district of lillooet: goals & objectives

2016 - 2018

District of Lillooet: Goals & Objectives

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District of Lillooet

Goals and Objectives

2016 - 2018

On November 6th and 7th, 2015, Council of the District of Lillooet met to establish its agenda and priorities for the remainder of its term. Discussion of Council’s priorities identified four key Goals:

• Improve Corporate Governance • Build Community • Develop Financial Sustainability • Advance Environmental Responsibility

In order to achieve these goals, Council established multiple objectives and identified specific actions. Many of the actions, while listed under single goals, work towards achieving multiple goals. Some of the actions need more specific work plans and individuals or committees assigned to complete the action.

With the degree of flux that exists with Lillooet staffing at this time, and the required steps to improve governance, the timelines identified in this document must be somewhat flexible. However, quality, ongoing communication between staff and Council will result in achievable objectives and attainable timeframes.

Council will take the first step towards achieving these goals and objectives as Council works through the process to develop its 2016 to 2020 Financial Plan.

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Improve Corporate Governance

Ensure the District of Lillooet’s governance practices are transparent and accountable to Council and community.

Action Responsibility Time Frame Completed

Retain “Public Input” opportunity early in the public agenda to allow community input on pending Council issues. Council Ongoing

Retain “Question Period” at the end of the public agenda and have Council and staff answer the questions verbally or later by email whenever possible.

Council/CAO Ongoing

Minimize the number of items/issues considered at Closed Meetings. CAO/Council Ongoing

Be diligent at ‘Rising and Reporting’ in Public Meetings decisions and background considered at Closed Meeting whenever possible.

DCO/CAO/Council Ongoing

Ensure staff provide comprehensive, understandable written and verbal reports at Council meetings so the public has full understanding of issues.

CAO/Council Ongoing

Ensure culture of ‘public service’ is prevalent throughout the organization and dominates staff’s dealing with the community.

CAO/Council Ongoing

Have staff publicly report, minimum every four months, on:

• Budget versus expenditures to date; • Progress on achieving Council’s objectives; and • Key departmental activities and accomplishments.

CAO Three times a year

Consider report on the benefits, costs and expected outcomes of a forensic audit. The report to examine existing audit practices, financial system improvements to date and steps taken to reduce risk of fraud.

CAO/Financial Contractor/Council January 2016

Proceed to a ‘Request for Proposal’ for annual Audit services. CFO June 2016

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Improve Corporate Governance

Ensure the District of Lillooet’s governance practices are transparent and accountable to Council and community.


Ensure a transparent Budget/Financial Plan process with ongoing opportunities for public input. CAO Annually

Meet statutory reporting deadlines. CFO/CAO Annually

Hire competent, qualified and committed staff: Council responsible for CAO; CAO responsible for staff. Council/CAO Ongoing

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Build Community

Improve relationships with First Nations for the betterment of the regional community


Improve understanding of First Nations cultural issues. Council and staff Ongoing

Support Community to community Forums. Council and Staff Ongoing

Invite First Nations leadership to a joint, strictly social event. Mayor/ DCO Spring 2016

Collaborate on strategies for broader REC Centre funding. Council 2016

Collaborate on a joint Emergency Plan and work together on a “mock disaster.” Fire Chief 2016

Promote opportunities for First Nations Volunteers on the Lillooet Fire Department. Fire Chief 2016

Invite adjacent community fire departments to participate in joint training opportunities. Fire Chief 2016

Examine potential for jointly funded District of Lillooet employment opportunities for First Nations. CAO 2016

Examine potential for additional shared services. CAO/Mayor Ongoing

Invite discussions on a centrally located Cultural Centre on District of Lillooet lands. Council 2016

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Build Community

Improve Lillooet’s connectivity to outside communities to access services


Pursue public transportation between Lillooet and Vancouver. Council Ongoing

Pursue re-establishment of passenger train service between Prince George and Vancouver. Seek lobbying assistance from adjacent communities.

Council Ongoing

Pursue improved connections from Lillooet to Interior communities through Interior Health. Council Ongoing

Examine ride-sharing opportunities with BC Transit’s advice. Council 2016

Improve broad-band connectivity for greater Lillooet. Council Ongoing

Improve Wi-Fi service in REC Centre, perhaps through Shaw hot-spot program CAO 2016

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Build Community

Recognize those that contribute to a better Lillooet and realize that Lillooet will only be stronger through improved communication


Revisit the “Freeman of the City” program and determine if there are worthy designates. Mayor/DCO Spring 2016

Host a volunteer appreciation barbeque for all of Lillooet recognizing that volunteers exist at many levels throughout the community.

Mayor/DCO Early summer each year

Appreciate committed District staff by:

• Hosting staff appreciation luncheon • Establishing long service award program • Establish safety appreciation program

Council

CAO/DCO

Director Works

Ongoing

Improve communication between Council and community by:

• Providing the Deputy Corporate Officer with additional information for the monthly BRLN newspaper updates;

• Examine staffing ability to improve social media presence; and

• Council giving year-end interviews to the BRLN

Council/ Senior staff

CAO

Council

Monthly

2016

December 2015

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Develop Financial Sustainability

Ensure the District’s finances are in order both from an immediate and a long term perspective.


