Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Quesnel Healthier Community Grant

Applications are now being taken for the Quesnel Healthier Community Grant - the deadline to apply is Friday, May 23rd at 4:30pm

A link to the application form is here

~SF

Pat Wahlstrom receives BC Community Achievement Award

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Pat Wahlstrom was one of 32 British Columbians honoured at the 11th annual British Columbia Community Achievement Awards’ ceremony held at Government House in Victoria yesterday.
“The British Columbia Community Achievement Awards recognize exceptional and passionate community leaders in our province,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “Thank you to Pat Wahlstrom for strengthening community arts and culture in the North Cariboo.”

Involved in the arts for 30 years in Quesnel, Pat Wahlstrom was the long-time coordinator for the Quesnel Art Gallery, a position that she undertook with enthusiasm and her can-do attitude. She oversaw all the details critical to the operation of a community organization that is known for excellence in Quesnel and throughout the arts and culture sector in British Columbia.

Lynette Cobb receives BC Community Achievement Award

Editor's Note - having known Lynette Cobb for a few years, she receiving the BC Community Achievement Award is well deserved.  Congrats, Lynette!!!

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Lynnette Cobb was one of 32 British Columbians honoured at the 11th annual British Columbia Community Achievement Awards’ ceremony held at Government House in Victoria yesterday.

“For years, Lynette Cobb has been a community leader and champion who has led by example,” said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett. “Thank you Lynnette, for your tireless dedication and service to Williams Lake in all of your many volunteer roles in community mental health.”

“The British Columbia Community Achievement Awards celebrate British Columbians who have made significant contributions to our communities and our province,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “Congratulations to Lynette Cobb, your passion and dedication to our community and region is exceptional.”

Lynnette Cobb has volunteered 48,600 hours in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association Crisis and Counselling Centre, Cariboo Chilcotin Branch. She has also volunteered over 3,000 hours for RCMP Victim Services. Lynnette was instrumental in the construction of Baker Manor, a supportive housing facility for people with disabilities. Lynnette’s actions help make her community a better place to live.

CCACS Arts/Culture Grants 2014

Joint Release of the City of Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional Board & Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Society:

The Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 CCACS Grants Program. Project grants were available for non-profit organizations or community groups in Williams Lake and the Central Cariboo (CRD Areas D, E, and F) to support and develop arts and culture within this region.

2014 CCACS Grant Recipients:

· 150 Mile House Greenbelt, Trail & Heritage Society - 150 Mile House Old Schoolhouse ($1,100)
· Arts on the Fly Festival Society (Horsefly) - Arts on the Fly Music and Dance Festival ($1,500)
· Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre - Summer Arts Camp ($2,000)
· Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association - 2nd Annual Country/Bluegrass Music Jamboree, McLeese Lake ($1,800)
· Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium - Cariboo Mountain Bike Film Festival ($1,200)
· Cedar Point Park Board/Cedar City Museum (Likely) - Museum Movies ($1,100)
· Community Arts Council of Williams Lake - Programming Assistance ($2,000)
· Horsefly River Roundtable - Horsefly River Salmon Festival ($2,000)
· Medieval Market Organizing Team - Medieval Market Entertainment ($1,500)
· Orange Shirt Day Committee - The Art of Reconciliation ($1,850)
· Scout Island Nature Centre - Art in Nature, Nature in Art ($1,500)
· Soda Creek Indian Band (Xatśūll First Nation) - Xatśūll First Nation Celebrates Aboriginal Day ($1,000)
· Station House Studio and Gallery Society - “My Williams Lake” Celebrating Williams Lake’s 85th Birthday Group Summer Show Artist Framing Subsidies ($2,000)
· Williams Lake Studio Theatre - Theatre BC 2014 Central Interior Zone (CIZ) Festival ($1,000)
· Williams Lake Writer’s Group - Cariboo Chilcotin Writer’s Gathering and Workshop ($415)
· Women's Contact Society - Williams Lake Children's Festival ($1,500)

For further information or for interviews please contact CCACS Coordinator Leah Selk at 778-412-9044 or email info@centralcaribooarts.com.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

WL Council Highlights - April 29th mtg

Present - Mayor Cook and Councillors Bonnell, Bourdon, Hughes, Rathor, Walters and Zacharias

Staff present:

Darrell Garceau - City Manager
Cindy Bouchard - Mgr of Legislative Services/Corporate Officer
Geoff Goodall - GM of Planning/Operations
Margaret Stewart - Director of Finance
Ken MacInnis - Communications Coordinator
Tom Chung - IT Mgr
Chris Hutton - Planner

Meeting called to order at 6:04pm
Meeting Agenda approved/Mins of April 8th Council meeting adopted

Delegations:


1) Chief Ann Louie of the Williams Lake Indian Band (T'exelc) appeared before Council to request Council to deal with an increase of First Nations racism as a result of 'New Prosperity' being rejected earlier this year.

