At the August 31st, 2010 WL Council "Committee of the Whole" Meeting - both Fred McMechan and Sue Hemphill from the WL Field Naturalists appeared before WL Council to discuss increased funding for operating Scout Island - see their letter here and the notes I took at that meeting here
Their request was subsequently referred to the October 27th, 2010 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting where the request of the WL Field Naturalists (increased funding for Scout Island Nature Centre) was simply received pending development of a Joint Fee-for-Service program which may include additional funding of Scout Island. This Joint Fee for Service program was presented as a late item for information at the September 14th, 2011 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting and will be further discussed at the October 26th, 2011 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting. See the report from Brian Carruthers on a Joint Fee for Service program (scroll down to Page 197) here
As a City resident that frequently makes use of Scout Island and its service - I don't believe the WL Field Naturalists should have to be forced to wait for a year or more to know if their request will be fully considered or not. As they note in their letter - they wish comparable financial treatment that taxpayers give to the local Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin
I would argue that because the service that the WL Field Naturalists provide to operate the Scout Island Nature Centre and attracts more tourists then go to the Museum and because the costs are going up to operate this site and for many additional reasons - they should get the money required to operate the site immediately and not be forced to operate with "breadcrumbs" while waiting a year or longer for the politicians (City of WL/CRD) to make up their mind
This WL Councillor candidate feels quite strongly that the WL Field Naturalist request for increased funding warrants action today and not delay upon delay and if elected - I will aggressively push to have their funding request expedited for action including finding money for any capital items at Scout Island that needs to be funded (ie: Furnace, etc) in addition to creating a strategic plan for Scout Island itself for the next 10 years to ensure Scout Island becomes "the crown jewel" of the Central Cariboo and is sustainable - both from an environmental and financial point of view
SBF
Showing posts with label Brian Carruthers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Carruthers. Show all posts
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
City of WL Statement Regarding CMRC Provision Of Fitness Programs
From the City of Williams Lake:
The City of Williams Lake has been in communication with Concrete Fitness for the past six months or more, responding to Concrete Fitness’ request for detailed information regarding the finances and various business records related to the operation of the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC).
Subsequently, the owners of Concrete Fitness wrote to the City, expressing concerns with costs of CMRC operations, levels of subsidy, and the range of fitness programming offered to the public. The basis of these concerns are that the Complex is competing unfairly with private fitness operators in the community due to the subsidy that is provided through property taxation.
More recently, Concrete Fitness has presented the City and CRD, through the Central Cariboo Joint Committee, with a letter and petition that requests a review of the programs offered at the CMRC in relation to services offered by the private sector. The letter further requests that the CMRC refrain from offering adult fitness programs (yoga, pilates, etc.) that are in direct competition with private fitness establishments.
They have also requested that the gym facility not be expanded or improved.
The CMRC has provided a range of fitness programs and a modest fitness facility for many years. Fees are consistent with other communities in the province with a recognition that municipal fitness facilities are generally intended to provide affordable amenities and services for a range of users. Staff has been challenged by the Joint Committee over the years to maximize revenues at the CMRC to offset operating costs and reduce the level of subsidy required from taxpayers. For the most part, this has been achieved by offering a range of quality fitness programs, thus increasing the number of drop-in and fitness pass holders. As a result of this effort over the past number of years, the CMRC has gone from recovering approximately 30% of operating costs to almost 50%.
“The City has received some very compelling and passionate feedback from both the private fitness sector as well as residents who support the programs offered at the CMRC. The question of providing fitness facilities and services at the CMRC is one of public policy and the elected representatives of the City and CRD will have to consider the interests of the community at large in addressing the requests of Concrete Fitness and the other signatories to the petition,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “In the meantime, I am confident that we will find resolution to this matter that is in the best interest of the community”.
The Central Cariboo Joint Committee will be considering the Concrete Fitness request and petition at the next regularly scheduled meeting on October 26, 2011 at 5:00 pm at City Hall in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (old Committee Room #1)
For more information please contact:
Brian Carruthers - Chief Administrative Officer
The City of Williams Lake
Ph: 250 392-1763
Email - bcarruthers@williamslake.ca
The City of Williams Lake has been in communication with Concrete Fitness for the past six months or more, responding to Concrete Fitness’ request for detailed information regarding the finances and various business records related to the operation of the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC).
Subsequently, the owners of Concrete Fitness wrote to the City, expressing concerns with costs of CMRC operations, levels of subsidy, and the range of fitness programming offered to the public. The basis of these concerns are that the Complex is competing unfairly with private fitness operators in the community due to the subsidy that is provided through property taxation.
