EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMUNITY CAPACITY RESPONSE OPEN HOUSES

DATES FOR ELECTORAL AREA B:

Bouchie Lake / Milburn Lake / Baker Creek
February 1, 2012, 5-8 pm at the Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire Department

Dunkley / Strathnaver / Cinema / Ten Mile Lake / Moose Heights / Cottonwood / Barlow Creek:

February 5, 2012, 2:30 – 4:30 pm at Ten Mile Lake Volunteer Fire Department

Protective Services at the Cariboo Regional District will be hosting public meetings throughout the CRD to garner information and input from the public regarding each community and surrounding area.  The dates and times above are the 2 meetings being held specific to Electoral Area B. 

These meetings are not about creating individual evacuation plans for each community but rather will focus on the collection of information about each community so that if evacuations are ever required the CRD has the information needed to make informed decisions and contact key people for information and / or help in an emergency to address the needs specific to each community.

These meetings will be held in an open house format where people can come, ask questions, provide input and leave throughout the duration of the event.   All members of the community are welcome, and encouraged, to attend – anyone and everyone with local knowledge can help.

The type of information Protective Services is looking  to collect and /or share is as follows:

1)       Collect information from the local people about their communities such as:
·         resources,
·         hazards,
·         road accesses,
·         shops,
·         stores,
·         schools,
·         buildings,
·         resorts,
·         land uses,
·         recreation areas,
·         livestock,
·         equipment and operators available in area,
·         muster sites, etc.

2)      Answer questions  people may have about emergency planning, operations and recovery;

3)      Recruit people that may be interested in being volunteer emergency contacts (VEC’s) for their area;

4)      Survey people about communications and communicating during emergencies;

5)      Listen to and consider/address people’s ideas and concerns regarding emergencies; and

6)      Provide people with printed information about how to plan for emergencies, what to do if under evacuation alert and/or order, etc.

I will be in attendance at both the meetings scheduled for within Area B.  Hoping that many of the residents will be able to attend also.  For additional information, please contact me at 250.249.5329 or HDixon-Warren@cariboord.bc.ca or the Cariboo Regional District office.

CRD Board Highlights - January 20, 2012

Here are the highlight's from the CRD Board of Director's Meeting on January 20th.

Election of CRHD & CCRHD Chair and Vice‐Chair

The Cariboo Regional Hospital District (CRHD) and the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) elected their Chair and Vice Chair for 2012. Area C Director, John Massier was elected as Chair while Vice‐Chair duties will continue to be carried out by City of Quesnel Director and Mayor, Mary Sjostrom.

Nazko First Nation

Councillor Terrence Paul and Executive Director Mike McGee from the Nazko First Nation appeared before the Board to discuss their Economic Development Plan. The presentation focused on planning, forestry, mining, geothermal opportunities, and the need for a three-phase power system through the Nazko Territory. During the meeting, the Cariboo Regional District endorsed a resolution to support the Nazko First Nation three-phase power system proposal.

Special Projects Funds Authorized

The Board authorized Electoral Areas D, F, G, H and L to jointly contribute a maximum of $450 from their Special Projects funds. These funds will be used to assist the South Cariboo Sustainability Society and the South Cariboo Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre Society to bring in Richard Heinburg as a guest speaker to 100 Mile House on February 7th. Heinburg is a published author of ten books, and is regarded as an authority on the need to transition away from fossil fuels.

Community Works Funds for McLeese Lake

The McLeese Lake Recreation Society and the Cariboo Regional District will enter into a contribution agreement to provide the Society with up to $25,000 of Community Works funds to install a well system at the McLeese Lake Community Hall. The new well will allow the community hall to discontinue use of surface water in favour of well water, which will make it easier to control water quality and be at less risk of contamination.

Municipal Auditor General

The Cariboo Regional District Board received a report from the provincial government regarding the establishment of an Auditor General for local governments. Last summer, Premier Christy Clark announced that an Auditor General position would be created to provide “independent oversight” of local government operations to ensure public accountability. The Cariboo Regional District welcomes any constructive advice on opportunities to improve its service delivery methods.

Parkland Recreation Commission

The Cariboo Regional District will be entering into an agreement with School District 28 for an occupancy license for Parkland Elementary School. This agreement will allow the Parkland Recreation Commission to utilize a portion of the Parkland Elementary School as a Community Centre. Further information about the Parkland Recreation Commission is available online at http://web.me.com/normlivingstone/Parkland_Recreation_Commission/Welcome.html

Rural Roads

The Regional District will be sending a letter in support of the Barkerville Heritage Trust. The Trust is requesting the completion of the Purden Lake Connector Road as a circle tour and secondary emergency escape route.

