CRD Board Highlights - Aug 31st mtg

Present: Chair A. Richmond; Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, J. Sorley, M. Wagner, D. Cash, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, B. Simpson, W. Cobb, M. Campsall and Alternate Director M. Neufeld (Area E)

Meeting called to order at 9:45am

Meeting agenda approved/Minutes of the CRD Board meeting held June 29th adopted
Delegations MOB received

Business:

Development Services:

1) The Board rejected 150 Mile House Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5086, 2017 and Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5087, 2017 (Area F), at the request of Director Sorley

2) The Board agreed to give 1st/2nd Readings to North Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5109, 2017

3) The Board agreed to give 3rd Reading to the following Planning Bylaws:

a) Central Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5088, 2017 (Area F)
b) Interlakes Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5089, 2017 and South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5090, 2017 (Area L)
c) North Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5091, 2017 (Area A)
d) South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5099, 2017 (Area H)

4) The Board agreed to remove a condition of third reading of Cariboo Regional District Quesnel Fringe Area Amendment Bylaw No. 4387, 2008 and replace it with " the establishment / maintenance of a 15 m vegetative buffer" with the costs of the covenants to be borne by the applicant

5) The Board received Municipalities’ and Cariboo Regional District Building Statistics Reports for May/June 2017

Finance:

1) The Board received/ratified the Cheque Registers/MasterCard reports for the months of June/July 2017

Delegation:

Cariboo-North MLA Coralee Oakes appeared before the Board to provide an update

A Question/Answer period ensued

Chair Richmond, on behalf of the Board, thanked MLA Oakes for her time/information

Business, cont:

Directors' Requests:

1) The Board received a request from Area B Director Jerry Bruce in regards to staff assistance in preparing a draft recreation commission bylaw for Electoral Area B and agreed to the request

Meeting recessed at 11:01am to CCRHD Board
Meeting resumed at 11:32am

Delegation, cont:

Peter Urbanc, Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA), appeared before the Board to provide a presentation on the MFA.

A Question/Answer period ensued

Chair Richmond, on behalf of the Board, thanked Mr. Urbanc for his time/information

Meeting recessed to lunch at 11:58pm
Meeting resumed at 12:40pm

At 12:40pm - the Board recessed to an In-Camera Meeting as per Sections 92/90(1a - appointment) of the Community Charter

At 1:55pm - the Board resumed its public meeting

Business, cont:

Finance, cont:

2) The Board agreed to the following in respect of Grant for Assistance applications:

a) $500 to Chimney and Felker Lakes Landholders Association (Area E)
b) Receive deferred applications from Rocky Mountain Rangers/1st Williams Lake Junior Cadets
c) $800 to the Big Creek Community Association (Area K), provided an Grant for Assistance application form is received from the Big Creek Community Association for this amount
d) Approve change of use for the 2017 Grant for Assistance - McLeese Lake Volunteer Fire Department (Area D)
e) $1,000 to 100 Mile House Wranglers (divided equally between Areas G,H,L)

3) The Board received a report of the Manager of Financial Services in regards to Unused Canada 150 Contributions and consented to allowing the Friends of the Quesnel Museum and SkyFest to retain their Canada 150 Grants

4) The Board agreed to allocate an additional $103,000 from Community Works Funds to complete the 103 Community Water System

Administration:

1) The Board received a request of Director Anderson, in regards to a late UBCM resolution in regards to ranchers working collaboratively with the BC Wildfire Service during wildfire situations and agreed to the Resolution as follows:

WHEREAS many ranchers have heavy equipment, local expertise, and will stay to fight wildfires to protect their livestock, structures and land, sometimes for significant periods before the BC Wildfire Service is able to arrive;

AND WHEREAS the BC Wildfire Service does not make exceptions to rules and procedures for ranchers or work collaboratively with ranchers during wildfire events:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in recognition that ranchers have equipment and local expertise that can assist in fighting wildfires, which can save structures, livestock, and lands, the BC Wildfire Service be urged to find ways to work collaboratively with ranchers in the suppression of wildfires

2) The Board approved 4 Resolutions as to the Alternate Approval Process for South Cariboo Cemeteries Contribution Establishment Bylaw No. 5071, 2017 (Areas G,H,L)

3) The Board received the Consent Calendar as of August 31st

4) The Board received NCLGA/UBCM/FCM Items as follows:

a) City of New Westminster - Request for Support of Resolutions for 2017 UBCM Convention
b) District of Squamish - Request for Support of Resolutions for 2017 UBCM Convention
c) Metro Vancouver Regional District - UBCM Resolutions on Electric Vehicle Charging

Committee or Commission Minutes/Recommendations:

1) The Board received the following minutes from its' Committees or Commissions:

a) Central Cariboo Joint Committee Minutes - June 21, 2017
b) North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Minutes  - June 13 and July 11, 2017

2) The Board ratified recommendations from its' Committees/Commissions:

a) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - June 21st -- Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment - Private Pool Rentals and Sponsorship Swims; Esler Recreation Advisory Commission - 2017 Spring Meeting Minutes and Recommendations; Pool Upgrade Project - Monthly Status Reports for April and May 2017 and Paid Parking Lot Behind Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex

b) North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee - July 11th -- North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Budget Amendment; West Fraser Centre Official Opening Celebration and Lhtako Dene Recognition Sign

Corporate Bylaws:

a) The Board agreed to give 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings and Adoption to Quesnel-Hixon Subdivision Erosion Protection Works Service Parcel Tax Bylaw No. 5110, 2017
b) The Board agreed to give 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings and Adoption to North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 5113, 2017

Directors' Requests, cont:

a) The Board received a request from Area F Director Joan Sorley to Discuss Compensation for Directors Working during Emergency Situations and referred it to the Finance/Audit Committee for consideration

The Board agreed to adjourn at 3:03pm

CCRHD Board Highlights - Aug 31st mtg

Present: Chair M. Wagner; Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, J. Sorley, A. Richmond, D. Cash, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, B. Simpson, W. Cobb, M. Campsall and Alternate Director M. Neufeld (Area E)

Meeting called to order at 9:30am

Meeting agenda approved/Minutes of the CCRHD Board meeting held June 29th adopted

