What's New

2/3/2012 9:38 AM

Public Hearing Notice - Official Community Plan

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN

Notice is hereby given that the Public Hearing regarding this will be held in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 St. Ann’s Road in Campbell River, B.C. at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.

OCP Public Hearing Package.pdf

To read the updated draft OCP visit http://sustainablecampbellriver.ca/?p=633

2/3/2012 9:36 AM

Homelessness Coalition Seeks Expressions of Interest

Homelessness Coalition invites pilot housing project ideas

The Campbell River Homelessness Coalition is putting out a call for project ideas that will increase adult housing opportunities in the community.

The coalition is seeking specific expressions of interest by Feb. 29 for pilot projects that would prevent and reduce homelessness in Campbell River by supporting a Housing First approach. Housing First emphasizes client choice and is based on the simple idea that housing is central to recovery from homelessness. Adults experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness have been identified as a priority need by the Campbell River Homelessness Coalition.

Expressions of interest must include:

A brief description of your organization’s mandate;
How your organization proposes to address one or more of the identified priority areas;
A clear reflection of organizational partnership arrangements; and
Plan for ongoing financial sustainability beyond a one-year funding period.

This is a call for expressions of interest only and does not require a full proposal. Expressions of interest must be typed (a minimum of two pages and a maximum of five pages).

Please send expressions of interest to the City of Campbell River, (301 St. Ann’s Road, Campbell River, BC V9W 4C7) no later than the deadline of 4:30 p.m. Feb. 29, 2012.

Information meetings to review guidelines for expressions of interest will occur:

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 3-4:30 p.m. – City Hall Committee Room, 301 St. Ann’s Rd

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 7-8 p.m. – Community Centre, Room 2 (upstairs), 401 11^th Ave

Read the full Expression of Interest Guidelines here:

CRHC Expression of Interest Final Document.pdf

For more information about the Homelessness Coalition:

Original Report September 2009.pdf

2/2/2012 11:00 AM

City budget status and process update

To confirm the City’s 2012 financial plan, Campbell River City Council will review and refine budget options during upcoming finance committee meetings. Meetings are scheduled every second Tuesday from Jan.31 through Mar. 31. Meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the City’s website and televised on Shaw TV.

During the Jan. 31 meeting, the City’s general manager of corporate services provided context for City taxation. “For every dollar the Canadian household pays in taxes, eight cents goes to municipal services, 50 cents goes to the federal government and 42 cents to the province,” said Laura Ciarniello.

In 2011, for approximately $149 a month (the monthly municipal taxation on the community’s average home value last year) residents received all City services – from water, sewer and emergency response, to waste collection, street maintenance, sidewalks and traffic control, transit, the airport, planning and building inspection, environmental management, economic development, public facilities like the museum, art gallery, Tidemark theatre and Maritime Heritage Centre, plus parks and recreation, she noted.

“Many people pay $150 a month for their car and house insurance, or for their cell phone, or cable and Internet package,” Ciarniello added.

The City’s 2012 draft budget provided by staff “holds the line” on 2011 service levels and results in a $3.6 million shortfall. The shortfall is related to:

a loss of major industry taxation
increasing costs for fuel and electricity and contractual wage increases to City employees
the use of $1.1 million from City reserves (savings) to balance the budget in 2011.

The draft budget also includes items already approved by Council: grants in aid worth $696,079 and permissive tax exemptions (for charitable, philanthropic or other not for profit groups that provide community services such as schools, cemeteries and churches) valued at $602,288 (equal to a four per cent residential tax increase).

“Even with a starting point of no service increases, we face a large funding shortfall,” Ciarniello says. “If Council chose to fund the entire difference through only residential property tax increases, it would mean an additional $288 a year, or $24 per month, or 79 cents a day, for the average home.”

Since 2002, the City has been reducing its dependence on major industry taxation, and that means less to make up now that the Catalyst property is no longer assessed in the major industry tax class, Ciarniello explains. “In North Cowichan, where a Catalyst mill is still operating, there is concern due to the company’s application for creditor protection that taxes might not be paid. If that happens, a $350 tax increase on the average home would be required this year to make up the potential tax loss.”

