Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings: Week of June 3-7, 2024

During the Week of June 3-7, 2024, the following local governments' of the Cariboo-Chilcotin will be holding meetings, as follows:

Wells - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 4th at 7pm in Wells Council Chambers/Zoom (4243 Sanders Avenue).  When available, the Agenda can be viewed here 

Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 4th at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* Committee Reports

* City of Quesnel Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing Zoning Amendment Bylaw 

* Johnston Bridge Utility Upgrades - Phase 1

* Bert DeVink's moose sculpture - Offer of donation to City of Quesnel

*  DP2024-72 Hillside Hazard/Height Variance for Single Detached Residential Quesnel-Hydraulic Road

* Quesnel Downtown Association - Request to close 300 block of Reid Street on August 10, 2024

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole session on Tuesday, June 4th at 6pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Tony Cuglietta, Tami Pedersen & Brita Hall, Community Living BC/Community Council regarding a presentation on Inclusive Housing

* Landfill Use Agreement Between City of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerksen joins BC Conservatives!

Courtesy of the BC Conservative Party:

Lorne Doerkson, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin, has joined the Conservative Party of British Columbia.

“Today, I am making a change because I believe this upcoming election is simply too consequential,” said Doerkson. “I have spent countless hours listening to my constituents in the recent months. The response has been overwhelming. The residents of Cariboo-Chilcotin want to see David Eby defeated and they want to see a common sense Conservative government in Victoria,” he continued.

Doerksen: “I look forward to working with John Rustad and the Conservative team. Whether it is axing the carbon tax, revitalizing our resource sector or reforming our broken healthcare system, it’s never been more clear that BC needs a common sense government.”

“My priority is defeating the radical BC NDP and it is now clear that the Conservative Party of BC is the only vehicle capable of getting the job done. I call on all British Columbians to join me in standing with the Conservative Party of BC,” concluded Doerkson.

“I’m thrilled to have Lorne on the team. As the MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin, Lorne has been a tireless advocate for his region and the vital resources within it, “ said Conservative Leader, John Rustad. “Whether it’s natural resources or small business, Lorne is an individual who puts his constituents first and that is exactly the kind of advocate we need in the Legislature. He will be a strong Conservative MLA for the riding.”

The Conservative Party of British Columbia looks forward to running 93 candidates in the upcoming provincial election.

For further information, please contact Angelo Isidorou: angelo.isidorou@conservativebc.ca

WL Council Highlights - May 28th mtg

Present:

Mayor SPS Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Flaspohler, Lyons, Moses and Nelson

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm

Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw 

Meeting Agenda adopted

Special/Regular Minutes of the last City Council meeting were adopted

Business:

1) Council directed staff to proceed with the existing tennis court project as tendered by resurfacing the tennis court with pickleball lines 

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillor J. Flaspohler 

Resolved: Council directed Staff to work with both Tennis and Pickleball Groups to identify additional opportunities for new tennis/pickleball courts throughout the community and that a plan of action be created including pursuing grants for this item and that the City graciously receive $2,000 from the pickleball group to help fund re-painting of the pickleball court lines in the Kiwanis Park Tennis Court and that Staff also work with the Cariboo Regional District with regard to this item

2) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated May 2, 9 and 16, 2024 

3) Council received the submission from the Williams Lake Public Art Committee and approved the selected project for the matching annual allocation of $5,000

4) Council approved Development Permit No. 04-2023 - 1335 Hwy 97 South (Four Rivers Co-Operative)

5) Council gave first three readings and adoption to "City of Williams Lake Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2414, 2024"

6) Council received for information the report of the Public Hearing for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2411 held April 30, 2024

7) Council approved travel, Council compensation and other associated expenses for available Council members to attend the 10-year anniversary of the Tsilhqot’in title victory in the Supreme Court of Canada hosted by the Tŝilhqot’in National Government at the Nemiah Valley Lodge from June 24 to 26, 2024

8) Council approved the Crematorium Contract Renewal with Cariboo Chilcotin Funeral Service Ltd. (DBA Five Rivers Crematorium) for a further 3-year term, effective June 2024 through May 2027, and approved the proposed increases to the cremation and re-bricking fees

Resolved: That as additional cemetery capacity is explored, that environmental friendly options are considered 

9) Council received the updated budget for the archaeology component of the Water Treatment Plant project and approved an increase estimated at $203,500, excluding GST, to the project budget

10) Council approved an application on behalf of the City of Williams Lake to the 2024 UBCM FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Program with a proposed value of $710,000, and supported the hiring of a FireSmart term position to coordinate the City’s FireSmart projects should grant funding be successful

11) Council endorsed a Central Cariboo Joint Committee recommendation, as follows:

That pursuant to Central Cariboo Joint Committee Report #04-2024, a joint letter from the City of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment recognizing the value of the Williams Lake Air Quality Roundtable and asking them to consider taking a lead role in reviving it.

12) Council and the community were encouraged to participate in the Williams Lake ParticipACTION Challenge during the month of June

13) Council endorsed 2 Committee of the Whole recommendations, as follows:

a) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #14-2024, together with the request of Go By Bike Williams Lake and Streets for All Williams Lake in their letter dated April 10, 2024, the week of June 3 to 9, 2024 be proclaimed "GoByBike Week" in the City of Williams Lake, pursuant to City policy; and further, Council, staff and the community be encouraged to attend a bicycle ride in the community during this week.

b) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #16-2024, the report of the Corporate Officer dated May 10, 2024 regarding a review of the Council Code of Conduct Policy be received for information, and that the Policy be amended to include an attachment to be signed by Council members acknowledging adherence to the Code.

