In the month of February 2018 - I attended the following meetings or events:
Feb 1st/2nd - 2018 Local Government Leadership Academy's Annual Leadership Forum, held in Richmond BC
February 14th - Conference call with TELUS Northern BC General Manager Lance MacDonald to set up a meeting for McLeese Lake for High Speed Internet and also High Speed Internet service concerns for those on Fox Mountain in Electoral Area 'D'. The meeting at McLeese Lake is currently scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 5th at 7pm at the McLeese Lake Community Hall
February 15th - Committee of the Whole Sessions for the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District and Cariboo Regional District Boards'
February 16th - Meetings of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District and Cariboo Regional District Boards'
February 20th - Site visit to Orica Canada Ltd, near Gibraltar Mines which has applied for a rezoning change to the Central Cariboo Rural Land Use Bylaw with Cariboo RD Area 'A' Director Ted Armstrong and Orica Canada Ltd/Xat'sull First Nations representatives.
February 22nd - Attended the monthly meeting of the Williams Lake/District Chamber of Commerce and also the McLeese Lake Recreation Commission
February 28th - Meeting of the Central Cariboo CRD Rural Directors' Caucus Committee
As for expenses submitted in the month of February 2018:
Feb 1st/2nd - $150 for 2018 Local Government Leadership Academy's Annual Leadership Forum and $399.60 for mileage from Richmond BC to Williams Lake
February 15th - $185 for Committee of the Whole meetings
February 16th - $185 for CCRHD/CRD Board meetings
February 28th - $75 for Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus Committee
~SF
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
New Chief of Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Gov't (Nemiah Valley)
This afternoon, the electors of Xeni Gwet'in (Nemiah Valley), one of the 6 Bands that make up the Tsilhqot'in National Government elected a new Chief for a 5 year term, commencing immediately
His name is Jimmy Lulua, 33
More details here
~SF
His name is Jimmy Lulua, 33
More details here
~SF
BC Rural Dividend grants support community projects in the Cariboo
Courtesy of the Government of British Columbia:
As part of its rural development mandate, the Government of British Columbia is providing a total of $139,900 to 14 community organizations and First Nations in the Cariboo Region, Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson announced today.
The funding is part of nearly $700,000 in project development grants being awarded to eligible local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations under the BC Rural Dividend program. These grants, of up to $10,000 each, help rural communities develop projects to stabilize their economies and create long-term local employment.
“Congratulations to everyone involved,” said Donaldson. “The selected projects reflect the strength of rural communities – people working together for the good of the community.”
Project Funded:
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association in Williams Lake is being awarded $9,992 to help tourism operators and businesses improve digital marketing to world markets through a feasibility study and database for digital readiness, and a foundation for future applications if gaps are identified.
The Cariboo Mining Association in Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to produce a Placer Mining Best Management Practices Guide to cover the basics of prospecting – with one document for hand operations and one for mechanical operations.
The Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Council is being awarded $10,000 to create a framework for two of the main components of a project to enhance the 350-kilometre Nuxalk-Dakelh Grease Trail – restoration/maintenance logistics and promotion/marketing.
The City of Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to prepare an economic transition strategy for the city with measureable objectives, timelines and action steps.
The District of Wells is being awarded $10,000 to complete a business recruitment, retention and expansion strategy to identify ways to support existing businesses and attract new ones.
The Esk’etemc First Nation in Alkali Lake is being awarded $10,000 to update its economic development strategy, creating a foundation for the next five years by engaging with the community and working with a consultant to identify and support new opportunities.
The Island Mountain Arts Society in Wells is being awarded $9,950 to purchase donor management systems and find other ways to increase the sources and types of funding to offset annual operations.
The McLeese Lake Volunteer Fire Department Society is being awarded $9,958 to train and upgrade the skills of its volunteer members so they can be on the BC Wildfire Service standby list for wildfire season, and can train to become first responders.
The North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association in Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to help the newly formed North Cariboo Agricultural Development Advisory Committee establish a Quesnel Agriculture Centre that will encourage retention, expansion and development of agri-businesses and farms in the region by providing a knowledge hub for best practices.
The Pet Safe Coalition Society of Canada in Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to develop a post-wildfire strategic plan so it can identify ways to more effectively prepare for future disasters.
The Quesnel and District Heritage Association is being awarded $10,000 for a 10-year strategic plan to develop the Quesnel Antique Machinery Park into an attractive historical tourism destination for the North Cariboo.
The Quesnel Crafters Society is being awarded $10,000 to create a marketing plan to expand their market for high-quality art and artisan products, and increase opportunities for their Cariboo Keepsakes retail store.
The Quesnel Rodeo Club is being awarded $10,000 for a marketing strategy that identifies opportunities, potential partners and strategies to reach future participants and potential audiences.
The Sunset Theatre Society in Wells is being awarded $10,000 to assess the requirements for a touring and outreach program to bring plays developed by First Nations artists through its exploration series to the Cariboo Region and beyond.
The rural dividend encourages economic diversification, innovation, sustainability and collaboration, and recognizes the diverse needs of individual communities.
Quick Facts:
Projects were assessed and approved based on the following criteria:
Rural communities most in need.
Improved community resiliency and economic strength.
Partnership building and enhanced shared prosperity.
Project feasibility and sustainability.
Economic impact on rural communities.
Attracting and retaining youth.
Innovation in economic development.
Learn More:
Rural Dividend: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend
As part of its rural development mandate, the Government of British Columbia is providing a total of $139,900 to 14 community organizations and First Nations in the Cariboo Region, Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson announced today.
The funding is part of nearly $700,000 in project development grants being awarded to eligible local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations under the BC Rural Dividend program. These grants, of up to $10,000 each, help rural communities develop projects to stabilize their economies and create long-term local employment.
“Congratulations to everyone involved,” said Donaldson. “The selected projects reflect the strength of rural communities – people working together for the good of the community.”
Project Funded:
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association in Williams Lake is being awarded $9,992 to help tourism operators and businesses improve digital marketing to world markets through a feasibility study and database for digital readiness, and a foundation for future applications if gaps are identified.
The Cariboo Mining Association in Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to produce a Placer Mining Best Management Practices Guide to cover the basics of prospecting – with one document for hand operations and one for mechanical operations.
The Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Council is being awarded $10,000 to create a framework for two of the main components of a project to enhance the 350-kilometre Nuxalk-Dakelh Grease Trail – restoration/maintenance logistics and promotion/marketing.
The City of Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to prepare an economic transition strategy for the city with measureable objectives, timelines and action steps.
The District of Wells is being awarded $10,000 to complete a business recruitment, retention and expansion strategy to identify ways to support existing businesses and attract new ones.
The Esk’etemc First Nation in Alkali Lake is being awarded $10,000 to update its economic development strategy, creating a foundation for the next five years by engaging with the community and working with a consultant to identify and support new opportunities.
The Island Mountain Arts Society in Wells is being awarded $9,950 to purchase donor management systems and find other ways to increase the sources and types of funding to offset annual operations.
The McLeese Lake Volunteer Fire Department Society is being awarded $9,958 to train and upgrade the skills of its volunteer members so they can be on the BC Wildfire Service standby list for wildfire season, and can train to become first responders.
The North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association in Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to help the newly formed North Cariboo Agricultural Development Advisory Committee establish a Quesnel Agriculture Centre that will encourage retention, expansion and development of agri-businesses and farms in the region by providing a knowledge hub for best practices.
The Pet Safe Coalition Society of Canada in Quesnel is being awarded $10,000 to develop a post-wildfire strategic plan so it can identify ways to more effectively prepare for future disasters.
The Quesnel and District Heritage Association is being awarded $10,000 for a 10-year strategic plan to develop the Quesnel Antique Machinery Park into an attractive historical tourism destination for the North Cariboo.
The Quesnel Crafters Society is being awarded $10,000 to create a marketing plan to expand their market for high-quality art and artisan products, and increase opportunities for their Cariboo Keepsakes retail store.
The Quesnel Rodeo Club is being awarded $10,000 for a marketing strategy that identifies opportunities, potential partners and strategies to reach future participants and potential audiences.
The Sunset Theatre Society in Wells is being awarded $10,000 to assess the requirements for a touring and outreach program to bring plays developed by First Nations artists through its exploration series to the Cariboo Region and beyond.
The rural dividend encourages economic diversification, innovation, sustainability and collaboration, and recognizes the diverse needs of individual communities.
Quick Facts:
Projects were assessed and approved based on the following criteria:
Rural communities most in need.
Improved community resiliency and economic strength.
Partnership building and enhanced shared prosperity.
Project feasibility and sustainability.
Economic impact on rural communities.
Attracting and retaining youth.
Innovation in economic development.
Learn More:
Rural Dividend: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend
CC Rural Directors' Caucus Highlights - Feb 28th mtg
Present: Chair M. Neufeld and Directors S. Forseth, J. Sorley and B. Anderson
Meeting called to order at 3:00pm
Meeting Agenda approved
Minutes of the January 24th CCRC Meeting approved
Delegation:
Williams Lake RCMP Inspector Jeff Pelley and City of Williams Lake Manager of Community Safety Dave Dickson appeared before the Committee to provide an update
Discussion ensued thereon
The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Inspector Pelley/Mr. Dickson for their time/information
Business:
1) The Committee received two items from Director Forseth, deferred from last month's Committee meeting, as follows:
a) Round 2 of Wildfires Engagement Meetings
b) Proposed Conventional Transit Services in Electoral Areas D, E, F
2) The Committee received an invitation to the March 15th, 2018 City of Williams Lake Birthday Tea
3) The Committee held a discussion on its' Terms of Reference
The Committee adjourned at 4:35pm
Meeting called to order at 3:00pm
Meeting Agenda approved
Minutes of the January 24th CCRC Meeting approved
Delegation:
Williams Lake RCMP Inspector Jeff Pelley and City of Williams Lake Manager of Community Safety Dave Dickson appeared before the Committee to provide an update
Discussion ensued thereon
The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Inspector Pelley/Mr. Dickson for their time/information
Business:
1) The Committee received two items from Director Forseth, deferred from last month's Committee meeting, as follows:
a) Round 2 of Wildfires Engagement Meetings
b) Proposed Conventional Transit Services in Electoral Areas D, E, F
2) The Committee received an invitation to the March 15th, 2018 City of Williams Lake Birthday Tea
3) The Committee held a discussion on its' Terms of Reference
The Committee adjourned at 4:35pm
Engaging with our youth
Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:
Editor's Note -- this week's Quesnel Council Column is written by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson. He can be reached via email here
It always bothers me when I hear decision makers, especially political leaders, say “the children are our future,” as the reality is that the decisions we adults make today dramatically impact the future our children will actually inherit. That’s why it’s so critical to make every effort to engage our youth in decision making at all levels of government and that we ensure we keep their rights in mind as we shape their future.
But, engaging young people in our decision-making must, as with all engagement efforts, result in actual influence over the decisions we make. Youth, in particular, are very cynical of the efforts of adults who want to engage them just to say they have and not to actually change the outcome of their deliberations. However, decision-making is often complicated and very seldom black-and-white, and most young people don’t have the necessary background, the patience, or the willingness to compromise required to participate in most decision-making processes (few adults do too!). Therefore, it’s up to us to try and engage youth in ways that enable them to see success, to see the direct outcomes of their input and insights, in order to entice them to participate more often and more deeply in the decisions that matter to their present and future well-being.
Some teachers and activists are very good at empowering young people to influence events and decisions in their community. The year over year efforts of a group of young people, coordinated by a couple of parent activists, toward fundraising and visioning for a new skate board park in West Quesnel is a prime example of how youth can persist in pushing an agenda even when the odds appear to be stacked against them. When the new skate board park is completed this year, I hope these young people will be able to take great pride in their efforts and feel empowered to take on other similar challenges in the future.
Last week, two grade eight students presented Council with a cheque on behalf of their last year’s grade seven class at Riverview Elementary. With their teacher’s help and guidance, the students fundraised for a community legacy project and last year’s class chose to donate the money they raised toward the planned revitalization of Lewis Rink. It was great to see these two young people appear before Council to formally make their contribution to our community on behalf of their class.
There are times though that young people in our community truly challenge us to think very differently. One young girl appeared before Council last year to educate us on the serious problems associated with single use plastic bags, both at the community and global level. Her presentation was thoughtful and detailed and her challenge to Council to address single use waste materials was turned over to an intern working for the City (another bright young mind) who laid out the issue for our Policy Committee in all its complexities. Nothing is simple when it comes to consumer waste!
The initiative and courage this young girl demonstrated in order to appear before Council and to challenge us to take on a complicated issue has now morphed into a complete rethink of how we will be approaching our planned review of our entire waste management system. Rather than simply undertaking a technical review of our landfilling and recycling processes, we will now be engaging in a process to better understand how Quesnel can become a leader in zero-waste and full material recovery initiatives. We also want to engage the public in this process as, at the end of the day, everyone needs to make better consumer choices if we want to truly reduce the waste we create in the first place.
As a Council we will continue to seek ways to engage youth in our decision making so they can actively shape their future here in our community.
Editor's Note -- this week's Quesnel Council Column is written by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson. He can be reached via email here
It always bothers me when I hear decision makers, especially political leaders, say “the children are our future,” as the reality is that the decisions we adults make today dramatically impact the future our children will actually inherit. That’s why it’s so critical to make every effort to engage our youth in decision making at all levels of government and that we ensure we keep their rights in mind as we shape their future.
But, engaging young people in our decision-making must, as with all engagement efforts, result in actual influence over the decisions we make. Youth, in particular, are very cynical of the efforts of adults who want to engage them just to say they have and not to actually change the outcome of their deliberations. However, decision-making is often complicated and very seldom black-and-white, and most young people don’t have the necessary background, the patience, or the willingness to compromise required to participate in most decision-making processes (few adults do too!). Therefore, it’s up to us to try and engage youth in ways that enable them to see success, to see the direct outcomes of their input and insights, in order to entice them to participate more often and more deeply in the decisions that matter to their present and future well-being.
Some teachers and activists are very good at empowering young people to influence events and decisions in their community. The year over year efforts of a group of young people, coordinated by a couple of parent activists, toward fundraising and visioning for a new skate board park in West Quesnel is a prime example of how youth can persist in pushing an agenda even when the odds appear to be stacked against them. When the new skate board park is completed this year, I hope these young people will be able to take great pride in their efforts and feel empowered to take on other similar challenges in the future.
