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Executive Discussion Topics and Actions Taken – 2010-11
Derelict Vessels - At the 2010 AVICC Convention, four resolutions on derelict vessels were endorsed with a further resolution to AVICC to draft, in consultation with the respective sponsors, a single resolution incorporating all of the salient points of the four original resolutions. Mayor Darren Inkster, Sechelt chaired a Sub-Committee comprised of Director Sheila Malcolmson and Clare Frater, Islands Trust; Councillor John Rogers, View Royal; and Councillor Adam Olsen, Central Saanich to draft the resolution. The resolution was then sent out to the original sponsors of the four resolutions for approval. The revised resolution was endorsed by AVICC Executive at their regular meeting June 11, 2010. The resolution was forwarded to UBCM and was subsequently endorsed by the 2010 UBCM Convention. Resolution B30 Derelict & Abandoned Vessels, Barges and Docks reads as follows:
WHEREAS UBCM has previously endorsed a resolution on the topic of derelict vessels in 2005 and the issue of derelict and abandoned vessels, barges, and docks continues to be of significant concern and cost for local governments and harbour authorities in British Columbia;
AND WHEREAS there are many derelict and abandoned vessels, barges and docks that pose safety hazards, risks of environmental contamination and visual pollution:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM petition the provincial and federal governments to develop a coordinated approach to the timely and adequate removal of all types of derelict and abandoned vessels, barges and docks in all situations and consider the following strategies:
• funding mechanisms such as a fee on vessel registrations or a surcharge on marine fuel to fund the removal of derelict and abandoned vessels, barges and docks;
• designated disposal areas where owners can take their unwanted boats and structures to provide an alternative to abandonment on public property; and
• education and vessel product stewardship programs, for example fibreglass boat recycling centres.
A “Finding Solutions to the Management of Derelict Vessels” workshop was also planned as part of the 2010 UBCM Convention process. It was held on Thursday, September 30 from 2-4 pm with approximately 90 delegates in attendance. Presenters included: Sheila Malcolmson, Chair, Island Trust Council; Melissa Ferris, Program Manager, Derelict Vessel Removal Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources; Bob Gowe, Manager, Navigable Waters Protection, Transport Canada; and Duncan Williams, Executive Director, Regional Operations, Integrated Land Management Bureau, Province of BC. Copies of the Powerpoint Presentations are available on the UBCM website. The workshop was very well received by those in attendance. Bob Gowe and Duncan Williams spoke of the next steps to be taken in moving forward with resolving these issues as establishing an advisory committee comprised of key stakeholders. As a follow-up Mayor Causton in thank you letters to Mr. Gowe and Mr. Williams reiterated that “AVICC will be happy to provide the names of local government representatives to serve on the advisory committee that you and Bob spoke of being established in moving forward.”
Islands Trust also took the opportunity of the UBCM Convention to initiate a meeting with Minister Bell. That meeting took place on September 29 with participants feeling that it was well received. Invited participants included: Mayor Christopher Causton, Oak Bay; Mayor Janet Evans, Sooke; Mayor Darren Inkster, Sechelt; Councillor Adam Olsen, Central Saanich; and Mayor Bob Turner, Bowen Island.
The issue received substantial attention by the media over the week of Convention and the week following. Shachi Kurl, reporter with A News interviewed Minister Bell on September 29 with Minister Bell advising that he hoped to arrive at “conclusion with Ottawa by the end of the year and then moving forward in 2011 in terms of new rules set and how we manage these crafts.” To listen to the full interview with Minister Bell. In follow-up to her presentation at the “Finding Solutions to the Management of Derelict Vessels” workshop on September 30 and in follow-up to the issue of the vessel named Dominion which has been a long-term issue in Cowichan Bay, on October 7 CBC radio interviewed Melissa Ferris on Washington’s Derelict Vessel Removal Program. Listen to the podcast of the interview with Melissa Ferris.
The Province initiated a teleconference on November 26, 2010 to provide an update and discuss the plans to move forward which included the establishment of a Joint Working Group for Removal of Derelict Vessels in BC. AVICC’s Derelict Vessels Sub-committee members Mayor Darren Inkster and Chair Sheila Malcolmson participated on the teleconference. Brenda Gibson, UBCM and Clare Frater, Islands Trust will be representing local government. The first meeting of the committee took place January 13, 2011 in Victoria. During its January 14 regular meeting, Brenda Gibson provided a brief update on first meeting to Executive and in exchange received requested feedback on a number of key points.