Business:

1) The Board gave 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings and Adoption to Capital Expenditure Bylaw # 135,2017 (GR Baker Memorial Hospital – Anesthesia System Replacement)

2) The Board received the Consent Calendar, as of August 31st

3) The Board received a number of information items from Interior Health, in regards to the summer wildfires/health facilities in the IHA Region

4) The Board received the IHA Capital Projects and Planning Status Reports for the months of June/July 2017

5) The Board received a number of information items from Northern Health regarding Wildfires and Northern Connections Bus Service Schedule Changes for August for Maintenance

6) The Board received a report of the Chair concerning meetings with Northern/Interior Health Authorities at the 2017 Union of BC Municipalities' Convention. Directors' requested topics to be raised including

Meeting recessed at 9:45am
Meeting resumed at 11:01am

Delegation:

Laurie Walters and Trevor Barnes, from the Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice, appeared before the Board to provide an update on recruitment and retention activities.

A Question/Answer period ensued thereon

The Chair thanked the delegation for their time/information

The Board adjourned at 11:32am

Quesnel Council Highlights - August 29th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Elliott Street Supportive Housing Development  BC Housing has submitted an Official Community Plan and Rezone application to develop a supportive housing complex on Elliott Street. The proposal is for BC Housing to purchase 11 lots on Elliott Street to develop a supportive housing complex that would better meet the increasing mental health and addictions healthcare needs of the proposed facility’s residents and would result in the relocation of Season’s House from Carson Avenue. The City’s Public Hearing for the proposed Official Community Plan and Rezone application has been rescheduled to Monday, September 18, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers due to new information being brought forward from City staff in two different reports that were presented to Council include a summary report of the Proponent’s (BC Housing) Public Open House held on August 15, 2017, as well as, a report of the operational agreements for this proposed development with the following highlights from each report. Public’s Input - Summary  Present:  171 members of the public signed-in for the August 15, 2017 Open House 3 City of Quesnel Staff, 2 BC Housing representatives, 1 JTW Consulting representative (consultant for BC Housing), and 14 individuals from the Quesnel and Shelter Support Society Feedback Data:  83 public written submissions with 63% being received from West Quesnel residents, business owners, or both. More than half of all the participants had an overall positive stance on the proposal West Quesnel business owners and resident submissions show just over half of those respondents had an overall negative stance on the proposal; with 39% being clearly positive. Operational Agreements - Summary Agreements will be brought to a future Council meeting and must be established prior to Council’s consideration of any final readings of the proposed OCP and Zone Amendment bylaws. These agreements include: Operations Agreement – between the shelter operator (Quesnel Shelter and Support Society) and BC Housing. Housing Agreement – between the City of Quesnel and BC Housing that requires BC Housing to keep in good standing a Good Neighbour Agreement with the City and other identified community partners (ie. RCMP, Northern Health, Neighbourhood Association) Good Neighbour Agreement – develops a timely process where community/neighbourhood stakeholders will have neighbourhood concerns/issues addressed by the shelter operator of the facility and is managed by a committee of community stakeholders. Next steps include the Operational Agreements being finalized and the September 18, 2017 Public Hearing.

U-Pass Program – North Cariboo Community Campus  U-Pass agreements between the City of Quesnel, BC Transit, University of Northern British Columbia, College of New Caledonia and both students unions for these post-secondary institutions located in Quesnel have been approved. Effective September 2017, students at the North Cariboo Community Campus in Quesnel will all contribute, some exemptions apply, to the U-Pass program that will provide transit at a reduced-rate, and free drop-in admission to the Arts and Recreation Centre for the pool, gym, and drop in fitness classes.

West Fraser Centre – Concession Agreement  Rocky’s Concession has been awarded, through an Expression of Interest process, a five-year management and operation of the food and beverage concession at the newly constructed West Fraser Centre that is scheduled to open September 16, 2017.

Shipping Containers in Residential Areas Zone Amendment Bylaw 1828 received final adoption and prohibits any further additions of shipping containers for residential properties. The primary concern for prohibiting shipping containers for residential properties is the safety of Quesnel’s Fire Fighters.  There have been fatalities of fire fighters, in the province, due to sealed shipping containers exploding. For more information regarding shipping containers, please contact the Development Services department.

Bylaws Bylaw 1828 – Zone Amendment – Prohibit Shipping Containers in Residential Areas – Final Adoption Bylaws 1829 & 1830 – OCP & Zone Amendments – Supportive Housing (Elliott Street) – Rescheduled Public Hearing Date to 6:00 pm, Monday, September 18, 2017 at City Hall Council Chambers Bylaw 1831 – Municipal Ticket Information Amendment – Ticketing Changes for Business Licensing – Final Adoption

Next Meetings 7 pm, September 5, 2017 – Regular Council Meeting 5:30 pm, September 12, 2017 – North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee

WL Council Highlights - Aug 29th mtg

Present: Mayor W. Cobb; Councillors S. Nelson, J. Ryll, C. Smith, L. Walters and S. Zacharias

Meeting called to order at 6pm

Meeting agenda adopted/Minutes of the August 15th WL City Council meeting adopted

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque listings dated August 17, 21 and 24, 2017

2) Council received re-zoning applications for 850 Oliver St (Boitanio Mall) and took the following actions:

a) Gave 1st Reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2266 ('Community Care Facility' Use), refer the Bylaw to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) for initial consultation prior to scheduling a Public Hearing

b) Gave 1st Reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2259 (Drive Thru Restaurant), refer the proposed Bylaw to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) for initial consultation and a traffic analysis be submitted to the City prior to a Public Hearing being scheduled

3) Council gave 1st Reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2249 (Leif - 101 Mason Rd) and directed Staff to refer the application to necessary external agencies prior to consideration of 2nd Reading of Bylaw #2249

4) Council received a Development Permit application for property at 1135, 1145 & 1155 Murray Drive, directed the usual notifications take place and the application be formally considered at its' September 12th meeting

5) Council approved the request of the WL Stampede Association for their Special Occasion Liquor License for the Wildfire Relief" Fundraising Event, subject to RCMP approval

6) Late Item - Council received In-Camera Report #8-2017 from the June 27th In-Camera Meeting of WL City Council.  The following Resolution was reported:

“That the remedial action order for 27 Seventh Avenue imposed on July 21, 2015 by Resolution No. 288/15, and amended on August 18, 2015, September 8, 2015, March 8 2016 and September 20, 2015, be further amended by requiring the owner to obtain an occupancy permit on the buildings by December 31, 2017 with monthly progress reports supplied jointly by the Building Inspector and owners, and further, if said permit is not obtained by the deadline, the City may elect to enforce the order or complete the work at the expense of the owner.”

