Question Period Bylaw

At its Jan. 16 meeting, council gave first three readings to a bylaw amendment to remove public question period from its meetings, changing the format so that public questions now have to be submitted in writing.

Council gave direction to municipal staff to respond in a timely manner – at the next regular council meeting - to written questions submitted during public question period.

A letter was received from Kerry Ness, asking council not to cancel public question period and suggesting council should “have a set of rules (like the Marquess of Queensbury Rules in boxing) that would take care of the nastiness of some people.”

Councillor Kevin Anderson responded that he could “definitely” see Ness’ point of view, but he could also “definitely see why council has modified question period to try to keep things in a civil state.”

Councillor Greg deStrake commented that he understands that citizens want to be involved in the governance of the community. “At the same time, keeping things on an even keel in council chambers is necessary as well,” said deStrake. “It’s not that we don’t want to answer questions. We will indeed answer questions, any questions, as long as they’re submitted and we have an opportunity to look at them and answer them in an intelligent manner.”

The bylaw amendment also moves Delegations to the end of the council meeting agendas just prior to Media/Public Question Period.

The Lillooet News questioned this change, commenting that members of the public who wish to appear as a delegation will now be required to sit through the entire meeting before they can make their presentation.

Acting Mayor Wendy Parker replied that in the past, questions were coming in at the beginning of council meetings, disrupting council’s discussion.

“Now we can smoothly move through the council meeting and then have the delegations,” said Parker.

Rotation Board

Contractors in town have asked the District to establish a rotating process so that work on the Mountainview Road repair is fairly distributed locally. The contractors noted that the parameters for the project have changed from “digging a ditch” to more extensive work.

Chief Administrative Officer Grant Loyer said the District is dealing with some “more imminent problems,” but will respond to the contractors’ request “and do something about it in the very near future.”

Town Creek Diversion

Noting that speculation about the reasons for the Mountainview Road/Conwayville flooding is continuing in the community, the Lillooet News asked if council would conduct a review into the possible causes of the unprecedented flooding in Conwayville including, but not limited to:

the effects of the 2004 and 2009 forest fires

the possible effects of the Ministry of Forests’ initial response to fighting both fires and whether that may have contributed to the subsequent problems on Mountainview Road and Conwayville

the potential effect of snow levels and snow pack

the possible effects of the Town Creek diversion on Conwayville flooding.

The News asked that the review be done after the state of local emergency is lifted.

CAO Grant Loyer replied that the District has received advice from the Municipal Insurance Association and is currently restricted about what it can say regarding the diversion.

The News also noted that a Lillooet Ratepayers document on the Town Creek diversion has been circulated online and around the community.

The document is dated Jan. 3, 2012 and addressed to Mayor and Council, but council members and administration said a copy was never submitted to the municipality and they had not seen the document.

Commenting on the diversion, Councillor Anderson said there has been “no attempt at all” by council or staff to hide the fact that a diversion or diversions had occurred.

“It was done at the time the hospital area was being compromised and at the time, they were doing due diligence. My opinion on that is that the staff and the municipality were at that point dealing with an emergency situation and did what they thought best,” said Anderson. “That is another one of these contentious issues that seems to have perked up and has gone viral. In the course of people doing their work and doing their best for the community, I do not like the idea of them being vilified.”

Letter of Support

Councillor Anderson questioned a letter of support written by former mayor Ted Anchor to the Just Do It Sport Society. Anderson said Anchor’s letter did not follow normal protocol because it was not sent on District letterhead and was not approved by council, as per District policy.

He said he wanted to ensure that a proper letter was sent to the society. CAO Grant Loyer said a letter would be drafted, brought forward to council and then be ready for Acting Mayor Wendy Parker’s signature.

REC Centre passes

A resolution was passed, allowing council members to receive REC Centre passes as a taxable benefit. District of Lillooet staff already have the opportunity to obtain REC Centre passes as a taxable benefit.

Speaking in support of the resolution, Councillor Anderson said the passes may serve as an incentive to young people to seek local government office. He added that the passes are not a burden on the municipality and may help to reduce council’s stress levels.

Thompson Regional Hospital District

Councillor Anderson reported he attended the most recent meeting of the Thompson Regional Hospital District in Kamloops. Three local issues were discussed:

heli-pad parking and night parking

mental health services

the need for more physiotherapy services here

Board of Variance

The municipality will be advertising for interested people to serve on a newly appointed Board of Variance. All BC communities are required to have a Board of Variance to hear minor variance issues on properties within their jurisdiction.

Extra Responsibilities

Following the resignations of Ted Anchor and Kevin Taylor, council has redistributed its workload among the remaining council members.

Councillor Anderson replaces Anchor as Lillooet’s representative on the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Board, with Acting Mayor Parker as his alternate, replacing Taylor.

Anderson was also named regional advisor to the Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet Regional Advisory Committee of the Northern Development Initiative Trust.

Career Focus Program

Economic Development Officer Jerry Sucharyna reported the District’s application for a 32-week Career Focus program position was successful. The total value of the project is $19,336 and it creates one position. The program offers funding for employers to offer post-secondary graduates opportunities to gain career-related work experience.

Last year, the same program created one position, enabling one person to find full-time employment.