From the Bear Pit
Regional Council Meeting News
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May 8, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting |
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Presentation of DRAFT Downtown Revitalization Plan
Katrin Saxty and Jeryn Mackey of Urban Systems provided a presentation that reviewed the process undertaken throughout the development of the Downtown Revitalization Plan, as well as key findings and recommendations in the Plan.
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May 8, 2023 Public Hearing |
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OCP & Zoning Bylaw Amendments at Highway 77
A public hearing was held as part of the legislative process in Council's consideration of bylaw amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to change a portion of a parcel located at the junction of Highway 77 and the Alaksa Highway from Large Holdings Agricultural to Highway Commercial. Submissions were provided by the proponent as well as two members of the public.
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May 8, 2023 Regional Council Meeting |
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Business Arising from the Minutes
Animal Control Services
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Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Review
The NRRM Revitalization Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 194, 2021, deadline for applications expires August 31, 2023. When the program was developed, Council identified the IRTE as a tool to incent investment and further the ends of increasing economic diversification, job creation, industry development, and the local tax base while generating permanent, well-paying local jobs. The program would incur minimal costs to the Regional Municipality. Based on Regional Council’s most recently expressed strategic priorities, the objectives of the IRTE program remain aligned.
Council resolved that an amended bylaw be brought back for Council readings and adoption extending the deadline for applications to August 31, 2027.
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BC Hydro Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Network Plan - Follow UP for Discussion
On April 24, 2023 Regional Council considered information provided in Administration Report #23/23 related to BC Hydro’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Network Plan. BC Hydro actively seeks new partners throughout the province to host new public EV fast charging (Level 3) stations. BC Hydro and NRRM staff are committed to exploring opportunities for the installation of Level 2 chargers closer to, or within the downtown core area which are better suited to encouraging longer stays within the community. |
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NDIT Marketing Initiatives Grant - Viewpoint Project
The Northern Development Initiatives Trust’s (NDIT) Marketing Initiatives program provides grant funding to support new campaigns or projects that promote and/or position a community or region to take advantage of opportunities that support economic vitality and diversification. The program provides grant funding up to $20,000 to a maximum of 50% of the project budget. Council resolved to proceed with an application, and if successful with an application, this funding would offset the costs of the Viewpoint Film Project.
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UBCM Asset Management Planning Program Grant Application
The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) has a grant opportunity under its Asset Management Planning Program, which was created in 2014 to assist local governments in delivering sustainable services by extending and deepening asset management practices within their organizations. Since 2015, more than 300
grants and subsidies have been awarded to local governments throughout the province to support activities
that advance a local government’s asset management planning or practices, and that facilitate better
integration of asset management planning with long-term financial planning. Council resolved to proceed with the application.
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NRRM Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 215, 2023
The NRRM Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 215, 2023 was adopted.
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NRRM Tax Rates Bylaw No. 216, 2023
In preparing the Bylaw for adoption, an administrative error was found within Schedule 1, within the
Recreation/Non-Profit property class for Town Capital services, as well as in Columns C (Town Capital) and D
(Fire Services), and the omission of the Regional Hospital District Tax Rates. The Schedule to the Bylaw has
been updated accordingly.
Council resolved that the third reading of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Tax Rates Bylaw No. 216, 2023 be repealed; and that the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Tax Rates Bylaw No. 216, 2023 be given third reading as amended.
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Official Community Plan Amendment (Hwy 77 Large Holdings Agriculture to Highway Commercial) Bylaw No. 213, 2023 and Zoning Amendment (Hwy 77 A-2 Agriculture Small Holdings to C-3 Service Commercial) Bylaw No. 214, 2023
Pursuant to Regional Council’s consideration on March 27th, 2023, notice to the public and adjacent property owners was initiated concerning the Public Hearing, as well as a referral was sent to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Council engaged in a round table discussion and proceeded with the third reading.
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Correspondence for Information
From: Mayor Fraser, NRRM
Re: Support of Community Futures Peace Liard Grant Application
A letter was written in support of Community Futures Peace Liard's application to the Northern Development Trust for funding.
Correspondence for Discussion
From: Jennifer Moore, Northern BC Tourism Association
Re: Support for Northern BC Travel Journal
An email was received from Jennifer Moore requesting a resolution of support from Council to support their application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust through their Marketing Initiatives Fund.
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Councillor Soles, Councillor Dickie, Councillor Gerwing, Councillor Andrews, and Mayor Fraser provided reports on the meetings, activities and appointments to Committees/Boards related to their roles on Council.
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May 12, 2023 Special Regional Council Meeting |
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Sander Rose Bone Grindle LLP - Chartered Professional Accountants
Re: 2022 Financial Statements
Alan Bone from Sander Rose Bone Grindle LLP presented Council with the Auditor's Report for the 2022 Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Consolidated Financial Statements. Mr. Bone provided a high-level opinion, including the determination that overall, it was a clean audit, and that the financial statements were free of material misstatement by either fraud or error. Subsequently, the 2022 Audited Financial Statements were adopted as presented.