Last week, two grade eight students presented Council with a cheque on behalf of their last year’s grade seven class at Riverview Elementary. With their teacher’s help and guidance, the students fundraised for a community legacy project and last year’s class chose to donate the money they raised toward the planned revitalization of Lewis Rink. It was great to see these two young people appear before Council to formally make their contribution to our community on behalf of their class.
There are times though that young people in our community truly challenge us to think very differently. One young girl appeared before Council last year to educate us on the serious problems associated with single use plastic bags, both at the community and global level. Her presentation was thoughtful and detailed and her challenge to Council to address single use waste materials was turned over to an intern working for the City (another bright young mind) who laid out the issue for our Policy Committee in all its complexities. Nothing is simple when it comes to consumer waste!
The initiative and courage this young girl demonstrated in order to appear before Council and to challenge us to take on a complicated issue has now morphed into a complete rethink of how we will be approaching our planned review of our entire waste management system. Rather than simply undertaking a technical review of our landfilling and recycling processes, we will now be engaging in a process to better understand how Quesnel can become a leader in zero-waste and full material recovery initiatives. We also want to engage the public in this process as, at the end of the day, everyone needs to make better consumer choices if we want to truly reduce the waste we create in the first place.
As a Council we will continue to seek ways to engage youth in our decision making so they can actively shape their future here in our community.
Quesnel Council Highlights - Feb 27th mtg
Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:
West Fraser Timber – Quesnel Fibre and Operations Update
Council received an update regarding West Fraser Quesnel fiber and operations from D'Arcy Henderson, Regional Manager and Stuart Lebeck, Woods Manager. The presentation provided an overview of:
Operations
Located in Quesnel – Head Office and five mills: West Fraser Sawmill, Cariboo Pulp & Paper, Quesnel River Pulp, WestPine MDF, West Fraser Plywood
1,441 direct employees with an annual payroll of $111.3 million to direct employees
1,945 indirect and induced jobs in the region
$19.3 million annual provincial and local taxes paid
$81.3 million paid for contract services from loggers, truckers and other businesses
$1.3 million in donations over the past five years, with the most recent contribution to the West Fraser Centre
West Fraser - Managing the Land
West Fraser manages an area-based tenure, Tree Farm License 52. West Fraser has sustainably managed Tree Farm License 52 for more than 60 years that ensures a stable future supply of timber for mill operations and corresponding community jobs.
West Fraser – Green Bioenergy
Produce renewable energy at three mills in Canada, using Organic Rankine cycle bioenergy generators. West Fraser has a further 20 mills across Canada that produce green energy in other ways.
Region-Wide Fibre Impacts
Harvest level reduction expected from current: 50% for 100 Mile House, 51% for Williams Lake and 60% for Quesnel.
Timber supply has been further impacted by 2017 wildfires.
Explore Cariboo Grant Application
Council approved City staff to submit a grant application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust, Marketing Initiatives fund, for the Explore Cariboo project. The City of Quesnel has partnered with the Cariboo Regional District, District of Wells, City of Williams Lake, Williams Lake Indian Band, and the District of 100 Mile House on an Explore Cariboo project that will promote travel to the region. The messaging and materials focuses on festivals throughout the region and encourages travellers to arrive for a festival and stay to explore the area.
Minerals North – Hosting Opportunity
Council approved City staff to put forward an application package for the City of Quesnel to be considered to host the Minerals North annual conference in 2020. If the City of Quesnel is successful in this bid, the Minerals North conference would be held in Quesnel over three days tentatively scheduled from Wednesday, April 29 to Friday, May 1, 2020. The City is interested in becoming more of hosting venue for conferences and conventions utilizing the City’s facilities.
Bylaws
1843 Council Procedures – Change Start Time of Council Meeting to 6 pm – Final Adoption (Take Effect November 6, 2018)
1827 Solid Fuel Burning – Final Adoption
Next Meetings
7 pm, March 6, 2018 – Regular Council Meeting
5:30 pm, March 13, 2018 – North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee
West Fraser Timber – Quesnel Fibre and Operations Update
Council received an update regarding West Fraser Quesnel fiber and operations from D'Arcy Henderson, Regional Manager and Stuart Lebeck, Woods Manager. The presentation provided an overview of:
Operations
Located in Quesnel – Head Office and five mills: West Fraser Sawmill, Cariboo Pulp & Paper, Quesnel River Pulp, WestPine MDF, West Fraser Plywood
1,441 direct employees with an annual payroll of $111.3 million to direct employees
1,945 indirect and induced jobs in the region
$19.3 million annual provincial and local taxes paid
$81.3 million paid for contract services from loggers, truckers and other businesses
$1.3 million in donations over the past five years, with the most recent contribution to the West Fraser Centre
West Fraser - Managing the Land
West Fraser manages an area-based tenure, Tree Farm License 52. West Fraser has sustainably managed Tree Farm License 52 for more than 60 years that ensures a stable future supply of timber for mill operations and corresponding community jobs.
West Fraser – Green Bioenergy
Produce renewable energy at three mills in Canada, using Organic Rankine cycle bioenergy generators. West Fraser has a further 20 mills across Canada that produce green energy in other ways.
Region-Wide Fibre Impacts
Harvest level reduction expected from current: 50% for 100 Mile House, 51% for Williams Lake and 60% for Quesnel.
Timber supply has been further impacted by 2017 wildfires.
Explore Cariboo Grant Application
Council approved City staff to submit a grant application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust, Marketing Initiatives fund, for the Explore Cariboo project. The City of Quesnel has partnered with the Cariboo Regional District, District of Wells, City of Williams Lake, Williams Lake Indian Band, and the District of 100 Mile House on an Explore Cariboo project that will promote travel to the region. The messaging and materials focuses on festivals throughout the region and encourages travellers to arrive for a festival and stay to explore the area.
Minerals North – Hosting Opportunity
Council approved City staff to put forward an application package for the City of Quesnel to be considered to host the Minerals North annual conference in 2020. If the City of Quesnel is successful in this bid, the Minerals North conference would be held in Quesnel over three days tentatively scheduled from Wednesday, April 29 to Friday, May 1, 2020. The City is interested in becoming more of hosting venue for conferences and conventions utilizing the City’s facilities.
Bylaws
1843 Council Procedures – Change Start Time of Council Meeting to 6 pm – Final Adoption (Take Effect November 6, 2018)
1827 Solid Fuel Burning – Final Adoption
Next Meetings
7 pm, March 6, 2018 – Regular Council Meeting
5:30 pm, March 13, 2018 – North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee
Pink Shirt Day 2018
The history of this day goes back to Nova Scotia in 2007 when local Grade 9 student Charles Mcneil was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school. Subsequently, David Shepherd and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia then bought and distributed 50 pink shirts to support Charles Mcneil. Since then, it has grown all across the world. It is also referred to as "Anti-Bullying Day". in 2012, the United Nations declared May 4th as "Anti-Bullying Day"
2018's Pink Shirt Day theme is "Nice Needs No Filter" and a focus on "Cyber-Bullying"
More details can be viewed here
And if I might - a little personal testimony here:
From 1993 - 1997 was the period of high school and it was where I suffered either bullying or intimidation and back then, the consequences were not as easily understood as they are today. A couple of years ago -- an individual, whom I won't name here, reached out to me and asked for forgiveness for his actions where he/I were in the same high school - Columneetza Senior Secondary in 1995-97. After so many years, I felt it was important to forgive him and move on. Primarily because, most in their teenager years don't appreciate the consequences of their actions until many years later, which this situation reminded me of a story I heard at an economic development conference I attended in Salmon Arm in April 2015 around how poorly Nelson Mandela was treated in South African prisons and later on became the President of South Africa -- Mandela asked the same guards who treated him poorly to attend his presidential inauguration and it was noted at the end of the story -- That is forgiveness
Tips I've learned over time experiencing bullying whether in school, in the workplace or elsewhere:
1) Take time for yourself/allow a period to cool down/take a holiday to achieve balance
2) Build support networks in your workplace - also important for those serving in local, provincial or federal governments
3) If you have a Code of Conduct in your workplace (like the Cariboo RD does) and suffer humiliation, bullying or intimidation -- make use of it and try to get the behaviour corrected...
I hope for the day that bullying, in all its' forms, will be something left in the past and where everyone is accorded respect and feels safe in their workplaces/homes and where difference of opinions are welcomed
~SF
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
2018 NDIT Business Facade Improvement Program Available
Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:
Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) has approved the City of Williams Lake’s application for a $20,000 Business Façade Improvement Program grant for another year. The funds will be delivered through a local Business Façade Improvement Program to improve retail and commercial building facades in the City’s downtown and highway commercial corridor. A primary purpose of the program is to assist in improving the physical appearance and/or functionality of commercial buildings to increase business viability and service to the public.
By facilitating improvements to business facades, business areas can become more appealing to consumers, thereby increasing the marketability of commercial spaces and assisting business viability and retention.
Existing buildings in the Downtown and Highway Corridor Development Permit areas of the City of Williams Lake are eligible for the program. Building owners, or business owners with written authorization of the property owner, can apply to the City for a 50% reimbursement grant up to a maximum of $5,000 for approved façade improvement projects.
Examples of eligible improvements include exterior works such as decorative and architectural details, signage, accessibility and entranceway improvements, and lighting.
The City is accepting applications until May 31, 2018.
The Business Façade Improvement Program application and guidelines are now available on the City’s website at http://williamslake.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1291.
For more information about funding programs and Northern Development Initiative Trust success stories, visit their website at www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca
For more information, please contact Linda Evans, Development Services Coordinator, at (250) 392-1765 or levans@williamslake.ca
Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) has approved the City of Williams Lake’s application for a $20,000 Business Façade Improvement Program grant for another year. The funds will be delivered through a local Business Façade Improvement Program to improve retail and commercial building facades in the City’s downtown and highway commercial corridor. A primary purpose of the program is to assist in improving the physical appearance and/or functionality of commercial buildings to increase business viability and service to the public.
By facilitating improvements to business facades, business areas can become more appealing to consumers, thereby increasing the marketability of commercial spaces and assisting business viability and retention.
Existing buildings in the Downtown and Highway Corridor Development Permit areas of the City of Williams Lake are eligible for the program. Building owners, or business owners with written authorization of the property owner, can apply to the City for a 50% reimbursement grant up to a maximum of $5,000 for approved façade improvement projects.
Examples of eligible improvements include exterior works such as decorative and architectural details, signage, accessibility and entranceway improvements, and lighting.
The City is accepting applications until May 31, 2018.
The Business Façade Improvement Program application and guidelines are now available on the City’s website at http://williamslake.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1291.
For more information about funding programs and Northern Development Initiative Trust success stories, visit their website at www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca
For more information, please contact Linda Evans, Development Services Coordinator, at (250) 392-1765 or levans@williamslake.ca
Williams Lake Council Requests Reinstatement of Electronic Monitoring Program
Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:
City of Williams Lake Council has submitted an open letter to all Provincial Court of British Columbia Judges; the Honourable David Eby, Attorney General; and the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, expressing its concerns regarding sentencing for criminals conducting unlawful activities during the wildfire evacuations, as well as requesting reinstatement of the Electronic Monitoring Program.
Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb says:
"Williams Lake residents have worked hard to combat crime in our community, and have come together to strive toward becoming a crime-free community. We have increased resources, including installing additional security cameras, and have changed policies and bylaws to provide the RCMP with extra tools. We have increased policing to full capacity, with the Province providing an additional six RCMP officers. The Community Policing volunteers have become a model for other communities in this province. During the evacuation, residents were significantly stressed, and sensitive to what happened during this crisis. For thieves to take advantage of this situation should not be tolerated."
Williams Lake RCMP arrested two individuals on July 11, 2017 during the evacuation order. A search warrant uncovered several other items that were believed to have been taken from evacuated homes. Several charges were stayed, and one of the criminals was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and house arrest.
During house arrest, the individual was arrested for domestic assault.
Williams Lake City Councillor Scott Nelson states:
"There is no question that the Electronic Monitoring Program must be reinstated, so that individuals on probation can be monitored 24/7. City Council was shocked to hear how many persons are not compliant with their bail release or probation conditions. It is of significant concern if these individuals are not where they have been directed to be by the courts, because we then have no idea where they are, or what they are doing, and the risk to re-offend is significantly increased."
City of Williams Lake Council has questioned why the former Electronic Monitoring Program is not currently employed, and whether there are any overwhelming reasons why it cannot be restored. The concern lies not just with the expense of monitoring, but with real unease about the activities of persons unlawfully at large, and the threat they pose to the citizens of our community.
View below for a copy of the 2 Page Letter to the Hon. Judges of the Provincial Court of BC; the Hon. David Eby - BC Attorney General and Hon. Mike Farnworth - BC Minister of Public Safety
City of Williams Lake Council has submitted an open letter to all Provincial Court of British Columbia Judges; the Honourable David Eby, Attorney General; and the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, expressing its concerns regarding sentencing for criminals conducting unlawful activities during the wildfire evacuations, as well as requesting reinstatement of the Electronic Monitoring Program.
Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb says:
"Williams Lake residents have worked hard to combat crime in our community, and have come together to strive toward becoming a crime-free community. We have increased resources, including installing additional security cameras, and have changed policies and bylaws to provide the RCMP with extra tools. We have increased policing to full capacity, with the Province providing an additional six RCMP officers. The Community Policing volunteers have become a model for other communities in this province. During the evacuation, residents were significantly stressed, and sensitive to what happened during this crisis. For thieves to take advantage of this situation should not be tolerated."
Williams Lake RCMP arrested two individuals on July 11, 2017 during the evacuation order. A search warrant uncovered several other items that were believed to have been taken from evacuated homes. Several charges were stayed, and one of the criminals was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and house arrest.
During house arrest, the individual was arrested for domestic assault.
Williams Lake City Councillor Scott Nelson states:
"There is no question that the Electronic Monitoring Program must be reinstated, so that individuals on probation can be monitored 24/7. City Council was shocked to hear how many persons are not compliant with their bail release or probation conditions. It is of significant concern if these individuals are not where they have been directed to be by the courts, because we then have no idea where they are, or what they are doing, and the risk to re-offend is significantly increased."
