Pat Bell's "Top Ten" for July 22nd (2010-2011 Public Accounts)

1. The province ended the year with a deficit of $309 million, compared to a budgeted deficit of $1,715 million.

2. Taxation revenue increased by $1,095 million compared to 2009/10 reflecting growth across the economy.

3. Corporate income tax increased by $341 million over 2009/10 and property tax increased by $33 million. This was offset by a decrease in personal income tax of $168 million over 2009/10.

4. Natural resource revenue, federal government transfer, and fees and licenses also increased by $1,486 million over the previous year.

5. Program spending increased by $903 million in 2010/11 as the province spent more on health, education and social programs.

6. In 2010/11, the province continued to invest in capital as part of the economic stimulus initiatives undertaken by government to respond to slow growth. The province's net investment to build and upgrade schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, roads and bridges was $2,050 million in 2010/11, $1,685 million in 2009/10, $1,918 million in 2008/09 and $1,937 million in 2007/08. Capital investment is financed through a combination of debt, partnerships with the private sector, cost sharing with partners such as Federal and Municipal governments, and other sources including cash and temporary investments.

7. In calendar year 2010, the provincial economy grew by 4.0% as measured by real GDP. This is greater than the national average rate of 3.3%. The province's ratio of net liabilities to GDP increased by 0.3%.

8. British Columbia continues to maintain a strong credit rating with all three major credit rating agencies. Dominion Bond Rating Service affirmed the province a rating of AA(high) while Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Services Inc. affirmed the province a rating of AAA and Aaa respectively, their highest possible ratings.

9. The unemployment rate in BC averaged 7.6% below the National average of 8.0%

10. The ratio of own source revenue to GDP having decreased from a range of 17.6% to 16.0% in 2009/10, own source revenue to GDP has remained relatively stable in 2010/11 ending the year at 15.8%.

BC Liberal TV - July 22nd edition

Friday Wrap Up - July 22nd edition

Hope your Friday was well.  Most local governments are on a break until mid August.  Wells doesn't resume until August 16th, Quesnel until August 15th, Williams Lake until August 9th (Committee of the Whole Meeting) and 100 Mile House meets next Tuesday (July 26th).  Cariboo Regional District Board meets again on August 26th and the 2 School District Boards do not meet until September

Over at Welcome to Williams Lake:

* Rick Hansen Monument to be established at the TDC (Tourism Discovery Center).  See here.  I should clarify, contary to information posted here yesterday, that the City of WL's Manager of Economic Development states that no local taxpayer money is going into this project.  The local Rick Hansen Committee will be looking after raising the necessary funds for this particular project

* Williams Lake City Council, as posted here earlier this week, will spend $25,000 (money coming from 2011 Water Budget) to educate the public on the issue of continuing to put fluoride in the City's Water System - see here.  If the comments I had on this subject on my personal Facebook page (22 comments in 7 hours) are any indication of the general mood of the public - this decision will not be a popular one, going into November's vote

* One local landlord takes exception to WL Council's decision to give 3 readings to Bylaw Amendments to the City's Noise and Nuisance Bylaws - see here

Over at the Rush - Councillor Rathor reports repairs to the Sam Ketchum Memorial Pool are now done and the pool should be operational by Tuesday, August 2nd - see more here

Local Events this weekend:

* Oliver St Market on Saturday from 10am - 3pm
* Racing at Thunder Mountain Speedway (West of Williams Lake on Highway #20) - Time Trials at 5pm and Racing at 6pm
* Lakers' Club "Show and Shine" at Canadian Tire (South Lakeside Drive) on Sunday from 10am - 2pm

Food for Thought:

Earlier this year (Jan 11th, 2011) - the City of WL adopted a new Social Media Policy which called for a Facebook Page (already established in late December of 2010) and a Twitter account (not established) to both be established for the purpose of online communications with the general public at the time that the new City of WL website is brought online.  The date for this was the end of May.  I would suggest that one of the two options be employed by City Staff:

1) Begin using Facebook/Twitter forthwith until the new City website can be established.  One advantage is to immediately communicate with City residents' on emerging or immediate issues that residents' would have an interest in and would appreciate a "conversation" between City Staff and the general public

2) If #1 is unacceptable - the City of WL CAO should then advise Williams Lake Council and the Williams Lake community as to the date when he expects the new City website to be active.  In any event - an update is warranted, in my opinion, given it has been 60 days since he stated the new City website was to be "online" (end of May)

Tomorrow, on the blog - I'll have Pat Bell's latest "Top Ten" (2010-2011 Public Accounts) and on Monday - I'll be reviewing the City's 2009-2011 Budgets

Have a great weekend!!! :)

"Christmas in July" with Wildwood Fire Department

The Cariboo Regional District’s Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department is supporting the Salvation Army Food Bank with their version of Christmas in July. On Wednesday, July 27, firefighters will be canvassing the Wildwood, Fox Mountain and Pinell Road areas encouraging residents to make a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank.

Residents who wish to participate are asked to place their donations on their front porches for firefighters to collect. Donations can also be dropped off at the Wildwood Fire Hall, located at 4253 Wildwood Road, from 5 to 9 p.m.

For further information about this event, contact the Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bawnie Ward at wildwoodvfd@cariboord.bc.ca or call the fire hall at 250-989-0089.

Williams Lake #1 for Crime Severity Overall and Violent/Non-Violent Crime Severity among BC Communities

Earlier today - the Globe and Mail reported, in addition to other print media, that national crime stats are at their lowest point since 1973 and have dropped steadily for the last 20 years - no one knows really why but I'd like to see an in-depth study on this topic, like the United States did a few years back.  You can read the Globe and Mail full article here

At the same time - Stats Canada, a non-partisan federal agency, released the 2010 Crime Severity Stats for communities 10,000 in population or bigger to which you can read the full stats here however one little tidbit for Williams Lake was it was #1 for Overall Crime Severity among surveyed BC Communities and #5 Canada wide.  It was #1 for Violent Crime Severity among, again surveyed BC Communities and #4 Canada wide.  It was #1 for Non-Violent Crime Severity among, again, surveyed BC Communities and #5 Canada wide

For the record - Stats Canada notes the City of Williams Lake was twice the Canadian average for Total (211.6 with Cdn average of 100), Violent (227.3 with Cdn average of 100) and Non Violent Crime Severity (205.6 with Cdn average of 100)

This is certainly not the kind of crime stat news current Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook needs going into November's civic vote.  Wonder if she'll ignore this story and use the "good news" crime stats story she promoted earlier this month.  See that story here

Oliver St Project Update #7

A project to replace a 28-metre, 6-inch diameter water line between Glen Arbor and City Hall is expected to be completed today - Thursday, July 21st. That will mark the end of underground work on Oliver Street.

It is expected that the installation of the upgraded traffic signals at 3rd Avenue and Oliver Street will be completed later this week. As with the upgraded traffic lights at 2nd Avenue and Oliver Street, a voice feature informs pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street, and which street is safe to cross. The system is activated by pressing the buttons on the poles at the corners of the intersections. The upgrade also includes efficient LED lights, cameras, and street lights at all four corners.
Curb, gutter, and sidewalk repairs in the downtown core will continue for the next few weeks. It is expected that grinding and paving of Oliver Street from 8th Avenue to Mackenzie Avenue will commence in mid-August.

For more information please contact:

Kevin Goldfuss - Director of Municipal Services
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1783 or kgoldfuss@williamslake.ca

2010 City of WL Water Report

The City of Williams Lake has just posted its' 2010 Annual Water Report on its' website, as per provincial Drinking Water regulation and legislation

You can find the report here

However, I would note a few items:

1) Information in the report is almost 6 years old including the emergency plan.  One would think that an relevant and up to date emergency plan would be standard practice.  Can we say Walkerton, Ontario?