Council is discussing a range of cost-saving measures, Ciarniello adds. In addition to identifying appropriate service levels, Council will discuss user fee and tax increase options, potential borrowing options (to fund capital projects) or the possibility of using limited reserves to bridge City services to 2013.

Council is preparing a list of proposed cost-savings ideas for consideration at the Feb. 14 meeting. Rivercorp and the Airport Authority will also present budget requests for Council consideration that day.

Finance committee meetings are open to the public, and people can share comments and questions by email (info@campbellriver.ca), through an online form on the City’s website (www.campbellriver.ca / Customer Feedback) and by letter to City Hall, Ciarniello adds.

Click on this link to print the news release and read background information.

2/1/2012 3:41 PM

New and Upgraded Pedestrian Crosswalks in Campbell River

The City installed six new sets of flashing amber lights at crosswalks in 2011 at:

Highway 19A / Dahl Road (new crosswalk)
South Alder Street / Pinecrest Road (upgrade to existing crosswalk)
Alder Street / Evergreen Road (upgrade to existing crosswalk)
Alder Street / 7th Avenue (upgrade to existing crosswalk)
Pier Street / Robert Ostler Park (upgrade to existing crosswalk)

· South Alder Street / Garnet Road (existing crosswalk at the new Ecole Mer-et-Montagne)

“These upgrades encourage walking, improve safety and promote healthy lifestyles,” says Mayor Walter Jakeway. “These crosswalks are one of the many tools the City is using to assist pedestrians and to encourage more walking, which is better for citizens, the community, and the environment.”

The crosswalk at Pier Street and Robert Ostler Park was 100 per cent funded through gaming revenue. Fifty per cent of the crosswalk at South Alder / Garnet was paid funded by School District 93. The remaining crosswalks (and the 50 per cent City portion for the crosswalk at Alder / Garnet) all come from Federal Gas Tax Community Works Fund.

Another bonus: the flashing yellow lights run on green energy; they’re solar-powered rather than drawing electricity from the City grid.

Residents are reminded that the flashing lights are to alert drivers; they’re not traffic signals like an illuminated walk / don’t walk sign.

“The flashing lights are positioned to attract the attention of motorists,” says Ron Neufeld, the City’s general manager of operations. “The lights are designed to alert drivers that a pedestrian is crossing or waiting to cross. The lights do not guarantee that a vehicle will stop for the pedestrian.”

For maximum safety, pedestrians are reminded to never leave the curb until they are certain approaching vehicles have stopped or will stop.

Remember:

push button,
wait for flashing lights,
cross when safe.

And a reminder to drivers: to watch for pedestrians waiting to cross the road. It is illegal to pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, as there may be a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

Please direct feedback about these crosswalks to the City’s transportation specialist, Melissa Heidema at 250-850-2300.

2/1/2012 10:21 AM

City responds to residents’ noise complaints about debarking plant

The City of Campbell River will require an independent noise reduction plan from the owner of a debarking plant on Duncan Bay Rd.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 31, the City had received 41 complaints from area residents regarding the noise associated with operation.

“We recognize that a number of residents are upset, even distressed, by the location of the plant and consider noise from the operation a disruption to life in the neighbourhood,” says City clerk Peter Wipper. “We understand that having the noise reduced is urgent for them.”

All complaints are being forwarded to the City’s bylaw enforcement department for response and tracking. “We’re taking their concerns seriously, and will keep people up to date on what we’re doing to address the noise issue,” Wipper adds.

The plant is operating legally, with all permits and a business license in place. City staff investigating the complaints took video / audio recordings from four locations adjacent to the site and determined that, under the City’s public nuisance bylaw, the noise level requires the plant owner to hire an independent sound consultant to report on noise abatement options.

The City has officially contacted the property owner by telephone and sent a letter requiring that the City be provided with a report by an independent sound consultant recommending methods to reduce noise from the operation by Feb. 24. If improvements can be made, the report must include an action plan and timeline for City approval as well as a final report showing approved action has been taken.