7) Late Item #2 - That Council urgently requests the federal/provincial governments to establish a minimum $1 Billion Recovery Fund to assist BC Communities, including First Nations, impacted by the unprecedented wildfires of 2017 and the Fund be called the Rural Fire Recovery Fund 2017 and the City requests the provincial/federal governments to inject cash to encourage economic recovery in all communities impacted by the 2017 Wildfires

8) Council received the 'Council Information Package', as of August 29th, as follows:

August 15, 2017 - Response Letter from Minister Farnworth to MLA Barnett re Community Impacts of Wildfires.

Members of Council reported out on their recent activities

The CAO (M. Macdonald) provided an oral report as to his recent activities

Media Question Period -- Creating a Fire Guard around the City of Williams Lake

Council adjourned at 7:00pm

Special COW Session - WL Council (Aug 29th mtg)

Present: Mayor W. Cobb (Chair); Councillors S. Nelson, J. Ryll, C. Smith, L. Walters and S. Zacharias

Meeting called to order at 5pm

Meeting agenda adopted

Delegation:

Sonny Janda and Manjit Sohi appeared before the Committee to discuss their application regarding their Rezoning Application for 'Community Care Facility' Use at 850 Oliver St (Boitanio Mall).  Click here

A Question/Answer period ensued thereon...

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the delegation for their time/information

The Chair noted that the application would be formally considered at the August 29th City Council meeting

The Committee adjourned at 5:30pm and Williams Lake City Council went into an In-Camera Meeting, as per Sections 92 and 90(1k - negotiations) of the Community Charter 

Dear Premier Horgan...

Dear Mr. Premier:

Since becoming Premier on July 18th of this year -- I know/understand that many provincial files have many demands on your precious time but I'm personally appreciative of the time you have set aside to meet with the people impacted by this summer's unprecedented provincial wildfires - whether they be volunteers in our ESS's or those personally impacted by the wildfires

I also note that you made a trip to Williams Lake back on July 31st of this year to view the impact of the wildfires on the land base with our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and to thank all of the emergency personnel, along with the Mayor of Williams Lake, Walt Cobb and my Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Board Chair, Al Richmond

Since July 31st -- your Minister of Public Safety/Solicitor-General, Mike Farnsworth and the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness, Jennifer Rice has been in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and I understand met with the Mayor of Quesnel, Bob Simpson but did not meet with any CRD Electoral Area Directors on their trip through the Region.  That is gravely unfortunate, considering the impact of the wildfires is greatly occurring in the Cariboo Regional District Rural Areas', including my own (Electoral Area D - rural area north of the City of Williams Lake)

However, your Minister of Municipal Affairs/Housing, Selina Robinson, recently met with local elected officials in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, including my fellow CRD Electoral Area Directors and for that, I am most appreciative.  I am also appreciative that Minister Robinson, upon being sworn in, recognized Regional Districts' as a order of local government, something that did not occur often enough under the previous provincial government and I look forward to meeting with her at next month's Union of BC Muncipalities' (UBCM) Convention as well as your speech to UBCM Delegates

Today, I note that you are visiting a number of locations including Kamloops, Ashcroft and Kelowna and meeting with people involved in the wildfire situation and local elected officials.  My Regional District was heavily impacted by the wildfires and will need immediate help and I hope you will find time to meet with Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area Directors' in the very near future as we have many needs, both community and economic, that needs assistance, if we are to be a resilient region and will need your government's help in moving forward

Premier Horgan -- you and I had a chance encounter at the 2016 UBCM Convention and I hope that if you are the person I think you are, that you will visit my Regional District ASAP and meet with my CRD Electoral Area Director Colleagues and understand the breathe of our individual Area needs as your government formulates its' fall budget and Budget 2018

If you wish to reach out to me, please see my contact information below

Sincerely yours,

Steve Forseth
Director - Electoral Area 'D' (Commodore Heights - McLeese Lake)
Cariboo Regional District

Ph: 250-267-6725
E: sforseth@cariboord.ca 

2017 Tyee Lake AGM/BBQ

Yesterday - I had the honour to attend my 2nd Tyee Lake Community Association AGM/BBQ

I presented my annual report the community including continue to pursue, vigorously, the removal of Building Inspection for the part of Area D from north of Wildwood to the Area D northern boundary at Marguerite.  I have a meeting with BC's Minister of Muncipal Affairs at the 2017 Union of BC Municipalities'' Convention, being held in Vancouver from September 25-29 to further discuss this issue

I also informed the community that I would be approving this fall a $10,000 Grant for Assistance for the capital needs of the Tyee Lake Fire Department.  If all goes well, the grant will be paid out in early 2018

The community expressed its' thanks for my performance, as the CRD Area 'D' Director, during the 2017 Wildfires

Following my report, Cariboo-North MLA Coralee Oakes presented her report which included express her gratitude to the Tyee Lake Fire Department for doing such a great job with the Forest Lake fire until the BC Wildfire Service could come and action the fire.  She also noted that she and her colleague, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett would extremely vigorously fight for the needs of volunteer fire departments and the needs of the Region as they both return to Victoria for the fall sitting of the BC Legislature.  The community of Tyee Lake expressed its' appreciation for her report and her efforts as the local MLA on their behalf

A lovely lunch was prepared as both MLA Oakes/I chatted with community members.  During the 50/50 draw of $175 -- my name was drawn and I announced on the spot that the money would be "re-gifted" back to the Tyee Lake Community Association.

