From the Bear Pit
Regional Council Meeting News
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February 27, 2023 Regional Hospital District Meeting |
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Overview of Northern Health 3-Year Capital Plan Outlook
To support the budget process of the Northern Rockies Regional Hospital District (NRRHD), an overview of Northern Health’s (NH) draft capital plan for the period 2023/24 to 2025/26 was discussed in light of current capital reserves and growing community support to purchase a CT Scanner for the Fort Nelson General Hospital.
Regional Hospital District Procedure Bylaw No. 79, 2023
The Northern Rockies Regional Hospital District Board established procedures to be followed for the conduct of their business, including the manner by which resolutions may be passed and bylaws adopted and to provide for advance public notice of board meetings. Council adopted the RHD Procedure Bylaw No. 79, 2023 as presented.
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Correspondence for Information
From: Nick Krizmanich, Capital Finance Coordinator
Re: Third Quarter 2022/23 Capital Status Reports
A letter was received from Nick Krizmanich regarding capital status reports for the third quarter of the 2022/23 year for the Building Integrity and Minor Capital Grant(s).
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February 27, 2023 Committee of Whole Meeting |
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Connectivity Update for Information
The NRRM has continued to engage with the CRTC and the Province in the interest of increasing access to affordable, high-speed Internet service to help ensure every community in the Northern Rockies has better access to jobs, education, training and health care. In doing so, efforts have been focused on working productively with telecom service providers, Indigenous communities and other levels of government with the intent to expand cell coverage along major transportation routes in the region. A summary of the proposed next steps to improve connectivity services is included in Figure 1 of the report linked below.
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NRRM OCP Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment (Agricultural to Commercial) for Discussion
On January 3, 2023, L&M Engineering Ltd. on behalf of the property owner, submitted an application for an OCP Amendment and a Zoning Amendment (Attachment 1). The application requested rezoning a portion of the subject property (located at the junction of Highway 77 and the Alaska Highway) through a split zoning provision to establish uses including oil and gas field supplies and services, storage area, and vehicle and pipeline repairs and maintenance. The application also proposes site-specific zoning to permit card lock fuel sales on the subject property.
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Tourism Action Committee Recommendation - Rainbow Lake Road Discussions for Discussion
Council agreed that the future meeting with the Mackenzie Regional Alliance regarding the concept of a road from Rainbow Lake would be open to the public, and all interested parties would be permitted to attend.
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February 27, 2023 Regional Council Meeting |
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Northern Lamplighters Activity Centre Request for Financial Assistance
Representatives from the Northern Lamplighters presented a request to Council for financial assistance of $26,851.00 to hire an Executive Director, who could take over the daily office work, apply for grants, run programs and complete administrative duties as required. No decision was made, discussion to take place at upcoming Budget Meetings.
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Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund
As part of the ongoing Town Square Complex Renewal Project, funding was identified to potentially cover a portion of the cost associated with accessibility and energy upgrades to some applicable publicly accessible spaces such as the Theatre, Library, Service BC, and Northern Health Clubhouse through the Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund (GICB) fund.
Council approved that a grant application to Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund be submitted for the Fort Nelson Community Amenity Facility Renovation Project with funding of up to 80% to a maximum of $2,999,999.
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Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Accessible Parking) No. 211, 2023
The purpose of the proposed zoning amendment is to revise the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, by adding requirements to include CSA B651-18 standards for accessible parking under Section 4.3.9 of the Bylaw.
Council recommended that First and Second Readings be given to Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Zoning Amendment (Accessible Parking) Bylaw No.211, 2023, and that a Public Hearing on the amendment be scheduled for 6:00 pm on March 27th, 2023.
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Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 212, 2023
Section 177(1) of the Community Charter authorizes Council, through the establishment of a bylaw, to provide for the borrowing of money that may be necessary to meet current lawful expenditures and pay amounts required to meet the municipality’s taxing obligations in relation to another local government or other public body.
This revenue anticipation borrowing bylaw is an annual requirement to satisfy our banking security requirements for a line of credit with CIBC. The NRRM has established borrowing with the municipality’s bank for an amount not exceeding $1,000,000. Borrowing under the authority of these annual bylaws has not been used in recent years as there are typically sufficient operating funds available until taxes are collected.
Council made a recommendation that the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 212, 2023 be given first, second and third readings.
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Correspondence for Information
From: Steven F. Kozuki, Executive Director, FESBC
Re: FESBC 2023 Accomplishments Update
A letter was received from Steven F. Kozuki outlining the two main kinds of actions local governments can take on climate change.
To: Minister Adrian Dix, Minister of Health
Re: Air Ambulance Resources in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
A letter from Mayor Fraser was sent to Minister Dix sharing his frustration in working to create sound, local solutions to the insurmountable challenge of geographic distance from care, and to mitigate the systemic challenges in emergency medical transport, with a complete lack of support and acceptance from the organization responsible for delivering the service in the Province where there are additional resources available, including local ad hoc service providers.
From: MLA Dan Davies to Minister Adrian Dix
Re: Medivac Services in the Northern Rockies
A letter from Dan Davies was sent to Minister Dix regarding the ongoing concerns of Medivac Services in the Northern Rockies. A discussion ensued and Council resolved to authorize staff to work with MLA Davies's office to request a meeting with the Ministry of Health and include the First Nation Communities of Fort Nelson and Prophet River.
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Mayor Fraser attended the Resource Municipalities Coalition meeting in Taylor, had a meeting with the BC Nurses Union, a CTV News interview, and a meeting on the Board of NDIT.
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A meeting with the Mackenzie Regional Alliance of Municipalities to discuss a potential road from Rainbow Lake has been scheduled for March 13, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. as a Committee of the Whole Meeting.
At the February 27, 2023 In-Camera Regular meeting Council rose and reported that Andrew Paton's application to the Northern Rockies Recruitment Retention Education and Training Incentive Program be approved in principle subject to confirmation of eligibility with the health employer.
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