“The plant owner has indicated he is aware of noise concerns and has told us that he has taken steps to reduce the noise such as building insulation and vinyl panels on the side openings,” Wipper says. “The report from the independent consultant will outline any additional steps that can be taken to reduce the noise and a timeline for action.”

In the meantime, staff are updating people who have contacted the City with complaints with the latest available information. Staff are also providing regular updates for Council.

The City has also investigated allegations by some residents that people in the neighbourhood were not made aware of original zoning change in 1998.

Documents in City files include a 1998 petition by local residents objecting to heavy industrial zoning in this area, which indicates people in this neighbourhood at the time were aware of the proposed zoning. The Council of the day adopted the zoning that allows the current activity on this land.

Background:

Northern Pressure Treated Wood is located on 22.5 acres formerly in the Agricultural Land Reserve. Operation began Jan. 23, 2012, with the plant working 8:30 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The property was incorporated into municipal boundaries in 1982. At the time it was unzoned. City files include a 1985 residents’ petition opposing industrial zoning.

A 1996 staff review showed the property was still unzoned. As part of bylaw 2700-1998 review to bring zoning up to date with the then-current Official Community Plan, the land was to be zoned I-2 (heavy industrial).

In 1998, a public hearing notice was published advising of a proposed zoning change and notices were hand-delivered in this neighbourhood. Public hearings are held to ensure people have an opportunity to voice their opinion about proposed zoning changes.

A petition in City files dated October 1998 shows names of residents in the area who objected to heavy industrial zoning at that time. One recent complaint refers to the 1998 petition/submission to Council.

In 1998, Council of the day approved the I-2 (heavy industrial) zoning, which has carried through to today. A covenant with the Agricultural Land Commission is registered on the land and states that the lands shall be used only for “the construction and operation of a saw mill or other wood related mill, any of the uses permitted by (heaving industrial zone); or farm use.”

Readying the property for the debarking operation required a minor development permit application (completed in late 2011), building permit and a business license. Minor development permits ensure that projects adhere to the development permit guidelines, which for industrial uses typically deals with site servicing and form and character of construction. Minor development permits are delegated to staff for processing. The minor development permit, building permit and business license were processed by staff as per standard City business operations.

2/1/2012 10:16 AM

Expanded adult recreation program – everything from cooking and cardio to conversation

The Campbell River Recreation Department is now offering an expanded line of adult classes. People can enroll in arts and crafts as well as cooking classes, sign up for great cardio workouts and even learn the art of focused conversation.

For years, Mrs. K has been teaching full youth classes featuring the fun of cooking. Now she’s bringing the same enthusiasm and skill to teaching adults culinary skills. Learn to Cook adult culinary class starts Feb. 7 to teach adults young and old to prepare nutritious, economical meals that don’t require a microwave. The Cook to Impress Series for Men will teach the guys how whip up easy and yummy gourmet meals. For the person who loves pub grub, Mrs. K’s Just Wing It class will share secrets for fully-loaded nachos, gourmet burgers and, of course, finger-licking-good wings.

More options in the adult drop-in fitness schedule will help get your heart pumping! This season, we have drop-in five days a week with the Lunch Time Fitness classes, plus Zumba Gold, X Fit and Bootcamp Plus at the Sportsplex.

And, is it time to brush up those communications skills? Did you know that only 20 per cent of all human communication is expressed through words, while 80 per cent of what we share is non-verbal? In the two-day Art of Focused Conversation workshop facilitated by Marlowe Lindberg, participants will learn how to fine tune listening skills, how to use open and closed questions that help direct conversation and “I messages” that help set boundaries for better understanding. The workshop will also demonstrate non-verbal know-how about personal space, eye contact, posture, facial expressions and voice techniques.

For more information on these or any of the other existing adult recreation programs, check out the guide online at www.campbellriver.ca. Click on the Recreation button or call 250.286.1161 or 250.923.7911 for more information or to register.

2/1/2012 9:44 AM

Video highlights of Jan. 30 Campbell River Jobs Forum

Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU3ZX4E40FM&feature=youtu.be

1/27/2012 9:03 AM

Greenways Trail Survey - Have your say by Feb. 1!

Provide feedback on the Greenways Loop Trail Development plans along Highway 19A from Maryland to Jubilee Parkway by completing this survey. Deadline is Feb. 1.

Click on this link Greenways Loop Presentation 2012-Jan25.pdf to see the presentation given at the open house on January 25.

1/25/2012 9:15 AM

Public Hearing Notice - 1153 - 1185 Ironwood Street

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing regarding the following will be held in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 St. Ann’s Road in Campbell River, B.C. at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Property owners are required to provide all tenants, leaseholders and occupants with a copy of this Public Hearing Notice.

Notice of Public Hearing 1153 1185 Ironwood.pdf

1/24/2012 1:26 PM

Click for LIVE Council meeting webcasting

Click on the link on the City's website (right on the homepage) to watch live and archived Council meeting footage.

Live webcasting is available only when meetings are in session.

Archived Council meetings will be available, indexed by agenda item, the afternoon following meetings.

For more information about Council meetings, including schedules, agendas and minutes, click here http://www.campbellriver.ca/CityHall/CouncilMeetings/Pages/default.aspx.

1/20/2012 4:10 PM

Website changes underway

Changes to the City's website are underway, primarily information updates and relocation of information for improved accessibilty.

If you have difficulty finding information, please let us know at info@campbellriver.ca.

Thank you for your patience.

1/19/2012 11:02 AM

Council meetings a mouse click away

Council meetings will be available for live viewing on the City of Campbell River website in 2012.

During Council’s first meeting of the year, Jan. 10, City staff tested new equipment that broadcasts Council meetings live over the Internet.

Future Council meetings will be available live and will be archived for on-demand viewing.

To see meeting webcasts as of Jan. 24, go to the City’s website www.campbellriver.ca and click on the link from the homepage. A link will also be available from the Council Meetings page.

“Webcasting of Council meetings offers an inexpensive, easy-to-implement way for the City to share information, potentially around the globe,” says Mayor Walter Jakeway. “People will be able view Council meetings live or check in and see what happened at Council meetings at their own convenience, wherever and whenever they have Internet access.”

The archived video and audio recordings of meetings will be indexed (and searchable) by agenda item so people can view the entire meeting or meeting segments by clicking on agenda items. The webcast is also available on iPads and most smart phones.

Webcasting technology is currently used by a number of other municipal councils as well as provincial and federal ministries.

Campbell River’s webcasting service will cost approximately $8,000 a year. The fee will cover the cost of data storage and linking camera and recording equipment already installed in Council Chambers to technology for streaming the meetings over the Internet.

Webcasts will run in conjunction with Council meetings, which begin at 6:30 p.m., every second Tuesday. A schedule of Council meetings is posted on the City’s website under City Hall / Council Meetings. Meeting agendas and minutes are available via the website. Click on Agendas and Minutes from the homepage.

People will still be able to view Council meetings on the local Shaw TV channel Wednesdays at

noon and 4 p.m. (schedule permitting).

1/13/2012 3:48 PM

New Recreation Programs For Home School Families

The City’s recreation department is offering a whole new program package geared towards helping home school students participate in sport, recreation and art. Programs are specifically designed for school age kids, from Kindergarteners to Grade 9, and have been designed to target a variety of student interests such as pottery, sewing, cooking, family gym and all sorts of sports.

Children develop and improve fine motor skills through sewing, drawing and other activities that require physical precision. They tune up large muscle groups while running, jumping, kicking and throwing in sport and free play time activities. And they brush up social skills through cooperative play and games, icebreakers and other social interactive activities.

Dates, times and locations of programs vary. For more information, or to register, please call the Campbell River Recreation Department at 250-286-1161 or 250-923-7911.

Have a Facebook account? Find out about upcoming events and programs on the Recreation Department’s Facebook page – Campbell River Recreation.

For more details for these program or any other youth activities, please check out the City of Campbell River Recreation & Culture’s Recreation Guide, or call the Sportsplex at 250-923-7911 or the Community Centre at 250-286-1161. You can also see the guide online at www.campbellriver.ca.

1/13/2012 12:11 PM

Draft SOCP Now Available

The City is pleased to release the latest draft of the Sustainable Official Community Plan for public review and comment. Please mark February 8th, 6:30pm on your calendar for the upcoming Public Hearing at City Hall where Council will receive feedback from the community on the draft. If you have any questions, please contact Ross Blackwell, Land Use Manager at ross.blackwell@campbellriver.ca or pop by City Hall to speak with him.

To download the latest copy of the draft click here: http://sustainablecampbellriver.ca/?p=633

1/12/2012 4:10 PM

Protect water lines against freezing – Cold weather tips for water line care

With more cold weather scheduled for next week, the City of Campbell River is reminding homeowners to take precautions to avoid frozen or burst water lines.

“For most residents, their underground water services are buried deeply or only exposed in heated areas,” says Ron Neufeld, the City’s general manager of operations. “However any water lines or pipes exposed to cold enough temperatures can burst when the water inside them freezes and expands as it turns to ice.”

Water service freezing can result for properties with un-insulated crawl spaces, trailers with pipes exposed to outside air and wind as well as irrigation systems that have exposed sections or are not deeply buried.

“In order to avoid these problems, insulate any sections of pipe that are exposed to the outside temperatures,” Neufeld advises. “Also, remember to disconnect outside water hoses, turn off water to outside taps if possible and blow out irrigation systems to make sure they’re free of water for the winter season.”

Homeowners who are concerned there might be a leak on the City side of their water service are encouraged to call the Dogwood Operations Centre at 250-286-4033.

12/15/2011 2:36 PM

Waste collection update

The City of Campbell River reminds residents that garbage and recycling collection days will remain the same in 2012.

“Once a Monday route, always a Monday route...or a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and so on,” says Jennifer Peters, the City’s utilities manager. “And all waste collection remains weekly so there’s no worries about what’s picked up when. That’s one less thing for people to try to remember as they adjust to changes that tend to come with the new year.”

The tradition of extra garbage collection the week following Christmas will also continue this year. “From Dec. 26 to 30, Emterra will accept extra trash for curbside collection to help people clear away after the holidays,” Peters says. No tags will be required for extra containers, but the weight limit still applies. Each container must weigh no more than 20 kg or 44 pounds.

People who have questions about waste collection are encouraged to contact Emterra at 250-286-0211.

Campbell River waste collection guidelines and map are posted on the City’s website (www.campbellriver.ca) under Residents / Garbage Recycling and Yard Waste. In the same location, people will also be able to see information to help them make the most of weekly unlimited recycling, including pick-up of plastics #1-7.

Residents are also reminded that an online directory (www.campbellriverrecycles.ca) provides current information about where people can return and repurpose more items than those picked up through curbside collection.

Also on the website, find information about the City’s yard waste drop-off centre, which is open year-round Friday to Tuesday (closed Wednesday and Thursday), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Located on the We Wai Kai Nation land, west side of Highway 19 (follow the signs from Willis Road), the drop-off centre service is available to residents who participate in the City’s curbside collection program. In 2012, weekly curbside yard waste collection will run Apr. 2 through Nov. 30.

Residents without Internet access can pick up paper copies of waste collection information at City facilities or from Emterra drivers.

12/2/2011 2:48 PM

Campbell River Agriculture Plan Recognized by Province

Mayor Charlie Cornfield and The Honourable Don McRae, Minister of Agriculture put the stamp of approval on Campbell River’s Agriculture Plan in a signing ceremony in Victoria on Nov.22 – and the Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation sent a letter of recognition to the City this week.

“The agriculture plan directed by a community steering committee is the first step for Campbell River to re-think our role in the agriculture industry,” said Mayor Charlie Cornfield. “As a community experiencing an economic transition, we have an opportunity to chart a new course for economic diversity and food security by capitalizing on our significant agricultural potential.”

“The BC Job Plan considers the agrifood industry a key component for keeping people and the economy healthy in British Columbia,” said Minister McRae. “Government involvement in the agrifood sector provides a competitive advantage for overseas sales because people in other jurisdictions trust BC food products to be produced safely and responsibly.”

“Campbell River’s Agriculture Plan is part of the north island’s future economic resilience and good news for job creation, business, investment and the broader community as Vancouver Island continues to reinforce its profile as a strong regional agricultural hub in the province,” said the Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

Campbell River’s Agriculture Plan envisions the community as having the capacity to produce 10 per cent of its own food by the year 2031. The plan anticipates the agriculture sector would contribute significant value to the local economy through a robust network of farms producing a variety of healthy local food products sold fresh to Campbell River residents and businesses as well as visitors and purchasers from outside of the area.

The plan indicates farming in Campbell River would occur in diverse forms, including value-added, artisan, and niche products such as specialty cheese, dried fruit, juices or wine. Local farming would serve primarily local and regional needs and provides livelihoods for a new generation of farmers and food entrepreneurs. Farming would also provide hands-on and classroom learning opportunities for local students.

Highlights of agriculture potential in Campbell River:

· Approximately 5000 hectares of land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) within City boundaries

· A significant amount of the ALR land in Campbell River has an agricultural capability rating of Class 1, 2 & 3 (considered prime agricultural land) – equivalent in quality to much of the Fraser Valley land

· Large areas of the community have climate, soil, elevation and face a direction suitable for growing a wide range of conventional crops such as cranberries, blueberries and grapes as well as less conventional high value crops such as shitake mushrooms and medicinal herbs like St. John’s wort.

· Attractive land costs, which makes it a great start-up location for new agricultural producers.

· For commodity transport, Campbell River is well positioned with a deep sea port, airport, proximity to the mainland ferry and Highway 19.

The City’s Agriculture Plan is available online at www.sustainablecampbellriver.ca.

10/7/2011 3:43 PM

Youth Action Committee- Call for Participants

Hey, youth! Share your ideas for your community....

Do you want to make a difference in your community? We want to hear from you!

The City of Campbell River is launching a Youth Action Committee for open-minded, innovative and motivated youth 14 and 18 years old.

The Youth Action Committee will help develop a Youth Charter and Youth Engagement Strategy for Campbell River. This is a chance to share your great ideas, voice your opinions to City Council and develop valuable leadership and communications skills. Youth will also gain valuable work experience.

“We want to hear from Campbell River’s youth about what they think is important in our community and develop a strategy so that youth can share their ideas with the City and have meaningful and ongoing participation in community initiatives,” said Meghan Lawley, Recreation Coordinator.

The committee will start off with a two-day workshop on Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22, and will then meet twice per month on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to discuss topics important to youth in Campbell River.

Application forms for the Youth Action Committee are available at school offices, the Sportsplex and Community Centre. An application form is also be download by clicking on this link

YAC Application Pkg.pdf

Applications are due by Tuesday, Oct. 11 and can be submitted via email until 11:59 p.m. or dropped off during regular hours at their school office, Sportsplex or Community Centre.

Youth can email: amber.zirnhelt@campbellriver.ca or meghan.lawley@campbellriver.ca for more information or to request or submit an application form.

The City of Campbell River is launching the Youth Action Committee with staff and funding support from Sustainable Cities International. Learn more about this organization at: www.sustainablecities.net.

– 30 –

Contact:

Meghan Lawley,

Recreation Coordinator

250-286-1161

4/29/2009 12:34 PM

Water Sprinkling Restrictions

Water sprinkling restrictions are in effect year round

The Campbell River Water Regulations Bylaw No. 3216, 2006 restricts the watering of lawns as follows:

· Even numbered properties may water their lawns only on even numbered days before 7:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. (midnight to 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to midnight)

· Odd numbered properties may water their lawns only on odd numbered days before 7:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. (midnight to 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to midnight)

Be part of a water wise community. For further information regarding City water regulations please call 250-286-5745 or e-mail water.wise@campbellriver.ca

Properties requiring special consideration or additional information can also use the above contacts.