CONFIDENTIAL FOR STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ONLY


Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

Friday, March 30, 2001

Fernie Alpine Resort 4:00 p.m.



Present: Barbara Harris, Mike Delich, Bernie Hide, Al Raine via telephone


Not Present: John Birrell, Brian Bell



AGENDA


  1. Introductions

  2. Consultants Comments

  3. Committee Member's Vision

  4. Goals for marketing the community

  5. How do we manage community communications for this study

  6. How do we get community support

  7. Other items


  1. Resort Association: Al suggested to use the Whistler & Sun Peaks model to create the association. There must be a petition agreed to be 2/3 of the property owners representing at least 50% of net taxable values within the proposed Resort Land designation to go forward with the association.

  2. Resort Association Fee: Owners that pay the current rent charge have been told that the rent charge will be rolled over into the Resort Association fee. It was decided that the Resort Association fee would be mandatory only to future development, rent charge applicable owners today and any City of Fernie businesses that wish to join (would be considered an associate member). Bylaws apply to vacant land and building permits that have been issued, they are to pay the fees when occupancy permit has been issued, prior to that they will pay a prorated share. Bernie states that the general feeling of the owners is that they are willing to pay if it is fair, equitable to their best interest. Al feels that any commercial businesses should be included in the Resort Association fee.

  3. Rent Charge: There is a rent charge applicable to all properties at the Resort except 52 Timberline homes and the Griz Inn. Rent Charge is a combined assessment of land and improvements.

  4. Usage Covenant: There is a Whistler Phase 1 covenant on properties at Lizard Creek, Snow Creek and Timberline Lodges and a Whistler Phase 2 covenant on the Cornerstone. Single family homes and multi dwelling homes have no restriction. There is no provision for time-share - all strata. Lizard Creek has fractional ownership.

  5. Directors: The Resort Association will include a President/CEO and an elected Board of Directors. The president is included in the Board of Directors with voting capacity. Al suggested that we have a common link with all areas and businesses and to possibly have an elected official from the City of Fernie on the board.





Page 2 - minutes March 30, 2001




  1. Primary Functions of Resort Association: It was decided that the primary function of the association is marketing. Other functions that will be a possibility of the association are central reservations, lighting, common landscape, guest services and signage on the mountain, vehicles, busing, pedestrian/bicycle, policing and architectural controls. Municipal functions will be avoided whenever possible. FAR receives 3 services from the city, fire protection, policing and liquid waste removal; all of which FAR is charged for. Areas such as retail, commercial and residential will represent a cost center.

  2. Ideas discussed: One option discussed would encompass Fernie Tourism Association, Fernie Alpine Resort Association and Chamber of Commerce under one marketing umbrella, with fees structured for membership. Another option Al suggested was to for the Resort to form own municipality - was then decided that this is not the best option.

  3. Bylaws: Mike feels that the bylaws are unacceptable and should review current bylaws at Whitefish and Colorado. Bernie feels we should determine the function of the Resort Association then define the bylaws. Barbara mentioned if we redo the bylaws in their entirety it would not be time effective for the Resort and therefore suggested we use, but change the existing bylaws.

  4. Other items: Mike suggested we have a visioning session with the city. It was decided that Al would arrive in Fernie on April 19th. Mike will get Al five minutes to speak at the Fernie Chamber of Commerce meeting with guest speaker Martin Thomas and then would be available for further meetings.

  5. Steering Committee: Barbara Harris is the chairperson of the committee. RDEK is going to be the accountant and banker. Lee Anne Crane is the contact person from RDEK. Bob Wetham is the planning director for RDEK.


Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.