City takes aim at 2019 NCLGA resolutions
Council wants resolutions drafted for the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) AGM in May, including one calling for the province and federal governments to take responsibility for childcare without depending on local governments to create and run facilities.
In 2018, the provincial government announced the Community Child Care Space Creation Program and the Community Child Care Planning Grant to provide support for local governments to create new childcare spaces. However, the city argues that”local governments do not have the capacity or mandate to provide childcare,” and that it is a provincial responsibility, like health services and education.
The city is also asking that the province direct a portion of liquor sale revenues to local governments to “offset additional policing that results from alcohol sales.” The city argues that alcohol plays a role in the demand for police services with crimes fueled by consumption, stretching police resources.
“Roughly 30 per cent of the files that RCMP deal with have some relation to alcohol abuse,” says city chief administrative officer Heather Avison of the city’s research into RCMP statistics.
Resolutions endorsed by the NCLGA are forwarded onto the Union of BC Municipalities for consideration, and if approved, these could become provincial lobbying priorities.
READ MORE: Terrace motion to recall elected officials with criminal conviction passes first hurdle
Terrace basketball association plans for tournament
The Terrace Basketball Association (TBA) is trying to get the ball rolling for a first-ever Riverboat Days tournament this August.
The committee asked the City of Terrace to waive the $12,000 Sportsplex rental fees to host the week-long open basketball tournament from August 5-10 and is expecting 84 teams across six divisions.
More than half have been confirmed so far, including teams from as a far away as Saskatchewan.
Keith Azak, chair of TBA, says if successful, the tournament could be on the same level as Prince Rupert’s All-Native and Junior All-Native basketball tournaments, providing an economic boost to the city. He’s worked on bringing this tournament to Terrace for close to four years.
Prince Rupert’s 60th ANBT hosted 50 teams this year, had four to five thousand people attend and generated $3.5 million for the city, says Ron Bartlett, who helped advise the association’s planning process.
The association also announced it has purchased a portable hardwood NBA basketball court from Prince Rupert’s All-Native tournamentat a discounted price. TBA lent the court to Kitimat to use for the Junior ANBT in March, and they agreed to refurbish the court in return.
The Sportsplex fees would come out of the city’s unbudgeted account, but only $9,000 remain for the rest of the year.
Recognizing the opportunity, council is asking city staff to find the additional money before the final city budget is approved in April.
The committee is also looking for a heated storage facility to keep the hardwood court.
READ MORE: All Native Basketball Tournament Day 5: Recap
City chooses rep for Kalum Land and Resource Management Plan
The city has chosen Coun. Lynne Christiansen to be its Plan Implementation Committee (PIC) representative for the Kalum Land and Resource Management Plan.
The plan encompasses 2.2 million hectares of land with input from 17 members on policy direction, including four local government seats. The plan was originally approved in 2002 and implemented in 2005.
Terrace’s PIC is one of two committees in B.C., the other located in the Bulkley Valley. Their meetings are open to the public and held every third Wednesday of the month.
The committee has not had representation from the City of Terrace since councillor Michael Prevost left October last year.
Geothermal energy workshop
Terrace residents may have an opportunity to discuss geothermal energy in a public workshop.
The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) requested a letter of support from the City of Terrace to host a public educational series about geothermal energy and Canadian industry.
Council agreed and the new letter will affirm a first letter of support requested by the association in 2014.
“Geothermal power production would not only provide economic diversification for rural and remote communities like Terrace, but it could also reduce our reliance on coal, natural gas and diesel power and give us a cleaner option,” reads a 2014 letter from then-mayor David Pernarowski.
brittany@terracestandard.com
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