Adopt an Exempt Staff Employment policy detailing acceptable terms of employment. Council/CAO Spring 2016

Ensure expenditures are diligently monitored by:

• Managers having full access to all financial information; and

• Ensuring all expenditures comply with updated purchasing policy.

CFO Summer 2016 and then ongoing

Adopt updated purchasing policy. Contract Financial Consultant Spring 2016

Reconsider and update the ‘Grant-in-aid’ policy, request for reduced user fees at the REC Centre and tax exemption. Council/CFO Summer 2016

Proceed to ‘Request For Proposal’ for day-to-day engineering services. Director Works Fall 2016

Develop an Asset Management Plan. Director Works/CFO/CAO

Complete Winter 2017

Develop accurate job costing rates including vehicle charge-out rates.

CFO/Director Works Fall 2016

Develop infrastructure grant application strategy and prioritization Council/CAO/CFO Spring 2016

Develop equitable and self-funding water rate structure by:

• Amalgamate parcel/frontage tax systems to a single local service area tax;

• Complete water metering; • Experience water system expenditures for full year; and • Update local service area tax and user fees.

CAO/CFO Fall 2016

Winter 2016

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Focus on core services.


Budget sufficient resources to operate and maintain water, sewer and transportation services.

Council/CFO/ Director Works Annually

Budget sufficient resources to maintain downtown aesthetics including tree and plaque maintenance and upgrading garbage containers.

Council/CFO/ Director Works Annually

Review snow removal policy. Director Works/ Council Fall 2016

Develop/Review policy on responsibilities of Lillooet versus property owners for boulevard maintenance

Director Works/ Council Winter 2016

Improve washrooms and Sani-dump facilities at campground utilizing $5,000 from TRU Engineering. Director Works Fall 2016

Examine management options for campground. CAO Spring 2016

Consider budgeting for improvements of entrance to Lillooet up Station Hill and examine feasibility of a District sign with opportunities for individual businesses to advertise.

Director Works/ Council Fall 2016

Undertake assessment of City Hall and determine its future CAO/ Council 2017

Determine tenure details of Public Works Yard. CAO 2017

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Develop a long-term resolution to the REC Centre issue.


Ensure any long-term sustainability strategy for the REC Centre examines: Services offered; Strategies for increasing usage; Operating costs for each service; Capital costs for updating building; Who pays; and How much is “affordable.”

Council October 2016

Seek direct funding from adjacent communities or regional alternatives to direct funding. Council 2016

Seek resource company direct, ongoing support of the facility or operations. Council 2016

Continue with two committees reviewing the affordability of the REC Centre. Committee A to review the affordability of operations and required capital improvements of the REC Centre and then review the delivery of region-wide services between communities. Committee B to review the opportunities for strategically broadening revenue sources. Committees to meet jointly to update on progress.

Council 2016

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Work to diversify tax base and promote economic growth


Take steps to fulfill Lillooet’s potential as an outdoor recreation destination, including:

• Establish mountain bike trail network with First Nations; • Improve BMX track; • Develop motocross track; • Promote paddling opportunities; and • Promote winter activities such as ice climbing and back

country skiing.

Council Ongoing

Establish Forestry Committee to champion the forest industry, recognizing its importance to Lillooet’s economy. Council Spring 2016

Undertake opportunity identification study for hydro-electric generation projects. CAO 2017

Examine feasibility of marketing District of Lillooet land by updating and considering the District’s land inventory. CAO/Council 2017

Support strengthening of agricultural industry by working with the regional “agricultural committee” and T’it’q’et’s agricultural enterprises.

Council Ongoing

Examine feasibility of an “accommodation tax” to raise revenues for tourist promotions. CFO 2017

Improve District’s Development Approval procedures and practices. CAO 2016

Develop a ‘Senior’s Housing Strategy’ to encourage the private sector to develop additional senior’s housing. CAO 2017

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Advance Environmental Responsibility

Ensure the District adheres to its environmental responsibilities and continually strives to be a “green community.”


Pursue a “Light of Life” program enabling the community to purchase approved solar street lamps in memory of loved ones. The street lamps would be placed in strategic downtown locations to brighten and beautify downtown.

Director of Works 2017

Examine cost effective opportunities to install solar power hardware in District facilities, particularly when updating facilities. Director of Works 2017

Examine “sky-friendly” lighting replacement program. Director of Works 2017

Work with SLRD to improve recycling education. DCO 2016

Examine feasibility of establishing a downtown recycling centre. Director of Works 2017

Install bicycle racks in key downtown locations, utilizing unique designs adding to downtown beautification. Director of Works 2017

Promote bicycle rental business. Council 2016

Pursue improvements to Hwy 99 between Lillooet and Seton Lake to establish a safe cycle lane. Council 2016/2017

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