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillors S. Nelson and S. Boehm

14) Council received minutes of the April 24th, 2024 meeting of the Central Cariboo Joint Committee

15) Council agreed to support WLFN’s (Williams Lake First Nation) application to the NDIT Community Places funding program to support the cost of construction of the WLFN Memorial Park to be located at 98 Third Avenue South directly across from their downtown office

16) Council received the letter from BC's Attorney General and BC's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General / Deputy Premier dated May 14, 2024 in response to the letter sent by the City dated February 12, 2024 regarding Federal Bill C-48 on Bail Reform 

17) Council made the following proclamations:

a) Williams Lake Stampede 2024

b) Hope Air Day - June 17th, 2024

c) Scleroderma Awareness Month - June 2024

18) Council received the "Council Information Package" as of May 28th, 2024

Members of Council provided verbal reports on their recent activities 

Resolution to Proceed to Closed Council Meeting:

That Council now proceed into a Closed Meeting, following adjournment of the Open Council Meeting, according to Section 92 of the Community Charter for discussion of items identified under Sections 90 (1) (a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality, and (c) labour relations or other employee relations

Council adjourned at 7:49pm

Post Event Report: 2024 Keeping It Rural Conference in Kelowna BC (May 21-23, 2024)

From May 21-23, 2024 -- I attended (along with Cariboo RD Area "B" Director Barb Bachmeier) the Keeping It Rural Conference in Kelowna BC organized by the BC Rural Centre

During the conference, the following was covered:

* Rural Innovation

* Rural Economic Trusts/Supporting Rural Communities

* Rural Water Stewardship

* Rural Agriculture

* Rural Healthcare

* Update from BC's Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development (Roly Russell)

* Supporting Rural Housing

* Rural Emergency Preparedness

Full background on the Conference can be viewed here 

This was my 2nd attendance at this conference while it was Director Bachmeier's 1st.  

In talking with my Cariboo RD colleagues post-Conference, there is an appetite for others to attend this conference in future years... 

Costs to attend - funded from Cariboo RD Area "D" Director Initiative Fund:

* Conference Registration: $418.94

* Hotel: $382.80

* Mileage from Williams Lake to Kelowna and return - $528.00

Cariboo RD greenlights feasibility study for Bouchie Lake sewer system

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

After considering public feedback results, the Cariboo Regional District (“CRD”) will be authorizing a feasibility study for a proposed community sewer system in Bouchie Lake. The Board of Directors made the decision at its May 24, 2024 Board meeting.

“I am grateful that the Board has agreed to fund the feasibility study,” said Barb Bachmeier, Director for Electoral Area B, “This feasibility study will help my constituents to get the information they need to make an informed decision on whether or not to move forward with a sewer system in the future.”

The feasibility study will be funded out of the CRD’s Rural Feasibility Study Fund, which was built up through general CRD taxation, and is expected to cost about $50,000 to complete. The funding will be allocated, starting in 2025, to ensure that necessary authorizations and resources can be obtained to complete it, and study results would be expected in the second half of next year.

The Board has reaffirmed its commitment to engage further with the Bouchie Lake Community as this initiative proceeds, and will keep area residents informed about the study’s progress and future public engagement opportunities. When engagement occurs, the CRD will work with residents to ensure that their concerns and aspirations about the system are directly reflected in the options developed through the feasibility study. These concerns and aspirations, expressed at the public open house on April 30, included:

* Understanding how much the system will cost and how it will be funded, and managing the cost of establishing any service;

* Defining the benefits to the Bouchie Lake Watershed;

* Defining the service area based on technical feasibility, financial capability, and environmental sustainability;

* Location and operation of a sewage treatment plant for the system; and

* Determining who would pay for connecting to the system and for decommissioning private systems.

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government/Board of Education Meetings - Week of May 27-31, 2024

During the week of May 27-31, 2024 -- the following Local Governments/Boards' of Education of the Cariboo-Chilcotin will be holding meetings, as follows:

Quesnel: Financial Sustainability/Audit Committee - Regular Meeting on Wednesday May 29th at 9am in the Fraser Room, Quesnel City Hall (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* Permission to Reallocate Funds

* In-kind request from Quesnel Search & Rescue

* Municipal Information Network

* Discussion Items: Moose Statue Location and Costs, Travel Per Diems, Permissive Tax Exemptions

View the full Agenda here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - Regular Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, May 28th at 6:30pm in the SD27 Boardroom (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake). When available, the Agenda can be viewed here

Williams Lake: Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 28th at 6:00pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Williams Lake Public Art Committee 2024 Submission

* Development Permit No. 04-2023 - 1335 Hwy 97 South - Four Rivers Co-Operative - Approval

* Council Travel Expense Approval - Tsilhqot'in Title Victory Celebration (late June)

* Water Treatment Plant - Archaeology Cost Update

* Application to UBCM FireSmart Community Funding & Supports Program

* Committee Recommendations for Endorsement - 1 from Central Cariboo Joint Committee and 2 from Committee of the Whole

* Letter of Support Request - NDIT Application for WLFN Memorial Park Project

* Annual Williams Lake Stampede Proclamation

* Closed (In-Camera) Council Session (to follow Open Session) -- Section 90(1a + 1c - appointment/labour) of the Community Charter

View the full Agenda here

100 Mile House - Meetings as noted below, all in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House):

1) Municipal Council - 5:00pm, Tuesday, May 28th. On the Agenda:

