PARKLAND BRUNCH WITH SANTA - SUNDAY, DEC. 11, 2012

On Sunday, December 11th I attended brunch at Parkland School hosted by the Parkland Recreation Commission and Parkland Community Association.  Parkland School is located approximately 15 km. north of Quesnel on Highway 97.  To access the school, turn onto Bjornson Road which is the next left after the access road to 10 Mile Lake Provincial Park.  Although, "Parkland" includes the communities of Moose Heights and 10 Mile Lake, the brunch was open to the public. 

Karla & Rob - friendly greeters at the door

Sign adjacent to Hwy. 97N.

Parkland Rec. Commission Members

Roberta Faust with Santa & Mrs. Claus

The brunch was held in the gym at Parkland School, from 10 am -  2 pm which was beautifully decorated.  A fantastic brunch was offered to all those who attended.  Admission was  by donation to the local food bank.  The Master of Ceremony was Roberta Faust, Past Director of Electoral Area B.  The food was prepared by Chow Now Foods.  Face painting was also an option with Kids Den Events.
At 10:45 am, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived much to the thrill, excitement and amusement of everyone present.  Many photos were taken with Santa... including one of the entire Parkland Recreation Commission.  What a fine group they are... all local & committed volunteers doing a wonderful job for their community.

Andy McGibbon, Parkland Rec. Commission Chair

In 2012, plans for the Parkland Recreation Commission include opening up a Community Centre in Parkland Elementary School using what are currently un-used classrooms.  Once formally approved in the 2012 Cariboo Regional District budget, this facility will be funded through North Cariboo Parks & Recreation & will increase the recreational opportunities for residents of the area.  The Parkland Recreation Commission is governed by Bylaw 4271.  The group is also working on establishing an equestrian facility and additional trails in the area (see below).  It is exciting and inspiring to see first hand what a committed and dedicated group of volunteers can offer to their community.  As the new Director for Electoral Area B, I look forward to working closely with this group & to hopefully assist them with aspiring to their goals!  Thanks Parkland!!!


EXTRACT FROM SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 MINUTES OF NORTH CARIBOO JOINT PLANNING COMMITTEE:

On September 20, 2011, Parkland Recreation Commission presented their plans to the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee. The following is an extract from the Minutes of that meeting.  The Minutes can be viewed at https://quesnel.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=22911

Parkland Recreation Commission
Andy McGibbon, Chairman and Norm Livingston of the Parkland Recreation Committee introduced themselves to the committee and reported on their submission and their request for funds for DL 6199, the north end of Ten Mile Lake known as Kosta’s Cove Park, under the umbrella of the CRD and managed by the Parkland Recreation Commission. The Commissioned polled the community to identify interests, wants and needs. Projects identified were: the enhancement at Kosta’s Cove Park, construction of equestrian grounds for local riders, further trail expansions and the establishment of a community centre at Parkland School. Accessible trail development in the Kosta’s Cove area are currently being completed from funding by Towns for Tomorrow.

Operating and Capital Budget requests were put forth as follows:

- Operating: Community Centre $23,120 and Parkland Recreation Commission $10,000; and

- Capital: Horse Riding/Multi-Use area $17,640 and further Trail Development $18,500 for a total request of $69,260.

The commission members noted that they have had 80 volunteers out to clean up the Kosta’s Cove Park and beach area. They noted that they are working on the agreement with the School District regarding using part of the Parkland Elementary School for a community centre. Joint Committee members thanked commission members for the report and the work that they are doing in the area, not just for local residents but the community as a whole. Commission members were reminded that they may need to look at a phased-in approach for their projects and that the community will need to prioritize their needs.

Committee members also requested that the Recreation Commission members work with staff regarding their requests for funding.

11-06-65 MOVED Director Faust, Seconded Director Glassford and resolved:

THAT the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee recommends to the CRD Board to approve, in principle, the Parkland Recreation Commission vision for the community plan as presented.

CARRIED

11-06-66 MOVED Director Massier, Seconded Director Faust and resolved:

THAT the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee recommends to the CRD Board that the Parkland Recreation Commission Plan be referred to staff to provide detailed budget costing and recommendations for the 2012 budget;

AND THAT the Parkland Recreation Commission be requested to work with staff.

CARRIED

Parkland Recreation Commission members announced that the trail project is currently being completed and there will be a grand opening in October.

ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS WANTED!

DO YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN LOCAL COMMUNITY PLANNING????

The Cariboo Regional District is currently accepting applications from interested individuals to sit on Advisory Planning Commissions (APC's) throughout the CRD.  APC's for Regional Districts are established through Section 898 of the Local Government Act (http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/LOC/freeside/--%20L%20--/Local%20Government%20Act%20RSBC%201996%20c.%20323/00_Act/96323_30.xml#section898).

The purpose of the APC is to be an advisory body that considers and reports on matters, such as rezoning and Agricultural Land Commission applications (http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/alr/application_process.htm), referred to it by the Regional Board.  Each Electoral Area within the CRD can have an APC.  APC members are selected by the applicable Electoral Area Director (for Area B... that would be me!) and are appointed by the CRD board.  APC members are to be appointed by February 17, 2012!

The principal objective of the APC is to represent the community viewpoint and to evaluate individual development proposals to determine whether or not they conform to community objectives.  The recommendations made by an APC should take account of background knowledge of how the community as a whole is developing and should develop in the future.

One of my tasks as the Director of Area B Electoral Area will be to select APC members and recommend them for appointment to the APC by the CRD board.  Based upon the Local Government Act, the APC is governed by a bylaw.  Bylaw 4714 is the bylaw governing APC's in the CRD.

As per Bylaw 4714, each APC shall consist of not less than 4 and not more than 10 appointed members, at least 2/3 of whom shall be residents of the electoral area.  Although members must serve without remuneration, they may be paid reasonable and necessary expenses that arise directly out of the performance of their duties.  Unlike a Recreation Commission, the board director is not eligible to be a member of an APC but may attend at a meeting of the commission in a resource capacity.  Minutes of all APC meetings must be kept and, on request, made available to the public.

Ideally, members of an APC should be a cross section of the community population so it is representative of the community the APC represents.  According to Section 2(d) of Bylaw 4714, APC members will be selected based upon the following criteria:

(i) geographically, socially and occupationally diverse mix of residents;
(ii) demonstrated community interest, availability, work experience, and knowledge; and
(iii) preference should be given to citzens residing in the Electoral Area of the PAC, with the exception of those with special expertise in the Electoral Area.

One of the first tasks once an APC is appointed will be to review the legislation governing the APC and understand community objectives.  Documents worth reviewing would be the Quesnel Fringe Area Offical Community Plan (OCP) (http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/Services/Planning/OCPs/QuesnelFringeOCP.aspx) and applicable land use bylaws (Bylaw 3504 - Quesnel Fringe Area Zoning Bylaw & 3505 - North Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Bylaw). 

If you, or you know someone, who might be interested in being a member of the APC for Electoral Area B, please let Rick Brundrige, Manager of Planning Services, at the CRD Office or myself know.  I can be contacted at DirectorAreaB@cariboord.bc.ca

NOTE: The Cariboo Regional District is NOW on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/caribooregion