City of Williams Lake Council has questioned why the former Electronic Monitoring Program is not currently employed, and whether there are any overwhelming reasons why it cannot be restored. The concern lies not just with the expense of monitoring, but with real unease about the activities of persons unlawfully at large, and the threat they pose to the citizens of our community.
View below for a copy of the 2 Page Letter to the Hon. Judges of the Provincial Court of BC; the Hon. David Eby - BC Attorney General and Hon. Mike Farnworth - BC Minister of Public Safety
Monday, February 26, 2018
Regional Hospital Districts
In 1967 - Regional Hospital Districts (RHD's) were created by the-then Social Credit provincial government under former BC Premier W.A.C. Bennett to ensure, both rural/urban people, financially contribute to local hospital capital needs. Most Regional Hospital Districts in BC align with their corresponding Regional District. Some RHD boundaries overlap two Regional Districts'
For example, the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) align with the boundaries of the Cariboo Regional District along with a portion of Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Electoral Area 'E' which entitles the Thompson Nicola Regional District Electoral Area 'E' Director to sit on the CCRHD Board. The current TNRD Area E Director is Sally Watson.
Local hospital capital projects are typically funded on a 40% RHD/60% Health Authority (Province of BC) ratio, although there is nothing in the Hospital District Act that states this specifically
On April 1st, 1999 - the Province of BC relieved the then Greater Vancouver Regional District (now Metro Vancouver) from having to contribute local property tax dollars towards local hospital capital needs but allowed that "tax room" for Translink to have local taxpayers contribute towards the operation of the Regional Transit Service
RHD financing has recently been debated in the public realm including by former BC Health Minister Dr Terry Lake and from RHD's such as West Kootenay/Boundary RHD saying how RHD's were envisioned has become too murky and the RHD Financing Structure needs modernization.
At the 2017 Union of BC Municipalities Convention -- UBCM Delegates endorsed a Resolution from the City of Nelson on the subject of RHD Capital Funding, as follows:
Whereas regional hospital districts were created by provincial legislation to raise a ‘local share’ of capital costs for hospital equipment and building through property taxation with the ‘local share’ historically held at 40% for regional hospital capital projects and the Province contributing 60%;
And whereas local governments have limited ways to generate funding to pay for local services and infrastructure since property taxes are the primary source of revenue and are being stretched to meet the diverse demands local governments already face which cannot sustain the increased load in meeting hospital board expenditures:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the provincial government to acknowledge that property tax revenue is an unsuitable avenue to fund hospital infrastructure renewal projects and prioritize the urgent review of the historic cost sharing ratio with a recommendation to amend current policy accordingly.
As of this writing - the Province of BC has not responded to the above endorsed UBCM Resolution
At the April 13th, 2017 meeting of the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District - the topic of the Terrace Mills Memorial Hospital project was raised by Cariboo RD Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley and the usual RHD/Province Hospital Capital cost share (40/60) was discussed and the fact, at the time that the Northwest Regional Hospital District was contemplating funding their share of the Terrace Hospital project at a 20% RHD/80% Province ratio and at the urging of Cariboo RD Area 'G' Director Al Richmond, the following motion was adopted:
That a letter be forwarded to Northern Health, with a copy to the Minister of Health, asking if the 20% contribution by the North West Regional Hospital District, for the replacement of the Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, is the new standard for funding towards capital projects.
On February 9th, 2018 - the Province of BC via BC Health Minister Adrian Dix announced that the final concept plan for the Terrace Mills Hospital Project was accepted by the Province and the project would now proceed to the business plan stage, similar to the current status of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Project. However, 3 days before that announcement -- on February 6th, 2018 - the Northwest Regional Hospital District held a Special In-Camera Meeting to discuss cost sharing of the Terrace Mills Memorial Hospital Project and following discussion, the following Resolution was adopted:
The North West Regional Hospital District commits to the Province to fund 30% of the Full Replacement Project for Mills Memorial Hospital, up to a maximum of $113,700,000. The North West Regional Hospital District commits to the Province to fund 100% of the Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement Business Plan costs, with the understanding that those funds will be applied to the NWRHD’s 30% share of the total project - Full background here along with the media article from the local Terrace newspaper here
The CCRHD Board will reviewing a Vancouver Sun article in relation to the April 1st, 1999 provincial decision to allowing Metro Vancouver taxpayers to not contribute property taxes towards local hospital capital needs but towards local transit services instead and I plan to ask the CCRHD Board to consider approaching the Provincial Government to negotiate a cost share arrangement for both Cariboo Memorial Hospital and GR Baker Hospital Projects in the years ahead to avoid long term debt, if we can, similar to the hospital capital financing arrangement that the Northwest Regional Hospital District now has in place for the Terrace Mills Memorial Hospital project
I'm looking forward to having the conversation at the Board table and seeing where it goes...
~SF
For example, the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) align with the boundaries of the Cariboo Regional District along with a portion of Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Electoral Area 'E' which entitles the Thompson Nicola Regional District Electoral Area 'E' Director to sit on the CCRHD Board. The current TNRD Area E Director is Sally Watson.
Local hospital capital projects are typically funded on a 40% RHD/60% Health Authority (Province of BC) ratio, although there is nothing in the Hospital District Act that states this specifically
On April 1st, 1999 - the Province of BC relieved the then Greater Vancouver Regional District (now Metro Vancouver) from having to contribute local property tax dollars towards local hospital capital needs but allowed that "tax room" for Translink to have local taxpayers contribute towards the operation of the Regional Transit Service
RHD financing has recently been debated in the public realm including by former BC Health Minister Dr Terry Lake and from RHD's such as West Kootenay/Boundary RHD saying how RHD's were envisioned has become too murky and the RHD Financing Structure needs modernization.
At the 2017 Union of BC Municipalities Convention -- UBCM Delegates endorsed a Resolution from the City of Nelson on the subject of RHD Capital Funding, as follows:
Whereas regional hospital districts were created by provincial legislation to raise a ‘local share’ of capital costs for hospital equipment and building through property taxation with the ‘local share’ historically held at 40% for regional hospital capital projects and the Province contributing 60%;
And whereas local governments have limited ways to generate funding to pay for local services and infrastructure since property taxes are the primary source of revenue and are being stretched to meet the diverse demands local governments already face which cannot sustain the increased load in meeting hospital board expenditures:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the provincial government to acknowledge that property tax revenue is an unsuitable avenue to fund hospital infrastructure renewal projects and prioritize the urgent review of the historic cost sharing ratio with a recommendation to amend current policy accordingly.
As of this writing - the Province of BC has not responded to the above endorsed UBCM Resolution
At the April 13th, 2017 meeting of the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District - the topic of the Terrace Mills Memorial Hospital project was raised by Cariboo RD Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley and the usual RHD/Province Hospital Capital cost share (40/60) was discussed and the fact, at the time that the Northwest Regional Hospital District was contemplating funding their share of the Terrace Hospital project at a 20% RHD/80% Province ratio and at the urging of Cariboo RD Area 'G' Director Al Richmond, the following motion was adopted:
That a letter be forwarded to Northern Health, with a copy to the Minister of Health, asking if the 20% contribution by the North West Regional Hospital District, for the replacement of the Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, is the new standard for funding towards capital projects.
On February 9th, 2018 - the Province of BC via BC Health Minister Adrian Dix announced that the final concept plan for the Terrace Mills Hospital Project was accepted by the Province and the project would now proceed to the business plan stage, similar to the current status of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Project. However, 3 days before that announcement -- on February 6th, 2018 - the Northwest Regional Hospital District held a Special In-Camera Meeting to discuss cost sharing of the Terrace Mills Memorial Hospital Project and following discussion, the following Resolution was adopted:
The North West Regional Hospital District commits to the Province to fund 30% of the Full Replacement Project for Mills Memorial Hospital, up to a maximum of $113,700,000. The North West Regional Hospital District commits to the Province to fund 100% of the Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement Business Plan costs, with the understanding that those funds will be applied to the NWRHD’s 30% share of the total project - Full background here along with the media article from the local Terrace newspaper here
The CCRHD Board will reviewing a Vancouver Sun article in relation to the April 1st, 1999 provincial decision to allowing Metro Vancouver taxpayers to not contribute property taxes towards local hospital capital needs but towards local transit services instead and I plan to ask the CCRHD Board to consider approaching the Provincial Government to negotiate a cost share arrangement for both Cariboo Memorial Hospital and GR Baker Hospital Projects in the years ahead to avoid long term debt, if we can, similar to the hospital capital financing arrangement that the Northwest Regional Hospital District now has in place for the Terrace Mills Memorial Hospital project
I'm looking forward to having the conversation at the Board table and seeing where it goes...
~SF
Friday, February 23, 2018
Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Feb 26 to Mar 2nd
The following local governments of the Cariboo Chilcotin are meeting next week, as follows:
Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor - 410 Kinchant St). On the Agenda:
* Presentation -- City Employee Retirement
* Delegation -- West Fraser Mills Ltd. - Fiber/Operations/Land Base Update - D'Arcy Henderson, Cariboo Regional Manager, Stuart Lebeck, Woods Manager
* Executive Committee Report (Recommendation to amend Terms of Reference)
* Age Friendly Initiative Committee - February 9, 2018 Draft Meeting Minutes
* Letters of Support for City of Quesnel North South Interconnector Highway 97 Proposal
* Proposed NCLGA Resolution from Councillor R. Paull - Wildfire Crime
* Wildfire Related Issues w/Letter to Minister of FLNRORD and proposed NCLGA Resolution, Community Wildfire Related Issues
* Northern Development Initiative Trust, Marketing Initiative - Explore Cariboo
* Application to Host 2020 Minerals North Conference in Quesnel
* Dengarry Professional Services Ltd. - Request for New Bus Stops
* Follow-up letter from BC Premier John Horgan re: Recent Roundtable Meeting in Prince George
View the full Agenda here
School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - Regular Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 6:30pm in the SD27 Boardroom (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake). When available, the Agenda can be viewed here
Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole session on Tuesday, February 27th at 6pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St). On the Agenda:
Delegations (2) -- Williams Lake RCMP Insp. Jeff Pelley re: Monthly Police Commission Report - click here & Vanessa Moberg, Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society re "Living (Dangerously) in an Era of Megafires | Paul Hessburg | TEDxBend" Video
* Items from NCLGA -- Appointment of CRD Representative to the NCLGA Board/NCLGA Call for Resolutions, Board Nominations & AGM Bids
* 2018 Operating and Capital Projects Budget
View the full Agenda here
100 Mile House - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue). On the Agenda:
* Commissionaires Report – January 2018
* South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce - Support for NDIT Grant Application (Fabulous Festivals and Events Grant)
* Disposal of Assets
* Cariboo Regional District Referral – 5646 Horse Lake Road
* Appointment of 2018 General Election Officers
* Bylaws -- Parking and Traffic Amendment By-Law 1321-2018 (Adoption); Fees and Charges Amendment By-Law 1322-2018 (1st,2nd and 3rd Readings); Zoning Amendment By-Law 1323-2018 (1st/2nd Readings)
View the full Agenda here
Cariboo Regional District - Meetings as noted below:
South Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Monday, February 26th at 12 noon in 100 Mile House Council Chambers. On the Agenda:
* Delegation: Josh Dickerson, Facility Manager, SC Recreation Centre/Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
* South Cariboo Recreation Centre Expansion Working Group Meeting Notes - January 10, 2018
* 100 Mile Outriders – Equestrian Grounds Use and Occupancy Agreement Renewal
View the full Agenda here
Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus - Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 28th at 3pm in the CRD Committee Room (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). On the Agenda:
* Delegation: Williams Lake RCMP Insp. Jeff Pelley - Update to Central Cariboo CRD Directors
* Deferred Items -- Round 2 of Central Cariboo Wildfires Engagement Meetings/Transit in Electoral Areas D/E
* Discussion Item: Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus Terms of Reference (Dir Forseth)
View the full Agenda here
Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, March 2nd at 9:30am in the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). On the Agenda:
* Hospital Consent Calendar
* Receipt of Committee of the Whole Session on Feb 15th along with 3 recommendations for endorsement from that meeting
View the full Agenda here
Cariboo Regional District - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, March 2nd at 9:45am in the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). On the Agenda:
* 2 NDIT Applications for endorsement
* 4 Grant for Assistance applications (Year Round Intake) for review (Electoral Areas J/K)
* Proposed Budget Changes to Planning/Building Inspection Services
* Proposed NCLGA Resolution on RD By-elections in Year of Local General Election
* Consent Calendar
* Receipt of Committee or Commission Minutes and endorse recommendations from those meetings
* Request from Dir Richmond - Access to Area 'G' Dir Initiative Fund (up to $3,500 for attendance at 2018 FCM Convention)
* In-Camera Session - Section 90(1k - negotiations) of the Community Charter
View the full Agenda here
Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor - 410 Kinchant St). On the Agenda:
* Presentation -- City Employee Retirement
* Delegation -- West Fraser Mills Ltd. - Fiber/Operations/Land Base Update - D'Arcy Henderson, Cariboo Regional Manager, Stuart Lebeck, Woods Manager
* Executive Committee Report (Recommendation to amend Terms of Reference)
* Age Friendly Initiative Committee - February 9, 2018 Draft Meeting Minutes
* Letters of Support for City of Quesnel North South Interconnector Highway 97 Proposal
* Proposed NCLGA Resolution from Councillor R. Paull - Wildfire Crime
* Wildfire Related Issues w/Letter to Minister of FLNRORD and proposed NCLGA Resolution, Community Wildfire Related Issues
* Northern Development Initiative Trust, Marketing Initiative - Explore Cariboo
* Application to Host 2020 Minerals North Conference in Quesnel
* Dengarry Professional Services Ltd. - Request for New Bus Stops
* Follow-up letter from BC Premier John Horgan re: Recent Roundtable Meeting in Prince George
View the full Agenda here
School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - Regular Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 6:30pm in the SD27 Boardroom (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake). When available, the Agenda can be viewed here
Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole session on Tuesday, February 27th at 6pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St). On the Agenda:
Delegations (2) -- Williams Lake RCMP Insp. Jeff Pelley re: Monthly Police Commission Report - click here & Vanessa Moberg, Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society re "Living (Dangerously) in an Era of Megafires | Paul Hessburg | TEDxBend" Video
* Items from NCLGA -- Appointment of CRD Representative to the NCLGA Board/NCLGA Call for Resolutions, Board Nominations & AGM Bids
* 2018 Operating and Capital Projects Budget
View the full Agenda here
100 Mile House - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue). On the Agenda:
* Commissionaires Report – January 2018
* South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce - Support for NDIT Grant Application (Fabulous Festivals and Events Grant)
* Disposal of Assets
* Cariboo Regional District Referral – 5646 Horse Lake Road
* Appointment of 2018 General Election Officers
* Bylaws -- Parking and Traffic Amendment By-Law 1321-2018 (Adoption); Fees and Charges Amendment By-Law 1322-2018 (1st,2nd and 3rd Readings); Zoning Amendment By-Law 1323-2018 (1st/2nd Readings)
View the full Agenda here
Cariboo Regional District - Meetings as noted below:
South Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Monday, February 26th at 12 noon in 100 Mile House Council Chambers. On the Agenda:
* Delegation: Josh Dickerson, Facility Manager, SC Recreation Centre/Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
* South Cariboo Recreation Centre Expansion Working Group Meeting Notes - January 10, 2018
* 100 Mile Outriders – Equestrian Grounds Use and Occupancy Agreement Renewal
View the full Agenda here
Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus - Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 28th at 3pm in the CRD Committee Room (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). On the Agenda:
* Delegation: Williams Lake RCMP Insp. Jeff Pelley - Update to Central Cariboo CRD Directors
* Deferred Items -- Round 2 of Central Cariboo Wildfires Engagement Meetings/Transit in Electoral Areas D/E
* Discussion Item: Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus Terms of Reference (Dir Forseth)
View the full Agenda here
Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, March 2nd at 9:30am in the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). On the Agenda:
* Hospital Consent Calendar
* Receipt of Committee of the Whole Session on Feb 15th along with 3 recommendations for endorsement from that meeting
View the full Agenda here
Cariboo Regional District - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, March 2nd at 9:45am in the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). On the Agenda:
* 2 NDIT Applications for endorsement
* 4 Grant for Assistance applications (Year Round Intake) for review (Electoral Areas J/K)
* Proposed Budget Changes to Planning/Building Inspection Services
* Proposed NCLGA Resolution on RD By-elections in Year of Local General Election
* Consent Calendar
* Receipt of Committee or Commission Minutes and endorse recommendations from those meetings
* Request from Dir Richmond - Access to Area 'G' Dir Initiative Fund (up to $3,500 for attendance at 2018 FCM Convention)
* In-Camera Session - Section 90(1k - negotiations) of the Community Charter
View the full Agenda here
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Summary of 2018 Local Gov't Leadership Academy's Leadership Forum
Courtesy of the Local Government Leadership Academy:
LGLA Update 2018 Leadership Forum by Steve Forseth on Scribd
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Quesnel Council Highlights - Feb 21st mtg
Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:
Lewis Drive Rink – Community Donation
Jennifer Roberts, Grade 7 Riverview Elementary School Teacher, and previous Grade 7 Riverview Elementary School students, Bailey Jackson and Liam Inscho, as well as Colin Ketchum of Ketchum Enterprises, have donated their time to fundraise for the Lewis Drive Rink Refurbish Project. The group presented Council with a $300 cheque towards this project.
