Councillors discuss provincial agreement and upcoming referendum

At a special meeting held April 29th, 2013, Chief Administrative Officer Randy McLean informed Council that the Public Safety building had been removed from the referendum question. It was noted that the provincial government told the municipalities of the proposed borrowing for the Public Safety building in the amount of $2,206,790 for planning and engineering does not qualify for referendum purposes unless the actual capital asset is also part of the referendum question. The initial works are still slated to proceed, but are now to be funded from other sources.
Discussion took place on the referendum question. Danny Soles suggested that though the substantial benefits of the referendum are being well communicated, there should be more information circulated about what would happen if the referendum or the agreement failed. It was noted that if the referendum fails, the municipality is effectively losing access to get $10 million annually of provincial funding for 20 years.
Discussion ensued about the impact of future growth and liquefied natural gas development in the community, and taxes in the absence of financial infrastructure funding from IDCA.
Mayor Streeper said as one of the highest taxpayers in the community, he was in favour of the referendum and infrastructure funding agreement and fully supported the Infrastructure Funding Agreement (IDCA) referendum.
Councillor Kim Eglinski said the ‘out’ clauses in the infrastructure agreement was standard for all provincial agreements. Councillor Laurie Dolan said the agreement would be very beneficial to the community and that there is risk with in any agreement.
Streeper reported that the communications team will continue to actively promote the referendum and that signs will be erected following the provincial election.
Corporate Manager Heather Cosman suggested adding an informative publication to magazine racks or local businesses across the community.
In Camera meeting with officials from BC Ambulance
A special regional Council meeting was held April 22nd, 2013 to discuss the BC Ambulance Services. In attendance from the BCAS were Dan Froom, Executive Director, provincial programs; Doug Blackie Director critical care programs; and Mike Michalko, Executive Director, rural operations.
The meeting was held In-Camera pursuant to the community charter and no report is available.

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