Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments' at UBCM 2024 Convention!

Next week -- Mayors', Councillors' and Cariboo RD Area Directors' of the Cariboo-Chilcotin will be in Vancouver during the week of September 16-20, 2024 attending the 2024 UBCM or Union of BC Municipalities' Convention.  Full details here

Meanwhile -- only the Board of Education for School District #28 (Quesnel) will be meeting locally during the week of September 16-20, 2024.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at 7pm in the SD28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd, Quesnel).  It will be their first meeting of the 2024-2025 School Year.  The Meeting Agenda, when available, can be viewed here

As I am not attending the 2024 UBCM Convention next week -- there will not be daily reports from the Convention but I am looking forward to hearing how the UBCM Convention played out from my Cariboo RD colleagues at the next meeting of the Cariboo Regional District Board in Williams Lake on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 

Cariboo RD/CCRHD Board Highlights - Sept 5/6, 2024

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Region-wide trails & parks service discussed, CRD (Cariboo Regional District) makes preliminary commitment

After an initial conversation, the Board will be investigating a regional parks and trails service. Initially brought forward in the previous Board term, an updated memo and overview of the proposed service was presented by Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services. The memo outlined a framework for a regionwide service and the process to establish it.

The CRD has historically invested grant and recreation service funds into developing low mobility trails throughout the region. This includes trails the recently developed in Pioneer Park, 108 Mile Ranch, and the Esler Sports Complex, adding to existing trails throughout the Cariboo and Chilcotin. These trails are not managed consistently, with each trail having different maintenance needs and priorities based on who owns property and tenure for the trails. The last five years have seen a significant demand for more trails in the region, but existing funding mechanisms limit trail development to sub-regional recreation service areas, provincial parks and tenures, or other specifically established services like the 108 Mile Greenbelt.

A key feature of a new service would be a new trails coordinator position, which would be responsible for leading the design, construction, and maintenance of the CRD’s existing and possible new trail networks. A regional service would also allow the CRD to focus on funding the best projects within the whole region, rather than having to manage internal jurisdictional boundaries alongside funding inequities between different areas with varying population sizes. The service could also fund trails connected to key recreation sites with additional amenities available within them as part of the overall service.

A preliminary outline of the service would see residential taxation set to around $1.30 per $100,000 assessed value, which would raise $225,000 for the service. One area to be determined moving forward for the service would be transferring trail maintenance and development costs from other budgets, like sub-regional recreation, to the newly established regional trails service. Additionally, unlike most regional district services, there is no requirement for any elector approval process for this type of service.

After a detailed discussion, which included questions on further public engagement and conceptual funding model scenarios, the Board in Committee approved a resolution to confirm its desire to proceed with the establishment of a regional parks and trails service. The Board will need to ratify this decision at its next regular Board Meeting, and then will share the proposal with municipal councils to determine their desire to participate. This will mark the next step in a possible service establishment, and next steps will be identified at a future board meeting. Several other factors for how a service will be funded, delivered, and operated will need to be identified as part of the decision making.

Community Works Funding Policy Review

The Board reviewed its policy for how Community Works Funding is assigned and allocated during financial planning. The current policy allows these funds to be used on various projects subject to a 2/3 majority vote, without allocating funding to specific electoral areas. The Board identified water systems, firehalls, and asset management planning as key priorities for these funds moving forward to address aging systems and increasing costs to replace them. The discussion closed with a decision not to request changes to the existing policy.

In depth overview given about needs for CRD utility systems

The CRD’s Manager of Utilities, Kelly McDonald, provided the Board with an overview of the 16 water and sewer systems operated by the CRD. The presentation highlighted key concerns and priorities for each system. Several systems are prioritizing the installation of a SCADA system, which will allow for remote monitoring and control of key features of these systems. Several systems need investment to address deteriorating and end-of-life infrastructure. A major concern for these systems is limited funding, as the CRD must either raise revenues through local service area taxation and fees, or secure grant funding from other levels of government. An overview was also provided of technical information related to chlorinating water alongside treatment systems in most of the CRD’s water systems, either to address ongoing water quality advisories or to mitigate future risks of issuing boil water notices and advisories.

CCRHD lends support to City of Williams Lake on hospital closure solutions

Following careful and lengthy deliberations, the CCRHD’s Board will be supporting the City of Williams Lake’s call for an independent review of the working conditions at Cariboo Memorial Hospital to identify challenges and try to find solutions to the staffing issues at the hospital. This follows a series of emergency room closures over the last month, which also impacted 100 Mile General Hospital, and follows a meeting organized by Interior Health for the City of Williams Lake’s Council.

