REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NANAIMO

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2006, AT 7:07 PM

IN THE RDN BOARD CHAMBERS

Present:

Director J. Stanhope Chairperson

Director J. Burnett Electoral Area A

Director B. Sperling Electoral Area B

Director M. Young Electoral Area C

Director G. Holme Electoral Area E

Director L. Biggemann Electoral Area F

Director D. Bartram Electoral Area H

Director B. Johnston City of Parksville

Alternate

Director B. Avis Town of Qualicum Beach

Director C. Haime District of Lantzville

Director B. Bestwick City of Nanaimo

Director B. Holdom City of Nanaimo

Director D. Brennan City of Nanaimo

Director L. McNabb City of Nanaimo

Alternate

Director J. Cameron City of Nanaimo

Also in Attendance:

C. Mason Chief Administrative Officer

B. Lapham Deputy Administrator

N. Connelly General Manager of Community Services

J. Finnie General Manager of Environmental Services

J. Llewellyn Manager of Community Planning

M. Pearse Manager of Administrative Services

N. Avery Manager of Financial Services

N. Tonn Recording Secretary

CALL TO ORDER

The Chairperson welcomed Alternate Directors Avis and Cameron to the meeting.

DELEGATION

Margie Noonan & Sallie Dabb, KAIROS, re Water Resolution.

Ms. Noonan and Ms. Dabb, representing a local KAIROS committee in the Parksville/Qualicum area presented a water resolution for the Board’s consideration and support.

MINUTES

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Burnett, that the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held February 14, 2006 be adopted.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

2006 – 2011 Financial Plan.

The Chief Administrative Officer introduced the 2006 to 2011 financial plan presentation.

The Manager of Financial Services provided a verbal and visual overview of the 2006 to 2011 financial plan including budget highlights for all RDN functions, a final budget summary, an overview of service levels, member budget participation and proposed electoral area tax rates.

COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE

Dorothy Sly, Canadian Federation of University Women, re Support of KAIROS Resolution to the RDN Board.

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Bartram, that the correspondence from the Canadian Federation of University Women regarding support of KAIROS water resolution be received for information.

CARRIED

ANNUAL BUDGET REPORTS

Nanaimo Regional Hospital District 2006 Annual Budget Bylaw No. 138.

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Cameron,:

1. That a 2006 Regional Hospital District budget which raises $5,232,920 in property taxes be approved including 2006 capital project and equipment allowances in the following amounts:

Capital grants (from current property taxes) $ 2,004,800

Capital grants (borrow up to) $ 815,000

2. That “Nanaimo Regional Hospital District 2006 Budget Bylaw No. 138, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

3. That “Nanaimo Regional Hospital District 2006 Budget Bylaw No. 138, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Financial Plan 2006 to 2011 Amendment Bylaw No. 1474.01.

MOVED Director Bartram, SECONDED Director Holme,:

1. That the 2006 to 2011 financial plan be approved as outlined in the staff report.

2. That “Regional District of Nanaimo Financial Plan 2006 to 2011 Amendment Bylaw No. 1474.01, 2006” be introduced for first three readings.

3. That “Regional District of Nanaimo Financial Plan 2006 to 2011 Amendment Bylaw No. 1474.01, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Director Holme recommended an amendment to use surplus funds to reduce the increase in the 2006 parcel tax for Fairwinds and Nanoose water.

Parcel Tax Rate Bylaws No. 1180.06, 1181.06, 1182.06, 1183.05, 1184.06, 1185.06, 1186.06, 1187.06, 1188.06, 1189.06, 1190.05, 1191.06, 1192.06, 1193.06, 1194.06, 1206.05, 1336.03, 1371.02, 1481, 1482 and 1483.

Bylaw No. 1180.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Arbutus Park Estates Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1180.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Arbutus Park Estates Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1180.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1181.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Decourcey Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1181.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Decourcey Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1181.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1182.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Fairwinds Sewerage Facilities Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1182.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Fairwinds Sewerage Facilities Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1182.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1183.05

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Fairwinds Water Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1183.05, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Fairwinds Water Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1183.05, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1184.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “French Creek Sewerage Facilities Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1184.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “French Creek Sewerage Facilities Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1184.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1185.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “French Creek Bulk Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1185.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “French Creek Bulk Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1185.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1186.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “French Creek Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1186.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “French Creek Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1186.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1187.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Madrona Point Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1187.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Madrona Point Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1187.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1188.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Nanoose Bay Bulk Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1188.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Nanoose Bay Bulk Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1188.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1189.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Nanoose Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1189.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Nanoose Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1189.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1190.05