* 2024 PSO Grad Parade Street Closure

* Infrastructure Planning Grant Application

* Request for financial support – Hillbilly Choir Band Retreat 

* Request for letter of support – Cariboo Brain Injury Association 

* Community Services Fleet Upgrades / Terrain & Front Mowers 

* 2023 Annual Report 

View the full Agenda here

2) Committee of the Whole - 5:30pm, Tuesday, May 28th. On the Agenda:

* Mobile Home Parks Bylaw Amendments

* Zoning in 100 Mile House

View the full Agenda here 

3) 100 Mile House Development Corporation - 6:00pm, Tuesday, May 28th.  On the Agenda:

* Tourism Plan

* 100 Mile Development Corporation and South Cariboo Recreation Centre Policies & Procedures 

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo RD Board Highlights - May 24th mtg

Present: Chair Wagner and Directors Sjostrom, Bachmeier (via MS Teams) Massier, Forseth, LeBourdais, Richmond (via MS Teams), Glassford, Pare, Anderson, De Vries, Coleman, Roodenburg (via MS Teams), Rathor and Pinkney 

 

The Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw 

Meeting Agenda adopted

Minutes of the previous Regional District Board Meeting were received/adopted

Business:

1) The Board adopted the following Land Use Bylaws

i)  South Cariboo Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5438, 2023 and South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5439, 2023 (Area L/Horse Lake Road)

ii) South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5455, 2023 (Area G/3364 Cariboo Hwy 97)

2) The Board authorized the following Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) applications for submission to the Agriculture Land Commission with a recommendation of approval:

* Area C -- 762 Quesnel Canyon Rd (subdivide with the ALR) 

* Area F -- Lund Road (non-farm use within the ALR/removal of soil) 

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Director Forseth (Area "D") 

3) The Board received an update from the Manager of Planning regarding upcoming text amendments to Quesnel Fringe Area Zoning Bylaw, Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Bylaw and South Cariboo Area Zoning Bylaw in order to comply with the Province's Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Legislation

4) The Board authorized up to $40,500 for the installation of solar panels at the Anahim Lake Community Hall from the 2024 Community Hall Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation envelope of the Community Works Fund

5) The Board authorized for submission to Northern Development the Alexis Creek Community Club’s grant application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Community Places stream for $20,717 for community hall upgrades, including soundproofing and insulation

6) The Board disposed of Year Round Grant for Assistance applications as follows:

* Chimney & Felker Lake Community Association - $400 from Area "E" Grant for Assistance Fund

* City of Williams Lake’s Accessibility Advisory Committee - $250 from Area "D" Grant for Assistance Fund

 7) The Board agreed to provide event sponsorship to the Lhtako Dene Nation for its traditional pow wow and anniversary celebration planned for August 2-4, 2024 in the amount of $5,500 from the COVID-19 Smart Restart Fund - First Nations Reconciliation allocation

8) The Board received a report of the Manager of Communications regarding Pre-Feasibility Study Public Engagement Results for Proposed Bouchie Lake Sewer System and directed a Feasibility Study proceed in 2025 and funded from the Rural Feasibility Service 

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Director Glassford (Area "I") 

9) The Board discussed meeting requests with Provincial Ministers or Provincial Ministry Staff at the 2024 UBCM Convention in Vancouver from September 16-20, 2024 and provided direction to Staff as to meetings to be requested.... 

10) The Board received a number of Information Items and took no further action

11) The Board adopted Canim Lake Water System Service Boundary Amendment Bylaw No. 5478, 2024 

Directors' reported on their recent activities in their Electoral Area/Municipality

The Board then recessed to a Closed (In-Camera) session as per Sections 92 and 90(1a - appointment and 1k - negotiations) of the Community Charter

After some time -- the Board resumed its' Open Meeting and adjourned 

CCRHD Board Highlights - May 24th mtg

Present: Chair A. Richmond(via MS Teams)/Vice Chair M. Sjostrom and Directors Bachmeier(via MS Teams), Massier, Forseth, LeBourdais, Wagner, Glassford, Pare, Anderson, De Vries, Coleman, Roodenburg (via MS Teams), Rathor, Pinkney and Smith 

In-Person Meeting Chair: Vice-Chair Sjostrom 

The Vice-Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional, unceded territory of the Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw 

Meeting agenda adopted 

Minutes of the previous CCRHD Board Meeting were received/adopted 

Business: 

1) The Board received a number of "Information Only" items and took no further action on those items 

2) The Board agreed to a request from the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Foundation to provide funding for projects completed in 2022 – 2023 by way of a CCRHD Foundation Partnership Grant to a maximum of 40% ($136,821.42) of the total costs

The Chair provided an update as to an upcoming meeting between RHD's and Interior Health

Board recessed at 9:41am

Board resumed at 11:01am

Delegation:

Melissa LaPointe and Beth Veenkamp appeared before the Board to present information updates on medical professionals recruitment and retention efforts

Following their presentation - a Question/Answer period ensued...

The Chair thanked the delegation for their time/information

There being no further business - the Board adjourned... 

Central Cariboo Joint Committee Highlights - May 23rd mtg

Present from Cariboo RD: Co-Chair M. LeBourdais and Directors Forseth/Neufeld

Present from City of Williams Lake: Co-Chair SPS Rathor and Councillors Moses/Nelson

Meeting Chair: Director M. LeBourdais

Meeting called to order at 5:30pm

The Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on traditional, unceded Williams Lake First Nation territory within Secwepemculecw 

Meeting Agenda adopted 

Minutes of the previous Joint Committee meeting was adopted

Business:

1) The Committee was presented with "Information Only" items as follows:

a) Scout Island Fee For Service Report - Trail System for 2023

b) Process for CMRC Facility Rental Fee Waiver Requests

c) CMRC Lease Agreements - Food Concession and Sports

d) Live-Streaming in Gibraltar Room

2) Joint Grant for Assistance Program - Central Cariboo Electoral Areas + City of Williams Lake

A report from the Regional District's Manager of Community Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon...

