Council Meeting Highlights - May 26th, 2025

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The agenda and live stream of the May 26th meeting are linked below. Official meeting minutes will be available to the public once approved by Council at an upcoming meeting.

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Bylaws, Permits and Policies

Curbside Recycling Collection - Regulations and Fees Bylaw Amendment

Council provided first three readings of Bylaw No. 2789, City of Kimberley Solid Waste Regulations and Fees Bylaw No. 2694, Amendment No. 4, 2025. The City’s curbside recycling program, introduced in August 2021, continues to receive strong community support for its convenience, reliability, and positive environmental impact. In partnership with RecycleBC, the program reflects the City’s commitment to sustainability and accessible waste reduction services. A recently approved agreement increased RecycleBC incentives from $37.40 to $41.00 per household. This change provides increased funding, which reduces the cost of recycling services for residents to $4.80 per year, down from $9.96 per year. It is anticipated that this user fee will remain in place through the 2025 calendar year and will be reviewed prior to the end of 2025, as well as again in mid-2026, to capture any anticipated changes in the service costs.

New Business

Notice on Title - Several Properties

Corporate Officer Maryse Leroux brought several Notice on Title reports to Council for review. Subject properties and details of the notices are available at the agenda link above. 

2025 Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan

Fire Chief Will Booth presented the 2025 Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP), which replaces the former Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2009). The CWRP outlines seven FireSmart disciplines that collectively address wildfire risk reduction at three levels: home, community, and landscape levels. It also contains an action plan, community information, and a FireSmart roadmap. This plan will assist the City in future budgeting. Council approved the plan as attached to the report. Please refer to the report and the CWRP at the agenda link above. 

2025 Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia Funding Notification

Fire Chief Will Booth advised Council of $311,369 in grant funding awarded to the City of Kimberley through the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia (FESBC). Funding will allow for the completion of a wildfire risk reduction project west of the City boundary. See the full staff report at the agenda link above.

Northstar Trail Slope Remediation Project

Staff requested and received Council support to jointly apply with the City of Cranbrook to the Trans Canada Trail Funding Program: Trail Infrastructure and Major Repairs Stream, requesting $60,000 to fund a portion of the $184,000 estimated cost of the NorthStar Trail Slope Remediation project. Learn more about the project at the agenda link.

Kimberley Bike Park and Skate Park

Council learned that the City of Kimberley has received a $100,000 donation from Rick and Daphne Hammond for the Kimberley Bike and Skate Park. In conjunction with the Kimberley Trails Society, it was determined that the funding will be used to support several improvements to the facility. Council directed staff to add the donated funds to the 2025-2029 Five Year Financial Plan. See the full list of fund uses at the agenda link above. 

Rotary Park Playground Upgrades - Rubber Surfacing 

CAO Jim Hendricks informed Council that the Rotary Club of Kimberley has been successful in raising additional funding to support the installation of rubber surfacing to replace the existing pea gravel surface. This will enhance safety and accessibility at the playground, creating a more inclusive space for all. Council directed staff to prepare an amendment to year one of the 2025-2029 Five Year Financial Plan to account for the additional donated funds. 

The Council meeting concluded at 7:45 p.m., at which point an In-Camera meeting was conducted.