I must apologise for my delinquency in maintaining my blog these last two months. May was extremely hectic as I was out of town attending conferences three of the four weeks in May. It seemed that June was spent getting caught up from being away and getting our Annual Report prepared. I am looking forward to the summer months when things quiet down and I have time to get prepared for the 2011 budget process which begins in September.
Both City Council and staff are anxiously awaiting the report of the Federal Panel Review for Prosperity Mine. The final decision for the mine will have a significant impact on our municipality, whether it be positive or negative.
If the Federal Cabinet approves the mine, we will experience a level of growth and activity not recently experienced. Our challenge will be managing growth as opposed to encouraging growth. We will have a role to play in assisting our business community in being able to take advantage of the numerous opportunities associated with the mine. We will also have a significant demand for residential and commercial development which we must be in a position to respond to in a timely and coordinated fashion. As the CAO, I continue to develop organizational contingency plans in anticipation of the mine moving forward and the ICSP process will provide us to tools to ensure our growth is managed in a sustainable manner.
In the unfortunate event that the mine experiences challenges in moving forward, we will need to adjust our Economic Development strategy to address a potential decrease in economic confidence. Economic diversity will become even more important as we will be forced to rely less on the resource sector for our economic fuel.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Community Corner Grand Opening
April 30 was an exciting day for those of us involved with the Community Corner project. Looking back to the beginning, I can distinctly recall sitting in the Mayor's office with some senior staff of Petro Canada back in 2007. We had asked to meet with them to discuss the City's concerns with the state of the old Petro Can service station which was being leased by an automotive repair business. Old cars and trucks, pieces of machinery and parts littered the site, creating an eyesore on one of the most prolific properties in the downtown core. Petro Can acknowledged our concerns and agreed to find a more suitable tenant for the property.
At about the same time, discussions were being had with both Communities in Bloom and the Food Policy Council with respect to possible uses of the site. One concept was to acquire the land and demolish the building to create a park and green space in the downtown. The other suggestion was to utilize the building for a unique cooperative between the Food Policy Council, Business Improvement Area and Community Policing, all of whom were considering new office space.
The City favoured the partnership concept and approached Petro Can with a proposal to lease the facility with a fee equivalent to their annual municipal property tax which is approximately $5500. With some renderings of proposed facade improvements and a unique community partnership, Petro Can was happy to accept the proposal in 2008. The Partnership successfully applied to the City and CRD for a $10,000 Grant in Aide and began and aggressive donation drive to secure the resources required to renovate the vacant service station. Petro Can assisted by removing the automotive hoists, leaving the Partnership with the challenge of transforming the dirty, greasy service bays and office space into a functional, inviting establishment to serve three diverse groups.
Community Corner is an excellent example of local government working with community groups in pooling our resources and efforts for the benefit of the entire community and I am proud to have played a role with this dedicated group of volunteers.
At about the same time, discussions were being had with both Communities in Bloom and the Food Policy Council with respect to possible uses of the site. One concept was to acquire the land and demolish the building to create a park and green space in the downtown. The other suggestion was to utilize the building for a unique cooperative between the Food Policy Council, Business Improvement Area and Community Policing, all of whom were considering new office space.
The City favoured the partnership concept and approached Petro Can with a proposal to lease the facility with a fee equivalent to their annual municipal property tax which is approximately $5500. With some renderings of proposed facade improvements and a unique community partnership, Petro Can was happy to accept the proposal in 2008. The Partnership successfully applied to the City and CRD for a $10,000 Grant in Aide and began and aggressive donation drive to secure the resources required to renovate the vacant service station. Petro Can assisted by removing the automotive hoists, leaving the Partnership with the challenge of transforming the dirty, greasy service bays and office space into a functional, inviting establishment to serve three diverse groups.
Community Corner is an excellent example of local government working with community groups in pooling our resources and efforts for the benefit of the entire community and I am proud to have played a role with this dedicated group of volunteers.
Friday, April 16, 2010
New Positions at the City of Williams Lake
The 2010 Budget includes funding for a number of new positions and I thought it important to provide some information as to why these positions are necessary at this time:
Fire Department Administrative Assistant - This position has been 'on the books' for a number of years and the main reasons it hasn't been filled was lack of office space in the old Fire Hall. There is a considerable amount of record keeping, data entry, reports and other administrative requirements within the Fire Department and currently the Fire Chief, Fire Inspector and Safety Officer look after all the administrative duties. This simply is not cost effective and reduces the capacity of these postions to perform thier core functions such as safety inspections.