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Partnership Request; FCC AgriSpirit Fund for Decision
The FCC AgriSpirit Fund is intended to support small communities in projects and initiatives related to agriculture and community services. Total project funding is available between $5,000-25,000 and is divided across the provinces according to rural populations. Funding eligibility for non-profit organizations is limited to those in partnership with a governing body who must enter into an agreement to receive contributed money. At this time, both the Fort Nelson Community Gardens Society and the Fort Nelson Senior Citizen’s Society (Grace Manor) have expressed interest in applying to the fund in partnership with the NRRM. Council resolved that the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality partner and support this grant application and partner with one of the non-profit organizations if successful.
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Tax Rates Bylaw No. 216, 2023
The NRRM Tax Rates Bylaw No. 216, 2023 was adopted.
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May 23, 2023 Special Regional Hospital District Meeting |
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RHD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Renewal
The Northern Rockies Regional Hospital District is one of six Regional Hospital District (RHD) signatories to an MOU with the Northern Health NH) Authority. The original MOU was signed in 2003 and is renewed every two years. There have been minor updates through the years, but fundamentally the agreement has been unchanged since its inception. The MOU provides clarification on the responsibilities and mandates of each party concerning communications, reporting, and long-term financial planning investment in healthcare facilities and equipment in the region. It also outlines the linkage between NH and the RHDs and speaks to the application of shared provincial funding toward capital projects. NH provided the proposed MOU at a May 2, 2023 virtual meeting with CAOs and Finance Officers, and is unchanged from the agreement signed in 2021. NH asked that any feedback or comments be provided in a timely manner, preferably prior to the NH Board meeting in July.
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RHD Financial Statements
Alan Bone from Sander Rose Bone Grindle LLP provided an overview of the audit opinion, including the standards considered, guidelines followed, and legal obligations. The Auditor's Report and Financial Statements were adopted unanimously.
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May 23, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting |
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Fort Nelson First Nation Boreal Caribou Restoration Projects
Land and Resource Coordinator Katherine Wolfenden presented Council with an update on Fort Nelson First Nation's Boreal Caribou habitat restoration projects, including the Dene fire project, and approaches to oilfield restoration/orphan well restoration. A roundtable discussion ensued as to what support for FNFN's work the NRRM may be able to offer. It was noted that within discussions with industry, NRRM could support the work underway by holding industry accountable with regard to the restoration of abandoned sites, communicating the values towards restoring the land base to a natural state, as well as utilizing local service providers in the work.
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Strategic Planning Follow-up
Over the course of multiple days, Regional Council and the Executive Leadership Team undertook a series of guided exercises, the results of which are detailed in the summary report, and collaborated in various groups to refine and develop a renewed set of value pillars for the community, as well as related goals and objectives.
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May 23, 2023 Regional Council Meeting |
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Fort Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce Trade Show Update
Executive Director Bev Vandersteen provided Council with an update and thanked them for the support of the NRRM for the 2023 Trade Show, the first held since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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2023 Third Quarter Grant-in-Aid Requests
Regional Council adopted the NRRM Discretionary Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Policy in 2010 in response to an increasing number of GIA requests that were coupled with inconsistent evaluation criteria for grant awards. Six complete applications for the 2023 Q3 GIA program were received from the Northern Lamplighters Activity Centre Association, Fort Nelson Handgames Society, Northeast BC Wildlife Fund, Northern Explorers Off-Road Association, Katie June Bee Yourself 2nd Annual Party in the Park, and Fort Nelson Community Literacy Society. Discussion ensued as to whether an applicant group may be eligible for funds through the Discretionary GIA program when they receive direct funding from the NRRM through the Annual Budget process. Council approved five applications to the Program, excluding the application from the Lamplighters, having received annual funding through the 2023 Budget.
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Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 217, 2023
The NRRM Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 217, 2023 was given first, second, and third readings.
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Establishing the Growing Communities Fund Reserve Fund Bylaw No. 218, 2023
On March 16, 2023, the Regional Municipality received notification that they were the recipient of a $1,920,000
grant under the Province of BC’s recently announced BC Growing Communities Fund (GCF) program. As a
condition of the grant, this report is provided to Council to seek approval to establish the Regional Municipality’s Growing Communities Fund Reserve Fund. The Bylaw was given first, second and third readings.
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Building Amendment Bylaw No. 219, 2023
As of May 1, 2023, the BC Building Code (BCBC) requires 20%-better energy efficiency for most new buildings in British Columbia. The BC Energy Step Code sets performance requirements for new construction and groups them into “steps.” As such, Part 9 buildings (residential) must meet BC Energy Code Step 3 and Part 3 buildings (commercial, institutional, etc.) must meet BC Energy Code Step 1 or 2. Alternatively, a local government may by way of bylaw, permit the construction of Part 9 buildings to adhere to a prescriptive pathway identified in the BCBC. The NRRM Building Amendment (Conservation of Energy) Bylaw No. 219, 2023 was given first, second, and third readings. |
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Councillor Enax provided a report on the meetings, activities and appointments to Committees/Boards related to her role on Council.
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- CAO Barry noted a change was required to the original resolution passed in 2021 regarding the transfer of a portion of adjacent NRRM property to OK Tire to reflect the purchaser's legal business name. Council approved the change.
- An email request was received from the FN Community Literacy Society asking for a resolution from Council to support an NDIT grant application of $23,400 for the renovation of their kitchen space. Council ratified their approval of the original request via email poll.
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