CRD Board Highlights - July 13th mtg

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Funding for Kersley Community Association

Up to $7,000 of Community Works Funding was approved by the CRD Board for the Kersley Community Association. Funds will be used for the installation of a new 12 gallon electric water tank, replacing the 40 gallon gas-fired water tank, in the Kersley Arts Building. A new high-efficiency furnace will also be installed in the tractor room of the Kersley Arena.

UBCM Board of Directors

The Regional District agreed to nominate CRD Chair Al Richmond for the position of Third Vice-President on the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) 2012/2013 Executive. Elections will be held during the 2012 UBCM Convention in September. Having representation on the UBCM Executive ensures that the Cariboo Chilcotin has a provincial voice. This organization has served and represented the interests of local governments in BC since 1905.

Anahim Lake Airport Update

The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors and staff received an update about major improvements in progress at the Anahim Lake Airport. Grant funding was obtained by the CRD from the Province’s Towns for Tomorrow Program and the Northern Development Initiative Trust. The funding will be used for an extension of the runway and construction of a 1,200 square foot terminal building. Paving is scheduled to take place from July 17-20, 2012. Completion of the terminal building is slated for 2013.

CRD Supports Nina Lake (Cedar Creek) Dam

The Cariboo Regional District will be sending a letter to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations in support of the Likely Chamber of Commerce’s opposition to the proposed decommissioning of the Nina Lake (Cedar Creek) Dam if no one is willing to take liability for its maintenance. In 2011, the province classified this dam as “Very High Consequence”, meaning that a failure of this structure would risk damage or destruction of infrastructure and property, and could pose high risk to public safety. During the course of this study, the Ministry concluded to divest itself of the liabilities associated with the Nina Lake Dam structure and indicated there was no justification to retain responsibility for it.

Interior Health Update

Allison Ruault, Acute Health Service Administrator, Todd Mastel, Finance Liaison and Deb Runge, Acting Health Service Administrator from Interior Health presented an update to the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) Board. Information included an update on issues relating to Interior Health in the central Cariboo such as the staffing levels in the labs in 100 Mile House and Williams Lake, recruitment of medical technicians, nursing recruitment and the Diabetes Collaborative project. Further information about Interior Health is available online at interiorhealth.ca

Investment Readiness Continuum

During the CRD’s Special Board Meeting of June 27, Dean McKinley from the Northern Development Initiative Trust presented information about the new Invest Northwest web portal. The portal is designed to help promote investment and development to communities and regions throughout northern British Columbia. It will help promote service offerings from established industries and increase the overall economic development within the region. Further information is available online at investnorthwestbc.ca or northerndevelopment.bc.ca.

CTO Funding for Central Cariboo Projects

The Regional District’s application to the Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) grant program in the amount of $23,000 has been approved. On behalf of the McLeese Lake Recreation Society and the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, the CRD submitted the application to the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation for funding to install wheelchair accessible wilderness trail kiosks and a visitor information kiosk at McLeese Lake as well as an Arts and Culture Route in the central Cariboo.

MLA Update – Cariboo North

Bob Simpson, MLA from Cariboo North provided the CRD Board with an update about some of the current projects underway within the riding. MLA Simpson thanked the Regional District and municipalities for their presentation to the Timber Supply Committee and gave an overview of the highlights of the series of meetings that took place. Seniors and health care issues continue to be the predominant issues facing his office. He also spoke about the environmental reviews of the proposed Prosperity Mine and Spanish Mountain Gold Mine.

Next CRD Board Meeting – Friday, August 24, 2012

CRD Board endorses "in principle" SWMP

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The final draft of the Cariboo Regional District’s (CRD) Updated Solid Waste Management Plan was approved in principle last night during a Special CRD Board of Directors Meeting. The plan will now be presented to the North, Central and South Cariboo Joint Committees over the summer and early fall. Once consultation has occurred with the municipalities, the proposed plan will be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment for provincial endorsement.

Over the last two years the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, CRD staff and consultants have gathered information from regional residents in order to develop a comprehensive 10-year plan that includes access to recycling for all CRD residents, and a gradual 50 per cent diversion of solid waste by 2021, while maintaining an affordable system.

