Earlier this month, I had asked Mayor Cook to have the CAO update more consistently his blog
The City of WL CAO (Brian Carruthers') has now posted his first blog entry as CAO of the City
The blog address is: http://www.williamslakecao.blogspot.com/
Check it out when you get time, as I know he'll be updating it on a consistent basis
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wood First Resolution/Bylaw & the City of Quesnel
Earlier this year, the BC Legislature passed the Wood First Act. Following up on that, Quesnel City Council has passed the following motion:
THAT WHEREAS BC's forest industry as an integral part of the community ofQuesnel is developing new markets and new opportunities for wood products as a long-term strategy for a sustainable wood industry;
AND WHEREAS the BC Government has passed a Wood First Act to facilitate a culture of wood by requiring the use of wood as the primary material in all new provincially funded buildings, in a manner consistent with the British Columbia Building Code;
AND WHEREAS the City of Quesnel has supported both the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in adopting
resolutions to build a wood culture in BC and across Canada;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Quesnel will continue to support the ongoing development of its wood culture by:
- Being a wood champion and supporting the BC government’s Wood First Act
by adopting this Wood First Resolution and developing a Wood First Bylaw that
will establish a long-term strategy for building with wood in Quesnel;
- Selecting wood champion designers and builders for all municipal buildingprojects so that the opportunities for building with wood cost-effectively are maximized;
- Ensuring all requests for proposals will request excellence in building with wood as a key qualifying criterion;
- Seeking those who can find practical, efficient, versatile and cost-effective
building and design solutions through the use of wood, the most sustainable,
natural and renewable building material grown under the sun;
- Ensuring that all municipal construction projects in Quesnel receiving either
public or wood industry financial support optimize the structural and architectural
use of wood. Comparisons to the cost of building with other competing materials
will take into account all long-term and life cycle benefits to BC of building with
wood
I have forwarded this Resolution to Williams Lake's Deputy Mayor (Councillor SPS Rathor) and asked to put this forward to Williams Lake Council as well. If Quesnel Council intends to pass a "Wood First" Bylaw to support their local forest industry, then Williams Lake Council should do the same here and for the same reasons
THAT WHEREAS BC's forest industry as an integral part of the community ofQuesnel is developing new markets and new opportunities for wood products as a long-term strategy for a sustainable wood industry;
AND WHEREAS the BC Government has passed a Wood First Act to facilitate a culture of wood by requiring the use of wood as the primary material in all new provincially funded buildings, in a manner consistent with the British Columbia Building Code;
AND WHEREAS the City of Quesnel has supported both the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in adopting
resolutions to build a wood culture in BC and across Canada;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Quesnel will continue to support the ongoing development of its wood culture by:
- Being a wood champion and supporting the BC government’s Wood First Act
by adopting this Wood First Resolution and developing a Wood First Bylaw that
will establish a long-term strategy for building with wood in Quesnel;
- Selecting wood champion designers and builders for all municipal buildingprojects so that the opportunities for building with wood cost-effectively are maximized;
- Ensuring all requests for proposals will request excellence in building with wood as a key qualifying criterion;
- Seeking those who can find practical, efficient, versatile and cost-effective
building and design solutions through the use of wood, the most sustainable,
natural and renewable building material grown under the sun;
- Ensuring that all municipal construction projects in Quesnel receiving either
public or wood industry financial support optimize the structural and architectural
use of wood. Comparisons to the cost of building with other competing materials
will take into account all long-term and life cycle benefits to BC of building with
wood
I have forwarded this Resolution to Williams Lake's Deputy Mayor (Councillor SPS Rathor) and asked to put this forward to Williams Lake Council as well. If Quesnel Council intends to pass a "Wood First" Bylaw to support their local forest industry, then Williams Lake Council should do the same here and for the same reasons
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Steve Rant - Public Consultation Meeting - Service Delivery Plan (Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function)
Last night, the City of WL/CRD jointly hosted a meeting in Council Chambers allowing members of the public to orally comment on the Draft Service Delivery Plan for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function. The meeting lasted 1 hour and 20 mins
The public asked lots of good, hard-hitting questions and believe that they were answered adequately.
But I still have some concerns including:
The public asked lots of good, hard-hitting questions and believe that they were answered adequately.
But I still have some concerns including:
- The fact that Councillors Zacharias, Montoya and Bourdon failed to show up (Councillors Rathor and Barr were unavoidably absent - Tom Barr is out of town and Surinder Rathor was sleeping before his shift at his workplace) along with CRD Area 'F' Director Duncan Barnett. They needed to be there to observe the public oral comments on the Service Delivery Plan and those comments must be given the same weight as to all written comments received to date and prior to Monday, November 30th on the Plan.
- This process is being "rammed through", or the appearance thereto, to meet with CRD Budget Guidelines and that is unfortunate, from the public perspective, because I believe that a process should be fair to all sides and not to meet with arbitrary timelines that a local government needs to meet
- A lot of concerns were raised and were noted by CRD/City of WL Staff and should be addressed and re-presented to the public, prior to the Service Delivery Plan being formally adopted, both by the Central Cariboo Joint Committee and CRD Board
- No policy governing the use of the "Special Projects Fund"
- No over-arching plan for a strategic vision for the entire Central Cariboo for the Arts and Culture Sector (this is a City Goal, but presumably it would cover the City only). This is a must in order to decide "where we are, and where we want to get to"
If the above were done (which I suspect it won't be), then it would ensure that the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function and the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Sector works to the full extent it can/should.
Thursday News Round-up
In your Williams Lake Tribune:
1) Story on Wal-Mart Grand Opening - more here
1) Story on Wal-Mart Grand Opening - more here
2) Video on the Wal-Mart Grand Opening - more here
3) City of WL residents' speak out on Bylaw #2093 (Traffic Control Bylaw) - more here
4) CRD awards Solid Waste Management Review Contract - more here
5) City of WL plans to spend $25,000 on Prosperity Ridge Access Road Study - more here
6) Walt Cobb, Tribune columnist, talks about the BC NDP and the paramedic strike - more here
Public Consultation Meeting - Service Delivery Plan for Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function
Present from CRD: Deb Bischoff (Area ‘D’ Director), Steve Mazur (Area ‘E’ Director), Darron Campbell (CRD Manager of Community Services)
Present from City of WL: Mayor Kerry Cook, Councillor Laurie Walters, Geoff Paynton (Director of Community Services, City of WL)
Others Present:
General Public – 45 (approximate)
Jill Zimonick, David & Sam Zirnhelt– Stonefield Consulting (will present the Service Delivery Plan in PowerPoint format)
Meeting commenced at 7:00pm
Opening Comments by Mike Simpson (Fraser Basin Council) who will act as Moderator for tonight’s meeting
Comments by Darron Campbell (CRD Community Services Manager) on history and steps leading to creation of Draft Service Delivery Plan (in Powerpoint format)
Powerpoint Presentation by Jill Zimonick (Stonefield Consulting) on the Service Delivery Plan – Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function
Question and Answer Period:
Numerous Questions were asked by members of the public on the Service Delivery Plan
Closing Comments by Mike Simpson (Fraser Basin Council)
Get your written comments on the Service Delivery Plan to the CRD WL Office not later than 4:30pm, Monday, November 30th
The Central Cariboo Joint Committee will convene on Friday, December 4th to consider next steps, with regard to the Service Delivery Plan – Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function
Meeting adjourned at 8:19pm
Present from City of WL: Mayor Kerry Cook, Councillor Laurie Walters, Geoff Paynton (Director of Community Services, City of WL)
Others Present:
General Public – 45 (approximate)
Jill Zimonick, David & Sam Zirnhelt– Stonefield Consulting (will present the Service Delivery Plan in PowerPoint format)
Meeting commenced at 7:00pm
Opening Comments by Mike Simpson (Fraser Basin Council) who will act as Moderator for tonight’s meeting
Comments by Darron Campbell (CRD Community Services Manager) on history and steps leading to creation of Draft Service Delivery Plan (in Powerpoint format)
Powerpoint Presentation by Jill Zimonick (Stonefield Consulting) on the Service Delivery Plan – Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function
Question and Answer Period:
Numerous Questions were asked by members of the public on the Service Delivery Plan
Closing Comments by Mike Simpson (Fraser Basin Council)
Get your written comments on the Service Delivery Plan to the CRD WL Office not later than 4:30pm, Monday, November 30th
The Central Cariboo Joint Committee will convene on Friday, December 4th to consider next steps, with regard to the Service Delivery Plan – Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function
Meeting adjourned at 8:19pm
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
My Blog and City of WL Councillor Laurie Walters
Last night at the Committee of the Whole (WL Council) meeting, City of WL Councillor Laurie Walters expressed dissatisfaction with one of my earlier posts on my criticism of her and her fellow Councillor, Geoff Bourdon, leaving on Remembrance Day for their 10 day trip to China and the fact that the blog entry did not contain all the facts
A blog is defined as follows:
"a frequently updated personal journal chronicling links at a Web site, intended for public viewing"
Bloggers' are not journalists, per se, but are expected, generally speaking, to ensure that what they write is based upon facts, whether that is personal knowledge or that which is spoken in the mainstream media (local, provincial or national media including newspapers)
I try to blog on items to which I either have personal knowledge of the situation or take quotes from the newspaper/radio. There have been plenty of times when someone writes a letter to the editor to a newspaper on less than the full facts, with regard to a situation and a politician will object that they "didn't do their homework"
Councillor Walters and other politicians should realize that if they don't like what I write, then they can leave comments here, objecting to what I write. Many political blogs have this option. Even the Williams Lake Tribune now has an option for commenting on its' online articles
In the future, I would obviously encourage Councillor Walters and others to read my blog, if they choose to do so, and if they object to what I write, then they can feel free to leave a comment.
