From the Bear Pit
Regional Council Meeting News
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November 8, 2021 Regional Council Meetings
Caribou Recovery Program Update
The BC Caribou Recovery Program is seeking input from stakeholders, interest groups and the citizens of BC regarding five-year approval for continuing predator reduction to support the recovery of caribou, recommencing in winter 2021-2022.

A letter will be sent to the BC Caribou Recovery Program outlining the views of Council around the Province's approach to caribou recovery and predator management and advocating for further engagement with First Nations and regional stakeholders. The NRRM will also complete the BC Caribou Recovery Program's online feedback form and reach out to other community stakeholders regarding the survey. Click the survey link below by November 15 to add your input.
Fort Nelson Snowmobile Club Updates
The Fort Nelson Snowmobile Club made a presentation to Council at the April 12, 2021 Council Meeting to highlight the Club's Successes and challenges in past seasons. Council requested a report outlining any municipal assistance or commitments occurring in the past and this report provides a summary of these activities and financial contributions.

The NRRM will continue to support the Snowmobile Club by providing assistance in identifying grant opportunities and supporting the preparation of applications, as well as encouraging application to the annual Discretionary Grant-in-Aid program. Staff will also continue to provide technical assistance wherever possible.
Poundkeeping Services Contract Amendment
response to community concerns regarding the loss of animal shelter services, Regional Council
resolved to halt the euthanizing of animals impounded longer then 72 hours.

The poundkeeping contract is being amended, at no additional cost, to include the public drop-off of lost/unwanted animals and the coordination of the adoption or sale of pets impounded longer than a 72-hour period. Concerns were expressed about the lack of a cap on the $25/day boarding fees and options for animals that are not suitable for adoption i.e. feral, with staff directed to discuss solutions with the pound operator. Staff will also investigate further solutions to the issues raised, and next steps within sixty days.
Environmental Advisory Committee Created
An advisory committee with a focus on environmentalism would create a platform for those with an interest, passion and/or expertise in the subject to share information, troubleshoot challenges and strategize solutions. Operating similarly to the Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC), an Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) has the potential to advance initiatives by eliciting community feedback and prompting public engagement. Council expressed the hope that the committee would include some youth members as

Environmental Advisory Committee member positions will be advertised, with the number of members to be determined.
First Quarter 2022 Grant-in-Aid Requests Approved
The NRRM Discretionary Grant-in-Aid Policy was adopted by Regional Council in 2010 in response to an increased number of GIA requests that were paired with inconsistent evaluation criteria for grant awards. The policy established the priorities which applications for assistance would be considered by Regional Council. The program is governed by the Grant-in-Aid Policy with four quarterly application intakes throughout the year. All applications can be approved by Council in the quarter they are received; regardless of which quarter the event occurs in.

Regional Council approved the two applications received for the Grant-in-Aid program for the 2022 first quarter. $1,000 in grant funding will assist the Fort Nelson Snowmobile Club in providing a Beginner Snowmobile Training course to members, many of whom are new to the sport. $1,000 was granted to the Fort Nelson Seniors Society for programming. The funding will come from remaining 2021 grant-in-aid budget funds.
Commemorative Naming of Parks and Facilities
In response to a request from the public to rename the Rotary Spray Park at the September 27th, 2021 meeting, Regional Council requested information regarding memorial dedication policies, commemorative naming and/or renaming of parks and/or other municipal assets. The report provides information on the policies of other jurisdictions as well as the process used in the past within the NRRM in renaming or dedicating municipal parks. Council requested that a policy be drafted to provide guidelines, and will make a decision at a future closed meeting.
Also of note
  • Regional Council received the appointments to the Acting Mayor list and Committee and Portfolio Appointments as outlined in Administration Report #80/21. Annually, Council reviews the appointments of members to the Acting Mayor position, committees, subsidiary groups and portfolios. Some of these appointments are made directly by the mayor, while others are recommendations of the Mayor that require resolutions of Council.
  • 2022 Conference and Travel. Council was provided with a list of 2022 conferences for consideration to aid in the budgeting process. Administration Report #77/21
  • On October 21, 2021, a letter was sent to Cathy Ulrich, President & CEO of the Northern Health Authority regarding the Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Test Results that are being delayed.
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