Gas Franchise Fees Agreement Expiring December 31, 2011 – this issue continues to remain a priority for the Executive.
An email which outlined the Serious Continuing Issue for Vancouver Island & the Sunshine Coast and from former mayor of Nanaimo, Gary Korpan was distributed to AVICC members on April 29, 2010.
At the June 11, 2010 meeting, Executive noted that it will again be necessary to bring the new Minister of Community and Rural Development up to speed on the issue. Mayor Janyk raised the issue at the July UBCM Executive table.
At the October 29, 2010 meeting, Executive identified the need to establish a sub-committee to move forward with this issue. It would be composed of Mayor Causton, Chair Stanhope, Mayor Ruttan and CAO Doug Holmes of City of Nanaimo, and CAO Tim Woods from Central Saanich. A meeting with Terasen Gas originally scheduled for December 7, 2010 was held on January 14, 2011 at the Nanaimo Regional District Office. Terasen Gas representatives included: Gord Schoberg, Carol Greaves and Chris Hyland. Representatives from Terasen Gas will provide an update on Operating Agreement negotiations with municipalities on Vancouver Island, The Sunshine Coast and Powell River at the 2011 AVICC AGM & Convention.
Follow-up to AVICC LR2 BC Ferries Fare Increases – The resolution was referred directly to the UBCM Executive without being debated at the 2010 UBCM Convention. Mr. Tony Law, Chair of the Ferry Advisory Chairs Committee was invited to attend the October 29, 2010 Executive Meeting to provide an overview of the role of advisory committees and outline the process to be undertaken leading up to the renewal of the Coastal Ferry Services contract. The presentation provided excellent background for Mayor Janyk and Mayor Causton to address the issue being discussed at the November 2010 UBCM Executive Meeting in the context of disposition of the resolution. In follow-up to the October 29 meeting, Mayor Causton wrote a letter to Minister Shirley Bond highlighting the issues of ferry fares increases and service level reductions and the effects these have made on the island and coastal communities as it related to the renewal of the Coastal Ferry Contract and requesting the extension of BC Ferries Commissioner Martin Crilly. Assistant Deputy Minister, Kevin Richter responded on January 4, 2011 indicating that Commissioner Crilly’s contract had been extended to May 1 to allow a smooth transition to the new Commissioner, Gordon Macatee.
At the November 19 UBCM Executive Meeting, an ad hoc committee composed of Mayor Causton, Mayor Janyk, Tony Law, Chair of the Ferry Advisory Chairs Committee and supported by UBCM staff Gary MacIsaac and Marie Crawford was established to respond to the resolution. The first meeting is scheduled for January 19.
Follow-up to AVICC LR12 Rail Terminus in Nanaimo Resolution – In follow-up to AVICC Executive’s resolution endorsed at the 2010 AVICC Convention, Executive forwarded a letter May 20, 2010 to Mr. Donald A. Wright, Chairman of the Board, VIA Rail seeking their response to the resolution to establish a main rail terminus in Nanaimo and the proposed two train early morning southbound schedule with an increase in the operating subsidy necessary to support it.
Follow-up to AVICC LR11 Physical Access for Disabled Passengers Resolution - In follow-up Parksville’s resolution endorsed at the 2010 AVICC Convention, Executive forwarded a letter May 19, 2010 on Access to Transportation to Individuals with Disabilities to the Honourable John Baird, then federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Shirley Bond, provincial Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. A letter of response has been received from the Minister Chuck Strahl, now federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and from Minister Shirley Bond.
Dialogue with Vancouver Island Health Authority – Mr. Neil Sweeney, Vice President & Chief, Communications and External Relations Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Richard Crow attended the June 11, 2010 meeting. Mr. Sweeney opened his presentation providing regrets that he hadn’t been aware of the invitation to attend the AVICC Convention and noting that it would have been an opportunity he would have welcomed. He then provided an overview of the operations and issues facing VIHA with strategies and plans for the future. Members were able to ask questions and raise concerns as they arose throughout the presentation. President Causton summarized the key issues concerning members as being mental health services, continued support of home care programs and developing partnerships with recreation, and requested that in light of having the same stakeholders that continued development of relationship between VIHA and AVICC members be supported. Mr. Sweeney and Dr. Crow agreed that ongoing development of these relationships was valuable. The power point presentation is available by clicking on the following Vancouver Island Health Authority June 11, 2010 Presentation to Executive.
