The following topics were discussed at the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 1st.
Letter Opposing Coal Mining

A letter opposing coal mining was sent to local Council and over 80 other areas and people in the province.

Mayor Painter asked that Council discuss what they would like done regarding one main comment in the letter that states “Crowsnest Pass Council and some bands taking monies from coal companies in return for their support.” Mayor Painter began the discussion on this topic. "I thoroughly object to this comment. Our municipality has not taken any fund from any coal companies. I think we should be sending a letter back to this lady clearly stating that.” Councillor Anctil agreed with Mayor Painter but wanted the response taken a step further. "I agree with Mayor Painter. I'd like to see a letter go out to her but also CC'd to every other person she has on here." Councillor Sygutek also provided input. "I think she needs to apologize and correct. I don't think it's enough for us to send her a letter. That is inflammatory and it's wrong. That's our reputation. It looks like we're taking gifts as a council in order to promote coal mining and that is 100 per cent wrong. Not only do I want a letter I want to have her apologize and correct it." Councillor Filipuzzi then made a motion that a letter be sent expressing Council's concerns and that Council expects an apology and correction and that both the apology and correction be CC'd to everyone the original letter was sent to. The motion was carried.

Visitor Information Hut Staffing

Administration has had discussion with the Chamber of Commerce President on having the Chamber of Commerce manage the Tourist Information Hut for the summer. They have taken it back to their Board and after considerable discussion, do not feel that this is an adequate facility along with the fact that tourism visitor services are rapidly moving away from the static VIC Centres to be more agile and nimble. Alternatively they would like to partner to implement 3 Roaming Adventure Advisors to help build on the successful program that they ran in 2019. Given the feedback on how tourism information has evolved, Administration fully supports moving ahead with implementing the Roaming Adventure Advisors instead of operating the Tourism Information Hut. This allows them to go to where the people are instead of relying on the people coming to you for information. Councillor Ward said he would like to see Council hold off because of the unpredictability of this summer. "This really isn't what our initial intent was, I think we should put this aside until next year and take the time to do it well and do it right. Maybe that's not even the right spot for the hut. This gives us a year to figure out where it should go." Mayor Painter said he also has some concerns.

"Even with these roaming tour guides, there's no indication where they will be. I struggle with an inadequate building. Perhaps location isn't ideal but it is right on the highway. It's a lot more visible than the previous tourist information hut at the lakes. I would definitely like to see something happen there. Maybe we park this and we look at this for next summer. We don't know how open it's going to be this year. I'm not convinced that investing in three roaming tour guides is really the answer." Councillor Glavin said she believes the municipality needs a stationary hut. "It can draw people off of the highway. That was my goal with all of this. Where it is now is right off the highway. I'll agree that with Covid this year that maybe we don't staff it. I think the Chamber has enough resources themselves to employ their own roaming tour guides. If they feel it's a benefit then they would be doing that. I think both forms of promoting tourism would compliment each other." Councillor Ward made a motion that Council thank the Chamber of Commerce for their interest and cooperation with this and that Council asks Administration to bring this issue back in the fall during the next budget cycle and have Council and Administration look at it at that time." That motion was carried. Councillor Sygutek said she believes there is merit to the roaming tour guides and made a motion that the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass help the Chamber of Commerce fund one roaming tour guide for a fee of $10,000. The motion was defeated.

Trail Fees?

With the increased amount of mountain bikers within the community, Councillor Girhiny wanted a discussion on if there should be trail fees. "I've noticed a lot of people are coming here to use our area for recreation and the resounding reason why is that there are no fees here. We do spend a lot of taxpayer money on maintaining the roads to the staging areas even though the actual areas our out of our area. They still cost us money. Is there some way we could help recoup some of this taxpayer money,” said Councillor Girhiny. Mayor Painter agreed. "I totally agree with you. I think we should be investigating this. I would also like to see us direct administration to work with UROC to come up with some type of fee schedule. I'm sure they are aware of what other communities have for backcountry use. It might be a god opportunity to get them involved." Council agreed that they would like to see Administration begin discussions with other communities to see what types of fees they have and how they work before implementing a full trail fee system in the Crowsnest Pass. Councillor Sygutek made that motion and the motion was carried.

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