(File photo/Liam Verster/Vernon Matters)

By Pete McIntyre

RDCO

Water fee relief for fire victims approved by local government

Sep 28, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The Central Okanagan Regional Board has providing water fee relief for homes in the Westside Road area affected by the White Rock Lake wildfire.

The changes mean customers of the noted water systems don’t have to pay the basic user and consumption fees portion of utility bills from August 1 to September 30.

The adopted changes to the fees and charges bylaws cover the Killiney Beach, Westshore Estates and Upper Fintry, Shalal Road, Valley of the Sun water systems.

In addition, the board has approved waiving fees for Demolition and Temporary Building permits for residents affected by the fire. It also approved extending the Temporary Building permit use of a recreational vehicle as temporary dwelling to two years from one, on a property that is actively under post-wildfire construction.

Wildfire community recovery plan

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The Regional Board has received a report outlining an interim White Rock Lake wildfire recovery plan.

The document outlines the initial short, medium and long-term recovery objectives and will evolve as the response moves forward.

A Community Recovery manager will work to ensure the objectives are achieved.

Updated Solid Waste Management Bylaw

The Regional Board adopted several amendments to the RDCO Solid Waste Management Bylaw.

The updated bylaw reflects consistent application of fees at the Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre; includes language to ensure garbage is secured to reduce wildlife conflicts and updates definitions to align with practices at the Glenmore landfill.

To help offset rising operating expenses at the Westside facility, starting January 1 disposal fees will increase for garbage, clean wood waste and mattresses.

The Board amended the staff recommendation in the report link, to remove the proposed $5 minimum yard waste disposal fee and instead, keep in place the current $1 per bag rate for yard waste disposal.

Asset Management grant application

The Regional Board has endorsed a resolution that supports an application for an Asset Management Planning grant from the Union of BC Municipalities.

If successful, the $15,000 grant would offset the estimated $30,000 cost of creating a corporate greenhouse gas reduction strategy for the RDCO.