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Pacific Shores Sewer Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1190.05, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Pacific Shores Sewer Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1190.05, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1191.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “San Pareil Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1191.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “San Pareil Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1191.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1192.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Surfside Sewer Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1192.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Surfside Sewer Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1192.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1193.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Surfside Properties Water Supply Specified Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1193.06, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Surfside Properties Water Supply Specified Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1193.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1194.06

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “West Bay Estates Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1194.06, 2006” be introduced and read three rimes.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “West Bay Estates Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1194.06, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1206.05

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Morningstar Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1206.05, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Morningstar Water Local Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1206.05, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1336.03

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Driftwood Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1336.03, 2006” be introduced and read three times.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Driftwood Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1336.03, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1371.02

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Englishman River Community Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1371.02, 2006” be introduced for first three readings.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Englishman River Community Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Amendment Bylaw No. 1371.02, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1481

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Nanoose Bay Peninsula Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1481, 2006” be introduced for first three readings.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Nanoose Bay Peninsula Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1481, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1482

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Melrose Terrace Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1482, 2006” be introduced for first three readings.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Melrose Terrace Water Supply Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1482, 2006 having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1483

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Barclay Crescent Sewer Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1483, 2006” be introduced for first three readings.

CARRIED

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that “Barclay Crescent Sewer Service Area Parcel Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1483, 2006” having received three readings be adopted.

CARRIED

Director McNabb requested that the Committee consider business arising from delegations at this time.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS OR COMMUNICATIONS

Water Resolution.

MOVED Director Brennan, SECONDED Director Avis, that:

WHEREAS March 22 is World Water Day;

AND WHEREAS one in six people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water;

AND WHEREAS the UN Conference on Water in 1977 in Mar del Plata affirmed the right of all persons to access clean drinking water in order to satisfy their fundamental needs;

AND WHEREAS current World Bank loans for water services in developing countries frequently require the privatization of those services or an increase in water prices, thereby jeopardizing citizens’ access to safe drinking water;

AND WHEREAS on September 11, 2005 the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities passed a resolution calling on the federal government “to urge the World Bank to ensure access to clean, affordable water for the world’s poor, and strengthen the role of the public sector and individual communities in setting water policies and delivering and regulating water services”;

AND WHEREAS “KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives” has asked Canadian municipalities to assist in its effort to have the federal government recognize water as a common good and access to drinking water as a basic human right;

AND WHEREAS 105 municipalities to date all across Canada have supported this initiative;

AND WHEREAS the Regional District of Nanaimo has acknowledged the importance of public control of its own water systems;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Regional District of Nanaimo ensure access to clean, safe water for all, now and for future generations by supporting publicly controlled water services that have genuine community participation, and protect and preserve natural sources of water for all life.

AND BE IT RESOLVED that the Regional District of Nanaimo call on the Government of British Columbia, provincially, nationally and internationally to support publicly controlled water services that have genuine community participation, and protect and preserve natural sources of water for all life.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Regional District of Nanaimo call on the Government of Canada, nationally and internationally, to support publicly controlled water services that have genuine community participation, and protect and preserve natural sources of water for all life, and oppose measures in federal, bilateral or multilateral agreements and policies that promote the privatization of water services.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Request for the Use of Regional District Property.

MOVED Director Brennan, SECONDED Director Holdom, that the Nanaimo Search and Rescue request for the use of RDN property be declined until an assessment of future Regional District space and land needs is undertaken and a longer term strategy for the use of the property is developed.

CARRIED

RECREATION AND PARKS

Electoral Area ‘A’ Recreation and Culture Service Delivery.

MOVED Director Burnett, SECONDED Director McNabb, that the Regional Board implement a Recreation and Cultural Master Plan process to better identify the recreation and cultural services that are required by Electoral Area ‘A’, and that the Terms of Reference for the project (Appendix 2 of the staff report) be approved.

CARRIED

Horne Lake Regional Park Operations Plan Update.

MOVED Director Bartram, SECONDED Director McNabb,:

1. That the Memorandum of Understanding with Island Pacific Adventures Ltd. to provide for a 5 year operating agreement for Horne Lake Regional Park and for a potential longer term agreement, be approved.

2. That the regional parks operations budget be adjusted as part of the final 2006 budget approval process, to provide for a $33,000 tax requisition increase to allow for infrastructure expenditures at Horne Lake Regional Park.

CARRIED

REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT

Canada – BC Environmental Farm Program.

MOVED Director Holdom, SECONDED Director Bartram, that the report about the Canada – BC Environmental Farm Program be received.