I look forward to the 2018 Tyee Lake Community Association AGM/BBQ!

~SF

Historic Kamloops By-Election 2017

Yesterday - the nomination period for the City of Kamloops Council Sept 30th by-election for the vacant Mayor's seat and 2 City Councillor seats closed.  At the close of the nomination period, 6 people were nominated for the Office of Mayor - City of Kamloops and 22 people were nominated for the Office of Councillor - City of Kamloops.  View the full nomination list here

I note that former Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger and former Kamloops City Councillor Nancy Bepple are among the 22 contestants for the 2 vacant Kamloops City Councillor seats

Usually - by-elections are very tame affairs, regardless of the level of government, however with the extremely large interest in both the open Kamloops Mayor's seat and the 2 open Kamloops City Councillor seats -- as an outsider, it tells me that there is general dissatisfaction among the electorate in Kamloops and this should be viewed as a telling sign for the incumbents (Councillors Singh, Cavers, Walsh, Lange, Wallace, and Dudy) who face a mandatory local election themselves next fall

According to Nancy Bepple's Twitter feed - there is a scheduled All Candidates Forum for the Seniors' of Kamloops on Monday, September 18th at 12 noon at Desert Gardens Community Centre (540 Seymour Street).  I am fully certain that Kamloops media will also organize an all candidates forum as well in September...

Kamloops Deputy Mayor Arjun Singh noted on his Facebook page:

Looking forward to a robust dialogue on many community issues and the great, diverse range of choices for Kamloopsians!

He also told Radio NL, in reference to the very large interest in the open Kamloops Mayor seat and the open 2 Kamloops City Councillor seats:

"It's the best job in the world and welcomes the strong interest in the by-election"

I personally will be watching closely to see how the race unfolds and see who is left standing on September 30th at 8pm...

~SF

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Aug 28 - Sept 1

The following local governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin are meeting next week, as follows:

Quesnel - Meetings listed below in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St) on Monday, August 28th:

First up, a Public Hearing will be convened to advise that the Hearing to hear public submissions on Bylaws 1829 and 1830 (Elliott Street Supportive Housing Development) will be deferred until Monday, September 18th at 7pm, due to new information being received.  View more here.  Following closure of the Public Hearing, the Regular Council Meeting will be convened - on the Agenda:

* Delegation: Invictis Games - Susan MacNeil, Volunteer
* Council Calendar for Fall 2017 - Mayor Simpson to report
* BC Housing Open House Public Input Summary (Elliot Street Supportive Housing)
* Elliott Street Supportive Housing Development - Agreements (BC Housing reps to be present for the discussion)
* UPass Agreement (North Cariboo Community Campus)
* Lewis Rink - Request for Funds from Council Initiatives Fund
* West Fraser Centre - Concession Agreement
* Rocky Mountain Vacations License of Occupation
* Letters from Quesnel Community Basketball User Group - Request for Basketball Service Upgrades/BC Northern Real Estate Board - Request for Timely and Accurate Fire Information

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake - Special Committee of the Whole Session at 5pm on Tuesday, August 29th in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Verbal Presentation -- Rezoning Application for 'Community Care Facility' Use by Owners Sonny Janda and Jeeven Janda and Applicant Manjit Sohi.  Click here

View the full Agenda here

Then at 6pm - the regular Council Meeting will commence.  On the Agenda:

* Zoning Amendment Application - Bylaw No. 2266 - ICE Developments Ltd. (Janda Group Holdings) - Adds 'Community Care Facility' Use - 850 Oliver Street (Boitanio Mall)
* Zoning Amendment Application - Bylaw No. 2259 - ICE Developments Ltd. (Janda Group Holdings) - Adds 'Drive-Thru Restaurant' Use - 850 Oliver Street (Boitanio Mall)
* Zoning Amendment Application - Bylaw No. 2249 - Leif & Sarah Dressler - Allows for Second Single Family Residential Home - 101 Mason Road
* Dev. Permit Application - Sprucelee Construction - Construction of Various Warehouse, Office, Storage Structures - 1135, 1145 & 1155 Murray Drive
* Response Letter from BC Solicitor-General Mike Farnworth to Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett re Community Impacts of Wildfires.

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District - Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District/Cariboo Regional District Board Meetings, commencing at 9:30am/9:45am respectively at the Signal Point Gaming Centre Pioneer Event Room (1640 Broadway Avenue South, Williams Lake). On the CCRHD Agenda:

* Delegation (11am) -- Laurie Walters and Trevor Barnes, from the Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice, will appear to provide an update on recruitment and retention activities

* Hospital Consent Calendar
* Capital Expenditure (GR Baker Memorial Hospital – Anesthesia System Replacement) Bylaw No. 135, 2017 -- For 3 Readings/Adoption
* Informational Items from Northern/Interior Health regarding the Wildfires/Impact on Health Facilities
* Interior Health Capital Projects and Planning Status Reports - June to August 2017
* Request from Chair Wagner – Topics for Discussion with Health Authorities at 2017 UBCM Conference

View the full Agenda here

On the CRD Board Agenda:

* Delegations -- 10:30am, Cariboo-North MLA Coralee Oakes (General Update) & 11:30am, Peter Urbanc, CAO for the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) will appear before the Board to provide a presentation on the MFA

* Variety of Planning Items
* Grant for Assistance applications from CRD Areas D,E,K and District of 100 Mile House
* Unused Canada 150 Contributions (North Cariboo Events - SkyFest and Friends of Quesnel Museum)
* Request from Area 'K' Director Anderson for a Late UBCM Resolution (Ranchers working collaboratively with BC Wildfire Service during Wildfire Events)
* Consent Calendar
* Various Committee/Commission Minutes/Recommendations
* Request from Area B Director Jerry Bruce – Electoral Area B Recreation Bylaw
* Request from Area F Director Joan Sorley - Discuss Compensation for Directors Working during Emergency Situations
* In-Camera Session -- Sec 90(1a - appointment) of the Community Charter

View the full Agenda here

UBCM 2017 Resolution/Annual Report & Executive Nomination Books Out!