A blog is defined as follows:
"a frequently updated personal journal chronicling links at a Web site, intended for public viewing"
Bloggers' are not journalists, per se, but are expected, generally speaking, to ensure that what they write is based upon facts, whether that is personal knowledge or that which is spoken in the mainstream media (local, provincial or national media including newspapers)
I try to blog on items to which I either have personal knowledge of the situation or take quotes from the newspaper/radio. There have been plenty of times when someone writes a letter to the editor to a newspaper on less than the full facts, with regard to a situation and a politician will object that they "didn't do their homework"
Councillor Walters and other politicians should realize that if they don't like what I write, then they can leave comments here, objecting to what I write. Many political blogs have this option. Even the Williams Lake Tribune now has an option for commenting on its' online articles
In the future, I would obviously encourage Councillor Walters and others to read my blog, if they choose to do so, and if they object to what I write, then they can feel free to leave a comment.
Committee of the Whole (WL Council) Highlights - Nov. 24th
Present:
Mayor Kerry Cook (Committee Chair) and Councillors Rathor, Bourdon, Montoya, Walters and Zacharias
Absent:
Councillor Tom Barr
Staff Present:
Brian Carruthers – CAO
Sue Moxey – Director of Corporate Services
Geoff Goodall – GM of Planning and Operations
Darcy Lazzarin – GM of Corporate Services (left meeting at 6:05pm)
Jeff Bernardy – City Engineering Technologist
Lilliana Dragowska – City Planner (entered meeting at 6:13pm, left meeting at 6:55pm)
Anne Burill – Social Development Manager (entered meeting at 6:13pm, left meeting at 6:55pm)
Meeting called to order at 5:30pm
Minutes
Minutes of the October 27th/09 Committee of the Whole Meeting were adopted
Delegations:
1) Irene Willsie from Woman’s Contact Society – Purple Ribbon Campaign
• Reviewed with the Committee activities related to the Purple Ribbon Campaign including the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Monday, December 7th starting at 5:30pm at City Hall
A Question and Answer Period ensued with the delegation. Mayor Cook, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Ms. Willsie for appearing before the Committee.
Business:
F1 – Request from WL CBIA (Central Business Improvement Area) to reconsider funding Street Party 2010
The General Manager of Corporate Services reviewed the letter from WLCBIA and the 2010 Grant-in-Aid Process with the Committee.
Discussion ensued thereon
The Committee agreed to receive the letter from the WLCBIA and the WLCBIA request to re-consider their 2010 Grant-in-Aid application be supported and that this request be forwarded to the Joint Committee for consideration with a detailed budget from the WLCBIA on Street Party costs to be provided.
The Committee agreed to refer a request to Joint Committee on discussion for a “Joint Fee for Service” program (70/30 split) in the Central Cariboo Region
D2 - Prosperity Ridge Access Engineering Services
Discussion ensued thereon
The Committee agreed to recommend to Council –
“That Council authorize staff to retain TRUE Consulting Group for engineering services to develop road network improvement options necessary to provide a sufficient level of service to the Prosperity Ridge development at a cost of $25,000.”
Delegations, cont
6:30pm – Whistler Centre for Sustainability re: Item D1 (see below)
D1 – OCP Briefing on Greenhouse Gases & Energy Reduction
A Powerpoint Presentation ensued:
• Climate Action Charter – 3 Components
• Bill 27 & Responsibilities of Local Governments
• Bill 27 & Climate Action Charter
A Question and Answer Period ensued. Mayor Cook, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the delegation for appearing before the Committee
At 6:55pm, the meeting was recessed and with it resuming at 7:00pm in Council Chambers
7:00pm – Public Input Session on Section 5.6 (Prohibition on Parking & Placing of Other Material on Boulevards), Bylaw #2093, 2009 – Traffic Control Bylaw
D5 - Traffic Control Bylaw 2093 re Parking on Boulevards & Section 5.6 of Bylaw #2093, 2009
The Committee had before it a Staff Definition of “Boulevards” under Bylaw #2093, 2009, a letter sent to all residents’ on Bylaw #2093, 2009, a Media Release issued with regard to prohibition of parking on all boulevards in the City and 3 Letters from Jordan & Dorothy Bateman, Marianne Pitt, and Susan Hermanson on Bylaw #2093, 2009.
The Mayor then called for oral submissions from the Public Gallery
Ten people come forward to speak on the Bylaw
The Committee agreed to refer the oral/written submissions received on Bylaw #2093 to Staff, through Public Works and Development Services Portfolio, for a recommendation to Council
The Committee agreed to have the process reviewed, with regard to Regulatory Bylaws, through Public Works and Development Services Portfolio
The meeting then recessed for 5 minutes and resumed its’ meeting at 7:50pm in Committee Room #1
D3 – Water/Sewer to Dog Creek Road
The General Manager of Planning & Operations reviewed his report with the Committee
Discussion ensued thereon
The Committee agreed to recommend to Council -
“That Council approve in principle the request of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to explore
options of extending municipal water and sewer services to the Dog Creek Road area; and further
That Council authorize staff to work in conjunction with the CRD to explore infrastructure
extension possibilities.”
D4 – Water/Sewer to Woodland Drive
Mayor Cook declared a conflict of interest, as she is a resident of Woodland Drive. Acting Mayor Geoff Bourdon took the Chair
A Powerpoint Presentation took place, with questions being asked by Committee members during the presentation
The Committee agreed to recommend to Council –
“That Council approve retaining TRUE Consulting Group to complete preliminary design for
Option 1 of the sanitary proposal and Option 3 of the water proposal including installation of a
250mm diameter water main for future use for a cost of $64,430.00 plus GST; and further
That Council direct staff to investigate any funding opportunities that may be available for this
project; and further
That Council authorize staff to begin a public consultation process with affected property owners
on Woodland Drive”
Adjournment:
The Committee adjourned at 8:40pm
Mayor Kerry Cook (Committee Chair) and Councillors Rathor, Bourdon, Montoya, Walters and Zacharias
Absent:
Councillor Tom Barr
Staff Present:
Brian Carruthers – CAO
Sue Moxey – Director of Corporate Services
Geoff Goodall – GM of Planning and Operations
Darcy Lazzarin – GM of Corporate Services (left meeting at 6:05pm)
Jeff Bernardy – City Engineering Technologist
Lilliana Dragowska – City Planner (entered meeting at 6:13pm, left meeting at 6:55pm)
Anne Burill – Social Development Manager (entered meeting at 6:13pm, left meeting at 6:55pm)
Meeting called to order at 5:30pm
Minutes
Minutes of the October 27th/09 Committee of the Whole Meeting were adopted
Delegations:
1) Irene Willsie from Woman’s Contact Society – Purple Ribbon Campaign
• Reviewed with the Committee activities related to the Purple Ribbon Campaign including the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Monday, December 7th starting at 5:30pm at City Hall
A Question and Answer Period ensued with the delegation. Mayor Cook, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Ms. Willsie for appearing before the Committee.
Business:
F1 – Request from WL CBIA (Central Business Improvement Area) to reconsider funding Street Party 2010
The General Manager of Corporate Services reviewed the letter from WLCBIA and the 2010 Grant-in-Aid Process with the Committee.
Discussion ensued thereon
The Committee agreed to receive the letter from the WLCBIA and the WLCBIA request to re-consider their 2010 Grant-in-Aid application be supported and that this request be forwarded to the Joint Committee for consideration with a detailed budget from the WLCBIA on Street Party costs to be provided.
