The Daily Gold

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 Gold River is receiving $29, 140 to develop a plan to create a business improvement area in consultation with local merchants. The plan will include a “shop local” campaign, as well as explore the feasibility of Wi-Fi in the downtown area.

The plan also includes a business ambassador program to support and welcome prospective investors and entrepreneurs in Gold River.

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NORTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C. –

The North Island may hold some mineral deposits. Geoscience BC wants to explore the area to make sure.

According to a release from the non-profit, they will use helicopters equipped with sensitive instruments that measure bedrock properties to help identify potential mineral deposits in the North Island.

The survey will look at areas from Port McNeill and Sayward in the north and Zeballos, Tahsis, and Gold River in the south.

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This survey follows a survey done around the area in 2012, which was conducted further north and west.

Incoming minerals vice-president Christa Pellett said they want to hear from people regarding the project so they can produce the best data they possibly can.

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“We have heard from experts that even with its strong mining history, this part of northern Vancouver Island is likely to have understated mineral potential,” Pellett wrote in the release.

She added that the project will provide new data to help future mineral exploration.

Currently, the project is still in the planning phase, with the precise scope and area still under development.

Geoscience BC will share updates with businesses, community leaders and First Nations in the proposed areas.

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One of the organization’s goals for this project is to find metals and minerals that will help in the production of batteries, electronics, as well as powering renewable energy.

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COURTENAY B.C- North Island College students will have more places across the world to study thanks to a new agreement.

According to a media release, The University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) Multilateral Student Exchange Program is an international agreement that streamlines the study abroad process for over 500 institutions.

The UMAP includes a variety of study abroad options, from semester-long exchanges and summer programs, to short-term opportunities.

Jennifer Barth is the Manager of Operations at the Office of Global Engagement for North Island College, and says if students are interested, the college will work with them every step of the way.

“We would begin process of working with the student in first identifying the location, and then finding an institution inside UMAP that they want to go to that best suits their needs,” said Barth.

“We continue to support the student from preparing to go abroad, right through to when they leave, while they’re abroad we continue to support the student, and when they return.”

Barth added that NIC has been hoping to expand the program for a while.

“We were wanting to find ways to expand that study abroad program and the offerings to our local students who are really interested in just going abroad for a semester or maybe more.”

Students that are part of the program would only pay NIC’s tuition fees, and not the international fees when they are studying abroad.

Barth also said that if students want to get involved with the program, it’s a great way to learn, but also to travel.

“It’s a pretty exciting opportunity for our local students to get out there and expand their horizons, it just opens their mind to see that there is a whole world out their that they haven’t explored yet.”

To learn more about UMAP and NIC’s other study abroad opportunities, visit: https://www.nic.bc.ca/international/.

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MLA Report March, 2019

I’m very proud of our government’s third budget delivered last week. It’s building on the strong foundation of last year’s budget and will truly make life better for people in North Island. 

It’s hard to pick and choose which items to write about but some of the highlights include: the elimination of Medical Services Plan premiums; the introduction of the BC Child Opportunity benefit for families with children younger than 18; and the continued roll out of our 30 point housing plan which is bringing homes to people in our communities.

We’re continuing to create a bigger, much more affordable child care system for our province. Not only families, all BCers will benefit from the increased number of spaces and reduced costs. A sustainable child care system is both important social policy and good for the economy. Business often cites the lack of affordable childcare has a problem that, in particular, prevents many women from re-entering the workforce.

BC’s economy is doing well and we’re continuing to encourage businesses large and small: the small business corporate income tax rate has been cut by 20 percent, and we’re eliminating PST on non-residential electricity which will help industry. We are facing a massive skills shortage which we are addressing in part through our Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). When we are building provincial infrastructure, the CBA will require apprenticeships be provided, local workers be hired and will enable those who often don’t have easy access to construction jobs – particularly women and Indigenous people – to get work. These initiatives will increase our workforce.

I’m pleased that primary health care remains a focus as it works well for North Island communities resulting in less travel to big centres for care. However we also are making significant investments in other aspects of the health system; for example, we’ve seen a massive increase in MRI exams and that will continue. Meanwhile through the expansion of Fair PharmaCare more than 240,000 families will find their prescriptions become cheaper.

North Island residents also will see benefits from CleanBC, our climate action plan. We’re going to provide assistance for retrofits, such as upgrading windows and doors and taking other measures to improve insulation. And there will be a subsidy to lower the cost of switching to new, more cost-efficient home heating systems.