Yesterday - the Union of BC Muncipalities (UBCM) released both the 2017 Annual Report/Resolutions plus the Executive Nominations

For the Resolutions Book - there are 150 Resolutions to be considered at this year's UBCM Convention.  Resolutions are group into relevant categories

To read those and the annual report for the 2016-17 Year, click here.  Resolutions are group into relevant categories

Meanwhile, unless things change, only the position of UBCM's 3rd Vice President will have an election between Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz (whom I'm personally supporting) vs Smithers Councillor Phil Brienesse.  And there are currently no candidates for the 2 Metro Vancouver positions on the UBCM Executive however you can nominate on the floor for any position when the appropriate time for that position comes up

Given the minority BC Government -- I expect the 2017 UBCM Convention will be extremely busy, even more than the 2015 and 2016 UBCM Conventions.  Look forward to seeing everyone from local government there!

~SF

City Portion of River Valley Reopened at Noon Today

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The portion of the River Valley within the City of Williams Lake’s jurisdiction will be open at noon today for pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle access only. This area will be clearly marked by signage.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is in the process of reviewing the area of the River Valley under its control and will advise of any changes to its restrictions as applicable. At this time, the areas under FLNRO jurisdiction are closed to the public.

The public is asked to be aware of ongoing construction in the area, and to obey construction signage.

We thank the public for its cooperation.

For more information, contact Gary Muraca, Director of Municipal Services, at (250) 392-1783 or gmuraca@williamslake.ca

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 24th am

Good morning:

Since Tuesday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued no new Evacuation Alerts/Orders

For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (CRD Areas B, F, I, J, K) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

Tonight at 7pm in the Wildwood Fire Hall (4253 Wildwood Road, Wildwood) - a meeting to update CRD Area 'D' residents on the wildfire situation.  Presenters will include CRD reps, BC Wildfire Service reps, Emergency Social Services reps and others.  If you live in Area 'D' communities like Soda Creek Road (beyond the City of Williams Lake boundary), Mile 168 Rd/Commodore Heights, Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake, Mcalister, up to Marguerite, then you need to be at this meeting and ask your questions on the wildfire situation.  I would love to see you and many Area D residents' there...

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was rescinded at 2pm yesterday but access to the Forestry Campsites and Trails are still off-limits, as of this writing.  For more details, click here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb put out a message to his community yesterday evening, as follows:

Wednesday night. Nice day. A little smoke blew in about 5 but cleared up now. Only thing new was the lightening strike out Chimney Lake way but they have it under control. They did not say much about fires out west but the Elephant Lake one seems to still be causing problems.
We have opened up city parks except for the river valley. No ATV'S or dirt bikes yet. Still very dry so be very careful.
Another good day. Have a good night.

Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

BC Wildfire T-Shirt Sales support Cariboo RD Ind. VFD's

VFD Fire Chiefs' for McLeese Lake, Big Lake
and Chimney/Felker Lakes with CRD Area D Director
Steve Forseth and Shane Gunn/Darcy Foster

Earlier today - I was asked to participate in a photo-op with the Fire Chiefs for the McLeese Lake, Chimney/Felker Lakes and Big Lake Volunteer Fire Departments

The following VFD's received $2,500 in cash plus 500 stickers to fundraise in the local community which is worth another $500:

* McLeese Lake VFD
* Tyee Lake VFD
* Chimney/Felker VFD
* Big Lake VFD

Details about the T-Shirt fundraiser can be viewed here.  After the Photo-Op, I hand-delivered the Tyee Lake VFD's $2,500 to their Fire Chief, Rick Jelley

Later this year, at my request -- both McLeese Lake/Tyee Lake VFD's will be provided with another Grant for Assistance, from my Area D Grant for Assistance Budget.  McLeese Lake VFD, upon application, will be receiving up to $5,000 and Tyee Lake VFD, upon application, will be receiving up to $10,000 for their capital needs - this is all subject to the CRD Board approving such applications, which is generally routine and is paid out in the Spring of the following year (2018)

I think it is important to support our independent VFD's, as much as possible.  They do such great work (fundraising, training, put out fires, etc) and ask for little in return...

~SF

WL Council-in-Committee -- Aug 22nd mtg

Present: Mayor W. Cobb (Chair); Councillors S. Nelson, J. Ryll, C. Smith and S. Zacharias

Meeting called to order at 6pm

Meeting Agenda adopted and Minutes of the June 27th COW Meeting adopted

Delegation:

1) Williams Lake RCMP Detachment Commander - Insp J.L Pelley & City of Williams Lake Mgr of Community Safety Dave Dickson appeared before the Committee to discuss the Police Commission Report for the period of Jan 1 - July 31st, 2017.  Read here

A Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Inspector Pelley and Mr. Dickson for their time/information

The Committee adjourned at 6:25pm

Cariboo Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 22nd am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued no new Evacuation Alerts/Orders

For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (CRD Areas B, F, I, J, K) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

This coming Thursday at 7pm in the Wildwood Fire Hall (4253 Wildwood Road, Wildwood) - a meeting to update CRD Area 'D' residents on the wildfire situation.  Presenters will include CRD reps, BC Wildfire Service reps, Emergency Social Services reps and others.  If you live in Area 'D' communities like Soda Creek Road (beyond the City of Williams Lake boundary), Mile 168 Rd/Commodore Heights, Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake, Mcalister, up to Marguerite, then you need to be at this meeting and ask your questions on the wildfire situation.  I would love to see you and many Area D residents' there...

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb put out a message to his community yesterday evening, as follows:

Monday night report. Most areas had some rain that has actually brought the fire rstings from extreme to high on about half of the region and moderate for most of the rest. Still some hot spots and no report on the Elephant Lake fire.
All the larger fires have been quiet. Some more rain forcast but also some lightening and gusty winds. Quesnel lake area apparently lots of rain.
With the new high and moderate ratings loggers apparently will be able to go back to work.
That's the good news for tonight. Every day gets a little better

Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 21st am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 1 Evacuation Alert (North Green Lake)

For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (CRD Areas B, F, I, J, K) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

This coming Thursday at 7pm in the Wildwood Fire Hall (4253 Wildwood Road, Wildwood) - a meeting to update CRD Area 'D' residents on the wildfire situation.  Presenters will include CRD reps, BC Wildfire Service reps, Emergency Social Services reps and others.  If you live in Area 'D' communities like Soda Creek Road (beyond the City of Williams Lake boundary), Mile 168 Rd/Commodore Heights, Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake, Mcalister, up to Marguerite, then you need to be at this meeting and ask your questions on the wildfire situation.  I would love to see you and many Area D residents' there...