The Committee agreed to refer a request to Joint Committee on discussion for a “Joint Fee for Service” program (70/30 split) in the Central Cariboo Region
D2 - Prosperity Ridge Access Engineering Services
Discussion ensued thereon
The Committee agreed to recommend to Council –
“That Council authorize staff to retain TRUE Consulting Group for engineering services to develop road network improvement options necessary to provide a sufficient level of service to the Prosperity Ridge development at a cost of $25,000.”
Delegations, cont
6:30pm – Whistler Centre for Sustainability re: Item D1 (see below)
D1 – OCP Briefing on Greenhouse Gases & Energy Reduction
A Powerpoint Presentation ensued:
• Climate Action Charter – 3 Components
• Bill 27 & Responsibilities of Local Governments
• Bill 27 & Climate Action Charter
A Question and Answer Period ensued. Mayor Cook, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the delegation for appearing before the Committee
At 6:55pm, the meeting was recessed and with it resuming at 7:00pm in Council Chambers
7:00pm – Public Input Session on Section 5.6 (Prohibition on Parking & Placing of Other Material on Boulevards), Bylaw #2093, 2009 – Traffic Control Bylaw
D5 - Traffic Control Bylaw 2093 re Parking on Boulevards & Section 5.6 of Bylaw #2093, 2009
The Committee had before it a Staff Definition of “Boulevards” under Bylaw #2093, 2009, a letter sent to all residents’ on Bylaw #2093, 2009, a Media Release issued with regard to prohibition of parking on all boulevards in the City and 3 Letters from Jordan & Dorothy Bateman, Marianne Pitt, and Susan Hermanson on Bylaw #2093, 2009.
The Mayor then called for oral submissions from the Public Gallery
Ten people come forward to speak on the Bylaw
The Committee agreed to refer the oral/written submissions received on Bylaw #2093 to Staff, through Public Works and Development Services Portfolio, for a recommendation to Council
The Committee agreed to have the process reviewed, with regard to Regulatory Bylaws, through Public Works and Development Services Portfolio
The meeting then recessed for 5 minutes and resumed its’ meeting at 7:50pm in Committee Room #1
D3 – Water/Sewer to Dog Creek Road
The General Manager of Planning & Operations reviewed his report with the Committee
Discussion ensued thereon
The Committee agreed to recommend to Council -
“That Council approve in principle the request of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to explore
options of extending municipal water and sewer services to the Dog Creek Road area; and further
That Council authorize staff to work in conjunction with the CRD to explore infrastructure
extension possibilities.”
D4 – Water/Sewer to Woodland Drive
Mayor Cook declared a conflict of interest, as she is a resident of Woodland Drive. Acting Mayor Geoff Bourdon took the Chair
A Powerpoint Presentation took place, with questions being asked by Committee members during the presentation
The Committee agreed to recommend to Council –
“That Council approve retaining TRUE Consulting Group to complete preliminary design for
Option 1 of the sanitary proposal and Option 3 of the water proposal including installation of a
250mm diameter water main for future use for a cost of $64,430.00 plus GST; and further
That Council direct staff to investigate any funding opportunities that may be available for this
project; and further
That Council authorize staff to begin a public consultation process with affected property owners
on Woodland Drive”
Adjournment:
The Committee adjourned at 8:40pm
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday News Round-up
In your Williams Lake Tribune today:
- TNG (Chilcotin National Gov't) is seeking to ensure that drilling near Scum Lake ceases this week - story is here
- WL RCMP report on the circumstances of the death of an aboriginal man found in Boitanio Park last week - story is here
- The Federal Environmental Assessment Office (the Panel) has granted the TNG confidentiality to its' documents that it submitted to the Panel, as part of the Federal Environment Assessment Review process for the Prosperity Mine proposal - story is here
- The CRD held its' first of two open houses for Dog Creek Road residents, with regard to have a water only, sewer only or water/sewer systems for the Dog Creek Road and area residents - story is here
In other news:
- WL Council, meeting in"Committee of the Whole", will meet at 5:30pm today to consider certain matters, including providing water and sewer services, to both Dog Creek Rd residents and residents' living on Woodland Drive and then reconvene at 7:00pm in Council Chambers to hear from the public with regard to Section 5.6 (Prohibition of Vehicles and Other Objects on Boulevards) of Bylaw #2093, 2009. Council has received 3 letters on Section 5.6 of Bylaw #2093 so far, expressing a contrary view as to how WL Council dealt with Bylaw #2093 earlier this year
- Wal-Mart will be having their Grand Opening ceremonies at 7:15am on Wednesday, with the store being officially open to the general public at 8:00am. I'd encourage everyone to check it out if you get time Wednesday or in the days ahead
- WL Council (except Councillor Tom Barr) and CRD Directors for Areas D, E, F will all be present at a meeting Wednesday evening at 7pm in Council Chambers to hear from the public, with regard to the new Service Delivery Plan for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function. Please bring your questions for your elected officials on this Plan. The meeting will be moderated by Mike Simpson of the Fraser Basin Council
Monday, November 23, 2009
Upcoming Local Government Meetings in Cariboo-Chilcotin - week of Nov. 23 - 27
City of Williams Lake (meets in Committee of the Whole) - Tuesday, November 24th
Meeting starts at 5:30pm in Committee Room #1, then resumes in Council Chambers at 7:00pm to receive Public Input on Bylaw #2093, 2009 (Traffic Control Bylaw) with regard to Section 5.6 (Prohibition of Parking and Other Materials on Boulevards in the City)
The Link to the Agenda/Reports is here
CRD/City of WL meeting on Central Cariboo Arts and Culture - Service Delivery Plan on Wednesday, November 25th
Meeting starts at 7:00pm in WL Council Chambers
The Link to the Service Delivery Plan - Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function is here
Board of Education - School District #27 for Thursday, November 26th
Meeting starts at 7:00pm at the Board of Education (SD#27) Boardroom
The link to the Agenda is here
Meeting starts at 5:30pm in Committee Room #1, then resumes in Council Chambers at 7:00pm to receive Public Input on Bylaw #2093, 2009 (Traffic Control Bylaw) with regard to Section 5.6 (Prohibition of Parking and Other Materials on Boulevards in the City)
The Link to the Agenda/Reports is here
CRD/City of WL meeting on Central Cariboo Arts and Culture - Service Delivery Plan on Wednesday, November 25th
Meeting starts at 7:00pm in WL Council Chambers
The Link to the Service Delivery Plan - Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function is here
Board of Education - School District #27 for Thursday, November 26th
Meeting starts at 7:00pm at the Board of Education (SD#27) Boardroom
The link to the Agenda is here
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday News Round-up
In your Williams Lake Tribune today:
* TNG (Chilcotin National Government) raises Prosperity Mine water concerns - story is here
* Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says the new Paramedic contract was not connected to the upcoming Olympics - story is here
* City of WL/CRD announce Grants in Aid for 2010 - story is here
In both the Vancouver Sun & Vancouver Province:
* Vaughn Palmer talks about dissolving BC Rail - his column is here
* Mike Smyth talks about Olympic costs - his column is here
* TNG (Chilcotin National Government) raises Prosperity Mine water concerns - story is here
* Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says the new Paramedic contract was not connected to the upcoming Olympics - story is here
* City of WL/CRD announce Grants in Aid for 2010 - story is here
In both the Vancouver Sun & Vancouver Province:
* Vaughn Palmer talks about dissolving BC Rail - his column is here
* Mike Smyth talks about Olympic costs - his column is here
Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting - Nov. 18th
Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting – November 18th (Meeting held in Committee Room #1 – WL City Hall)
Present from City of WL:
Mayor K. Cook (Joint Committee Co-Chair), Deputy Mayor Rathor, and Councillors Montoya and Zacharias
Present from CRD:
Directors D. Bischoff (Joint Committee Co-Chair), S. Mazur, and D. Barnett
Staff Present:
Brian Carruthers – CAO, City of WL
Janis Bell – CAO, CRD
Darron Campbell – Manger of Community Services, CRD
Geoff Paynton – Director of Community Services, City of WL
Absent:
City of WL Councillors Tom Barr, Geoff Bourdon and Laurie Walters
CRD Directors A. Bracewell and R. Mumford
Meeting called to order at 5:02pm by Committee Co-Chair K. Cook
The Committee Co-Chair (K. Cook) advised that an In-Camera Meeting would occur after all business has concluded
Minutes:
By Consensus – Minutes of last Joint Committee be adopted
Delegations:
1) Elizabeth Hutchinson, Victim Services Manager & Staff-Sgt Warren Brown (Detachment Commander, WL RCMP) – Update on Victim Service Program:
• Mandate to help with Victims of Crime and helping them with the Court Process and any other needs the victim has
• Local Detachment has highest workload per capita/RCMP Officer & highest number of Criminal Code cases
A Question and Answer Period then took place
By Consensus – Delegation be received and information be provided to the CRD on Victim Services for consideration by the CRD Finance/Budget Committee for their 2010 Budget
2) Carla Glessing & Tom Salley from Central Cariboo Sustainability Committee – Sustainability Checklists
A 10 minute Powerpoint Presentation then took place
A Question and Answer period then took place
By Consensus – Delegation be received and refer to City of WL & CRD Planning Departments for follow-up
Items for Consideration:
1) Correspondence from Community Arts Council & Dollar Dollar Downtown and additional Correspondence on feedback for Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan Feedback
• CRD Community Services Manager reviewed with Joint Committee with the format of next week’s Public Meeting on the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan.
