From the Bear Pit
Regional Council Meeting News
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August 9, 2021 Regional Council Meetings |
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Great Northern Circle Route Signage |
The masterplan will save civic funds and time by designing a unified signage standard to promote our destination and improve the visitor experience with a recognizable and distinct sign program. This $1M investment of signage infrastructure throughout Northern BC is funded through the Province of BC's Targeted Regional Tourism Development fund with a substantial contribution from Tourism BC. NBCTA Signage Masterplan Website
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Historical Society
Budget Amendment
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The long-awaited museum expansion is underway and although the Historical Society applied for grant funding, there have been unanticipated cost increases.
Although the project was anticipated to straddle the 2021/2022 construction seasons, the project is substantially complete, and the Society is requesting a withdrawal of $400,000 from their appropriated surplus account.
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Council resolved to approve the balance in the account of $415,905, allowing for the establishment of a small contingency fund.
Curator Marl Brown had originally requested durable metal shake roofing that was later replaced in the plans in favour of a lower cost option. Council chose to honour the original roofing choice and approved funding to cover the additional cost.
Pre-approval was also given for the 2022 capital budget in the amount of $100,000. Council also agreed to waive the building permit fees already paid, given the precedent set by previous Council who waived the permit fees for Heritage Place in 2013.
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The grants-in-aid budget is well under the 2021 maximum of $20,000 and all three applications were approved for this last quarter:
- Fort Nelson Family Development Society - $1,000
- Mile 300 Figure Skating Club - $1,000
- Northern Rockies Arts Council - $1,000
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Non-Profit Bookkeeping Transition to In-House |
Earlier this year, the NRRM received direction that was intended to remove municipal involvement in the accounting processes of municipally-funded not-for-profit organizations by September 1, 2021.
Both the Phoenix Theatre and Fort Nelson Public Library requested an extension. To avoid the difficulties of a mid-year transition, both organizations will move to their own bookkeeping systems by December 31, 2021 year-end.
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Regional Council approved the Fort Nelson Playschool Lease Renewal with the same terms as the previous lease. |
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Online Credit Card Payments for Property Taxes
and Utility Billing
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Currently, credit card payments are not accepted for property tax and utility bill payments, as the potential service charges incurred can be significant and would be borne by the municipality.
In the coming months, the NRRM will be launching Virtual City Hall (VCH), an e-commerce software providing user-friendly service for customers to make payments, review balances and obtain payment details. VCH also offers credit card service charges of 1% or less of the transaction amount for taxes, utility bills and other municipal services paid online by credit card. Once VCH is implemented, credit card payment for all municipal billing will be available through their platform only, with a customer service fee of 1% of the payment amount to be borne by the customer.
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New BC Parks Campground at Muncho Lake Planned |
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Despite the implementation of 911 service this year, sporadic wireless coverage remains a public safety concern, since residents and visitors cannot access emergency services in areas without cell service. Staff are working with Pomax Consulting to assess the feasibility of installing 911 Connection Points to provide wireless coverage at particular sites adjacent to the Alaska Highway. After determining extent of wireless coverage along the highway, a multi-phase plan can be developed, with the first stage anticipated to be the installation of approximately three connection points.
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Council approved two letters of support to be provided to John Ebell, Geothermal Project Manager, Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal (a subsidiary of Deh Tai LP) expressing support of grant applications:
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Update:
Regional Health Advocacy Initiative
Contracted Regional Health Advocate, Mr. Doug Blackie provided Council with an update on recent activities, which included meetings with president and CEO of Northern Health C. Ulrich, BC Seniors' Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie and MODO Cooperative representative, Sylvain Celaire.
A community workshop is planned for mid-September to bring together a cross-section of stakeholders including health care, community agencies, business industry and government to review the strategy and focus on commitments from each partner to advance the goal to achieve equitable access health services for the Northern Rockies. Regional Health Advocacy Initiative August 9, 2021 Update
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Virtual Attendance by Council at In Camera Meetings
It was resolved that Councillor Roper be permitted to attend in camera meetings virtually for the remaining duration of his term. It was also resolved that Councillor Gerwing be permitted to attend the August 9, 2021 In Camera Council meeting virtually.
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Regional Council adopted Board of Variance Bylaw No. 195, 2021 to update and repeal Bylaw No.166, 2005. As an alternative to applying for a development variance permit from a local government, a person may apply to the board of variance if they feel compliance with the bylaw would cause them hardship relating to matters such as siting, dimensions and size of buildings. Bylaw Report No. 195, 2021
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Council supported an application to the Municipal Insurance Association of BC’s Associate Member program with Bernard Hubert Contracting, acknowledging the risks associated, for a period ending August 9, 2022. Administration Report No. 55/21
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Regional Council approved the waiver of the NRRM Purchasing Policy to enter into a short-term agreement for Landfill Operations & Maintenance with Wide Sky Disposal (1989) Ltd. ending October 31, 2021as they prepare for the open procurement, analysis and award of separated Landfill Operations and Maintenance and Weigh Scale Operations. Administration Report #56/21
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Regional Council showed their support for the 2021 Business Walks Program (September 20-27, 2021) which invites business owners to speak to the experience of operating within the Northern Rockies. Administration Report #57/21
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