“A tremendous amount of work, research and consideration has been invested in this proposed Solid Waste Management Plan,” stated CRD Chair Al Richmond. “Thank you to the 24 volunteer committee members from across the region, and our Solid Waste Management staff for their countless hours of dedication to this project and bringing the plan to fruition.”

The proposed plan is comprised of three phases which will be spread over the 10-year lifetime of the Solid Waste Management Plan. Phase one calls for the conversion of nine of the Regions busiest transfer stations and landfills to controlled sites, with provisions for recycling facilities and improved services for over-sized items, metals and wood waste. The remaining rural communities will also gain access to recycling. Back yard composters are proposed to be sold at a discount to rural and municipal residents for a two to three year period depending on demand.

In Phase two, the establishment of Eco Depots in each of the CRD’s member municipalities (Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and Quesnel) would be undertaken. Windrow composting of yard, garden and veggie waste is also proposed to be trialed to determine feasibility.

The third and final phase would see a continuation of a number of initiatives such as improved public education campaigns, sorting of demolition and wood waste, and improved hauling efficiencies.

Further information about the Cariboo Regional District’s Solid Waste Management program is available online at cariboord.bc.ca or by calling the Environmental Services Department at 250-392-3351 or toll free 1-800-665-1636.

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of July 16-20

Three local governments will meet next week, as follows:

Wells - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 17th at 7:00pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Avenue)

Quesnel - Regular Meeting on Monday, July 16th at 7:00pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant Street).  View the Agenda here

Williams Lake - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 17th at 6:00pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart Street).  View the Agenda here

*** For those in Quesnel, don't forget that your 2012 Billy Barker Days start on Thursday, July 19th and wrap on Sunday, July 22nd.  More details here ***

Thapar censured for a third time...

In the ongoing saga between Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar and the rest of his Quesnel Council colleagues - Quesnel Council's Executive Committee consisting of Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and Councillors Ed Coleman & L-A Roodenburg in a report to Quesnel Council dated July 11th will recommend the following sanctions against Councillor Thapar at Quesnel Council's Monday meeting:

1) Censure Councillor Thapar for a unprecedented 3rd time in relation to his most recent comments involving recently dismissed Human Resource Advisor Muriel Wild

2) Removal of Councillor Thapar from all appointments and liaisons to Committees
3) Removal of Councillor Thapar from Acting Mayor rotation/Chair of Committee of the Whole
4) Requirement of Councillor Thapar to seek approval from Quesnel Council for any trip out of Quesnel representing the City officially or at any event

and...

5) Refer the issue of Councillor Thapar breaking his oath on more than one occasion and not maintaining a standard of conduct expected of an elected official to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Quesnel Council will also call for an In-Camera meeting between itself and Councillor Thapar to discuss his future role with the current Quesnel Municipal Council

My review of the above:

1) This is well deserved on Thapar's part.  He should know, by now, that there are statutory requirements relating to not discussing labour matters in public, especially when they are still In-Camera

Items 2,3, 4 - Self explanatory

Item 5 - I wonder if the Ministry will choose to get involved given the narrow class of requirements to disqualify an local elected official from holding office

Final Analysis:

The above 5 sanctions against Councillor Thapar will be approved by a 6-1 vote.  Also - don't hold your breath on Councillor Thapar attending that In-Camera meeting to discuss his future role with his Quesnel Council colleagues

Read the full report here

BC Conservatives' on NDP/Liberals Debt

Over the last number of days -- BC Conservative Regional Director (Kamloops) Alan Forseth has written on the subject of BC Liberal/BC NDP Debt which you can read here/here

With all due respect to my BC Conservative friends -- I ask:

To criticize the BC NDP & BC Liberal capital priorities is fine -- that is fair game! But I ask you if you believe in fiscal responsbilities, which capital projects would you shelve... that new hospital in New Westiminister or that new school in Williams Lake?? Instead of plain criticism, how about some real constructive criticism so the people of BC know which party to support for their capital investment plan that involves details so people can properly evaluate them and decide which party deserves their vote...