That it be recommended to the Regional Board/City Council:

That an annual Central Cariboo Grants for Assistance program be established jointly as proposed between the City of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District electoral areas D, E, F J and K and further that the Central Cariboo Joint Committee Terms of Reference be amended to include an annual meeting with participation of full city council and central Cariboo electoral area directors to review all grant applications received and determine funding to be provided.

3) Action Page

Resolved: Action Page reviewed and Items #3,7 were authorized to be removed... 

The Committee adjourned at 6:33pm

Quesnel Council Highlights - May 21st meeting

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Public Hearing - Proposed Bylaws 1963 & 1964 (120 Nadeau St.) A public hearing was held at 5:30 p.m. to provide Council with information about Proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaws to allow for construction of a new 16-classroom public elementary school at 120 Nadeau Street, to replace the existing Carson Elementary School where geotechnical concerns have arisen.

Regular Council Meeting commenced at 5:40 p.m.

 

Specialty Crosswalk Annual Maintenance Council approved the updated design for refurbishing the Spirit Square Pride cross-walk and, continued maintenance for the specialty crosswalks.

City Drinking Water The 2023 Annual Water Report presents a summary of the City of Quesnel’s water management practices and a brief description of the water distribution system. Quesnel exceeds provincial testing regulations, collecting samples at 16 individual sites bi-weekly, analyzing for total coliforms, E. coli, heterotrophic plate count (HPC), and turbidity and, testing all reservoirs and wells monthly. Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines were updated for maximum allowable concentration of manganese.  As Quesnel drinking water exceeds the new level, the City has been working on a grant ready, cost-effective water treatment plan for the removal of manganese and microbiological contaminants.

2023 Statement of Financial Information Council approved the 2023 Statement of Financial Information, as required annually under the Financial Information Act and the Community Charter.

 

Strategic Plan  Council approved the 2024 Strategic Plan, which is included in the City's Annual Report that will come to Council for approval in June.

Forestry  Council received an update on the Forestry Initiatives program.  Plans for 2024 include: Three Rivers Community Forest – Community Forest Agreement application is pending Community Wildfire Protection Plan – fuel management in the following areas: Dragon Bluff (the lower portion of Wonderland Trails system)  Baker Creek (an area below Pinnacles Provincial Park)  Baker Creek FireSmart – education & information booths at various community events, homeowner & neighbourhood support. Other - BDO Zone Initiative and Quesnel training hub for alternate forest management, in part.

 

Economic Development Strategy The City has received funding to update our Economic Development Strategy. A Reference Group will be assembled to seek input from the business community, the community at large, and Council. The consultation plan includes key informant interviews, a business survey, a community survey, and focus group workshops, in addition to the Reference Group. The previous economic development strategy was approved by Council in 2018 and, guided many initiatives, including, the waterfront plan, trail development, event attraction and support, the wayfinding program, development of the food hub and healthcare recruitment and workforce initiatives, to name a few. The final strategy will be presented to Council for approval in early 2025.

Development Services Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Amendments under Bill 44 require municipalities to amend their zoning bylaws, allowing increased density in zones that were previously restricted to single detached dwellings or duplexes. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?  The impacts of this legislation in Quesnel are that ‘restricted zones’ must be amended to allow up to four residential units. WHY IS THE PROVINCE DOING THIS? The Province is trying to address the housing shortage by increasing density in established single-detached dwelling and duplex neighbourhoods, allowing secondary suites, detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, etc. Council directed Staff to bring forward City of Quesnel Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing Amendment Bylaw 1962 to the June 4 Council meeting for the first three readings. Development Permit 2024-69 - 310 Legion Drive Council approved the development of a retail cedar yard on Legion Drive, subject to obtaining a Right of Way for the existing sanitary sewer main and a Building Permit for the alterations of the modular office unit.

 

Landfill Reserve Fund Over the years the City has allocated funds to the future costs of the landfill closure. This bylaw creates a Landfill Closure and Post-Closure Obligation Reserve fund so the funds do not appear as surplus and are properly earmarked for the future costs that will be required for the landfill closures and post closure obligations.

Correspondence The 2024 Prospector's Car Club annual car show is returning to Reid Street.  Portions of Reid Street, MacLean Street and St. Laurent Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday, August 18.

 

Bylaws Bylaw 1959 - City of Quesnel Hotel Tax Revitalization Bylaw 1959, 2024 - Third Reading Bylaw 1963 - City of Quesnel Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 1963, 2024 (120 Nadeau Street) - Third Reading Bylaw 1964 - City of Quesnel Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1964, 2024 (120 Nadeau Street) - Third Reading Bylaw 1965 - City of Quesnel Landfill Closure and Post-Closure Obligations Reserve Fund Bylaw No. 1965, 2024 - First Three Readings

Cariboo RD seeking public approval financial aid to West Chilcotin community halls

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District is seeking the approval of residents of the West Chilcotin to introduce a new financial assistance program for community halls in Electoral Area J. There are three community groups and halls to be included in the new service – Anahim Lake Community Hall, Nimpo Lake Community Hall, and the Tatla Lake Community Hall. The necessary service establishment bylaw has received three readings from the Board of Directors and now requires resident approval.

