I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer!
The Committee of the Whole (CoW) met in early September and considered a number of issues, which will be referred for consideration to the Board meeting held this week (on September 17). All of these reports are available on the RDN website.
The CoW received a Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) 2018 annual report which evaluates progress in advancing eleven Regional Growth Strategy goals. As the Board moves into a targeted and then full Growth Strategy review, these metrics will be useful in setting new targets and identifying new approaches. Although Area B is not included in the RGS, regional interests such as water quality, housing affordability, climate change, and waste reduction are of interest to all residents of the RDN.
The CoW supported the RDN entering into an agreement with Island Health to administer a contract for a Coordinator for the new Nanaimo Community Health Network which will include Gabriola, Mudge, and DeCourcy. The Coordinator position will be combined with the existing Oceanside Health and Wellness Network. This issue will come before the Board on September 17th.
The CoW received a staff report outlining potential changes to the administration of Community Works Funds. Because the funds being considered are restricted to the electoral areas, the committee voted to refer the report to the Electoral Area Services Committee (EACSC) for consideration.
The CoW considered a request from the BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative (CAI) to partner on developing a Vancouver Island Agricultural Adaptation Strategy to address agricultural issues specific to the Island. The CoW supported the idea and recommended that the Board appoint a Director to serve on the committee.
The Drinking Water and Watershed Protection (DWWP) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met to discuss the draft DWWP updated action plan as well as the new draft guidelines for using rainwater harvesting for potable water in multiple families. The TAC is comprised of knowledgeable individuals representing a range of groups with an interest in drinking water and watershed protection, including the Islands Trust; Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development; Department of Fisheries and Oceans; Mosaic; Island Health; public representatives; RDN staff; and the Board steering committee, of which I am a member. The updated plan will build on the base and success of the previous action plan.
I will be attending the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference in Vancouver next week. The conference is an opportunity to meet and discuss issues of relevance to local government across the province, and also an opportunity to meet with Ministers and government staff to discuss areas of concern.
Upcoming:
The next Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Committee (POSAC) meeting, which considers issues and make recommendations to the Board about community parks in Area B, will be held October 7th, starting at 10:30 am at the Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre. Meetings are open to the public.
The RDN Board meeting for September was September 17th. The October meeting is scheduled for October 22nd. A reminder that all Board, EASC and CoW meetings are now broadcast live online and are available through the agenda function of the RDN calendar after the meetings.
The next Electoral Area Services Committee and Committee of the Whole meetings will be held October 8th.