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Proposed Solid Fuel Burning Bylaw
Council has approved the first three readings of the proposed Solid Fuel Burning Bylaw 1827 that would see regulations around solid wood burning fuel appliances for the City. Bylaw 1827 would:
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Cannabis Policy Development
The City is required to plan for the impacts of recreational use and sales of cannabis in advance of the legalization of recreational cannabis. Due to pending Provincial regulations not being finalized, many Municipalities across the province are struggling to be ready for the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis. As a result, Municipal law experts have advised to prohibit retailing of cannabis as this will permit communities to develop appropriate policy with community consultation. Council has approved first reading for the proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1845 that would update the language/terminology for cannabis, and would separate production/distribution zoning from retailing activities zoning. Next steps will include additional consultation on the policy and further consideration of bylaw readings. Following second reading of the bylaw, a Public Hearing will be set.
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Flood & Wildfire Strategic Review
The Provincial government is currently collecting input as part of a strategic review of the Province’s Emergency Management System with the goal to improve this system’s processes and procedures. Council approved the following recommendations to be forwarded to the Provincial government as areas of concern regarding the City of Quesnel’s Emergency Management System:
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Highway 97 Safety and Traffic Improvement – Study Phase
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (“MOTI”) recently hosted two public information sessions, on February 7 and 19, to provide information and receive public input regarding MOTI’s review of potential safety and traffic improvement for the City. Council has endorsed the following two proposals and requests that the Province continue forward on to the Detailed Design Phase in 2018:
Next steps include MOTI’s final report and recommendations scheduled to be presented to Council at the March 27, 2018 Regular Council meeting.
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Bylaws
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Next Meetings
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Political Realities: The Art of Compromise
Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:
Editor's Note - this week's Quesnel Council Column is written by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson. He can be reached via email here
I truly empathize with the homeowners in North Quesnel who are unhappy with the proposed North-South Interconnector. While the majority of the directly impacted landowners (those whose property the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) will have to purchase in all or in part) were supportive of the proposal, some of the landowners who may end up with a highway running below their property are upset. The fact that the City and MOTI will do everything possible to mitigate the impact of the proposed Interconnector, if it gets built, is little comfort to these landowners.
However, the public benefits of this proposed alternate route are significant, and the opportunity to actually see this project realized is at risk if the opposition voices get organized and supporters do not, making the Province think our community is opposed to this project.
During the past week, a number of people have continued to argue that alternate routes exist that must still be explored – despite 47 years of debating those alternatives. One opponent of the Interconnector is now promoting a new alternate route that will “save” his neighbourhood, a route that: 1. was not studied by the considerable technical expertise involved in the two-and-half year assessment of all viable options; 2. goes through Cariboo Pulp and Paper and West Fraser’s operations; 3. requires an additional bridge over the Quesnel River and an additional bridge over the railway tracks; and, 4. would not take all of the commercial truck traffic off Front and Carson. In short, a made-up route that might appeal to landowners trying to protect their property and land values, but one that would never, ever, be built.
The argument this well-meaning community activist is making to advance his suggested route is that Quesnel is entitled to an optimal route and that the Province should be shamed into spending whatever money is necessary to get us a route that does not compromise his neighbourhood.
This entitlement argument is used by many communities to lobby for every provincial investment they feel they deserve: ‘we’ve sent our tax money and our resource extraction revenue down to Victoria for decades and now we want it back to fund X project.’ Unfortunately, that’s simply not how politics works or how Victoria makes decisions.
Politics is the art of compromise, and real political leadership at the community level requires finding compromises that work for the community, fit within the Province’s priorities, and are fiscally prudent. The North-South Interconnector route meets these tests: it does not require a very expensive third crossing over the Quesnel River (giving us room to go after a second crossing over the Fraser River ASAP once the Interconnector is built), it incorporates the Province’s need to replace the Quesnel River bridge and the railway bridge, and it meets the needs of our community to get all the commercial truck traffic off Front and Carson.
Without question, the North-South Interconnector is a compromise, but a necessary and effective one. With a potential price tag of $275 million (half of which is the bridge replacements) it is in direct competition with transportation investments being demanded all over the province and especially in the more populated urban areas where the majority of the provincial voters live. We’re in a very tough competition for very limited transportation dollars.
We have a choice: keep debating alternate routes for another 50 years or get behind this Interconnector proposal so we can actually get a new route built that will take all commercial truck traffic off Front Street and Carson Avenue. If you support this proposal, please drop in to City Hall at 410 Kinchant Street and sign a postcard supporting this project that I will hand deliver to the Minister in Victoria.
Editor's Note - this week's Quesnel Council Column is written by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson. He can be reached via email here
I truly empathize with the homeowners in North Quesnel who are unhappy with the proposed North-South Interconnector. While the majority of the directly impacted landowners (those whose property the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) will have to purchase in all or in part) were supportive of the proposal, some of the landowners who may end up with a highway running below their property are upset. The fact that the City and MOTI will do everything possible to mitigate the impact of the proposed Interconnector, if it gets built, is little comfort to these landowners.
However, the public benefits of this proposed alternate route are significant, and the opportunity to actually see this project realized is at risk if the opposition voices get organized and supporters do not, making the Province think our community is opposed to this project.
During the past week, a number of people have continued to argue that alternate routes exist that must still be explored – despite 47 years of debating those alternatives. One opponent of the Interconnector is now promoting a new alternate route that will “save” his neighbourhood, a route that: 1. was not studied by the considerable technical expertise involved in the two-and-half year assessment of all viable options; 2. goes through Cariboo Pulp and Paper and West Fraser’s operations; 3. requires an additional bridge over the Quesnel River and an additional bridge over the railway tracks; and, 4. would not take all of the commercial truck traffic off Front and Carson. In short, a made-up route that might appeal to landowners trying to protect their property and land values, but one that would never, ever, be built.
The argument this well-meaning community activist is making to advance his suggested route is that Quesnel is entitled to an optimal route and that the Province should be shamed into spending whatever money is necessary to get us a route that does not compromise his neighbourhood.
This entitlement argument is used by many communities to lobby for every provincial investment they feel they deserve: ‘we’ve sent our tax money and our resource extraction revenue down to Victoria for decades and now we want it back to fund X project.’ Unfortunately, that’s simply not how politics works or how Victoria makes decisions.
Politics is the art of compromise, and real political leadership at the community level requires finding compromises that work for the community, fit within the Province’s priorities, and are fiscally prudent. The North-South Interconnector route meets these tests: it does not require a very expensive third crossing over the Quesnel River (giving us room to go after a second crossing over the Fraser River ASAP once the Interconnector is built), it incorporates the Province’s need to replace the Quesnel River bridge and the railway bridge, and it meets the needs of our community to get all the commercial truck traffic off Front and Carson.
Without question, the North-South Interconnector is a compromise, but a necessary and effective one. With a potential price tag of $275 million (half of which is the bridge replacements) it is in direct competition with transportation investments being demanded all over the province and especially in the more populated urban areas where the majority of the provincial voters live. We’re in a very tough competition for very limited transportation dollars.
We have a choice: keep debating alternate routes for another 50 years or get behind this Interconnector proposal so we can actually get a new route built that will take all commercial truck traffic off Front Street and Carson Avenue. If you support this proposal, please drop in to City Hall at 410 Kinchant Street and sign a postcard supporting this project that I will hand deliver to the Minister in Victoria.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
WL Council Highlights - Feb 20th mtg
Present: Mayor W. Cobb; Councillors S. Nelson, J. Ryll, C. Smith, and S. Zacharias
Meeting called to order at 6pm
Meeting Agenda/Minutes of the Feb 6th, 2018 WL Council Meeting, both adopted
Delegations:
1) George Atamanenko, Chair, Accessbility Advisory Committee appeared before Council in regards to the Accessibility Advisory Committee's 2017 Year-End Report - click here
A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Mr. Atamanenko for his time/information
Resolved - Council agreed to support the direction of the Williams Lake Accessibility Advisory Committee in their desire to become the “Rural Accessibility Capital of British Columbia” and that Council support the development of an Action Plan to complete this by 2024
2) Darcy Lazzarin and Sean Seabourne from the Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club appeared before Council to provide an overview on the Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club
A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Mr. Seabourne/Ms. Lazzarin for their time/information
Business:
1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque listings dated February 8 and 15, 2018
2) After receiving no public input -- Council approved Development Variance Permit #02-2018 for the Evangelical Free Church, 1100 Eleventh Avenue North (Interior Lot Line Setback for Wheelchair Ramp)
3) Council approved the City's participation and application for the $5 million Infrastructure Canada Smart City Challenge competition with the Smart Universal Water Metering project and that Council endorse project implementation in 2020, provided the funds are received
4) Council adopted Williams Lake Cemetery Amendment Bylaw No. 2270, 2018
Councillor Nelson declared a potential conflict of interest on Items #6a and #6b and left Council Chambers at 6:39pm
5) Council endorsed the following Committee of the Whole resolutions, as follows:
a) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #06-2018 and the report of the Director of Development Services dated February 6, 2018 be received and Staff be directed to bring forward, for Council’s consideration, amending Bylaw(s) to:
Exclude retail cannabis sales from the definition of retail, similar to beer & wine stores;
Permit cannabis retail in areas where current commercial and entertainment uses are such as C-1, CS-1, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, CD-15;
Exclude drive through and mobile cannabis retail;
Exclude cannabis sales from retail locations situated within 500 meters of schools or daycares
b) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #07-2018, retail cannabis sale facilities cannot be situated within 1 kilometer of another retail cannabis sale facility.
