District of Fort St. James. British Columbia Canada Annual Report

Transcription

1 District of Fort St. James British Columbia Canada 2010 Annual Report Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2010

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3 District of Fort St. James Annual Report Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010 Table of Contents Page Elected and Appointed Officials...4 Mayor s Message...5 Notable Events and Accomplishments in Declaration on Disqualification of Councillors...6 Permissive Property Tax Exemptions...7 Progress Report on Council s Objectives for Council s Objectives for 2011 through Photo Documentation of 2010 Infrastructure Upgrades.18 Appendix: Audited Financial Statements...Following page 21 Telephone: Fax: district@fortstjames.ca 3

4 Elected & Appointed Officials 2010 Council Members (left to right) Mayor Sandra Harwood Councillor Dave Birdi Councillor Brenda Gouglas Councillor Kris Nielsen Councillor Bev Playfair 2010 Appointed Officials Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Crook Public Works Superintendent: Dennis Saharchuk Fire Chief: Rob Bennett Economic Development Officer: Deb Hadwen 4

5 MAYOR S MESSAGE We are pleased to present the District of Fort St. James Annual Report for Much was accomplished in 2010, including projects initiated by prior Councils, advanced by sitting Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the business community and numerous volunteer groups. Our financial position is sound. Improvements have been made to our infrastructure. We are confident that as we move ahead, our future will be positive and can only improve. Mayor, Council and staff are available and willing to answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us. The future is bright. Sincerely, Sandra Harwood Mayor 5

6 NOTABLE EVENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2010 Municipal Services and Operations Community Forest operations continued and generated a profit Taxation was increased by only 2.5% over 2009 rates Water, Sewer and Garbage user fees remained unchanged The summer recreation programs were well attended The Cottonwood Marina was at or near full capacity all season long The annual Canada Day celebration was a great success The Mayor participated in the Northern Trust regional advisory committee The Mayor participated in the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition Completion of the Official Community Plan Capital Improvements Continued planning and fundraising for the Community Centre Construction of Arena change rooms Purchased pump truck fire engine for the Fire Department Replacement of the Douglas Street Bridge Completion of a Downtown Revitalization Project seeing significant upgrades to facade of multiple downtown business locations, in partnership with the Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce Upgraded the necessary equipment in the Emergency Operations Centre/Firehall DECLARATION ON DISQUALIFICATION OF COUNCILLORS There were no Disqualifications of Councillors of the District of Fort St. James in the year

7 PERMISSIVE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS In accordance with Section 98(2)(b) of the Community Charter, Council provided permissive property tax exemptions to the following properties in Legal Description Civic Address Organization Value of Permissive Exemption Lots 17-18, Block 1, Plan 1691, District Lot 110, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District; PID # and Lots 7-8, Block 2, Plan 1691, District Lot 110 & 111, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District; PID # Lot 12, Block 2, Plan 3117, District Lot 110 & 111, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District; PID # Lot 6, Plan 4533, District Lot 110 & 111, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District; PID # Lot A, Plan 4533, District Lot 111, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District, see H7923; PID # Second Avenue West United Church of Canada 237 Second Avenue West Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (Zion Chapel) 271 Stuart Drive West Anglican Synod Diocese Caledonia 603 Dogwood Street Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses of Fort St. James 720 Fourth Avenue West Fort St. James Evangelical Free Church $177 $137 $135 $87 $110 Lot 1, Plan 5467, District Lot 1266, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District; PID # Lakeshore Drive Ranchery Holdings Inc. (Nak albun School & Catholic Church) $1028 Lot 16, Plan 8411, District Lot 4762, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District, see R/W D3196; PID # Ash Street East Sahib Jorawar Singh- Sahib Fateh Singh Guru Sikh Temple $92 District Lot 3183, Range 5, Coast Range 5 Land District, Except Plans 4437, 4994, 5147; PID # Stones Bay Road (Class 8 portion only) Stuart Lake Golf Club $1194 7

8 PROGRESS REPORT ON COUNCIL S OBJECTIVES FOR 2010 In the 2009 Annual Report, Council set objectives for These objectives, strategies and their outcomes as of December 31, 2010 are listed below. Council Continuity of strategic direction Continue to review direction and strive towards goals and objectives that were not met in previous years Completion of priorities from previous years Continue to improve communication with the public Develop a communication strategy Communicate activities regularly to the public via newspaper columns, community meetings, website and other media Addition of social media marketing tools to District communications including use of Twitter and Facebook Fall 2010 A Town Hall Meeting was held in 2010 and very well attended by members of the public with over 80 attendees March 2010 Complete the Economic Development Strategy Continue to implement the shortterm recommendations of the Economic Development Plan Proceed with identified projects and priorities Review the Official Community Plan Complete a review of the Official Community Plan, incorporating results of Community Visioning Forum An up-to-date revised Official Community Plan that reflect current community values March 2010 Develop and beautify the downtown core Cooperate in the Downtown Revitalization Program Upgrade facades of downtown businesses, improve street walk-ability and overall atmosphere June 2010 Taxation Ensure Fort St. James is a competitive location for home owners and corporations to invest in property Continue with reasonable tax structure, with minimal tax increase for 2010 Establishment of a long term tax strategy Included in 2010 Financial Plan Bylaw Implemented an industrial tax exemption strategy 8

