Greenwood’s Volunteer Fire Department is in need of another fire truck and the city has found funding sources.
Greenwood is pooling funds from two “pots” of money to help procure a used fire truck for the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department.
CAO Trumbley explained the Chief Financial Officer identified two sources of funds totalling around $400,000 that have to be spent before they expire by the end of this year. City staff have been in talks with the provincial government over one of the sources, adding this is a short time frame, so there isn’t anything else they can do with the money.
He’s already been in talks with Fire Chief Roy Terashita to have a list of things that need to be included on the truck, explained Trumbley. They will be going to Canoe Procurement with the upper-end list, get several models that are close to that needs list and meet with the Fire Chief again for his recommendations, then return to Council to discuss purchasing the truck.
Council voted in favour of going ahead with the process.
Deadline to book 'high-level meetings' at UBCM approaching
Councillors have some chances to meet with deputy ministers at the upcoming Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) this September, but the price of it and other meetings had to be discussed.
The deadline to book high-level meetings is July 2, so CAO Dean Trumbley wanted to put it out for councillors to consider if they had any pressing topics they would want to have discussed in this type of meeting, also known as a “MAC” meeting.
These types of meetings are to pitch specific, large-scale ideas to deputy ministers, with full reports. That will require some preparation, he said.
“If you are looking at something larger-scale that affects the policy, you request a ministerial meeting, but if it’s a more rubber-hits-the-road, you request a MAC meeting,” he said.
If councillors want this type of meeting for a specific topic, city staff will have to book one online and prepare reports.
Council exploring hosting 55-Plus Games venues
If Greenwood is interested in hosting any of the upcoming 55-Plus BC Games, a query can be put in to organizers.
The 2025 games are being held Sept. 9 to 16.
Corporate Officer Brooke McCourt explained this was a request by games organizers to see if the city was interested in hosting any of the games. The city has never hosted game venues, she said, but that doesn’t mean they can’t apply.
Greenwood is in the games’ zone 6, which includes Castlegar, Grand Forks, Kalso, Nakusp, Nelson and Trail, among others.
Councillor CJ Rhodes pointed out if they are going to do this, he already knew that accommodation will be a consideration for hosting any games.
While agreeing with Rhodes, Councillor Clint Huisman said the city is close to Midway and Grand Forks. Council should put together a list of assets they have, such as the baseball park and Lions Park, as well as the motels in the city and explore having free camping in the municipal campground.
McCourt was directed to reach out and report back to council.
Fire inspection results of old school praised for scope
The remains of a school that burned down last year are still standing, but there is a reason for that, according to the latest report.
Bylaw, Safety and Inspection results of the building, located at 102 South Government Avenue, were presented for council to review. The building, a former school, was consumed in a historic fire in May of 2024 and since then, the site has been fenced off.
Councillor Rhodes pointed out he’s heard plenty of questions over why the site hasn’t been cleaned up. This inspection report demonstrates why they cannot just go in and clean out a damaged site for various reasons, including health, safety and investigation.
“I just want to really encourage anyone to sit down and read this report because it answers all the questions over who is doing what and the circumstances,” he said.
Trumbley added he would like to see more residents come out to the Town Hall series city administration is holding this year to learn how bylaws work to get a better understanding of the process of dealing with issues like this. In short, there is a process that has to be followed before full clean-up can happen.
