RDOS Meeting Highlights

For the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen Corporate Board Meeting of July 20th, 2006.

DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE PROPOSED PRINCETON POWER PROJECT
The Board agreed to direct staff to submit concerns regarding the Draft Terms of Reference for the Proposed Princeton Power Project to the BC Environmental Office.

These concerns are that the Terms of Reference ensure a stronger commitment for government and public consultation, consideration of additional air quality monitoring devices further down the valley and a recommendation to ensure harmonization with local governments land use bylaws and processes.

For more information please contact Marty Willfong, Director of Development Services.

BYLAW 1927.01, 2006 REGIONAL DISTRICT DOCUMENT FEE SCHEDULE AMENDMENT BYLAW
The Board adopted Bylaw 1927.01, 2006 Regional District Document Fee Schedule Amendment Bylaw to include general and custom maps to be included in the products and services already available.

This Amendment Bylaw will also allow for GIS services to smaller municipalities such as access to the RDOS internal internet mapping and the creation of municipal specific internet mapping applications.
Fees were established by determining the actual costs as well as comparing similar products and services with other local governments.

For more information please contact Tim Bouwmeester, Information Systems Manager.

PENTALTIES FOR CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT BUILDING PERMITS
Bylaw 2333.03, 2006 Building Amendment Bylaw was adopted that will allow the RDOS to charge double the permit fee with no limit for construction prior to obtaining a building permit. RDOS staff carried out a four-phase education campaign to inform the public of building permit requirements and the potential penalties involved.

For more information please contact Susanne Theurer, Planning Services Manager.

AWARD OF WEST NILE VIRUS PROGRAM CONTRACT
The Board awarded the 2006 West Nile Virus Program Contract to D.G. Regan and Associates Ltd. Components of this program will include mapping and monitoring of mosquito habitats, treatment of habitats, public education and awareness programs as well as the creation of a West Nile Virus emergency response plan. Funding for this program was provided by the Ministry of Health.

For more information please contact Andrew Reeder, Engineering Services Manager.

TELUS LOCAL AREA CALLING EXPANSION
The Board has requested TELUS to initiate the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC’s) local calling area expansion cost study for the RDOS.

This will establish a common local calling area (LCA) among multiple local governments that will enable residents of the Okanagan-Similkameen to make local calls to more locations than before. The expansion will improve service and benefit residents with long distance savings. Economically, this will also support local businesses by opening up doors to more communication with neighbouring communities.

Costs incurred to undertake this study will be borne by TELUS. The Board has also requested member municipalities pass a resolution in support of this project.

For more information please contact Diane Vaykovich, Special Projects Coordinator.

OSOYOOS MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SITE CONTRIBUTION SERVICE
The Board gave first, second and third readings to Bylaw No. 2387, 2006 Osoyoos Museum and Historical Site Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw.

The Osoyoos Museum Society is seeking sustainable core funding from the RDOS in order to be able to apply for grants from provincial/ federal governments and charitable/ legacy organizations.

For more information please contact Diane Vaykovich, Special Projects Coordinator.

ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
John Allsop has been appointed to the Electoral Area ‘C’ Advisory Planning Commission.

For more information please contact Susanne Theurer, Planning Services Manager.

2006 OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN QUARTERLY REPORT
Jason Johnson, Chief Administrative Officer, updated the Board on the progress of the 2006 Objectives and Action Plan. To date, RDOS staff have made considerable progress towards completing the tasks outlined in the 2006 Plan within the allotted timeframes while remaining committed to completing additional projects as assigned.

Board Directors are updated on a monthly basis as to the status of the projects within their respective electoral areas.

For more information please contact Cathy Cowan, Administrative Assistant.

NEXT MEETING DATES
Rural Board Meeting – August 3, 2006
Corporate Board Meeting – August 17, 2006

Regional District meeting agendas and minutes can be viewed on our website. Go to www.rdos.bc.ca and click the Board Minutes and Agendas button on the homepage.

For more information on meetings, contact Tracey Batten, Director of Administration Services.