Friday, November 16, 2012

Cariboo RD Board Highlights - Nov 16th mtg

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Interior Health Update

Todd Mastel, Director of Business Support, and Peter Du Toit, Regional Acute Care Director of Interior Health (IH), appeared before the Board to provide an update on issues relating to Interior Health in the Cariboo Chilcotin. Discussion focused on the recent Deni House project, highlights from the October 2012 IH regional meeting in Kelowna, the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Master Plan and the upcoming annual capital request letter from Interior Health. Further information about Interior Health is available online at interiorhealth.ca

Community Works Funds

The CRD Board allocated up to $146,000 in 2013 Community Works Funding towards the energy efficiency upgrades to be incorporated into the Anahim Lake Airport Terminal Building. While the proposed 900-square foot building is designed to be basic and functional, the opportunity exists to include various energy efficiency upgrades which reduce long-term operating costs as well as the Regional District’s carbon footprint. Because the Anahim Lake area is served by diesel-generated electricity, the carbon emissions reduction from the efficiency upgrades is much more significant. It is expected that the upgrades will provide an 80 percent reduction in fossil fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions over the building systems not including these upgrades. By including the upgrades, the CRD will be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the construction techniques and materials in a rural and remote climate. During the last Board meeting, Zirnhelt Timber Frames Ltd. was identified as the preferred proposal for construction of the new terminal building.

Later in the meeting the CRD Board also agreed to use up to $20,000 to complete energy efficiency projects at the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department hall for a heating retrofit and ancillary upgrades.

Proposed Recycling Pilot Project in Wells

The Cariboo Regional District received a request from the Wells Legion, Branch 128 regarding a proposed recycling pilot project. The CRD and the District of Wells will look into the feasibility of creating a recycling depot based in Wells. The Legion is prepared to provide the property on which to place recycling bins, as well as the supervision necessary to ensure maintenance of the bins.

Blackwater Gold Project

The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors has appointed Area I Director Jim Glassford to represent the CRD on the Environmental Assessment working group for the Blackwater Gold project. The CRD had been advised by the provincial Environmental Assessment Office that the Blackwater Gold project was now in the review process and invited the CRD to participate on this working group. The group will consist of representatives from the provincial, federal and local governments and First Nations.

Northern Development Initiative Trust

Janine North, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDI), appeared before the Board to provide an update on NDI programs. NDI is looking at amalgamating segregated accounts and creating a regional combined account for the Cariboo Chilcotin. This change would maximize the amount of funding available to rural communities. The update also included an overview of new programs including a local government internship initiative. The second program would be a downtown improvement program. Further information about the NDI funding programs is available online at northerndevelopment.bc.ca

Budget 2013

The second of two finance budget meetings took place on November 15. The proposed 2013 budgets and business plans will receive some small adjustments before being presented to the Board for adoption at the December 14 meeting. The provisional budget will then be presented to CRD residents in 2013 through three sub-regional consultation meetings taking place in the South Cariboo (100 Mile House) on January 30, North Cariboo (Quesnel) on January 31, and the Central Cariboo (Williams Lake) on February 2. Further information including times and locations of these meeting will be announced soon.

The traditional Town Hall Meetings for 2013 will now be held at the beginning of the budgeting process in September and October in each of the electoral areas and municipalities.

Important Dates

WL Fringe Fire Protection Referendum
Advance Polls – Nov. 19
General Voting Day – Nov. 24

CRD Board Meeting – Friday, Dec. 14

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