The Village of Canal Flats held its regular council meeting on February 28.

Council formally acknowledged the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK)’s library bylaw amendment. The bylaw’s wording was changed to recognized reading centres for re-funding in the new budget each year.

The Canal Flats Lending Library, which is now considered under the amended bylaw, opted not to ask for funding this year, however.

The RDEK bylaw amendment is in effect in all areas of the Regional District as they are all involved with library funding.

Canal Flats budget deliberations meeting date was changed, as it was “not ideal”.

The new date for the meeting is March 15, changed from March 8.

Canal Flats council is considering joining the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC) by staff recommendation. The CVCC membership would cost $238.56 per year, with services available to council through the chamber.

Council is planning a 2011 strategic meeting session to follow-up their 2009 session.

The 2011 session will help identify what are currently village priorities and new action to take to work towards goals.

“It’s good to have a plan for what you want, but if you don’t know how to achieve those plans, then it’s no good,” said Bruce Woodbury, mayor of Canal Flats.

The session would be a day and a half retreat at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, costing $706, all inclusive. The session will take place on March 11-12.

“I think it’s not a good use of the taxpayers’ money,” said Councillor Michael McDonald. “I think we could have a fruitful meeting ourselves, it would save time and money.”

The session was voted in favour in a three-to-two vote from council.

Council reviewed applicants for the Grant-In-Aid program. $4,700 is available to disperse in Grant-In-Aids to various organizations and groups that applied for the program and are approved by council.

The Canal Flats Civic Centre, Canal Days, the Canal Flats Community Society, Canal Flats Seniors’ Home, and Access in the Community for Equality were all Grant-In-Aid applicants.

All but the Seniors’ Home were allotted a revised sum. The Seniors’ Home Grant-In-Aid was deferred to council’s next meeting for further discussion.

A public hearing date was set by council for the first and second reading of bylaw #124 OCP Amendment-BW Hiebert and #125 Rezoning Bylaw-BW Hiebert. The date will be APril 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Canal Flats Community Hall.