“These halls have been kept going by volunteers in each community, dedicating countless hours to keep them open and running” said Tolin Pare, Director for Electoral Area J. “This new service will help alleviate the stress of securing enough funds to keep the lights on and the water running, allowing each non-profit to focus on recruiting more volunteers to help run much needed community programs.”

The total amount collected will be $30,000 and split evenly between the three halls to help pay for utilities, insurance, and specified improvement projects. The full cost of providing this service would be covered through a parcel tax on properties in Electoral Area J of $30 per parcel levied on up to two properties per unique owner. This would be similar to services that have been established in other Electoral Areas of the Regional District, including Electoral Areas F, G, H, and L.

Approval is being pursued through an Alternative Approval Process, which only requires residents and property owners who are opposed to the service to take action. Residents of Electoral Area J have until July 2, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. to submit an elector response form to the Regional District’s Manager of Corporate Administration. The form and elector eligibility requirements are available on the Cariboo Regional District’s website.

Unless ten percent of eligible electors submit an elector response form, the Board will be able to proceed with adopting the proposed service establishment bylaw. In that case, the requisition for funding would begin in 2025 along with any necessary funding agreements to manage the contributions.

Micheal Moses to run for BC NDP in Cariboo-Chilcotin

Yesterday afternoon in Williams Lake -- Williams Lake City Councillor Micheal Moses was acclaimed as the BC NDP Candidate in Cariboo-Chilcotin for the October 19th, 2024 Provincial General Election.  Councillor Moses is currently serving his first term on Williams Lake City Council after being elected in the October 2022 City of Williams Lake Local General Election

More on that here.  

Meanwhile, incumbent Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerksen has already been acclaimed as BC United's candidate in Cariboo-Chilcotin.  Neither the BC Conservatives, BC Greens or other provincial political parties or Independent candidates - as of this post - have put forward a provincial candidate in Cariboo-Chilcotin... 

Although not legally required -- it has been past practice that those elected to local office (Mayors, Councillors, Regional District Area Directors' or School Trustees) will take an unpaid leave of absence from their local elected positions while participating in the provincial election, in order that it does not appear that local taxpayers are paying for them for local duties NOT performed while campaigning provincially ... 

Meanwhile in North Cariboo-Prince George (previously Cariboo-North):

Incumbent Cariboo-North MLA Coralee Oakes has already been nominated as the candidate in North Cariboo-Prince George on behalf of BC United, BC Conservatives have nominated Sheldon Clare however there are no formal candidates in place for either the BC NDP, BC Greens or other provincial political parties or Independent candidates... 

The writ is expected to drop for the 43rd General Election of British Columbia on or about September 19th, 2024 with General Voting Day scheduled for Saturday, October 19th, 2024 

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings: Week of May 21-24, 2024

Following the Victoria Day Long Weekend -- the following Local Governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin will be meeting during the week of May 21-24, 2024:

Wells - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 21st at 7pm in Wells Council Chambers/via Zoom (4243 Sanders Avenue).  When available, the Agenda can be viewed here 

Quesnel -- Meetings as noted below in Quesnel Council Chambers/Fraser Room (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St):

1) Public Hearing in Quesnel Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 21st at 5:30pm re: OCP/Zoning Amendment applications for property at 120 Nadeau Street.  View the full Agenda here

2) Regular Council Meeting in Quesnel Council Chambers to follow termination of the Public Hearing -- on the Agenda:

* Delegation: Fortis BC - Matt Mason, Community & Indigenous Relations Manager & Bryan Johnston, Regional Engineer

* Committee Reports

* Specialty Crosswalk (Pride/Indigenous Themes) Annual Maintenance Costs

* Annual Water Report - City of Quesnel

* Water Treatment Project

* Forestry Update

* NDIT Recreation Infrastructure grant application - West Fraser Centre Concession

* Strategic Plan - 2024 Refresh

* Baker Creek Enhancement Society License of Occupation agreement 

* Economic Development Strategy Reference Group

* Bylaw 1962 - City of Quesnel Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing Amendment Bylaw - for discussion/next steps

* Change to Committees Appointments (Airport Advisory Committee, Regional District Director for Quesnel and NDIT Regional Advisory Committee)

* DP2024-69 310 Legion Drive – Development of Cedar Sales Yard

* City of Quesnel Landfill Closure and Post-Closure Obligations Reserve Fund Bylaw No. 1965 of 2024 - First three readings

* Letter from Bert DeVink - Donation of Moose to Quesnel

* Letter from Prospector's Car Club - Road closure request

View the full Agenda here 

3) Policy/Bylaw Committee in the Fraser Room, Quesnel City Hall- Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 23rd at 3:15pm.  On the Agenda:

* Quesnel Municipal False Alarm Bylaw Proposal

View the full Agenda here 

Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole session on Tuesday, May 21st at 6pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Delegations (2) -- Denise Deschene and Ruth Lloyd, Streets for All Williams Lake re "GoByBike Week" Proclamation and Spring GoByBike Event & Gaetan Royer, CEO - Massive Canada Building Systems Inc. re: update on Massive Canada manufacturing in Williams Lake

* Small Scale Multi Unit Housing - Required Zoning Amendments

* Code of Conduct Review 

* Provincial Ministers or Provincial Ministry Staff Meeting Requests - 2024 UBCM Convention

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District -- Meetings as noted below:

1) Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus - Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 23rd at 3:00pm in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom.  On the Agenda:

* Delegations -- Dawson Road Maintenance and MOTI, Cariboo District Manager re: General Updates

* Discussion Item -- Speed Warning Signs in Rural Areas

View the full Agenda here

2) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 23rd at 5:30pm in the Cariboo Regional District's Williams Lake Board.  On the Agenda: 

