Adopts bylaw
qathet Regional District (qRD) board of directors has adopted a security issuing bylaw for the Lund fire hall.
At the January 27 regional board meeting, directors gave three readings and final adoption of the bylaw, which authorizes borrowing of $753,153 over a term of 30 years.
Proposal concurrence
The regional board will advise Telus Communications that qRD concurs with the proposal for a telecommunications facility to be located on the property at 14171 Highway 101, near Saltery Bay, subject to conditions.
The first is that access to the tower site be provided along the proposed gated alternative west access route. The second is that there be proof of a successful notice of intent application to the Agricultural Land Commission for the placement of fill or removal of soil, and finally, completion of a successful public consultation process.
Offered help
Submission of an application for the Lund Waterworks District to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for environmental quality will be made. BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs staff members are prepared to work with qRD staff and the receiver for the waterworks district over the coming months to explore different options to reduce the burden on ratepayers by reducing associated project costs for upgrades of the system.
Park expansion
Regional directors support in principle an expansion of Emily Lake Park on Texada Island, based on a map in the Texada Island official community plan, and that the board direct staff to contact the provincial ministry of forests, lands, natural resource operations and rural development to enquire about feasibility and options to use this crown land as a qRD park. The regional district has an existing 30-year lease for land around the park but is seeking the addition of more crown land to expand the park boundaries.
Hiring consultants
The regional board has voted to engage Eli Mina, board effectiveness consultant and registered parliamentarian, and George Cuff, consultant and author on the art and principles of governance and effective organizations, to each perform a new board orientation following the local government elections in October 2022. Cost for the consultants will be $15,500, plus travel expenses and books. Staff will be directed to include the cost in the 2022 operations budget.
Rebates offered
The regional district will offer rebates to first nations applicants on Tla’amin Nation community lands in the amount of $600 for the exchange of an uncertified wood stove to an EPA- or CSA-certified wood stove. There is an offer of $1,000 for the exchange of an uncertified wood stove for an EPA- or CSA-certified pellet-fuelled appliance or electric fireplace insert, and $1,500 for an electric heat pump, in the 2022 wood stove exchange program.
New park
The board supports in principle the establishment of a new regional park on Lasqueti Island that consists of the unused road allowance at the end of Spring Bay Road, subject to feasibility. The board will direct staff to contact the provincial ministry of transportation and infrastructure to ask about feasibility and options for use of this road allowance as a regional park.
Wants fund
A resolution will be sent by the board to be considered at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention. The resolution indicates that competition for limited community works funds allocated to regional districts is strong, and that water improvement districts have minimal options for grant funding to upgrade aging water systems, and costs to upgrade aging water systems would be borne by regional districts if water improvement districts dissolve. The resolution requested that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities ask the province for a one-time fund to bring all rural water systems operated by improvement districts into compliance with health regulations.
Growth strategy
The regional board will direct staff to bring forward cost estimates to engage with the province, the public, Tla’amin Nation, improvement districts and City of Powell River for the purpose of initiating a growth strategy for the entire regional community.
Money policy
Regional district staff will produce a report about the current policies for allocation for community works funds, with samples of how the funds are allocated in other regional districts, for discussion at a finance committee meeting.