SBF

Industrial Property Tax Report released

Earlier this week - a complex report looking at the whole issue of business competitiveness and industrial municipal property taxation was released

The following was interesting --

Industry municipal property taxation is only an issue when a company's financial health is at stake or when re-investment in existing facilities is contemplated or where re-investment is contemplated where a company has multiple operations in multiple jurisdictions in BC


Read the full 83 page report here

Fire Protection coming to Two Mile Flat in Quesnel?

At the CRD Board meeting tomorrow - CRD Staff will ask the Board to authorize a process to see if residents' in the Two Mile Flat area in Quesnel desire a new Fire Protection Service.

If approved - CRD Staff would begin petitioning residents while the Board would grant 3 readings to the proposed Service Bylaw

Read the report and a map of the proposed Service Area here

Cariboo RD 2011 Audit Results

In a report to be received by the Cariboo Regional District Board tomorrow - Ron Rasmussen outlines some concerns he has

Specifically - Mr. Rasmussen has concerns with:

1) Billing concerns with Sewer/Water works
2) Cash receipts at Central Cariboo Transfer Station not going towards intended purpose
3) A person who has a cheque made out to him/her should not sign that same cheque
4) Implement a 'internal review' for invoices submitted by Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile for Recreation Services from the local Recreation Complexes

Read the full report here

Future of Grants-in-Aides in Area 'B'

Yesterday -- Cariboo Regional District Area 'B' Director Heloise Dixon-Warren asked her residents about the future of Grants-in-Aides.  The two options on the table are:

1) Area B residents should no longer be tax for Grants for Assistance and groups should be encouraged to apply for funds through the Quesnel Community Foundation; or


2) The Director of Area B should continue with the traditional Grants-for-Assistance program and develop a Grants for Assistance program specific for Area B.

You can read the full blog post here.  Director Dixon-Warren has done a good job here about the future of Grants-in-Aides for Area 'B' residents and I'd like to see all of the remaining 11 Cariboo RD Electoral Area Directors' do the same public policy discussion around Grants-in-Aides with their constituents

SBF

July edition of "Letter B" Newsletter out

Cariboo Regional District Area 'B' Director Heloise Dixon-Warren has released her July 'Letter B' Newsletter

Read it here

Quesnel community benefits from unique fundraiser

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

An innovative fundraiser involving Northern Strike Paintball and Quesnel City Council has resulted in a donation of more than $1,800 being made to Big Brothers Big Sisters Quesnel.

Members of Northern Strike and City Council raised pledges and took part in a fast-paced paintball game on June 9. One team was tasked with escorting Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom through the playing area, while the other team (including members of City Council) was on a mission to ambush the Mayor and her security detail.

"We know that Big Brothers Big Sisters Quesnel needs support, so we felt this would be a new way to raise funds for their organization," said Northern Strike Paintball President Peter Bond. "We thank Mayor and Council for participating, being such good sports, and learning a little more about the great sport of paintball. We're looking forward to making this an annual event to support different community organizations."

"This was certainly a unique idea, one that I was initially tentative about, given that everybody was going to be after me!" added Mayor Sjostrom. "But Big Brothers Big Sisters is such a good cause, I had to take part. It was a lot of fun and a great team-building exercise."

"We really appreciate the innovative fundraiser that Northern Strike Paintball devised, and Mayor and Council's active participation," said Cindy Lepetich, President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel. "This donation will help us continue to offer much-needed mentoring programs including Community/ Teen In-School Mentoring, Go Girls and Game On life skills sessions and Big Brother/Big Sister matches."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel is dedicated to helping children develop their full potential through friendships and mentoring programs.

This is not the first year Northern Strike has gotten involved with a community organization. Last year its members provided toys for the Salvation Army through another fundraising initiative. Bond also believes that this was the first paintball game of this nature to involve local government officials.

Expect interruptions on South Lakeside Dr.

