Clearwater, BC and Wells Gray Park, British Columbia

The Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce  is neutral on the decision to incorporate or not.  We provide this website as a service for the benefit of our members and the community of Clearwater.

Barriere/Clearwater Incorporation Committee Meeting

February 8, 2006

Barriere Lions Hall

Meeting called by: Ministry of Community Services

Facilitator: Derek Trimmer / Tanya Kaul

Note Taker: Rhonda Kershaw

 Attendees: John Smith, Jim McBride, Tanya Kaul, Derek Trimmer

Barriere Representatives: Jack Lapin, Ward Stamer, Dan O'Connell, Arnold Brock, Rhonda Kershaw, Doug McGregor, Ed Valenta, Shawn Welz, Glen Stanley, Dick Ross, Jarek Kotlewski, Tammy Pitkeathly, Bob Hayward, Wanda Nystoruk, Hans Geyer, Ivan Lee, Kerry Coleman

Clearwater Representatives: Bert Walker, Jack Braaksma, Max Tanner, Hans Wadlegger, Kelly Graffunder, Linda Selbee, Pauline Gregory, Ron Van der Zwan

Opening – Derek Trimmer

How we got here:

●    TNRD Area Directors and MLA indicated support and interest from community members to Minister  Chong

●    Both areas have been studied before

●    studies are undertaken a minimum of five years apart and only initiated by interest within the   community as indicated through local MLA's and Area Director's

●    the process is ready to begin in both Barriere and Clearwater

General notes:

●    not a meeting to discuss pros and cons, that is the purpose of the study

●    a vote will not necessarily be held

●    the purpose of the committee is to gather information to pass on to the public

●    decision to hold the vote will be made after the study is complete

General Overview – Tanya Kaul

Review of memo to TNRD:

●   Two separate studies will be undertaken.  Some meetings will be joint to take advantage of economies of scale

●   the public will be notified of all committee meetings and welcome

●   all documents will be available to the public

●   the same consultant will be used, and agreed upon, by both committees

●   the consultant will produce two separate reports

●   1 terms of reference will be used

●   if process progresses to the point of a vote for both communities they could be held on the same day

●    we are currently on track in terms of time line

Roll of committee – Derek trimmer

●    the committee members are “process managers, not decision makers”

●    the committee members should try to reach consensus on issues

●    meeting minutes do not need to be exhaustive

●    TNRD administers the grant (up to $40,000 per community)

●    ex-officio members are Jack Lapin, Barriere, and Bert Walker, Clearwater

●    public should be given the opportunity to provide input at every meeting

Terms of reference – Derek Trimmer

●    invoices signed off by executive of each committee

●    committees will have reasonable operating budgets

●    Ministry will provide input and guidance in consultant selection

●    a shortlist of consultants will be provided by the ministry

●    consultant performance will be reviewed by the committees

●    interviews with consultants prior to hiring may be advisable

●    ministry documentation is available to guide the process

●    experience and style count when hiring a consultant

●    it is recommended that designated members, possibly the executive committees, choose consultant, not the whole committee

●    committees need to appoint a treasurer, chair, secretary, media contact (spokesperson)

●    the consultant will provide technical information and facilitate public meetings

●    an early public meeting is an option to help guide the consultant

●    consultant examines present and future of the area

●    consultant is “neutral, technical, and fully defensible”

●    all study assumptions must be clearly understood

●    Ministry will provide a terms of reference for final approval by the committees

Other – Derek Trimmer

Question – Policing, how is this changing?

            - Will pay whether incorporated or not in 2007.

            Where do funds from fines go?  Will a portion come back to the community?

Boundary Considerations:

●    both areas have been studied before, this may provide a starting point

●    consultant uses boundary for financial analysis (sewer, water, road, population)

●    sense of community is important to boundary selection

●    have a public meeting prior to boundary selection

●    only people residing within boundary are allowed to vote

●   question – when do we get further road information from Ministry of Highways, before or after boundary selection?  Typically after.  The standard five year maintenance agreement will likely apply but likely no capital expenditure. 

Website – Derek will prepare and provide thoughts on the development of a website for easy public access to information in addition to the standard methods.

Provincial changes that affect small communities (municipalities < 5000 population):

●      Small community protection grant is being doubled

●      New Deal – Federal Provincial Agreement “Gas Tax”, dollars will be coming back to municipalities and regional districts

●      Infrastructure grants may be coming

Question – What happens if a community is no longer viable due to a loss of tax base?

●      Provincial government has programs that are available for struggling communities

●      population has more implications in dis-incorporation but is highly unlikely (last memorable dis-incorporation was Salt Spring Island in 1913)

Communities that could be used as a basis for comparison:

●      this would provide an increased level of comfort that communities in similar situations have made a viable go of incorporation and stayed viable and thriving in the long term

●      Bowen Island, Lake Country have both done studies to review their incorporation process