At the request of Mayor Cook -- Council referred the written presentation by Chief Ann Louie to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion

2) Sharon Taylor & Jessica Knodel of the Social Planning Council - WL and Area - appeared before Council to discuss their activities

Resolved - That the presentation be received

Meeting recessed at 6:55pm for Public Hearing on Bylaw #2211
Meeting resumed at 7:13pm

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque listings for the periods ending April 10, 15 and 24, 2014

2) Council gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading to 2014-18 Financial Plan Bylaw 2209 by the following vote:

Affirmative - Mayor Cook & Councillors Bourdon, Walters and Zacharias
Negative - Councillors Bonnell, Hughes and Rathor

3) Council approved the following Development Permits or Development Variance Permits (DVP/DP):

a) DVP #4-2014 (Mary LeBlanc at 1707 Signal Point Rd)
b) DVP #5-2014 (Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre Association at 690 2nd Avenue North)
c) DVP #6-2014 (Dreams Build Homes Ltd at 1923 Boe Place)
d) DP #6-2013 (McDonalds - 1324 Broadway Avenue South)
e) DP #1-2014 (Can-Com Electronics Ltd - 20 Broadway Avenue North

4) Council approved the 2014/15 local Transit Annual Operating Agreement with BC Transit and the Lakers Go Bus Society

5) Council approved the disposition of part of the dedication of road dedicated on Plans 8753, 1544, 16279, all in District Lot 7045, Cariboo District and adjacent to 1148 Broadway Avenue South, in exchange for paving works over part of the remainder of the laneway, which part will remain vested in the City.

6) Council approved the installation of no parking signs on both sides of Dutch Point Road, subject to the approval of CN Rail and further Staff bring a report back to Council on the outstanding issues on Dutch Point Rd

7) Council received an application for DVP #7-2014 (WCD Holdings Ltd. - Utilities Servicing from "Underground" to "Overhead" - 800 Highway 97 North). The DVP will be formally considered at the May 27th meeting of WL City Council

8) Council received the application for a Development Permit from architect Wendy Rempel on behalf of WCD Holdings Ltd. for the development of a new automobile sales and service centre at 800 Highway 97 North, subject to receipt of a maintenance agreement with extended bonding to ensure establishment of the proposed landscaping. Staff were directed to distribute notification of the development permit application to the surrounding property owners within a 100 metre radius and comments and recommendations be brought back to Council for further consideration at the May 27th Council meeting

9) Council and the community was encouraged to attend the McDonald's Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Canadian Tire parking lot from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

10) Council gave approval for the annual KidSport Classic Run on June 22, 2014

11) After a public hearing held earlier in the meeting - Council gave 3rd Reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2211 (WCD Holdings Ltd - 800 Highway 97 North for new Ford dealership). The bylaw now goes to the Ministry of Transportation for approval, as per Section 52 of the Transportation Act

12) Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2208 by the following vote:

Affirmative - Mayor Cook & Councillors Bonnell, Bourdon, Rathor, Walters and Zacharias
Negative - Councillor Danica Hughes

13) Council proclaimed the month of May 2014 as "Hospice Palliative Care Awareness Month" in the City of Williams Lake

14) Council received for information In-Camera Report #2-2014 regarding Heritage/Accessibility Advisory Committees appointments for 2014. For the full list - read here

15) Council received the 'Council Information Package' as of April 29th as follows:

• April 2014 - Northern Development Initiative Trust April Newsletter;
• April 8, 2014 - Village of Lumby re concerns regarding recent amendments to Canada Postal System;
• April 17, 2014 - CRD Board Highlights;
• April 23, 2014 - NDIT Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet Region Spring 2014 Quarterly Update.