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake will conduct excavations along South Lakeside Drive from Hodgson Road to the Seventh Day Evangelical School starting July 12, 2012. This work will be done during the day starting at 8:00 a.m. and will last for two days. The excavation work means there may be periodic disruptions in the traffic patterns and driveway entrances for a few hours each day.

This work is in addition to the water infrastructure replacement that is currently being done on South Lakeside Drive. These works are being done in preparation for rebuilding of South Lakeside Drive in 2013.

The City will endeavour to keep at least one lane of traffic open at all times on South Lakeside Drive, however for safety reasons there may be a need to stop traffic for short periods of time. All traffic detours or road closures will be directed by flag persons, so extra care will be needed by all vehicles using the road.

The City apologizes in advance for any inconveniences this project may cause to the motoring public and the property owners. For more information, please contact Kevin Goldfuss, Director of Municipal Services, at 250-392-1783 or via email at kgoldfuss@williamslake.ca

School Community Connections Program

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

For the 2012-13 school year, a total of $800,000 will be available through the School Community Connections (SCC) program for projects that expand the use of K-12 school space, including upgrades to Neighbourhood Learning Centres, Education Minister George Abbott announced today.

The goal of the SCC program is to actively encourage boards of education and local governments to work with community partners to increase the use of schools to provide community services. During this round of funding, school districts, in partnership with local governments, can submit applications for one or more projects – totalling no more than $12,500. Projects can include, but are not limited to:

· Co-location of community organizations, offices, services or other activities.
· Space for early learning, child care or after-school care programs and family resource centres.
· Community kitchens or gardens.
· Space for intergenerational programs or services for seniors.
· Installation and/or renovation of doors, locks and entry systems that allow greater community access to school facilities.
· Upgrades or renovations to school athletic fields, recreational facilities and/or playgrounds to increase use by sports organizations and the community at large.

Launched in 2005, through a one-time $10-million grant from the Ministry of Education, the SCC program is managed jointly by the Union of BC Municipalities and the BC School Trustees Association. The 2012-13 school year is the final year of the SCC program.

Hon. George Abbott, BC Minister of Education says –

“The SCC program supports greater use of school facilities and Neighbourhood Learning Centres for the benefit of students and families in communities throughout British Columbia. SCC has successfully achieved its goal of bringing schools and the communities they serve closer together and the legacy of the fund will continue for years to come.”

Quick Facts:

· To date, 363 completed projects have received funding through the School Community Connections Program.
· Fifty-nine school districts and their communities have benefited from SCC funding since 2005.
· Neighbourhood Learning Centres are places where people of all ages can access education, community services, recreation and culture.

Learn More:

School Community Connections Program: www.schoolconnections.ca
Neighbourhood Learning Centres: www.neighbourhoodlearningcentres.gov.bc.ca
BC’s Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

Local Gov't Mtgs - Week of July 9-13

3 Local Governments are meeting next week as follows:

Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, July 10th at 6:00pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (WL City Hall basement).  View the Agenda here

Editor's Note - please be advised, contrary to a report from Alan Madrigga on raised concerns from the local Conservation Society over changes to the Fisheries Act - Bill C-38 is not being studied by a House of Commons Committee but in fact is law as it received Royal Assent on Friday, June 29th after a 49-31 vote by the Canadian Senate to give 3rd and Final Reading to Bill C-38

100 Mile House - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 10th at 7:00pm in 100 Mile Council Chambers (385 Birch Ave).  View the Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District - Special Board Meeting (Proposed Solid Waste Management Plan) on Thursday, July 12th at 5:45pm in the CRD Boardroom (180 North 3rd Avenue - across 7/11 in Williams Lake).  View the Agenda here

Mayor Cook speaks at Special Timber Committee

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

City of Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook made a presentation to the Provincial Special Committee on Timber Supply July 5. The Committee was in the city gathering input as part of its role to examine and make recommendations to address an estimated loss of mid-term timber supply.