9 Capital Continue to upgrade existing recreation facilities Construct new recreation facilities Purchase necessary mobile and safety equipment Improve streets and roads Improve drinking water quality Renovation to the Arena to included 5 new dressing rooms Continue to work with community group to establish a Skateboard Park Obtain sufficient funding to construct a new community hall Evaluate the needs of the Fire Department Evaluate the needs of the Public Works Department Improvements to Douglas Street Bridge Keep road surfaces in good condition Research best practices and appropriateness of a water treatment facility Apply for funding; $600,000 in RINC funding awarded, project completed Complete the Bike Skills Park Apply for grants through Western Economic Diversification Purchase new pumper truck and other necessary equipment Upgrade physical assets at Public Works Buildings Bridge replaced and Nahounli Creek realigned Identify streets that need paving or patching and undertake paving projects Reduced water hardness in water supplied to residents March 2011 September 2010 Shop furnace and bay doors replaced 2010 Fall 2010 Community Forest Continued development of the Community Forest Continue to lobby for a permanent solution to stumpage rates Obtain long-term stumpage solution Maintain a healthy level of profit for the Community Forest Continue to allocate profits to Economic Development, Capital and Reserve Funds Full Appraisal continues to be replaced annually. A reduced stumpage rate of 30% the existing average in region is agreed upon for

10 Economic Development Improve the tourism profile of the Stuart Lake area Continue to promote Fort St. James based on recommendations by consultant hired to complete the Branding and Logo creation. Advertising campaign to market the area Create user friendly tourism guide with maps Brand and logo development on various promotional tools Ads placed in suitable publications. 2 nd edition of tourism guidebook completed Late 2010 Fire Department Make more effective use of the Fire Training Centre Ensure the Firefighting force is adequate to cover protection areas Encourage lease of the facility to other users Continue to host various training programs throughout the year Maintain adequate number of trained volunteers Ensure that volunteers receive required training Continue Justice Institute training Work with other organizations in the region to encourage additional usage Work with CNC to promote programs Full volunteer force Continued use of training centre for training and outside resources when necessary Implementation of a new volunteer training program 10

11 Emergency Planning To ensure effective management in emergency situations Maintain and collaborate with Nak azdli Band an updated Emergency Management Plan Continue to engage all stakeholders in the process Creation of a working plan document Work with First Nations and Regional District Implement practice schedule for the Emergency Plan Continue to develop a working Emergency Operation Centre Completed in Updated annually. Integrated Emergency Management Committee consists of municipal and Nak azdli department heads and emergency heads. Committee meets regularly. Conducted annually, with revisions made ongoing.. Computers and servers added in Bylaw Enforcement To address the number of unsightly premises in the community Continue to lead by example Ensure that developed municipal lots are well maintained Continue to act on complaints Ensure action is taken on offenders if resources permit Conduct an annual tour for unsightly premises Fewer infractions of unsightly premises bylaw 11

12 Recreation Enhance recreation programming Maintain and improve our recreation facilities to a high standard Hire a part time recreation programmer Proceed with potential improvement projects and identify funding Offer recreation programs for all ages for the summer. Continue to develop plans for community hall, arena dressing rooms and skateboard park. Improvements to Cottonwood Marina including new house and improved docks Fall 2010, Arena Dressing Rooms Completed

13 COUNCIL S GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR 2011 THROUGH 2013 In the 2009 Annual Report, Council established objectives for 2010 and They are reiterated below; many of these initiatives are under way at this time. Also included are objectives for 2012 and 2013, and expected dates of completion Council Continuity of strategic direction Continue to improve communication with the public Develop and beautiful the downtown core Continue to review direction and strive towards goals and objectives that were not met in 2009 and 2010 Implementation of and continuous quality improvement to communication strategy Implementation of Phase 2 of Downtown Revitalization Project Completion of priorities from previous years Creation of a Community Strategic Plan document for , with broad community consultation, annual review and evaluation Communicate activities regularly to the public via newspaper columns, community meetings, website, social and other media Utilize electronic sign to promote community events Increased and enhanced landscaping in downtown core Winter 2011 Spring 2011 Summer/fall 2011 Taxation Ensure Fort St. James is a competitive location for home owners and corporations to invest in property Continue with reasonable tax structure based on current and expected future needs Consider extending revitalization tax exemptions to commercial properties Maintain short term and long term fiscal health Increased investment in commercial core 13

