Happy Hallowe’en! Please keep an eye out for our little trick-or-treaters when you’re out and about on the island tomorrow.
I hope you received a mailer from the RDN about the upcoming switch to automated waste collection, starting in October 2020. You can register your choice of cart sizes for garbage, recycling, and green waste until the end of December. Carts are available for inspection at GIRO until November 29th. In addition, RDN staff will be at GIRO today October 30th and again on November 27th between 10-2:30 to answer your questions.
As reported in the Sounder, the RDN submitted two grant applications early in the year to support the development of Phase 2 of Huxley Park. Although we’d thought we might hear about the decision by this fall, government delayed notification until after the federal election. Once we receive notification of the grants outcome (I hope a positive result!), we will determine next steps from there.
Negotiations with MOTI re. the Village Way Trail continue. The updated design includes curb and catch basins and the entire pathway will be constructed within the MOTI Right-of Way. At this time RDN staff are working to the plan of completing the construction by the end of 2020.
Parks staff have replaced beach access stairs at Bluewhale Community Park with retractable metal stairs and at Hummingbird Community Park with box stairs. Staff will consider whether metal retractable stairs could be a solution to the Spring Beach access site. Park staff have not been able to discuss the potential of an agreement with the federal government for beach access in Joyce Lockwood.
I attended the Union of BC Municipalities conference in September. It was an action-packed event and I attended many useful sessions. A highlight was the opportunity to accompany Chair Ian Thorpe and senior staff to a meeting with Minister Dix. We discussed the recently released draft guidelines for the use of rainwater as a potable water source for multi-family dwellings. We're pleased that the Ministry has developed these draft guidelines and we look forward to providing feedback during the comment period.
As part of emergency preparedness on the island, I’ve been working with RDN staff and the Community Hall Board to determine the steps required to identify the Hall as an emergency reception centre for the island. The Hall is currently developing a proposal. Thanks to the Board for their work on this project. I’m in the early stages of planning an emergency preparedness event for early December. One idea I’m considering is including individuals/businesses who have ideas of how we as individuals can become better prepared. If you have an interest in being included, please contact me.
Other RDN news:
A by-election for RDN Area G to replace Clarke Gourley, who tragically died in an accident, resulted in the acclamation of Lehann Wallace. Director Wallace joined the Board in October.
The RDN will participate in the BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative (CAI) which is developing a Vancouver Island Agricultural Adaptation Strategy to address agricultural issues specific to the Island. The intent of this project is to improve our understanding of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies, as well as support and complement other related initiatives in the region.
The RDN will be conducting community and stakeholder consultation on the Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw amendments for the Nanaimo Airport lands. Specific dates to be announced.
The Electoral Area Services Committee considered a staff report on revising the Community Works Fund Policy. The revisions included requiring an annual funding cycle date and a standard application form. Questions remained about how the funds would be distributed and who would make funding decisions. The committee chose to receive the report for information..
The Board received an Operational Plan Update. This document identifies projects (in addition to operational work) underway or planned to meet the strategic objectives of the Board. Definitely worth a read!
Upcoming:
I will be holding office hours at the Islands Trust office on Nov 4th between 11 am-1 pm, and on Nov 18th, Dec 2nd, and Dec 16th between 2-4 pm.
The inaugural Board meeting for the next year will be on November 12th.
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at Vanessa.Craig@rdn.bc.ca.