2) There should be a report from WL City Staff to WL Council annually like Quesnel Council has done, on presenting the Annual Water Report formally.  Such a Staff report could include items like positives of our water system and challenges that the City of WL's water system faces like training, infrastructure, etc.  What should not happen is doing the simple act of placing the Annual Drinking Water Report on a website and calling it satisfactory because I, as one water user/City taxpayer, do not believe it is

Perhaps the next WL City Council can take this matter up and make this change because as it is - I would strongly argue that the City of Williams Lake, like the City of Quesnel, is meeting the intent of the provincial Drinking Water regulation/legislation however unlike the City of Quesnel - it is my personal opinion that the City of WL is not meeting the spirit of the same drinking water regulation/legislation

Thursday News Wrap - July 21st edition

In the Prince George Citizen:
They report that the Ulkatcho Band (Anahim Lake) and the Canoe Creek Indian Band (140 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake) will each receive $40,000 to study the following:

Ulkatcho - Feasibility study for a 5 Megawatt Biomass system
Canoe Creek - Assess/Enable the exploration of clean energy projects

The grants were announced earlier this week from Victoria's First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

In your Williams Lake Tribune:

* Fire at the local Recreation Complex - see here
* As part of Victoria's recently announced $10 million dollar health initiative to keep rural ER's open 24/7 - Williams Lake's ER may receive a part of this funding - see here
* Letter writer Doug Wilson expresses his relief that no one was killed in the recent rock slides affecting Highway #20, east of Bella Coola - see here
* On Tuesday, Micheal A. Jones of Williams Lake said that Scott Nelson left a mess when it came to crime for current WL Mayor Kerry Cook to clean up, however Brice O'Neill of Williams Lake in a letter to the editor disputes this , read the letter below:

In response to Michael A. Jones letter to the editor regarding crime in Williams Lake.

I’m sure that former councillors Ed Mead, Judy O’Neill, Jon Wolbers and Paul French, and current and then councillors Surinderpal Rathor and Tom Barr would take issue with you discrediting them and their hard work on crime which the current council inherited.

There is no question that the council you scorn actually laid the groundwork for the decrease in crime that you see today.

In other words, give credit where credit is due.

And then there was the small matter of who was at the helm … you guessed it, Scott Nelson.

Mead led the charge and, under his portfolio, the RCMP began the implementation of the Crime Target Team, hiring of a safer communities coordinator, lobbied for the Prolific Offender program, created a full time municipal drug investigator position, began crime mapping and many more tools which were used to help bring the crime statistics down (these initiatives are noted in the City’s 2001 Corporate Business Plan and Five-year Financial Plan).

And lowering crime stats does not happen overnight. It can take years.

Hurray that the current council continued to carry the torch, but please give credit where credit is due.

Under Mayor Nelson’s leadership and with the hard work and dedication of the council of the day, particularly Mead, the groundwork was laid.

And hopefully it will continue.

Finally - over at the District of Lake Country CAO's blog - Alberto DeFeo discusses water system and the bottled water industry.  See here however WL City Council still uses bottled water at its' meetings including use at Advisory Committee meetings, like the Advisory Planning Commission, for instance and I believe  the time has come to put our collective foot down and say that we are going to lead by example and prohibit the buying of bottled water and show that we believe in our local water system so much that the City will not longer buy bottled water.  WL Council can do that today by passing a Resolution (motion) directing WL City Staff forthwith to no longer buy bottled water for meetings and to make tap water available

Local Government on Summer Recess

Quesnel, Williams Lake and Wells Councils are now on summer break until mid August, the CRD Board will have its' next meeting on August 26th and the School District Boards in the Cariboo-Chilcotin are on break until school returns in early September

However - 100 Mile Council will have a Council meeting and Public Hearing on July 26th.  You can see the Agendas here. 

Future meetings:

August 9th - WL Council Meeting, in Committee of the Whole
August 9th - 100 Mile Council Meeting
August 15th - Quesnel Council Meeting
August 16th - WL Council Meeting
August 16th - Wells Council Meeting
August 26th - CRD Board Meeting

SBF

Quesnel Council HIghlights - July 18th meeting

Latecomer’s, not too late

The recommendations linked to the May Road Latecomer’s Agreement were unanimously passed by Council. The Agreement establishes the charges that will be collected from latecomers who connect to or use the designated services within a 15-year period.

This May, the City was approached by Royal City Charter Coach Lines Ltd. to discuss certain lands and propose funding the establishment of a water main along May Road for the purpose of servicing those lands. The company further requested a Latecomer Agreement be established to help them regain some of their costs should other benefiting parcels wish to connect to the system. Council approved the extended services being apportioned between those lands occupied by Royal City Charter Coach Lines Ltd. and the benefiting lands on the basis of their respective EDU’s (Equivalent Development Units per Parcel).Connection to the extended water service along May Road is optional.

There are no financial implications for the City. The Latecomer Policy allows for full cost recovery.

Notice: Gone Fishing

No excuse, the Go Fish BC! Rod Loan Program is being offered to all locals and visitors alike through visitor centres in Terrace, Prince George, Williams Lake and Quesnel. The program provides free rods, free tackle, free fishing information and even fish, stocked in local lakes. All that participants are required to bring is their sense of adventure!

This program is being offered through a joint effort of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Tourism BC and the Angler’s Atlas.

Topics for UBCM Convention

The Mid-Sized Communities Forum will again form part of the 2011 UBCM Convention in Vancouver. The focus is on issues relevant to mid-sized communities that wouldn’t normally be addressed in the general business of the UBCM Convention. Councillor Cave suggested a topic for discussion would be recycling in the city and Councillor Oakes would like more information on how the community can support the deterrence of grow-ops in the area.

Call for action

Quesnel residents are asking for a call to action by Council on several issues concerning our community. They have asked to be involved and offered to assist in any way. Their concerns included our river walk and the fact that some dog owners do not clean up after their pets, the delayed repair of potholes and the expense of damages to vehicles, the paving of the last section of Anderson Drive, and the situation in some of our parks as far as garbage and glass lying around and vandalism.

Important Dates

July 23 to August 27 - Hands on art at the Quesnel
and District Arts and Recreation Centre
July 29 to August 1 - Arts Wells, Festival of All Things Art
August 6 - Quesnel’s 3rd Annual Amazing Race
August 26 to 28 - Prospectors Car Club Annual Show and Shine

Next Regular Council Meeting:
Monday August 15, 7 p.m.

Next Committee of the Whole Meeting:
Monday August 22, 7 p.m.

Next Delegation Meeting:
Monday August 29, 7 p.m. (if necessary)

Next North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting:
Tuesday September 13 - 5:30 p.m.

Quesnel/100 Mile News...

In Quesnel:

* Local MLA Bob Simpson sits on bio-mass Committee - see here
* Local MLA Bob Simpson explains why his travel expenses ($49,000) are twice as much as Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett ($23,000) - see here
* 2011 Billy Barker Days successful - see here
* Letter writer Lloyd Atkins of Vernon has a cheeky look at polls and the BC Liberal Party - see here

In 100 Mile House:

* BC Cattlemen Association receives $1.35 million this year as part of a 6 year, $10 million dollar livestock fencing project - see here
* Ruth Lake to receive high-speed internet - see here
* Tourism in South Cariboo receives $23,000 for local marketing and development projects - see here
* Post office returns to Canim Lake Store....? See more here
* Rain didn't dampen spirits for recent Show and Shine event - see here
* Letter writer Joe Sawchuk of Duncan says BC Teachers contract demands are excessive and they need a lesson in BC Economics - see here

Finally - A Communication Strategy in regard to the upcoming referendum on whether or not the City of Williams Lake should continue to put flouride in the City's water system splits Williams Lake Council - see the story here

Mayor Cook and "Blank Cheque"

At last night's WL Council meeting - Mayor Cook asked for and received permission for travel expenses to be covered for a meeting with Pat Bell (Minister of Jobs and Tourism on August 8th with regard to CCBAC (Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition). 