Our region also will benefit from the $10 million investment to support the Coast Forest Sector Revitalization. One of the key goals is to rebuild secondary processing so BC logs can create BC jobs. We want to restore public confidence in the management of our public resource.

I’m proud that as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, we’ve been able to keep ferry fares frozen after we rolled them back last year; that includes free seniors travel from Monday to Thursday. I’m also very pleased that we’re going to be restoring ferry services cut by the previous government five years ago. And, stay tuned, there will be more happening on the ferry file in the weeks and months to come.

We’re in the Legislature for another week then I’ll be back in the constituency. Plans are for visits to the ‘’real” North Island as well as Gold River. And when not on the road I’ll be in Campbell River.

As always I can be contacted by email at claire.trevena.mla@leg.bc.ca or by phone: 250 287 5100 in Campbell River or 250 949 9473 in Port Hardy. You can find me on Facebook or follow me @clairetrevena on Twitter.

Best regards,

Claire

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(Please note, these are not the official minutes, this is a report of the meeting from Suzanne)

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Gold River Village Council - March 18, 2019

Suzanne Trevis

Present at the regular council meeting were Mayor Brad Unger, Councillors Brenda Patrick, Rachel Stratton, Kirsty Begon and Joe Sinclair. Village Administrator, Larry Plourde was also present. There were eight members of the public, and the press, in the gallery.

Open Session is an opportunity for the public to ask questions of council. 

There was a query regarding trees that the village is thinking of cutting down on the strip of land separating the parking lot of the Village Square Plaza and Larch Place.  Mayor Unger explained that one of the initiatives from the Economic Development Committee was to put up an information kiosk in this location.  They feel it is a good, central area to place community / tourist information.  It is not a ‘done deal’ at this point it is just one of the ideas they are discussing.

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With no further questions council moved into its regular business.  One item was added to the agenda and minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held March 4th were approved.

There were six reports on tonights agenda. Two were quarterly reports from last year.  Both the Parks & Rec/Public Works Department and the Aquatics & Utilities Department reports for Oct - Dec 2018 were received.  Mayor Unger asked why they were so late, but apart from the Administrator explaining that he had to remind Managers to get them in, there was no real explanation for the delay.

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A report from Reg Stratton regarding the pavilion that is being planned for Nimpkish Park was brought back.  It had previously been received in early February, but was tabled until budget talks were underway.  Councillor Stratton recused herself to prevent any conflict that may arise and remaining council discussed options.  They decided to go with the original plan of a structure measuring 18’ x 22’ with a covered area including overhang, of 22’ x 26’, providing 572 sq ft of covered space.  They have been in discussions with Western Forest Products regarding wood, and now have the information they need to start pricing things out.

The next report came from the Administrator regarding Utility User Rate Increases.  He explained that Sewer, Water and Solid Waste (Garbage) Rates are self-funding, and revenues need to match expenses in order to ensure financial sustainability of the service.  All of these services are currently operating in deficit, and need to be increased.  The increases recommended by staff and approved by council are as follows:

Garbage up 4%, went from $220.45 per annum to $229.20

Sewer up 6%, went from 290.75 per annum to 308.20

Water up 6%, went from 203.40 per annum to 215.60

It should be noted that the TOTAL average per household for these services is still only $62.75 per month.

There was a report from the Aquatics Supervisor regarding the Summer Fun Program that is run by the Village each summer. Mr Lott was recommending that the rates be increased somewhat to help offset expenses. Rates charged are purposely set low, in order to assist families, and the Village regularly receives a grant that covers a portion of the expenses (approx. $4.25 of the hourly wage of student employees). However, this still leaves a shortfall that the village covers each year. Councillor Begon pointed out the staff to youth ratio needed, probably does not allow for them to just ‘add more youth’.  Councillor Sinclair commented that he felt the new rate was still “more than fair’.  The rest of council agreed and the new rate of $45 per child, per week was approved.  Net cost to taxpayers is approx. $1600.

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Mayor Unger then reported on a meeting he, and Councillors Patrick, Stratton and Begon had with our MLA Claire Trevena. Ms Trevena is also the current Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.  Items discussed included:

•   Repaving and repairing major areas of Muchalat Drive and Highway 28 with a timeline due out by mid April.