* Information Items -- Scout Island Fee For Service Report - Trail System for 2023; Process for CMRC Facility Rental Fee Waiver Requests; CMRC Lease Agreements - Food Concession and Sports & Live-Streaming in Gibraltar Room

* Action Item -- 2025 Central Cariboo Joint Grant for Assistance Program

View the full Agenda here

3) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, May 24th at 9:30am in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Melissa LaPointe and Beth Veenkamp will present information updates on medical professionals recruitment and retention efforts

* Information Item - Northern Health Community News

* Action Item - Foundation Partnership Grant Application/Cariboo Memorial Hospital Foundation (40% CCRHD grant of hospital capital projects completed in 2022/2023)  

View the full Agenda here

4) Cariboo Regional District - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, May 24th following recess of the CCRHD Board Meeting in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerksen re: General Update to Regional District Board

* Land Use Matters (Area Directors' only) 

* 2024 UBCM Provincial Ministers or Ministry Staff Meeting Requests

*  Anahim Lake Community Hall Community Works Funding (CWF) solar panel project and enabling agreement

* NDIT Application – Alexis Creek Community Hall Upgrade

* Pre-Feasibility Study Public Engagement Results for Proposed Bouchie Lake Sewer System -- determination of next steps

* Year-Round Grant for Assistance Applications (2) 

* Canim Lake Water System Service Boundary Amendment Bylaw No. 5478, 2024 -- For Adoption

* Closed (In-Camera) Board Session -- Sections 92 and 90(1a - appointment) of the Community Charter

View the full Agenda here 

Role of Improvement District Board of Trustees'

This week (May 12-18, 2024 ) is Local Government Awareness Week in British Columbia...

Today - we will review Improvement Districts....

Improvement Districts were created before the time of Regional Districts' and as far back as the 1920's, generally in Rural BC for specific services (ie: water/sewer, fire protection) within a defined service area.  According to CivicInfo BC records -- there are 196 Improvement Districts in British Columbia today with none remaining in the Cariboo-Chilcotin (there were 2 at one point -- one at Lexington and one at Hagensborg, both operating a water system but since have dissolved in favour of the nearby Regional Districts' -- Cariboo/Central Coast RD's) 

Sections 673-734 of the Local Government Act apply as the legislation for Improvement Districts' in BC - click here while you can have a comprehensive overview of Improvement Districts', as provided by the Province of BC - click here

Improvement Districts' have a Board of Trustees - exact numbers depend on what is contained in the Improvement District's Letters Patent - and they generally have monthly meetings plus an Annual General Meeting each year.  They are also required to have designated a Corporate Officer & Financial Officer as part of their staffing - click here

Unlike Municipal Councils/Regional District Boards' -- they are not afforded the same opportunity to attend local government training opportunities like Area Associations, LGLA, UBCM or FCM but the Province of BC has created an Improvement District Trustee Handbook - click here

One of the recent challenges to Improvement Districts' is that Districts' who operate water system and consequently are subject to Provincial drinking water rules are finding it difficult to operate their water systems to BC standards WITHOUT provincial or federal government grant support.  That support is not forthcoming as provincial/federal government financial grants for water/sewer systems are only provided to Municipal Councils or Regional District Boards'.  Many Municipal Councils'/Regional District Boards' have brought up this issue at the Resolution Debates at Union of BC Municipalities Conventions and unfortunately have seen their Resolutions defeated.... but I'm sure the conversation will continue onward...

I want to thank everyone who serves in the Improvement District system - whether at the governance table or at a Staff level.  Your contributions are not recognized publicly in a substantive way but should be, given the amount of time you put into the Improvement District governance structure...

SF

BCGEU strike action expands to Quesnel and 100 Mile House Libraries

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

BCGEU has expanded their picket lines to include Cariboo Regional District (CRD) libraries and offices in Quesnel and 100 Mile House. At this time, the regional library in Williams Lake remains open to the public, and rural branch libraries throughout the Cariboo and Chilcotin continue to operate a curbside pickup program for library patrons.

Residents are advised to call library branches ahead of time to confirm they are open for service, or to visit the library website at www.cln.ca for any updates on closures. CRD services for other departments can be accessed by calling 1-800-665-1636, and updates will be posted to our website at http://www.cariboord.ca

2024 Property Taxes - Cariboo Region

Later this month (May 2024) -- property owners in the Cariboo Chilcotin will receive their property tax notices.. 

Only those residing in Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House receive their property tax notice from their local government directly.  

Those living in the rural areas outside Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House receive their property tax notice from the Provincial Government directly via the Surveyor of Taxes (Provincial Taxes, Cariboo Regional District + Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District taxes)

For those living in the rural areas -- I explain the process here

For those in Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House -- you can look up their property tax process below:

1) District of Wells - https://www.wells.ca/district-wells/mayor-council?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3yxvEwywBtk6LcjJcxWiCSWYuo1PdYqTKpmmfDXRPKREYnA5SAsyoTg-E_aem_AdUEm5LwvYp34BYMaQjuQHDKG_BY0xIsAox3vRK7Os6Y0KvBRYx2HDcYam-tHZoUeSxDf3a6bGwYEKxcG2MOKmmf

2) City of Quesnel - https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/taxes-utilities/property-taxes?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GLRgPMG9oZLd62Wt3s1rJZYF1O0gG7s4Ydm3vYA9PmHkf0k_jgEAoZfQ_aem_AdWOQIAoedAPxJpmnZW2aDS4SFOW8eiOkSVc7esp9_1Rj3Fx8-r3ohCcfIAguOQ-cnX6TW4oLH_lW8uDVSML9-bI