Later in the meeting discussion was held about Young Road just west of Alexis Creek. Last year a portion of the road had been washed out during the freshet and to date, it has not been repaired. This road has been traditionally used as an emergency route when other roads in the area are impassable. In response to local residents’ requests, the CRD Board of Directors will be lobbying the provincial government to ensure this road is repaired and re-activated.

Upcoming Town Hall Meetings

Mon. Jan. 23 – Area I – 7pm – West Fraser Fire Hall
Wed. Jan. 25 – Williams Lake – 7pm – Council Chambers
Thurs. Jan. 26 – 100 Mile House – 7pm – Council Chambers
Thurs. Jan. 26 – Wells – 7pm – Council Chambers
Sat. Jan. 28 – Areas J & K – 1pm – Tatla Lake Comm. Hall
Mon. Jan. 30 – Area C – 7pm – Barlow Creek Fire Hall
Tues. Jan. 31 – Area D – 7pm – Wildwood Elementary
Wed. Feb. 1 – Quesnel – 7pm – Council Chambers
Sun. Feb. 5 – Area B – 1pm – Parkland Elementary
Mon. Feb. 6 – Area L – 7pm – Watch Lake Comm. Hall

 Declarations

International Development Week - February 5-11, 2012
Heritage Week – February 20-26, 2012

Next CRD Board Meeting
Friday, February 17, 2012 – 9:30 am

SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDS VS. DIRECTOR INITIATIVE FUNDS

There are two specific funds available for Directors of the Cariboo Regional District.  They are outlined in Section 5, Directors Policies, of the CRD Policy Manual.  These 2 funds are the "Special Project Funds" and the "Director Initiative Funds".

SPECIAL PROJECT FUND / SPF

Special project funds are discretionary funds to be used on a limited basis for projects that have broad benefit to an Electoral Area, that arise during the course of the year and that could not reasonably be foreseen far enough in advance to access the annual grant for assistance program.

Eligible projects may include:

• capital projects generally of an emergency or otherwise time-sensitive nature;
• operational expenditures of an emergency nature;
• special events that occur in response to the needs of an Electoral Area and that would provide a demonstrated benefit to the Electoral Area. Annual or recurring special events are not eligible for funding for more than year.

Ineligible Projects include:

• routine operational expenditures;
• capital projects that could reasonably have been submitted for consideration during the grant for assistance process;
• ongoing annual or recurring special events that could have been submitted for consideration during the grant for assistance process or that have received funding from the Cariboo Regional District on a previous occasion;

Directors may request a requisition in any fiscal year fro the SPF.  Funds may be accumulated from year to year provided that the annual allocation for the SPF does not exceed $5000.00.  Funds can only be expended with the approval of 2/3rd of the Board.

DIRECTOR INITIATIVE FUNDS / DIF

Director Initiative Funds / DIF are discretionary funds to be used on a limited basis for:

• the cost for a Director’s attendance at seminars/workshops associated with development as an elected official other than training offered by NCLGA and UBCM or specifically contained in the Board’s Electoral Area Administration budget;
• the cost for a Director to conduct meetings within their Electoral Area on topics of interest to their constituents provided those topics are not inconsistent with established Board policies or decisions;
• the cost of a Director’s additional travel outside of the region for special initiatives of importance to their electoral area. An example of such travel would be to meet with provincial or federal ministers with respect to an issue, provided that the matters is not contrary to established Board policies or decisions; and
• the cost of Long Service Recognition for CRD Commissioners including: (i) the purchase of a retirement gift as a long service award to members of CRD Commissions who have served a minimum of 5 years; (ii) hosting a luncheon or similar venue to present long service awards.

Ineligible projects include:

• attending general interest seminars, workshops or conferences unrelated to the business of the Cariboo Regional District;
• hosting special events such as community luncheons, dinners, barbeques, etc.;
• advertising, mail-outs or other media except as related to conducting a meeting approved in accordance with the above guidelines; and
• providing funds, gifts, or favours to third parties.

Directors may request a requisition in any fiscal year for the DIF.  Funds may be accumulated from year to year provided that the annual allocation for the DIF does not exceed $5000.00.  Funds can only be expended with the approval of 2/3rd of the Board.