By Consensus – Correspondence be received and refer to the Public Meeting on the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan next week
2) Report from Director of Community Services, City of WL re: Alkali Braves Hockey Tournament
• City of WL Director of Community Services reviewed his report with the Joint Committee
By Consensus – Report received for information and the course of action suggested by the Director of Community Services, City of WL, as outlined in his report, be endorsed and that the support of local Native Band Chiefs be requested.
Action Page:
The City of WL CAO reviewed the Action Page items with the Joint Committee
By Consensus - Action Page received
Meeting recessed at 6:45pm to go In-Camera
Adjournment:
By Consensus – That this meeting adjourn at 6:55pm
Present from City of WL:
Mayor K. Cook (Joint Committee Co-Chair), Deputy Mayor Rathor, and Councillors Montoya and Zacharias
Present from CRD:
Directors D. Bischoff (Joint Committee Co-Chair), S. Mazur, and D. Barnett
Staff Present:
Brian Carruthers – CAO, City of WL
Janis Bell – CAO, CRD
Darron Campbell – Manger of Community Services, CRD
Geoff Paynton – Director of Community Services, City of WL
Absent:
City of WL Councillors Tom Barr, Geoff Bourdon and Laurie Walters
CRD Directors A. Bracewell and R. Mumford
Meeting called to order at 5:02pm by Committee Co-Chair K. Cook
The Committee Co-Chair (K. Cook) advised that an In-Camera Meeting would occur after all business has concluded
Minutes:
By Consensus – Minutes of last Joint Committee be adopted
Delegations:
1) Elizabeth Hutchinson, Victim Services Manager & Staff-Sgt Warren Brown (Detachment Commander, WL RCMP) – Update on Victim Service Program:
• Mandate to help with Victims of Crime and helping them with the Court Process and any other needs the victim has
• Local Detachment has highest workload per capita/RCMP Officer & highest number of Criminal Code cases
A Question and Answer Period then took place
By Consensus – Delegation be received and information be provided to the CRD on Victim Services for consideration by the CRD Finance/Budget Committee for their 2010 Budget
2) Carla Glessing & Tom Salley from Central Cariboo Sustainability Committee – Sustainability Checklists
A 10 minute Powerpoint Presentation then took place
A Question and Answer period then took place
By Consensus – Delegation be received and refer to City of WL & CRD Planning Departments for follow-up
Items for Consideration:
1) Correspondence from Community Arts Council & Dollar Dollar Downtown and additional Correspondence on feedback for Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan Feedback
• CRD Community Services Manager reviewed with Joint Committee with the format of next week’s Public Meeting on the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan.
By Consensus – Correspondence be received and refer to the Public Meeting on the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan next week
2) Report from Director of Community Services, City of WL re: Alkali Braves Hockey Tournament
• City of WL Director of Community Services reviewed his report with the Joint Committee
By Consensus – Report received for information and the course of action suggested by the Director of Community Services, City of WL, as outlined in his report, be endorsed and that the support of local Native Band Chiefs be requested.
Action Page:
The City of WL CAO reviewed the Action Page items with the Joint Committee
By Consensus - Action Page received
Meeting recessed at 6:45pm to go In-Camera
Adjournment:
By Consensus – That this meeting adjourn at 6:55pm
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Catalyst Paper appeals BC Supreme Court decision on Local Government Property Tax Bill
In today's Vancouver Sun, Catalyst Paper announces its' intent to appeal a BC Supreme Court decision on Catalyst Paper's property tax bill in several muncipalities on Vancouver Island.
The article in the Vancouver Sun on the subject is below:
Catalyst Paper has appealed a B.C. Supreme Court decision that property taxes imposed on the company are valid, and that if Catalyst thinks they are unfair, it should take the matter up with the governments involved. Catalyst sued four municipalities, arguing their tax bylaws were unreasonable and therefore illegal, as they left Catalyst paying taxes out of proportion to the services the company used. For example, in the District of North Cowichan, the company paid about $6.50 in taxes for every $1 in municipal services received, according to Justice Peter Voith's October judgment, which is the subject of the appeal. At issue is a total of about $23 million in tax owed to North Cowichan, Campbell River, Port Alberni and Powell River, where Catalyst's mills are located. Catalyst filed its appeal to the B.C. Court of Appeal on Monday to keep its options open, Catalyst spokeswoman Lyn Brown said. Catalyst is awaiting decisions in the remaining three cases, which were also argued before Voith.
The article in the Vancouver Sun on the subject is below:
Catalyst Paper has appealed a B.C. Supreme Court decision that property taxes imposed on the company are valid, and that if Catalyst thinks they are unfair, it should take the matter up with the governments involved. Catalyst sued four municipalities, arguing their tax bylaws were unreasonable and therefore illegal, as they left Catalyst paying taxes out of proportion to the services the company used. For example, in the District of North Cowichan, the company paid about $6.50 in taxes for every $1 in municipal services received, according to Justice Peter Voith's October judgment, which is the subject of the appeal. At issue is a total of about $23 million in tax owed to North Cowichan, Campbell River, Port Alberni and Powell River, where Catalyst's mills are located. Catalyst filed its appeal to the B.C. Court of Appeal on Monday to keep its options open, Catalyst spokeswoman Lyn Brown said. Catalyst is awaiting decisions in the remaining three cases, which were also argued before Voith.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
WL Council Meeting Highlights - Nov. 17th, 2009
WL Council Highlights – Nov 17/09 Meeting (Meeting held in Williams Lake Council Chambers)
Present: Mayor Kerry Cook & Councillors Rathor, Montoya, Barr, and Zacharias
Absent: Councillors Laurie Walters and Geoff Bourdon (away on civic business – trip to China)
Staff Present:
Brian Carruthers – CAO
Cindy Bouchard – Corporate Services Records Coordinator
Tom Cheung – IT Manager
Anne Burill – Social Development Manager
Lilliana Dragowska – City Planner
Meeting called to order at 7:30pm
Invocation (Opening Prayer) given by Councillor Rathor
Council approved minutes of the Nov 3rd 2009 Council Meeting
Delegations:
1) Lilliana Dragowska, City Planner – Presentation of Video on ICSP “Youth Engagement”
2) Tatjana Bates, Food Policy Council re "2009 Taste of the Cariboo" Local Food Festival
Council authorized City Staff to assist with preparations for the 2010 “Taste of the Cariboo” Food Festival
Business:
1) Council approved numerous Central Cariboo Joint Committee Recommendations including:
• Amending Terms of Reference for the Central Cariboo Recreation Advisory Committee
• New Fees and Charges Bylaw
• Business, Financial and Capital Plans for 2010 – Central Cariboo Recreation Function
• Waive Fee for use of Gibraltar Room for Remembrance Day Ceremony – free use of the Gibraltar Room for Remembrance Day ceremonies in the future will become part of the new Fees and Charges Bylaw
• Joint Committee 2010 Meeting Schedule
• Approved 2010 Grant in Aid applications
• Remaining $4,000 in Grant-in-Aid funds to be set aside for future use, subject to approval by the Central Cariboo Joint Committee
2) Council gave 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading to Bylaw 2106 of 2009 which, if adopted, would authorize temporary borrowing of money to finance City Operations in advance of property tax revenue. Councillor Barr noted that the temporary borrowing measure has never been used in well over 10 years
3) Council approved an application to be submitted to Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) for $5,000 to assist in addressing secondary suites in the City.