She also noted that CCBAC is covering most of her expenses and that the CCBAC with Minister Bell is open to CCBAC members which caused Councillor Rathor to ask what the City might have to cover for costs that CCBAC might not cover.  She didn't provide a clear answer.  As Council needs precise information when approving or rejecting these kinds of travel or conference requests - I'd like to see the model used by the CRD Board which is when these requests come forward - Staff identify if sufficient money exists in the member of Council's travel budget and if it does not, then Council can make the appropriate decision to either charge the travel expense to another Member of Council's account or to decline approve the travel or conference expense.  What Council should not do is give a member of Council or Staff "a blank cheque".  Requests for travel or conferences should be coming forward with precise information and not the usual "Trust me" routine as I think local taxpayers' have  been burned too many times with City projects where government says a project is for this much and will not cost us a penny more and we all find out later how much over it has gone

I was pleased to see Councillor Rathor asking these questions and continuing to do his due diligence as the most senior member of Williams Lake's Municipal Council

SBF

Various City of WL Press Releases - July 20th

Editor's Note - Although there was already money allocated for a new Rick Hansen sign earlier this year and in light of another temporary shutdown (rumoured) at the old Lignum's mill (Tolko's Lakeview Division) because of wet conditions in the bush, I'm wondering maybe if this plan should be re-evaluated for appropriateness.  I remember the public wasn't happy about the statutues going up around Williams Lake in 2007-2008, due to cost and the then-state of the local economy

1) City Council adopts new criteria for boulevard parking

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, Williams Lake City Council adopted Traffic Control Amendment Bylaw No. 2139, which revises the criteria for boulevard parking in residential zones of the city.

The City held public consultation sessions on the bylaw in the spring of 2011, and incorporated public feedback in the revised criteria, which are as follows:

1. Parking spot must be delineated (must have a clear border)
2. Parking spot must be surfaced either by paving (preferred), crush, or with grindings (available from the City at a low cost)
3. Parking spot must be connected to driveway
4. Homeowner can request a “curb drop” however this cost will be borne by the homeowner
5. Plans for parking spots must be approved by the General Manager of Planning and Operations (GMPO) BEFORE construction takes place
6. Parking spot must be clearly marked in the winter months for easy identification by snow removal crews
7. All passenger vehicles parked within boulevard parking spots must be licensed and insured
8. No recreational vehicles, trailers, or storage of any kind
9. Vehicle must not exceed size of allotted area both in width and length
10. Deadline for markers: October 31 of any given year to correspond with beginning of snow removal season.

The Bylaw Department will be actively enforcing these new criteria in the coming months.
Questions about the revised boulevard parking criteria can be directed to General Manager of Planning and Operation, via the City’s Communications Coordinator at 250-398-8488 or via email at kmacinnis@williamslake.ca

2) Council adopts Industrial Tax Revitalization Program

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, City Council adopted an Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Program, with the aim of providing another tool to attract investment in the community and offer incentives to current industries to upgrade their facilities.

The program is unique in that it links the amount of tax exemption to three strategic goals: capital investment, job creation, and green building initiatives.

The program provides three classes of tax exemption for industrial properties in the north end of Williams Lake and at the Williams Lake Regional Airport. Tax reductions are offered through three classes of five year declining exemption terms; with higher scoring developments receiving higher tax exemptions. The City will realize new tax revenues from each property participating in the program in the second year of their exemption term and beyond.

“Increased revenue from additional industrial investment may help us reduce tax rates for all properties in the industrial rate class,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “That is something this council has promised to address, and we will continue to work to foster a positive atmosphere for business and industrial development in Williams Lake.”

For more information, please contact:

Alan Madrigga
Economic Development Manager
Ph: 250-392-1764 or amadrigga@williamslake.ca

3) Rick Hansen Highway #97 South Sign to be replaced with a Monument

The City of Williams Lake has become aware of public concern with the condition of the Rick Hansen sign at the Welcome to Williams Lake on Highway 97 South.

The City is in the process of developing a new commemoration feature for Rick Hansen that will coincide with the 25th Anniversary of the Man in Motion Tour, which will be routed through Williams Lake and include an End of Day celebration in March 2012.

The City has commissioned Three Dimensional Services Inc. to design a new Rick Hansen Man in Motion Celebration Monument at the Tourism Discovery Centre to replace the existing sign. The monument will be erected well before the arrival of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay. The design will be approved by Council before construction begins.

The City is looking to remove the sign due to its poor condition. It will not be replaced, as the pullout may eventually be eliminated to accommodate major road reconstruction in that area in the future.
The City is still looking for members to join the Rick Hansen Anniversary Relay Celebration Committee. Contact Deb Radolla at 250-392-1788 or dradolla@williamslake.ca if you are interested in serving on the committee.

4) Williams Lake Council explores Dangerous Weapons Bylaw

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, Williams Lake City Council directed staff to investigate and develop a Dangerous Weapons Bylaw that would control the sale of bear spray and prohibit the sale of machetes and bladed weapons intended for purposes other than dressing or preparing food. This comes after a request from the Williams Lake RCMP.

Council also directed staff to send letters to those retailers who currently sell such items requesting their cooperation in exercising discretion when selling them. City staff will investigate examples from other municipalities and consult with the RCMP and the City’s legal counsel in the preparation of a draft bylaw for consideration by Council.

Increasingly, violent incidents in the city involve the use of machetes and bear spray and the Williams Lake RCMP are routinely finding these weapons being carried by criminals as a weapon of choice. The possession of these items as weapons presents a risk to law enforcement officers and those who may become involved in altercations with these individuals.

“Council is committed to exploring ways to add additional tools in our pursuit of crime reduction,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “There is no reason for residents to be in possession these weapons in our City, unless pursuing outdoor or wilderness pursuits.

“The aim of the bylaw is to better control the availability of these weapons, not to interfere with City businesses. We can all take steps to reduce the number of weapons in our city, and to reduce violent crime as well.”

WL Council Highlights - July 19th Meeting

Present:

Mayor Cook and Councillors’ Barr, Bourdon, Rathor, Walters and Zacharias

Staff Present:

Brian Carruthers – CAO
Geoff Goodall – General Manager of Planning and Operations
Wendy Dalman – Corporate Services Records Coordinator
Pat Higgins – Director of Finance
Brad McRae – Senior Bylaw Officer
Ken MacInnis – Communications Coordinator
Tom Chung – IT Manager

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Minutes of July 5th WL Council meeting adopted
Council approved adding 1 Late Item to the Agenda

Delegation:

1) Daniel Hutchins, from Interior Roads, appeared before Council to discuss Staff changes at Interior Roads and Emergency Preparedness

Business:

1) Council received for information a letter from the Hon. Ida Chong (Minister of Community Services) regarding the Small Community Investment Fund Initiative (receipt of funds to the end of June 2011 of $470,583). A letter of thanks will be forwarded to the Minister of Community Services

2) Council authorized travel, hotel and other related expenses to attend the annual UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Conference in Vancouver on Sept 26-30 for themselves and the Chief Administrative Officer

3) Council awarded the purchase of one 2011 4x4 1/2 ton pickup and Krypto lining to Lake City Ford for the tendered price of $28,324.

