Local Government Meetings in Cariboo-Chilcotin - Week of Dec 14 - 18

The following local governments are having meetings this week:

Monday, December 14th:

City of Quesnel (1st meeting of 2009/2010 term)

The link to the Agenda/Reports is here

Tuesday, December 15th:

City of Williams Lake

The link to the Agenda/Reports is here

Wednesday, December 16th - Friday, December 18th:

No meetings scheduled

There are no further local government meetings scheduled for the balance of December. Meetings to resume early in January 2010

Is Carole Taylor coming back into BC Politics...?

In a very interesting piece ... Alex Tsakumis (Vancouver-based blogger) thinks aloud of the possibility of Carole Taylor (former BC Finance Minister and MLA for Vancouver-Langara)running to become the next BC Liberal Party Leader

Check out the story here

Steve Rant - Mayor Cook & Councillor Zacharias (Lack of Ethical Conduct and Lack of Vision)

Yesterday, at the CRD Board meeting, the Board considered a letter from the BC Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, with regards to the Province's "Wood First Act"

However, Councillor Zacharias, as CRD Director for Williams Lake and given her association with United Concrete did not declare a conflict of interest on this matter

Now, it is true that there is no direct or indirect pecuniary (financial) interest in this case. However the ethical thing to have done is to withdraw from the meeting given that the letter was from the Concrete Sector and her company is in the concrete business. This is not a case of a rookie mistake. She was formerly the CRD Director for Electoral Area 'D' for 3 years (2005-2008) so she knows better. Hopefully she doesn't repeat this mistake again

Now, with regard to Mayor Cook, she is proposing the following changes:

CRD Director for Williams Lake - 2010:

That pursuant to the report of the Chief Administrative Officer dated December 11, 2009 and pursuant to Section 784 of the Local Government Act, Mayor Kerry Cook be appointed to the Cariboo Regional District as the City's Director for 2009/2010 and pursuant to Section 786 of the Local Government Act, Councillor Sue Zacharias be appointed as the City's Alternate Director and Councillor Surinderpal S. Rathor be appointed as the Second Alternate City Director to take the place of Mayor Kerry Cook and Councillor Sue Zacharias in their absence

Now, I can tell you that Mayor Cook has not bothered to observe 1 CRD Board meeting in all of 2009 and there are many things to learn including what you may and may not vote on - as Williams Lake is not a participant in all Functions so there are things we may not vote on. Also, changing the CRD Director for Williams Lake, at this time, is counter-productive to Board Relations and is, in my humble opinion, a step backwards

WL Council Portfolios for 2010:

Mayor Cook is recommending the following changes to Council Portfolios in 2010:

ADMINISTRATION - Mayor Kerry Cook

Corporate Organization
Cariboo Regional District
Policies, Bylaws and Records Management
Central Cariboo/City of Williams Lake Joint Committee (Co-Chair)
Northern Development Initiative Trust Regional Advisory Committee
Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition Board

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES - Councillor Surinderpal Rathor

Policing & Community Policing
Crime & Vandalism
First Nations Relations
Victim Services
Social Planning

FINANCIAL SERVICES - Councillor Tom Barr

Corporate Business Plan
Budget & Long Term Financial Planning
Risk Management
Purchasing
Tax & Collection
Information Technology
Fire Protection & Prevention
Emergency Operations & Planning

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Councillor Geoff Bourdon

Economic Development & Investment Opportunities
Tourism
Tournaments
Planning & Hosting
2010 Initiatives
Special Events

DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC WORKS - Councillor Sue Zacharias

Planning (Land Use and O.C.P.)
Engineering
Bylaw Enforcement & Business Services
Public Works & Utilities
Transit & Transportation
Garbage & Recycling
Fleet & Municipal Infrastructure
Communities in Bloom
Winter Lights
Airport

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENT - Councillor Natalie Montoya

Air Quality & Environment
Sustainability
Education and Advanced Education
Youth, Seniors & Women’s Issues
Health

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES - Councillor Laurie Walters

Parks & Recreation Programs
Heritage & Museum
Arts & Culture
Accessibility
Complex
Grants-in-Aid
Joint Use Agreement

It is a rule that the Mayor should not change Portfolio Chairs unless they are doing a horrible job at their Portfolio, which in this case, has not occured to date

I believe Mayor Cook is making a very bad strategic mistake by switching Councillors' Rathor and Zacharias Portfolios as they now have to be briefed on their new Portfolio activities. Also, I don't see any indication that Mayor Cook won't be changing Portfolio Chairs in 2010/2011.

