THE CURRENT | TNRD BOARD HIGHIGHTS

Highlights from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board of Directors’ Meeting of March 26, 2020


In Response to COVID-19 Board Meets Virtually

In recognition of the need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board met using tele-conferencing. The Board Chair, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Recording Secretary attended in person to manage the Board meeting.

This edition of The Current will include a more detailed account of the meeting due to public and media being unable to attend.

Chair’s Announcements

Chair Gillis started the virtual meeting with a special statement about the unprecedented times we find ourselves in during the COVID-19 pandemic and thanked Directors for attending the meeting virtually. He expressed his unwavering commitment to the health and safety of our citizens and to our employees that are working hard to maintain continuity in serving our residents.

He stated that the 2020 Southern Interior Local Government Association’s AGM and convention in Vernon scheduled from April 28 to May 1st has been cancelled and the Annual Conference and Trade Show of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities set for June will be dependent on how long this pandemic lasts. In addition, all Committees of the Board have been cancelled until further notice.

On a more positive note, Chair Gillis announced that all Thompson-Nicola Regional Libraries have expanded service to include 24/7 access to the Internet. Patrons and residents are now able to have remote access to our 13 library locations which is an important step to ensure that everyone across the Regional District has connectivity during this challenging time.

Delegations

KPMG’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

The Thompson-Nicola Board of Directors approved the 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements. KPMG was appointed to audit the financial statements and Brent Ashby, Partner in the Kamloops office, delivered the audit report via the teleconference to answer any questions from the Board.

Kamloops Music Collective

Kim Mangan, Executive Director of the Kamloops Music Collective wrote to the Board extending her sincere apologies for not being able to attend the meeting and tell the Board about the summer plans for the Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music. Her letter informed that they are working on contingency plans for the camp, in the event that Interior Health continues to limit large gatherings, and requested financial support in the amount of $2,500. Read the letter to the Board here.

Unfinished Business

Building Infraction Notices

The Board approved the filing of three notices pursuant to authority of s. 57 of the Community Charter:

  1. For an expired building permit against the title of Lot 45 District Lot 3367 Kamloops Division Yale District Plan 26024;
  2. For an accessory structure and an addition to the pre-existing manufactured home against the title of Lot 25 District Lot 1935 and 1939 Kamloops Division Yale District Plan 13137; and
  3. For the placement of a Manufactured Home and addition without a building permit in Electoral Area "A" - 1788 Old N against the Title of Lot 25 District Lot 1935 and 1939 Kamloops Division Yale District Plan 13137.

Adoption of Bylaws

The 2020-2024 TNRD Financial Plan was adopted (Financial Plan Bylaw No. 703). The average residential taxpayer in Kamloops will see an increase of $2.07 per household, while the average residential taxpayer in the rest of the Regional District will see changes ranging from a decrease of $9.93 (Village of Chase) to an increase of $10.72 (Village of Clinton). The overall tax requisition when taken in total is virtually unchanged from the previous year. Tax rates are not finalized until the more current Revised Roll is published by BC Assessment Authority. The plan will be made available for viewing at www.tnrd.ca.

Read the report here.

Development Applications

The Director of Development Services provided a report to the Board for a Zoning Amendment to Bylaw No. 2715. The owners of Strata lots A and B located at 3222 and 3224 Cahilty Place in Whitecroft have applied to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to subdivide the parcel into two fee simple parcels. Because the lots are not in an Official Community Plan but are wholly in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), this change necessitates a Zoning Bylaw amendment.

The Board approved second reading of the bylaw which will be taken to Public Hearing. Read the report here.

New Business

Several items were brought up as new business during the meeting, including:

  • A request from Director Rothenburger for an expanded edition of The Current and a discussion around using technology to hold virtual Board meetings in the future.
  • Director Rice brought up his concerns about the agricultural industry during the pandemic, along with suggestions about Electoral Area Gas Tax Funds being used for emerging COVID-19 issues.
  • CAO Diehl spoke to the Board about the recently introduced restrictions around household garbage at TNRD Eco-Depots and Transfer stations. He clarified that site attendants are not turning away public who bring their waste to dispose of, but rather the public is being encouraged to limit visits to our sites so we can monitor the situation from a public safety perspective in accordance with Worksafe BC requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Reports

ALC Application Recommended for Approval

An application for an exclusion from the Agricultural Land Reserve was recommended for approval to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC). This application would enable service commercial and auto salvage on property located south of Clinton at 6769 Highway 97 and is the second ALC application for this ALR property in the last year. If the ALC grants approval, a zoning bylaw amendment is required for compliance with Zoning Bylaw 2400. Read the report here.

Liquor Licence Amendments Recommended for Approval

The owner of Cariboo Monashee Heli-Ski Village Ltd. has applied to the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) and the TNRD for liquor licence amendments to extend hours of liquor service at two of their heli-ski resort locations, Silver Buckle Lounge and Albreda Lodge.

Based upon information provided in a report from the Director of Development Services, the Board recommended both amendments for approval to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. This would include a one hour extension until 2am for the Silver Buckle Lounge and a two hour extension until 2am for the Albreda Lodge. If the applications are approved, conditions will include Board commentary on the potential for additional noise, impact on the community, and a mail-out to neighbouring properties and referral to protective service agencies to gather community responses. Read the report here.

Housing Needs Reports Contract Award

The Board authorized the Chair and CAO to finalize negotiations and execute a contract valued at $143,000 with M’akola Development Services with Turner Drake & Partners Ltd. for consulting services to coordinate and deliver a Regional Housing Needs Assessment for Electoral Areas (except EA “O”) and the municipalities of Clinton, Cache Creek, Clearwater, Merritt, Logan Lake, and Sun Peaks. Read the report here.

Indigenous Skills Employment and Training Program

The Board received a report from the Chief Librarian and gave its support for the Library’s application to the Indigenous Skills Employment and Training Program for two summer student positions. Read the report here.

Complaint re: Bylaw Enforcement in 70 Mile House

The Board received a report from the Director of Development Services pertaining to BE 473 in 70 Mile House for information. Read the report here.

2019 Audited Financial Statements Approved

As recommended by the Audit Committee, the Board approved the 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements be submitted to the Inspector of Municipalities as required by the Community Charter and be made available for public inspection. Read the report here.

Federal Gas Tax Expenditures

The Board approved $130,000 from the Federal Gas Tax – Community Works Fund revenue for the Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Nicola Valley Rodeo grounds in Merritt. The contribution will be provided from the following Federal Gas Tax allocations:

  • Electoral Area “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – North) - $65,000.00; and
  • Electoral Area “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South) - $65,000.00.

Please note that The Current is not a substitute for the TNRD’s Board meeting minutes, found on our website: www.tnrd.ca