Thompson-Nicola Regional District
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THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT Thursday, July 17, 2003 MINUTES of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT held in the Board Room, Fourth Floor, 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, B.C. on Thursday, July 17, 2003, commencing at 1:45 p.m. PRESENT: Chair P.A.J. Ranta Village of Cache Creek Director P. Rolston (Alternate) Village of Ashcroft Director H. Danyluk Village of Chase Director R. Stanke Village of Clinton Director M. Rothenburger City of Kamloops Director J. Leong City of Kamloops Director J.H. O’Fee City of Kamloops Director P.G. Sharp City of Kamloops Director S. Frissell (Alternate) City of Kamloops Director E. Brown District of Logan Lake Director C. O’Connor Village of Lytton Director R. Sherwood (Alternate) City of Merritt Director S.P. Quinn Electoral Area “B” Director S. Watson Electoral Area “E” Director B. Tait Electoral Area “I” Director R. H. Elliott Electoral Area “J” Director J. Taylor Electoral Area “L” Director J. Post Electoral Area “M” Director M.C. Rose Electoral Area “N” Director W.T.A. Kershaw Electoral Area “O” Director F. Sawada Electoral Area “P” Mr. J.R. McBride, Clerk/Director of Community Services Mr. S. Gill, Director of Finance Mr. G. Toma, Director of Development Services Mr. K. Kierans, Director of Libraries Mr. S. Mason, Manager of Utility Services Mr. D. May, Manager of Environmental Health Services Mrs. B. Jackson, Planner Ms. L. Cornwell, Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary PRESS: D. Lindsay – Kamloops This Week J. Bennett – CHNL Radio C. Fortems – Kamloops Daily News Minutes – Board of Directors Regular Meeting July 17, 2003 Page 2 OTHERS: Approximately six interested persons 1. MINUTES: (a) Regular Meeting of June 26, 2003 Moved by Director Elliott Seconded by Director Danyluk That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 26, 2003 be adopted as circulated. CARRIED Unanimously 2. BYLAWS (From Public Hearings): (a) Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1938 (2nd & 3rd readings) RZ-P-70 / Applicant – Land & Water BC Inc. / Sun Peaks Resort Corporation Sun Peaks, BC / RR-1 (Resort Reserve One) to TA-1 (Tourist Accommodation One) Report from Director of Development Services dated June 30, 2003. After some discussion, the Clerk was requested to provide a report to the Board of Directors at a future meeting regarding rules of procedures including conflict of interest rules for Advisory Planning Commissions. On question, the Director of Development Services advised that the Wildlife Hazard Assessment report will be completed for the entire project in the next several weeks. Moved by Director Sawada Seconded by Director Rose That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1938 be read a second time by title only. CARRIED Unanimously Moved by Director Sawada Seconded by Director Quinn That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1938 be read a third time by title only. CARRIED Unanimously Minutes – Board of Directors Regular Meeting July 17, 2003 Page 3 (b) Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1939 (2nd & 3rd readings) RZ-P-71 / Applicant – Land & Water BC Inc. / Sun Peaks Resort Corporation Sun Peaks, BC / RR-1 (Resort Reserve One) to RS-1 (Residential Single Family One) Report from Director of Development Services dated June 30, 2003. Moved by Director Sawada Seconded by Director Frissell That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1939 be read a second time by title only. CARRIED Unanimously Moved by Director Sawada Seconded by Director Quinn That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1939 be read a third time by title only. CARRIED Unanimously (c) Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1942 (2nd & 3rd readings) RZ-P-72 / Applicant – Land & Water BC Inc. / Sun Peaks Resort Corporation Sun Peaks, BC / RR-1 (Resort Reserve One) to RS-1 (Residential Single Family One) Report from Director of Development Services dated June 30, 2003. Moved by Director Sawada Seconded by Director Quinn That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1942 be read a second time by title only. CARRIED Unanimously Moved by Director Sawada Seconded by Director Quinn That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1942 be read a third time by title only. CARRIED Unanimously Minutes – Board of Directors Regular Meeting July 17, 2003 Page 4 3. DELEGATIONS: (a) Ms. Sonny Bae Stakeholder Engagement Contact - Energy Plan Implementation BC Hydro Re: BC Hydro Heritage Contract and Independent Power Projects The delegation made a visual presentation on BC Hydro’s Heritage Contract and Stepped Rates Proposal, and indicated the following: - BC Hydro is a monopoly regulated by the British Columbia Utilities Commission which protects ratepayers interests. - In November 2002, the liberal government published an energy plan as to how the energy industry should be developed in the province with two main objectives: to encourage new investment and to increase trade. - BC Hydro has filed their proposal for a Heritage Contract, Stepped Rates and Access Principles with the BC Utilities Commission and the proposal is in Phase 1, the public inquiry stage. The public inquiry stage includes a public inquiry in Kelowna on July 25 and a public hearing in Vancouver from July 28 to August 1 and then the BC Utilities Commission will be providing their report to the provincial government in October, 2003. There will be legislative changes and changes to BC Hydro’s operation methods as a result of the proposal. Phase 2 involves a review of the costs of service that BC Hydro will provide. - The Heritage Contract is the means by which the provincial government can ensure the present low rates remain. BC Hydro wants to make sure there are no fixed limits on volume or price. - BC Hydro will no longer develop infrastructure for new demands on energy loads; this will be left to the private sector, through Independent Power Producers. BC Hydro believes that industrial customers can make better economic choices as to where to purchase their power. - BC Hydro’s objectives for proposed stepped rates are to have a new mandatory rate for industrial customers, the rates will be “bill neutral”, i.e. customers with no increase in energy consumption will not have increased bills. - Over the next ten years, it is anticipated that 1/3 of energy requirements will be provided through Independent Power Producers, who will produce energy and sell the energy back to B.C. Hydro. A call for IPP’s will be completed in the fall of 2003. Minutes – Board of Directors Regular Meeting July 17, 2003 Page 5 On question, the delegation indicated that: - BC Hydro will have a 3.5% to 6% shortfall in revenue annually for the next few yers due to lower than average water levels in the past few years and the fact that rates have not been adjusted incrementally in the past ten years. BC Hydro also proposes to complete significant maintenance over the next few years. - Residential and commercial rates will be charged a blended rate while large industrial users such as pulp mills and mines will be charged the stepped rate. The government wants to ensure a component of the Heritage Contract (existing rates) will be available to attract large industries to the province. - Large industrial companies have participated in meetings with the BC Utilities Commission and have asked for stepped rates due to the slow economy. - B.C. Hydro has long-term purchase agreements with some customers which does not allow variable pricing in the long-term; - It is unlikely that BC Hydro would assist Highland Valley Copper when commodity rates are low in the market place as they did when the NDP government was in power; Director O’Fee expressed concern that for businesses wishing to expand, marginal costs of energy will go through the roof and this will prevent economic development in the province. On question by the Chair, the delegation advised that Heritage Contract rates would be not tied to the region but would revert back to BC Hydro for re-allocation to other industrial customers. B.C. Hydro is strongly opposed to specific entitlement as there is huge potential for abuse. B.C. Hydro designs its rates on the basis that everything goes into one pot and is distributed equitably on a pro rata basis. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (a) BC Hydro – Heritage Contract and Independent Power Projects The Chair advised that at the inquiry session in Kelowna, the basis of his presentation will be related to the regional benefit for existing heritage rates, such as rates tied to Highland Valley Copper, remaining in the region to attract economic development. Moved by Director Leong Seconded by Director Quinn That a letter of thanks be forwarded to Ms. Sonny Brae for her presentation to the Board of Directors on the BC Hydro Heritage Contract. CARRIED Unanimously Minutes – Board of Directors Regular Meeting July 17, 2003 Page 6 Moved by Director Quinn Seconded by Director Rose That the Chair attend the British Columbia Utilities Commission’s regional inquiry session on the BC Hydro Heritage Contract on Friday, July 25th, 2003 in Kelowna, BC. CARRIED Unanimously (b) Film Commission (ii) Request for Removal of Requirement to Raise Minimum Amount of Funds Director Rothenburger commented that the Film Commission and the Executive Director of Film have proven their value as millions of dollars of economic activity have been brought into the region and the Film Commission wants to continue to focus on attracting the film industry to the region, and continue to look at ways of raising revenue. Recommendation deferred from June 26, 2003 Board of Directors’ meeting. Moved by Director Stanke Seconded by Director Elliott That the 2004 budget of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission be funded at $150,000 and that the Film Commission continue to engage in fundraising activities in order to supplement its activities beyond those provided for in the budget.