Mayor Cook’s comments outlined the City’s recommendation that the Province develop a mitigation strategy and plan which recognizes that:

• Mitigation strategy development must be open to community stakeholders, be fact based, and encourage elements of certainty, not foster economic crisis and instability by propagating speculation and rumour.
• Timber supply mitigation must be developed specific to the timber supply area, as each area is unique.
• Mitigation plans have to consider other users of the provincial land base.
• The plan must be based on principles of sustainability (social, economic and environment) and should consider the long term; not sacrificing future community health.
• The Province must adequately resource both the development and implementation of timber mitigation strategies so that forest resources can continue to benefit our community and the province well into the future.

“Provincial resources have to be prioritized and expedited to address timber supply issues. Our local stakeholders have to be an active part of the process to determine how we will maintain a sustainable timber supply,” Mayor Cook says. “We need certainty about what opportunities our forest resource will provide. Our families, companies, and communities can plan and adapt if we know what the sustainable harvest level is going to be.”

Quesnel's new CAO Contract released

On her website "QuesnelNews.Com" - Pat Morton has published the available details surrounding Byron Johnson's new contract as the City Manager of Quesnel.  It should be noted that it is not often that you see the substantial portion of a CAO (City Manager) contract. This information came by way of a Freedom of Information request initiated by Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar

Major points in Mr. Johnson's contract include:

* Base Salary of $140,000 with boosts to $150,000 by August 1st, 2013 upon successful performance reviews
* Relocation Loan of $50,000 (to be paid back at an interest rate equal to Bank Prime.  Royal Bank of Canada reports its' Prime Rate at 3%)
* Relocation Allowance of $10,000 (if Mr. Johnson is terminated before August 1st, 2014, he must pay it back)
* Signing Bonus of $10,000

It would be fair to suggest that the contents of this contract are similiar to (but not precisely to) what current Williams Lake CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) Brian Carruthers has in his contract with Williams Lake City Council as its' CAO

Read the full details here

Muriel Wild Speaks Out

Last Friday (June 29th) - the Quesnel Cariboo Observer covered the story of recently dismissed City of Quesnel Human Resource Advisor Muriel Wild and the comments from Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar who didn't mince words by calling his colleagues frickin' idiots', a 'Yes Mama' Council and morons

I wonder if Quesnel Council will resort to the only real discipline tool left to discipline Councillor Thapar over his comments on Ms. Wild -- take away his Council stipend as he has already received two 'Censure Motions'. Or they could also restrict his ability to travel on Council Business or take away all of his Council responsibilities as other discipline options

Read the article here

WL Council HIghlights - July 3rd mtg

Present: Mayor Cook and Councillors Bonnell, Hughes, Rathor and Walters

Absent: Councillors Geoff Bourdon and Sue Zacharias

Staff Present:

Pat Higgins - Acting CAO/Director of Finance
Tom Chung - IT Manager
Lilliana Dragowska - Planner
Cindy Walters - Planning Clerk
Joe Engelberts - Manager of Water/Waste
Ken MacInnis - Communications Coordinator

Meeting called to order at 6:04pm

Agenda approved with 1 late item (verbal report from Councillor Rathor on 2012 WL Stampede)

Minutes of June 19th (Regular) and June 28th (Special) Council Meetings approved

Delegations/Presentations:

 1) Darrell Orosz from the Cariboo Fire Centre gave an update on the 2012 Forest Fire season

2) Tammy Keetch gave an update on the Wood Stove Exchange Program
3) Mayor Cook presented CRD Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff with a 'Community Spirit' Award for 'Science World' at Thompson Rivers' University

Business:

1) Council received the accounts payable computer cheque listings for the periods ending June 21 and 28, 2012

2) Council requested the Minister of Community Services (Hon Ida Chong) to confer the power to the Council for the City of Williams Lake, pursuant to Section 315.3 of the Local Government Act, to write off unpaid property taxes, plus applicable penalties and interest, for 3 properties

3) Council received seven items identified by the Auditor as it relates to the 2011 Budget Year End and requested that the Auditor provide these items in the form of an addendum to the original 2011 Auditor's management letter and Staff were directed to bring back a report to Council outlining options to address the identified items.

4) Council received the Williams Lake Central Business Improvement Area's proposal for the Chuck Wagon Concession to set up on Community Corner as a year-round food vendor and the WLCBIA will be advised that the City currently has no concerns with the operation of such a business on the Partnership site.