Finally, given Mayor Cook's public indication during the 2008 Election that she would be chairing the "Crime" Portfolio, it would not be unfair to accuse her of hypocrisy here. If you make a public promise, you should stick to it or don't make it at all.

CRD Board Highlights - Dec 11/09

Present:

Directors Armstrong, Faust, Massier, Bischoff, Mazur, Barnett, Richmond, Dumaresq, Glassford, Bracewell, Mumford, Rattray, Sjostrom, Zacharias and Campsall

Absent:

Director Jay Vermette (District of Wells)

Staff Present:

Janis Bell – CAO
Rick Hodgson – Deputy CAO
Lynn Paterson – Chief Financial Officer
Alice Johnston – Corporate Officer

Meeting called to order at 9:45am by the CAO

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair for 2010:

Director Barnett declared a conflict due to possible litigation and left the meeting

Director Richmond nominated for Chair. The CAO called 3 times for nominations and hearing none, Director Al Richmond was declared Chair for 2010

Director Armstrong nominated for Vice-Chair. The CAO called 3 times for nominations and hearing none, Director Ted Armstrong was declared Vice-Chair for 2010

Chair Richmond assumed the Chair

Chair Richmond then read out a Year-End Statement reviewing successes with the Board during 2009

Director Barnett re-entered the meeting at 9:49am

Meeting Agenda adopted

Meeting Minutes of Nov 20th

Amendment to Nov 20th meeting minutes – Amendment agreed to
Minutes of November 20th, as amended, adopted

Memo of Business (Delegations) – MOB Received

Planning Bylaws for 1st and 2nd Reading

Bylaws #4553 and #4554 (Area ‘L’) – Deferred for up to 60 days
Bylaws #4560 and #4561 (Area ‘L’) – Deferred for up to 60 days

Planning Bylaws for 3rd Reading

Bylaws #4537 and 4538 (Area ‘L’) – Bylaws read a 3rd time
Bylaws #4544 and 4545 (Area ‘L’) – Bylaws read a 3rd time

Planning Bylaws for Adoption

Bylaws #4383 (Area ‘B’), 4428 (Area ‘G’), 4447 (Area ‘L’), 4448 (Area ‘L’), 4503 (Area ‘G’) – Bylaws adopted

Development Variance Permit Applications

DVP #443 (Area ‘G’) – DVP approved
DVP #’s 444-448 (Area ‘J’) – DVP’s deferred for 60 days

Agricultural Land Commission Applications:

ALC Application F246 (Area ‘F’) – Application be rejected for various reasons, including the Area ‘F’ Advisory Planning Commission’s recommendation to not support the application and therefore not be forwarded to the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission

ALC Application G267 (Area ‘G’) – Application referred to Staff/Applicant for further consideration.

ALC Application L090 (Area ‘L’) – Application deferred for 60 days, pending review by Area ‘L’ APC

Planning/Building Inspection/Bylaw Enforcement - Other Business

Recommendations pertaining to a Liquor (Primary License) application in Area ‘L’ endorsed

Permitting Process for Temporary Accommodations (Short Term Vacation Rentals) in the Interlakes Area OCP - Draft Bylaw be approved in principle and referred to agencies such as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Area ‘L’ Advisory Planning Commission

Director Barnett/Armstrong –

"That the above motion be referred back to Staff for further clarification" – Motion approved

Proposed Amendment to Planning Policy P3.4 (Deadline for Submission of Applications) – Policy, as amended, endorsed

Bill 27 Requirements for OCP Greenhouse Gas Reductions Targets, Policies and Actions – The Board agreed to set a measurable target of a 33% reduction in community Greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020, and an 80% reduction by 2050 from 2007 levels

