Fort St. James District is looking to set up a three way agreement with Nak’azdli Whut’en and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako to provide curb side pick up. This recycling implementation plan was one of many other agendas, discussed by council during the regular public meeting held March 26.
Recycling implementation program
Melany Helmer, chief administrative officer of the District said,”Nak’azdli has been providing recycling service to the community, but because of their own internal priorities they were not looking to continue offering that service.”
Hence the agreement with RDBN and Nak’azdli Whut’en came into play, she said.
“The single stream is the preferred approach for many people in the community because it is easier for them. And it has still enabled us to capture a large amount of items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. So it is an environmentally friendly initiative,” Helmer added.
Some of the costs associated with this project will be dealt with, as the District received funding from Recycle BC she said, adding,”we are hoping that this will be an improvement in the service offered to the public without resulting in a tax build.”
During the regular public meeting, Helmer said, council moved forward with an interim agreement with Nak’azdli Whut’en to continue providing the service until the District’s plan is implemented.
The District’s intention, Helmer said, is to have an interim agreement in place until Aug. 1. The plan to set up this service will evolve over the next few months, she said, adding that some details still need to be worked out with other partners and Recycle BC before it can be implemented.
The public will be educated about this service in different ways, Helmer said.
“So discussions with the public, social media, website. At the transfer station and possibly some other avenues. So there are quite a few things being explored for putting that information out so that public can know what is happening and what they can recycle via the curbs side as well as the additional options that will be available at the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako transfer site,” she said.
READ MORE: Recycling in Fort St. James: let’s get it right
Volunteer appreciation week
The District of Fort St. James alongside other communities including Vanderhoof, are holding a volunteer appreciation week from April 7 until April 13.
Helmer said,” The main thing the mayor wanted to say was that she was so happy to see this added to the District of Fort St. James proclamations… And that everything our volunteers do is much appreciated because so many of the activities and events especially extra-curricular type events are only occurring because of all those volunteers.”
She said this proclamation is to demonstrate to volunteers that their efforts are appreciated by everyone in the community.
Council remuneration
Council passed a motion to increase remuneration and other expenses they can claim for work. Helmer said,”There were a few reasons that fed into it. The Canada Revenue Agency made a change. It used to be that councils had one-third of the remuneration they receive exempted because it related to expenses. This was cut off by the Canada Revenue Agency starting on Jan. 1. So that was one of the factors that council considered.”
She said council were also trying to bring the meal and mileage in line with other communities and create consistency there.
Meanwhile, Brenda Gouglas, Fort St. James resident and municipal councillor with the District for 10 years, in a letter to the District, which was read by Council on March 26, has asked - “How does council justify giving themselves substantial increases to their stipend and travel when the property taxes are proposed to go up by 4 percent and revenues from them is down $454,637.48?”
The mayor will receive $14,729 annually in 2019 which includes a 3 percent CPI. So in 2020, the mayor will receive $15,170.87, 2021 - $15,625.99 and 2022 - $16,094.76.
The councillors will receive $10,386.21 in 2019. In 2020 they will receive $10,386.21, 2021 — $10,697 and 2022 — $11, 018. 72. The full document is available on the District of Fort St. James website.
Gouglas said in the letter that there is a 13.3 percent increase in councillor stipend. A 22.75 percent increase in mayor stipend. A new change is a $50 per month per council member for use of their personal telephone, she wrote.
Gouglas added that there is a 65 percent increase in per diem (meal rate). A new $40 for a two to four hour meeting and $80 for a four to eight hour meeting and the changes are to be retroactive to January 1, Gouglas wrote.
Gouglas also added that there has been a 46.4 percent increase in council travel over 2018.
Members of the public can access all these records on the municipal website.
Housing report
A housing study was conducted in 2013 which ended in 2018. The results of the report were discussed in council on March 26.
Helmer said given the size of the report council needs more time to deliberate before they can take any steps. She also said that housing is a provincial responsibility, but because of the importance to the community, local government needs to step in.
“So at this point council is certainly aware of the housing issue and the importance to the community… The province has BC housing. They have initiatives which they can handle on a broader scale. It is not part of the normal portfolio of local governments to deal with housing, although it becomes important for the communities especially when you have shortages,” she said.
Helmer said it’s more of an advocacy role and the District doesn’t have a housing department so that can be a struggle.
The report mentions steps council can take such as the creation of an affordable housing reserve fund. Helmer said no steps have been discussed yet as council needs time to consider the results and take necessary steps.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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