4) Council awarded the purchase of a Side Walk Machine to Williams Machinery for the tendered price of $119,771.

5) Council approved travel for Mayor Kerry Cook to meet with Minister Pat Bell in Prince George on August 8

6) Council approved travel for Mayor Kerry Cook to attend a dinner with the BC Transit Board of Directors and Senior Executives in Quesnel on July 26

7) Council received the 2011 Second Quarter Economic Indicators Report.
8) After receiving no public input – Council gave approval to DVP #5-2011 (Stefan Hoezler)
9) After receiving no public input – Council gave approval to DP #4-2011 (Midland Industrial Park Ltd)

10) Council agreed to refer Development Permit (DP) #3-2011 to the City’s Advisory Planning Commission for review /recommendations. Council will decide on DP #3-2011 at its’ August 16th, 2011 meeting

11) After considerable discussion - Council agreed to receive a presentation from Communications Solutions Inc. (CSI) regarding Communication and Public Consultation Strategy on possibly discontinuing fluoridation of the City's water system and endorsed the communication strategy recommendations, as per CSI’s presentation.(Mayor Cook and Councillor Tom Barr were opposed)

12) Council gave 1st Reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw #2133 (Regulating Shipping Metal Containers) and referred to the City’s Advisory Planning Commission for its’ review/recommendations

13) Council adopted Bylaws #2138 (Zoning Amendment – Pinetree Developments), 2139 (Traffic Control Amendment Bylaw – Parking on Boulevards) and 2141 (Northend Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Zone)

14) Council adopted 6 Committee of the Whole Recommendations, as follows:

a) Council agreed to write a letter to the Premier in support of the District of Kent’s position regarding municipal policing costs and the need for a more equitable cost sharing formula for communities with populations between 5,001 and 20,000
b) Council asked City Staff to investigate and develop a Dangerous Weapons Bylaw that would control the sale of bear spray and prohibit the sale of machetes and bladed weapons intended for purposes other than dressing or preparing food; and that the City send letters to those retailers who currently sell such items requesting their cooperation in exercising discretion in their availability
c) Council gave 3 readings to Bylaws #2143/2144 (Amendments to Noise/Nuisance Bylaws)
d) Council received the report of the CAO on An Action Plan for the 2011 Citizen Survey
e) Council agreed to request meetings with BC Premier Christy Clark, Solicitor-General Shirley Bond and Community Services Minister Ida Chong at the 2011 Union of BC Municipalities Conference in Vancouver
f) Council approved an application to the BC Rural Partnership for a LIRN initiative to host capacity building workshops for the community

15) Council agreed to provide a letter of support to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with regards to their license renewal to the CRTC (Canadian Radio & TV Commission)

16) Council received In-Camera Report #5-2011 for information (Appointment of Beth Bedard to the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee for balance of 2011 and full 2012 term)

17) Late Item – Council agreed to send a letter of congrats to Miss Anna Dell on winning the title of Miss Canada International 2011

18) Council received for information the Council Information Package, as of July 19th - as follows:

a) June 16th – Letter from BC Hydro re: Funding for Electric Beautification Projects. See that letter here
b) June 23rd – Letter from Ministry of Social Development re: Provincial Multicultural Nesika Award Nomination. See that letter here
c) June 24th – Letter from CCACS (Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society) re: Call for Proposal for Mural (Side facing Borland St) on Central Cariboo Arts Center Building. See that letter here

Meeting adjourned at 7:13pm

BC Premier's July 4th Quarterly Web Report

Open Government in BC

As part of her platform when running for the Leadership of the BC Liberals - BC Premier Christy Clark announced the provincial government's recent moves towards open government in British Columbia.  See the government press release here.  The direct link to the website is here

Update on Tuesday, July `19th at 5:07pm - CBC reports on this initiative as well here

One aspect of this initiative that I was personally disappointed with (see the appropriate section of the "Open Information" website here) was with the lack of information, pertaining to monthly travel expenses.  The information only shows a total of monthly travel expenses for members of the BC Cabinet and the Deputy Ministers.  I'd like to see a breakdown, by date, location and exact purpose of travel, of the travel expenses, but perhaps this is coming in the not-too-distant future

In fact - I'd like to see this kind of information (monthly breakdown of expenses for civic officials - Mayors, Councillors, School District Trustees and Regional District EA Directors) posted at local government websites as I think taxpayers' who pay the elected officials salary and expenses should know how that money is being spent and let taxpayers' decide for themselves if they are getting "value for money"

SBF

4 Months from Today...

Today is exactly 120 days or 4 months to the civic general election for all of 159 BC Municipalities and Regional Districts

Here in Williams Lake - only the race to become the City's next Mayor has been hot with Kerry Cook announcing in June of 2010 that she will seek re-election and more recent announcements from candidates Walt Cobb and Scott Nelson in the last 30 days.  I don't expect to see any more announcements, pertaining to the civic election race in Williams Lake, until at least September when it is expected that those who will seek either re-election or election as WL City Councillors will make their intentions known.

Although additional candidates in the race to become Williams Lake's Mayor for the 2011-2014 Term is possible - I would suggest that it is highly unlikely, though one doesn't have to say anything until they have filed their election papers during the period of Oct 4-14, 2011.

Tuesday News Wrap

It's all about the local Municipal Election in today's News Wrap

In your Williams Lake Tribune today:

1) WL Indian Band explains their decision to endorse current WL Mayor Kerry Cook for her re-election bid.  See here, but I think it's safe to say that Walt Cobb will not be receiving any First Nation endorsements but will Scott Nelson's campaign receive any, like Kerry Cook's, prior to November's vote?  Time will tell.  Also - WL Indian Band Ann Louie said:

"If you don’t endorse a candidate you’re not included in anything.”

I don't share that view - I would hope and expect that anyone who doesn't endorse a candidate, either for Mayor or Councillor, will be treated on the same level as those groups or individuals who decided to actually endorse a candidate, again either for Mayor or Councillor, and this would also apply to First Nation Band Chief or Councillors, School District Trustees and Regional District Rural Directors

2) The Tribune announced that letters to the editor on the municipal election will be allowed but with a few rules in place.  See here.  I'm glad to see that the Tribune will be doing this as it'll allow for a good community debate for the municipal election race as I believe this municipal election will be the most important one that this community has had in some time

3) Letter writer Micheal A Jones of Williams Lake says crime has dropped under Kerry Cook's leadership  See his letter here

4) I've received my local BIA Newsletter for June 2011 and local business owners are being asked to register for "Business Watch" (program to let business owners' know when/where crime is occuring) and are requested to provide the following information (if you want to participate in "Business Watch") to Dave Dickson at david.dickson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or fax it to 250-392-8707.  The information provided will be held in confidence:

Name of Business
Address
City, Province, Postal Code
Phone Number
Fax Number
Email Address
Any additional comments

5) City of WL Fire Chief announced why a recent fire on Dog Cr Road took place.  See here but it was very lucky that the fire didn't get out of control any more than it did.  If the weather over the past little while had been hot/dry inside of wet - I'm sure the story could have taken a much more dramatic turn (just like last August forest fires)

6) Over at Welcome to Williams Lake - Nara Riplinger says more people should visit Scout Island.  See her letter here.  See also a story on a recent visit from WL Seniors Village to Scout Island.  See that here.  With regard to this - I think perhaps the time has come to debate openly whether or not Scout Island Nature Center should be directly funded out of the CRD's Recreation Function, given so many people do visit it (City of WL and CRD Rural Areas).  Instead of making volunteers dig and claw for a measly few dollars, let's ask them to provide a budget for the operation of Scout Island for each year. 