More recently, Concrete Fitness has presented the City and CRD, through the Central Cariboo Joint Committee, with a letter and petition that requests a review of the programs offered at the CMRC in relation to services offered by the private sector. The letter further requests that the CMRC refrain from offering adult fitness programs (yoga, pilates, etc.) that are in direct competition with private fitness establishments.
They have also requested that the gym facility not be expanded or improved.
The CMRC has provided a range of fitness programs and a modest fitness facility for many years. Fees are consistent with other communities in the province with a recognition that municipal fitness facilities are generally intended to provide affordable amenities and services for a range of users. Staff has been challenged by the Joint Committee over the years to maximize revenues at the CMRC to offset operating costs and reduce the level of subsidy required from taxpayers. For the most part, this has been achieved by offering a range of quality fitness programs, thus increasing the number of drop-in and fitness pass holders. As a result of this effort over the past number of years, the CMRC has gone from recovering approximately 30% of operating costs to almost 50%.
“The City has received some very compelling and passionate feedback from both the private fitness sector as well as residents who support the programs offered at the CMRC. The question of providing fitness facilities and services at the CMRC is one of public policy and the elected representatives of the City and CRD will have to consider the interests of the community at large in addressing the requests of Concrete Fitness and the other signatories to the petition,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “In the meantime, I am confident that we will find resolution to this matter that is in the best interest of the community”.
The Central Cariboo Joint Committee will be considering the Concrete Fitness request and petition at the next regularly scheduled meeting on October 26, 2011 at 5:00 pm at City Hall in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (old Committee Room #1)
For more information please contact:
Brian Carruthers - Chief Administrative Officer
The City of Williams Lake
Ph: 250 392-1763
Email - bcarruthers@williamslake.ca
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Williams Lake Local Government Election Protocol...
Later today, the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Board will be meeting in a Committee of the Whole to discuss several items. See the Agenda here
One of the items up for discussion is adoption of a CRD Election Period Communications Policy which basically states that the 3 months prior to the General Election Day, CRD Staff will not assist elected officials with the following:
a) News releases, media events or other communications tools which may be perceived as promoting the efforts of individual Electoral Area or Municipal Directors on specific tasks will not be employed for three months prior to Election Day.
b) CRD staff shall not appear in photo opportunities with any local government candidates for a period of three months prior to Election Day.
c) CRD staff shall not provide assistance to Directors and/or candidates in website, social media, or other communications strategy development to support any election campaigns.
I believe the City of Williams Lake must implement either a Election Period Communications Policy, like the CRD's or in the alternative, an election period protocol, developed solely by the City's Chief Election Officer (C. Bouchard) and the City's Chief Administrative Officer (B. Carruthers), to ensure that all candidates, whether an incumbent or challenger, are on a level playing field, as it relates to City Staff and City resources
SBF
Update - The above CRD Policy was approved with an addition of "where authorized by Board Policy"
One of the items up for discussion is adoption of a CRD Election Period Communications Policy which basically states that the 3 months prior to the General Election Day, CRD Staff will not assist elected officials with the following:
a) News releases, media events or other communications tools which may be perceived as promoting the efforts of individual Electoral Area or Municipal Directors on specific tasks will not be employed for three months prior to Election Day.
b) CRD staff shall not appear in photo opportunities with any local government candidates for a period of three months prior to Election Day.
c) CRD staff shall not provide assistance to Directors and/or candidates in website, social media, or other communications strategy development to support any election campaigns.
I believe the City of Williams Lake must implement either a Election Period Communications Policy, like the CRD's or in the alternative, an election period protocol, developed solely by the City's Chief Election Officer (C. Bouchard) and the City's Chief Administrative Officer (B. Carruthers), to ensure that all candidates, whether an incumbent or challenger, are on a level playing field, as it relates to City Staff and City resources
SBF
Update - The above CRD Policy was approved with an addition of "where authorized by Board Policy"
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Three Years Ago...
