Selected highlights from the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen held Thursday, May 8. Complete minutes of the meeting will be made available to the public following adoption at the next scheduled Board meeting May 22, 2014.

The Regional Board authorized a letter of concurrence to be sent to Industry Canada with respect to a proposed telecommunication tower facility located in the Anarchist Mountain area, in Electoral Area “A”.  The proposed wireless communications tower facility will be a 61 meter self-supported structure with antennas for wireless communications.  The tower will provide wireless telephone service to the local community, highway travelers, and other customers in the area. 

The Vermillion Forks Community Forest Corporation manages a Community Forest Agreement.  The Upper Similkameen Indian Band, the Town of Princeton and the Regional District are 1/3 shareholders in the Corporation.  The dividends of the corporation to date have been distributed to various projects within Electoral Area “H” such as the Hayes Creek Volunteer Firefighter Association, Erris Volunteer Fire Association, Missezula Lake Water Works and the Eastgate Fire Protection Society.  The Regional Board adopted the creation of the Area “H” Community Facilities Capital Reserve Fund which will allow dividends to be accumulated and provide guidelines for fund distribution for future projects. 

The Regional Board adopted the Electoral Area “C” Community Works (Gas Tax) Reserve Fund Expenditure Bylaw.  $100,000 will be used for a water system for the Loose Bay Campground, located in Electoral Area “C”, outside of Oliver.  In the past the campground has accessed water from an adjacent property.  The campground no longer has access to that water source and requires the establishment of their own water system. 

The Penticton Indian Band has been awarded the opportunity to host the 38th Annual BC Elders Gathering in Penticton in July.  The host organizing committee relies on sponsorship to support the conference and make it memorable for participants.  The Regional District Board approved participation as a Silver Sponsor at the 38th Annual Elders Gathering with a sponsorship fee of $5,000.  The BC Elders Gathering is a prestigious event, and is anticipated to attract over 5,000 participants from throughout British Columbia and from across Canada. 

The Regional District will be holding a referendum in conjunction with the 2014 municipal election to authorize the establishment of a Service to request funds for the operation of the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver. 

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will be participating in the Community Tourism Foundation Workshop in June.  The Community Tourism Foundation program, in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, assists communities to develop a comprehensive multi-year tourism plan.  The workshop will bring together a range of stakeholders and organizations that can leverage new regional opportunities through a stronger partnership-based approach. 

For further information, please contact Christy Malden, Manager of Legislative Services, at (250) 492-0237 or info@rdos.bc.ca.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014