There is also the need in the new Fire Hall to have a receptionist who can staff the Hall when the Officers are out on fire calls or other duties.
Events/Marketing Coordinator - This half-time position is an extension of Economic Development and Recreation Services and is intended to provide more capacity to encourage and facilitate events in the community such as conferences, tournaments and sporting events. These types of events result in significant spending in the community with minimal investment. Often potential event organizers do not have the capacity to apply for conferences or tournaments or connect with other supporting resources in the community. This position will develop resources to assist event organizers and will work with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups to encourage and support such events.
Planning Technician - This eight-month position is intended to assist the Development Services department with completion of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and the Official Community Plan processes currently underway. These two initiatives require a signifcant amount of work on the part of our Development Services staff which reduces their capacity to keep up with the day to day planning and development functions. This new position will provide short-term capacity until such time as the ICSP and OCP processes are complete.
Fire Department Administrative Assistant - This position has been 'on the books' for a number of years and the main reasons it hasn't been filled was lack of office space in the old Fire Hall. There is a considerable amount of record keeping, data entry, reports and other administrative requirements within the Fire Department and currently the Fire Chief, Fire Inspector and Safety Officer look after all the administrative duties. This simply is not cost effective and reduces the capacity of these postions to perform thier core functions such as safety inspections.
There is also the need in the new Fire Hall to have a receptionist who can staff the Hall when the Officers are out on fire calls or other duties.
Events/Marketing Coordinator - This half-time position is an extension of Economic Development and Recreation Services and is intended to provide more capacity to encourage and facilitate events in the community such as conferences, tournaments and sporting events. These types of events result in significant spending in the community with minimal investment. Often potential event organizers do not have the capacity to apply for conferences or tournaments or connect with other supporting resources in the community. This position will develop resources to assist event organizers and will work with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups to encourage and support such events.
Planning Technician - This eight-month position is intended to assist the Development Services department with completion of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and the Official Community Plan processes currently underway. These two initiatives require a signifcant amount of work on the part of our Development Services staff which reduces their capacity to keep up with the day to day planning and development functions. This new position will provide short-term capacity until such time as the ICSP and OCP processes are complete.
Friday, April 9, 2010
CN Rail Ties/Chips Update
On Tuesday, April 6th, the City issued a BC Fire Code Order to CN Rail to remove the rail ties and chips stored next to the Station House Gallery. Under the Order, CN Rail has 30 days to comply and have 7 days to appeal the order. It has also been confrimed that BC Rail Properties has cancelled CN Rail's lease, effective in June 30. I have had numerous inquiries as to what CN Rail plans to do with the chips but we have had no communication with CN Rail and the City is not aware of what arrangements are being made.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
City Addresses Environmental Concerns
A number of residents and groups have been expressing their disapproval with CN Rail storing and chipping their surplus creosote rail ties behind Station House Gallery and subsequent burning of the chips in the Capital Power co-generation facility. Environmental and health concerns include:
CN Rail has been off-loading, storing and chipping rail ties at this site for a number of years on land leased from BC Rail Properties, with the chips transported to Capital Power for incineration . In recent weeks and months, the volume of both ties and chips has grown exponentially, to the point where piles now cover the entire surface of the site. Upon speaking with Capital Power, the co-generation plant has accumulated a significant inventory of chips due to a projected reduction in sawmill production which didn't completely materialize and an increase of chips from other sources in order to compensate for the projected decline in sawmill volumes. At the same time, it appears that CN began increasing their volume of rail ties coming into Williams Lake for disposal. Unfortunately Capital Power was unable to accommodate a corresponding increase in volume from CN Rail.
In response to growing complaints from the community, Capital Power discontinued accepting rail tie chips from CN Rail last week. This in spite of the fact that their emissions permit from the Ministry of Environment allows for the combustion of rail ties. The City investigated the storage of ties and chips below Oliver Street and identified non-compliance with the BC Fire Code resulting from storage of wood products in proximity to forest and grass.
The City has been in communication with CN Rail and BC Rail Properties on the matter and as a result, BC Rail is in the process of cancelling CN Rail's lease. CN Rail advises they are planning to relocate their operation with no indication of where or when. In the meantime, the City is pursuing an order from the Fire Commissioner's office to address the improper storage or wood materials.
The City will be monitoring the situation closely in the coming weeks to ensure the chips and ties are removed as soon as possible to prevent the risk of fire and associated health and environmental impacts.
