Highlights from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board of Directors’ Meeting of May 11, 2017:
Proposed North Thompson Geopark
The Board gave three readings to a bylaw that is the first step in the establishment of the proposed North Thompson GeoPark Service. Once approved by the Province of BC, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will commence a public assent process to determine if electors in Areas “A”, “B”, “O” and the Districts of Barriere and Clearwater support the proposed service. Public assent will be conducted by the Alternative Approval Process and is expected to start this summer.
The Board also authorized staff to apply to the BC Rural Dividend Fund to secure funding to develop, and submit, the Letter of Intent required in the process to obtain UNESCO Global Geopark designation for the North Thompson. The deadline for application is May 31.
Directors Remuneration Report Released
The TNRD Director and Committee Member Remuneration and Expense Report for 2016 (also known as the SOFI report) was review and accepted by the Board. The 2015 SOFI report is available at www.tnrd.ca
New in this year’s report is a life insurance policy for Directors in the amount of $300,000, as well as weekly accident indemnity of $500. Both of these items apply when Directors are on Thompson Nicola Regional District business.
Pooled Gas Tax Funds to Help Fund Water Meters
The Board approved the expenditure to a maximum of $150,000 of Federal Gas Tax – Community Works Fund revenues, allocated to pooled funding, which are available to all Electoral Areas, as leverage funding for the Federal Gas Tax – Strategic Priorities Fund Regional Water Metering project application.
Also approved was the submission of an application to the Federal Gas Tax – Strategic Priorities Fund, for funding to support a Regional Water Metering Program that will require the installation of remote read water meters on all TNRD owned water systems.
UBCM is open to funding applications under the Federal Gas Tax – Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF), and TNRD staff will be seeking Board approval to submit a funding application to support the installation of water meters on all of TNRD owned water systems.
As a regional program, the installation of water meters for all TNRD owned water systems would meet the intent of the CWF global pooled funds. Water metering has been clearly identified as an eligible project CWF project under Drinking Water category.
Other Gas Tax Funding Approved
The Board also approved the following Gas Tax-funded projects:
• The expenditure to a maximum of $100,000 of Federal Gas Tax – Community Works Fund revenues allocated to Electoral Area “P” (Rivers and the Peaks) to fund the well development and pre-design costs for the Black Pines Community Water System.
• The expenditure to a maximum of $50,000 from the Federal Gas Tax revenues, Community Works Fund component allocated to Electoral Area “A” (Wells Gray Country), be approved to fund energy efficiency upgrades at the Blackpool and Vavenby fire halls.
Building Bylaw Amendment
The Board adopted an amendment to Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2066 to:
• Require submission of a report from a registered professional where building foundation construction has occurred prior to instance of a building permit or prior to a required inspection.
• Enable issuance of a provisional occupancy certificate in specified circumstances (and the imposition of an inspection charge to confirm regulatory compliance).
• Enabling submission of photographic or electronic information to a building inspector as evidence of regulatory compliance.
• Revising the “double permit fee” penalty.
• Requiring the posting of an address sign.
For more details on TNRD building regulations, visit the TNRD website or phone the TNRD at 1.877.377.8673.
Zoning Bylaw Housekeeping Amendment
The Board considered an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw No. 2400 that addresses general housekeeping updates, responses to bylaw enforcement items, a concordance with BC legislation changes, temporary dwelling use and proposed livestock limits.
The bylaw was given two readings and will be taken to public hearing in conjunction with a regular Board of Directors meeting.
