Following are the council highlights from the June 21 District of Clearwater regular council meeting.
Future of Joint Services Committee
Jamie Vieria, deputy manager of the operations for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, made a presentation to council to provide information and answer questions they may have about changes to a number of TNRD committees, namely, the Joint Services Committee. The committee is between the DOC and TNRD and focuses on the Sportsplex and transit service, both owned by the DOC, but 40 per cent funded by the TNRD.
After a committees review, the TNRD proposed to dissolve the Joint Services Committee and replace it with service agreements for each service (Sportsplex and transit). In this model, the Area A director would attend council to provide updates or bring concerns to the table regarding the service agreements.
Community forest seeks DOC support
Manager of the Wells Gray Community Forest, George Brcko, attended council to ask for council support through a motion to submit a resolution at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities conference in September. A provincial policy to revise the tabular stumpage rates is being contemplated, and there is concern changes would mean the community forest would not be as successful.
The motion put before council asks the province to maintain the current rate structure to allow other community forests to thrive like the WGCF has. Council noted its importance and passed the motion.
Cell #1 Phase 2 project
Council voted to move into the Community and Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee of the Whole to discuss the cost of Phase 2 project for Cell #1 to address site improvements and sludge management, with remaining funds from the wastewater plant. During discussions, it was asked whether there would be opportunity to complete other projects at the same time to save costs in the long term.
John Thomas, chief executive officer, suggested staff consider what other projects could occur in the lagoon area, consulting with Chris Crowell, with TRUE consulting, and the list would be brought back to council. He reminded council that any extra projects would need time to plan, moving the projects to the 2023 budget.
Recruitment and retention of health care professionals
Council moved into a Parks, Recreation and Social Development Committee of the Whole to discuss streamlining and accessing budget funds for recruitment and retention of health care professionals. Councillor Shelley Sim provided an update on a few announcements made by the province to incentivize the health care industry, including contracts with a signing bonus and debt forgiveness. While positive, she noted, the announcement doesn’t say what communities will be a priority, and council should look at next steps in the budget for recruitment.
Thomas suggested looking into finding a way to streamline the decision-making process.
Mayor Merlin Blackwell noted that because council has already earmarked funds for recruitment and retention, decisions would not need to come back to council before execution to help make the process easier and faster for staff. The next step, said Thomas, would be for staff to prepare guidelines for how to implement processes and bring it back to the July meeting.
Disposal of assets policy
A change to the District’s purchasing policy updates how an asset is disposed, including recycling, repurposing and considering trade. After discussions about selling the District’s backhoe, staff was tasked with preparing an update policy. They brought that to council at the June 21 meeting, requesting council review the dollar threshold for the CAO’s authorization to dispose of an asset. The amount was $50,000.
After discussions, and agreement by the CAO, council opted to lower the threshold amount to $25,000. In the policy, the CAO has the authority to commit up to $100,000 to purchase a new asset.
Deployment of fire resources our of District
Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Smith attended the council meeting to discuss a policy guiding the deployment of municipal fire resources when requested by the province during fire season. There were many benefits noted, including members gaining experience, boosting morale and assisting the province. There were concerns, however, potential damage to equipment and coverage of Clearwater while members are away.
Smith noted members don’t have to go when asked, if there’s a shortage of equipment or personnel, and the policy was created to guide staff when the province asks for support. Equipment and resources could be tied up for up to two weeks, but could be just an overnight stint.
The new policy was adopted by council.
2021 Statement of Financial Information
Council passed a recommendation to accept the 2021 Statement of Financial Information, allowing both the mayor and director of finance to sign the approval and post for public information. The document reflects the financial operations of the District in 2021 and includes financial statements, schedule of renumeration and expenses for staff (above $75,000), mayor and council, as well as payment of grants or contributions paid.
Canada Day celebrations
Staff reached out to council, asking if any of them would like to hand out cupcakes or say a few words during the Canada Day celebrations that will be held at the Wells Gray Information Centre on July 1.
Councillors Lucy Taylor and Lynne Frizzle said they were happy to hand out cupcakes, while Blackwell said he’d attend in whatever form necessary. Coun. Sim suggested council order Love Where You Live aprons for the occasion.
It was noted that the District would not having a barbecue, but the event was in collaboration with the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre, who will have bannock and activities at the event.
Age-friendly communities grant
A grant application was approved by council seeking $14,820 to fund two projects to support seniors in the community. The first would support Saturday transportation to the farmer’s market, Elks Hall and/or other special events or activities and the other is a database collection of local resources available to senior and older populations. The data would be provided in a guidebook or online database. The projects were suggested by Yellowhead Community Services and the Wells Gray Country Seniors Society.
Grant applications for infrastructure upgrades
Council approved two recommendations to submit grant applications for infrastructure improvements in Clearwater. The first is for $112,000 to develop an integrated storm water management plan, and the second was an application for $2,700,000 for the Clearwater siphon replacement and gravity sewer project.
Noise bylaw amendment
An amendment was made to the noise bylaw to guide staff in issuing permits allowing “noise or sound created by extraordinary activity and/or construction projects which have been authorized to take place by the Public Works Manager or their designate.” A recent request for a 24-hour permit led staff to realize there was no guidance in the bylaw to issue one.
Coun. Taylor was concerned with the wording, noting the lack of an adjective to describe the construction projects could lead interpretation to allow any construction project. She suggest the word extraordinary be added to remedy this, which was accepted by council.
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