Monday, March 4, 2013

CRD Board Highlights - Mar 1st mtg

Editor's Note - I attended this meeting in my official capacity as Alternate Director for Area 'D'.  Also, find press release for the awarding of the Queen Diamond Jubilee award to CRD Chair (and Area 'G' Director) Al Richmond here.  Tomorrow - I'll explain my experience of my first meeting as an Alternate Director

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Williams Lake Fringe Area OCP

During today’s meeting, the CRD Board of Directors gave first and second reading of the new Williams Lake Fringe Area Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP will now be the subject of a comprehensive public consultation process before coming back to the Board for third reading. The proposed OCP along with maps and other materials will be available for viewing on the CRD website at cariboord.bc.ca this week.

No Gas Tax Funds for Mountview Water & Sewer

In 2011, the Cariboo Regional District submitted a second grant application the Gas Tax Services Fund for the proposed Mountview Water and Sewer system. During today’s Board meeting, the CRD discussed a recent letter from the Gas Tax Program Services, which informed the Regional District this second application to the Fund has also been denied. The CRD submitted the first application in 2010.

Northern Health Recruitment Strategy Success

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) received a recent news release from Northern Health which outlined the success NH has realized with the recruitment of Health Care professionals to the region. Northern Health has successfully recruited nearly a dozen Northern Medical Program (NMP) graduates to include in a total of 55 physicians since January 1, 2012 from around the province, country and world. Further information is available online at northernhealth.ca.        

CRD Partners with WLACL

The CRD Board of Directors authorized a pilot project for the Williams Lake Transfer Station in conjunction with the Williams Lake Association for Community Living (WLACL). The program will  employ developmentally challenged individuals to perform share shed duties, which involves regulating the activities of patrons in the type/condition of materials acceptable, directing reusable and waste items to designated areas, sorting and removing items and transporting industry stewardship products to industry depots in Williams Lake. Further information about the WLACL programs is available online at wlacl.org.              

Gibraltar Mine Update

Brian Battison, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Taseko Mines appeared before the Board to provide an update on the Gibraltar Mine expansion and operations and the proposed New Prosperity Project. Further information about both projects is available on their website at tasekomines.com.

Grant Approved for West Chilcotin Search and Rescue

The CRD approved a grant for assistance application from the West Chilcotin Search and Rescue Unit. A total of $5,000 will be allocated to the Unit to be used to assist with their operations in 2013.

100 Year Anniversary of Alexis Creek Red Cross

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District discussed the 100th Anniversary of the Alexis Creek Red Cross outpost hospital, which will be taking place in 2014. The Alexis Creek hospital was opened in 1914 and was built by community members on land donated by the local rancher. It was run by doctors until 1949 when the Canadian Red Cross took over its management.

Felker Homestead on CRD Heritage Register

The Regional District Board of Directors approved the addition of the Felker Homestead on the CRD’s Heritage Register. The CRD will notify the Minister responsible for Heritage Conservation, so that the property can be added to the provincial heritage registry.

Survey Says

The notes from the CRD’s 2013 budget consultation meetings have now been compiled. This year, the CRD is testing a pilot project which included three sub-regional consultation meetings in January/February and moved the traditional Town Hall meetings to September and October. This new process will engage residents at the beginning of the budgeting process in the fall in all 12 electoral areas and four municipalities within the region. Residents are also given an opportunity for further input after the provisional budgets are adopted and before the final budget is adopted at the end of March.

Residents were also requested to complete a survey about the session, recent experiences with the Regional District and the extent to which they understand the taxation process. The Board of Directors will now use this information to help make their final decisions on the budget prior to its adoption at the March 22 Board meeting. Full comments from the meetings and results from the surveys are available on the Board agenda at cariboord.bc.ca.

Interior Health Public Meeting

Mr. Norm Embree, Chair and Dr. Robert Halpenny, President and CEO from Interior Health (IH) presented an overview of the Interior Health services and projects within the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District. Part of the presentation focused on the need to manage future pressures on the financial aspects of health care. According to Dr. Halpenny the primary focus of Interior Health is currently based on Acute Care services, Investments in Cardiac Services, incentives for rural recruitment of health care professionals and capital investments. Further information about Interior Health is available online at interiorhealth.ca.           

Next CRD Board Meeting

Friday, March 22, 2013


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