•   Ongoing issues with the highway webcam at Crest Lake.  Apparently the solar power feature does not work well in this location and there is talk of possibly moving it. The Mayor commented that ‘it’s not doing our community any good if it doesn’t work in the winter’.

•   The Department of Transportation has been looking into putting a ‘speed reader’ board on the highway as you approach town, in order to encourage drivers to slow down as they enter the community.  The design is now complete and the project itself should be in place, next to the Information Centre, by May.

•   Changes to the Employer Health Tax have added about $27,000 in costs to the village.  Minister Trevena will be discussing this issue with other Ministers to see if they can make some exception for small communities.

•   The village now has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN) to work together to achieve a Community Forest License.  This has been a priority for the village even before the dissolution of the Nootka Sound Economic Development Corporation a few years ago.  The NSEDC managed a joint community forest license held by Gold River, Tahsis and Zeballos that, over 15+ years generated more than $250,000 in revenue for the community.  The Village has been lobbying for another license for some time.

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•   Council has applications in for two large infrastructure grants at the moment. One for the Water Main Replacement under the Gold River bridge on Muchalat Drive, the other for the Biosolids Processing facility at the Public Works Yard. The minister will be looking into these for us to see where they are at.

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•   Funding for Highway Rescue Equipment is another hot topic for rural communities, including Gold River.  Most of the rescue equipment used by our Volunteer Fire Department, is needed for accidents etc outside of our Municipal jurisdiction.  Council does not think it is fair that our taxpayers should foot the bill for the full cost of this equipment.  For example, the new jaws of life  we purchased last year cost $45,000.  Staff feel that a grant for $ 5-10,000 each year would go a long way to help offset these costs.  This issue has been brought up at UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities convention held each fall) and will be lobbied for again this year.

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•   The Minister was brought up to date with renovations taking place at the Parkview Apartments, previously the Gold Crest Apartments.  A great deal of cleanup has been done, and some apartments have already been renovated and reopened.  Owners are looking at demolishing some of the buildings and council discussed what they could do to help mitigate the high costs that will be associated with doing this.

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•   Councillor Stratton also brought forward some issues we face as a community regarding CMHC mortgages and new regulations. Some clients are finding it very difficult to get mortgages on modular homes in rural communities such as Gold River.  “We have affordable housing here but people are having trouble purchasing it,” she said.  “I don’t think the upper levels of government are aware of what is going on in the smaller communities.”

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Under Council Information Items Mayor Unger reported that the Community Planning Meeting hosted by VIU student Sarah Holden went well.  There is another Open House BBQ and Community Engagement Event planned for March 27.  There will be a display of materials in the Vault in the Village Square, with a BBQ from 12-1pm and an open house from 6:30 - 8:30.  Comments from the public will help guide the direction of the recommendations that will be presented to Mayor and Council at the April 1st council meeting.

An invitation has been extended for council to meet with the School District #84 Board of Trustees prior to the Regular Board Meeting on April 8th to discuss items of mutual interest.  Mayor Unger explained that this is something council does annually to keep everyone in the loop.

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The Mayor also reported on a meeting he had with RCMP Sgt. Wiese regarding ATV routes in the community.  RCMP are allowing ATVs to come down the Scout Lake hill and across the intersection to the RCMP station. At this point they can access fuel and head back up the hill, or come to the Police Station and get a permit that will allow them to continue on down Muchalat Drive to the parking lot adjacent to the Gold River bridge, next to the High School. At this point riders can walk across the bridge and access Clayworks Cafe & Gallery.  ORV’s would be limited to 4 at a time and would have to have a permit beforehand. He went on to say there would be ZERO tolerance for people not obeying the rules and this permission could be pulled at any time.

Council then went on to approve first, second and third readings of the new Trade Waste & Garbage, Water Rates and Regulations, and Sewer Rates Amendment Bylaws as discussed earlier in the meeting.

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There were six items of correspondence:

The first from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, was an invitation for the Village to support a Nootka Sound Salmon Park Network.  They want the Province to dedicate key Salmon watersheds, and provide added protection to the streams within those systems in order to help preserve dependant fish habitats.  They see this as a top priority.  Council agreed and arranged for staff to contact the relevant people to set up a meeting as soon as possible.

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A letter from the BC Liberal Official Opposition advised council that recent changes may affect rules that require the inclusion of handicapped parking spaces within municipalities. They were asking if individual municipalities had policies requiring accessible parking spaces.  The Administrator was fairly certain that accessible parking is covered in our current zoning bylaws, but said he would look them over and advise council.