5) Council approved the 2012 Mobile Vendors Pilot Project as proposed for Courthouse Square, Kiwanis Park, Boitanio Park and Herb Gardner Park and authorized Staff to advertise for mobile vendor participation in the pilot project. Council also authorized the proposed Selection Committee to select and place mobile vendors in the designated sites around downtown Williams Lake for the 2012 season

6) Council authorized Staff to increase the 2012 Water Budget by an additional $30,000 from the Water Utility Fund to ensure that there is adequate funding to complete the Variable Frequency Drive assembly for the #4 Well located at Scout Island.

7) Council gave two readings to Zoning Amendment Bylaw #2162, 2012 (Dove Real Estate Ltd - 12 Lakeview Ave). Public Hearing for this bylaw will be held on August 21st, 2012

8) Council appointed Mayor Cook to make a presentation to the BC Special Committee on Timber Supply on Thursday, July 5th outlining recommendations related to mitigating future timber supply issues

9) Council reconfirmed the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex' Alcohol Consumption Policy and all CMRC User Groups will be advised that the Policy will be strictly enforced immediately.

10) Council approved 3 Committee of the Whole Recommendations as follows:

a) Council approve the amendment to Council Policy No. 22, Bank Signing Authority, to allow for electronic signatures to be used on cheques issued in the amount of $2,000 or less - Councillor Rathor was opposed

b) Council directed Staff to begin development of an Accessible Parking Bylaw following the model from SPARC BC as contained in their September 2009 Accessible Community Bylaws Guide

c) Council directed Staff to pursue the request from the BC Ambulance Service for rental of office space at the Williams Lake Fire Hall

11) Council referred a letter from the Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Society regarding changes in Bill C-38 to the Fisheries Act to Staff for a report back to Council

Editor's Note - interesting that Mayor Cook and Councillors Bonnell/Rathor profess that they know nothing about the changes to the Fisheries Act proposed in Bill C-38. This when Bill C-38 was hotly debated for the last couple of months... as my readers' may know already - Bill C-38 become law, by royal assent, last Friday

12) Council received/endorsed all recommendations contained in the minutes from the June 27th Central Cariboo/City of WL Joint Committee meeting

13) Council ratified two In-Camera motions as follows:

a) That pursuant to the report of the Striking Committee dated June 14, 2012, Council appoint Barbara Doedel to the Accessibility Advisory Committee to fill the vacant position of “Service Provider” for the balance of the 2012 term.


b) That the Cariboo Regional District and Provincial Government be advised that Williams Lake City Council supports a continuation of the current agreements to provide Williams Lake rural fringe fire protection.


Editor's Note - Councillor Rathor, on Item 'B', failed to chose his words carefully when he suggested that the press release from the Cariboo Regional District of last Friday was not truthful. I profoundly regret he chose to do this and sincerely wish he could found a different way to express his opinion on the issue of Rural Fire Protection without resorting to calling CRD Directors Bischoff, Kemp and Sorley as 'liars'... :(

14) Council received the 'Council Information Package' of July 3rd as follows:

June 13, 2012 - Letter from Town Taxi re Request to Passenger Transportation Board for Taxi Rate Increase
June 14 & 15, 2012 - CRD Board Highlights;
June 19, 2012 - CCACS News Release re Canada Day Celebrations in Boitanio Park;
June 25, 2012 - CFIB Release re BC Property Tax Report 2012;
June 20, 2012 - UBCM Member Release re Presentation to Expert Panel on Business Taxation;
June 21, 2012 - City of North Vancouver re Shark Fin Harvesting;
June 22, 2012 - Minister of State for Multiculturalism re 2012 Provincial Nesika Awards;
June 27, 2012 - CRD/City News Release re Cariboo Mountain Biking on Sea-to-Sky Hwy Billboard Sign.

