Happy summer everyone! As we enter a period of warmer weather our forests are drying out. A few reminders: all smoking is prohibited in all parks on Gabriola, Mudge, and DeCourcy Islands; make sure to follow the Fire Department’s rules about fires and equipment use; and please practice safe and responsible disposal of cigarette butts.
We’ve seen that elsewhere in the province, COVID cases are increasing. As you’re out and about supporting local businesses and exploring this beautiful area, please do your part to protect our community by maintaining physical distancing, sanitizing your hands frequently, and wearing a non-medical face covering when physical distancing is difficult.
To our summer visitors – welcome! In recognition of our limited water please practice water conservation during your visit. For a list of Gabriola businesses, services, and activities as well as any updates on COVID response by businesses see https://hellogabriola.ca/. For summer recreation opportunities for all ages, see www.gabriolarecreation.org.
Huxley Park and Village Way project updates:
There’s been a lot of big news in the last month. The first was that the RDN received a grant of over $567,000 (73% of the projected budget) from the provincial and federal governments to support the development of Phase 2 of Huxley Park, which includes a long-awaited skate park. Many thanks to the community members who have worked over many years to raise awareness and fundraise to support this project, and RDN staff for their continued work! Funding for this project is from a combination of the grants, parks reserves and taxation, and $72,000 contributed by the Gabriola Skatepark Fundraising Association, including funds from Ride Free. The project is slated to begin in spring 2021.
The most recent news is that the Village Way project has been awarded to Windley Contracting Ltd., and construction is scheduled to begin after labour day this year. This project is being financed with Area B Community Works Funds – the ~$1.19 million budget includes the construction award, a $145,000 contingency fund to cover unexpected additional expenses, and $75,000 in consultant costs to assist during the project. With the Village Way path and Huxley Park projects both scheduled for completion by the end of 2021, our village core will be even better able to support active participation and safer travel for all.
Parking at El Verano and Green Wharf:
I’ve been working with our Islands Trust Trustees as well as RCMP and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure staff to address concerns about vehicle parking at El Verano boat launch and Green Wharf. All vehicle owners who park at these areas are requested to ensure their vehicle is properly parked and insured, as we are working towards removing vehicles that do not meet these criteria. We will also be looking at the sites to identify opportunities for improved parking signage, including potentially identifying no-parking zones to ensure that emergency vehicles have access. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments about this project.
Other updates (all reports are on the RDN website):
· The timing of Board, Committee of the Whole (CoW), and the Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) will be changed as of October. Board and Committee of the Whole meetings will start at 1 pm. The EASC will move to a separate day from the CoW – I’ll update you once the day/time is finalized.
· Parks staff contracted an engineer to assess the weir at Coats Marsh Regional Park - following the review staff have a plan to install a second pond leveler in 2020.
· The RDN has begun initial budget discussions. Much discussion has centred around the effects of COVID which has resulted in less revenue for solid waste, transit, and recreation. Recognizing that the effects of COVID may last into 2021, there is discussion about opportunities for cost savings.
· New waste containers are starting to be delivered across the RDN in preparation for the October start of automated waste collection. To answer any questions the RDN has established a dedicated email address curbside@rdn.bc.ca and phone number 250-390-6501/1-877-607-4111
· The RDN has been working on a bylaw review project to review current bylaws, identify gaps, best practices, how the bylaws can be enforced, and ask for community input on current bylaws. In the fall we are expecting a staff report summarizing options for proceeding with the review. What are your thoughts on our bylaws?
· Solid Waste Services are working on two new bylaws – a waste hauler licensing bylaw and a mandatory waste source separation bylaw which would apply to the commercial, institutional, and multi-family building sectors. That means that businesses, condo units etc across the RDN would be required to sort waste into the garbage/recycling/compost streams and have their waste collected by a private licensed waste hauler. These draft bylaws and a community engagement plan will come to the Board in October.
Upcoming:
· The RDN Board does not meet in August. The next EASC and CoW meetings occur on September 8th and the Board meeting occurs on September 15th. Agendas are typically posted online by the Friday prior to the meeting. At this time all meetings are held via Zoom meetings and are available for online viewing.
At this time I won’t be holding in-person office hours or meetings. However, you can reach me by email at vanessa.craig@rdn.bc.ca or click the big CONTACT button at the top right of my website.