Michelle Boag

This strategic plan for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District outlines five strategic priorities: Fiscal Responsibility, Resilient Communities, Sustainable Growth, Organizational Efficiency, and Advocacy. It aims to provide focus for the CSRD's work, ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability, financially sound services, asset maintenance, stable revenue, and equitable cost distribution. The plan also seeks to advance Truth and Reconciliation, enhance regional self-reliance and climate change resilience, clarify the CSRD's role, promote environmentally responsible land use, and protect natural assets, while fostering efficient operations and effective advocacy for critical regional issues.

The meeting discussed an application to rezone a property from Small Holdings to Rural Residential 2 to facilitate its subdivision into three residential lots. There was recognition that housing is in demand and that subdividing large lots could provide affordable properties. The Advisory Planning Commission approved the Zoning Amendment. A brief description of the new Vacation Rental requirement in Area B was given, which requires owners or long-term renters to occupy the property, or the property could be rezoned to a Commercial Zone for Vacation Rental use.

The meeting included a presentation and overview of the draft five-year Financial Plan (2019 Budget). Department managers provided overviews of their 2019 mandates, covering Corporate Administration, Financial Services, Information Systems, Development Services, and Operations Management. Key discussion points included strategic planning, economic development and tourism, the Rail Trail, Area C incorporation study, feasibility studies, building inspection implementation, IT projects, development services, and operations management. The committee also discussed staffing complements, area tax summaries, regional focus, and electoral area functions.

The meeting included a presentation by Morrison Hershfield Engineering on the CSRD's Five-Year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) Effectiveness Review, with a recommendation to proceed with a full SWMP review. Goals and programs for exploring in the SWMP review were presented including financial and funding models, transfer station optimization, curbside collection program expansion, and landfill management. Updates on solid waste management were provided for Golden, Revelstoke, Sicamous, and Salmon Arm/Shuswap wastesheds, including details on transfer station safety, monitoring well installations, surface water management, food waste composting, landfill closures, scale replacements, soil management, and recycling initiatives. A motion was passed to approve a complete and in-depth review of the CSRD's Solid Waste Management Plan to commence in 2023.

The meeting included a presentation on the five-year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) effectiveness review, covering waste disposal trends, economic trends, GHG Emissions, and compliance activity. Discussions covered initiatives in various wastesheds, including surface water management, wildlife fence installation, and the establishment of Recycle BC depots. The recycling program was reviewed, including updates on collection and diversion rates, management of shingles, and new provincial programs for commercial recycling and plastics. Updates were provided on municipal activities, such as collection systems for refuse and food waste, community collection events, and options for food waste diversion programs.