RDN Director’s report for February
Gisele Rudischer
Regional Director, Area B
giselerudischer@gmail.com
Monday, March 1 2010
Transit
On February 19th we met with representatives from B.C. Transit to discuss the timeline for a feasibility study for a taxi saver service or a bus service program for Gabriola. Work has already started on a feasibility study and it is expected that it will be complete by May. Under the taxi saver program, eligible passengers (seniors and those with disabilities) can purchase up to $80 worth of coupons each month. These coupons are subsidized 50%, so $80 in coupons actually costs the passenger $40. Passengers then book trips with the taxi company.
Huxley Park
The RDN will undertake to negotiate with Brenda Huxley, owner of the tennis court property, for a transfer of the title to the Regional District of Nanaimo for use as a community park. The park is currently under lease to a local Society.
Green Wharf
In 1993 and 1995, the RDN looked into taking over the wharf and declined, given the range of issues involved and the potential costs of the dock and roadway improvements. Since April 2000, when Public Works announced its intention to demolish the wharf, a concerted effort has been made by the RDN to gain control of the facility for residents of Gabriola and Mudge Island. The RDN short-term lease of the wharf facilities expired in 2003 and Public Works took over the operation and maintenance of the facilities. They are indicating that it will be demolished unless someone takes over responsibility for the facility. Consequently, a motion was passed in September 2009 to direct staff to prepare a report on the costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the wharf.
The average cost of repairs and maintenance is approximately $20,000 a year. The gangway and floats will need replacing within the next few years and repairs to the major structural components would need to be done in 5 to 10 years. Staff concludes that a yearly amount of $40,000 to $50,000 would be needed to cover the existing and future costs. This means that our taxes could go up as much as $4.00 per $100,000.
Many Mudge islanders use the wharf to travel to Gabriola for work and to move people and goods. The wharf is also used to transport patients in a medical emergency. As well, B.C. Ferries has traditionally transported residents to Nanaimo from this area when our dock is being repaired.
I’m not sure how Gabriolans feel about taking on this extra expense, but it should be pointed out that Mudge Islanders get very little for their tax dollars. They have one small park, no library, no building inspection services or garbage pick-up. I hope we remember this, if and when this increase is proposed.
Gabriola Parks
The Gabriola Parks and Open Space Committee (POSAC) met on February 2, to discuss park priorities. Discussion included a sign strategy for Parks and Beach Access markers. Roadway access points also require consideration, in relation to park entrances, walkways and bicycle paths. The Committee will now take some time to consider what the priorities are and will bring back some suggestions to the next meeting.
The management plan for the 707 park is still in progress and an open house will be scheduled when the draft is complete. A non-slip surface has been added to the bridge at River Place in the Cox Community Park and a new bridge has been completed at Joyce Lockwood Park in the Whalebone area.
RDN Budget
Costs have gone up, not only for individual consumers but for local government as well. The RDN budget for 2010 is complete and the increase in taxes for Area B, Gabriola will be $1 on every $100,000 of assessed value. This will cover the cost of increased service levels for Parks, Grants in Aid, Emergency Planning and general operations. The Community Parks budget was increased by almost 17% and the Regional Parks budget by 18%. In the last few years, we’ve acquired a new Regional Park (Coats Marsh) and a new Community Park (707) resulting in additional costs for Parks management.
Staff initially proposed additional taxes to cover the costs of the Building Inspection department which is not paying for itself through fees. Instead, the Board decided to expand building inspection services to parts of electoral areas that are currently not covered, increasing the base for fee collection, limiting the tax increase.
The next meeting of the RDN Board will be at 7 p.m. on March 23, 2010 at the RDN offices on Hammond Bay Rd.
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