14 Capital Improve capital planning and developments Develop a long term capital infrastructure plan Make timely investment in infrastructure to reduce future costs. Spring 2012 Implement building of an addition to the Public Works shop Continue to maintain and improve streets and roads Road maintenance performed as required. Roads kept in good condition Continue to maintain and improve drinking water quality Water maintenance performed through testing and user input; research possible water treatment facility. High quality and safe drinking water Community Forest Continued development of the Community Forest Continue to lobby for a permanent solution to stumpage rates Obtain long-term stumpage solution Maintain a healthy level of profit for the Community Forest Continue to allocate profits to Economic Development, Capital and Reserve Funds Negotiated in June Economic Development Cohesive, timely and appropriate economic development practices Continue to improve the tourism profile of the Stuart Lake area Community consultation, literature review and community planning regarding the creation of a 2011/12 Economic Development Plan Participate in tourism committee Evaluation and updating of Community Tourism Development Plan document Updated version of the Fort St. James Economic Development Plan (1990) Implemented projects and priorities as recommended in Plan Cohesive and effective tourism promotion/developments Late /

15 (2007) and implementation of recommendations of Tourism Strategy of Fort St. James document (2009) Continue to improve the tourism profile of the Stuart Lake area Implementation and ongoing evaluation of recommendations from Fort St. James Growth Opportunities Marketing Plan (2009) Cohesive and effective marketing and economic developments 2011/2012 Development of new tourism panels, billboards and other visual promotions for the area Increased regional awareness and visitation 2011/2012 Improve cohesive branding of Fort St. James Launch of new website for the District Effective use of new logos, corporate identity and updated community information 2011 Improved capacity and economic stability of Fort St. James community Increase the number of quality strategic partnerships engaged in by the District Continue to work with farmers market and producers, Greening up Fort, Murray Ski Hill, Community Foundation, Chamber of Commerce and other non-profit organizations Continued participation in Grant Writer program Increased number of successful collaborative funding projects Improved quality of life for residents of Fort St. James Research and track quality of life measurements in partnership with Mining Community Health and Sustainability Indicators committee Increased number of residents moving to Fort St. James Improved and sustained quality of life measurements Curbed flow of outmigration of Fort St. James Residents Eased burden of local social service providers Fire Department and Emergency Services Make more effective use of the Fire Training Centre Encourage lease of the facility to other users Continue to host various training programs throughout the year Continue Justice Institute training Work with regional organizations including CNC to encourage additional usage 15

16 Ensure the Firefighting force is adequate to cover protection areas Maintain adequate number of trained volunteers Full volunteer force Ensure effective management in emergency situations Ensure that volunteers receive required training Continued use of training centre for training and outside resources when necessary Offer continuous quality improvement of emergency response services Complete an updated Emergency Management Plan Continue to engage all stakeholders in the process Work with First Nations and Regional District Implement practice schedule for the Emergency Plan Continue to develop a working Emergency Operation Centre 2009 Work with province and region to implement 911 services 911 service delivered for all residents of Fort St. James 2011/12 Bylaws and Enforcement Update and improve regulatory bylaws and enforcement Address the number of unsightly premises in the community Use planning documents to guide By-law development and enforcement practices Conduct an annual tour for unsightly premises Continue to lead by example Continue to act on complaints Implement Official Community Plan amendments in regards to appearance guidelines Have District employee or representative attend bylaw officer training course Fewer infractions of unsightly premises bylaw Ensure that developed municipal lots are well maintained Ensure action is taken on offenders if resources permit Spring, Recreation Maintain and improve our recreation facilities to a high standard Proceed with potential improvement projects and identify funding Continue to develop plans for community hall, and skateboard park. 16

17 sustainability of recreational facilities Conducting of a business evaluation regarding use of municipal marina and financially sustainable operations of the Cottonwood Marina Summer 2011 Continue to upgrade existing recreation facilities Assistance for funding research to local groups desiring to upgrade municipal recreation properties Adequate funding and upgrades secured for community organizations Construct new recreation facilities Obtain sufficient funding to construct a new community hall Apply for grants through Western Economic Diversification and other funding pots Environment Become a leader in municipal environmental management Integration of environmentally friendly technology Transition to use of a paperless agenda for Council meetings Spring 2011 Continuous improvement of local garbage and recycling services Continued support of Greening Up Fort initiatives Implementation of new garbage bin system 2011 Continual evaluation and innovation of existing environmental practices Reduced carbon footprint and reduced energy costs Addition of energy efficient windows and LED lights in upstairs bay at fire hall Addition of LED lighting to Public Works yard Residential Development Adequate housing availability for all residents and potential residents of Fort St. James Research into existing housing infrastructure and needs Housing study completed with CMHC 2011/12 assessment and support of appropriate residential housing developments Increased residential availability in Fort St. James 17

18 New house for the warfinger at Cottonwood Marina. Replacement of Douglas Street Bridge and realigning of Nahouli Creek 18

19 Addition of five new change rooms and geothermal heating system to the Arena Purchase of a new pump truck for the Fire Department 19

20 Upgrades to downtown business facades through the Downtown Revitalization partnership project with the Chamber of Commerce 20

21 Creation and installation of an electronic community sign through the Downtown Revitalization Project 21