3) City of Williams Lake - https://www.williamslake.ca/702/Property-Taxes?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2seea3wAzVMSQkTi98tTTvDjMrUnEAIfMKQDaBCS10Ojdqvvkjg7c8sF4_aem_AdXl64o6DerygU595392CSYw3WFUrWUN7-ICDzr5gZfG_j7AF_VUfBhQeZ229gvQdRAZ65HMe8R0hEcG9YbW-mTN

4) District of 100 Mile House - https://100milehouse.com/district-services/property-taxes-assessment?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3verR_e57XmOD28o7eehnBHE8N-E8hqbpNwalk6CMLH4LO20FOfL26AOo_aem_AdW1z5tk3nBspRXYcWqXnZEqKRkN89YrKvP1amXE7HoJRdUWRZEX5gFcfkkpBIFiy21-yFMOpzggOEJjYvdt1Zfp

Role of a Regional District Board

This week is BC Local Government Awareness Week 2024 (May 12-18, 2024) and today, I look at the role of a Regional District Board...

Prior to 1965, local governance matters for those living outside incorporated communities was handled directly by Victoria but the Provincial Government of W.A.C Bennett in 1965 - the then Municipal Act was amended to establish the Regional District governance model for those living in unincorporated communities in order to allow local governing to occur at home, rather than directly from Victoria...

According to the Province of BC - there are 27 Regional Districts' in British Columbia today from Fort Nelson down to Sparwood, over to Vancouver Island and up the Coast of British Columbia.  Primary provincial legislation for Regional Districts' is the Local Government Act however there are aspect of the Community Charter that apply to Regional Districts' as well including the sections covering closed meetings and conflict of interest.  Regional Districts' have what is referred to as corporate powers which means that RD Boards' don't have the ability to regulate as Municipalities do.  If a RD Board wanted to, for example, create a Tree Bylaw in a rural area -- the Regional District Board would have to seek permission of the Provincial Cabinet to have that power conferred onto that Regional District (which rarely occurs).  The full list of the 27 Regional Districts' of BC can be viewed here

The 3 primary roles of Regional Districts' are:

1) Local Government for Unincorporated Communities within Electoral Areas

2) Establish/Maintain sub-Regional Services for Electoral Areas/Municipalities

3) Be a Framework for Regional Discussions or Services benefitting ALL residents', whether they live in the Electoral Areas or Municipalities 

A more lengthy description about Regional Districts' from the Province of BC can be viewed here.  One primary difference between Municipalities and Regional Districts' is that every Regional District (RD) "service" is firewalled meaning funds from that RD Service can NOT be moved into another Service as RD Services are taxed on the basis that money is collected for that specific service or money collected must be returned to those in the service area for that particular RD Service.  RD Services can take the form of (again, not meant to be an exhaustive list):

1) Water/Sewer Services
2) Street-lighting
3) Fire Protection
4) Grants in Aide/Grants for Assistance
5) Recreation
6) Economic Development
7) Administration -- Electoral Area (Rural) or General (Regional) 

Each of the 160 Electoral Areas in BC elect a Director to represent that Electoral Area at the local Regional District Board table every 4 years.  It is sometimes described that Area Director is the "Mayor" for that Area however that is factually incorrect -- he/she is the representative for that Area but the "Mayor" for that Area is the local Regional District Board Chair.  RD's can also be described as a ward form of local government wherein there is a representative for each "ward" or Electoral Area in each of the 27 Regional Districts.  The balance of Electoral Area Directors' to Municipal Directors' in each RD can range from Metro Vancouver RD (1 EA Director to 39 Municipal Directors') to Cariboo RD (12 EA Directors to 4 Municipal Directors).  Only the Central Coast RD has all Electoral Area Directors' and no Municipal Directors'.  EA Directors' are required, by provincial legislation, to have an Alternate Director appointed, in case they are not able to attend meetings which is different from municipal councils' wherein should a Councillor be absent, there are enough of their colleagues to help manage their affairs of that community whereas an Electoral Area needs to have a representative at all times for local government affairs - whether it is the elected Area Director or their appointed Alternate to ensure the business of local government for that Area goes on.  There is debate about the role of the Alternate Director, given technology options of today however many Electoral Area Directors' still value the role and this was last debated in January 2019 with no consensus achieved...

Meanwhile, the Cariboo RD Board adopted a Best Practice for Alternate Directors' which was created in 2019 and you can read here

Unlike Mayors being elected every 4 years -- their Regional District counterparts - the Board Chair and Vice-Chair - are elected annually at the RD Board meeting after November 1st.  Every Director, whether a Municipal/Electoral Area, of a Regional District Board has one vote.  A majority of those votes elects the Regional District Chair.  This also applies for the Regional District Board Vice-Chair (also applies to Regional Hospital Districts' annually).  In most cases -- the Chair, doing his/her job, will be checking in with their colleagues year round to support them.  In turn, Chair elections can a mundane exercise.  However, an upset RD Board or RHD Board can result in the Chair being challenged and lobbying then begins... but this occurs very infrequently in the 27 Regional Districts' of British Columbia.  The RD Chairs' in the Central Interior of BC are:

1) Regional District of Fraser Fort George -- Lara Beckett (RDFFG Area "C" Director)

2) Cariboo Regional District -- Margo Wagner (Cariboo RD Area H Director).  Has been Cariboo RD Board Chair since November 2017.  Only the 3rd women in 55 years to be Chair of the Cariboo Regional District.