16) Council received a report of Mayor Kerry Cook regarding her activities for the period ending April 22nd

Councillor Hughes discussed with Council the City of WL's 85th Birthday activities on Saturday, May 3rd (all day)

Meeting adjourned at 9:27pm

Quesnel Council Highlights - Apr 29th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

2014 Financial bylaws
Council proceeded with the first three readings of Financial Bylaw No. 1736 of 2014 and the first three readings of Tax Rates Bylaw No. 1737 of 2014.
What this means to residents: The average residence (based on an average home assessed at $161,553), will see an increase of 2.5% to the municipal portion of their property tax bill; an increase of 4.4% to the Cariboo Regional District portion; and a decrease of -0.5% to the School Tax portion. The average residence will see an overall increase of $31.11 to their property tax bill, based on the average home assessment above.

Local government elections
Council appointed Gina Albers as the Chief Election Officer along with Maureen Murray as Deputy Chief Election Officer in order to conduct the 2014 Local Government Election in Quesnel in accordance with the Local Government Act.
Public input sought for new licence
Council will proceed with public input regarding the Liquor Primary Licence Application from Rev Bowling Lanes located at 452 Reid Street. The public consultation date has been set for Mon. June 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

City to make presentation on area based tenure conversion
Council approved the preparation of a presentation to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations regarding forest tenure conversions from volume based to area based. The reports with respect to this issue are available within the Agenda on the City’s website as noted.
The BC government is contemplating policy changes that would enable, on an invitation basis only, the conversion of some volume-based forest tenures to area-based forest tenures. The intent is to help address the issue of a declining timber supply in our area due to the mountain pine beetle.
Comments on the Ministry’s discussion paper are welcome from the public until noon, Fri. May 30 and can be submitted online at engage.gov.bc.ca/foresttenures, via email to Forest.Tenures@gov.bc.ca, or by fax to 250-387-6445. Residents are encouraged to submit their comments to the provincial government.

DVP for Johnston Meier building
     A Development Variance Permit\Development Permit Amendment was approved by Council for the new Johnston Meier building located at 199 St. Laurent.
     The variance amendment approved affects the number of on-site parking spaces, now permitting 17 parking spaces from the 22 required by bylaw. The permit changes were to the outer cladding of the building moving to materials that better suit the characteristics of the downtown core. The development permit allows for a two storey building with office spaces on the main floor and six apartment style dwellings on the second floor.

Other news
-          City’s website is now linked to the new Quesnel-Shiraoi Twinning Society’s website,www.shiraoihouse.com.
-          A technical error in Quesnel’s Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 1734 has been corrected and a public hearing date has been scheduled for Tues. May 27 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1735 will also be heard at the May 27 meeting.
-          City has been successful in their application to the Local Government Management Internship program. Intern will start on May 1 for one year. 

Important dates
August 24 - Prospector Car Club - Annual Show and Shine
July 18 to 20 - Quesnel Rodeo Club - Summer Rodeo
September 12 to 14 - Quesnel Rodeo Club - BC Rodeo Finals

Proclamations
May - Child Care Month

NEXT Regular Council Meeting:  Monday May 5, 7 p.m.
NEXT Delegation/Committee of the Whole Meeting:  Monday May 12, 7 p.m.

NEXT North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting: Tuesday May 13, 5:30 p.m.

Why Local Gov'ts Count

In his 1st post of 2014 on his personal blog - former Williams Lake CAO and now CAO of the District of Lake Country, Alberto DeFeo, talks about why this November's local government elections should matter to you, the voter.  He also has words of wisdom for potential candidates and why candidates should run for office and why they shouldn't and what candidates may be in for, should they be elected on Saturday, November 15th

Read more here

Monday, April 28, 2014

Day of Mourning for Workers...


At 11am - A "Day of Mourning for Workers" event will take place at Williams Lake City Hall.

~SF

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Quesnel Spring Cleanup 2014 - Wk of April 28th to May 2nd

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel website:

Click here for details.


If you cannot place your refuse and debris curbside or lane side, you must fill out a Waiver form to allow the City of Quesnel access to your property. You may drop off your completed waiver at Quesnel City Hall (410 Kinchant Street) or Public Works  (21 Johnston Bridge Loop). 

