Serious concerns about the proposed District of 100 Mile House's Community Resilience Investment Program grant application were raised during the Sept. 23 council meeting.
In her report to council, the district's director of economic development and planning Joanne Doddridge noted the project is intended to increase community resiliency to wildfires and promote FireSmart planning. This would include hiring a FireSmart coordinator for the district, developing a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan and establishing a Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committee over the course of two years. The projected cost of this project is estimated to be $262,527, with staff planning to apply for funding to set the foundations for the project.
During the discussion of the proposal, Coun. Donna Barnett raised several concerns, chiefly that this would be yet another burden on staff who are already dealing with fixing the town's water supply, replacing the Horse Lake Bridge and other projects.
"I don't believe in spending this much money on paperwork when you have no assurance that you're going to get anything else after it," Barnett explained, adding she believes the money should be spent on infrastructure projects.
Barnett additionally questioned the need for a FireSmart coordinator in 100 Mile House, citing the community has been involved in FiresSmarting since the 1990s.
"I've seen too many studies on the shelf - and then the only time there's follow-through is if the local government funds it - but the local government can't fund any more."
Barnett remarked during the meeting that the district was in "pretty good shape" to resist a wildfire, citing good community forest woodlots and management over the years.
Doddridge explained the project would take place over two years to buy the district time to get somebody in place and to get them doing the work they need to do, rather than put the pressure to get it all done within a year. However, Doddridge was open to reducing the duration from two years to one year - something Barnett supported.
"Then it would just cost a lot less money, we would be at the on-the-ground running stage a bit sooner," said Doddridge. "It would mean a revision of this application, but I think we have most of the pieces already in place, so we could probably cut it back to just a one-year position and be ready to apply."
Coun. Marty Norgren backed the two-year duration, noting the District is still applying for funding for the position and he didn't see a reason not to do it.
"I'm in the liquor store all summer long - and as soon as there's a sign of smoke - that's all people talk about, other than, where's my beer?" said Norgren, who works in a liquor store.
Council ended up unanimously recommending staff to pursue a one-year duration for the grant funding.
