BCID Newsletter May 2012

Notice for Residents of the Beaver Creek Improvement District

The conversion of the Beaver Creek Improvement District to a local service of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is to take effect June 1, 2012.

BCID Report April 2012

On March 22 we met with conversion consultant Rob Rounds, formerly with the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, to help complete conversion to an ACRD service area.

Rob is one of the people who wrote the book on improvement district conversion. We were glad to have his expertise.

BCID Report January 2012

BCID Quarterly Report

The referendum decision to convert the Improvement District to a regional district Service Area was taken at the end of October by the people of Beaver Creek.

The conversion process is now underway.

Kelly Schutte and I will be working with Glenn Wong and our newly elected regional director, John McNabb, on this historic undertaking.

An election has been called for Monday, January 16, 2012. Brenda Sauve has been appointed the Returning Officer for the Beaver Creek Improvement District.

Nominations will be accepted from December 22nd, 2011 until 12:00 pm on January 6th, 2012.

BCID Report October 2011

BCID Quarterly Report

It's been a busy few months preparing for our public information meeting and the October referendum. As well, we've concluded the hiring process and welcome aboard Brenda Sauve as our new Corporate & Financial Administrator.

We want to publicly thank Loreen Brown who filled in over the transition period. Loreen stayed on a few months beyond the period we first asked her to cover - even though it was quite an imposition on her good will. Thank you so much, Loreen, for a job well done.

The October 11th public information meeting is being held at the Alberni District Secondary School, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. This was the date and time most convenient for all parties involved.

Report on Water Options

REPORT ON WATER OPTIONS September 2011

Your BCID Trustees have been investigating how best to manage our water system. While the options are complex, the problem is simple. We must improve our water to meet VIHA standards. And, regardless of which option we choose, we are facing substantial costs to repair, update and maintain our storage and distribution systems.

While there is no requirement to convert to an ACRD model, your Trustees have committed to discussing this in public and to hold a referendum before any changes are made.

We will hold this public discussion on Tuesday, October 11th, 2011, at the ADSS Auditorium from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Please plan to attend. Don't miss the opportunity to shape our future.

The nature of this report is to provide a guide for where we expect Tom Reid, Sussex Consultants, to lead this discussion. There is no single choice that will satisfy every ratepayer, and we know that. All we can do is present the information you requested and respect your majority decision.

BCID Report April 2011

BCID Quarterly Report

The Board continues working toward our goal of meeting VIHA's 4-3-2-1 requirement; examining questions of governance; and as always, providing safe affordable potable water.

With regard to governance issues, on March 23 we approved moving forward with two studies related to possible conversion to a Local Service Area of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. One study is an analysis of our water system, necessary to measure the potential impact of conversion. As well, it will provide an up-to-the minute inventory of assets - a great tool for projecting future budget requirements.

BCID Report January 2011

BCID Quarterly Report

The Board continues to work on gathering all the information needed to present to the residents on the issue of governance.

Over at the Kitsuksis Reservoir during a routine cleaning, we found a large crack has developed in the bottom of the reservoir tank. Associated Engineering, which specializes in municipal service facilities, was called in to do an engineering report. We expect that report shortly.

BCID Report July 2010

BCID Quarterly Report

The first BCID board meeting of the summer brought two major changes.

After seven years of service to the community, Wayne Hasler has resigned his position as trustee and chair due to health reasond. Wayne's cheery nature and dedication will be sorely missed.

April 26, 2010 AGM Presentation

Koers Engineering presentation of the Beaver Creek Improvement District Water Source Options and Treatment Study

Attached is the Koers Engineering Slide Presentation at the AGM.

News Release April 23, 2010

BCID Attends Koers Engineering presentation of their draft proposal for a valley wide water system

The long awaited Koers Engineering presentation of their draft proposal for a valley wide water system was held Thursday, April 23, but those most wishing for good news came away disappointed.

Trustees from the Beaver Creek and Cherry Creek Improvement Districts left the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District offices with not much more to tell their constituents than the meeting was cordial and informative. That's because the draft is not complete and the ACRD doesn't want details released at this time.

BCID Report April 2010

BCID Quarterly Report

The BCID has been responding to changes imposed by both the Federal and Provincial governments over the past few months. These changes affect both sustainability of water delivery and transparency in reporting to the people.

BCID Report February 2010

WATER SOURCE OPTIONS and TREATMENT STUDY

Inside This Report is a letter from the Board of Trustees, An article titled "Will we have enough water for future needs?" and a Summary of Water Source Options & Treatment Study by Koers & Associates Engineering Ltd.

Public Information Meeting

An informal public information meeting for Beaver Creek owners and residents was held on Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Italian Centre to discuss governance options for the BCID.

VIHA Issues New Operating Permit

VIHA has officially amended the Improvement District Operating Permit

1. By December 2009 the design option, as discussed in the April 20, 2009 letter for meeting the 4-3-2-1 treatment objectives, will be finalized.

2. By April 30, 2011 this water system will provide two treatment processes acceptable to the Vancouver Island Health Authority, achieve a 4-log removal/inactivation of viruses and 3-log removal/inactivation of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts, and produce a finished water with less than 1 NTU turbidity.

Update on BCID compliance with VIHA's Drinking Water Protection Act

Wayne Hasler, chair for BCID, has issued a statement to explain further what plans the board has that will bring the district into compliance with VIHA's 4-3-2-1 policy for water treatment .

"First of all, these changes are required of all surface water purveyors in the province. Vancouver Island communities, under VIHA's jurisdiction, are now working on plans to meet the requirements. Locally, Beaver Creek is not alone in having to upgrade to meet the standards set by the government. And those standards are costly to the taxpayers.

Where the improvement districts struggle more, of course, is that funding is not as available. And, as in the case of communities where water quality is problematic, these changes take on some urgency in designing the overall project and moving forward."

May 2009 Trustee Report Update

At BCID's Annual General Meeting on April 27, 2009 there were two motions made by the taxpayers.

The first motion was for BCID to apply for Federal and Provincial infrastructure grants through the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District to upgrade the water system.

A special meeting was held on May 7, 2009 at the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District to explore BCID's options for safe potable water through the granting process.

4-3-2-1 - Drinking Water Treatment for Surface Water Policy

Water suppliers are required to provide potable water to all users of their system. The 4-3-2-1 surface water treatment policy is a performance target for water suppliers to ensure the provision of microbiological safe drinking water. Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) supports water suppliers to meet this objective. All existing water suppliers serving populations greater than 500 people/day should have an implementation plan to meet this policy.

Ministry of Community Development Responds to Request

The Ministry does not provide grant funding to study the implications of converting an improvement district to a regional district service. However, all of this information can be assembled by the Beaver Creek Improvement District and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) collectively so that an independant study is not necessary.

Government Links

Improvement District Manual

Improvement District Conversion Guide

Improvement District Restructure Guide

A Guide To Regional District Board Delegation To Committees & Commissions