I believe that this would be supported by the majority of taxpayers' who pay into the CRD Recreation Function (all taxpayers' in Williams Lake and portions of CRD Electoral Areas D, E, F).  Finally - food for thought, a recent recreation survey suggested that 90% of those survey used Scout Island so no strange of logic would tell you that these people may very well support using their recreation taxation to ensure a strong, vibrant Scout Island as a recreation area and a tourist location


7) Going for a walk this morning - I run into some people who questioned why the City did line painting in the area of 3rd Ave and Oliver St, given the construction going on in this same area.  I certainly can see their point of view that perhaps the City should have waited to do line painting until the on-going Oliver St construction was done .  In fact - this reminds of the unfortunate decisions that were made on 3rd Avenue when Ivan Bonnell was Mayor of Williams Lake during the 1999-2002 term which saw Third Avenue torn up twice because water infrastructure was upgraded, immediately after the street was just paved and in fact, then WL City Councillor Rick Gibson used that event as part of his reason to run for Mayor in the 2002 Civic General Election

Monday Wrap-Up

1) Op-Ed in Sunday's Province regarding Site 'C' proposal

Yesterday, BC Energy Minister Rich Coleman promoted moving forward on Site 'C'.  See that op-ed here.  As this proposal moves into the formal provincial environmental assessment stage, it'll be interesting to see how "hot" the public debate becomes over Site 'C' and its' proposed environmental risks and if Victoria is prepared to take that public heat in order to see Site 'C' become a reality

2) BC Transit and City of WL Transit Buses

As some may have observed of late - the City has received two "newer" transit buses from Kamloops however those buses are displaying a "Special" sign and as such - the general public is not able to tell which route (Community, South Lakeside or Broadway) the bus is serving.  After raising this matter with the Laker Go-Bus Society, who runs the day to day operation of our local transit system, I've received this response:

Hi Steve, we are waiting for the programmers at BCT (BC Transit) to do their thing and then send the codes for the signs.

Question - Why didn't BC Transit ensure that the programming for the bus signs could be done when the buses arrived in Williams Lake and not after when the buses are in service?  Just asking...

3) Provincial Public Accounts for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31st, 2011

Today, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon released the provincial Public Accounts for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2011.  See Victoria's announcement here.  Pertinent details include ending the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year with a $309 million deficit, increased provincial debt of $3.3 billion with total provincial debt standing at $45 billion.  However, provincial economic growth was higher (4.0% in BC) than the country average of 3.3% and the province held its' credit rating with the two leading credit rating agencies.  BC has a Triple-A credit rating with Moody's and AA+ with Standard and Poors'.  BC2013.com has a blog post on this item as well here

4) Next Provincial Election Analysis

Over at BC2013.com - Sacha Peter has an interesting take on the next provincial election which includes a prediction that if the BC NDP run a candidate against sitting Independent Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson, then the BC Liberals could win the seat.  See more details here

5) Update on Local Government Election Bylaw Process

On Saturday - I raised a concern around WL Council not being in a position to pass a general local election bylaw by the August 8th deadline (as per Section 39(1) of the Local Government Act).  However, earlier today - Ministry of Community Services staff clarified for me that the August 8th deadline applies to only those local governments who intend on amending an existing local election bylaw or passing a new local election bylaw.  If no changes are contemplated - then the local government is not required to do anything.  However - I'd still like to see WL Council pass a resolution similar to this to ensure the public is aware that there is a local election bylaw in place to look after the mechanics of the 2011 General Civic Election

That Council confirm its' intention to use Bylaw #2072, 2008 in respect of the 2011 Civic General Election in the City of Williams Lake

"Listening First" Tour comes to Williams Lake and Quesnel

In a very positive move - the new BC Liberal Party President Sharon White is sending her Deputy - Bill Belsey (former MLA for North Coast for 37th Parliament of BC - 2001 to 2005) on a "Listening First" Tour which seeks to ask "What can the BC Liberal Party do to help serve our local communities better?"

To that end - the "Listening First" Tour will be in Quesnel and Williams Lake on Wednesday, July 20th as follows:

Quesnel:

Time - 9:30am
Location - Granville's Coffee Cafe

You are asked to RSVP ASAP with Carol Pitkin (BC Liberal Cariboo-North Riding Assoc President) at 250-991-2878 or fill out the form here

Williams Lake:

Time - 12:00pm
Location - IRL Truck Centres – 4775 Cattle Drive (off of Mackenzie Avenue, across from Brandt Tractors')

You are asked to RSVP ASAP with Bill Carruthers (BC Liberal Cariboo-Chilcotin Riding Assoc President) at 250-398-0494 or fill the form here

I plan to attend the session in Williams Lake and I strongly encourage all BC Liberal Party members in Cariboo-North or Cariboo-Chilcotin to attend these sessions next Wednesday

Make your BC Liberal Party work for you!!

WL Mayoralty Candidate Ads Begin Early

In this past week - local Mayoralty Candidate Scott Nelson and his campaign team have elected to start running half page ads in both of Williams Lake's newspapers - Tribune & Advisor

See the ad below (click on picture):

Two questions I have are:

1) How long will current City of Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook allow Mr. Nelson to build up an early lead before her campaign team start to run campaign ads of their own?  This also applies to Walt Cobb and his campaign team.  If Mr. Nelson and his campaign to become Mayor once again gets a lot of momentum, he may very well be impossible to stop before November 19th

2) Is this campaign ad of Scott Nelson and his mayoralty bid a "one-time" deal before the traditional campaign period of September - November or is this a beginning of things to come from Mr. Nelson's campaign

SBF

False Alarm Bylaw & Registration Fees

On Wednesday, July 10th - the City of Williams Lake issued a press release reminding residents and businesses to register their alarm system with the City, as per False Alarm Bylaw #2127,2010.  See that here

Since then - I have received complaints, on my blog comment section and personally, on this item suggesting strongly the City lacks the legal authority to impose registration fees for Alarm Systems (Fire, etc) in the City

The City however has relied on Sections 8(6) and 196 (1) (a) of the Community Charter which says:

Section 8(6):

A council may, by bylaw, regulate in relation to business.

Section 196 (1) (a):

1) In relation to fire alarm systems and security alarm systems, a council may, by bylaw, impose fees that are to be paid

(a) by the owner or occupier of real property to which services are provided by or on behalf of the municipality, including policing services under section 3 (2) of the Police Act, in response to a false alarm of a system

So - as much as the registration fees may bother both businesses and residents' - the City has the legal authority to impose these fees as per Section 8(6) of the Community Charter, as it relates to regulating business as this Section does not have any language relating to a local government being restricted to how they may regulate business by bylaw and as such - the registration fees are legitimate.  However - the City should have discussed these fees in more detail prior to False Alarm Bylaw #2127, 2010 being adopted at the end of November of 2010

I sympathize with those who argue that the City is penalizing those who have an alarm system for their own protection, rather than ensuring adequate police protection for all City of Williams Lake residents'

Wrap on Local Gov't Items next week

With 3 Local Governments meeting next week, two of them (Quesnel & Williams Lake) have some noteworthy items coming before them:

Quesnel:

1) Quesnel Council will be receiving a report from Councillor Mike Cave on the Friday, July 8th meeting of Quesnel's Environmental Advisory Committee which you can read here.  An interesting comment in the minutes, though, from a member of this Committee who suggested that Quesnel was ahead in recycling, compared to Williams Lake and 100 Mile House.  I find that comment interesting, given Williams Lake is the only community to have curbside recycling.  100 Mile House doesn't presently have this option and Quesnel City Staff is looking into this as we speak, at the request of Quesnel Council

Williams Lake:

A number of items are coming before Williams Lake Council:

