Highlights from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board of Directors’ Meeting of April 22, 2021
The TNRD Board of Directors held its regular Board Meeting in-person and via Zoom at the Valley First Lounge of the Sandman Centre in Kamloops with social distancing guidelines and safe meeting protocols in place. The meeting was live streamed on the TNRD’s Facebook page, view the recording here.
Delegation from Kamloops Amateur Radio Club
The Board received a presentation by Kamloops Amateur Radio Club (KARC) President Myles Bruns. Mr. Bruns gave an overview on KARC’s radio coverage of the TNRD and offered its support to provide broadband communications for communities within the regional district during emergencies. KARC members volunteer with Emergency Management BC to provide communication expertise during emergencies, and the club has been building out a high-speed amateur radio network throughout the region over the last five years with plans to expand the system.
Delegation from Ashcroft Slough Society
Gloria Mertens, the Interim Vice-President of the Ashcroft Slough Society, presented the Board with information on the status of the Ashcroft Slough from the community perspective. The society is an advocacy group representing the voice of those seeking access to the Ashcroft Slough and requested a letter of support from the Board to continue negotiating a solution for community access.
Board Approves Letter of Support to Restrict Commercial Traffic on Hwy 5A
The Board passed a motion to write a letter of support to restrict commercial truck traffic on Highway 5A. The decision was made following a request to the Board in December from Bob Price, spokesperson for Stump Lake Ranch, and a presentation by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in March regarding commercial traffic and safety on the highway.
First Nation Emergency Telephone System Contracts Approved
The TNRD will enter into agreements with twenty First Nation partners for emergency telephone system services. The Board Chair and Corporate Officer will execute the Emergency Telephone System agreements for the next five years, with the contracts expected to total approximately $156,288 in revenue contributions to the Enhanced 911 (E911) service. E911 is a mandated service for all Canadians which is the jurisdiction of the federal agencies of the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
Invasive Plant Control Contracts Awarded
A series of five-year contracts were awarded for invasive plant control work. The intent of the TNRD’s Invasive Plant program is to reduce impacts of invasive plants by limiting their spread and stopping new infestations while they are small in area.
Three separate Requests for Quotations were issued for the work in Clearwater, Kamloops, and Merritt.
The contracts were awarded for invasive plant control work on Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) right-of-ways and TNRD owned/controlled land as follows:
- Spectrum Resource Group Inc.: Invasive Plant Management Area 1 (Clearwater), for a maximum value of $225,000
- Spectrum Resource Group Inc.: Invasive Plant Management Area 2 (Kamloops), for a maximum value of $475,000
- High Mountain Ventures: Invasive Plant Management Area 3 (Merritt), for a maximum value of $250,000
The next Regular Board Meeting is on May 13, 2021 at 1:30 pm.
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