PAGE 1 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM
PAGE
1. Report Respecting Municipal Services & Operations (2003) ....................................... 2
2. Progress Report For 2003 ........................................................................................... 4
3. Declaration & Identification of Disqualified Council Members ..................................... 5
4. Statement of Property Tax Exemptions ....................................................................... 6
5. Statement of Municipal Objectives for 2005 ................................................................ 6
6. Other Information ........................................................................................................ 7
APPENDIX I
(Audited Financial Statements for Period Ending December 31, 2004)
PAGE 2 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
The Corporation of
The Village of Burns Lake
Gateway to Tweedsmuir Park
P.O. Box 570, Burns Lake, BC
Phone: (250) 692-7587
Fax: (250) 692-3059
E-mail: village@burnslake.org
V0J 1E0
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CITIZENS OF BURNS LAKE
On behalf of council for the Corporation of the Village of Burns Lake, I am pleased to
provide local residents with this report on municipal services and operations for the year
2003.
The past year was a busy one for council and municipal staff. In the spring of 2003,
council set a total of 42 goals for 2003-04. These goals ran the gamut from minor
(promoting community litter clean-up) to major (obtaining a share of provincial resource
revenues).
In hindsight, we realize our goals and objectives for 2003-04 were perhaps overly
ambitious; after all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. However, I am pleased to advise that of
those 42 goals, your municipal council and staff achieved 12, made significant progress
toward achieving four, and took preliminary steps toward realizing another seven. A half
dozen of our objectives – including our proposal to obtain a share of local provincial
resource revenues – could not be reached due to factors beyond council’s control (i.e.,
lack of interest by senior governments).
Considering our small municipality’s limited financial resources, I believe we can all be
proud of this record. Our list of accomplishments in 2003 includes:
 Completion of Phase II of our boundary expansion study
 Negotiation of a one-year extension to our municipal services agreement with
the Lake Babine Nation
 Improvement of the municipal sewage treatment plant
 Construction of several minor infrastructure works
 Completion of a municipal management efficiency study
 Creation of a tourist information and interpretive centre proposal
Burns Lake also took a lead role in promoting improved intergovernmental relations by
organizing a series of regional community-to-community forums involving
representatives from local municipalities and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary
Chiefs. I am confident these sessions, combined with those planned for 2004, will
ultimately result in new economic, social, and cultural opportunities for all local
residents.
PAGE 3 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
While pursuing all these initiatives, the municipality managed to meet all its day-to-day
and statutory obligations. Village officials conducted a referendum on water fluoridation,
oversaw a council by-election, and continued to provide the municipality with sound
financial management. (Indeed, as the attached financial statements attest, the Village
of Burns Lake managed to maintain its strong financial position in 2003.)
Clearly, the past year was a hectic one for your elected officials and municipal staff.
While we achieved much, I wish to assure you that we have no intention of “resting on
our laurels”. As outlined elsewhere in this annual report, council’s goals for 2004-05 –
while perhaps not as numerous – are no less ambitious. During the coming year, we’ll
be embarking on a major campaign to promote economic growth and diversification,
improve local infrastructure, and encourage the arts. In short, we’re attempting to lay the
foundation for (as communicated in our vision statement) a “healthy, growing, and
resilient community.”
As your elected officials, we will do everything possible to achieve the goals outlined in
this report. We will, however, require your support and assistance. Provide us with
feedback on both our performance in 2003 and our goals for 2004-05. Contact us if you
have any questions regarding municipal issues.
In short, involve yourself in municipal affairs. Burns Lake is, after all, your community!
Sincerely,
Bernice Magee
Mayor
PAGE 4 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
2.
Progress Report for 2003/04
In spring 2003, council held a goals and objectives retreat and set the following
objectives for 2003/04.