CARRIED

Staff were instructed to send a copy of the report to Dr. Fred Rockwell for his information.

CORPORATE SERVICES

FINANCE

Bylaws to Complete the Borrowing of Funds for the Purchase of Mt. Benson Regional Park – Regional Parks Service Security Issuing Bylaw No. 1480 and Interim Financing (Regional Parks) Bylaw No. 1484.

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Young,:

1. That “Regional District of Nanaimo (Regional Parks Service) Security Issuing Bylaw No. 1480, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

2. That “Regional District of Nanaimo Interim Financing (Regional Parks) Bylaw No. 1484, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

UTILITIES

Water Bill Adjustments Due to Leaks – Proposed Regulations and Rates Bylaw Amendments – Bylaws No. 619.13, 700.14, 1097.09, 1172.07, 1383.03, 1434.02 and 1468.02.

Bylaw No. 619.13

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Brennan, that “Regional District of Nanaimo French Creek Water Supply Local Service Area Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 619.13, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 700.14

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Brennan, that “Regional District of Nanaimo Surfside Properties Water Supply Specified Area Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 700.14, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1097.09

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Brennan, that “Regional District of Nanaimo Decourcey Water Supply Local Service Area Rates and Regulations Amendment Bylaw No. 1097.09, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1172.07

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Brennan, that “Regional District of Nanaimo San Pareil Water Supply Local Service Area Rates and Regulations Amendment Bylaw No. 1172.07, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1383.03

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Brennan, that Regional District of Nanaimo “Englishman River Community Water Supply Service Area Rates and Regulations Amendment Bylaw No. 1383.03, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1434.02

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Brennan, that Regional District of Nanaimo “Melrose Terrace Water Local Service Area Rates and Regulations Amendment Bylaw No. 1434.02, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 1468.02

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Brennan, that Regional District of Nanaimo “Nanoose Bay Peninsula Water Local Service Area Rates and Regulations Amendment Bylaw No. 1468.02, 2006” be introduced for three readings.

CARRIED

Proposed Terms of Reference for the Drinking Water/Watershed Protection Stewardship Committee.

MOVED Director Bartram, SECONDED Director Young, that the Drinking Water/Watershed Protection Stewardship Committee Terms of Reference be approved.

CARRIED

COMMISSION, ADVISORY & SELECT COMMITTEE

Electoral Area ‘E’ Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee.

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director McNabb, that the minutes of the Electoral Area ‘E’ Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee meeting held February 6, 2006 be received for information.

CARRIED

Regional Parks and Trails Advisory Committee.

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Young, that the minutes of the Regional Parks and Trails Advisory Committee meeting held February 21, 2006 be received for information.

CARRIED

Transit Business Plan Update Select Committee.

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Sperling, that the minutes of the Transit Business Plan Update Select Committee meeting held March 2, 2006 be received for information.

CARRIED

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Brennan, that the Public Consultation Summary – District 69 Transit Proposal Report be received for information.

CARRIED

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Brennan, that the District 69 Transit Proposal – Final Report recommendations as outlined below be approved:

(a) That staff proceed to refine service changes for District 69 transit for implementation in July.

(b) That the 2006 requisitions be apportioned on the basis of 2005 service levels as outlined in the staff report.

(c) That staff work with the participants to amend the cost sharing formula for 2007 and subsequent years to provide for more certainty of costs over a period of time, a mechanism to allow notice of change requests to be planned for in a more systematic way and an opportunity for a participant to accept or reject a change in their service levels and cost structure.

(d) That any identifiable cost savings from the 2006 schedule changes be considered for retroactive adjustment to the participants in 2007 in recognition of no change in the cost apportionment formula for 2006.

CARRIED

MOVED Director McNabb, SECONDED Director Brennan, that a letter be forwarded to BC Transit with a copy to the Minister, indicating that additional provincial funding assistance is required to provide for the required levels of transit service in the Regional District of Nanaimo.

CARRIED

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Bartram, that the minutes of the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee meeting held March 2, 2006 be received for information.

CARRIED

Emergency Preparedness Standing Committee.

MOVED Director Biggemann, SECONDED Director Young, that the minutes of the Emergency Preparedness Standing Committee meeting held February 16, 2006 be received for information.

CARRIED

Municipal Finance Authority.

The Chairperson noted that the Municipal Finance Authority’s credit rating has been changed due to debt servicing for BC going over the set 5% limit.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED Director Holme, SECONDED Director Sperling, that this meeting terminate.

CARRIED

TIME: 8:04 PM

CHAIRPERSON