1) Mayor Cook will ask WL Council for permission to travel to Prince George on Monday, August 8th to discuss items relating to CCBAC (local Beetle Action Coalition).  Question though, why not pick up the phone or try webcasting?  Certainly cheaper than the cost for a hotel (if she stays in PG overnight) plus gas costs and it would be in keeping with the City's new OCP which calls for sustainable practices.  Finally - the report doesn't lay out the specific reason why she needs authorization to travel.  Perhaps it should - given that the public doesn't always attend Council Meetings but may read Council Agenda Items

2) 2nd Economic Quarter stats - see the report here but a couple of troubling indictors as Mayor Cook seeks re-election includes Business Licenses issued (1st Half of Year) in a downward trend from 2009 (66) to 2011 (47) and Bulding Permit Value (1st Half of Year) held steady in 2009 ($8,719,600) and 2010 ($8,977,000) but fell to $5,249,046 for 1st half of 2011 (Jan-June 2011)

3) Flouride in City's Water System - see the report from Committeee of the Whole with a work plan from the consultant (Commuication Solutions, Inc) here but a few things bother me and should bother the general public:

a) Recommendation #1, as outlined in the report/workplan, calls for Council to plan for a referendum but consider the possibility of asking for a Minister's Assent to repeal the flouride bylaw without a referendum this November.  I fundamentally think that the option of asking the Minister for permission to repeal this bylaw without a direct say from voters' this November is plain wrong and anti-democratic when it was the people of Williams Lake in 1969 who approved the-then flouride bylaw, as per provincial law which remains in place today which states:

Section 68 of the Community Charter:

A council must not fluoridate a water supply for the municipality unless it has adopted a bylaw for this and the bylaw has received the assent of the electors.

So, if a Municipal Council can not adopt a bylaw to place flouride in a muncipal water system without a referendum (assent of the electors) than no stretch of logic would say that this applies to repealing a flouride bylaw, which would be in keeping with both the spirit and intent of Section 68 of the Community Charter.  Besides - a referendum would cost nothing as it is a general election year

b) Recommendation #5 - Engage the Dental Community  Again - a local dentist has already spoken out, in favour of retaining flouride in the City's water system.  It would be best if the City provides a place to allow both sides of the debate to state their case to the public and to not get indirectly involved in the debate which is what will happen if Recommendation #5 is approved, in addition to the City's neutrality being strongly questioned

c) The workplan calls for "speaking points" for Mayor Cook and Councillors Tom Barr, Geoff Bourdon, Surinder Rathor, Laurie Walters and Sue Zacharias during the public engagement period, which also runs in the same period during this fall's civic vote.  It would be better if City Staff took the lead on this.  If not - the public would have real reason to question the City's neutrality in the flouride debate.  WL City Staff would have no interest except to allow the debate to occur and to ensure it is factually based. All Candidates, whether currently elected or who plan to run, should decide on their own, if they desire to get into the flouride debate (I wouldn't recommend they do).  The community should look at all the information and make a decision

3) Regulating Shipping Containers.  See the report/bylaw here but one of the things that came up at the public info meetings was the issue of regulating shipping containers in residential areas and the permitting process (30 day permit with 1 extension allowed, so shipping containers allowed on residential properties for 60 days but active building construction (building permit proof required), the shipping container can remain in place for 180 days - 6 months).  It will be interesting to see if the same people who spoke at the public info meetings show up for the public hearings which may occur as early as this September

4) Noise/Nuisance Bylaws (Apartment Buildings).  See the report here however the Bylaws are not likely to please apartment building owners, given Staff all but rejected their arguments, from my read of the Staff Report

5) Local Election Bylaw - this item is not on WL Council's Agenda and their next scheduled meeting is August 16th.  Section 39(1) of the Local Government Act (Act) says:

The (local election) bylaw must be adopted at least 8 weeks before the first day of the nomination period of the general local election

The first day for the nomination period, relating to the 2011 Civic General Election, is October 4th so 8 weeks or 2 months is August 4th however Victoria reports that local governments have until August 8th to comply with Section 39(1) of the Act.  I am seeking clarification from Cindy Bouchard - the City of Williams Lake's Manager of Legislative Services/Chief Election Officer for the 2011 Civic Election.  If she advises me that WL Council will consider the issue of a local election bylaw beyond August 8th then I will be writing the Minister of Community Services (Hon. Ida Chong) requesting an investigation into the actions of both Williams Lake City Staff and WL City Council.  Ignorance of the law is no defence.  The deadline, as per Section 39(1) of the Act is "black and white" and applies to everyone

For your information - the deadline to adopt an local election bylaw in 2008 was August 4th and Scott Nelson's Council had the City of WL's Local General Election Bylaw adopted on July 22nd, 2008

6) Finally - WL Council will consider a report that will see Council asking to meet with BC Premier Christy Clark, Minister of Community Services Ida Chong and Minister of Public Safety (Solicitor-General) Shirley Bond.  Meeting with Bond is fairly obvious (crime/RCMP issues) and is as meeting with Premier Clark, but I'm curious as to why WL Council wants to sit down with Minister Chong but is reasonable to assume that they want to discuss the recently failed 'Towns for Tomorrow' grant relating to the move of the Station House Gallery.  This Council should let 'sleeping dogs lie' and allow the next Council to decide if moving the Station House Gallery is a priority for them and under what condition(s)

BC Liberal TV - Week Review for July 11-15

Local Gov't Meetings in Cariboo-Chilcotin - Week of July 18-22

Three local governments are meeting next week, as follows:

Monday, July 18th - City of Quesnel:

Regular Council Meeting which starts at 7:00pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (410 Kinchant St)

See the Agenda/Reports here

Tuesday, July 19th - District of Wells:

Regular Council Meeting which starts at 7:00pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Ave)

Tuesday, July 19th - City of Williams Lake:

Regular Council Meeting which starts at 6:00pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St)

See the Agenda and Reports here

City of WL Press Releases - Fire Dept collection & Pool Update

1) WL Fire Department in July

Again this year, the Williams Lake Fire Department will do a Christmas in July food drive to collect donations for the Salvation Army  Food Bank.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, fire department members will go door to door in the areas of Westridge, Country Club Boulevard, Terra Ridge, Western Ave, Midnight Drive, and sections of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Avenues to collect non-perishable food items.

“We know that this time of year the shelves at the Salvation Army Food Bank could use some additional help,” says Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services Randy Isfeld. “We’re asking the community to help us bring Christmas in July for those in our city that rely on the Food Bank to help them get by.”

Residents who would like to participate are asked to place their donations on their front porches for the firefighters to collect. Donations can also be dropped off at the Fire Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. July 25-28.

For more information please contact:

Randy Isfeld – Director of Protective Services (Fire Chief)
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1779 or risfeld@williamslake.ca

2) Sam Ketcham Memorial Pool Update

The cause of the leak in the main tank of the Sam Ketcham Pool has been located, and the City is currently in the process of repairing the tank. It is anticipated repairs to the tank will be completed on July 22. Once repairs are complete, the pool will be refilled and ready for re-opening some time during the last week of July or first week of August. Another update will be issued when the exact date for re-opening is confirmed.

The City thanks residents for their patience while the pool is closed for these repairs and reminds them that the fitness centre remains open.

For more information please contact:

Geoff Goodall - General Manager of Planning and Operations
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1766 or ggoodall@williamslake.ca

WL Indian Band endorses Kerry Cook for WL Mayor - 2011-2014 Term

From Welcome to Williams Lake:

Editor's Note - While I respect and acknowledge WL Indian Band Chief Ann Louie's opinion about Kerry Cook's qualification to continue as Mayor of Williams Lake for the 2011-2014, I personally do not share it and I'll be looking for someone else to lead Williams Lake out of the economic, social and other challenges we are facing in the short term

Welcome to Williams Lake article:

Williams Lake Indian Band (WLIB) today announced its endorsement of incumbent mayor Kerry Cook in November’s municipal election.