Opposed: Directors Ted Armstrong and Jim Glassford

Director Barnett/Dumaresq -

"That a presentation on Bill 27 & Pacific Carbon Trust be scheduled for the Board ASAP and it be added to the Delegations Memo. of Business"

Meeting recessed at 11:24am
Meeting resumed at 11:37am

Building Stats Reports (CRD + Municipalities) for October 2009 – Reports received

7 “Notice on Titles” approved in Areas ‘B’, ‘D’, ‘G’, and ‘L’

Letter to CRD Chair from SAFERhome Standards Society – Letter received

Director Barnett/Mazur –

“That Staff report back on Provincially required Building Inspection” - Motion approved

Environmental Services

Proposed Water and Sewer Projects Reports – Report received
Refuse Site Inspection Report – Report received

Meeting recessed at 12:17pm
Meeting resumed at 1:03pm to go In-Camera (Sections 90(1a, i, j) of the Community Charter)
CRD Board resumed its’ open meeting at 1:43pm
Meeting recessed at 1:43pm and resumed at 1:47pm

In-Camera Resolution, with regard to Lac La Hache Fire Chief Resignation and appointment of new Lac La Hache Fire Chief, brought out of In-Camera and confirmed in open meeting

Director Barnett/Mumford –

“That the OCP/Zoning Bylaws be placed back upon the CRD Website immediately” – Motion passed

Community Services

Baker Creek Community Hall – Community Works Funding (Energy Efficiency Project and Enabling Agreement) – That the $2,800 for the project be approved from the 2010 Community Projects envelope of the Community Works Fund, that the appropriate signatories be authorized to enter into the necessary contribution agreement, and that the previously approved Grant for Assistance funding for this project be rescinded.

Protective Services:

9-1-1 Stats for November 2009 (North, Central and South Calling Exchanges) – Stats received

Proposal to expand 150 Mile Fire Protection Area – CRD Staff were authorized to petition residents within the proposed fire protection boundary expansion areas and proceed with the expansion if there is sufficient interest identified.

Request from 108 Volunteer Fire Department Equipment to leave Fire Protection Area for Olympics - Authorization was given for the 108 Mile VFD to deploy one engine and fire/rescue members to attend the Paralympic Games, as representatives of the Cariboo Regional District, with the stipulation that sufficient apparatus and manpower remain to provide fire suppression and first responder services within their fire protection boundary. Further, that the funds received specifically for “rental” of the truck be allocated to the Capital Reserve for future capital purchases

Emergency Social Services MOU – MOU endorsed

2009 Wildfire Season Report/Recommendations – Report from Director of Protective Services received and further that the Board rescind the appointment of Bobby Lloyd as the Cariboo Regional District ESS Director, and that a letter of appreciation be sent to Bobby Lloyd

Director Barnett/Bischoff –

“Staff asked to report back on PEP (Provincial Emergency Program) payments to CRD & Non-CRD Fire Departments” – Motion passed

Fire Chiefs Meeting Minutes of Oct 23-25, 2009 – Minutes received and Board endorsed a recommendation that the term of Fire Chief and Fire Department Member contracts, be changed from a two year term to a three year term commencing April 1, 2010

Finance:

CFO Report – Report received

Cheque Register for November 2009 – Cheque Register endorsed

Revised 2010 Business Plans – The following 2010 Business Plans were endorsed as amended:
1) Administrative Services (1003)
2) Central Cariboo Victim Services (1037)
3) Red Bluff Sewer (1775)

CRD 2010-2014 5 Year Financial Plan – Item deferred to end of meeting
Request to use Area ‘K’ Opportunity Fund – Request to use $150 for SPCA sign from Area ‘K’ Opportunity Fund endorsed

Administration:

BC Ready-mix Concrete Association (Concern about “Wood First” Policy) – Letter received

Release of In-Camera Item – The following In-Camera Resolution was confirmed in open meeting:

That the agenda item summary from Mitch J. Minchau, Manager of Environmental Services, dated October 9, 2009 regarding the requested contract rate increase by Lake Excavating for the Central Cariboo Transfer Station and Landfill Operation Contract, be received. Further, that the Cariboo Regional District extend the Central Cariboo Transfer Station and Landfill Operation Contract with Lake Excavating Ltd. until June 1, 2010 including a 5% rate increase

Request for Input from BC NDP Critics (Transportation and Infrastructure) – Letter received

Director Barnett/Mumford –

“That information be conveyed to Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure with a copy to BC NDP Transportation and Infrastructure Critics on need to include landscaping/fencing on Highway Improvements” – Motion passed

2010 Request to Hold Private Function on CRD Property – authorization was given to the Ministry of Forests and Range to utilize the player’s lounge at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre on February 19th and 20th, 2010.

