Directed Grants Program; and various text and language updates aimed at improving clarity and readability. Stay tuned for a request for applicants coming in the Fall of 2025. 

Long-Term Grants Policy No. FIN005

Council approved the new Long-term Grants Policy No. FIN005 that will guide future allocation of Long-term Grants. The new policy defines applicant eligibility, timelines, application assessment processes, and recipient accountability. Council made one change to the policy - adjusting the number of times grant recipients are required to present in person at a formal Council meeting from yearly to a maximum of two times throughout the grant cycle. Yearly reporting is still required but in-person presentations are not required. See the full discussion at the YouTube link above.

New Business

Notice on Title - 275 Cranbrook Street

Council directed staff to file a Notice on Title with the BC Land Title office for the property at 275 Cranbrook Street.

Age-Friendly Accessibility Plan

Further to the delegation listed above, Council approved the Age-Friendly Accessibility Plan. The plan was developed with consultant Kate Milne of Cardea Health Consulting and through extensive community engagement with residents, service providers, community organizations, and City Staff. This fulfills the City's legislative requirement to develop an accessibility plan and provides an exceptional framework to enhance Kimberley's accessibility in many areas as outlined above. Click the link above to review the plan!

Proposed – Highway 95A & 309th Avenue Pedestrian Crossing

Staff requested and received Council approval to provide a letter to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit expressing their support for installing a pedestrian-activated crossing at 309th Avenue and Highway 95A. 

Transit Improvement Program - Expansion Plan

Council approved Planning Staff's request to sign an MOU with BC Transit requesting expansion of the Route 22 KC Commuter service, which includes an extra 850 service hours and two additional fleet vehicles. The expansion would result in an annual net municipal cost share estimated at $63,163. The request will become a part of BC Transit's larger request to the Province of BC for funding and program enhancements across the province. Read the full report at the agenda link above. 

The Council meeting concluded at 8:51 pm, at which point an In-Camera meeting was conducted.