Friday, April 25, 2014

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of April 28-May 2nd

Both the Cities of Quesnel and Williams Lake Councils' as well as School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) will be meeting next week as follows:

Quesnel  - Regular Council meeting on Monday, April 28th at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* Approve 4 Recommendations from the COW Meeting of April 14th
* 1st Quarter 2014 Report from City Mgr B. Johnson
* OCP Amendments to allow Secondary Suites
* 3 Readings to Bylaws for 2014-18 Financial Plan/2014 Tax Rates
* DVP Application for 199 St Laurent Ave
* Appoint Chief/Deputy Chief Election Officers' for 2014 Civic Election
* Liquor Primary Licence Application for Rev Bowling Lanes
* Area Based Tenure Conversion Position Paper

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake:

Special Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, April 28th at 5:30pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom at WL City Hall (450 Mart St) to discuss 2014 City of WL Tax Rates.  Link to the Agenda is here

Regular Council meeting on Tuesday, April 29th at 6pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

Delegations - Chief Ann Louie, Williams Lake Indian Band & Sharon Taylor/Jessica Knodel, Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area

Business:

* 3 Readings to 2014-18 Five Yr Financial Plan Bylaw -- watch for Councillors Bonnell/Rathor to speak against the bylaw

* A number of DVP's or DP's to be considered for approval
* Approve Annual Transit Agreement with BC Transit
* Dutch Point Rd - Parking Restrictions
* Appointments to Accessiblity and Heritage Committees
* Mayor Cook reports out on her monthly activities

View the full Agenda here

Please note - a Public Hearing is to be held on Tuesday at 7pm for Zoning Amendment Bylaw #2211 of 2014 to authorize the new Lake City Ford dealership on Highway 97 North.  View the full Agenda here and the Public Hearing notice here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin): Regular Board of Education meeting at 6:30pm on Tuesday, April 29th in the SD #27 Boardroom (350 2nd Ave North - Williams Lake).

On the Agenda:

* Adopt Procedure Bylaw amendments
* Present 2014-15 Initial Budget
* Recommendation to discontinue 'Balanced Calendar' program at Cataline Elementary as of June 30th, 2014
* Annual Facilities Bylaw
* Student Trustee Policy

View the full Agenda here

Finally - two other items:

1) 2014 Utility Payments to the City of Williams Lake are due Monday at 4:30pm (either in full or arrangements for quarterly payments).  Failure will cost you an additional 10% late fee

2) Not doing anything Sunday - help out the local Cycling Club to repair the Fox Mountain Bike Trail. Read more here

Use of Gas Tax Funds - 2005-13

Yesterday - CBC Daybreak North looked at the use of the environment component of the Gas Tax Fund to fund road repair.  Former Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers says this is illegal while current Prince George Councillor Cameron Stolz says the amended rules now allow for Gas Tax Funds to be used for road repairs.  Listen to the Stolz vs Rogers debate here

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities or FCM has an online calculator to allow residents' to see how their local municipality has been use Gas Tax Funds from 2005 until today

For a look at the local municipalities of Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House…

District of Wells (Years 2006-2013):


Project Category
Money Spent
Percentage
Capacity Building
$4,957.00
0.69%
Community Energy Systems
$502,114
70.13%
Infrastructure
$59,514
8.31%
Waste Water (Sewer)
$34,727
4.85%
Water
$114,701
16.02%

Grand Total for Wells -- $716,033

City of Quesnel (Years 2006-2013):


Project Category
Money Spent
Percentage



Capacity Building
$5,000
0.04%
Infrastructure
$425,947
33.97%
Public Transit
$651,309
51.94%
Solid Waste
$167,000
13.32%
Water
$4,610
0.37%

Grand Total for Quesnel -- $1,253,866.00

City of Williams Lake (Years 2006-2013):

Project Category
Money Spent
Percentage
Capacity Building
$262,355
10.83%
Local Energy Systems
$271,106
11.2%
Infrastructure
$483,109
19.95%
Local Roads/Bridges
$223,200
9.22%
Public Transit
$536,773
22.17%
Solid Waste
$25,240
1.04%
Water/Sewer Projects
$571,573
25.59%

Grand Total for Williams Lake -- $2,421,571

District of 100 Mile House (Years 2006-2013):

Project Category
Money Spent
Percentage
Infrastructure
$125,988
33.25%
Waste Water
$252,933
66.75%

Grand Total for 100 Mile House -- $378,921

If you want to look up your municipality for individual projects funded by the Federal Gas Tax Fund - click here