Letter from City of Burnaby regarding PRIME (Police Records Information Management Environment) – Letter received

Administration Allocation Review - Proposed amendments to the administration charges policy were adopted as presented and that the changes are to be fully implemented in the 2010 financial plan

Request for Support of Mining Industry – Item received

2009/2010 Request to hold Private Functions on CRD Property - authorization was given to the 100 Mile Old Stars Hockey Club to utilize the player’s lounge at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre on December 26, 2009. Further, that authorization was given to the Old Cats Hockey Club to utilize the player’s lounge at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre on January 15, 16, and 17, 2010

BC Street Participation – Item received

Board Reports & Correspondence

Level 1 and 2 Corporate Priorities – Items received
Prioritization of Board Resolutions – Item received
Consent Calendar – Item received
Responses to Board Correspondence – Item received

Committee/Commission Minutes

Minutes were received and recommendations were endorsed from the following bodies:

• Nov 9th meeting of 108 Greenbelt Commission
• Nov 10th meeting of North Cariboo Joint Committee
• Nov 18th meeting of Central Cariboo Joint Committee
• Nov 19th meeting of CRD Finance/Budget Committee
• Dec 4th meeting of Central Cariboo Joint Committee
• Dec 7th meeting of South Cariboo Joint Committee
• Dec 8th meeting of North Cariboo Rural Caucus

Bylaws for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Readings:

Bylaws #’s: 4559, 4564, and 4565 of 2009 – Bylaws read 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time

Bylaws for Three Readings and Adoption:

Bylaw #4496(7), 2009 (CRD 2009 Financial Plan – Amendment Bylaw #7) – Bylaw, as amended, read 1st, 2nd, 3rd time and adopted

Bylaw #4562, 2009 (Central Cariboo Recreation Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw) – Bylaw read 1st, 2nd, 3rd time and was adopted

Bylaw #4563, 2009 (Red Bluff/Dragon Lake Sewer Management Amendment Bylaw) – Bylaw read 1st, 2nd, 3rd time and was adopted

Bylaw #4558, 2009 (South Cariboo Landfill Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw) – Bylaw read 1st, 2nd, 3rd time and was adopted

Bylaws for Adoption:

Bylaw #4549, 2009 (CRD Invasive Plant Management Service – Amendment Bylaw) – Bylaw adopted

Finance, cont.:

CRD 2010 5-Year Financial Plan – Plan, as amended, was endorsed for public consultation at 2010 CRD Town Hall Meetings (Electoral Areas & Joint Muncipal)

Directors’ Reports, Appointments and Notices of Motions

Directors’ made comments on activities occurring in their Electoral Area or Municipality

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 4:40pm

Thursday News Round-up

In your Williams Lake Tribune:

1) Fire destroys two Businesses at Strip Mall (corner of Midnight Drive and Western Ave) - more here

2) New WL Fire Hall operational Monday - more here

3) WL Council reveals its' 2010 Budget Targets to the public - more here

In the Vancouver Sun:

1) Homeless people have now won the right, in the Appeal Court of BC, to erect tent camps in muncipal parks, if local homeless shelters are full - more here

Outcome of Public Information Meeting - City of WL 2010 Budget Process

Present:

Mayor Kerry Cook
Councillors L.T Walters, S.J. Zacharias, G.W. Bourdon, T.C. Barr
Brian Carruthers – City of Williams Lake CAO
Darcy Lazzarin – General Manager of Corporate Services, City of WL
Geoff Goodall – General Manager of Planning & Operations, City of WL
Tom Chung – IT Manager, City of WL
4 Members of the Public
Members of the Media - WL Tribune, Cariboo Advisor and The Rush/Wolf Radio

