My year-end updates for 2018 and 2019 both started with recognition of, and thanks to, our emergency frontline workers and volunteers as we dealt with the windstorm in 2018 and the tragic plane crash at the end of 2019. I’m going to start again with sincere gratitude to the dedicated people on our islands who step forward in challenging times. In addition to our emergency responders and health workers who have shown such important leadership over the year, the challenges of COVID reminded us of the other essential workers who keep us connected, fed, and offer opportunities for us to feel joy - there are so many, but to name just a few: People for a Healthy Community; GERTIE; farmers; grocery store, library, gas station, restaurant and store workers; teachers; our amazing artists; our community volunteers who do so much for our communities; and to those who reached out to neighbours to check in and offer help if needed, and to those who stayed home and helped prevent the spread of COVID - thank you! I’d also like to recognize and thank the RDN staff who have had an extremely busy and challenging year – from parks to recreation to emergency management to solid waste, we have benefited from their hard work. Many thanks to the Sounder for publishing my updates throughout the year and for their ongoing coverage of RDN news. I look forward to the next two years!
2020 was a very busy year – I’ve highlighted a few initiatives of the RDN below:
Parks
the Village Way path construction has finally started. When completed we will have a safe, mobility-friendly path stretching from the corner of North and South Roads all the way to Tin Can Alley
in July we received the exciting news that the RDN received grant funding of over $567,000 to support Phase 2 of Huxley Park. This will include an improved parking area and a long-awaited skatepark. The skatepark vision has been driven by the community for over 15 years – with over $68,000 being raised through the community. This project is scheduled to begin in spring 2021
purchased an addition to the 707 Community Park, with a generous contribution from the Gabriola Land and Trails Trust and with support from the Islands Trust
implemented changes to the parks bylaw with a focus on parks protection. The bylaw includes a total ban on smoking in all RDN parks and provides the RDN with tools to regulate homeless camping in a way that meets the requirements of the Supreme Court rulings on the issue
implemented a temporary ban on homeless camping in the 707 Community Park until the fire risk in the park has been assessed and mitigated. Because the park is so large, assessment will occur in phases and will begin in 2021
considered implementing Development Cost Charges (DCCs) to support regional and community park acquisition and/or development. Although DCCs for regional parks are not moving forward now, the community park DCC project is moving forward for some electoral areas, including Area B
replaced the Spring Beach stairs that were destroyed by a storm with a seasonal metal ramp/stair combination
Environment
continued the Climate Action Technical Advisory Committee which will provide recommendations on immediate actions the RDN can take to address climate change
initiated an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to determine whether residents support the creation of a new Electric Vehicle Charging Station service. The RDN was successful in receiving a grant of over $162,000 to install 10, level-2 electric vehicle charging stations across the RDN. Gabriola will receive one of the chargers if the AAP is successful
the coastal floodplain mapping project was completed. The program has now been expanded to include riverine mapping
the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Action Plan was updated, and later in the year won an Innovation Award from The Environmental Operators Certification Program
Community
I participated on an Area B Emergency Response and Recovery Committee which included representatives of health professionals, emergency responders, social support and transportation groups, community representatives from Gabriola, Mudge, and DeCourcy Islands as well as the RDN emergency management staff and the Islands Trust Trustees. This group met regularly to share information and help coordinate an on-islands response to COVID
partnered on a grant application with neighbouring municipalities and the Gabriola Local Trust Committee to support the development of a social needs assessment and strategy. Thanks to Angela Pounds (community social worker) and Trustee Scott Colbourne for their initiative. The RDN was successful in receiving the grant and has initiated the project in collaboration with island community representatives
received a Regional Housing Needs report. This project included consultation with community organizations across the RDN, including People for a Healthy Community. The report will inform the Regional Housing Strategy, which will include support/tool options for affordable housing
Some other work included:
I supported a grant application by the Gabriola Local Trust Committee to investigate the potential of creating an active transportation path between the ferry and the Village Way Path, by committing $5000 in Area B Community Works Funds if the grant is received
I collaborated with the RCMP, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and our Trustees Scott Colbourne and Kees Langereis to tackle the issue of parking at El Verano and Green Wharf
reached an agreement for the Community Hall to serve as a second emergency reception centre on Gabriola (in addition to the Rollo Centre) once it installs a heat pump and electric baseboard heaters
staff submitted a grant application to support evacuation route planning for Area B in 2021
staff applied for FireSmart funding to develop updated community wildlife resiliency plans for Gabriola as well as to support a fuel management prescription for a section of the 707 Community Park
the Board decided not to support a regional economic development service. Area B still supports economic development through an annual agreement with the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce which was renewed this year for another 2 years
the new automated waste collection program began in October with almost 30,000 households across the RDN switching to the new system and receiving 3 new carts each. This would have been a challenge even in a normal year but with COVID it was even more complicated. There were a few hiccups along the way – thanks for your patience as things are sorted out. The pickup of unwanted used garbage and recycling bins went well with 90% of the unwanted containers snapped up by other residents! The remaining 10% were recycled
numerous free webinars such as WellSmart, efficient irrigation, water wise gardening as well as numerous rebates were available throughout the year
due to popular demand a new park amenity donation program policy was approved, which allows residents to make a donation to be able to place a plaque (memorial/celebratory etc) on a bench or other amenity (eg a new bench, tree, playground etc) in a regional or community park
Communications/Accessibility/Transparency
all of the RDN Board, Committee of the Whole, and Electoral Area Services Committee meetings were webcast and videos are available online. In response to COVID, meetings were mostly held virtually through the year, which is anticipated to continue for the foreseeable future
staff implemented a new communication/emergency alert system. Voyent Alert! allows you to customize the types of alerts you want to receive, how you want to receive them, and allows you to select multiple addresses (e.g., home and work). If you haven’t already done so I encourage you to sign up at rdn.bc.ca/voyent-alert or contact 250-390-4111 or emergencyservices@rdn.bc.ca for assistance in registering
· in addition to these initiatives, I:
o held drop-in office hours in the first few months of the year prior to COVID;
o wrote regular updates published in The Sounder;
o submitted a Regional Director’s report at each local Islands Trust meeting and attended IT meetings as much as possible;
o regularly provided RDN-related information through my RDN Facebook page
Upcoming:
The Electoral Area Services Committee meetings are on January 7th and February 4th (1 pm start
Committee of the Whole (1 pm) upcoming meetings are on January 12th and February 9th
The next RDN Board meetings are on January 26th and February 23rd 1 pm start
If you have any thoughts or questions about anything RDN related, please contact me by clicking the big Contact button at the top right of my website. I wish all of you a happy and healthy 2021!