The Cariboo Regional District, Cariboo Regional Hospital District, Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District, 2015 provisional budgets and business plans were endorsed by the CRD board, Friday, Dec. 19. The budgets will will now be presented at public sub-regional consultation meetings taking place in 100 Mile House council chambers on Monday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.; the CRD board room in Williams Lake Jan. 29 at 5 p.m.; and at the CRD Quesnel Library program room Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.
Town hall meetings
The CRD’s traditional town hall meetings were held at the beginning of the budgeting process in September and October in each of the electoral areas and municipalities. The budgets are currently listed on the CRD website on the Dec. 12 agendas at cariboord.ca.
Mount Polley update
Steve Robertson, vice-president of corporate affairs at Imperial Metals Corporation, gave a presentation to the board on the three main phases of the Mount Polley Mine tailings pond breach, including response, restoration and the geotechnical investigation.
He also outlined the extensive testing that has taken place as well as ongoing testing.
Mount Polley will be submitting an application to the provincial government for an early restart for operations using Open Pit for tailings restoration.
To view information about the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Pond breach and for current updates visit Imperial Metals online at imperialmetals.com.
Heritage Committee recommendation
The CRD board endorsed a recommendation from the regional district’s heritage steering committee to dedicate the Telegraph Trail to the memory of former CRD Director Andy Motherwell. This dedication is in tribute to his years of service to the Cariboo Regional District and the region.
During the November 14, meeting the board officially included a portion of the BC’s Telegraph Trail on the CRD’s Heritage Registry. The Telegraph Trail includes the Yukon Telegraph Line section north of Quesnel and the Collins Overland Telegraph Line section which extends south of Quesnel.
Vice-chair elected
The CRD’s Area G Director Al Richmond, and Area A Director Ted Armstrong were re-elected as chair and vice-chair respectively.
This marks the seventh consecutive years as chair and vice-chair for Richmond and Armstrong.
Grant supported
The CRD board endorsed endorsed a resolution to support the Northern Secwepemc Cultural Society’s application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
The application, in the amount of $250,000 under the NDIT’s Economic Diversification Infrastructure Program, would be used towards the development of their cultural centre and museum project in the south Cariboo.
Happy holidays
The board of directors and staff of the Cariboo Regional District wish residents of the Cariboo Chilcotin a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The CRD offices will be closed from December 25 through to January 1, 2015. CRD offices will re-open on January 2, 2015.
The next meeting of the CRD board will be Jan. 23, 2015.