Meeting started at 7:30pm

Mayor Cook gave opening comments and noted the presence and absence of City Councillors (City Councillors Natalie Montoya and Surinder Rathor both absent at this meeting as Councillor Montoya was busy and Councillor Rathor is vacationing in India)

The CAO gave a Powerpoint Presentation on the 2010 Budget Process:

• Reviewed Council actions in 2009 on their 10 Strategic Goals for the 2008-2011 Term
• Reviewed Council actions for 2010, in regard to Council Strategic Priorities for 2010 & 2011

Councillor Tom Barr (Council Finance Chair) reviewed 2010 Budget Preparation Targets:

• Property Tax Rates - 4 scenarios of status quo, increases of 2%, 3.5%, or 5%
• Utility Rates – 3 scenarios of status quo, increase of 25% in 2010 & 2011 or 50% in 2011
• Review of Major Capital Projects proposed in the City in 2010:

i) Renovations to Old Fire Hall – Arts Facility
ii) Traffic Signal Upgrade – 2nd Avenue and Oliver Street
iii) Reconstruction of Cameron Street and 3rd to 5th Avenues
iv) Pavement Management Plan
v) Mackenzie Avenue Rehabilitation
vi) Feasibility Study for Prosperity Ridge Traffic Access
vii) Preliminary Design for Woodland Drive – Water & Sewer
viii) Aquifer Assessment
ix) Phase 1 Twinning of River Valley Sewer Main

A Question and Answer Period ensued

Questions included:

• Property Tax Rates – review of rates in property classes
• Discussion around General Water & Sewer Infrastructure Projects in the City
• Lack of Stable Communications – Time of this Meeting
• RCMP Contract – Funding of Positions
• Water and Sewer Utility Rates – when deferring of increases to Water & Sewer Rates becomes impossible
• Mackenzie Avenue – remove industrial traffic to Highway 97 North, via Mackenzie Avenue Connector, in order to improve safety for pedestrians & car/light truck traffic
• Sustainability Plan and how it plays into Council Operations & 2010 Council Strategic Priorities
• Mackenzie Avenue Project – Decision on Referendum vs Alternate Approval Process (Counter-Petition)

Mayor Cook gave closing comments – Next meeting in February 2010 on City of WL 2010 Budget

Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm

Outcome of Friday December 4th Special Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting

Present from City of WL:

Mayor Cook (Committee Co-Chair), Councillors Walters, Barr, and Montoya

Present from CRD:

Directors Deb Bischoff (Committee Co-Chair), Steve Mazur and Duncan Barnett

City/CRD Staff Present:

Brian Carruthers - CAO, City of Williams Lake
Darron Campbell - Manager of Community Services, CRD
Janis Bell - CAO, CRD
Geoff Paynton - Director of Community Services, City of WL

Mayor Cook called the meeting to order at 4:06pm

Minutes:

By Consensus --

Minutes of the Joint Committee meeting of November 16th, 2009 be adopted

Business:

1) Memorandum from CRD Manager of Community Services re: Victim Services and 2010 Budget

The CRD Manager of Community Services presented his report to the Joint Committee and answered questions from Joint Committee members

By Consensus:

"That the memorandum dated Nov.27/09 from Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services regarding a report from the WL RCMP Detachment on the Victim Services section be received"

2) Memorandum from CRD Manager of Community Services re: Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan - Public Comments & Summary Report

The CRD Manager of Community Services presented his report to the Joint Committee and answered questions from Joint Committee members

Discussion ensued thereon

By Consensus:

"The Joint Committee requests from the Arts and Culture Steering Committee:

a) A revised 2010 Budget for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function

b) A proposed composition & terms of reference for an Arts and Culture Stakeholder Advisory Committee to advise on options for implementation of the Draft Arts and Culture Service Delivery Plan

3) Report from City of WL Director of Community Services re: Williams Lake Timberwolves Financial Update

The City of WL Director of Community Services presented his report to the Joint Committee

By Consensus:

"That the Joint Committee receive this report for information"