News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Board Highlights from the Cariboo Regional District's Board meeting held on Friday, December 11, 2009

CRD Chair and Vice‐Chair Elected

The CRD’s Area G Director Al Richmond, and Area A Director Ted Armstrong were re‐elected during today’s meeting as Chair and Vice‐Chair respectively. Chair Richmond presented his year‐end address highlighting some of the successes the Board and staff achieved in 2009.

Baker Creek Community Club Funding

The Cariboo Regional District approved an application from the Baker Creek Community Club to use $2,800 of Community Works funds for the Community Hall. The project will include repairs to an existing inoperable pump, and replacement of water lines and tanks in order to provide running water and bathroom service to the facility. The Grant for Assistance already approved for this project during the November 20, 2009 Board meeting will be rescinded. For this project, a contribution agreement between the Regional District and the Baker Creek Community Club is required by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) under its Gas Tax Sharing Master Agreement with the federal government.

Under the terms of the agreement, the community group is responsible for managing the project, maintaining financial records, and reporting on measurable results and retaining ownership of the asset for a minimum of 10 years.

Proposed Expansion to 150 Fire Protection Boundary

The Regional District will be petitioning property owners to see if sufficient interest exists for expansion of the 150 Mile Fire Service Boundary. The CRD has received a number of requests to expand the 150 Mile Fire Protection Area to include properties further along the Horsefly/Likely Road, and south of its boundary along Highway 97 south, both to the 13 kilometre limit from the fire hall.

108 VFD to Support the 2010 Paralympics

The CRD’s 108 Mile Ranch Volunteer Fire Department will be sending one engine and fire/rescue members to provide fire protection services at the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in Whistler as representatives of the Cariboo Regional District. The Board confirmed withthe fire Department that sufficient apparatus and manpower would remain to provide fire protection and first responder services within their fire protection boundary.

In addition to the wages and expenses paid to the individual, the function will receive $25,000 for use of the engine. These funds will be allocated to the 108 Volunteer Fire Department capital reserves for future capital purchases.

CRD Budget Approved for Town Hall Meetings

The Cariboo Regional District approved the provisional 2010 budget. The financials will now be presented in January and February at the CRD’s annual Town Hall meetings where residents will have the opportunity to provide their comments before the budget’s final adoption in March 2010. Watch your mail for information about your local meeting times, dates, and locations coming soon.

CRD Sets Green House Gas Emissions Target

The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors set a measurable target of a 33 percent reduction in community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2020, and an 80 percent reduction by 2050 based on 2007 levels. Through new climate change policies and legislation local governments are now being asked to contribute to reducing GHG emissions. In 2007, the Cariboo Regional District became a signatory of the Climate Action Charter. Therefore, the CRD has voluntarily committed to being carbon neutral in respectof its corporate operations by 2012.

In February 2007, the Province committed to a 33 percent reduction in GHG emissions from 2007 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. In 2008, the Province introduced Bill 27, The Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Act, to reduce community‐wide emissions through land use planning. Bill 27 requires all local governments to incorporate GHG reduction targets, policies and actions into their Official Community Plans (OCPs) and Rural Land Use Bylaws (RLUBs) by May 31, 2010.

Happy Holidays

The Board of Directors and staff of the Cariboo Regional District wish residents of the Cariboo Chilcotin best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season and a prosperous 2010. The CRD offices will be closed from December 25 through to January 3, 2010. Our offices will re‐open on January 4, 2010.

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