Highlights of the July 8 board meeting of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan:

2009 Financial Statements

The Regional Board has received the 2009 Financial Statements and Reports. The Regional District of Central Okanagan had total revenues of $52.4 million and expenditures of $51.6 million during the fiscal year for the year ending December 31. After debt repayments, new debt and fund transfers the Regional District ended the 2009 fiscal year with an operating surplus of $781,793.

Gravel Extraction Referral Application

The Regional Board does not support a FrontCounter BC and Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources referral application to establish a gravel extraction operation off Westside Road, south of the La Casa Resort. The applicant proposes a six day a week sand and gravel operation on the 22-hectare site. It would mine up to 249,000 tonnes a year for up to 50 years and could see up to 40 trucks a day travelling along Westside Road.

As well, in a separate resolution, the Regional Board agreed to send a letter to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure requesting that the Ministry hold a public meeting for North Westside Road area residents regarding improvements to the road.

Aggregate Committee Funding Request

The Regional Board requests a letter be sent to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources requesting sufficient funding to complete the Central Okanagan Aggregate Supply Pilot Project. Local governments in the region have contributed $60,000 plus staff time towards Aggregate Supply and Demand Study. Copies of the letter will be sent to all local MLA’s and the Westbank First Nation.

Smoke Control Bylaw

The Regional Board has approved a resolution asking staff to prepare an amendment to the Regional District of Central Okanagan Smoke Control Bylaw No. 733. The amendment is expected to address permit approval issues related to the installation of outdoor wood burning boilers which do not currently have Environmental Protection Agency standards. New Provincial and industry emission standards are being considered and the bylaw amendment would reflect these initiatives.

Water System Project Management Contract

The Regional Board has approved an Engineering Services consulting management contract with CTQ Consultants Limited. Its bid of $317,320 plus GST is the lower of two qualified responses to a Request for Proposals for project management and administration of the design, tendering and construction of a new water system to service the Upper Fintry, Shalal Road and Valley of the Sun subdivisions along Westside Road. None of these areas have domestic water or fire flow service. The total project cost is budgeted at $5.9 million and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2011.

Next Regional Board Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Regional Board will be Monday, July 26 at 7 p.m. in the Woodhaven Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna. Residents are welcome to attend.

Governance and Services Meeting

The Governance and Services Committee will meet Thursday, August 12 at 8:30 a.m. in the Woodhaven Board Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna. Residents are welcome to attend.

Regional Hospital District

The Board of the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District has received the 2009 Financial Statements and Reports. The Regional Hospital District had total revenues of $11.7 million and expenditures of $17.7 million during the fiscal year ending December 31. The Regional Hospital District ended the 2009 fiscal year with an operating deficit of $5.5 million which is related to a change in accounting principles regarding asset grants.

The Regional Hospital District Board has approved providing 40 per cent of the funding or just over $202 million towards for capital projects and equipment requested by Interior Health for the Central Okanagan between 2010 and 2016.

Among the projects approved: $99.3 million for the new Ambulatory Care tower, $91.4 million for the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre, $2.7 million for equipment and more than $1.5 million for infrastructure modification at Kelowna General Hospital.