The regional district is getting ready to bargain over boundaries with the City of Trail.
Montrose Mayor Joe Danchuk confirmed at council Monday evening that the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) has formed a group of five politicians and one staff member to meet with Trail representatives later this summer in talks about the city growing limits into RDKB turf.
Ali Grieve, Area A director, Linda Worley director of Area B, Grace McGregor, RDKB chair, Fruitvale Mayor Patricia Cecchini and Danchuk with join forces with John MacLean, the district’s chief administrative officer during the mitigation gatherings.
The minister responsible to oversee municipal boundary changes, Coralee Oakes, is taking a leadership role in bringing both sides together, said Danchuk.
“She is going to spearhead this to bring us and Trail together and start the process,” he added.
Before a tête-a-tête happens, the group is asking for a provincial review of information Trail has published regarding the benefits and advantages of boundary expansion.
“We don’t know if it’s factual,” said Danchuk. “Once they (Trail) send what is required to the government and the government approves it, then they can go to the next step.”
Additionally, the impacted Beaver Valley communities should receive the same information the province will review, he continued.
“At this time we don’t have any information so the government will take the lead on that.”
Danchuk said he anticipates opposing sides will sit down and discuss mitigation expectations by August.
“This is all new to me so I don’t know what to expect,” said the first term mayor.
“But if Trail wants to give full mitigation, I am sure it will go quick,” he added with a chuckle.
With the deadline passed for Trail voters to counter petition the boundary move and approval from affected property owners, the road is open for the city to finalize its legal obligations.
Trail’s lawyer has worked directly on the file since initiation and provided legal advice with respect to ministry policy and level of mitigation, explained CAO David Perehudoff.
“The city has also asked that ministry staff provide specific direction with respect to policies on mitigation for boundary extensions.”
The city’s mitigation “team” will most likely be Trail Mayor Dieter Bogs, Coun. Kevin Jolly, Coun. Robert Cacchioni and Perehudoff.