Earlier today, I just took a brief look at my emails as to what local gov't was up to, at this time, in 2008
2008:
1) Central Cariboo Victim Services (increase to requisition)
2) Establish New Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Function
3) North Cariboo gets ready for $15,000,000 Referendum
Now, faster forward to 2011 - I'll update the 3 Items above plus other items coming up
1) Central Cariboo Victim Services ($22,000 requisition all used up). If more spending is contemplated in the future, voters' will have to approve a lift to the tax requisition limit. Central Cariboo Joint Committee directed City of WL CAO Brian Carruthers/Victim Services Manager Elizabeth Hutchinson to come back with a plan regarding the future direction of the Victim Services Function and as of today - this plan has not been laid before the Joint Committee
2) Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Function - Function was approved, via counter-petition, in 2008. A Service Delivery Plan was created/approved by the CRD Board. There has been discussion around a strategic vision for Arts/Culture for the Central Cariboo region however it has been suggested that the newly established Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Society (CCACS) take the lead to develop a strategic vision, whereas I see a strategic vision for Arts/Culture being so broad that local government take the lead on it, as not to give a suggestion of "the fox in charge of the henhouse". Finally - the CCACS has a contract to manage the Arts/Culture Function
3) North Cariboo Multi-Centre - the referendum to approve-in-principle borrowing up to $15,000,000 for a Multi-Centre in Quesnel was approved on Nov 15th, 2008 and North Cariboo politicians will have to go back to the voters' if they can not secure the remaining $15,000,000 by November 15th, 2013 from Ottawa/Victoria
Other Issues occurring this fall:
1) "Talk Trash" sessions - the Cariboo Regional District, as part of its' wish to create a new Solid Waste Management Plan or SWMP, will hold various public meetings to get public input. You can view the public meeting schedule to see when a meeting will be happening where you live here. The first public meeting on the SWMP will be happening Tuesday from 4-8pm in the CRD Boardroom in Williams Lake. There will be a formal presentation at 7pm. You can read a public handout on the SWMP here
Editor's Note - I'm disappointed that this session is occurring on the same night as a WL City Council meeting and could have been held on the weekend of Sept 17/18 as no SWMP Public Meeting has been scheduled for that weekend
2) Fluoride Referendum - As I reported earlier - the City of Williams Lake will be taking the issue of whether or not to continue fluoridizing the City's water to City voters' on November 19th. Useful information can be located here
2008:
1) Central Cariboo Victim Services (increase to requisition)
2) Establish New Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Function
3) North Cariboo gets ready for $15,000,000 Referendum
Now, faster forward to 2011 - I'll update the 3 Items above plus other items coming up
1) Central Cariboo Victim Services ($22,000 requisition all used up). If more spending is contemplated in the future, voters' will have to approve a lift to the tax requisition limit. Central Cariboo Joint Committee directed City of WL CAO Brian Carruthers/Victim Services Manager Elizabeth Hutchinson to come back with a plan regarding the future direction of the Victim Services Function and as of today - this plan has not been laid before the Joint Committee
2) Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Function - Function was approved, via counter-petition, in 2008. A Service Delivery Plan was created/approved by the CRD Board. There has been discussion around a strategic vision for Arts/Culture for the Central Cariboo region however it has been suggested that the newly established Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Society (CCACS) take the lead to develop a strategic vision, whereas I see a strategic vision for Arts/Culture being so broad that local government take the lead on it, as not to give a suggestion of "the fox in charge of the henhouse". Finally - the CCACS has a contract to manage the Arts/Culture Function
3) North Cariboo Multi-Centre - the referendum to approve-in-principle borrowing up to $15,000,000 for a Multi-Centre in Quesnel was approved on Nov 15th, 2008 and North Cariboo politicians will have to go back to the voters' if they can not secure the remaining $15,000,000 by November 15th, 2013 from Ottawa/Victoria
Other Issues occurring this fall:
1) "Talk Trash" sessions - the Cariboo Regional District, as part of its' wish to create a new Solid Waste Management Plan or SWMP, will hold various public meetings to get public input. You can view the public meeting schedule to see when a meeting will be happening where you live here. The first public meeting on the SWMP will be happening Tuesday from 4-8pm in the CRD Boardroom in Williams Lake. There will be a formal presentation at 7pm. You can read a public handout on the SWMP here
Editor's Note - I'm disappointed that this session is occurring on the same night as a WL City Council meeting and could have been held on the weekend of Sept 17/18 as no SWMP Public Meeting has been scheduled for that weekend
2) Fluoride Referendum - As I reported earlier - the City of Williams Lake will be taking the issue of whether or not to continue fluoridizing the City's water to City voters' on November 19th. Useful information can be located here