In discussing the request, there was broad acknowledgement that there is a broad shortage of post-secondary training spots for doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and other health professionals. The Board also acknowledged that Interior Health’s Chief Executive Officer has been mandated by the Minister of Health to conduct a similar review as was done in Clearwater. The costs of such a review would be borne by the Province and have no impact on the financial position of the CCRHD.

The CCRHD also funds a healthcare landing and retention program, which seeks to complement the recruitment efforts of both Northern Health and Interior Health. These programs assist in securing temporary accommodations for health professionals coming to the region, providing exposure to unique recreation experiences in the region, and supporting peer-networking events. The CCRHD is also engaging School District 27 in an effort to secure dedicated childcare spaces in Williams Lake for children of health professionals.

Multiple notices on title filed for expired, missing permits, missed inspections, improperly zoned buildings

The Board spent more time this week authorizing CRD staff to register several notices on title for buildings which were not built to the requirements of the BC Building Code. Notices on title can affect multiple things for property owners – it’s a signal to insurance companies, financial institutions, and future property buyers that a building on the property was not certifiably built to the standards of the BC Building Code. Cariboo Regional District residents are reminded to obtain their building permit before they build, and request inspections at key construction points to ensure compliance with the BC Building Code. Code compliance isn’t just a legal requirement – it signals that your home meets common standards for future home buyers, insurance companies, and financial institutions.

It bears noting that the purpose of building inspections is to provide a limited and interim spot-checking function for health and safety. Accordingly, inspections are not a warranty that the building is free of defects or that it complies in every respect with the BC Building Code. It remains the responsibility of the owner and their builder, as applicable, to ensure that the construction materially complies with the BC Building Code.

CRD Board approves agreement, allowing 10-new T-hangars to be built at SC Reg Airport

The Board has approved a new occupancy agreement for a private developer at the South Cariboo Regional Airport. The agreement will allow for up to ten new T-Hangars to be built at the airport, which will increase the aircraft storage capacity of the airport and boost revenues generated from airside services. The hangars are to be financed, built, and operated by the private developer in the future.

Troll Mountain Ski Hill rezoning application gets a nod

A rezoning application from the owners of Troll Mountain Ski resort received its first steps towards approval on September 6, with the Board granting first and second reading of the necessary bylaw amendment. The bylaw would see the property’s land use designation under the North Cariboo Rural Land Use Bylaw be designated as a Comprehensive Development Zone. This would facilitate further development of the site alongside recognizing the property’s current use within the existing bylaw. The resort is also located primarily on Crown Land within a designated controlled recreation area under an approved Operating Agreement with the Province of BC. The current zoning designation is a mix of Resource Agricultural, Rural Residential, and Tourist Commercial zones, which do not fully recognize the property’s current and historical use.

A public hearing will be scheduled by the CRD to provide a platform for public input on the application. The property owner will also be required to receive several approvals before the application proceeds further, including a covenant agreement to comply with the CRD’s Shoreland Management Policy, receiving approvals for encroachment agreements and controlled access permits from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and removal or relocation of a building within the designated set back area. Following these steps, the Board could consider adoption of the bylaw.

Lac La Hache Sewer System extension approved

A bylaw was adopted to authorize the expansion of the Lac La Hache Sewer System service area boundaries to include one larger property on Timothy Lake Road. Originally introduced at the August 16, 2024 Board meeting, the bylaw will allow the property owner to connect to the system and discharge wastewater into the system.

Upcoming Meetings:

Sep. 25 @ 2:00 p.m. – Emergency Preparedness Committee

Sep. 25 @ 5:30 p.m. – Central Cariboo Joint Committee

Sep. 26 @ 9:30 a.m. – CCRHD / CRD Board Meetings

Prescribed burn planned near Doc English

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

The B.C. Wildfire Service will conduct an ecosystem restoration burn at the north end of Cotton Road near Riske Creek and Tl’esqox First Nation. This burn will cover approximately 25 hectares of grassland.

 

Preparation for this project, including small scale burns to establish control lines, will begin as early as September 12, 2024. Burning may begin as early as September 13, 2024, and may continue periodically until September 20, 2024. The exact timing of the burn will be dependent on weather, site and venting conditions. Ignitions will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation. Smoke and flames will be highly visible to motorists travelling along Highway 20, and may be visible to surrounding residences.

 

The objectives of this prescribed burn are to:

Improve and restore open grasslands by reducing encroachment from trees and shrubs,

consume slashed material,

improve the grassland forage for future wildlife and cattle grazing and,

 

This prescribed burn is part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration program administered in consultation with First Nations and local ranchers. B.C. Wildfire Service staff will carefully prepare, control, and monitor the prescribed burn at all times.

