100 Mile House's friendly, social & entertaining online news source!

CRD Board Highlights – February 12, 2010

Quesnel Health Services

Margaret Sadlon, Northern Health’s Quesnel Health Services Administrator, presented information on services and technology updates at GR Baker Memorial Hospital. She also discussed current health issues in the north Cariboo and programs they are working on for future service delivery. Further information is available online at www.northerhealth.ca

Update from MP Cathy McLeod

Thompson Cariboo MP, Cathy McLeod, presented the CRD Directors with an overview of current projects the federal government is working on within her riding and the economic stimulus package. McLeod also expressed her commitment to working with the Board to gather information concerning local economic issues and will be taking it back to Ottawa.

Community Works Funding for Kersley

Up to $25,000 of Community Works Funding was approved for energy efficiency improvements for the Kersley Community Association. The community plans to remove the existing insulation in the Community Hall’s ceiling and will replace it with spray foam insulation.

Board on the Road

Every year the Cariboo Regional District holds two of its regularly scheduled Board meetings in communities throughout the region. In 2010 Board meetings will be taking place in Area H in June and in Area A in September. The Board also approved the 2011 meetings which will take place in Area F in June and Area I in September 2011. Further information on the specific locations of the 2010 Board on the Road meetings will be available online in the near future.

Feasibility Funds

The Board gave authorization to a request by CRD Vice-Chair and Area A Director, Ted Armstrong to allocate $1,000 in rural feasibility funds. The funds will be used to investigate the opportunities to provide fire protection services in the Hydraulic and Gravelle Ferry Roads area.

CRD Supports FCM Resolution

In a response to a request from the City of Quesnel, the Cariboo Regional District will be providing a letter of support to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), for an Aeronautical Services Resolution which requests FCM be granted an appointment to the NAV Canada Board of Directors and Advisory Committee. This resolution is supported by a number of BC municipalities and regional districts and the Regional Community Airports Coalition of Canada.

Security Cameras for Rural Refuse Sites

The Cariboo Regional District staff have recently purchased and installed a number of cameras at refuse sites and transfer stations around the region as a result of ongoing incidents, including fires, and illegal dumping at the facilities.

Climate Change Update

Electoral Area E Director, Steve Mazur provided information on the Premier’s Climate Committee for Change and recommendations for the Cariboo. Some of the key elements included transportation, green energy, local food security, water reduction diversion and the movement towards a low Carbon Economy. Further information is available online at www.climateactionsecretariat.gov.bc.ca

NCLGA Executive Nominations

The Regional District received a letter from the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA), inviting the Cariboo Regional District Board to forward nominations for the 2010-2011 NCLGA Executive. 100 Mile House Director and Mayor, Mitch Campsall will be seeking re-election as the Cariboo Director. Elections take place every year during the NCLGA Annual conference and AGM. This year’s conference will be taking place May 5-7, in Smithers.

Local Government Elections Task Force

The CRD Board will provide written comments to the Local Government Elections Task Force to assist in the provincial review of local government election issues. The Local Government Elections Task Force is a joint, consensus-based group of provincial and Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) members. Topics to be considered include campaign finance, enforcement processes and outcomes, the role of the BC Chief Electoral Officer in local government elections and more.

Real Estate Foundation Funding

The Cariboo Regional District has accepted an offer from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to present a plan for ongoing assessments of Horsefly and Quesnel Lakes, at the May 20, 2010 Board meeting. In January 2008, the CRD applied to the BC Real Estate Foundation for an $8,700 grant to conduct a study to assess future residential land development on Horsefly and Quesnel Lakes as they have been identified as environmentally sensitive areas and critical fish habitat. The study was for the development and administration of a questionnaire, two community meetings (at Horsefly and at Likely), and a brochure specific to environmentally based land use decisions. As part of the funding agreement, all projects will be completed by March 31, 2010.

Support for South Cariboo Resort Owners

The Board resolved to support resort owners in their quest for relaxation of taxation as this industry has been extremely hard hit by steadily increasing taxation and the poor economic markets. In January, the South Cariboo Rural Caucus met with local resort owners to hear their concerns about the increase in property assessments and the expected impact on their tax bill and ultimately on their financial viability. The group has also met with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, the Honourable Kevin Falcon, who was made aware of the issue and their concerns for the future.

Declarations

Child Find BC Green Ribbon of Hope Month – May 2010

Next Board Meeting

March 5, 2010