By GARY HOLMAN
SALT SPRING CRD ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR
Maximum Transit Levy
To further improve transit service on Salt Spring, an increase in the maximum levy allowed by the current, voter-approved establishment bylaw is required. Voters can approve such an increase. The Local Community Commission (LCC), with delegated authority for transit, has recommended that a Local Government Act provision allowing the electoral area director to authorize such an increase without voter approval be pursued.
I support the bylaw and tax increase necessary to match provincial funding for an expansion, as I believe would the majority of voters. But the issue is whether voters should have a direct say on transit improvements, as they have in the past. As CRD director, I initiated Salt Spring’s transit service in 2007, with voter approval secured via an Alternative Approval Process (AAP or ‘counter petition), as was a subsequent increase about a decade ago.
The transit levy will be the subject of the Sept. 5 ASK Salt Spring session, and I have also suggested to the LCC that a town hall or open house be held on the issue.
Maliview Sewage Treatment
The aging Maliview sewage treatment plant is regularly violating provincial and federal standards for ocean effluent releases, and these agencies have directed the CRD to rectify the situation. The Maliview Sewer Commission, of which I am a member as CRD director, has approved staff recommendations to replace the treatment plant, collection system and install emergency backup power — all needed to meet regulatory requirements, but at an estimated $5 million cost.
CRD staff have secured a $1.9 million infrastructure grant, and I have supported over $500,000 in Community Works (federal gas tax) funding for this essential project, with the remainder to be funded by ratepayer-approved debt. Approval can be secured if over 50 per cent of property owners sign a petition, now being circulated. The 60-day period allowed for the petition process ends Aug. 18.
Failure to approve the borrowing via petition would then require a much more costly AAP, and potentially an even costlier referendum — all costs borne by the service area. Ultimately, senior government agencies can also mandate the CRD to undertake the project. This week, I will be canvassing the service area, along with CRD staff and local resident volunteers, to urge Maliview ratepayers to take advantage of substantial grant funding, and avoid even more costly voter approval processes.
Highland-Fernwood Water Quality Advisory
My apologies to Highland-Fernwood water district users for the significant degradation of their water quality persisting for over a month. CRD staff have been working diligently to identify the problem, which is excessive manganese concentration apparently caused by installing a new raw water intake too deeply in St. Mary Lake. Unfortunately, it has taken time to identify the issue, secure the necessary regulatory approvals, purchase and install another temporary intake at a shallower depth, and undertake final water testing. On Monday, CRD staff announced that sampling and testing has found the water is now safe to consume.
A thorough project review will be undertaken with recommendations to the Highland-Fernwood Water Commission for any further steps needed to avoid future issues. Community Works funding will cover most of the cost of the new water intake and temporary intake. I would also urge all ratepayers of CRD utilities — in fact, all Salt Spring residents — to visit the CRD website and subscribe to the CRD and provincial emergency response notification services.
Drake Road
Supported Housing
The long-awaited supported housing facility on CRD’s Drake Road property – providing 32 units of supportive housing and four units of affordable worker housing — will be open for occupation in September. The Lookout Society has been chosen to manage this facility by BC Housing, which has fully funded the project. The former Seabreeze and current Kings Lane transition housing tenants will have first priority for the fully self-contained units at Drake Road, and any remaining units will be allocated by application on a needs basis.
Extension of water (thanks to the North Salt Spring Waterworks District’s recent moratorium decision) and sewer services to the site will support further possible affordable housing development on the 5.5 acre property, now leased to BC Housing for 60 years. The project is SSI’s first multi-family modular housing project, and this lower cost building technology is already being considered for other housing projects here. Round-the- clock support staff will create over a dozen unionized employment opportunities. And finally, the choice of Lookout — one of the largest social service providers in B.C. — as facility operator will further enhance the already significant capacity of our very capable non-profit organizations on Salt Spring. We owe a debt of gratitude to BC Housing, contractor Muchalat Construction, very patient and gracious Drake Road residents, and all involved in bringing this project to fruition.
Salt Spring Primary Care Network
I hope residents have had a chance to read the excellent Driftwood article (Aug. 6) on the Salt Spring Primary Care Network (PCN) submitted by the South Island Division of Family Practice. Along with Salt Spring Health Advancement Network chair David Norget, I have been participating in the PCN Working Group that is collaborating with the community to help secure office space and housing for the 11 full-time-equivalent physician, nurse and other health professionals being funded by the provincial government. It will take time to fill these positions, but those needing a family doctor or nurse practitioner can register on the Health Connect Registry (healthlinkbc.ca) and will be contacted as soon as health providers become available.
Hands Across
the Water
An initiative of the Orcas Island Yacht Club, a Hands Across the Water event is being planned for the weekend of Sept. 19 to 21. LCC Chair Earl Rook and I have been participating in an inter-island planning group and the LCC has approved a grant in aid for the event. It will provide an opportunity for cultural and information exchange between Salish Sea neighbours, but also a needed shoulder season spending boost for local businesses. The Chamber of Commerce is taking the lead organizing role for Salt Spring and has posted some preliminary information on their website.
Please contact me at: directorssi@crd.bc.ca with any questions or comments.