3) Thompson Nicola Regional District - Barb Roden (Mayor of Ashcroft).  Only the 2nd women to serve as Chair of the Thompson Nicola Regional District (the 1st was the late Patricia Wallace, a Councillor with the City of Kamloops)

Each Electoral Area Director decides for themselves how they want to engage their electorate in their unincorporated communities and bring those issues to their local RD Board table and beyond to the Provincial/Federal Governments via the local MLA/MP respectively and ultimately - they will answer for all that goes right or wrong in their Electoral Area each election.  However, a cursory look at the 160 Electoral Areas state that local elections do occur every 4 years but it is not uncommon for an Electoral Area Director to be acclaimed for many years.  For example -- former Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area 'A' Director Ted Armstrong served for 40 years consecutively (1978-2018) while having to go through 3 Elections in 40 years and being re-elected in each of those occasions.  For myself -- I attend all local community meetings to keep them up to date on Cariboo Regional District matters plus attend community events.  I also try to drive around my own Electoral Area to keep up to speed on local matters plus engage on local social media groups to respond to inquiries plus answering phone calls/emails plus monthly reporting out.  Many of my constituents know how to get a hold of me very quickly - whether by phone, email or social media and my general commitment is returning of inquiries within the same day.  In Cariboo RD's Electoral Area D -- I have 10 "distinct" unincorporated communities from Commodore Heights in the south abutting the City of Williams Lake to the old Marguerite Ferry Landing in the North, Jackson's Hole in the East and Rudy Johnson Bridge to the West.

As one misunderstood item -- I often receive inquiries about why those living mere minutes outside of Williams Lake are not able to vote for Mayor/Council and I gently explain that they are not within the boundaries of the City of Williams Lake so they aren't able to vote accordingly but could if their property was included in the City's boundaries.  The last such attempt to include a portion of Cariboo RD Area D (Commodore Heights to Wildwood) was in 1996 and eventually was voted down as well as an effort in the early 2000's to merge Pine Valley into the City of Williams Lake boundaries and that too failed... 

Another sometimes misunderstood things about RD's is the complex voting rules at a Regional District table.  The voting rules are broken down primarily into two groups:

1) Corporate - Unweighted/Weighted
2) Stakeholder - Unweighted/Weighted

Corporate-Unweighted Voting is reserved for receipt of items or election of the Board Chair whereas Corporate-Weighted Voting is reserved for contract issues, acquisition of property, adoption of a financial plan and weighted votes are based on a formula that revolves around population size and the voting quotient for that RD which gets you a number of votes for that Director.  More Population = More Votes.  A Director can not have more than 5 Weighted Votes.  Anything over that allows, typically, an Municipality would then have more representatives at the RD Board table 

Stakeholder-Unweighted is reserved voting for those participants in a RD Service like Land Use Planning.

Stakeholder-Weighted is again reserved voting for those participants in a RD Service like Land Use Planning or Recreation in relation to "Administration/Operation" of a RD Service.  Voting is a combined votes of participants and a majority is them is required to pass a Resolution.  One example -- Central Cariboo Recreation at the Cariboo RD Board Table has a combined vote structure of 12 (Area D - 2; Area E - 2; Area F - 3; City of WL - 5).  A majority of 7 is required to pass a resolution in relation to "Administration/Operation" of the Central Cariboo Recreation Service

In terms of issues that RD Boards' are working on (but not an exhaustive list) may include:

1) Climate Change/Emergency Events -- Floods/Fires
2) Sustainable Communities and Infrastructure to support those Communities
3) Sustainable Funding for Electoral Area Services
4) Relationships with First Nations'
5) Relationships with Provincial/Federal Governments'
6) Provincial Land Use Decisions

Unlike Municipalities -- Each Electoral Area Director also maintains a contact list for MLA's/MP's or their staff and Provincial/Federal Ministry Staff in order to address issues that come up as RD Boards' usually meet once a month and issues can be solved more quickly through the establishment of these relationships which does take time to forge.

As mentioned yesterday in describing the role of a Municipal Council -- EA Directors' also partake in annual professional development opportunities like local Area Associations', UBCM, FCM and LGLA to stay up to date on Regional District matters as do their Regional District Staff to stay up to date on best practices, etc on their area of expertise (land use, finance, communications, Regional District administration, etc).  Also - RD Directors' (with the exception of one following an election year) get together each January in 3 of the 4 years in a term, typically in Richmond to discuss Electoral Area issues.  Example of Agenda -- click here

Finally - Regional Districts' also serve as Regional Hospital Districts (RHD's) as a separate entity, as per the Hospital District Act - click here.  In the 1990's - the Greater Vancouver Regional Hospital District was dissolved, in favour of creating "tax room" for TransLink (Metro Vancouver Transit Authority).  In the Cariboo-Chilcotin -- we have the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) which comprises all 16 Directors of the Cariboo RD plus Thompson Nicola RD Area E Director Jim Smith as the CCRHD partially falls into his Electoral Area.  RHD's provide for 40% capital for local hospital facilities, typically at the request of the local Health Authority (ie: Northern/Interior Health)

As an Electoral Area Director - as much as it sometimes can be frustrating some days, I do appreciate the support of my fellow Mayors/Councillors' in local government as their support is crucial for getting Electoral Area matters resolved.  Support comes from people like Kamloops Councillor Mike O'Reilly (he currently serves on the TNRD Board as well as Chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District) and many, many other Mayors/Councillors & Electoral Area Directors' elsewhere in BC...

Other sources of information include:

1) UBCM Fact Sheets for Regional Districts -- click here
2) Local Government in BC - click here

Tomorrow, I will review the role of an Improvement District Board of Trustees

SF