Councillor Nelson returned to Council Chambers at 6:42pm
c) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #08-2018, the Zoning Bylaw be amended to permit cannabis production in Heavy Industrial zones (M2) and (M3) and cannabis distribution be permitted in any zone that permits warehouse use but more specifically, both uses are limited to the North End Industrial Park and Airport lands
d) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #09-2018, commercial cannabis distribution production facilities require increased setbacks from property lines
Resolved - That a letter be forwarded to the federal government asking any/all covenants be removed to permit a cannabis production facility at the Williams Lake Regional Airport
6) Council approved the updated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Williams Lake and the Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice (CIRD)
Members of Council reported on their recent activities
Media Question Period -- Bylaw amendments for Retail Sale of Cannabis; Smart City Challenge/Water Meters
Council adjourned at 7:02pm
Meeting called to order at 6pm
Meeting Agenda/Minutes of the Feb 6th, 2018 WL Council Meeting, both adopted
Delegations:
1) George Atamanenko, Chair, Accessbility Advisory Committee appeared before Council in regards to the Accessibility Advisory Committee's 2017 Year-End Report - click here
A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Mr. Atamanenko for his time/information
Resolved - Council agreed to support the direction of the Williams Lake Accessibility Advisory Committee in their desire to become the “Rural Accessibility Capital of British Columbia” and that Council support the development of an Action Plan to complete this by 2024
2) Darcy Lazzarin and Sean Seabourne from the Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club appeared before Council to provide an overview on the Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club
A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Mr. Seabourne/Ms. Lazzarin for their time/information
Business:
1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque listings dated February 8 and 15, 2018
2) After receiving no public input -- Council approved Development Variance Permit #02-2018 for the Evangelical Free Church, 1100 Eleventh Avenue North (Interior Lot Line Setback for Wheelchair Ramp)
3) Council approved the City's participation and application for the $5 million Infrastructure Canada Smart City Challenge competition with the Smart Universal Water Metering project and that Council endorse project implementation in 2020, provided the funds are received
4) Council adopted Williams Lake Cemetery Amendment Bylaw No. 2270, 2018
Councillor Nelson declared a potential conflict of interest on Items #6a and #6b and left Council Chambers at 6:39pm
5) Council endorsed the following Committee of the Whole resolutions, as follows:
a) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #06-2018 and the report of the Director of Development Services dated February 6, 2018 be received and Staff be directed to bring forward, for Council’s consideration, amending Bylaw(s) to:
Exclude retail cannabis sales from the definition of retail, similar to beer & wine stores;
Permit cannabis retail in areas where current commercial and entertainment uses are such as C-1, CS-1, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, CD-15;
Exclude drive through and mobile cannabis retail;
Exclude cannabis sales from retail locations situated within 500 meters of schools or daycares
b) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #07-2018, retail cannabis sale facilities cannot be situated within 1 kilometer of another retail cannabis sale facility.
Councillor Nelson returned to Council Chambers at 6:42pm
c) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #08-2018, the Zoning Bylaw be amended to permit cannabis production in Heavy Industrial zones (M2) and (M3) and cannabis distribution be permitted in any zone that permits warehouse use but more specifically, both uses are limited to the North End Industrial Park and Airport lands
d) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #09-2018, commercial cannabis distribution production facilities require increased setbacks from property lines
Resolved - That a letter be forwarded to the federal government asking any/all covenants be removed to permit a cannabis production facility at the Williams Lake Regional Airport
6) Council approved the updated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Williams Lake and the Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice (CIRD)
Members of Council reported on their recent activities
Media Question Period -- Bylaw amendments for Retail Sale of Cannabis; Smart City Challenge/Water Meters
Council adjourned at 7:02pm
Cariboo RD Area 'E' By-election Nomination Period open
Today at 9am until March 2nd at 4pm (excluding the weekend of February 24th/25th) -- the Cariboo Regional District's Chief Election Officer or her Deputy (Alice Johnston/Lore Schick) can receive nominations for the vacant office of Electoral Area 'E' Director to complete the remainder of the 2014-2018 term of local government (7 months)
Complete details on what you need to know can be viewed here
~SF
Complete details on what you need to know can be viewed here
~SF
Monday, February 19, 2018
Another Wells Council resignation
After Robin Sharpe resigned his position as Mayor of the District of Wells last Friday - a community about 1 hour east of Quesnel.
Lorraine Kozar has now elected to resign her seat as a District of Wells Councillor, effective today (Monday, February 19th)
Read her resignation letter here
Due to the two recent resignations on Wells Council - that Council will now be forced to hold an by-election to fill these two vacant seats and thus Section 54(3) of the Local Government Act (LGA)(waive by-election when death, disqualification or resignation occurs in year of general local election) is not available, due to the number of vacant seats is above the required number to waive a by-election in the year of a general local election as per Section 54(3) of LGA
~SF
Lorraine Kozar has now elected to resign her seat as a District of Wells Councillor, effective today (Monday, February 19th)
Read her resignation letter here
Due to the two recent resignations on Wells Council - that Council will now be forced to hold an by-election to fill these two vacant seats and thus Section 54(3) of the Local Government Act (LGA)(waive by-election when death, disqualification or resignation occurs in year of general local election) is not available, due to the number of vacant seats is above the required number to waive a by-election in the year of a general local election as per Section 54(3) of LGA
~SF
Mayor of Wells resigns!
In what could only be described as a stunning move - Robin Sharpe handed in his resignation from the office of Mayor - District of Wells (District) this past Friday at 5pm
Read the resignation letter which has publicly posted on the District's website here while the community of Wells this past weekend discussed this development on a Facebook page praising Mr. Sharpe's leadership for the community of Wells here
Mr. Sharpe also represented the District on the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Board and chaired the CRD's Heritage Committee, to which I was immensely grateful and appreciative for his work on the Committee. He/I often talked about the various facets of heritage in my own Electoral Area. In my opinion, Mr. Sharpe has been the Regional District's greatest champion for heritage in our Region of BC
This past Saturday afternoon, I let him know that while I was profoundly saddened that he had to make this decision, I respected the fact that he must look after his own personal health and that I always appreciated our conversations at the Board table and many of the CRD Directors', I'm sure, will sincerely miss his presence at the CRD Board table and I sincerely hope that our paths would cross once again
In terms of next steps, District Council will need to decide whether or not to hold a by-election to fill the now-vacant District of Wells Mayor's seat, given the mandatory general local election on October 20th, 2018
District Council does have the legal option under Section 54(3) of the Local Government Act - click here, to waive a Mayor by-election given the vacancy has occurred in the year of a general local election and the remaining membership of the District of Wells Council is one greater than the required quorum of District Council (3)
District Council will also have to appoint one of their number (4) to be the CRD Director for the District of Wells on the CRD Board, for the remainder of the 2014-18 term of local government (7 months)
~SF
Read the resignation letter which has publicly posted on the District's website here while the community of Wells this past weekend discussed this development on a Facebook page praising Mr. Sharpe's leadership for the community of Wells here
Mr. Sharpe also represented the District on the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Board and chaired the CRD's Heritage Committee, to which I was immensely grateful and appreciative for his work on the Committee. He/I often talked about the various facets of heritage in my own Electoral Area. In my opinion, Mr. Sharpe has been the Regional District's greatest champion for heritage in our Region of BC
This past Saturday afternoon, I let him know that while I was profoundly saddened that he had to make this decision, I respected the fact that he must look after his own personal health and that I always appreciated our conversations at the Board table and many of the CRD Directors', I'm sure, will sincerely miss his presence at the CRD Board table and I sincerely hope that our paths would cross once again
In terms of next steps, District Council will need to decide whether or not to hold a by-election to fill the now-vacant District of Wells Mayor's seat, given the mandatory general local election on October 20th, 2018
District Council does have the legal option under Section 54(3) of the Local Government Act - click here, to waive a Mayor by-election given the vacancy has occurred in the year of a general local election and the remaining membership of the District of Wells Council is one greater than the required quorum of District Council (3)
District Council will also have to appoint one of their number (4) to be the CRD Director for the District of Wells on the CRD Board, for the remainder of the 2014-18 term of local government (7 months)
~SF
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Interior Health CEO to retire fall 2018
Courtesy of the Interior Health Authority:
Interior Health’s Board Chair Doug Cochrane announced today that President & CEO Chris Mazurkewich has provided the Board of Directors with his letter of resignation, expressing his decision to retire at the end of October.
“Chris Mazurkewich has spent nearly three decades working to build a strong, sustainable health system in British Columbia,” said Cochrane. “Under his leadership as CEO, Interior Health has implemented services that make health care more accessible in rural areas, services that support people living with mental illness, and services that meet the needs of our increasingly older population. I want to acknowledge specifically Chris’s dedication to fostering relationships with Aboriginal leaders and communities across IH. The partnerships and innovations that are a result of his commitment are a model for all of us going forward.”
“This summer, during B.C.’s worst-ever wildfire season, I had the opportunity to witness first hand Chris’s on-the-ground leadership skills in making sure that patients and residents were reassured, safe, and received the care they needed,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “We have been fortunate to benefit from Chris’s oversight and strong direction in improving health care for residents throughout the Interior. I thank him for his years of service and wish him well as he transitions into retirement.”
Some highlights during Mazurkewich’s tenure as CEO at Interior Health include:
• Renewing Letters of Understanding with each of the seven First Nations in IH, as well as the Métis Nation, and the overarching Partnership Accord for the Interior Region;
• Partnering with the Divisions of Family Practice to make primary care services more accessible to patients, and to relieve congestion in emergency departments;
• Investing in mental health and substance use services, including adding 85 support recovery, withdrawal management, and adult residential treatment beds;
• Responding to the opioid overdose crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in British Columbia in 2016; in Interior Health, this included opening mobile supervised consumption sites in Kamloops and Kelowna in 2017;
• Coordinating with the Ministry of Health, other health authorities, and agencies to ensure safety and care to those affected by the wildfire emergency last year;
• Opening 199 residential care beds across Interior Health;
• Investing nearly $330 million in upgraded and expanded hospital, health centre, and residential care facilities;
• Helping to advance important capital projects in communities such as Kamloops, Penticton, and Williams Lake;
• Recruiting an unprecedented number of specialists into the cardiac and general internal medicine programs at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, and achieving approval to implement new specialty cardiac services at Kelowna General Hospital, making enhanced care closer to home for IH residents; and
• Hiring over 65 nurse practitioners to work in communities with family doctors and clinical, rehabilitation, and diagnostic professionals, improving access to care.
“It has been an honour to work in health care alongside the physicians and staff who provide care to our patients, clients, and residents,” said Mazurkewich. “Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of meeting countless individuals who make incredible contributions to the delivery of health care every day. I want to extend my gratitude to each of you – thank you.
Mazurkewich was appointed President & CEO of Interior Health in October 2015. Prior to that he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Alberta Health Services for four years, overseeing the clinical operations of the Alberta health service delivery system, including over 100 hospital, residential, community care, and support service programs. From 2002-2009, Mazurkewich was Interior Health’s Chief Operating Officer, Strategic & Corporate Services.
The Board of Directors is proceeding with the recruitment of a new President & CEO. In the coming days, the Board will retain an executive recruiting firm to undertake an international search for the best possible candidates for the role. In the meantime, Mazurkewich will remain in his position as President & CEO until his departure in the fall.
Interior Health’s Board Chair Doug Cochrane announced today that President & CEO Chris Mazurkewich has provided the Board of Directors with his letter of resignation, expressing his decision to retire at the end of October.
“Chris Mazurkewich has spent nearly three decades working to build a strong, sustainable health system in British Columbia,” said Cochrane. “Under his leadership as CEO, Interior Health has implemented services that make health care more accessible in rural areas, services that support people living with mental illness, and services that meet the needs of our increasingly older population. I want to acknowledge specifically Chris’s dedication to fostering relationships with Aboriginal leaders and communities across IH. The partnerships and innovations that are a result of his commitment are a model for all of us going forward.”
“This summer, during B.C.’s worst-ever wildfire season, I had the opportunity to witness first hand Chris’s on-the-ground leadership skills in making sure that patients and residents were reassured, safe, and received the care they needed,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “We have been fortunate to benefit from Chris’s oversight and strong direction in improving health care for residents throughout the Interior. I thank him for his years of service and wish him well as he transitions into retirement.”
Some highlights during Mazurkewich’s tenure as CEO at Interior Health include:
• Renewing Letters of Understanding with each of the seven First Nations in IH, as well as the Métis Nation, and the overarching Partnership Accord for the Interior Region;
• Partnering with the Divisions of Family Practice to make primary care services more accessible to patients, and to relieve congestion in emergency departments;
• Investing in mental health and substance use services, including adding 85 support recovery, withdrawal management, and adult residential treatment beds;
• Responding to the opioid overdose crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in British Columbia in 2016; in Interior Health, this included opening mobile supervised consumption sites in Kamloops and Kelowna in 2017;
• Coordinating with the Ministry of Health, other health authorities, and agencies to ensure safety and care to those affected by the wildfire emergency last year;
• Opening 199 residential care beds across Interior Health;
• Investing nearly $330 million in upgraded and expanded hospital, health centre, and residential care facilities;
• Helping to advance important capital projects in communities such as Kamloops, Penticton, and Williams Lake;
• Recruiting an unprecedented number of specialists into the cardiac and general internal medicine programs at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, and achieving approval to implement new specialty cardiac services at Kelowna General Hospital, making enhanced care closer to home for IH residents; and
• Hiring over 65 nurse practitioners to work in communities with family doctors and clinical, rehabilitation, and diagnostic professionals, improving access to care.
“It has been an honour to work in health care alongside the physicians and staff who provide care to our patients, clients, and residents,” said Mazurkewich. “Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of meeting countless individuals who make incredible contributions to the delivery of health care every day. I want to extend my gratitude to each of you – thank you.
Mazurkewich was appointed President & CEO of Interior Health in October 2015. Prior to that he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Alberta Health Services for four years, overseeing the clinical operations of the Alberta health service delivery system, including over 100 hospital, residential, community care, and support service programs. From 2002-2009, Mazurkewich was Interior Health’s Chief Operating Officer, Strategic & Corporate Services.