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The next four items were Resolutions from the City of Victoria looking for support.  Topics included: Extension of Vacancy Taxation Authority to Local Governments, Recovering Municipal Costs Arising from Climate Change, Permanent Residents to Vote in Municipal Elections, and Provincial Government Universal Healthy School Food Program.  These resolutions will be coming forward at AVICC (Association of Vancouver Island & Coastal Communities convention) being held next month. Council agreed to take the recommendations that come out of that meeting.  The Administrator then mentioned that in addition to the four items from Victoria Council on tonights agenda, they have already received six more that will be on the next agenda!

During Question Period the press asked whether all commercial properties within the community had metered water. The administrator replied that nearly all commercial properties are currently metered and the village is working on bringing them all into compliance. The press then asked whether home based businesses were billed any differently.  Administrator Plourde then explained that this WAS an issue, as neither home based businesses or B&B’s/inlaw suites are billed extra when the obvious conclusion is that they are using more services than a normal household.  He also pointed out that it causes unfair advantage in situations such as a hairdresser, for example. A business being run from a commercial establishment will be paying for the sewer, water & garbage services they are using, while one being run from a home is using those services for free.

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The press then asked if there were plans to do any scaling on Highway 28 as debris falling from the banks has already been a huge problem this winter. Council members agreed and the Mayor said he would definitely bring it up with Minister Trevena.  The press also asked whether the decision to allow ATV’s down Muchalat Drive meant they would then have access to the Ucona Mainline.  This caused some confusion as the intent was to allow them access to Clayworks and council was unsure about the status of the Ucona Road between Muchalat Drive and the Mobile Home Park.  The Mayor said he would have another chat with the Sgt and get clarification.

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Resident Patti Linde asked why no one from Council was attending AVICC.  Mayor Unger explained that there was a shortage of rooms available in Powell River, where the convention was being held. He went on to say that Councillor Sinclair could attend if anything became available in time.  She also asked  when they were going to discuss the situation with the new administrator. The Mayor advised that it was an in camera issue and would not be discussed at the regular meeting.

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Council then adjourned in-camera pursuant to the Community Charter section 90(1)(c) labour relations or other employee relations.

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The next Council Meeting will take place Monday, April 1 at 7pm

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NORTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C. – Five North Island communities are among the recipients of emergency operations funding.

The five North Island communities are:

• Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD): $25, 000 for a portable emergency operation centre generator

• Gold River: $23, 280 for emergency radio communications enhancement

• Sayward: $24, 440 for evacuation training and radio communications enhancement

• Strathcona Regional District (SRD): $24, 475 for communications enhancement, group lodging facilities, and emergency public messaging

• Zeballos: $25, 000 for an emergency management program and emergency centre development project

According to a release from the province, they are allocating nearly $1.5 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to 63 local and regional governments and First Nations communities across the province.

The funding will support emergency operations centres (EOCs) and emergency training.

Since the budget update in September 2017, communities and governments in B.C. have received more than $20.5 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).

“When an emergency situation happens, it’s crucial that communities have the training and resources they require to respond to the emergency quickly and efficiently,” Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor Mike Farnworth wrote in the release.

This funding is part of a $33.5-million plan aimed at helping communities prepare for and respond to disasters.

The CEPF is a suite of programs designed to enhance the resilience of local governments and their residents. The funding is divided into five streams:

• Flood risk assessment, flood mapping and flood mitigation planning

• Emergency social services

• Emergency operations centres and training

• Structural flood mitigation

• Evacuation routes

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It is that time again when our community bids farewell to a long time local Mountie and his family. Constable Ryan Walker and his wife Kathy arrived on a hot summers day in 2015 with their daughter Alison. Barely able to contain his own arrival, Ryan and Kathy’s son Colin was born as the last box was unpacked, completing their family of 4. 

Over the next, almost 4 years, the whole Walker family became not only a part of the local RCMP family but an intricate part of the Nootka Sound community. Kathy’s love of students and community brought her to many of the RWES classrooms, Alison and Colin were fixtures in many activities, and Ryan became a trusted go to for many who needed that extra support. 

Understanding that 4 years would go by quickly Ryan made the effort to get to know those we serve in both Tahsis and Gold River. He went above and beyond for his clients, celebrating their successes and grieving their losses. As a humble person, most of our citizens will never know the hours of dedication he has put into this life that many look at as just a job. To Ryan, policing is a calling that he takes great pride in, to the benefit of those he serves and for those of us who have gotten to be his colleague and friend. 

