Community Updates - Jun 1 2012

Hello,
Below are eleven updates from around the Community. Available by email are last month’s meeting minutes and an application for the KidSport Classic Run on Jun 24th.

1) Public Input sought on Rental Suites in Single Family Homes:

The City of Williams Lake encourages residents to fill out a survey in order to collect public input on rental suites in single family homes.
A survey is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NN38NPT and at City Hall, 450 Mart Street.

The survey asks questions regarding whether the City should allow secondary suites where the homeowner does not live in the home, and how the City should approach duplexes with secondary suites. Currently, the Policy states that suites are not allowed in homes where the owner is renting both the main part of the house, as well as the suite. This requirement reflects a higher number of complaints about noise and property maintenance, where homeowners do not live in the home. It is believed that if the owner lives in the home, there will be fewer issues and complaints from both the neighbourhood and the tenant. Houses with both the main and secondary suite rented are not permitted and would either need to remove their suite or consider an application to rezone to an R-2 designation (Two Family residential).

Under the Secondary Suites Bylaw, Williams Lake Zoning Bylaws, and the BC Building Code, secondary suites are not allowed in duplexes. There are multiple safety and fire risks for suites in duplexes, as suites in duplexes have been built without building permits.

“The City has proceeded cautiously in order minimize the impact on rental stock, City resources, and so that renters, home owners and the community are well educated on the policy,” says Councillor Laurie Walters, chair of the Community Services Committee. “As we move forward, it’s very important that we have heard from the public, and I encourage residents to complete this survey.”

For more information please contact:  Anne Burrill, The City of Williams Lake 250 392-8480

2) Graduation is almost here… and the Glass Slipper Boutique is open:

Boutique Description: Helps graduates with low income attend their festivities. Loans prom dresses, arranges tux rentals; possible support with grad fees, hair appointments, or other grad expenses. Phone: (250) 267-1467 Email: lora.fairbrother@sd27.bc.ca.

3) Update from the CRD Library:

Sign up for the seven week summer reading program for children of all ages by the end of June. The 1st Thursday of each month the theme is geneology. There will also be a class on e-readers sometime in June. Also, Norden the Magician will also be visiting the Library this summer. Please call the regional library for more information on all of these programs. 250-392-3630

4) Community Garden Quarterly Meeting Invitation and Agenda:

It's time once again for the quarterly meeting for the community garden, which will be held at Community Futures on June 6th, 1PM to 2PM. We warmly invite you to join us for this meeting to see how the garden is progressing and get your continued input into the project.

The agenda will be as follows:

1. Report on insurance status and groups interested in assisting with building the garden.

2. Introduction of Rainer Krumsiek (of Big Bear Ranch) as our landscape designer, and overview of the layout and content of the space (based on the input of those present at the previous meeting).

3. Discuss priority next stages for phase 1 of the garden (how to begin construction, how much we will aim to complete this season, whether the xerixcape and other elements will be started at this point etc).

4. Other business

For more information please contact Cody Slinn, Food Action Coordinator, 250-392-9429 or 250-392-0294, Cody Slinn codyigk@hotmail.com

5) Summer Mine Tours:

The Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Gibraltar Mines is pleased to announce the return of their Summer Tours. Tours will be available free to the public. Unfortunately, Children under 13 can not participate.

You must Register by calling the Williams Lake Visitor Centre 250-392-5025 or Come in & Sign Up. Special Dress Code is necessary Long Pants, Closed toed Shoes, & Long Sleeve Shirts. NO Sandals, Shorts, Tank Tops or Muscle Shirts!

6) LIRN BC Expression of Interest:

The latest Expression of Interest for the Learning Initiatives for Rural and Northern BC (LIRN BC) has been released! LIRN provides support to rural, remote, and northern BC communities to advance community learning through capacity building and collaborative networking on locally relevant issues.

There are over a dozen workshop topics to choose from, or you can work with one of the LIRN partners to form an event that fits your community’s needs. A copy of the 2012 Expression of Interest is attached, or can be downloaded at http://www.bcruralnetwork.ca/lirn Completed applications must be received by June 28th, 2012.

