Regional topics of note were the focus of a special meeting Jan. 17 with five delegations for the Cariboo Regional District board.
The meeting was to bring new and returning directors up to speed on the regional topics.
The forest industry and impact from wildfires was a main topic with presentations from C&C Wood Products and Tolko Industries Ltd. and representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD).
The Cariboo Fire Centre talked to the baord about how they co-ordinate with the regional district during wildfires.
The Canadian Red Cross presented to the board about their recovery work and programs following the 2017 and 2018 wildfires.
READ MORE: Highlights from the CRD Board December meeting
In the final presentation of the day, West Fraser Timber and FLNRORD discussed habitat protection for the southern mountain caribou.
Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District chair and vice-chair elected
The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District board re-elected director Bob Simpson as chair and director Al Richmond as vice-chair or 2019.
Health funding approved
The CCRHD board approved funding to support Interior Health capital projects and Northern health’s telehealth project for the district of Wells.
A total of $894,320 was approved for Interior Health and $3,241 for Northern Health.
MLA Donna Barnett presents to board
The board of directors continued its discussion on caribou habitat protection in B.C. with Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.
They also discussed how to best advocate regarding the lack of passenger bus service in the Cariboo and Atlantic Power’s operations in Williams Lake.
Funding approved for community groups
The electoral area directors approved the following funding requests:
• $1,000 grant for assistance from areas E, F, G, H and L for the Williams Lake Women’s Contact Society to support their Vintage Valentine’s fundraising event
• $1,000 grant from Area H to the Forest Grove Cemetery Committee for landscaping improvements at the cemetery
• $1,000 from Area L for the Horse Lake Elementary PAC in support of busing students to 100 Mile House
• $25,000 grant from Cariboo Strong funding for the Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club storage facility project
Area F by-election confirmed
The regional district board announced the by-election for electoral Area F director will be held on March 30, 2019.
The nomination period for candidates begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 5 and closes at 4 p.m. on Feb. 15. Learn more: cariboord.ca/elections.
Board member appointments
The CRD chair made her board committee appointments for the 2019 year.
The full list of appointees is available at cariboord.ca/board-of-directors.
Funding applications submitted
The regional district is submitting several grant applications for financial support with priority projects in 2019. The funding requests include:
• $150,000 from the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to complete a flood risk assessment in collaboration with Fraser River Basin Council and neighbouring regional districts
• $3.69 million from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to construct a new access road and on-site parking at the Esler Sports Complex in Area E
• $5.3 million from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and $250,000 from Northern Development Initiative Trust for runway, electrical and lighting upgrades at the South Cariboo Regional Airport
Public input sought on 2019 budget
The board reviewed the CRD’s draft 2019 budget and are looking for resident’s feedback before the budget’s final adoption on March 22, 2019.
An easy-to-understand summary of the 2019 budget has been developed and residents are encouraged to review the summary and take a short survey by Feb. 19 to share their opinion. The budget documents and survey are available at cariboord.ca/budget and paper copies will be at all three CRD offices and the CRD branch libraries in 100 Mile House, Quesnel and Williams Lake.
***
The next Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District and Cariboo Regional District board meeting will be held on Friday, Feb. 8.
Do you have a comment about this story? email: editor@wltribune.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