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

North Green Lake Residents can return home and remain on Alert

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District announced today that the North Green Lake Area Order has been downgraded to an Alert, and residents can now return home. The alert in the South of Highway 24 area is being expanded. The new Alert area includes:

East of Highway 97 to the Cariboo Regional District boundary and South of Highway 24 to the Cariboo Regional District Boundary.

See attached map: http://bit.ly/2vQpRlh

Before deciding to return, residents are encouraged to consider that wildfire activity continues in these areas, air quality remains poor and the areas are still on evacuation alert.

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

What you should do when an evacuation order has been downgraded to an alert:

Upon notification of an evacuation order downgrade, you should remain prepared for an evacuation by:

* Having a plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside of the area, should the area be brought back under evacuation order.

* Keeping essential items readily available for a quick departure; including medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependants and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc).

* Ensuring that any dependants are prepared for departure.
* Ensuring that pets and livestock remain in a safe area.
* Ensuring that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. Reception Centres will be made available again, if required.

* Monitoring reliable news sources for evacuation order information. Further information will be issued as it becomes available.

For Cariboo Regional District information, please visit cariboord.ca or facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations or @CaribooRD or call the CRD’s public information line at 1-866-759-4977.

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 20th am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 1 Evacuation Alert

For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, F, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

This afternoon at the Miocene Community Hall - there will be a Wildfire Update Meeting, hosted by the Cariboo Regional District.  For more details, click here

On Thursday (Aug 24th) at 7pm in the Wildwood Fire Hall (4253 Wildwood Road, Wildwood) - a meeting to update CRD Area 'D' residents on the wildfire situation.  Presenters will include CRD reps, BC Wildfire Service reps, Emergency Social Services reps and others.  If you live in Area 'D' communities like Soda Creek Road (beyond the City of Williams Lake boundary), Mile 168 Rd/Commodore Heights, Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake, Mcalister, up to Marguerite, then you need to be at this meeting and ask your questions on the wildfire situation.  I would love to see you and many Area D residents' there...

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update - Aug 19th am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 2 Evacuation Orders and 1 Evacuation Alert

For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, F, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

Tomorrow afternoon at the Miocene Community Hall - there will be a Wildfire Update Meeting, hosted by the Cariboo Regional District.  For more details, click here

Next Thursday (Aug 24th) at 7pm in the Wildwood Fire Hall (4253 Wildwood Road, Wildwood) - a meeting to update CRD Area 'D' residents on the wildfire situation.  Presenters will include CRD reps, BC Wildfire Service reps, Emergency Social Services reps and others.  If you live in Area 'D' communities like Soda Creek Road (beyond the City of Williams Lake boundary), Mile 168 Rd/Commodore Heights, Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake, Mcalister, up to Marguerite, then you need to be at this meeting and ask your questions on the wildfire situation.  I would love to see you and many Area D residents' there...

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb issued a message to his community last night, as follows:

Well Friday night and all reports for the city are good. A couple fires out west and the Elephant fire still very active. Fire guards seem to be holding so far.
It was mixed bag weather wise today. Nice morning then smoke started rolling in then some rain (not enough) then cleared again.
Sounds like from the hospital point of view most of our seniors should be home by Monday.
Many local business have organized a welcome home get together tomorrow at 4pm in Boitanio Park. Let's all get together and see some of our old friends and make some new ones. We have an incredible community so let's celebrate and help make it even better by getting to know your neighbours' .


Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

BC Gov't commits $200K for Tourism in Cariboo/Chilcotin Region

Courtesy of the BC Government:

The Province is providing the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) with financial support of up to $200,000 to help with tourism-related impacts from the B.C. wildfires, announced Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Lisa Beare, while meeting with business owners and tourism operators in the Cariboo region today.

The government and the CCCTA will work closely together to ensure the funding targets the tourism recovery needs identified in the region. The Province is currently assessing the needs of those affected by the wildfires in order to support them in the best way possible in the days and weeks ahead.

Destination BC, the industry-led Crown corporation that markets British Columbia globally as a tourism destination, is developing a provincial wildfire tourism recovery plan that will also support the tourism industry by working in close collaboration with the regional destination marketing organizations. The campaign has helped keep travellers informed on the areas in B.C. that are currently affected by evacuation alerts or orders, while ensuring tourists know that B.C. remains open for business in many parts of the province that are not affected by fires.

Tourism is a major economic driver in B.C., employing 127,000 people within the province, supporting nearly 19,000 tourism-related businesses and contributing $7.4 billion toward the province’s gross domestic product.

BC's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts, Lisa Beare said:

“The wildfire season has been devastating to British Columbians throughout the province. The tourism industry within the Cariboo Chilcotin is no exception. Many tourism businesses in the region are losing income and, in some cases, losing property due to the wildfires during the peak revenue-generating summer season. The funding that our government has committed to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association will support the ongoing recovery of the industry in the region and will hopefully mitigate the economic impacts to the rural communities in this beautiful part of our province.”

View the full press release here

Williams Lake Council meets Tuesday!

With the City of Quesnel, District of Wells/100 Mile House, Boards of Education for School Districts #27/28 and the Cariboo Regional District Board still on summer recess, only Williams Lake City Council will be meeting on Tuesday in Committee of the Whole

Their only item is to receive Williams Lake RCMP Detachment Commander, Insp. Jeff Pelley and City of Williams Lake Mgr of Community Safety Dave Dickson in regards to a Police Commission report.  View the full Agenda here

~SF

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 18th am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 2 Evacuation Orders
For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, F, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

Next Thursday (Aug 24th) at 7pm in the Wildwood Fire Hall (4253 Wildwood Road, Wildwood) - a meeting to update CRD Area 'D' residents on the wildfire situation.  Presenters will include CRD reps, BC Wildfire Service reps and Emergency Social Services reps.  If you live in Area 'D' communities like Soda Creek Road (beyond the City of Williams Lake boundary), Mile 168 Rd/Commodore Heights, Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake, Mcalister, up to Marguerite, then you need to be at this meeting and ask your questions on the wildfire situation.  I would love to see you and many Area D residents' there...