4) Street Naming Bylaw No. 2105 - "Pioneer Drive" & "Prosperity Way" (Wal-Mart Development)
Council adopted this Bylaw
5) 2009 Annual Violence Awareness and Prevention Committee "Walk, Ride, Drive of Remembrance" and "Purple Ribbon Campaign"
Council agreed to the following:
“December 6, 2009 be recognized as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, and approval be given for the annual "Walk, Ride, Drive of Remembrance" to be held on December 7, 2009 at 5:00 pm and the community be encouraged to participate”
6) Council proclaimed December 1st, 2009 as "World Aids Day" in the City of Williams Lake
Information/Announcements:
Council Members’ discussed activities/events in the City that they participated in or wanted residents’ to know about
Council then adjourned at 8:25pm with Council going immediately into an In-Camera (Closed) meeting pursuant to Section 90(1c) of the Community Charter
Present: Mayor Kerry Cook & Councillors Rathor, Montoya, Barr, and Zacharias
Absent: Councillors Laurie Walters and Geoff Bourdon (away on civic business – trip to China)
Staff Present:
Brian Carruthers – CAO
Cindy Bouchard – Corporate Services Records Coordinator
Tom Cheung – IT Manager
Anne Burill – Social Development Manager
Lilliana Dragowska – City Planner
Meeting called to order at 7:30pm
Invocation (Opening Prayer) given by Councillor Rathor
Council approved minutes of the Nov 3rd 2009 Council Meeting
Delegations:
1) Lilliana Dragowska, City Planner – Presentation of Video on ICSP “Youth Engagement”
2) Tatjana Bates, Food Policy Council re "2009 Taste of the Cariboo" Local Food Festival
Council authorized City Staff to assist with preparations for the 2010 “Taste of the Cariboo” Food Festival
Business:
1) Council approved numerous Central Cariboo Joint Committee Recommendations including:
• Amending Terms of Reference for the Central Cariboo Recreation Advisory Committee
• New Fees and Charges Bylaw
• Business, Financial and Capital Plans for 2010 – Central Cariboo Recreation Function
• Waive Fee for use of Gibraltar Room for Remembrance Day Ceremony – free use of the Gibraltar Room for Remembrance Day ceremonies in the future will become part of the new Fees and Charges Bylaw
• Joint Committee 2010 Meeting Schedule
• Approved 2010 Grant in Aid applications
• Remaining $4,000 in Grant-in-Aid funds to be set aside for future use, subject to approval by the Central Cariboo Joint Committee
2) Council gave 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading to Bylaw 2106 of 2009 which, if adopted, would authorize temporary borrowing of money to finance City Operations in advance of property tax revenue. Councillor Barr noted that the temporary borrowing measure has never been used in well over 10 years
3) Council approved an application to be submitted to Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) for $5,000 to assist in addressing secondary suites in the City.
4) Street Naming Bylaw No. 2105 - "Pioneer Drive" & "Prosperity Way" (Wal-Mart Development)
Council adopted this Bylaw
5) 2009 Annual Violence Awareness and Prevention Committee "Walk, Ride, Drive of Remembrance" and "Purple Ribbon Campaign"
Council agreed to the following:
“December 6, 2009 be recognized as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, and approval be given for the annual "Walk, Ride, Drive of Remembrance" to be held on December 7, 2009 at 5:00 pm and the community be encouraged to participate”
6) Council proclaimed December 1st, 2009 as "World Aids Day" in the City of Williams Lake
Information/Announcements:
Council Members’ discussed activities/events in the City that they participated in or wanted residents’ to know about
Council then adjourned at 8:25pm with Council going immediately into an In-Camera (Closed) meeting pursuant to Section 90(1c) of the Community Charter
Tuesday News Round-up
In your Williams Lake Tribune today:
i) Story on Wal-Mart opening in Williams Lake - story is here
ii) CRD to host a community meeting on sewer/water for Dog Creek residents - story is here
iii) Telus reports a planned telephone outage early Wednesday morning - story is here
iv) Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Barnett explains why the legislation to force the paramedics back to work was necessary - story is here
v) Tribune columnist Diana French talks about sustainability in her weekly column - story is here
i) Story on Wal-Mart opening in Williams Lake - story is here
ii) CRD to host a community meeting on sewer/water for Dog Creek residents - story is here
iii) Telus reports a planned telephone outage early Wednesday morning - story is here
iv) Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Barnett explains why the legislation to force the paramedics back to work was necessary - story is here
v) Tribune columnist Diana French talks about sustainability in her weekly column - story is here
Monday, November 16, 2009
Steve Rant - Agenda Item: Delegation (Prayer Month) at WL Council Meeting
As I noted in a previous blog, WL Council is meeting Tuesday and one of the 3 Delegations relates to Prayer Month in the City of WL
3 Prayers are to be recited at the WL Council meeting. They will come from:
* WL Ministerial Association
* Sikh Prayer
* First Nations Prayer
Although the WL Ministerial Association prayer may take just a moment or two and the same applying to the First Nations Prayer, I'm told that the Sikh Prayer takes 15 minutes to complete, if you are to show respect to how the Sikh Prayer is done
Also, if WL Council wants to invite the WL Ministerial Association and the Sikh & First Nation community to do a prayer at a Council meeting, then why not invite the Catholic, Anglican, Baptist communities to do a prayer as well.
I believe 1 Prayer from the WL Ministerial Association is sufficient to show respect to Prayer Month (November) in the City. Otherwise, we risk looking like trying to play to all sides and when it comes to Prayers said at a Council Meeting, which Quesnel Council does at the beginning of their formal meetings, 1 Prayer recited is sufficient, otherwise it is overkill
3 Prayers are to be recited at the WL Council meeting. They will come from:
* WL Ministerial Association
* Sikh Prayer
* First Nations Prayer
Although the WL Ministerial Association prayer may take just a moment or two and the same applying to the First Nations Prayer, I'm told that the Sikh Prayer takes 15 minutes to complete, if you are to show respect to how the Sikh Prayer is done
Also, if WL Council wants to invite the WL Ministerial Association and the Sikh & First Nation community to do a prayer at a Council meeting, then why not invite the Catholic, Anglican, Baptist communities to do a prayer as well.
I believe 1 Prayer from the WL Ministerial Association is sufficient to show respect to Prayer Month (November) in the City. Otherwise, we risk looking like trying to play to all sides and when it comes to Prayers said at a Council Meeting, which Quesnel Council does at the beginning of their formal meetings, 1 Prayer recited is sufficient, otherwise it is overkill
Sunday, November 15, 2009
1 Year Ago...
It was a year ago tonight that local government elections were held to fill seats for municipal councils, regional districts and school boards
I thought, in our area, I would do a little review around how I feel our local elected officials are doing so far and what the challenges that lie ahead for 2010
City of Quesnel:
The entire Council has done a "yeoman's" job so far. This is a example of how a Council & Staff should be working together for the betterment of a community. Mayor Sjostrom has done an excellent job at serving her community. She is constantly communicating with the public on what Council is doing and I know when she receives complaints, she ensures that they are dealt with in a timely fashion and ensures the complainant is happy with the result or with the course of action requested
Challenges include - containing police costs, keep property taxes at acceptable levels, funding of capital needs and the Multi-Center proposal.
District of 100 Mile House:
The entire Council is working really well together and the voters' of 100 Mile should be proud of their Council's performance so far. I know there was a complaint earlier this year about the round-up of ferral cats but sometimes it is hard for Council to please everyone on a touchy subject like this, so the best a Council can do on these items is listen to both sides, take Staff input into consideration along with each Council member's feelings/thoughts on the matter, make a decision and defend it the best way one can and move on.
Challenges include - looking into an aquatic center for the South Cariboo, controlling costs as much as possible so the property tax bill can be affordable for 100 Mile residents
Cariboo Regional District:
The majority of the Board Directors', along with CRD Staff, have done an excellent job representing their constituents so far and should be proud of the person they elected.
Challenges for the CRD include - 2010 Budget development and keep tax increases to a bare mininum, water and sewer projects, and smaller projects in individual Electoral Areas and capacity of CRD Staff to take on new projects as well as the Budget Development Process for 2011.
However, the Area 'F' Director, Duncan Barnett, continues from last term, to verbally lash out whenever an Board Agenda is not formatted to the way he likes or when a Board discussion is not going the way he wants or the Agenda making process is not the way he likes. If he were to try to the indirect approach whenever he finds he has a complaint before he gets to the Board meeting, either with the Board Chair (presently Area 'G' Director Al Richmond) or the Board CAO, Janis Bell, I believe he would be much further ahead
The Regional District has also started to publish its' Joint Committee Agendas. So far, the North Cariboo Joint Committee Agenda is now published online for the public, however this is not yet done in Central Cariboo or South Cariboo and I remain hopeful that this can be accomplished in 2010. As well, I'm hopeful that the CRD Board will ensure that the written publication of when the Board needs to going In-Camera (Closed Meeting) so the public knows beforehand. Such notice could be published, by way of written notice being published, right at the CRD Office.