- impacts of creosote soaked chips stored in the downtown core
- contaminated smoke from smouldering chips piles at Capital Power Plant
- emissions from the burning of creosote chips in the Capital Power Plant
CN Rail has been off-loading, storing and chipping rail ties at this site for a number of years on land leased from BC Rail Properties, with the chips transported to Capital Power for incineration . In recent weeks and months, the volume of both ties and chips has grown exponentially, to the point where piles now cover the entire surface of the site. Upon speaking with Capital Power, the co-generation plant has accumulated a significant inventory of chips due to a projected reduction in sawmill production which didn't completely materialize and an increase of chips from other sources in order to compensate for the projected decline in sawmill volumes. At the same time, it appears that CN began increasing their volume of rail ties coming into Williams Lake for disposal. Unfortunately Capital Power was unable to accommodate a corresponding increase in volume from CN Rail.
In response to growing complaints from the community, Capital Power discontinued accepting rail tie chips from CN Rail last week. This in spite of the fact that their emissions permit from the Ministry of Environment allows for the combustion of rail ties. The City investigated the storage of ties and chips below Oliver Street and identified non-compliance with the BC Fire Code resulting from storage of wood products in proximity to forest and grass.
The City has been in communication with CN Rail and BC Rail Properties on the matter and as a result, BC Rail is in the process of cancelling CN Rail's lease. CN Rail advises they are planning to relocate their operation with no indication of where or when. In the meantime, the City is pursuing an order from the Fire Commissioner's office to address the improper storage or wood materials.
The City will be monitoring the situation closely in the coming weeks to ensure the chips and ties are removed as soon as possible to prevent the risk of fire and associated health and environmental impacts.
March a Busy Month
My apologies for not keeping my blog up to date this past month. March has been extremely busy, particularly with the final steps of the 2010 budget process. There has also been a lot of activity associated with preparing for the Prosperity Federal Panel Review hearings, a number of new or amended bylaws and continued efforts with the ICSP and OCP proecesses. With the budget almost complete, I hope to get back to more regular blogging.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Richmond O-Zone a Great Success
With the 2010 Olympic Games wrapping up, it is hard to believe that an event that has been in the planning stages for the better part of a decade has come and gone. The national spirit and pride generated by the Games was unparalleled and will be ingrained in the hearts and minds of Canadians and our visitors for the rest of their lives.
So what did the 2010 Games do for Williams Lake and the Cariboo? Are we as a community and a region better off as a result of these Games? Those questions were and will be debated by those with differing views. But what can't be debated is the spirit and excitement of the Olympic Torch relay as it passed through the City and exposure we received at BC Street at the Richmond O-Zone. I feel very fortunate to have been involved with both events and share in the excitement of the organizers and participants.
BC Street put Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast on the map during the Games. In the two days I worked at BC Street, I was absolutely amazed at the numbers of people who visited our pavilion and the genuine interest they showed in our region. People from all over the world surged through our displays, anxious to sign the 'tree' and sample some Birch Syrup, Beef Jerky and Pepperoni and learn more about our region. It would be impossible to duplicate the international exposure we received over the 17 days of the event. Credit has to be given to the staff at the CRD who spearheaded the initiative and all of the staff and elected folks who stood for many long hours greeting visitors and being ambassadors of our great region.
In my view, our City and region did very well by the Olympic Games and we will reap the rewards for years to come.
So what did the 2010 Games do for Williams Lake and the Cariboo? Are we as a community and a region better off as a result of these Games? Those questions were and will be debated by those with differing views. But what can't be debated is the spirit and excitement of the Olympic Torch relay as it passed through the City and exposure we received at BC Street at the Richmond O-Zone. I feel very fortunate to have been involved with both events and share in the excitement of the organizers and participants.
BC Street put Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast on the map during the Games. In the two days I worked at BC Street, I was absolutely amazed at the numbers of people who visited our pavilion and the genuine interest they showed in our region. People from all over the world surged through our displays, anxious to sign the 'tree' and sample some Birch Syrup, Beef Jerky and Pepperoni and learn more about our region. It would be impossible to duplicate the international exposure we received over the 17 days of the event. Credit has to be given to the staff at the CRD who spearheaded the initiative and all of the staff and elected folks who stood for many long hours greeting visitors and being ambassadors of our great region.
In my view, our City and region did very well by the Olympic Games and we will reap the rewards for years to come.
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