Council also asked Staff to bring forward a report on the items from the CFIB and UBCM concerning business taxation

Editor's Note - I agree with Councillor Bonnell when he said 'what's the point of asking Staff to report on these items'. To deal effectively with business taxation, there is one solution - spend less money, but I don't expect that to occur with this Council

Councillor Rathor gave a brief summary of how the 2012 WL Stampede turned out

Council adjourned at 7:38pm and reconvened In-Camera under Section 90(1)(a) of the Community Charter

WL Council Attendance Performance

Over the long weekend - I was asked by one commentor what the absence record of members of Williams Lake City Council was like

Period of December 1st, 2011 to present:

Mayor Cook has missed 0 Council meetings' to date

Councillor Bonnell has missed 3 Council Meetings (Feb 7th, 21st and June 28th)

Councillor Bourdon has missed 4 Council Meetings (Feb 21st, March 20th, May 8th and June 5th, 2012)

Councillor Hughes has missed 0 Council Meetings to date

Councillor Rathor has missed 0 Council Meetings to date

Councillor Walters has missed 3 Council Meetings (Dec 20th, 2011 and March 20th & June 28th, 2012 )

Councillor Zacharias has missed 0 Council Meetings to date

WL Council Business - July 3rd meeting

Your Williams Lake City Council will meet tonight to consider the following items:

(Editor's Note - Full Agenda here) 

1) Council to seek Victoria's permission to write off property taxes for 3 properties in the City - read here

2) At the June 19th "In-Camera Meeting", Geoff Goodall (Acting CAO) reported to Council that the Auditor for the City of Williams Lake wished to bring to Council's attention seven items.  Staff are recommending that the Auditor present these items in an addendum to the 2011 Audited Financial Statements, at which point, Staff can advise Council as to how to address the items of concern.  Read Mr. Goodall's "IN-Camera" report here.  Curious that this item is being presented without the City's CAO present.  Also curious that this is being brought forward "after" the approved 2011 Audited Financial Statements and not at the time the Audited Financial Statements were brought forward for approval by WL City Council...

The items that the Auditor (PMT Accounting) are concerned with:

a) Sign-off of CAO Travel Claim by Director of Finance.  Auditor recommends sign off to be done by Chair of General Governance Committee (presently Councillor Geoff Bourdon).  The present practice could be seen as a problem as Director of Finance is signing off on her boss claim and this practice could be open to issues, given Director of Finance reports directly to her boss, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

b) Soliciting gifts from vendors.  Auditors' recommend this discontinue immediately.  Myself - I'm surprised this is an issue.  Council itself has rules, as per the Community Charter, around how gifts are to be received and how to report.  Perhaps rules need to be brought in for Staff as well

c) Handling of Staff complaints, whistle blower policy or something else - again, surprised there is nothing on the books.  I'm sure Council will want to get on this right away.  Surrey Mayor brought in a "whistle blower" policy as part of her 2008 Election Campaign

d) Practice with regards to documenting the yearly contractor application process - again, without knowing background, I'm sure it's just a thing of reminding Staff about doing the paperwork required...

e) Informing Staff and Mayor and Council re: existing corporate policy - again, no brainer. This is usually done at beginning of new term or when new hires are brought in...

f) Audit process - it will be interesting to see why the Auditor has raised this as a concern....

g) Mail for Council - from what I've been told, there is historical precedent for this going back to former Williams Lake Mayor Ray Woods where he didn't bring a letter to Council's attention when it was address to him as Mayor of Williams Lake and had implications for all of Council. Perhaps a good written policy around how mail addressed to the Mayor should be brought to attention of Council...

3) Mobile Vendor Pilot Program - read here.  Pleased to see this and I'm sure it'll be a success story for the downtown area

4) BIA asks for permission to have chuckwagon concession on its' site.  Read here.  Staff recommend their request be approved

5) 2 family home re-zoning application by Stampeder Hotel - read here
6) WL Council appoints Mayor to speak to Special Timber Review Committee on Thursday - read here
7) Electronic Signatures on City Cheques for amounts of $2,000 or less - read here.  Councillor Rathor informs me that he will vigorously oppose this item tonight at Council as he feels that this will take away accountability for all cheques issued by the City, regardless of the amount