City of Williams Lake:
City Staff are going a good job so far and have no complaints. I find that Brian Carruthers is very approachable, as the City's CAO, and I encourage you to approach him with any complaints. He will try to understand your problem and he'll work to ensure that it is resolved in a timely manner, if possible, and if not, he'll tell you what he can or he can't do with your issue and suggest a course of action that may result in a resolution to your issue
Challenge for WL Council in 2010 include - Arts and Culture Function, Capital needs for 2010, RCMP Costs, keeping property taxes stable, renewal process of the City's OCP, finish the Spirit Square off
As for Council, I'll now individually review each Council member performance as some have performed better that others.
Councillors Tom Barr - he has done a excellent job so far and look forward to watching perform his job as Councillor for the upcoming year (2010). Councillor Tom Barr was missing in action in the fall this year, due to his wife, Kathy, being struck with cancer and then passing away so he had some family duties to perform, but he is now back and I'm looking forward to Councillor Barr chairing the budget process to lead towards the City's 2010 Budget
Councillor Surinder Rathor - as Council's senior most member, he has done an excellent job as well representing his constituents. I have approached him a couple of times on issues and he makes sure that they get resolved, no matter what. I look forward to his performance in 2010
Councillor Natalie Montoya - as one of Council's 2 youngest most members, she has done an excellent job representing her constituents. I have approached her a couple of times on issues and she makes sure that they get resolved. She asks appropriate questions and does her homework. I look forward to her performance in 2010
Councillor Geoff Bourdon - Overall, a good job in 1 year. Really approachable and find, when asked, he'll drive to resolve complaints in a timely fashion. Mistakes include not defended passionately the BIA's $3,000 for the annual "Street Party" during Grant in Aid 2010 Discussions. Councillors' Bourdon and Barr are Council's reps to the WL BIA. As noted earlier, Councillor Barr was away, due to personal issues, so Councillor Bourdon should have passionately defending the BIA's request for $3,000 for the annual Street Party before the Grant in Aid discussion went to the Joint Committee. I look forward to Councillor Bourdon's performance during 2010.
Councillor Sue Zacharias - Very quiet Councillor - like Jon Wolbers, doesn't feel a real need to step in unless it is her Portfolio or it is something she feels passionately about. Sometimes doesn't have all the facts straight. But overall, she is fairly competent at being a Councillor. Her experience as a former CRD Area 'D' Director helps her to do her job as a City of WL Councillor. My only complaint about her is that Councillor Zacharias has not returned any of my emails and doesn't even take the time to say - "I got your email/phone call and I'll discuss with you later or I'm working on the substance of the email/phone call you sent my way". Otherwise, I'm looking forward to her performance in 2010
Councillor Laurie Walters - Overall, has been fairly competent as a Councillor but she has made her share of mistakes. Those mistakes include:
* Attending the WL Community Arts Council AGM - as my readers' know, the Community Arts Council is under RCMP investigation for financial irregularities. Until that investigation is complete, Councillor Walters should have, for ethical reasons, steered clear of this group until that RCMP investigation is completed.
* Attempted to get the Central Cariboo Joint Committee to endorse "in-principle" the "Service Delivery Plan" for this Function before going out to the public with this document - I had a meeting with her a number of weeks ago and I strongly encouraged her, that while it is OK to be passionate about a subject or subjects, you can not just toss aside the public interest to get what you want. I hope that this is something she thinks about and does practice in 2010.
I look forward to her performance in 2010
Mayor Kerry Cook - On balance, she is a fairly competent Mayor, and she has done well with her "Coffee with the Mayor" sessions but she has made her shares of mistakes including:
* Public Hearing (StarCom Developments by Tera Ridge) - after the Public Hearing was adjourned, Council members including the Mayor met with the developer in Council Chambers with the public watching. In the eyes of the law, a major no-no. After a Public Hearing on a OCP or Zoning Amendment application, members of WL Council are prohibited by provincial law to discuss with members of the public & applicants on planning applications after a Public Hearing is held on the planning application in question
* Spirit Square - this is the person who campaigned on doing things differently on financial matters at City Hall. She encouraged Council to take $40,000 out of the City's "Rainy-Day" account and used it to finance a "routine" capital expenditure. The "Rainy-Day" account was designed to be used for "extraordinary" expenses like sinkholes in City streets.
* Conversion of the present Fire Hall for the Arts Community - again, a worthy project but the City is not into the "Developer" business. As this benefits one small group, the Community Arts Council should be made to put some of its' own money into this project and not have taxpayers' alone fund it. I've raised this with Mayor Cook but she seems not to be too interested in this point
* Hiring of the City's new CAO - again, I'm on public record, this is a job that should have been posted externally and not hire within. The CAO jobs for the District of Lake Country, Queen Charlotte Island, and many other local governments have done this for their CAO job and we should have done the same here.
* Meeting with Community Members - again, I'm told that she is an excellent listener, but unfortunately and I know some feel the same way here - Mayor Cook has failed to ensure follow-up. This is necessary, in my view, to ensure that the public feels that their issue(s) are being dealt with in a manner that is timely and to their satisfaction.
* Deputy Mayor - just after the 2008 Election and at the swearing in ceremony for the Williams Lake Council, Mayor Cook had Council appoint Councillor Surinderpal Rathor as the City's first Deputy Mayor. Unfortunately, there have been numerous times when she has failed to respect his appointment as Deputy Mayor. I've had numerous discussions with her on this subject and she has continuously failed to satisfy my concerns on this subject. If she truly wished to respect Council's appoint of Councillor Rathor as Deputy Mayor, she would pass a "Policy Statement" at a Council meeting which would state the "Presiding Officers List at Council or Committee of the Whole Meeting" would be as follows:
- Mayor (if available)
- Deputy Mayor (if Mayor isn't present and is available)
- Acting Mayor (if both Mayor and Deputy Mayor aren't available and the monthly Acting Mayor is present)
* In-Camera Meetings - Mayor Cook, as head of the City has consistently failed to ensure the public is notified of "In-Camera" or Closed Council Meetings before they occur. I should point out that if Council was discussing something in public but referred to In-Camera, then Council need not notify the public as it would be a "snap" In-Camera. These "snap" In-Camera very rarely occur. I've personally only seen one "snap In-Camera" called and that was last term (2005-2008) of WL Council
* Goals of 2008-2011 Council - Council has failed substantively to move of any of their goals and they need to demonstrate that they have and this must come from Mayor Cook, as head of the Council. One of the goals that they have is:
Create and implement an Arts and Culture Plan
Well, hard to have a comprehensive Arts and Culture Plan if you have a Plan for the City but local funding is sub-regional in nature. However, if you had an Arts and Culture Plan and Function working "hand-in-fist" together, then you would see an vibrant Arts and Culture community, given the Arts and Culture file is not limited to Williams Lake only
* Budget Process - Council agreed earlier this year to consult the public after the Corporate Business Plan for the upcoming year is approved. This is a mistake on Council's part and Council should be talking with the public, in a formal way, before Council indicates to Staff when the budgetary goals for the upcoming budget year are. I've let Mayor Cook know my feelings on this but has yet to do anything with it
* MOU between the City and the CRD - Council earlier this year agreed to ratify the MOU between the Regional District and the City, however 6 days later at a Joint Town Hall meeting between the CRD/City, the Regional District informed the public that they were in discussions with the City on the following, with regard to the MOU:
i) City of WL joining the CRD Planning Function (I believe that this is in the City's longer term interests for various reasons including environmental sustainability and can also benefit us if we need to have Staff positions backfilled for holidays, etc)
ii) City of WL joining forces with the CRD on Recycling - Again, I've blogged on this already but the City must be more proactive with the CRD to get Central Cariboo residents' to become more Recycle-friendly by making it more convenient for rural fringe residents to recycle their household waste.
iii) Invasive Plant Function - City of Quesnel now has a contractual arrangement into this Function and the CRD would like to offer the same to City of WL but only in the context of a full MOU.
The City would have been better off not signing the MOU until the above issues were resolved and then sign off on the MOU
If Mayor Cook wishes to remain Mayor for 2011-2014, she will have resolve the above plus demonstrate her willingness to ensure complainants are being addressed in a timely and adequate way otherwise her term as Mayor will be limited to one term
I wish all Councils in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and the CRD Board the very best in 2010.
I thought, in our area, I would do a little review around how I feel our local elected officials are doing so far and what the challenges that lie ahead for 2010
City of Quesnel:
The entire Council has done a "yeoman's" job so far. This is a example of how a Council & Staff should be working together for the betterment of a community. Mayor Sjostrom has done an excellent job at serving her community. She is constantly communicating with the public on what Council is doing and I know when she receives complaints, she ensures that they are dealt with in a timely fashion and ensures the complainant is happy with the result or with the course of action requested
Challenges include - containing police costs, keep property taxes at acceptable levels, funding of capital needs and the Multi-Center proposal.