 

Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of prescribed burns), to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities. Historically, grasslands in the Cariboo-Chilcotin were renewed and maintained through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. Such fires prevented tree encroachment, rejuvenated understory plants and helped maintain more open grasslands and forests with large trees.

 

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca 

B.C. funding new ways to reduce plastic waste in communities

From the Government of BC:

"More B.C. businesses and organizations are receiving funding to provide innovative solutions to recycle and reuse plastic while supporting jobs for people throughout British Columbia"

A local company on Fox Mountain, a rural unincorporated community in hashtag#CaribooRD Area "D" -- Devle Recycled -- was successful in this funding round of $54,624.00

More info on Devle Recycled can be accessed at https://delverecycled.ca/

WL Council Highlights - Sept 10th mtg

Present: Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Flaspohler, Lyons, Moses and Nelson (via Zoom)

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 approved with 1 Late Item

Minutes of previous City Council meetings were adopted

Meeting video here

Delegations:

1) Jennifer Prochera and Aaron Mannella, Enbridge - Updates on BC Operations and Proposed Sunrise Expansion Project

2) Stephanie McLeish and Tyler Baker, BC Housing Corporation - Verbal Update on Williams Lake Projects 

Following presentations of the delegations -- A Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor thanked the delegations for their time/information

Response to Delegations:

Council received for information:

* a regional update on Enbridge's operations and the proposed Sunrise Expansion Project

* verbal update from Stephanie McLeish and Tyler Baker, BC Housing Corporation on BC Housing's projects in Williams Lake

And at the request of Councillor Nelson -- Staff were directed to follow-up with BC Housing to ensure services at forthcoming shelter at the old Elks Hall proceeds at the Hamilton Hotel in Williams Lake until the new shelter space on 1st Avenue is ready for occupancy 

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated August 26, 29 and September 5, 2024

2) Council agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BC Transit to introduce Sunday transit service for Williams Lake beginning April 2025 at an additional cost to the City of $59,826

3) Council endorsed a number of Committee of the Whole recommendations pertaining to the City of Williams Lake's 2025 budget, as follows:

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #20-2024, the report of the Chief Financial Officer dated August 29, 2024 be received and Council approve the proposed 2025 budget and five-year financial plan preparation timeline, and commit to prioritizing the Water Treatment Plant project in the 2025 budget and five-year financial plan

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #21-2024, Council direct staff to bring back a report on the Pioneer Complex site and associated costs, should it default to the City following close of the 2024 tax sale process

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #22-2024, Council direct staff to bring back a high level report and action plan on investment growth targets for Williams Lake and what impediments may be expected to negatively impact growth in the community

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #23-2024, Council make it a priority to address the potential impacts that losing Atlantic Power will have on the community and the municipal budget going forward

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #24-2024, Council direct staff to focus 2025 budget development to sustaining core services and grant funding only

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #25-2024, Council direct staff to bring back a report and community engagement strategy for the budget process based on the direction provided by Council

4) Council received the letter from the Orange Shirt Society dated August 20, 2024 requesting donations toward the Orange Shirt Day Event being held at the WLFN arbor on Friday, September 27, 2024 and agreed to match the Cariboo Regional District's contribution of $1,000 towards this event for a total of $2,000 between City of Williams Lake/Cariboo Regional District

5) Council directed that the lights of City Hall be changed to purple on November 21, 2024 for World Pancreatic Cancer Day

6) Late Item - Council agreed to support the unpaid leave of absence for Councillor Michael Moses effective September 18, 2024 to October 31, 2024, due to his participating in the provincial election as a candidate for the BC NDP 

7) Council received the Council Information Package as of September 10th, 2024 

8) Council received Standing Agenda Item updates as follows:

* Atlantic Power -- Receive letter from the Downtown Williams Lake Business Improvement Association to Premier David Eby dated September 3, 2024 advocating for the provincial government to work toward an agreement between BC Hydro and the Atlantic Power for continued operations of the Williams Lake biomass facility

* Williams Lake River Valley 

And that Staff bring forward updates on the Boitanio Mall project as well as the Massive Canada project at the former Jackpine Engineered Wood plant

9) Roundtable

Members of Council and the Mayor provided verbal reports on their recent activities 

10) Closed Council Meeting

At 8:09pm -- Council agreed to the following Resolution: 

That Council now resolve 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 Section 90 (1) (j) information that is prohibited, or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited, from disclosure, under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and Section 90 (2) (b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.

