CAMPBELL RIVER – BC Hydro’s detailed year-end presentation on Hydro’s projects and plans for the area is available on the City’s website at the following link – click on delegation. BC Hydro year-end update
Campbellton Neighbourhood Association: Following a presentation from Brian Shaw, Chair of the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association, Council approved funding to cover costs to locate utilities for a floatplane entrance feature. Up to $1,000 will be paid from the 2017 Council contingency fund.
2018-2027 Ten Year Financial Plan Bylaw Council gave the Ten Year Financial Plan Bylaw first, second and third readings. The bylaw was adopted at a meeting on December 14.
Townhouse complex on Hilchey Road: Council gave first and second reading for proposed rezoning to permit a two-storey townhouse complex at 303 Hilchey Road. A public hearing will be held Jan. 8, 2018. The four proposed three-bedroom townhouses align with policies and objectives of the neighbourhood land use designation of the City’s Sustainable Community Plan as well as the zoning bylaw development regulations.
Maryland Road and Island Highway: Council directed staff to schedule the design and construction of traffic signals for the intersection of Maryland Road and Highway 19A. Detailed design is to be completed in 2018 and construction to be completed in 2019 as budgeted in the City’s financial plan.
Council will send a letter to the Ministry of Transportation requesting reconsideration of requirements for the intersection of Willow Creek Road and Jubilee Parkway. Birch and Evergreen: Council directed staff to immediately install four-way stop signs at the intersection of Birch Street and Evergreen Road and at the intersection of Evergreen and Alder Street. In addition, Council directed that curbs be marked with yellow paint to establish and standard parking set back on either side of the entrance to the hospice facility on Evergreen Road. Funding will come from the Roads Department budget.
Airport Fuel Sales: Based on a business case from the airport commission and majority funding from a provincial grant to support an airport fuel facility, Council approved the purchase of delivery trucks and a jet fuel tank in 2017. Benefits of this City-owned infrastructure include;
- Revenue generation
- Increased customer service and more competitive fuel pricing
- Reduced environmental risks and enhanced asset management planning
- Increased aircraft parking and reduced small aircraft traffic conflicts
As the new fuel system installation nears completion, Council has authorized staff to purchase Jet-A1 fuel based on the weekly market rate for most competitive pricing. The City will not sell aviation gas at the new fuel facility and has awarded a contract to Sealand Flight Ltd. to provide this fuel at the airport.
Shoreline Arts grant-in aid: Council approved a $5,000 grant-in-aid for the Campbell River Shoreline Arts Society for 2018.
Permissive tax exemptions requirements to be reviewed: Council has requested that the Community Partnership Committee review the rate structure for permissive exemption from taxation grants to determine if there is a need for expanded categories and possible split zoning. Council also directed staff to review the allocation from the budget for the permissive tax exemptions and grants-in-aid to confirm funds adequately meet community needs.
Council will receive updates on remediation at Myra Falls Minute Site according to correspondence from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources regarding proposed amendments to Nyrstar’s Myra Falls Mine permit for re-activation of mining operations. Council has confirmed the City’s interest in receiving updates and will invite the ministry to hold technical meetings that are open to the public in Campbell River.
Council received a hydrogeological review by Dr. Gilles Wendling related to the Upland Landfill that was presented to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Campbell River Environmental Committee. Council will invite Dr. Wendling to present the review during a 2018 meeting.
Council received an update from the Campbell River Sobering and Assessment Centre (CRSAC), which opened in July.
In September and October:
- 534 people visited the shelter, of whom 311 were men and 223 were women
- 38 people were turned away because the shelter was full
- An average of 85 per cent reported using alcohol prior to their intake at the centre
- The average length of stay was 8 to 10 hours
CRSAC provides a safe and supportive environment for publicly intoxicated individuals to become sober and offers services for substance-dependent individuals who may be experiencing secondary issues such as drug abuse/dependence, mental illness and/or medical issues.
Some of the goals for sobering centres include:
- Provide better care for homeless and/or substance dependent persons and improving health outcomes;
- Decrease the number of emergency department visits for alcohol dependent individuals; and
- Create an alternative to booking individuals arrested for public inebriation.
Lift Station backup generators
Apple Electric will provide and install back-up generators for lift stations 9, 10, 12, 14 and 15 and re-service lift station 8 at a cost of up to $252,061, excluding GST.
Jinny Jogindera Sims, Minister of Citizens’ Services, sent Council her congratulations on the creation of the CRadvantage, Vancouver Island’s first municipal broadband network.
Willow Point Business Improvement Area renewal: Council directed staff to prepare a bylaw to renew the Willow Point Business Improvement Area bylaw for a five-year period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022, based on existing boundaries and the organization’s proposed five-year budget.
Wounded Warrior BC runners in will arrive in Campbell River on Feb. 21. Council will support the run with a donation of $2,500. The run supports mental health programs for military veterans and emergency responders.
Council supports the BC/Yukon Command Royal Canadian Legion Recognition Book by purchasing a $595 quarter-page, full colour ad in the Royal Canadian Legion’s Military Service Recognition Book.