District of 100 Mile House:
The entire Council is working really well together and the voters' of 100 Mile should be proud of their Council's performance so far. I know there was a complaint earlier this year about the round-up of ferral cats but sometimes it is hard for Council to please everyone on a touchy subject like this, so the best a Council can do on these items is listen to both sides, take Staff input into consideration along with each Council member's feelings/thoughts on the matter, make a decision and defend it the best way one can and move on.
Challenges include - looking into an aquatic center for the South Cariboo, controlling costs as much as possible so the property tax bill can be affordable for 100 Mile residents
Cariboo Regional District:
The majority of the Board Directors', along with CRD Staff, have done an excellent job representing their constituents so far and should be proud of the person they elected.
Challenges for the CRD include - 2010 Budget development and keep tax increases to a bare mininum, water and sewer projects, and smaller projects in individual Electoral Areas and capacity of CRD Staff to take on new projects as well as the Budget Development Process for 2011.
However, the Area 'F' Director, Duncan Barnett, continues from last term, to verbally lash out whenever an Board Agenda is not formatted to the way he likes or when a Board discussion is not going the way he wants or the Agenda making process is not the way he likes. If he were to try to the indirect approach whenever he finds he has a complaint before he gets to the Board meeting, either with the Board Chair (presently Area 'G' Director Al Richmond) or the Board CAO, Janis Bell, I believe he would be much further ahead
The Regional District has also started to publish its' Joint Committee Agendas. So far, the North Cariboo Joint Committee Agenda is now published online for the public, however this is not yet done in Central Cariboo or South Cariboo and I remain hopeful that this can be accomplished in 2010. As well, I'm hopeful that the CRD Board will ensure that the written publication of when the Board needs to going In-Camera (Closed Meeting) so the public knows beforehand. Such notice could be published, by way of written notice being published, right at the CRD Office.
City of Williams Lake:
City Staff are going a good job so far and have no complaints. I find that Brian Carruthers is very approachable, as the City's CAO, and I encourage you to approach him with any complaints. He will try to understand your problem and he'll work to ensure that it is resolved in a timely manner, if possible, and if not, he'll tell you what he can or he can't do with your issue and suggest a course of action that may result in a resolution to your issue
Challenge for WL Council in 2010 include - Arts and Culture Function, Capital needs for 2010, RCMP Costs, keeping property taxes stable, renewal process of the City's OCP, finish the Spirit Square off
As for Council, I'll now individually review each Council member performance as some have performed better that others.
Councillors Tom Barr - he has done a excellent job so far and look forward to watching perform his job as Councillor for the upcoming year (2010). Councillor Tom Barr was missing in action in the fall this year, due to his wife, Kathy, being struck with cancer and then passing away so he had some family duties to perform, but he is now back and I'm looking forward to Councillor Barr chairing the budget process to lead towards the City's 2010 Budget
Councillor Surinder Rathor - as Council's senior most member, he has done an excellent job as well representing his constituents. I have approached him a couple of times on issues and he makes sure that they get resolved, no matter what. I look forward to his performance in 2010
Councillor Natalie Montoya - as one of Council's 2 youngest most members, she has done an excellent job representing her constituents. I have approached her a couple of times on issues and she makes sure that they get resolved. She asks appropriate questions and does her homework. I look forward to her performance in 2010
Councillor Geoff Bourdon - Overall, a good job in 1 year. Really approachable and find, when asked, he'll drive to resolve complaints in a timely fashion. Mistakes include not defended passionately the BIA's $3,000 for the annual "Street Party" during Grant in Aid 2010 Discussions. Councillors' Bourdon and Barr are Council's reps to the WL BIA. As noted earlier, Councillor Barr was away, due to personal issues, so Councillor Bourdon should have passionately defending the BIA's request for $3,000 for the annual Street Party before the Grant in Aid discussion went to the Joint Committee. I look forward to Councillor Bourdon's performance during 2010.
Councillor Sue Zacharias - Very quiet Councillor - like Jon Wolbers, doesn't feel a real need to step in unless it is her Portfolio or it is something she feels passionately about. Sometimes doesn't have all the facts straight. But overall, she is fairly competent at being a Councillor. Her experience as a former CRD Area 'D' Director helps her to do her job as a City of WL Councillor. My only complaint about her is that Councillor Zacharias has not returned any of my emails and doesn't even take the time to say - "I got your email/phone call and I'll discuss with you later or I'm working on the substance of the email/phone call you sent my way". Otherwise, I'm looking forward to her performance in 2010
Councillor Laurie Walters - Overall, has been fairly competent as a Councillor but she has made her share of mistakes. Those mistakes include:
* Attending the WL Community Arts Council AGM - as my readers' know, the Community Arts Council is under RCMP investigation for financial irregularities. Until that investigation is complete, Councillor Walters should have, for ethical reasons, steered clear of this group until that RCMP investigation is completed.
* Attempted to get the Central Cariboo Joint Committee to endorse "in-principle" the "Service Delivery Plan" for this Function before going out to the public with this document - I had a meeting with her a number of weeks ago and I strongly encouraged her, that while it is OK to be passionate about a subject or subjects, you can not just toss aside the public interest to get what you want. I hope that this is something she thinks about and does practice in 2010.
I look forward to her performance in 2010
Mayor Kerry Cook - On balance, she is a fairly competent Mayor, and she has done well with her "Coffee with the Mayor" sessions but she has made her shares of mistakes including:
* Public Hearing (StarCom Developments by Tera Ridge) - after the Public Hearing was adjourned, Council members including the Mayor met with the developer in Council Chambers with the public watching. In the eyes of the law, a major no-no. After a Public Hearing on a OCP or Zoning Amendment application, members of WL Council are prohibited by provincial law to discuss with members of the public & applicants on planning applications after a Public Hearing is held on the planning application in question
* Spirit Square - this is the person who campaigned on doing things differently on financial matters at City Hall. She encouraged Council to take $40,000 out of the City's "Rainy-Day" account and used it to finance a "routine" capital expenditure. The "Rainy-Day" account was designed to be used for "extraordinary" expenses like sinkholes in City streets.
* Conversion of the present Fire Hall for the Arts Community - again, a worthy project but the City is not into the "Developer" business. As this benefits one small group, the Community Arts Council should be made to put some of its' own money into this project and not have taxpayers' alone fund it. I've raised this with Mayor Cook but she seems not to be too interested in this point
* Hiring of the City's new CAO - again, I'm on public record, this is a job that should have been posted externally and not hire within. The CAO jobs for the District of Lake Country, Queen Charlotte Island, and many other local governments have done this for their CAO job and we should have done the same here.
* Meeting with Community Members - again, I'm told that she is an excellent listener, but unfortunately and I know some feel the same way here - Mayor Cook has failed to ensure follow-up. This is necessary, in my view, to ensure that the public feels that their issue(s) are being dealt with in a manner that is timely and to their satisfaction.
* Deputy Mayor - just after the 2008 Election and at the swearing in ceremony for the Williams Lake Council, Mayor Cook had Council appoint Councillor Surinderpal Rathor as the City's first Deputy Mayor. Unfortunately, there have been numerous times when she has failed to respect his appointment as Deputy Mayor. I've had numerous discussions with her on this subject and she has continuously failed to satisfy my concerns on this subject. If she truly wished to respect Council's appoint of Councillor Rathor as Deputy Mayor, she would pass a "Policy Statement" at a Council meeting which would state the "Presiding Officers List at Council or Committee of the Whole Meeting" would be as follows:
- Mayor (if available)
- Deputy Mayor (if Mayor isn't present and is available)
- Acting Mayor (if both Mayor and Deputy Mayor aren't available and the monthly Acting Mayor is present)
* In-Camera Meetings - Mayor Cook, as head of the City has consistently failed to ensure the public is notified of "In-Camera" or Closed Council Meetings before they occur. I should point out that if Council was discussing something in public but referred to In-Camera, then Council need not notify the public as it would be a "snap" In-Camera. These "snap" In-Camera very rarely occur. I've personally only seen one "snap In-Camera" called and that was last term (2005-2008) of WL Council
* Goals of 2008-2011 Council - Council has failed substantively to move of any of their goals and they need to demonstrate that they have and this must come from Mayor Cook, as head of the Council. One of the goals that they have is:
Create and implement an Arts and Culture Plan
Well, hard to have a comprehensive Arts and Culture Plan if you have a Plan for the City but local funding is sub-regional in nature. However, if you had an Arts and Culture Plan and Function working "hand-in-fist" together, then you would see an vibrant Arts and Culture community, given the Arts and Culture file is not limited to Williams Lake only
* Budget Process - Council agreed earlier this year to consult the public after the Corporate Business Plan for the upcoming year is approved. This is a mistake on Council's part and Council should be talking with the public, in a formal way, before Council indicates to Staff when the budgetary goals for the upcoming budget year are. I've let Mayor Cook know my feelings on this but has yet to do anything with it
* MOU between the City and the CRD - Council earlier this year agreed to ratify the MOU between the Regional District and the City, however 6 days later at a Joint Town Hall meeting between the CRD/City, the Regional District informed the public that they were in discussions with the City on the following, with regard to the MOU:
i) City of WL joining the CRD Planning Function (I believe that this is in the City's longer term interests for various reasons including environmental sustainability and can also benefit us if we need to have Staff positions backfilled for holidays, etc)
ii) City of WL joining forces with the CRD on Recycling - Again, I've blogged on this already but the City must be more proactive with the CRD to get Central Cariboo residents' to become more Recycle-friendly by making it more convenient for rural fringe residents to recycle their household waste.