Council agreed to adjourn at 8:10pm

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings|Week of September 9-13, 2024

During the week of September 9-13, 2024 -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments' or Boards' of Education will be holding meetings, as follows:

Wells - Regular Council Meeting on September 10th, 2024 at 7pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Avenue) and via Zoom.  When available, the Agenda can be viewed here

Quesnel - Financial Sustainability and Audit Committee/Regular Meeting on September 11th, 2024 at 9am in the Fraser Room, Quesnel City Hall (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* Budget 2025

* Tax Rate Trends

* Per Diem Review

* Quesnel Council Travel Policy Review

* 2024 Capital Plan update

* 2024-25 Committee Meeting Schedule

View the full Agenda here

School District 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - Education Committee Meeting at the SD27 Administration Office (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake) on September 11th at 4pm.  On the Agenda:

* Annual Enhancing Student Learning Report 

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake - Meetings as follows:

1) Closed Council Meeting on September 10th at 5:15pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St) as per Sections 92 + 90(1a + c - appointment/labour) of the Community Charter.  View the closed meeting notice here

2) Regular Council Meeting on September 10th, 2024 at 6pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Delegations:

1) Jennifer Prochera and Aaron Mannella, Enbridge - Updates on BC Operations and Proposed Sunrise Expansion Project

2) Stephanie McLeish and Tyler Baker, BC Housing Corporation - Update on Williams Lake Projects

* BC Transit - Addition of Sunday Service in 2025

* Committee of the Whole recommendations relating to the 2025 Budget

* City Hall Lighting Request - Purple for World Pancreatic Cancer Day

* Standing Agenda Items -- Atlantic Power and Williams Lake River Valley Wildfire Update

* Closed Council Meeting: Section 90(1j - information prohibited from public disclosure) + 90(2b - confidential negotiations between the City, provincial and/or federal governments) of the Community Charter

View the full Agenda here

100 Mile House - Regular Council Meeting on September 10th, 2024 at 5pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House).  On the Agenda:

* Airport Fees

* Pride Banners Request

* Property Tax Exemption

* Board of Variance Appointments

* Asset Disposal

* BC DragIt 2025 Airport Event Request

* Verbal Report on District of 100 Mile House Infrastructure Projects

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District - Meetings as noted below:

1) South Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus - September 9th at 11am in 100 Mile House Council Chambers.  On the Agenda:

* Discussion Items -- Short Term Rental Regulation Strategy, Active Transportation Route on Hwy 24

* Closed Session -- Section 90(1e - land) of the Community Charter

View the full Agenda here

2) South Cariboo Joint Committee - September 9th at 12pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers.  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: South Cariboo Pickleball Association

* Action Item:Wranglers Request to Move Office Space

* Discussion Items -- Recreation Fees Bylaw, 2024 South Cariboo Recreation Business, Financial and Capital Plans in Preparation for 2025 Budget Planning, Outdoor Arena Design Information from Architect

View the full Agenda here

3) North Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus - September 10th at 3pm at the CRD Quesnel Office (101-410 Kinchant Street, Quesnel).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Matt Henderson - UNBC Undergraduate Student to present his upcoming thesis work regarding a Red-Meat Processing Curriculum at the College of New Caledonia campuses of Prince George, Quesnel and Vanderhoof

View the full Agenda here

4) North Cariboo Joint Committee - September 10th at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers.  On the Agenda: 

* Parkland School Lease Termination

* Quarterly 2 North Cariboo Recreation & Parks Budget Update

* 2025 – 2029 North Cariboo Recreation & Parks Business and Financial Plan

* 2025 NCJAC Draft Meeting Schedule

* NCJAC / SD#28 Annual meeting - potential dates: Wednesday, September 25 - 8:30am or 1:00pm

View the full Agenda here

Steve's Meeting/Expense Calendar - August 2024

During the month of August 2024 -- I attended the following meetings or events:

August 7th -- Monthly Meeting of the McLeese Lake Recreation Commission

August 11th -- With Cariboo RD Area "A" Director Mary Sjostrom -- attended 10th anniversary of Farmers Market at Alexandria (previously at McLeese Lake) 

August 16th -- Meetings of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District and Cariboo Regional District Boards' in Williams Lake 

August 28th -- Meeting with Cariboo RD CAO/Chief Administrative Officer Murray Daly to discuss issues/concerns in Electoral Area "D"

August 31st -- Attended annual Tyee Lake "Show and Shine/Rib Cook-off"

In addition, responded to inquiries from residents' of Electoral Area "D" of the Cariboo Regional District via phone/text, social media or email

In the month of August 2024, I submitted the following expenses:

* August 16th -- $206 to attend meetings of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District and Cariboo Regional District Boards' 

Labour Day (Canada) 2024

Today is Labour Day whose origins go back to the late 1800's to recognize the hard-fought wins of organized labour including right to call out dangerous work conditions and the 8 hour day...

More from Wikipedia on this day at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_Day_(Canada)

~SF