Seniors Week Proclaimed June 2-8, 2025

Mayor Fraser officially proclaimed June 2-8, 2025, as Seniors Week, recognizing the valuable contributions seniors have made to our community and province. This week celebrates the diversity of seniors, promotes respect, dignity, and autonomy, and highlights their vital role in shaping the future of our region. It’s a time to foster understanding between generations and honour the past, present, and future impact of seniors in the Northern Rockies.

Proclamation | Video Recording

Community Facility Fee Waiver Policy Amendment

Council directed an amendment to the Community Facility Fee Waiver Policy. The update clarifies that while the current limit of four fee waivers per organization per year remains in place, organizations may still apply to Council for special consideration beyond this limit. This change ensures flexibility without encouraging overuse, while also allowing Council to assess how often additional requests arise.

During the discussion, Councillors expressed a desire to monitor how frequently groups exceed the four-waiver threshold. Clarifying language will be added to the policy’s guidelines to reflect the ability to apply for exceptions and emphasize Council’s discretion in such cases.

Admin Report #30/25 | Admin Policy #69/24 | Video Recording

Strategic Land Use - North Area Region

Council heard a presentation from Rudi Mayser, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, on the Kaska-BC Land Use Planning Project—part of the Northwest Strategy to support economic growth, reconciliation, and protection of 30% of land and water by 2030.

The project area covers 34% of the NRRM and includes parts of Treaty 8 Territory. Council raised questions about future development and when residents can provide input.

A public survey is open until July 25, 2025, with more engagement to follow. Council questions not raised during the meeting, as well as those shared by members of the public within the meeting will be shared with Ministry representatives as part of the NRRM's formal response.

Presentation | Video Recording

BC Infrastructure Planning Grant Application for the Water Use Efficiency Study

Council approved applying to the BC Infrastructure Planning Grant Program for up to $10,000 to support the Water Use Efficiency Study, which has a total budget of $50,000.

This study will look at how water is used in the community and recommend ways to improve conservation and efficiency. It aims to help protect drinking water quality and support long-term infrastructure planning. Funding is offered through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to help communities plan for safer, more sustainable infrastructure.

Admin Report #32/25 | Video Recording

Updates to the Recruitment Retention Education & Training Incentive (RRETI) Program

Council approved updates to the Recruitment Retention Education & Training Incentive (RRETI) Program, including changes to how health care training incentives are disbursed. Going forward, incentives will be paid after training is complete, accreditation is confirmed, and one year of successful employment in the NRRM.

Other updates include:

• Focus areas updated to reflect local service needs (e.g., adding ER-trained nurses).
• Clarification on tax slip requirements for incentives over $500.
• Utility payment responsibilities for physician housing tenants clarified.
• A new incentive category added to respond to future health service gaps.

These updates build on Council discussions held in October 2024, January 2025, and May 2025.

Admin Report #33/25 | Video Recording

Organics Diversion Incentives and Commercial Pilot

Council approved a one-year pilot program to divert food waste from the local food-service sector. $25,000 from the NRRM’s Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) funding will support the initiative.

Organics diversion was identified as a top priority in the NRRM’s 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan. This pilot builds on Council’s 2019 decision to adopt vermicomposting as a long-term solution for managing organic waste.

Admin Report #34/25 | Video Recording

Replacement of Natural Gas Generators for Critical Water Infrastructure

Council approved expanding the Upper Pump Station Generator Project to also replace the natural gas generators at the Rural Water West Pump Stations (Pioneer Way, Radar Road, and Whitetail Way) with diesel units.

This change follows lessons from the May 2024 wildfire, when natural gas supply was disrupted, putting emergency backup systems at risk. Diesel generators offer more reliable emergency power, especially during wildfires or other natural disasters.

The project will be funded using unspent funds from the completed Recreation Centre Generator Project, along with budgeted funds from the Upper Pump Station project. Total available funds (~$145,000) will cover the cost of the three new diesel generators.

Admin Report #35/25 | Video Recording

Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committee Recommendation Mayor Fraser brought forward a recommendation from the Community FireSmart & Resiliency Committee, and Council agreed to support a project to locate and assess all potential water sources—such as borrow pits and lakes—that helicopters can access during a wildfire.

A further step, based on the site identified in the first phase, could be to clear or reopen any viable sources to help increase water capacity for firefighting.

Video Recording

Northern Rockies Communication Strategy

Julie Rogers, of Julie Rogers Consulting, presented the finalized Northern Rockies Communication Strategy, resulting from feedback gathered from a variety of sources including Council, staff, a public survey and conversations with local agencies. The Strategy emphasizes clear, timely, and accessible communication to build trust and engagement in the community. Ms. Rogers highlighted four main goals within the Strategy: transparent government actions, fostering dialogue between residents and officials, showcasing local successes, and publicizing innovative municipal work. The importance of Council sharing official messages and staying coordinated was stressed to avoid misinformation. Future needs include better video capabilities, a municipal app, and social media tools, with an understanding that communication plans must remain flexible as issues arise and demands on existing capacity shift over time.

Video Recording

Community Health Plan Steering Committee - Year in Review

Julianne Kucheran from Urban Matters discussed the Community Health Plan Steering Committee’s work over the past year, focusing on recruiting healthcare providers and improving health travel services. She shared accomplishments like student engagement events, advocacy plans, and resource updates, and noted ongoing efforts, including creating visual guides and seeking additional funding. The committee appreciated the presentation and suggested producing a concise, visual executive summary for advocacy purposes.

Video Recording

OCP and Zoning Amendment for Midnight Sun Mobile Home Park

Philip Kenny from Midnight Sun Estates presented to Council regarding their request for a Zoning Amendment to allow their manufactured home park to operate fully and address issues like abandoned homes and safety concerns. Following Mr. Kenny's presentation, staff spoke to Administration Report #36/25, which discussed a recommended approach to the Zoning Amendment to more fully address the concerns over the long term. Ultimately, Council approved proceeding with the required notifications to advance the application and subsequent amendments.

Video Recording

Sanitary Sewer System to be Repaired Beneath Town Square

Regional Council approved the award of the sewer relining project beneath Town Square to EnviroJet Services in the amount of $210,000, further to the age-related deterioration described in a report presented to Council January.

Video Recording

No opportunities at this time.