"We feel that Mayor Cook has made a strong effort to build relationships with First Nations, and has shown good leadership during her term as mayor," states WLIB Chief Ann Louie.


"We have had positive experience working with Mayor Cook on policing initiatives, pursuing a community forest licence and on various other projects. Our experience with the other councils in the past has not been similarly positive. Previous mayors have made comments about economics and First Nations leadership which are inaccurate and demonstrate a lack of understanding and respect for First Nations.


Mayor Cook has worked hard at strengthening relations with First Nations overall and has accomplished a lot in her term as Mayor of Williams Lake. Williams Lake is facing serious economic and other challenges, and needs a strong and inclusive leader at the helm to get over this period.


We feel Mayor Cook is the only candidate who can provide such leadership." Chief Louie is one year into her most recent four-year term as Chief of the Williams Lake Indian Band.

High Streamflow Advisory for Chilcotin Region & Bella Coola River

Emergency Information BC reports a High Streamflow Advisory for the Bella Coola River and the Chilcotin Region, west of Williams Lake to the Coast Mountains

See the details here

Couple of interesting blog posts - QCEDC

Over at their blog - Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation (QCEDC) has a couple of interesting blog posts this morning:

1) Quesnel Businesses working in Lillioet - read here
2) Shop Quesnel - read here

I'm disappointed that very little, when it comes to Williams Lake's Economic Development Corporation (which was modelled after Quesnel's) has been done with regard to our local Economic Development Corporation, but yet the Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation has been very busy and I tip my hat off to them.  I know they don't do it alone but they have a very good partner in Quesnel City Council and for that - the people of Quesnel should be immensely proud of the work that both Quesnel Council and the QCEDC do for the community of Quesnel

SBF

Flooding Situation Update for Quesnel

From City of Quesnel website:

The BC River Forecast Centre has downgraded the flood warning for the Upper Fraser River, including Quesnel to a high streamflow advisory. The high water is expected to be temporary, the result of extensive rainfall to the north. The Fraser River water levels have fallen for two days now.

The North Fraser Drive loop in West Quesnel is open.

The City continues to monitor water levels on a regular basis to ensure public safety while also monitoring infrastructure such as roads, trails, and water and sewer lines.

■ Please keep clear of riverbanks, as they can be very slippery during high water events.
■ The fast-moving and cold water also presents a risk.
■ Keep close watch over children and pets.

Master Site Plan for Cariboo Memorial Hospital

From Welcome to Williams Lake:

Editor's Note - There will be an Open House on Monday, July 18th from 4pm to 8pm in Deni House's Education Room (1st Floor).  Following that - a model will be available for physicians, hopsital staff, patients and visitors to view in the Cariboo Memorial Hospital's Main Floor Lobby Area from Tuesday, July 19th to Friday, July 22nd

View the Master Site Plan for Cariboo Memorial Hospital and Health Center here (Please note - this is a 22 MB file so high speed Internet Access is highly recommended. 

Interior Health is pleased to announce that after extensive consultation the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Master Site Plan is now complete, providing a clear vision and road map to guide future hospital development.

“The master site plan shows our commitment to delivering the best care possible at Cariboo Memorial and takes into account a number of viewpoints,” said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett. “The plan will accommodate future growth in the Williams Lake area by planning for future inpatient needs, as well as updating the emergency department and pharmacy.”

Stakeholder collaboration occurred throughout the last year in order to establish the final Master Site Plan. Staff and physicians, as well as the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) and the City of Williams Lake, were among those who provided input. The Master Site Plan reflects anticipated program needs and demographics for the next 15 years and into the future. The master planning process for CMH was funded by the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District.

“The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District is proud to have provided the funding to help shape and improve the future of Health Care for the residents of the Cariboo Chilcotin,” stated CCRHD Chair Rick Mumford. “This plan is truly reflective of the input from our stakeholders, which will provide for the development of a facility that will continue to serve our region well into the future.”

Initially planners will be proposing a new one-storey Inpatient Unit and addressing the need to expand and redesign Emergency and Ambulatory Care. They will also look at proposing a new build for Pharmacy, redesign and expansion of priority clinical support services, and the creation of a new parking lot for staff and visitors.

Another key aspect of the master plan is improvements to access and circulation throughout the site through thoughtful redesign of public and clinical spaces.

“We recognize that the demand for health care services within Williams Lake and the region it serves will continue to grow, and we need to be prepared to meet this increasing demand. This visionary document reflects a long term look at planning needs for 15 years and beyond,” says Interior Health Board Chair Norman Embree.

The next step involves developing the scope of work that would be involved in capital projects to address these key priority areas, to be submitted as part of Interior Health’s capital budgeting process.

“Through consultation with our physicians, staff and community stakeholders we have identified some clear priorities,” says Cariboo Memorial Hospital Administrator Allison Ruault. “I encourage everyone in the community to come by the hospital next week to view a model and learn more about our vision for the future of acute care in the Cariboo Chilcotin.”

All residents of Williams Lake and neighbouring communities served by Cariboo Memorial are invited to attend an open house July 18, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. to learn more about the future vision for the hospital. The open house will occur in the Deni House Education Room (First Floor, Deni House, located across from CMH’s main entrance). Following the open house, a model will be on display in the main floor lobby area of Cariboo Memorial for staff, physicians, patients and visitors to view from July 19 through 22.

What are the highlights of the Master Site Plan?

The CMH Master Plan design proposes:

creation of a single new 32 / 34 bed Medical / Surgical Inpatient Unit located on grade at the current parking level (to replace existing inpatient unit, as well as build capacity for the future);

con­struction of a two-level clinical expansion of the existing CMH facility to the southwest. The significant phase of this growth provides area for (among other things) Emergency, Diagnostic Imaging and Renal programs, Pharmacy relocation/expansion and a consolidated Loading/Stores/Morgue area;

construction of a new entry lobby;small western expansion of the existing facility to accommodate an outpatient / staff entry; preservation and reprogramming of portions of Deni House;

creation of a consolidated Ambulatory Care / Outpatient cluster; construction of a surface parking pad located immediately south and west of the existing Nurse’s Residence; also, proposal of parking solutions that include short-term surface solutions and options for structured parking in the future.

What are the next steps?

Initially planners will be developing an internal business case around key priority areas in order to have them included for consideration in Interior Health’s capital budgeting process. They include:

· a new one-storey build of an Inpatient Unit (IPU)

· expansion/redesign opportunities for Emergency and Ambulatory Care services

· a new build for Pharmacy

· consideration to redesign and expansion of priority clinical support services

· surface parking

What will the new construction and renovations cost?

· We won’t know until we have a more detailed design concept proposal, which is a future step in the capital planning process.

When will the new replacement inpatient unit be built?

· It is important to remember that this is a long term plan, and the capital approval process has many steps.

· The next step involves developing the scope of work that would be involved with this project in order for them to be considered in Interior Health’s capital planning process. We will provide further updates as the process moves forward.

What does the plan suggest regarding Deni House?

· Deni House residential care facility and the Nurse’s Residence would remain in their current locations. Deni House would accommodate Community Care programming on the ground level. Nurse’s Residence would remain as cur­rently programmed.

What is the impact to other neighbours?

There is no immediate impact to our off-site neighbours, and Interior Health is committed to providing updates to all stakeholders, including neighbors, as we move forward.