iii) Invasive Plant Function - City of Quesnel now has a contractual arrangement into this Function and the CRD would like to offer the same to City of WL but only in the context of a full MOU.
The City would have been better off not signing the MOU until the above issues were resolved and then sign off on the MOU
If Mayor Cook wishes to remain Mayor for 2011-2014, she will have resolve the above plus demonstrate her willingness to ensure complainants are being addressed in a timely and adequate way otherwise her term as Mayor will be limited to one term
I wish all Councils in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and the CRD Board the very best in 2010.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Finance Committee of the Legislature tables its' Recommendations on the 2010 Provincial Budget
Yesterday, the Finance & Government Services Committee of the BC Legislative Assembly tabled its' First Report (Recommendations on the 2010 Budget Consultation Paper)
You can find the Report here
You can find the Report here
Friday, November 13, 2009
Public Meeting on Service Delivery Plan for Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function
There will be a public meeting on the Service Delivery Plan for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function
Location - Council Chambers @ WL City Hall
Time - 7:00pm
Date - November 25th, 2009
I encourage you to read over the Service Delivery Plan for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function at either:
i) http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/
ii) http://www.williamslake.ca/
And bring your questions on this Plan to your elected officials
Location - Council Chambers @ WL City Hall
Time - 7:00pm
Date - November 25th, 2009
I encourage you to read over the Service Delivery Plan for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function at either:
i) http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/
ii) http://www.williamslake.ca/
And bring your questions on this Plan to your elected officials
Local Government Meetings in Cariboo-Chilcotin - Week of Nov 16-20
A number of local government meetings' will be occurring in the Cariboo-Chilcotin this upcoming week. See below for the links to the various Agendas/Reports for your local government:
City of Quesnel (meets in Committee of the Whole on Monday, Nov 16/09 @ 7:00pm in Quesnel Council Chambers'):
http://quesnel.fileprosite.com/contentengine/document.asp?id=3458
City of Williams Lake (meets on Tuesday, November 17th @ 7:30pm in WL Council Chambers):
http://williamslake.ihostez.com/contentengine/document.asp?id=7772
CRD Board of Directors' (meets on Friday, November 20th @ 9:30am in the CRD Boardroom):
http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/crddirectors/2009%20agendas/November/November%2020,%202009/agenda.htm
Also - the Central Cariboo Joint Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, November 18th @ 5:00pm in Committee Room #1 at WL City Hall
Agenda Items:
* Minutes
* Receive Action Page
* Report from City's Director of Recreation Services regarding Alkali Braves Hockey Tournament for end of November
* Feedback from Community Arts Council & Carl Johnson (Owner - Dollar Dollar Store) regarding Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function - Service Delivery Plan
Delegations (2):
i) Tom Salley & Carla Glessing from the Sustainability Committee - Sustainability Checklists
ii) Elizabeth Hutchinson, Victim Services Manager - Update on Victim Services Program
City of Quesnel (meets in Committee of the Whole on Monday, Nov 16/09 @ 7:00pm in Quesnel Council Chambers'):
http://quesnel.fileprosite.com/contentengine/document.asp?id=3458
City of Williams Lake (meets on Tuesday, November 17th @ 7:30pm in WL Council Chambers):
http://williamslake.ihostez.com/contentengine/document.asp?id=7772
CRD Board of Directors' (meets on Friday, November 20th @ 9:30am in the CRD Boardroom):
http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/crddirectors/2009%20agendas/November/November%2020,%202009/agenda.htm
Also - the Central Cariboo Joint Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, November 18th @ 5:00pm in Committee Room #1 at WL City Hall
Agenda Items:
* Minutes
* Receive Action Page
* Report from City's Director of Recreation Services regarding Alkali Braves Hockey Tournament for end of November
* Feedback from Community Arts Council & Carl Johnson (Owner - Dollar Dollar Store) regarding Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function - Service Delivery Plan
Delegations (2):
i) Tom Salley & Carla Glessing from the Sustainability Committee - Sustainability Checklists
ii) Elizabeth Hutchinson, Victim Services Manager - Update on Victim Services Program
Thursday, November 12, 2009
WL Timberwolves & Central Cariboo Joint Committee
Recently, the WL Timberwolves met with the Central Cariboo Joint Committee. Quoted hereunder is the press release following the meeting:
The Timber Wolves Hockey Club met recently with the Central Cariboo/City of Williams Lake Joint Committee to discuss challenges they are having in meeting their revenue targets and dates for paying ice rental and other user fees at the Complex. Despite their challenges, the Williams Lake Timberwolves Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club think they see the light at the end of the tunnel and have committed to have their accounts in good standing by the end of the year.
“Our ownership group was committed to keeping BCHL Hockey in Williams Lake and we knew it was going to be a tough haul to start out, even in the best economic conditions,” said Richard Kohlen, Governor and part Owner of the Club. “No sooner had we made the commitment to buy the team when global economic conditions really took a nose dive making our job even tougher.”
“Our Ownership group has made a commitment to the City and Cariboo Regional District that we are going to have all of our ducks in a row by the end of 2009,” said Kohlen. “We realize it’s vitally important to be a responsible corporate citizen and an active community citizen. This means actively contributing to the community, both on and off the ice.”
In addition to their financial pledge the Timberwolves have stepped up their community outreach efforts in recent weeks and hope those efforts, combined with a rapidly improving team, will translate to more people in the stands for home games.
City of Williams Lake Mayor, Kerry Cook, is extremely pleased by the Timberwolves commitment. “The City has committed from day one to provide an optimum atmosphere for a successful franchise. We believe we have provided the best opportunity we can for success and will continue to do so while encouraging the community to support hockey,” Mayor Cook said.
For more information please contact:
Geoff Paynton
Director of Community Services
City of Williams Lake
250-392-1786
Richard Kohlen
Owner/Governor
Williams Lake Timberwolves
250-398-8011
The Timber Wolves Hockey Club met recently with the Central Cariboo/City of Williams Lake Joint Committee to discuss challenges they are having in meeting their revenue targets and dates for paying ice rental and other user fees at the Complex. Despite their challenges, the Williams Lake Timberwolves Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club think they see the light at the end of the tunnel and have committed to have their accounts in good standing by the end of the year.
“Our ownership group was committed to keeping BCHL Hockey in Williams Lake and we knew it was going to be a tough haul to start out, even in the best economic conditions,” said Richard Kohlen, Governor and part Owner of the Club. “No sooner had we made the commitment to buy the team when global economic conditions really took a nose dive making our job even tougher.”
“Our Ownership group has made a commitment to the City and Cariboo Regional District that we are going to have all of our ducks in a row by the end of 2009,” said Kohlen. “We realize it’s vitally important to be a responsible corporate citizen and an active community citizen. This means actively contributing to the community, both on and off the ice.”
In addition to their financial pledge the Timberwolves have stepped up their community outreach efforts in recent weeks and hope those efforts, combined with a rapidly improving team, will translate to more people in the stands for home games.
City of Williams Lake Mayor, Kerry Cook, is extremely pleased by the Timberwolves commitment. “The City has committed from day one to provide an optimum atmosphere for a successful franchise. We believe we have provided the best opportunity we can for success and will continue to do so while encouraging the community to support hockey,” Mayor Cook said.
For more information please contact:
Geoff Paynton
Director of Community Services
City of Williams Lake
250-392-1786
Richard Kohlen
Owner/Governor
Williams Lake Timberwolves
250-398-8011
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