The Board of Directors is proceeding with the recruitment of a new President & CEO. In the coming days, the Board will retain an executive recruiting firm to undertake an international search for the best possible candidates for the role. In the meantime, Mazurkewich will remain in his position as President & CEO until his departure in the fall.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Feb 19-23
The following local governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin are meeting next week, as follows:
Wells - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, Feb 20th at 7pm in Wells Council Chambers, 4243 Sanders Avenue. On the Agenda:
* Grants In Aids Recipients 2018
* Wells Age Friendly Assessment and Action Plan
* Proposed 2018 Budget for the District of Wells
* Various Staff Update Reports
View the full Agenda here
Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, Feb 20th at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers, 4th Floor - 410 Kinchant Street. On the Agenda:
* Presentation: Lewis Drive Rink - Donation Presentation by Jennifer Roberts and Students
* 3 Committee Reports
* Cannabis land use items
* Solid Fuel Burning Bylaw
* Follow up to Abbott Visit re: Flood and Wildfire Strategic Review
* Quesnel Council follow-up to MoTI Traffic Safety Improvement Study
* Letter from Mayor Simpson to Minister Donaldson, FLNRORD - Community Wildfire Protection Plan and other wildfire related issues
View the full Agenda here
SD28 (Quesnel) - Regular Board of Education on Wednesday, Feb 21st at 7pm in the SD28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd). When available, you can review the Agenda here
Williams Lake - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, Feb 20th at 6pm in WL Council Chambers, 450 Mart Street. On the Agenda:
* Delegations: George Atamanenko, Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) Chair re AAC 2017 Year-End Report & Darcy Lazzarin and Sean Seabourne, Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club re Club Overview
* DVP #02-2018, 1100 11th Avenue North -- For approval
* The Smart Cities Challenge Participation/Application (Smart Universal Water Metering project)
* Committee of the Whole recommendations on Cannabis land use regulations
* Sign Memorandum of Understanding between CIRD (Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice)
View the full Agenda here
~SF
Wells - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, Feb 20th at 7pm in Wells Council Chambers, 4243 Sanders Avenue. On the Agenda:
* Grants In Aids Recipients 2018
* Wells Age Friendly Assessment and Action Plan
* Proposed 2018 Budget for the District of Wells
* Various Staff Update Reports
View the full Agenda here
Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, Feb 20th at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers, 4th Floor - 410 Kinchant Street. On the Agenda:
* Presentation: Lewis Drive Rink - Donation Presentation by Jennifer Roberts and Students
* 3 Committee Reports
* Cannabis land use items
* Solid Fuel Burning Bylaw
* Follow up to Abbott Visit re: Flood and Wildfire Strategic Review
* Quesnel Council follow-up to MoTI Traffic Safety Improvement Study
* Letter from Mayor Simpson to Minister Donaldson, FLNRORD - Community Wildfire Protection Plan and other wildfire related issues
View the full Agenda here
SD28 (Quesnel) - Regular Board of Education on Wednesday, Feb 21st at 7pm in the SD28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd). When available, you can review the Agenda here
Williams Lake - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, Feb 20th at 6pm in WL Council Chambers, 450 Mart Street. On the Agenda:
* Delegations: George Atamanenko, Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) Chair re AAC 2017 Year-End Report & Darcy Lazzarin and Sean Seabourne, Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club re Club Overview
* DVP #02-2018, 1100 11th Avenue North -- For approval
* The Smart Cities Challenge Participation/Application (Smart Universal Water Metering project)
* Committee of the Whole recommendations on Cannabis land use regulations
* Sign Memorandum of Understanding between CIRD (Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice)
View the full Agenda here
~SF
CRD Board Highlights - Feb 16th mtg
Present: Chair M. Wagner and Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, M. Neufeld, J. Sorley, A. Richmond, R. William, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, B. Simpson, W. Cobb, and M. Campsall
Meeting called to order at 9:48am
Meeting agenda approved
Minutes of the CRD Board meeting held January 12th, 2018 adopted
Delegations MOB received
A report of the Corporate Officer pertaining to BC Hydro appearing before the Board was received and the Board directed that BC Hydro be removed from the Delegations Memorandum of Business
Business:
Development Services:
1) The Board deferred for an additional 60 days, consideration of 1st/2nd Reading of Cariboo Regional District Central Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5121, 2017, to complete First Nations consultation (Orica Canada Ltd - Area 'A'/McLeese Lake)
2) The Board gave 1st/2nd readings to Cariboo Regional District Chilcotin Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5125, 2017 (Area K - Reuter (Crown)), subject to:
a) The applicants offering to enter into and entering into a covenant to ensure
compliance with the CRD Shoreland Management Policy with respect to
sewage disposal system and riparian protection.
b) The applicants meeting Interior Health Authority requirements prior to
adoption.
c) The applicants obtaining a Provincial Public Highway Commercial Access
Permit from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure prior to
adoption
With all costs for the three conditions listed above at the applicant's cost
3) The Board gave 3rd Reading to Cariboo Regional District Quesnel Fringe Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5097, 2017 and
Cariboo Regional District Quesnel Fringe Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5098, 2017 (Area B)
4) The Board deferred 3rd Reading/Adoption to the following Planning Bylaws
a) Cariboo Regional District Chilcotin Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 4988, 2015
b) Cariboo Regional District Central Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 4991,2015
c) Cariboo Regional District North Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 4993, 2015
d) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4989, 2015
e) Cariboo Regional District Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4990, 2015
f) Cariboo Regional District Quesnel Fringe Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4992, 2015
g) Cariboo Regional District Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5116, 2017
h) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5117, 2017
6) The Board adopted the following Planning Bylaws
a) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5051, 2016 (Area L)
b) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Bylaw No. 5052, 2016 (Area L)
c) Cariboo Regional District 150 Mile House Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5081, 2017 (Area F)
d) Cariboo Regional District Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5082, 2017 (Area F)
e) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5114, 2017 (Area L)
7) The Board received/endorsed an Provincial Agricultural Land Commission application for exclusion, pertaining to District Lot 436, Cariboo District, Except Plan 17975 and agreed to submit it to the Land Commission with a recommendation to approve (Area C)
8) The Board received the Municipalities Building Inspection Statistics Report, Cariboo Regional District Statistics Report and the Inspection Activity Report for December 2017
Community Services:
1) The Board endorsed the following NDIT Applications, for submission to the local NDIT Regional Advisory Committee/NDIT Board of Directors:
a) Xat'sull First Nation Signature Destination Trails Initiative
b) South Cariboo Regional Airport
c) Horsefly Sports Centre Upgrade
d) Anahim Lake Airport
e) Dragon Mountain Trail Development
Communications:
1) The Board endorsed a recommendation of the Manager of Communications pertaining to the Regional District's 50th anniversary logo.
Finance:
1) The Board received/ratified the Monthly Expenditures Board Summary Report and Mastercard Summary Report for the month of January 2018, in the amount of $5,170,386.89
2) The Board received/approved a Grant for Assistance to the Cariboo Aboriginal Youth Hockey Tournament in the amount of $1,000 and to be charged against Electoral Areas D, E, F, G, H Grant for Assistance budgets
3) The Board received/approved a Grant for Assistance for the Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association in the amount of $166 to be charged against Electoral Areas D, E, F Grant for Assistance budgets equally
4) The Board endorsed a recommendation of the Chief Financial Officer to switch the Regional District employee group benefits provider to Great-West Life
Administration:
1) The Board received a report of the Deputy Corporate Officer regarding the NCLGA Board Representative from the Cariboo Regional District for the 2018-19 term
2) The Board approved a draft NCLGA Resolution regarding Amendment to Rural Dividend Grant Process for submission to the 2018 NCLGA Convention in Fort Nelson in May 2018, as follows:
WHEREAS the purpose of the Province’s Rural Dividend Fund is to support
rural communities and strengthen their economies;
AND WHEREAS this goal could be achieved in a more efficient manner if
local governments did not have to apply and report on each application
individually, but could plan the funding for appropriate projects with a
cooperative, strategic lens:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide a Rural Dividend allocation to local
governments each year through a multi-year agreement, similar to the federal Gas Tax Fund, allowing the local government to effectively utilize the funds for local projects based on provincial criteria, and to complete the process through a simplified annual reporting structure
3) The Board appointed Alice Johnston/Lore Schick to act as Chief and Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2018 General Local Election
4) The Board received a request from Metro Vancouver for the Cariboo Regional District to support its' GVS & DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017
5) At the request of Director Sorley - the Board agreed to forward a letter to the Board of Education - School District #27 advising the Cariboo Regional District supports Trustee Boundary Alignment Option #1 (Realign SD27 Zones and CRD Areas D/E & City of Williams Lake boundaries). Board divided - Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Chair Wagner; Directors Armstrong, Bruce, Massier, Forseth, Neufeld, Sorley, Richmond, William, Anderson, Coakley, Sharpe, Simpson, and Campsall
Negative - Director W. Cobb (Williams Lake)
6) The Board agreed to forward a letter of support for the construction of a new Quesnel Junior School to the Hon. Rob Fleming - BC Minister of Education
7) At the request of Chair Wagner - the Board agreed to forward a joint CRD-Muncipalities letter to the Liberal MP responsible for this Portfolio and copies to the Rt Hon. Justin Trudeau (Canadian Prime Minister) and Cariboo-North/Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA's Coralee Oakes/Donna Barnett in regards to recently rejected application from the Strategic Priorities Fund for the Lexington Water System Improvements and South Cariboo Recreation Centre Upgrade Project
Delegation:
Dale Littlejohn, Executive Director of the Community Energy Association, appeared before the Board, via teleconference, regarding a proposed electric vehicle charging network in Northern BC (Hwy 16 with connection to Hwy 97).
A Question/Answer period ensued
Chair Wagner, on behalf of the Board, thanked Mr. Littlejohn for his presentation
Resolved - That a letter of support be provided, as requested and that $9,000 be committed from Cariboo Strong grant monies subject to a successful FCM grant application
Business, cont:
Administration, cont:
8) The Board received a report of the Corporate Officer reporting the Special Voting results appointing Alice Johnston as Chief Election Officer and Lore Schick as Deputy Chief Election Officer in relation to the 2018 Electoral Area 'E' By-Election and that a NCLGA Resolution be drafted in relation to changes to the Local Government Act to allow regional districts' to waive the requirement for a by-election in the year of a general local election, in the event of death, resignation or disqualification of an elected official
9) The Board received the Consent Calendar, as of February 8th, 2018
Meeting recessed at 12:00pm
Meeting resumed at 12:40pm
Business, cont:
Admin, cont
10) The Board received items pertaining to NCLGA/UBCM/FCM, as follows:
a) District of Kent - Letter to BC Municipal Affairs and Housing - Cannabis Sales Revenue Sharing
b) City of New Westminster - Letter to BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy - Prevention of Quagga and Zebra Mussels
c) Township of Spallumcheen - Support for Flexible Ride-Sharing Regulation in BC
d) District of Coldstream - Letter to BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy - Prevention of Quagga and Zebra Mussels
e) Township of Spallumcheen - Letter to BC Municipal Affairs and Housing - Cannabis Sales Revenue Sharing
11) The Board received responses to Board initiated letters, as follows:
a) Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology - Notification of Minister's Visits
b) Office of the Premier - Update on Meetings at UBCM
c) Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General - Local Governments and the Legalization of Non-Medical Cannabis
d) Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure - Campbell and Pigeon Roads (CRD Electoral Areas D/F) - letter referred to Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus
e) Northern Development Initiative Trust - First Nations Applications
f) Letter from office of BC's Minister of Transportation/Infrastructure - Minister's future visits to the Region
Committee/Commission Minutes/Recommendations:
1) The Board received the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2017
2) The Board received the South Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) South Cariboo Appointments for 2018
3) The Board received the South Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) That Kersti Toews be appointed to the group as a representative for youth recreation, and that the project concept design and financing plan be presented for public consultation with the results brought forward to the April 9, 2018 joint committee meeting for a final determination on proceeding with a referendum in late May or early June
4) The Board received the 108 Greenbelt Commission Meeting Minutes of January 15, 2018
5) The Board received the Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus Meeting Minutes of January 24, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) Central Cariboo Appointments for 2018
6) The Board received the Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting Minutes of January 24, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendations:
a) Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society's Proposal
b) City of Williams Lake Report - Williams Lake Hockey History Murals
c) City of Williams Lake Report - CMRC Rear Parking Lot
d) 2019 NCLGA Convention/AGM Bid
7) The Board received the Special Meeting Minutes of the Committee of the Whole on January 25, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Application
8) The Board endorsed the following Resolution from the February 13th meeting of the North Cariboo Joint Committee:
THAT the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee (“NCJPC”) supports the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (“MoTI”) Hwy 97 Quesnel Transportation Plan for the North-South Interconnector and the plan to address the safety issues at Racing Road and Hydraulic Road;
AND THAT the NCJPC urges the Province to provide funding to MoTI so they can proceed with the next phase of each project;
AND THAT that the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors forward a resolution to the Premier and MoTI in support of the above.
Corporate Bylaws:
1) The Board gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings to the following Bylaws:
a) Benjamin Water Service Establishment Bylaw No. 5127, 2018
b) Benjamin Water Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 5128, 2018
c) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Recreation Service Amendment Bylaw No. 5129, 2018
d) South Cariboo Recreation Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 5130, 2018 - deferred to March 23rd, 2018 CRD Board meeting. Board divided. Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Chair Wagner; Directors Armstrong, Bruce, Massier, Forseth, Neufeld, Sorley, Richmond, William, Anderson, Coakley, Sharpe, Simpson, and Cobb
Negative - Director M. Campsall (100 Mile House)
e) West Fraser Fire Protection Service Boundary Amendment Bylaw No. 5131, 2018
Directors' Requests:
a) At the request of Director S. Forseth (Area D) - Staff were requested to report back on options for teleconference improvements in the CRD Boardroom and also on HVAC Options for the CRD Boardroom
b) The Board received a report from Director B. Anderson (Area K) in regards to her recent attendance at the BC Natural Resources Forum held on January 16-18, 2018 in Prince George
c) At the request of Director B. Anderson (Area K) - the Board authorized Director Anderson to attend the British Columbia Council of Forest Industries conference in Prince George in April 2018 with funding from Area 'K' Director Initiative Fund up to $1,799
The Board received written reports of the CAO and the Board Chair regarding their recent activities
Resolved - That the resolutions pertaining to Cariboo Strong/Retail Sale of Cannabis in CRD Rural Areas passed in the Feb 15th CRD Board in Committee Meeting be endorsed
On the resolution pertaining to Retail Sale of Cannabis in CRD Rural Areas (moratorium until Province clarifies rules pertaining to Retail Sale of Cannabis in Regional Districts'). Board divided. Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Chair Wagner; Directors Armstrong, Bruce, Massier, Forseth, Neufeld, Richmond, William, Anderson, Coakley, Sharpe, Simpson, Cobb and Campsall
Negative - Director J. Sorley (Area F)
At 1:50pm -- the Board recessed and convened an Closed (In-Camera) Board Meeting pursuant to Sections 90(1a,c,l - appointment, labour/employee relations and annual report) of the Community Charter
At 2:05pm - the Board reconvened its public meeting and then reconvened its' Closed (In-Camera) Board Meeting pursuant to Sections 90(1a,c,k,l - appointment, labour/employee relations, negotiations and annual report) of the Community Charter
At 2:12pm -- the Board resumed its' public meeting
Directors' reported on their recent activities
The Board adjourned at 2:42pm
Meeting called to order at 9:48am
Meeting agenda approved
Minutes of the CRD Board meeting held January 12th, 2018 adopted
Delegations MOB received
A report of the Corporate Officer pertaining to BC Hydro appearing before the Board was received and the Board directed that BC Hydro be removed from the Delegations Memorandum of Business
Business:
Development Services:
1) The Board deferred for an additional 60 days, consideration of 1st/2nd Reading of Cariboo Regional District Central Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5121, 2017, to complete First Nations consultation (Orica Canada Ltd - Area 'A'/McLeese Lake)
2) The Board gave 1st/2nd readings to Cariboo Regional District Chilcotin Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5125, 2017 (Area K - Reuter (Crown)), subject to:
a) The applicants offering to enter into and entering into a covenant to ensure
compliance with the CRD Shoreland Management Policy with respect to
sewage disposal system and riparian protection.