Civic Elections in the Cariboo-Chilcotin

As most are likely aware by now - civic elections in the District of 100 Mile House and Wells, the Cities of Quesnel and Williams Lake, the Cariboo Regional District (Rural Directors for Areas A-L) and School Districts #27 and #28 are scheduled for November 19th, 2011 as per provincial law (Local Government Act and School Act)

As a public service - I'd like to remind the general public that all seats on the School Boards for District #27 (7 seats) and #28 (7 seats), the 12 Electoral Area Director seats on the Cariboo Regional District Board, the 5 seats on the District of 100 Mile House Municipal Council, the 7 seats on the City of Williams Lake Municipal Council, the 7 seats on the City of Quesnel Municipal Council, and the 5 seats of the District of Wells Muncipal Council are up for grabs.  If you feel that your elected representative (Municipal Councillor or Mayor, School Board Trustee or Regional District EA Director) is not representating you, this is your opportunity this fall to say "I can do better than the currently elected officials"

However - there is a time committment involved so to ensure you go in the different civic elections with "eyes wide open" and if you are starting to think about running for locally elected office, I strongly encourage you to contact your local elected officials about the commitment (time and otherwise) that you'll have to give to your local muncipal council, regional district board, or school board before you officially throw your name into the ring this fall:

For District of Wells Municipal Council:

Contact Mayor Jay Vermette and Councillors Judy Campbell, Aleta Wallace, Virginia Wilkins and Richard Wright at (250)-994-3330 or via email at wells@goldcity.net

For City of Quesnel Municipal Council:

Contact Mayor Mary Sjostrom at (250) - 747-2924 (home), (250) - 991-7477 (Quesnel City Hall) or msjostrom@quesnel.ca

For the Quesnel City Councillors:

Coralee Oakes - email her at coralee@quesnelbc.com
Mike Cave - email him at mikecave@shaw.ca or call him at (250) - 316-0536
Peter Couldwell - contact him at (250) - 249-5364
Ron Paull - email him at ronpaull@shaw.ca or contact him at (250) - 992-8994
L-A Roodenburg - email her at l_roodenburg@yahoo.ca or contact her at (250) - 255-2407
Sushil Thapar - email him at thaparquesnel@gmail.com or contact him at (250) - 992-5494

For School Board #28 (Quesnel):

Contact Trustee Caroline Neilsen here
Contact Trustee David Chapman here
Contact Trustee Tony Goulet here (SD #28 Board Vice-Chair)
Contact Trustee Gloria Jackson here
Contact Trustee Caroline Mitchell here (SD #28 Board Chair)
Contact Trustee George Natalizio here (Dream of Fields Committee Chair)
Contact Trustee Ron Caskey here

For School Board #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin):

Contact Will Van Osch (Zone 1 Trustee) at william.vanosch@sd27.bc.ca (email) or by phone at (250) - 305-7985
Contact Pete Penner (Zone 2 Trustee) at pete.penner@sd27.bc.ca (email) or by phone at (250) - 791-6302
Contact Patricia Baker (Zone 3 Trustee) at patricia.baker@sd27.bc.ca or by phone at (250) - 305-7983
Contact Heather McKenzie (Zone 4 Trustee) at heather.mckenzie@sd27.bc.ca or by phone at (250) - 305-4709
Contact Wayne Rodier (Zone 5 Trustee and SD #27 Board Chair) at wayne.rodier@sd27.bc.ca or by phone at (250) - 305-7981
Contact Bruce Mack (Zone 6 Trustee and SD #27 Board Vice-Chair) at bruce.mack@sd27.bc.ca or by phone at (250) - 305-7984
Contact Richard Elliott (Zone 7 Trustee) at richard.elliott@sd27.bc.ca or by phone at (250) - 267-6422

For the City of Williams Lake Muncipal Council:

Contact Kerry Cook, Mayor at mayor@williamslake.ca or kcook@willamslake.ca

For Williams Lake City Councillors - contact them as follows:

Tom Barr via email at tbarr@williamslake.ca
Geoff Bourdon via email at gbourdon@williamslake.ca
Surinderpal Rathor via email at srathor@williamslake.ca or at home - (250) - 398-5222
Laurie Walters via email at lwalters@williamslake.ca
Sue Zacharias via email at szacharias@williamslake.ca

For the District of 100 Mile House Muncipal Council:

Contact Mayor Mitch Campsall at mcampsall@dist100milehouse.bc.ca

For the District of 100 Mile Councillors Dave Mingo, Bill Hadden, Mel Torgerson, Jeanne Best - leave them a message at the District's Office by phone at (250) - 395-2434 or via email at district@dist100milehouse.bc.ca

For the CRD Board - Electoral Area Directors:

Area 'A' - Contact Ted Armstrong (CRD Board Vice-Chair/TAC Chair) via email at tarmstrong@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'B' - Contact Roberta Faust via email at rfaust@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'C' - Contact John Massier via email at jmassier@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'D' - Contact Deb Bischoff (CRD Library Chair) via email at dbischoff@cariboord.bc.ca or by phone at (250) - 989-1515
Area 'E' - Contact Steve Mazur (CRD Communications Chair) via email at smazur@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'F' - Contact Joan Sorley via email at jsorley@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'G' - Contact Al Richmond (CRD Board Chair) via email at arichmond@cariboord.bc.ca or via phone at (250) - 395-0841
Area 'H' - Contact Art Dumaresq (CRD Finance Committee Chair) at adumaresq@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'I' - Contact Jim Glassford via email at jglassford@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'J' - Contact Alex Bracewell via email at abracewell@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'K' - Contact Rick Mumford (local Hospital Board Chair) via email at rmumford@cariboord.bc.ca
Area 'L' - Contact Bruce Rattray (CRD Policy and Procedures Committee Chair) at brattray@cariboord.bc.ca or by phone at (250) - 593-9359

New Soccer Park opens in 100 Mile House

Watch as the Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett talks about how everyone came together to open the 100 Mile Soccer Park as the provincial U-15 Boys and Girls 'B' Cup Finals were played at the Soccer Park this past weekend in 100 Mile House

Flooding Alert in the City of Quesnel

From the City of Quesnel website:

The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning for the Upper Fraser River, including Quesnel. The high water is expected to be temporary, the result of extensive rainfall to the north. The City does not expect to have to issue evacuation alerts at this time. Check back often for updates.

The North Fraser Drive loop in West Quesnel remains closed - traffic may use the Elliott Street access to the Moffat Bridge.

The City continues to monitor water levels on a regular basis to ensure public safety while also monitoring infrastructure such as roads, trails, and water and sewer lines.

■Please keep clear of riverbanks, as they can be very slippery during high water events.
■ The fast-moving and cold water also presents a risk.
■Keep close watch over children and pets.

For information about river alerts and warnings, visit the River Forecast Centre website.

For information about emergency preparedness in Quesnel, click here

Kash Heed fights to retain his seat of Vancouver-Fraserview (Updated)

CBC-BC reports that Kash Heed's lawyer is in a Kelowna court today to explain to a BC Supreme Court judge why Kash Heed should not lose his seat of Vancouver-Fraserview over 2009 campaign overspending of $4,000.  See the story here

Note to readers - Elections Canada just gave a slap on the wrists to Federal Conservative Gov't House Leader Peter Van Loan for overspending of $4,189.53 in the 2008 Federal General Election. See the Vancouver Sun story here

UPDATE at 2:54pm - CBC-BC now reports that, because Kash Heed did not "act in bad faith" according to Elections BC, Mr. Heed should not lose his seat of Vancouver-Fraserview but should be fined twice the amount his campaign overspent in 2009 which amounts to a fine around $10,000.  See the story here