OBJECTIVE
Conduct Management Efficiency
Study
Undertake Community/Office
Complex
Improve Signage at Village
Campground/Rest Areas
2010 Olympics – How Can Burns
Lake Benefit
MEASURES/STRATEGIES
Staff to investigate process
Clarify Role of BLDCEDA &
Chamber
Work with organizations and
Regional District of BulkleyNechako
BLDCEDA project
Support Business
Centre/Incubator
Improve Recreation Facilities
Community sharing in stumpage
revenue
Improve relations with Regional
District of Bulkley-Nechako
Promote Shop Local Program
ACHIEVEMENTS/OUTCOMES
Completed
Office Expansion Underway
Participate in 2010 Olympic
Opportunities Committee
Some signage improved at
pullouts in conjunction with CED
In Progress – Lynn Synotte is
Village’s rep, Mayor Magee is
alternate.
In Progress
CED Project – Work in Progress
Rec. Director to start building
inventory
Discuss with MLA, Cabinet
Ministers
Improved communications
Incomplete
Discuss with Chamber of
Commerce
Chamber, with municipal
assistance, offered scaled-down
program
Met with Burns Lake Band as per
protocol agreement, participated
in community-to-community
forums with OWHC, met with
Lake Babine Nation chief &
council.
One year extension achieved
Proposal not a provincial priority.
Ongoing
More Interaction with First
Nations
Discuss with Burns Lake Band,
Lake Babine Nation
Renew Lake Babine Nation
Service Agreement
Provide additional services to
Burns Lake Band on fee-forservice basis
Obtain Traffic Stop Lights
Discuss with Burns Lake Band to
determine interest
Interest minimal
Met with MoT; conducted traffic
study
Incomplete
Phase II of Boundary Expansion
Study
Discuss taxation with existing
industries
Purchase land for industrial use
Report complete. Boundary
expansion not feasible at this
time.
Postponed
Part of Boundary Expansion
study
Develop Radley Beach area
Community Swimming Pool
Monitor Progress of pool group
Better utilization of existing
facilities
Recreation director to investigate
Not recommended by consultant
Worked with Rotary on Tennis
Courts
Mayor met with committee
members
No action taken to date
PAGE 5 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
Review of village campground
Attract new industry
Encourage creation of fine dining
establishment
Establish winter carnival
Establish village as four seasons
recreation capital
Promote establishment of
arts/crafts market
Support creation of snowmobile
trails/events
Increase awareness of service
use by rural residents
Enhance/promote industrial park
Evaluation process for CAO
Improve municipal infrastructure
Develop utility services for future
expansion
Street improvements
Develop industrial fire fighting
centre
Develop provincial campground
Promote world-class First
Nations art gallery
Eliminate weeds from Radley
Beach
Participate in Northern BC
Tourism Association
Hire/contract grant coordinator
Work with travel agencies in
Jasper
Promotion of municipal clean-up
Renew/improve community forest
tenure
3.
Part of Radley Beach ReDevelopment Project
Discuss with BLDCEDA
Discuss with chamber of
commerce/ BLDCEDA
Discuss with rec director
Promote creation of co-op
(marketing)
Discuss with recreation director,
snowmobile club
No action
Deferred
No action
Deferred
Preliminary work underway;
liaising with stakeholders
No action
In progress
No action
Develop strategy, signage
Budget deliberations, file grant
applications
Part of budget deliberations
Plans for new sign in the works
Completed evaluation
Water main extension to west
end in works; SCADA project
underway; grants approved for
improvements to Bay Street,
Lorne Street, downtown
handicapped access.
Underway
Budget deliberations, grant
applications
Refer to fire fighters’ association
Grant project approved
Explore with BL ComFor, First
Nations
Discuss with Burns Lake Native
Development Corporation
Discuss with Lakes Protection
Society
SICEAI funding approved for
project
No action
No action
Society rep invited; no response
No action
Staff to research
No action
Deferred
More trash cans, spring clean-up
Clean-up campaign held in
conjunction with chamber of
commerce
Awaiting response from Ministry
of Forests
Work with BL ComFor
Declaration & Identification of Disqualified Members
None.
PAGE 6 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
4.