b) The applicants meeting Interior Health Authority requirements prior to
adoption.
c) The applicants obtaining a Provincial Public Highway Commercial Access
Permit from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure prior to
adoption
With all costs for the three conditions listed above at the applicant's cost
3) The Board gave 3rd Reading to Cariboo Regional District Quesnel Fringe Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5097, 2017 and
Cariboo Regional District Quesnel Fringe Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5098, 2017 (Area B)
4) The Board deferred 3rd Reading/Adoption to the following Planning Bylaws
a) Cariboo Regional District Chilcotin Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 4988, 2015
b) Cariboo Regional District Central Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 4991,2015
c) Cariboo Regional District North Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 4993, 2015
d) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4989, 2015
e) Cariboo Regional District Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4990, 2015
f) Cariboo Regional District Quesnel Fringe Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4992, 2015
g) Cariboo Regional District Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5116, 2017
h) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5117, 2017
6) The Board adopted the following Planning Bylaws
a) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5051, 2016 (Area L)
b) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Bylaw No. 5052, 2016 (Area L)
c) Cariboo Regional District 150 Mile House Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5081, 2017 (Area F)
d) Cariboo Regional District Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5082, 2017 (Area F)
e) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5114, 2017 (Area L)
7) The Board received/endorsed an Provincial Agricultural Land Commission application for exclusion, pertaining to District Lot 436, Cariboo District, Except Plan 17975 and agreed to submit it to the Land Commission with a recommendation to approve (Area C)
8) The Board received the Municipalities Building Inspection Statistics Report, Cariboo Regional District Statistics Report and the Inspection Activity Report for December 2017
Community Services:
1) The Board endorsed the following NDIT Applications, for submission to the local NDIT Regional Advisory Committee/NDIT Board of Directors:
a) Xat'sull First Nation Signature Destination Trails Initiative
b) South Cariboo Regional Airport
c) Horsefly Sports Centre Upgrade
d) Anahim Lake Airport
e) Dragon Mountain Trail Development
Communications:
1) The Board endorsed a recommendation of the Manager of Communications pertaining to the Regional District's 50th anniversary logo.
Finance:
1) The Board received/ratified the Monthly Expenditures Board Summary Report and Mastercard Summary Report for the month of January 2018, in the amount of $5,170,386.89
2) The Board received/approved a Grant for Assistance to the Cariboo Aboriginal Youth Hockey Tournament in the amount of $1,000 and to be charged against Electoral Areas D, E, F, G, H Grant for Assistance budgets
3) The Board received/approved a Grant for Assistance for the Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association in the amount of $166 to be charged against Electoral Areas D, E, F Grant for Assistance budgets equally
4) The Board endorsed a recommendation of the Chief Financial Officer to switch the Regional District employee group benefits provider to Great-West Life
Administration:
1) The Board received a report of the Deputy Corporate Officer regarding the NCLGA Board Representative from the Cariboo Regional District for the 2018-19 term
2) The Board approved a draft NCLGA Resolution regarding Amendment to Rural Dividend Grant Process for submission to the 2018 NCLGA Convention in Fort Nelson in May 2018, as follows:
WHEREAS the purpose of the Province’s Rural Dividend Fund is to support
rural communities and strengthen their economies;
AND WHEREAS this goal could be achieved in a more efficient manner if
local governments did not have to apply and report on each application
individually, but could plan the funding for appropriate projects with a
cooperative, strategic lens:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide a Rural Dividend allocation to local
governments each year through a multi-year agreement, similar to the federal Gas Tax Fund, allowing the local government to effectively utilize the funds for local projects based on provincial criteria, and to complete the process through a simplified annual reporting structure
3) The Board appointed Alice Johnston/Lore Schick to act as Chief and Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2018 General Local Election
4) The Board received a request from Metro Vancouver for the Cariboo Regional District to support its' GVS & DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017
5) At the request of Director Sorley - the Board agreed to forward a letter to the Board of Education - School District #27 advising the Cariboo Regional District supports Trustee Boundary Alignment Option #1 (Realign SD27 Zones and CRD Areas D/E & City of Williams Lake boundaries). Board divided - Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Chair Wagner; Directors Armstrong, Bruce, Massier, Forseth, Neufeld, Sorley, Richmond, William, Anderson, Coakley, Sharpe, Simpson, and Campsall
Negative - Director W. Cobb (Williams Lake)
6) The Board agreed to forward a letter of support for the construction of a new Quesnel Junior School to the Hon. Rob Fleming - BC Minister of Education
7) At the request of Chair Wagner - the Board agreed to forward a joint CRD-Muncipalities letter to the Liberal MP responsible for this Portfolio and copies to the Rt Hon. Justin Trudeau (Canadian Prime Minister) and Cariboo-North/Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA's Coralee Oakes/Donna Barnett in regards to recently rejected application from the Strategic Priorities Fund for the Lexington Water System Improvements and South Cariboo Recreation Centre Upgrade Project
Delegation:
Dale Littlejohn, Executive Director of the Community Energy Association, appeared before the Board, via teleconference, regarding a proposed electric vehicle charging network in Northern BC (Hwy 16 with connection to Hwy 97).
A Question/Answer period ensued
Chair Wagner, on behalf of the Board, thanked Mr. Littlejohn for his presentation
Resolved - That a letter of support be provided, as requested and that $9,000 be committed from Cariboo Strong grant monies subject to a successful FCM grant application
Business, cont:
Administration, cont:
8) The Board received a report of the Corporate Officer reporting the Special Voting results appointing Alice Johnston as Chief Election Officer and Lore Schick as Deputy Chief Election Officer in relation to the 2018 Electoral Area 'E' By-Election and that a NCLGA Resolution be drafted in relation to changes to the Local Government Act to allow regional districts' to waive the requirement for a by-election in the year of a general local election, in the event of death, resignation or disqualification of an elected official
9) The Board received the Consent Calendar, as of February 8th, 2018
Meeting recessed at 12:00pm
Meeting resumed at 12:40pm
Business, cont:
Admin, cont
10) The Board received items pertaining to NCLGA/UBCM/FCM, as follows:
a) District of Kent - Letter to BC Municipal Affairs and Housing - Cannabis Sales Revenue Sharing
b) City of New Westminster - Letter to BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy - Prevention of Quagga and Zebra Mussels
c) Township of Spallumcheen - Support for Flexible Ride-Sharing Regulation in BC
d) District of Coldstream - Letter to BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy - Prevention of Quagga and Zebra Mussels
e) Township of Spallumcheen - Letter to BC Municipal Affairs and Housing - Cannabis Sales Revenue Sharing
11) The Board received responses to Board initiated letters, as follows:
a) Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology - Notification of Minister's Visits
b) Office of the Premier - Update on Meetings at UBCM
c) Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General - Local Governments and the Legalization of Non-Medical Cannabis
d) Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure - Campbell and Pigeon Roads (CRD Electoral Areas D/F) - letter referred to Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus
e) Northern Development Initiative Trust - First Nations Applications
f) Letter from office of BC's Minister of Transportation/Infrastructure - Minister's future visits to the Region
Committee/Commission Minutes/Recommendations:
1) The Board received the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2017
2) The Board received the South Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) South Cariboo Appointments for 2018
3) The Board received the South Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) That Kersti Toews be appointed to the group as a representative for youth recreation, and that the project concept design and financing plan be presented for public consultation with the results brought forward to the April 9, 2018 joint committee meeting for a final determination on proceeding with a referendum in late May or early June
4) The Board received the 108 Greenbelt Commission Meeting Minutes of January 15, 2018
5) The Board received the Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus Meeting Minutes of January 24, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) Central Cariboo Appointments for 2018
6) The Board received the Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting Minutes of January 24, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendations:
a) Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society's Proposal
b) City of Williams Lake Report - Williams Lake Hockey History Murals
c) City of Williams Lake Report - CMRC Rear Parking Lot
d) 2019 NCLGA Convention/AGM Bid
7) The Board received the Special Meeting Minutes of the Committee of the Whole on January 25, 2018 and endorsed the following recommendation:
a) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Application
8) The Board endorsed the following Resolution from the February 13th meeting of the North Cariboo Joint Committee:
THAT the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee (“NCJPC”) supports the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (“MoTI”) Hwy 97 Quesnel Transportation Plan for the North-South Interconnector and the plan to address the safety issues at Racing Road and Hydraulic Road;
AND THAT the NCJPC urges the Province to provide funding to MoTI so they can proceed with the next phase of each project;
AND THAT that the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors forward a resolution to the Premier and MoTI in support of the above.
Corporate Bylaws:
1) The Board gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings to the following Bylaws:
a) Benjamin Water Service Establishment Bylaw No. 5127, 2018
b) Benjamin Water Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 5128, 2018
c) Cariboo Regional District South Cariboo Recreation Service Amendment Bylaw No. 5129, 2018
d) South Cariboo Recreation Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 5130, 2018 - deferred to March 23rd, 2018 CRD Board meeting. Board divided. Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Chair Wagner; Directors Armstrong, Bruce, Massier, Forseth, Neufeld, Sorley, Richmond, William, Anderson, Coakley, Sharpe, Simpson, and Cobb
Negative - Director M. Campsall (100 Mile House)
Directors' Requests:
a) At the request of Director S. Forseth (Area D) - Staff were requested to report back on options for teleconference improvements in the CRD Boardroom and also on HVAC Options for the CRD Boardroom
b) The Board received a report from Director B. Anderson (Area K) in regards to her recent attendance at the BC Natural Resources Forum held on January 16-18, 2018 in Prince George
c) At the request of Director B. Anderson (Area K) - the Board authorized Director Anderson to attend the British Columbia Council of Forest Industries conference in Prince George in April 2018 with funding from Area 'K' Director Initiative Fund up to $1,799
The Board received written reports of the CAO and the Board Chair regarding their recent activities
Resolved - That the resolutions pertaining to Cariboo Strong/Retail Sale of Cannabis in CRD Rural Areas passed in the Feb 15th CRD Board in Committee Meeting be endorsed
On the resolution pertaining to Retail Sale of Cannabis in CRD Rural Areas (moratorium until Province clarifies rules pertaining to Retail Sale of Cannabis in Regional Districts'). Board divided. Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Chair Wagner; Directors Armstrong, Bruce, Massier, Forseth, Neufeld, Richmond, William, Anderson, Coakley, Sharpe, Simpson, Cobb and Campsall
Negative - Director J. Sorley (Area F)
At 1:50pm -- the Board recessed and convened an Closed (In-Camera) Board Meeting pursuant to Sections 90(1a,c,l - appointment, labour/employee relations and annual report) of the Community Charter
At 2:05pm - the Board reconvened its public meeting and then reconvened its' Closed (In-Camera) Board Meeting pursuant to Sections 90(1a,c,k,l - appointment, labour/employee relations, negotiations and annual report) of the Community Charter
At 2:12pm -- the Board resumed its' public meeting
Directors' reported on their recent activities
The Board adjourned at 2:42pm
CCRHD Board Highlights - Feb 16th mtg
Present: Chair B. Simpson and Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, M. Neufeld, J. Sorley, A. Richmond, M. Wagner, R. William, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, W. Cobb, and M. Campsall
Meeting called to order at 9:30am
Meeting agenda approved
Minutes of the January 12th, 2018 CCRHD Board meeting adopted
Business:
1) The Board gave 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings/Adoption to the following Capital Expenditure Bylaws
a) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure (100 Mile District General Hospital – Admitting/Triage Patient Area Renovation) Bylaw No. 137, 2018
b) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Stock Room Renovation) Bylaw No. 138, 2018
c) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Mill Site Lodge (Basement Mechanical Room Upgrade) Bylaw No. 139, 2018
d) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Staff Duress System) Bylaw No. 140, 2018
e) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Region Wide IMIT Bylaw No. 141, 2018
f) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Vocera Expansion and Integration) Bylaw No. 142, 2018
g) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Electronic Emergency Department Medical Summary) Bylaw No. 143, 2018
h) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – 100 Mile District General Hospital (Vocera Expansion and Integration) Bylaw No. 144, 2018
i) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Cariboo Memorial Hospital and 100 Mile District General Hospital (Medstations, IHWide Pyxis Replacement, Phase 3) Bylaw No. 145, 2018
j) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Cariboo Memorial Hospital (Ultrasound) Bylaw No. 146, 2018
2) The Board received the Hospital Consent Calendar as of Feb 16th, 2018
3) The Board received the Interior Health Authority's Capital Projects and Planning Status Report for December 2017
4) The Board received a copy of a letter from the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, dated Jan 24, 2018, responding to the request for primary care clinics in Horsefly and Likely
The Board adjourned at 9:47am
Meeting called to order at 9:30am
Meeting agenda approved
Minutes of the January 12th, 2018 CCRHD Board meeting adopted
Business:
1) The Board gave 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings/Adoption to the following Capital Expenditure Bylaws
a) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure (100 Mile District General Hospital – Admitting/Triage Patient Area Renovation) Bylaw No. 137, 2018
b) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Stock Room Renovation) Bylaw No. 138, 2018
c) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Mill Site Lodge (Basement Mechanical Room Upgrade) Bylaw No. 139, 2018
d) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Staff Duress System) Bylaw No. 140, 2018
e) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Region Wide IMIT Bylaw No. 141, 2018
f) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Vocera Expansion and Integration) Bylaw No. 142, 2018
g) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – CMH (Electronic Emergency Department Medical Summary) Bylaw No. 143, 2018
h) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – 100 Mile District General Hospital (Vocera Expansion and Integration) Bylaw No. 144, 2018
i) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Cariboo Memorial Hospital and 100 Mile District General Hospital (Medstations, IHWide Pyxis Replacement, Phase 3) Bylaw No. 145, 2018
j) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure – Cariboo Memorial Hospital (Ultrasound) Bylaw No. 146, 2018
2) The Board received the Hospital Consent Calendar as of Feb 16th, 2018
3) The Board received the Interior Health Authority's Capital Projects and Planning Status Report for December 2017
4) The Board received a copy of a letter from the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, dated Jan 24, 2018, responding to the request for primary care clinics in Horsefly and Likely
The Board adjourned at 9:47am
CRD Board-in-Committee Highlights - Feb 15th mtg
Present: Chair M. Wagner and Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, M. Neufeld, J. Sorley, A. Richmond, R. William, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, B. Simpson, W. Cobb, and M. Campsall (entered meeting at 3:06pm)
Meeting called to order at 2:44pm
Meeting Agenda adopted
The Committee were presented with staff memorandums covering the following topics:
a) Cariboo Strong Regional Economic Development Program
b) Grants for Assistance Policy
c) Communications regarding Planning Applications and Issues
d) Community Plans and Studies
e) Cannabis Regulation in the Cariboo Regional District
Resolved - That the Committee recommend to the CRD Board:
1) That the CAO report back on next steps on the "Cariboo Strong" Regional Economic Development program and the related Grant program, based on the Committee's discussions' and that the Cariboo Strong grant program be suspended and the Cariboo Strong grant application documents be removed from the Cariboo RD website until further direction is provided and that Clinton Mayor Jim Rivett and Thompson Nicola RD Electoral Area 'E' Director Sally Watson be so advised
2) That Staff report back on a simplified process to notify the public with respect to rezoning applications for formal public hearings
3) That the Board declare a moratorium on support for non-medical cannabis at rural liquor stores until clarity is sought from the Province with regard to the exemptions being contemplated at rural liquor stores with respect to retail sale of non-medical cannabis. Committee divided. Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, M. Neufeld, A. Richmond, R. William, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, B. Simpson, W. Cobb and M. Campsall
Negative - Director J. Sorley (Area F)
The Committee adjourned at 5:35pm
Meeting called to order at 2:44pm
Meeting Agenda adopted
The Committee were presented with staff memorandums covering the following topics:
a) Cariboo Strong Regional Economic Development Program
b) Grants for Assistance Policy
c) Communications regarding Planning Applications and Issues
d) Community Plans and Studies
e) Cannabis Regulation in the Cariboo Regional District
Resolved - That the Committee recommend to the CRD Board:
1) That the CAO report back on next steps on the "Cariboo Strong" Regional Economic Development program and the related Grant program, based on the Committee's discussions' and that the Cariboo Strong grant program be suspended and the Cariboo Strong grant application documents be removed from the Cariboo RD website until further direction is provided and that Clinton Mayor Jim Rivett and Thompson Nicola RD Electoral Area 'E' Director Sally Watson be so advised
2) That Staff report back on a simplified process to notify the public with respect to rezoning applications for formal public hearings
3) That the Board declare a moratorium on support for non-medical cannabis at rural liquor stores until clarity is sought from the Province with regard to the exemptions being contemplated at rural liquor stores with respect to retail sale of non-medical cannabis. Committee divided. Approved by the following vote:
Affirmative - Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, M. Neufeld, A. Richmond, R. William, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, B. Simpson, W. Cobb and M. Campsall
Negative - Director J. Sorley (Area F)
The Committee adjourned at 5:35pm
Thursday, February 15, 2018
CCRHD Board-in-Committee Highlights - Feb 15th mtg
Present: Chair B. Simpson and Directors T. Armstrong, J. Bruce, J. Massier, S. Forseth, M. Neufeld, J. Sorley, A. Richmond, M. Wagner, R. William, B. Anderson, B. Coakley, R. Sharpe, and W. Cobb
Meeting called to order at 1:00pm
Meeting Agenda approved
The Committee discussed the following topics:
a) Cariboo Memorial Hospital Upgrade
b) GR Baker Hospital Upgrade
c) Capital Needs - Seniors' Beds
d) Opioid Crisis
Further - the Committee reviewed two Staff memorandums covering the following topics:
1) Review of CCRHD Policy for Recruitment and Retention Activities
2) Funding Request from Northern Health for Building Integrity Projects
Resolved - That the Committee recommend to the CCRHD Board:
a) That the CAO report back on the topic of Seniors' Beds/Opioid Crisis and next steps at a future CCRHD meeting, based upon the Committee's discussions'
b) That the CAO bring forward amendments to the CCRHD Recruitment/Retention Policy, based upon the Committee's discussions'
c) That the request from Northern Health regarding additional funding for Building Integrity Projects be rejected
The Committee adjourned at 2:35pm
Meeting called to order at 1:00pm
Meeting Agenda approved
The Committee discussed the following topics:
a) Cariboo Memorial Hospital Upgrade
b) GR Baker Hospital Upgrade
c) Capital Needs - Seniors' Beds
d) Opioid Crisis
Further - the Committee reviewed two Staff memorandums covering the following topics:
1) Review of CCRHD Policy for Recruitment and Retention Activities
2) Funding Request from Northern Health for Building Integrity Projects
Resolved - That the Committee recommend to the CCRHD Board:
a) That the CAO report back on the topic of Seniors' Beds/Opioid Crisis and next steps at a future CCRHD meeting, based upon the Committee's discussions'
b) That the CAO bring forward amendments to the CCRHD Recruitment/Retention Policy, based upon the Committee's discussions'
c) That the request from Northern Health regarding additional funding for Building Integrity Projects be rejected
The Committee adjourned at 2:35pm
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
BC Liberals win Kelowna-West!
Today - BC voters' in the electoral district of Kelowna West were asked to select 1 person from a list of 5 to represent them for the remainder of the 2017-21 term of the BC Legislature and after all the ballots were counted, Ben Stewart running under the BC Liberals' flag retook his seat this evening after resigning in 2013 to allow former BC Premier Christy Clark to have a seat in the Legislature for the 2013-17 Term. Full unofficial results are below:
Name Affiliation Total Valid Votes % of Popular Vote
Shelley Cook BC NDP 3,197 23.47%
Kyle Geronazzo Libertarian 110 0.81%
Ben Stewart BC Liberal Party 7,692 56.46%
Robert Stupka BC Green Party 1,727 12.68%
Mark Thompson Conservative 898 6.59%
111 of 111 ballot boxes reported 13,624 100%
With the above results likely being declared official in the days to come, that leaves the MLA numbers in the BC Legislature as follows:
BC Liberals - 42
BC NDP - 41
BC Greens - 3
Independent - 1 (Darryl Plecas - House Speaker)
However, with the Confidence/Supply Agreement (click here) between the BC NDP/BC Greens signed in Summer 2017, the BC NDP will still continue as the provincial government until Fall 2021
Finally - in November, voters in any 1 of the 87 Provincial Electoral Districts, can begin recall proceedings against an MLA as per the Recall and Initiative Act - click here. There has been a lot of public discussion around initiating recall proceedings against current BC Legislature Speaker (and Abbotsford South MLA) Darryl Plecas however the legal requirement is 40% of voters' in an provincial electoral district signing a petition to recall its' MLA within 60 days of the recall petition being issued by the Chief Electoral Officer. Every recall petition ever issued has failed, although there was the recall petition against former BC Liberal MLA Paul Reitsma in June 1998 that came close to being successful but he resigned before the recall petition verification process was complete
~SF
Name Affiliation Total Valid Votes % of Popular Vote
Shelley Cook BC NDP 3,197 23.47%
Kyle Geronazzo Libertarian 110 0.81%
Ben Stewart BC Liberal Party 7,692 56.46%
Robert Stupka BC Green Party 1,727 12.68%
Mark Thompson Conservative 898 6.59%
111 of 111 ballot boxes reported 13,624 100%
With the above results likely being declared official in the days to come, that leaves the MLA numbers in the BC Legislature as follows:
BC Liberals - 42
BC NDP - 41
BC Greens - 3
Independent - 1 (Darryl Plecas - House Speaker)
However, with the Confidence/Supply Agreement (click here) between the BC NDP/BC Greens signed in Summer 2017, the BC NDP will still continue as the provincial government until Fall 2021
Finally - in November, voters in any 1 of the 87 Provincial Electoral Districts, can begin recall proceedings against an MLA as per the Recall and Initiative Act - click here. There has been a lot of public discussion around initiating recall proceedings against current BC Legislature Speaker (and Abbotsford South MLA) Darryl Plecas however the legal requirement is 40% of voters' in an provincial electoral district signing a petition to recall its' MLA within 60 days of the recall petition being issued by the Chief Electoral Officer. Every recall petition ever issued has failed, although there was the recall petition against former BC Liberal MLA Paul Reitsma in June 1998 that came close to being successful but he resigned before the recall petition verification process was complete
~SF
It’s time to step up if you want a bypass!
Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:
Editor's Note - this week's Quesnel Council News column is written by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson. He can be reached via email here
There are few times in our lives when every individual in our community gets the opportunity to make transformative change actually happen. We have that opportunity now with respect to achieving fundamental changes to the way Highway 97 flows through Quesnel. Yes, YOU have the opportunity (and responsibility) to help us get the long sought after alternate route through the City and critical safety improvements in the Racing and Hydraulic Road area at the top of Dragon Lake Hill.
For over two and a half years, the City of Quesnel and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) have been working collaboratively to explore every available option to improve traffic flow and safety, including pedestrian safety, along the Highway 97 corridor within the municipal boundaries. The result of this extensive work is a number of near term, mid-term, and long term projects that MOTI has developed; some are already funded and will take place this year, some require us to show our support for in order to secure the funding needed for the next stage of the project development.
All of the projects that were explored and the ones that are being supported by both the City and MOTI were presented to the public at an open house on February 7 – in the middle of a record setting snow storm. While 60 people did brave that blizzard to attend the meeting, the City of Quesnel will be hosting another open house with MOTI assistance on February 19 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Seniors’ Center, 461 Carson Avenue. You can drop-in anytime during that four hour period to give your feedback on the proposed projects. The project details and feedback forms are also available online (see below for link).
This year improvements will be made to Front Street to improve both traffic and pedestrian safety. A signal light will also be installed at McLean Street and Carson Avenue to address long standing safety concerns with this intersection. Other improvement projects at the Visitor’s Center main entrance and the pedestrian access to the Quesnel River Bridge may proceed this year or next, but further technical assessments are needed to determine if these projects will be undertaken.
The most important mid-term project MOTI needs your feedback on are the potential options to address the serious safety issues at the top of Dragon Hill (Racing Road and Hydraulic Road intersections). This project has already been submitted by MOTI for next stage funding, but our community needs to support their request to establish it as a near term priority with Victoria.
The truly transformative project for our community is the proposed North-South interconnector. For the first time, we have a proposed alternate route for Highway 97 through the City that is technically feasible, would remove 100% of the commercial truck traffic from downtown Quesnel (other than local deliveries), would see the replacement of both the Quesnel River Bridge and the Railway Bridge, and would see the City gain full control over Carson Avenue, Front Street, and Legion Drive. This project has the support of our downtown businesses and City Council.
If you want this interconnector to be built in the medium term (within ten years) then you MUST engage in this process. No excuses: please drop in to the Seniors’ Center on Monday, February 19th anytime between 3 pm and 7 pm and fill in a feedback form. Let’s make this long sought-after alternate route through our City a reality!
If you simply cannot make the February 19 event, you can provide feedback online.
Editor's Note - this week's Quesnel Council News column is written by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson. He can be reached via email here
There are few times in our lives when every individual in our community gets the opportunity to make transformative change actually happen. We have that opportunity now with respect to achieving fundamental changes to the way Highway 97 flows through Quesnel. Yes, YOU have the opportunity (and responsibility) to help us get the long sought after alternate route through the City and critical safety improvements in the Racing and Hydraulic Road area at the top of Dragon Lake Hill.
For over two and a half years, the City of Quesnel and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) have been working collaboratively to explore every available option to improve traffic flow and safety, including pedestrian safety, along the Highway 97 corridor within the municipal boundaries. The result of this extensive work is a number of near term, mid-term, and long term projects that MOTI has developed; some are already funded and will take place this year, some require us to show our support for in order to secure the funding needed for the next stage of the project development.
All of the projects that were explored and the ones that are being supported by both the City and MOTI were presented to the public at an open house on February 7 – in the middle of a record setting snow storm. While 60 people did brave that blizzard to attend the meeting, the City of Quesnel will be hosting another open house with MOTI assistance on February 19 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Seniors’ Center, 461 Carson Avenue. You can drop-in anytime during that four hour period to give your feedback on the proposed projects. The project details and feedback forms are also available online (see below for link).
This year improvements will be made to Front Street to improve both traffic and pedestrian safety. A signal light will also be installed at McLean Street and Carson Avenue to address long standing safety concerns with this intersection. Other improvement projects at the Visitor’s Center main entrance and the pedestrian access to the Quesnel River Bridge may proceed this year or next, but further technical assessments are needed to determine if these projects will be undertaken.
The most important mid-term project MOTI needs your feedback on are the potential options to address the serious safety issues at the top of Dragon Hill (Racing Road and Hydraulic Road intersections). This project has already been submitted by MOTI for next stage funding, but our community needs to support their request to establish it as a near term priority with Victoria.
The truly transformative project for our community is the proposed North-South interconnector. For the first time, we have a proposed alternate route for Highway 97 through the City that is technically feasible, would remove 100% of the commercial truck traffic from downtown Quesnel (other than local deliveries), would see the replacement of both the Quesnel River Bridge and the Railway Bridge, and would see the City gain full control over Carson Avenue, Front Street, and Legion Drive. This project has the support of our downtown businesses and City Council.
If you want this interconnector to be built in the medium term (within ten years) then you MUST engage in this process. No excuses: please drop in to the Seniors’ Center on Monday, February 19th anytime between 3 pm and 7 pm and fill in a feedback form. Let’s make this long sought-after alternate route through our City a reality!
If you simply cannot make the February 19 event, you can provide feedback online.
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