Please help us spread this learning opportunity and forward the link to any community organizers in rural, northern and First Nations communities whom you think might be interested.

Katie McCallum, Researcher, SPARC BC (Social Planning and Research Council of BC) e: kmccallum@sparc.bc.ca, t: 604.718.8502 f: 604.736.8697 w: http://www.sparc.bc.ca/

7) Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex’s KidSport Classic Run:

On Jun 24th the Cariboo Memorial Complex is holding the Kidsport Classic Run. Funds raised goes towards fulfilling its mission of eliminating the financial barriers to sport participation, ‘So ALL Kids Can Play!’ For more information, please visit www.kidsport.ca or activewilliamslake.com.

In Williams Lake on Sunday Jun 24th from 8 – 11:30 am, the run will follow a scenic tour around the lake and meander back to Boitanio Park. 1/2 Marathon, 10 km Walk/Run and 2 - 4 member relay are the distances. Students cost $10 and $25 for adults.

WHY KIDSPORT?

By providing kids with an opportunity to participate in sport programs, KidSport encourages:

• developing early physical activity habits that will help increase the probability that kids will remain active in adulthood

• getting kids active in sport programs when they are young to develop a strong and healthy community for the future

• helping to create these opportunities for sport participation and playing a significant role in supporting many under-represented families in Canada facing economic obstacles

8) Public engagement consultations regarding the Sam Ketcham Pool:

Public engagement consultations regarding the Sam Ketcham Pool in Williams Lake will be taking place on June 8 and 9, 2012 in several locations around the city. Consultants from Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) have been contracted to develop the pool feasibility study and will be setting up booths to engage with community members. They will showcase several options for a renovated or new pool. PERC gathered this information from previous visits to the community and meetings with several groups and individuals. The consultants will also provide information regarding the costs and benefits related to each option.

This is an opportunity for community members to provide their opinions and feedback to the consultants and have ongoing dialogue with them. Interested members of the community are encouraged to visit the following locations on June 8 and 9. Be sure your views are heard!

“We are very much looking forward to this next phase of the feasibility study, and to hearing the public’s input,” says Councillor Laurie Walters, Chair of the City’s Community Services Committee. “I encourage all members of the community to take the time to speak with the consultants and to share their needs and expectations for the Sam Ketcham Pool.” “The consultation phase of the feasibility study is extremely important. It is an opportunity for members of the community and the fringe Areas of Electoral Areas D, E and F to learn about the proposed project, and provide opinions regarding options being considered,” says Cariboo Regional District Area F Director Joan Sorley.

The public engagement sessions are scheduled as follows:

Friday, June 8

Seniors Activity Centre 11:00am – 1:00pm

Save On Foods 1:30pm – 5:30pm

City Hall Council Chambers 6:00pm – 8:00pm with presentations at 6:00pm and 7:00pm

Saturday, June 9

Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex 8:30am – 9:30am

Canadian Tire 9:45am – 11:30am

Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Walmart 1:15pm – 3:15pm

9) Handbags of Hope Fundraiser for the Womens Contact Society:

On Jun 13th at 7 pm at Thyme for Tea on 150 Mile House, is the annual Handbags for Hope fundraiser. The event starts at 7pm and people can bid on handbags that contain prizes and gifts. Tickets are $25/person and all proceeds go to the Womens Contact Society. They are also looking for donations of handbags for this event. Call the Society for more information at 250-392-4118.

10) Wrapping Cabinets with Art/Photography within the City:

The City of Williams Lake and the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society have been working to develop a “Cabinet Wrap Initiative” to not only beautify our City but to also address one of many “blank canvases” for graffiti in our community. They are looking for your participation and submissions of photos and photos of art work that relate to the community’s 10 priority areas outlined in the Official Community Plan. For technical guidelines and more information, please contact Liliana Dragowska at the City 250-392-2311. Deadlines for submissions are June 15th.

11) Social Planning Council Meeting Minutes:

Available by email are the meeting minutes for last months meeting (they were not sent out last week prior to our May 28th meeting).