The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) held a regular Board Meeting of June 15. Here are thigh highlights from the meeting.
Gas Tax Money Approved for North Thompson Hall
The Board approved the expenditure to a maximum of $25,000, allocated to Electoral Area “O” (Lower North Thompson), in Federal Gas Tax - Community Works Fund revenues, to fund roof resurfacing and insulation upgrades at the North Thompson Valley Legion Hall.
Adjustment Made to Maple Mission Water System Fees
Thompson-Nicola Regional District Water Utility Rates Amendment Bylaw No 2621, 2017, was adopted by the Board. The bylaw adjusts the user fee rate currently being charged by the Maple Mission Community Water System as embodied in Bylaw 2507, 2015, retroactive to the beginning of 2017. This rate was increased to $125 per month effective January 1, 2017, via Bylaw 2589. Parcel taxes were also to increase by an additional $60 over the 2016 rate, to $180 per parcel per year. This change follows public consultation with the property owners in the service area. The change is part of an overall Utility Systems strategy to ensure that TNRD water system services are being managed efficiently, for as low a cost as possible, and also charged in a way that is fair and equitable.
New Invasive Plant Committee Struck
The Board voted to adopt Thompson- Nicola Invasive Plant Management Committee Bylaw No. 2622, 2017. The Bylaw establishes the Terms of Reference for the new Thompson-Nicola Invasive Plant Managed Committee (TNIPMC) and dissolves the existing TNRD Invasive Plant Committee. The TNIPMC will administer invasive plant management with the TNRD boundaries. The membership of the TNIPMC includes representatives from the major land managers in the TNRD as well as key organizations with invasive plant expertise. Funding for the program delivery of the TNIPMC will come primarily from provincial agencies and the TNRD Invasive Plant Control Service.
Board Approves Beer Garden for Blue River Community Park
The Lakes District Maintenance Inc. was given approval by the Board to host a beer garden at the Blue River Community Park at Eleanor Lake on Aug. 19, 2017. Because the park is owned by the TNRD, the approval comes with the following requirements: • LDM must meet or exceed all requirements of the TNRD’s Special Event Permit. • LDM must complete the Thompson Headwaters Park Use Application. • LDM must meet the Commercial General Liability requirements of $3,000,000, with the TNRD being identified as an additional insured. • The consumption of alcoholic beverages must be restricted to a specified area of the park, with a clearly marked perimeter and one controlled access point. • No glass containers are permitted to be served. • All garbage generated must be removed from the park by the Association.
Funds Allocated to Build Bridge in Herb Bilton Way Park
Based on a recommendation from the Thompson Headwaters Services, the Board approved the allocation of up to $75,000 from the 2017 Area “B” Community Parks capital budget to finance the construction of a pedestrian bridge within the Herb Bilton Way Park.
Development Survey Results Positive
The Board received a report from Development Services summarizing the customer-satisfaction surveys of the previous year. The surveys were initiated to better communicate with and seek input from customers who have been through the planning and building application process. The surveys indicated that our service was excellent or acceptable over 90 per cent of the time. Over this next year Development Services will try to address any weaknesses and areas for improvement.
Housekeeping Amendments Approved for Zoning Bylaw
After a public hearing, the Board of Directors adopted Zoning Bylaw 2400 Housekeeping Amendments Bylaw 2591, 2017.
The omnibus amendment, which updates and improves Zoning Bylaw 2400, covers a range of planning issues, including: general housekeeping; items in response to bylaw enforcement; concordance with B.C. legislation changes; temporary dwelling use; and proposed livestock and build-out limits for small acreages.
The next Regular Board Meeting will take place on Thursday, July 20, at 1:15 p.m.