Friday, September 2, 2011
New WL Business Attraction/Retention Task Force
On Tuesday - WL Council, meeting in Committee of the Whole, will receive a report from the City's CAO about the formation of a Business Attraction/Retention Task Force which will be asked to report on several matters, pertaining to Business Retention/Attraction issues, by December 31st, 2011
See Brian Carruthers report here
However, in Mr. Carruthers report - he does not, in my view, make an credible argument as to why this same work could not be done by the already established Central Cariboo Economic Development Corporation Board
I don't feel the City needs to "re-invent the wheel" here. Just ask the local Ec Dev Corporation Board to report to Council on Business Attraction/Investment issues by December 31st and I'm sure they would be glad to do so, given they aren't too busy at the moment
See Brian Carruthers report here
However, in Mr. Carruthers report - he does not, in my view, make an credible argument as to why this same work could not be done by the already established Central Cariboo Economic Development Corporation Board
I don't feel the City needs to "re-invent the wheel" here. Just ask the local Ec Dev Corporation Board to report to Council on Business Attraction/Investment issues by December 31st and I'm sure they would be glad to do so, given they aren't too busy at the moment
Friday, August 19, 2011
Weekly News Wrap - August 19th edition
In Quesnel:
* Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar rallies against Quesnel Council on spending habits - see here
* Quesnel Cariboo Observer Editor Autumn MacDonald says - Pay Attention to the "he said/she said" debate on excessive spending by Quesnel Council - see here
* Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom meets with BC Forest Minister Steve Thomson over North Cariboo Multi-Centre proposal - see here
In Williams Lake:
* McLeese Lake rancher charged with animal cruelty - see here
* Annual 4-H "Show and Sale" starts today and runs until Wednesday - see here
* Cariboo Fire Center responds to 36 fires totalling 125 Ha - see here
* WL Council goes to UBCM Convention in late Sept with a few requests including the move of the Station House Gallery - see here (Question - why is Brian Carruthers speaking for Council on this item and next one, isn't that the job of either Mayor Cook or the Acting Mayor - presently Councillor Geoff Bourdon??)
* Early local gov't election in 2014 - see here
* Local resident complains about state of South Lakeside Drive - see here (Note - this letter has generated some interesting discussion including the question on whether the Pellet Plant should be moved elsewhere, given its' location to Williams Lake)
* Bob Simpson asks - Should we allow internet voting for municipal/provncial elections? - see here (Note - I agree 110% that we should at least consider the idea. It may solve the declining election participation rate)
* Interesting in forming your own rural Fire Department?? - Talk to the Cariboo Regional District first - see here
* Is Skip Trippett (Community Grant Review Chair) indepedent? - Greg Fry (local radio reporter) look at this question - see here
In 100 Mile House:
* Local planning council holds AGM - see here
* Local teachers association walks from bargaining - see here
* Canim Lake Postal Office rises again - see here
* TNRD Area 'E' Director Sally Watson works on forest fuel mitigation projects in Loon Lake/South Green Lake areas' - see here
* Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar rallies against Quesnel Council on spending habits - see here
* Quesnel Cariboo Observer Editor Autumn MacDonald says - Pay Attention to the "he said/she said" debate on excessive spending by Quesnel Council - see here
* Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom meets with BC Forest Minister Steve Thomson over North Cariboo Multi-Centre proposal - see here
In Williams Lake:
* McLeese Lake rancher charged with animal cruelty - see here
* Annual 4-H "Show and Sale" starts today and runs until Wednesday - see here
* Cariboo Fire Center responds to 36 fires totalling 125 Ha - see here
* WL Council goes to UBCM Convention in late Sept with a few requests including the move of the Station House Gallery - see here (Question - why is Brian Carruthers speaking for Council on this item and next one, isn't that the job of either Mayor Cook or the Acting Mayor - presently Councillor Geoff Bourdon??)
* Early local gov't election in 2014 - see here
* Local resident complains about state of South Lakeside Drive - see here (Note - this letter has generated some interesting discussion including the question on whether the Pellet Plant should be moved elsewhere, given its' location to Williams Lake)
* Bob Simpson asks - Should we allow internet voting for municipal/provncial elections? - see here (Note - I agree 110% that we should at least consider the idea. It may solve the declining election participation rate)
* Interesting in forming your own rural Fire Department?? - Talk to the Cariboo Regional District first - see here
* Is Skip Trippett (Community Grant Review Chair) indepedent? - Greg Fry (local radio reporter) look at this question - see here
In 100 Mile House:
* Local planning council holds AGM - see here
* Local teachers association walks from bargaining - see here
* Canim Lake Postal Office rises again - see here
* TNRD Area 'E' Director Sally Watson works on forest fuel mitigation projects in Loon Lake/South Green Lake areas' - see here
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