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb issued a message to his community last night, as follows:

Well its Thurs night and all is well. Apparently a couple of the fires have been determined to be under control. Yeh!!!.
I did not get a briefing tonight that is why I am early. Since things have been calm for a number of days the city is only getting briefings Mon Wed and Fri. So after my report tomorrow I will only report on those day.
Talked to Interior Health today and they are hoping to have most home by tomorrow if all goes well. Not sure when the wards will be fully operational but not only do the need to get the patients back they need the beds as some had to be shipped to other hospitals. We never think about the complexity of moving when the facilities are already up to max. I have heard stories of home care workers sleeping in their cars so they could be close to those who needed them. That is dedication and they deserve our praise.
So for tonight take care.

Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 17th am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 2 Evacuation Alerts.  For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, F, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

Next Thursday (Aug 24th) at 7pm in the Wildwood Fire Hall (4253 Wildwood Road, Wildwood) - a meeting to update CRD Area 'D' residents on the wildfire situation.  Presenters will include CRD reps, BC Wildfire Service reps and Emergency Social Services reps.  If you live in Area 'D' communities like Soda Creek Road (beyond the City of Williams Lake boundary), Mile 168 Rd/Commodore Heights, Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake, Mcalister, up to Marguerite, then you need to be at this meeting and ask your questions on the wildfire situation.  I would love to see you and many Area D residents' there...

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb issued a message to his community last night, as follows:

Well another day and indications are we are in a pretty good spot right now. Barring any extreme weather or some jerk throwing out a cigarette we should be fine.
With the lifting of the alert CMH (Cariboo Memorial Hospital) is in the process of bringing back our seniors and hospital patients.  Not sure how long it will take but their care is the important part.
Still quite smokey today but again I am reminded it will be probably be til the snow flies and we are one day closer to that.
Again good nigh and be safe


Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 16th am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 2 Evacuation Alerts.  For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

The City of Williams Lake rescinded its' Evacuation Alert last night at 6pm - read more here

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the City of Quesnel currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, F, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb issued a message to his community last night, as follows:

Well its Tues night and just finished a council meeting. Also as of 6 o'clock tonight we lifted the alert for the city. After much consultation and discussion on events around us it was determand that the risk of harm to property or people within the city boudaries was at a low enough level to lift the alert. Our parks and trails with the exception of Boitanio park and Kiwanis playground are still off limits. The area is still very dry and we continue to ask that you be very cautious and if you see anything that looks like a fire to report it.
The smoke is still an issue but am told we will be dealing with that in one form or another probably until snow flies.
With the lifting of the order it will allow our hospital to also get back to full service.
So for now I will say good night but don't forget to pray for rain.


Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

WL Council Highlights - Aug 15th mtg

Present: Mayor Cobb; Councillors S. Nelson, J. Ryll, L. Walters and S. Zacharias

Meeting called to order at 6pm

Meeting Agenda approved/Minutes of the July 4th Council Meeting adopted

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque listings dated July 6, 12, 31, August 1, 3, 8 and 10, 2017

2) After receiving no public input -- Council approved Temporary Use Permit #01-2017 for Naomi Smith at property at 80 4th Avenue North

3) Council awarded the contract for CCTV camera inspection and cleaning of 19,500 metres of sanitary sewer mains to Mar-Tech Underground Services Ltd. for the bid price of $74,100, including applicable taxes

4) Council referred the tender for the River Valley Storm Drainage Phase 4 project back to Staff in order to negotiate the tender components within the approved budget for this project

5) Council received In-Camera Report #6-2017 respecting an In-Camera Resolution passed at the August 1st In-Camera Meeting of Williams Lake City Council, in regards to union employee wages during the City's local state of emergency which said Resolution is:

“That, in consideration of IUOE Local 882 providing its members who evacuated pursuant to evacuation orders with a $500 emergency assistance payment, Council approve providing Union staff who remained in the Williams Lake area during the evacuation order with a $500 emergency assistance payment to ensure all Union members receive equal treatment.”

7) Council received the 'Council Information Package', as of August 15th as follows:

July 5, 2017 - NDIT 2017 Second Quarter Report

Members of Council reported out on their activities since the last Council Meeting of July 4th

Media Question Period -- Rebecca Kelly (My Cariboo Now) re: Paving Projects in Williams Lake

Meeting adjourned at 6:20pm

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- Aug 15th am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 1 Evacuation Alert.  For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

For the current Evacuation Alert for the City of Williams Lake - click here.

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the City of Quesnel currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, D, F, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb issued a message to his community last night, as follows:

We'll it seams we have passed the critical point as far as the city goes. Not so for our friends out west. This past weekend was hell for many. Some evacuation orders have been lifted and some initiated. Will this nightmare never end.
Other than the heavy smoke all was quiet today. No new fires as of today that I am aware of. Some are still growing and it appears some are moving around and burning up what they missed last time around.
There are some not so easy decisions to make in the next couple of days. What to do, how to try to get back to normal if there is such a thing these days. So much depend on mother nature and she is not letting us know what's next.
So another safe day cooler nights and no wind warnings.

Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

Support for various Economic Sectors Affected by BC Wildfires

Courtesy of the BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA):

BCEDA is pleased to share that the Red Cross and the Province of BC have announced an emergency assistance program for Small Business, Not-for-Profit Organizations and First Nations Cultural Livelihoods.

The Canadian Red Cross will be providing emergency assistance of $1,500 to each eligible small business, not-for-profit organization or cultural livelihood directly impacted by the British Columbia Fires through an application and validation process. This funding is made possible through a contribution from the government of British Columbia.

Who can apply?

To receive funding, small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and First Nation people who support their community and its members through cultural livelihoods must meet the following basic requirements. Additional information will be required during the application process.