Dialogue with Tourism Vancouver Island – Mr. Dave Petryk, President and CEO and Mr. Chuck Fast, Chair, Tourism Vancouver Island provided an overview of the organization’s vision, mission, mandate, structure, programs and goals and strategies for the future to Executive at their June 11, 2010 regular meeting. Mr. Petryk noted that although their organization does not serve all of our members, it does collaborate with the regional association for the area that it does not. Mr. Petryk and Chair Fast responded to a wide variety of questions raised. The power point presentation is available by clicking on the following Tourism Vancouver Island June 11, 2010 Presentation to Executive.
Dialogue with Sean Wouters, Department of Fisheries and Oceans – Mr. Wouters attended the October 29 meeting via teleconference to provide an overview of the process to develop the new aquaculture regulations. Under the new structure, the Province will have responsibility for land tenure and business licence while the federal government will be responsible for management related responsibilities, i.e. waste issues. The new regulations will be in place by December 18, 2010 with policy development including a consultation process expected to take place in the new year. Treasury Board provided approval over the summer 2010 to set up a program including the hiring of 55 new staff (2-3 each in Ottawa and Vancouver with remainder in the temporary locations of Campbell River, Courtenay and Nanaimo). Executive noted the concern that staff should be regionally distributed and therefore some staff should be located in Port Alberni. Permanent location of staff is to be decided at a later date. The proposed licencing structure includes 4 categories (salmon, marine fin fish (sable), freshwater (trout farms in the interior) and shellfish). Each includes a range of conditions with many federal and provincial conditions required previously being rolled into the new licences. Members were directed to the Department of Fisheries website for more information.
AVICC Annual Luncheon at the 2010 UBCM Convention – Over 245 delegates attended the annual luncheon held in conjunction with the UBCM Convention this year. Councillor Lillian Szpak, City of Langford, Larry Tremblay, District of Metchosin and John Lutton, City of Victoria were recognized for their leadership in using alternative transportation to travel to Whistler. Mayor Larry Cross, Town of Sidney took a moment to encourage delegates to plan to attend the 2011 AGM & Convention which will be held in their community next April. Peter Moonen, Leader, Sustainable Building Coalition, Canadian Wood Council presented the Nanaimo Regional District with the WoodWORKS Community Recognition Award for its support of the BC Wod Industry and its commitment to use wood in the Transit Services Building. Mr. Graham Bruce provided an update on the activities of the Island Corridor Foundation. AVICC members who were nominated to positions on the UBCM Board of Directors were given two minutes to address delegates. Delegates were asked to support these candidates to ensure that AVICC’s interests are strongly represented provincially. Candidates included: Mayor Barry Janyk, Gibsons for Third Vice-President, Councillor Bob Day, Lake Cowichan for Director at Large and Mayor Corrine Dahling, Tahsis for Small Community Representative. Mayor Janyk was elected as Director at Large to the 2010-11 UBCM Board of Directors. Mayor Christopher Causton as AVICC President also serves as the AVICC Area Association Representative on the Board.
Summer Member Visits - The first week of July, Mayor Causton travelled up island and across to the Sunshine Coast to meet with the mayors of the following communities: Lake Cowichan (including councillors), Ladysmith, Parksville, Campbell River, Gold River, Port Alice, Port McNeil, Powell River, Sechelt and Gibsons (including councillors). He also met with the Sunshine Coast Regional District Board. The trip provided an opportunity to engage members and discuss the different concerns of the island and coastal communities. For a summary of the topics discussed and issues raised, please see AVICC President’s Summer Visits 2010.
Other Topics of Interest – In addition to the topics noted above, Executive discuss a wide variety of topics of interest to members at their regular meetings. For details of the discussion see the Minutes of the Executive Meetings.
For a pdf of the 2010 AGM & Convention Minutes.
Look back at the 2009-2010 Executive Discussion Topics and Actions Taken.