The Walker Family have made the bittersweet decision to leave the island and return to New Bruinswick. The opportunity to raise their kids among many cousins, aunts, uncles and most importantly, grandparents won out. We wish the Walker Family all the best on their new adventure and remind them they will be missed. New Bruinswick residents are very lucky Ryan, having you patrolling their streets keeping their homes and families safe.  

Thank you for your service and more importantly - Stay Safe!

Love From Your Nootka Sound and extended RCMP Family

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The Nootka Sound RCMP is investigating the theft of a green 1999 Kawasaki KLR250 motorcycle from the trailer park located at 601 Matchlee Drive during the past two weeks.  If you have any information regarding this theft please contact the Nootka Sound RCMP at 250-283-2227 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Cst.D.R.(Ryan) Walker

Media Relations Officer

Nootka Sound RCMP

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Meeting with Minister Trevena March 14th
Councillors Begon, Patrick, Stratton, CAO Larry and myself met with the Minister to discuss a number of items. Unfortunately Councillor Sinclair was unable to attend.

Muchalaht Drive Paving,
Discussion was on the plan and timeline for repaving or repairing major areas of Muchalaht Drive and Highway 28. The Minister replied there will be some work done this year and would look into as far as timeline
Her staff has already emailed back stating there will be patch work done this year and the schedule should be in place by mid April. She asked if there was specific areas that our Staff has indicated needed work to please contact them.

Web Cam 
We discussed the ongoing issue of the highway cam by Crest lake not working, especially during the winter time. As it is solar powered it is very difficult to keep functioning. The Minister is going to look into to see if there is newer technology for it, or possibly moving it. Council discussed it’s not doing our community any good if it doesn’t work in the winter.

Speed reader
I asked the Minister some time ago about the possibility of having a speed reader installed on the highway as you enter Gold River to encourage drivers to slow down. The Department of Transportation has been here and determined the location, the design is now completed and the project should be completed in May. The reader will be installed by the Information Centre.

Employer Health Tax
We discussed our displeasure for the Government regarding this. As this added cost for our Village is estimated to be $27,000.00 The Minister is going to discuss with other Ministers and see if there is an exception for small communities.

Community Forest License
We explained to the Minister that we were very happy to report to her that we have an Memorandum of understanding with the Mowachaht /Muchalaht to work together in achieving CFL. This is one of Councils Strategic Priorities and in our new Economic Development Plan.

Grants
Rural Dividend & Investment in Canada grant 
Council has applied for a grant for the water main replacement that is attached to the bridge. We believe the timeline for us to hear back on the grant for this project was in March of 2019. The Minister is going to look into for us.
We also discussed the Biosolids Processing faculty project. When Council first began looking at this project working with our engineers the project costs were approximately 
$600,000.00 we did receive a grant for most of the project, but since then the costs have almost tripled. We have put in for another grant which we have not heard back yet. We discussed with the Minister other ideas that we would possibly look at if we were not successful in the grant.

Funding for Highway Rescue Equipment-Volunteer Fire Departments
Council discussed with the Minister the high cost for replacing or purchasing of equipment for VFD on the small communities. When you consider that most of the equipment will only be used in highway rescue situations we feel it is unfair that we pay the full costs. For example we purchased a new jaws of life last year at a cost of $45,000.00. We believe a grant for $ 5000.00 -$10,000.00 every year to help offset the costs would be appropriate. We did mention to the Minister that this issue has been discussed at the UBCM meeting before, and we will look into presentation at this years meetings. We will continue to lobby Government about this issue.

Affordable housing/assisted living 
We brought the Minister up to date on the clean up work that the new owner of the Parkview Apartments is doing, and some of his future plans. We did discuss the high cost of demolition the he is looking at, and are looking at what we can do to help. I mentioned that I have had preliminary talks with the Executive Director for VIHA for North Island regarding an assisted living facility here in Gold River.

Councillor Stratton brought forward some issues with CMHC mortgages & new regulations on dual agencies. Some clients are finding It very difficult in getting mortgages on modular homes. The Minister is going to look into this issue at get back to us.

Councillor Patrick brought forward the Ministers new Clean Energy campaign, and some of her research she has looked into. The Minister was happy to hear that Councillor Patrick was interested in the plan.