BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
Most of the airtime during the January 14 Kaslo council meeting was taken up by the recently revised Council Procedures Bylaw, which received first and second reading during the December 9 meeting. Council discussed feedback received from the public.
The bylaw sets rules for how meetings are organized and how participants are involved. The changes aim to increase transparency and accountability, enhance public engagement, and promote consistency.
Among the discussion points was correspondence. The public may submit correspondence to council – via mail, email, and a forthcoming webform – on any topic at any time. Under the revised bylaw, if submitted before noon the Tuesday before a meeting, council members may choose to add correspondence to an upcoming meeting agenda, either as an action item or an info item. Action items would include a recommendation, prompting discussion and a decision from council. Info items would be just that: included on the agenda for information only.
The draft bylaw introduces a second public input session during meetings. Council agreed that the first session, during the usual time before business items, could be limited to questions and comments on agenda items. The second session, at the end of the meeting, could be solely for clarifying questions about decisions made. The draft bylaw presented in December included a requirement for the public to register to speak before the meeting commenced; all of council agreed this is unnecessary.
In addition to verbal public input during a meeting, the draft bylaw includes an option for written public input. This input would need to be about items on the agenda, and submitted by noon the Monday before a meeting. Council members noted that for written input to be considered during a meeting, it’s better to submit it sooner rather than later so council has time to read it. Written public input would not be read out loud during a meeting, but would be included in the meeting minutes.
Council also discussed removing the definition for ‘presentations’ and keeping the definition for ‘delegations’ in the bylaw, as the two are similar. Delegations may or may not be about an agenda item. All requests would need to be submitted 15 days before a council meeting. Delegations would have 10 minutes, plus time for questions.
In addition to revisions, staff is also working on policies for verbal and written input, and correspondence, to accompany the bylaw.
Strategic priorities
Council has a clear plan for its final year in office after reviewing and updating its strategic priorities.
‘Now’ priorities for 2026 include preparing for the general local election in November; completing renovations at the Kemball Memorial Centre; finalizing the South Beach Purchase and Sale Agreement with Quality Property Developments; HVAC construction and back-up power installation at the arena; developing an accessibility plan, a flood and erosion plan, and a source water protection plan; and revising the Subdivision Servicing bylaw and Zoning bylaw.
As ‘Now’ priorities are completed, ‘Next’ priorities will fill the spaces. Some include a generator at City Hall; various improvements at the campground; an accessible playground feature at Vimy Park; and the new library building (grant dependent).
‘Later’ priorities include a parks and recreation master plan; an airport master plan; airport improvements; a waterfront master plan; Moyie Amphitheatre and slope stabilization; renovation of the City Hall court room; and accessibility improvements and kitchen construction at the arena.
Remuneration task force
The final report from the Council Remuneration Task Force was presented to council.
The task force – comprised of residents Steve Anderson, Jeff Davie, and Tammy Horick – provided an independent, objective review of the remuneration, benefits, and expense policies for mayor and councillors. The task force used a guideline created by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) as the basis for its deliberations. The final report provides recommendations for council’s next term from 2026-2030.
The task force’s recommendations include: that base remuneration be increased by $1,000 per year for the mayor, and by $500 for councillors; that the current extended health and dental plan be maintained; that council members be given an allowance of $1,000 per term to support technical needs and connectivity (up from $500); that base remuneration increase annually based on the latest CPI average; that any council member who has a dependant needing care during council or committee meetings be given an allowance of $50 per meeting; that a council member be provided parental leave from their council position for up to two months with continued payment of the regular stipend; that meal allowances be increased, and set as a flat rate including taxes and tips; and that a remuneration review be conducted during the third year of a council term with any related changes taking effect at the start of the next term.
Public input on the report was welcomed until January 20. Staff will compile feedback for council’s consideration before making a final decision.
Outdoor burning regulation
Council gave third reading to a bylaw that would repeal the Village of Kaslo Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw.
The Village is planning to repeal the bylaw because outdoor burning is already governed by provincial legislation: the Environment Management Act, the Wildfire Act, the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, the Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation, and the Waste Discharge Regulation.
Fees and charges amended for FOI requests
Council gave three readings to updates to the fees and charges bylaw concerning freedom of information requests.
The fees for applications and access to records were changed to align the bylaw with Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy regulation, which outlines different fees depending on the service.
Bylaw consolidation and revision
Council gave third reading to a bylaw that will allow the Corporate Officer (CO) to consolidate and make minor revisions to Village bylaws.
Per the Community Charter, council may authorize the CO to consolidate and revise Village bylaws. Consolidating combines all amendments of a particular bylaw into a single document for clarity and ease of reference. Revisions would be limited to non-substantive changes, such as technical and formatting improvements. Consolidation and revisions do not change the substance or intent of the bylaw.
During the November 18 council meeting, third reading was repealed to include a requirement that council be made aware if the CO makes any revisions to a bylaw.
Development procedures bylaw
Council adopted an amendment to the Development Procedures Bylaw, to remove a clause that states that Development Variance Permits (DVP) denied by council may be appealed to the Board of Variance.
The clause is inconsistent with the Local Government Act and the role of the Board of Variance, which doesn’t have jurisdiction over a council’s decision on a DVP.
The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) is a federally funded program to add coverage in under-covered areas or on under-covered issues. This content is created and submitted by participating publishers and is not edited. Access can also be gained by registering and logging in at: https://lji-ijl.ca
You can support trusted and verified news content like this.
FIPA’s news monitor subscribers, donors and funders help make these available to everyone rather than behind a paywall. We appreciate every contribution because it makes a difference.
If you found this article interesting and useful, please consider contributing here.