Statement of Property Tax Exemptions
Council approved the following property tax exemptions under the Village of
Burns Lake Exemption for the Taxation Year 2004, Bylaw #832, 2003.”
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Lot 3, DL 6308, Plan
7431, including 100 ft.
of frontage.
Lots 22 & 23, DL 5402,
Plan 4123
Lot 7, DL 6308, Plan
1206, Block 22
CIVIC ADDRESS
126 Fourth Avenue
ORGANIZATION
United Church of
Canada (playground)
760 Mulvaney Cres.
Lot A, Plan 11968, LD
14, Range 5, DL 5704
Railway Ave.
Pentecostal Assemblies
of Canada (Parking Lot)
Burns Lake & District
Health Care Auxiliary
(Thrift Shop)
Canadian National
Railway Co. (transfer for
road right-of-way)
36 Fourth Ave.
TOTAL VALUE OF PERMISSIVE EXEMPTIONS
5.
VALUE OF
PERMISSIVE
EXEMPTION
$258.64
$357.67
$625.00
$466.37
$1,707.68
Statement of Municipal Objectives for 2005
Council established its draft goals and objectives for 2005 at a Special Meeting
held May 29. An open house was subsequently held June 8 to obtain public
feedback on the goals and objectives.
Under Bill 76 (Community Charter Transitional Provisions), municipalities are
exempt from identifying progress measures until 2005.
OBJECTIVE
Develop Infrastructure Strategy
 Roads & Streets
 Sewer & Water
 Drainage
Develop Parks & Recreation Plan
& Recreation Commission
STRATEGIES
Staff and consultants to
undertake required works







Recognize & Encourage
Community Arts


Review existing infrastructure
Plan future of Radley Beach
area
Work with School District #91
on joint use agreement
Monitor progress on
swimming pool
Include plan for community
complex
Investigate benefits
associated with 2010
Olympics
Investigate possibility of
establishing winter trails and
winter carnival
Support rejuvenation of the
arts council
Showcase local art
MEASURES
PAGE 7 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT

Improve Intergovernmental
Relations
Develop Marketing Strategy
Improve Intermunicipal Relations
Review Official Community Plan
& Zoning Bylaws
6.
Support local artists through
purchase of art as gifts
 Develop “empty space arts”
program
 Promote creation of murals
 Renew Lake Babine Nation
servicing agreement
 Discuss shared services with
Regional District of BulkleyNechako
 Support Burns Lake
Community Forest Ltd.’s
creation of campground &
interpretive centre
 Participate in community-tocommunity forums with First
Nations
 Support Burns Lake Band’s
redevelopment of old high
school
 Negotiate joint use of
facilities with School District
#91
 Promote Burns Lake’s new,
low major industry tax rate
 Review industrial land
inventory
 Accommodate new industry
 Improve signage
Work with other local
municipalities on issues of
mutual concern, including:
 Health issues
 Forestry Issues
 Policing
 Transportation
 Hire or contract independent
consultant
 Seek community input
Other Information
Grants-in-Aid: In 2003, council approved the following grants-in-aid to local
organizations. These funds were used for a variety of community projects.
ORGANIZATION
Burns Lake Christian Supportive Society
Burns Lake & District Chamber of Commerce
Burns Lake & District Community Economic
Development Association
Burns Lake Special Olympics
Lakes District Counselling & Support Services
Association
Rotary Club of Burns Lake
AMOUNT OF GRANT-IN-AID
$2,000.00
$10,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
Donation of Land & Site Prep for Tennis Courts
PAGE 8 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
Royal Canadian Legion
Emergency Social Services
William Konkin Parents Advisory
Lakes District Fall Fair Association
Burns Lake Native Development Corporation
TOTAL GRANTS-IN-AID (excluding in-kind)
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$500.00
$500.00
Donation of radio time to National Aboriginal Day,
waived business license fees for participants in
Student Venture program
$20,500.00
PAGE 9 – CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE: 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
APPENDIX 1 – Financial Statements for Year Ending December 31, 2003