Types of businesses, organizations and First Nations individuals:

* Sole Proprietors
* Partnerships
* Corporations
* Franchises
* Not-for-profit organizations (Organization descriptions)
* First Nations businesses
* First Nations members whose main income support comes from carrying out a cultural livelihood (Cultural livelihood definitions)

In addition, applicants must:

* Have 50 employees or less (does not apply to not-for-profit organizations)
* Be located in a community that was (or is) under an evacuation order or evacuation alert as a result of the 2017 British Columbia Fires, including First Nations businesses or traditional cultural livelihoods located on-reserve.
* Eligibility has also been extended to areas directly impacted by closures along: Highway 20; Highway 97, south of Prince George to areas covered by evacuation alerts; Highway 26 to Barkerville; and, eastern Cariboo Regional District communities of Horsefly and Likely.
* NOTE: Given the event is ongoing, please check back for additional eligible communities. The Province continues to review areas directly and significantly impacted by closures and will make adjustments to the eligibility as required but does not want to delay support to these affected communities while that review is undertaken.
* Have been in operation on or before July 7, 2017
* Be financially vulnerable as a result of the 2017 BC Fires
* Have resumed or are intending to resume operations

How to Apply:

To apply for this assistance please go to www.redcross.ca/bcfires/smallbusiness and complete the application form. You can also call 1-855-999-3345 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday.

BCEDA Business Recovery Hotline:

Businesses that have registered with the BCEDA Business Recovery Hotline have been sent a direct email with the details and the process to apply. The Business Recovery Hotline will remain open to provide additional information and referrals to supports in your local area. 1-877-4BC-EDRP.

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update -- August 14th am

Good morning:

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 1 Evacuation Order and 1 Evacuation Alert.  For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

For the current Evacuation Alert for the City of Williams Lake - click here.

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the City of Quesnel currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, D, F, H, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued on Friday, August 11th by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb issued a message to his community last night, as follows:

Sunday night and hopefully we are just ending the thunder and lightening storm . Just finished the daily conference call. A number of lightening strikes today and once again we are ok here in the city. Once again no new fires or expansion near town. The last hour or so information may not be available yet so if you see anything that even resembles a fire call in immediately. *5555 or 911. Our fire crews are maxed out and any new fires will take fighters away from the larger ones in order to contain any new ones.
For those of you still away from home we had a mixed bag today. Beautiful morning with a little rain last night. The smoke started rolling in about 10:30. Very Smokey then the rain came a couple of times. Not enough but beter than nothing. One more safe day here in the city and as one person said all hell broke loose and mother nature kicked ass in some areas.
More rain needed.


Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

Cariboo-Chilcotin Fire Update - August 13th am

Good morning:

A very active Region for wildfires since 7pm last night... 

Since yesterday - the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued 4 Evacuation Orders and 2 Evacuation Alerts.  For the current list of CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders, click here

For the current Evacuation Alert for the City of Williams Lake - click here.

The Districts' of Wells/100 Mile House and the City of Quesnel currently do not have their Emergency Operations Centre activated nor do they have an active Evacuation Alert or Order

Up-to-date information of the Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre, including all fires within the Cariboo Regional District, can be viewed here

If your CRD Electoral Area is partially under an Evacuation Order (Areas B, D, F, I, J, K and L) - you can call the CRD Emergency Ops Centre (EOC) Public Info Line for questions/clarifications at 1-866-759-4977 or use the online map at https://cariboo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ee2b98baf5544f028aed537461762081

Given the predicted increased winds this weekend - the CRD will NOT be reviewing its currently issued evacuation orders or alerts until Monday morning which at that point, a review will take place to see what, if any, damage the increased winds did to the fire situation in the Region and review the status of the existing CRD Evacuation Alerts/Orders

A reminder that off-road vehicle use is currently BANNED in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.  More details here.  An Area Restriction Order banning access to the back country for ALL Crown Land was issued yesterday by the Cariboo Fire Centre until September 5th or sooner, if conditions allow.  Full details here

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb issued a message to his community last night, as follows:

Took part in the conference call at 8. Things really heated up out west today with the wind. Your CRD site can give you the details. Not pretty.
Although it was windy in town and cleared some of the smoke we were told that around Williams Lake itself all was fine.
It has been so smokey it was impossible to evaluate the extent of today's damage but should get a briefing in the morning when it can be assessed. Apparently on most eastern fronts it has been relatively stable but that does not mean much unless you can see it on a map and know exactly where the fires are.
All in all it has not been a good day for fire fighters or the fire center to try to determine what may be next.

Finally - friendly reminder to continue to rely ONLY on official sources for Evacuation Alerts or Orders from your local government website or Facebook page or through the local media - Tribune (click here) or Vista Radio (click here).

Further Cariboo RD Wildfire Resources:

· YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
· Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
· Website at http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc/eoc-cariboo-fires-video-updates

High winds in Cariboo a concern this weekend for active wildfires

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

A cold front bringing strong and shifting winds is expected to move into the Cariboo Fire Centre today and persist into Sunday. There is also a risk of lightning, as winds could gust up to 60 kilometres per hour in unpredictable directions.  

Given the current wildfire situation throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre, the BC Wildfire Service anticipates that this weather system will lead to a substantial increase in wildfire activity throughout the region.

This wind event could cause existing fires to grow significantly and any new fires may burn aggressively and spread quickly. Firefighting crews have spent the last few days preparing for these expected conditions, but containment efforts will be challenged by the gusty winds.

Although precipitation is expected in the Cariboo Fire Centre over the next couple of days, the amount of rainfall will vary by region. Rain can help decrease fire behaviour temporarily, but its benefits can be short-lived if hot and windy conditions return.

The BC Wildfire Service’s priorities in the Cariboo Fire Centre over the weekend are ensuring the safety of first responders and the public, protecting transportation corridors and conducting aggressive initial attacks on any new fires that start.

The BC Wildfire Service is urging members of the public to remain vigilant. To report a wildfire or an open burning violation, please call 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.

For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1 888 3-FORESTor visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can follow the latest wildfire news:

• On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo