Regional Board Meeting December 12th, 2016

• On November 28th, 2016 representatives from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development made a presentation to the Regional Board regarding their process to undertake a provincially funded governance review study;

• This presentation was a follow-up to a Board resolution to invite the Ministry to present on this matter following a request for a governance review study by the NWCA.

• At the conclusion of the November 28th, 2016 presentation and deliberations the Board adopted the following resolution:

“THAT the main motion be deferred pending a staff report on costs which is to be presented at the December 12th Board meeting.”

That staff report has been prepared and forms part of today’s agenda package.

• The Ministry confirmed statements made in Minister Fassbender’s October 13th and November 8th letter’s that describe the general scope of the study they have in mind for the North Westside;

• The Board was informed that the Ministry is looking at a ‘diagnostic service analysis” and/or a “community issues assessment” approach for this study;

• The Ministry also explained their process and requirements are for a Provincially funded study.

• Should the Board support making an application for a Provincially funded study, staff recommends a $20,000 hybrid study be requested based on information provided by the Ministry and the nature of the local issues;

• The scope, terms of reference, and the study objectives are the primary drivers affecting costs of this study;

• The Ministry also explained that the Regional District would be responsible for any cost overruns, staff time and associated costs of the study.

• Consultants Costs $20,000 to $25,000

• Cost Overrun Contingency $ 5,000

• Associated Costs Contingency $ 2,500

• RDCO Staff Time $15,000

If approved, the Province would pay for the Consultants costs and the remainder of the costs would be tracked and assigned to an appropriate cost centre.

• A request has been made for a governance review study in the North Westside;

• Minister Fassbender has indicated he would look favourably on an application if the Board supports this;

• The Board has been advised that the Ministry would consider a small-scale governance review, with a focus on local decision making and input into Regional services within the existing regional district electoral area framework.

November 28th resolution #256/16:

“THAT the Board support a governance study for the North Westside Fire Protection Service Area with a focus on a diagnostic inventory;

AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to draft an application to the Province for funding the study.”

And deferral resolution #257/16

“THAT the main motion be deferred pending a staff report on costs which is to be presented at the December 12th Board meeting.”

THAT the Board support a governance review study, and amend the deferred motion to read;

“THAT the Board support a governance study for the North Westside Fire Protection Service Area with a focus on a diagnostic inventory hybrid approach blending a diagnostic service analysis and a community issues assessment;

AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to draft, for Board approval an application to the Province for funding the study.”

And further recommend …

That should the Board support a governance review study, the following additional conditions be met:

1. All staff time, unforeseen consulting fees, and associated costs of the governance study will be tracked and allocated to Electoral Area Administration for Central Okanagan West; AND

2. The study scope, objectives and terms of reference to receive Board approval.

• November 25th blog on www.waynecarson.ca, that “…

the RDCO Board Chair and CAO have arbitrarily and deliberately negated the Stake Holders Voting Rights of the Electoral Area Directors …”

1) Regional District voting rights are specified under Division 3 – Voting and Voting Rights of Part 6 of the Local Government Act;

2) All voting has been conducted in accordance with these provisions.

• November 25th blog on www.waynecarson.ca, that “The water systems as with all our local services are owned by the residents within that Local Service Area

each created by a specific bylaw.”,

1) Assets acquired through a regional district service are assets owned by the regional district;

2) These assets are operated and managed by regional district staff in accordance with administrative operational policies and direction given by the Board.

• www.nwcaonline.ca under “Why we wish a governance study” page: “Director Wayne Carson stated that: “Through this present-day process, the voice of the electoral areas, represented by Patty Hanson and myself, has been completely silenced, thus fully negating our ability to have any real governmental power within our areas.””,

Directors Carson and Hanson have the same voting entitlements and voice as every other Electoral Area Director in the Province;

Since the EA Directors were sworn into office in December 2014, the public record shows:

There have been 47 Regional Board Meetings,

The Board has dealt with 520 resolutions,

Of those 520 resolutions the EA Directors voted against 27 motions (supporting 95% of Board’s actions),

EA Directors moved or seconded 132 motions:

129 were supported and 3 were not,

98% of EA motions were supported by Board