Comox Valley Local Governments Showcase “A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability”

Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy Provides a Framework for Aligning Efforts

 

Local governments in British Columbia are faced with this challenge: the initial capital cost of infrastructure is about 20% of the life-cycle cost; the other 80% largely represents a future unfunded liability. 

The unfunded 'infrastructure liability' is a driver for local governments to consider longevity, focus on what happens after developers hand-off municipal infrastructure, get it right at the front-end, and prepare for the future.

The CAVI-Comox Valley Regional Team is setting the stage for A Regional Response to ‘Infrastructure Liability’. During April-May-June, a 3-part seminar series will provide a forum for shared learning. The target audience is land use and infrastructure professionals in the local government and development sectors. To learn more about the Series, click here.

"The Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy and Comox Valley Sustainability Strategy together provide a starting point  for making better long-term decisions. The  CAVI-Comox Valley Regional Team is developing an infrastructure evaluation tool that will be introduced, refined and finalized over the course of the 3-part seminar series," states Mike Zbarsky, Manager of Transit and Sustainability with the Comox Valley Regional District.

Seminar #1 in the 2011 Series will be hosted by the Town of Comox on April 14^th. To register, click here. Space is limited. Registration will be capped at 45. The registration fee is $25 plus HST.

Comox Valley Update #2011-03

March 31, 2011

Majority of Local Governments in the BC's Lower Mainland are Water Balance Model Partners

ISMP Course Correction: Municipalities Can Achieve More With Less 

On the morning of April 7, Metro Vancouver will host the 2011 Water Balance Model Partners Forum. This will be followed by a meeting of the Metro Vancouver Stormwater Interagency Liaison Group (SILG) in the afternoon. A decade, the Partnership began as a subgroup of SILG.

The Partners Forum is an opportunity for all local governments in the Lower Mainland to learn from each other about implementing green infrastructure, and reflect on what can be accomplished through alignment and collaboration. Those who are curious will learn that:

• An Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) is a potentially powerful tool. It can influence other municipal processes for the better. It can generate the blueprint for integrated and coordinated action at a watershed scale.
• The Partners Forum provides a platform for launching an educational program that will support implementation of the ISMP Course Correction in Metro Vancouver and beyond.

"The need for a 'course correction' was identified by the Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Reference Panel in its Final Report to the Metro Vancouver Board, released in July 2009: Re-focus Integrated RAINwater/Stormwater Management Plans on watershed targets and outcomes so that there are clear linkages with the land use planning and development approval process," states Kim Stephens, Reference Panel Chair.

During the period November-December 2010, the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia released a 5-part series about considerations driving a course correction in the way ISMPs are undertaken. Release of the Summary Report for ISMP Course Correction Series followed in February 2011.

To download a copy of the Draft Agenda, click on Metro Vancouver hosts 2011 Water Balance Model Partners Forum.

News Release #2011-15

March 31, 2011

Integrated Rainwater Management: “Municipalities Can Achieve More With Less”

ISMP Course Correction: Capital Region's Bowker Creek Blueprint informs Metro Vancouver Initiative

A decade ago, local governments were venturing into uncharted waters when undertaking ISMPs, the acronym for Integrated Stormwater Management Plans. Now, the experience of the Bowker Creek Initiative (in the Capital Region) serves as a guide for the “ISMP Course Correction” in the Metro Vancouver region.

“The elephant in the room is always money.   Municipalities have lots of competing interests for spending money; lots of projects to keep staff busy; and finite financial resources. We are all challenged to do more with less and get it done,” stated Anne Topp, District of Saanich Manager of Community Planning, at the 2010 Bowker Creek Forum.

“We all have heard the quote ‘if you don’t know where you are going, it doesn’t matter what road you take’. With completion of the Blueprint, the Bowker Creek Initiative knows where it wants to go. Integrating with and using other plans to advance the Blueprint will be ongoing.”

“The 100-year Action Plan gives us time.  This plan is not just about water.  It is about how this community wants to live and connect to the environment. We don’t have to do the $20 million, $40 million ISMP approach. Keeping the pieces small and creating bite-sized pieces should allow the slow and steady approach.” 

At the 2011 Water Balance Model Partners Forum in April, the spotlight will be on the ISMP Course Correction. To learn more, click on Integrated Rainwater Management: Municipalities Can Achieve More With Less.

News Release #2011-14

March 29, 2011

Comox Valley Local Governments Showcase “A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability”

Sustainable Service Delivery Links Land Use Planning, Watershed Health and 'Infrastructure Liability'

Local governments in British Columbia are faced with this challenge: the initial capital cost of infrastructure is about 20% of the life-cycle cost; the other 80% largely represents a future unfunded liability. Fiscal constraints provide a powerful impetus for doing business differently to ‘achieve more with less’.

“The term Sustainable Service Delivery describes a new way of thinking about infrastructure needs and how to pay for those needs over time. Everyone needs to be thinking in terms of life-cycle costs, especially future recapitalization of the investment. In the current financial climate, there will be even stiffer competition for available funding. As a result, there is a greater incentive for local governments to demonstrate innovation and integration,” states Glen Brown, Executive Director with the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. His responsibilities encompass local government infrastructure and finance.

“Sustainable Service Delivery is very much about integrating land use planning and infrastructure asset management to achieve holistic outcomes."

The Comox Valley Regional Team is setting the stage for A Regional Response to ‘Infrastructure Liability’. A 3-part seminar series in April-May-June will provide a forum for shared learning. The target audience is land use and infrastructure professionals in the local government and development sectors. To register, click here.

To learn more, click on Sustainable Service Delivery Links Land Use Planning, Watershed Health and ‘Infrastructure Liability’.

News Release #2011-13

March 22, 2011

City of Surrey hosts Water Balance Model Learning Sessions: Community of Users Inform Platform Conversion

A Key Stakeholder Group: Engineering Consultants that are Paying Subscribers

The Water Balance Model Partnership has three categories of model users, each with a different degree of access to the various features of the Water Balance Model powered by QUALHYMO:

• Project Partners – local governments
• Paying Subscribers – engineering consultants
• General Users – anyone with Internet access

On March 24, the Water Balance Model Partnership is bringing together its community of paying subscribers. The City of Surrey is hosting two learning sessions in a computer lab setting.

“We are responding to requests from the engineering community to learn from our Engineering Applications Authority (Jim Dumont),” reports Ted van der Gulik, Chair of the Water Balance Model Partnership. “These sessions will also provide us with a valuable feedback loop on the user experience. The insights that we gain from our paying subscribers on March 24 will inform the Partners Forum two weeks later on April 7.”

“The user experience is important because we are converting the web interface for the Water Balance Model powered by QUALYMO to a new platform. The new platform will achieve a number of objectives. In particular, it will expedite completion of the Water Balance Model Express for Homeowners. Furthermore, the Express version will open the door to a range of audiences and educational opportunities that go well beyond homeowners.”

To learn more, click on Community of Users Inform Platform Conversion for Water Balance Model.

News Release #2011-12

March 21, 2011

Comox Valley Dialogue with Developers: Align Efforts at a Watershed Scale to Mitigate ‘Infrastructure Liability’

Learn more at the 2011 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series in April - May - June

Local governments in British Columbia are faced with this challenge: the initial capital cost of infrastructure is about 20% of the life-cycle cost; the other 80% largely represents a future unfunded liability. Fiscal constraints provide a powerful impetus for doing business differently to ‘achieve more with less’.

"The unfunded ‘infrastructure liability’ is a driver for local governments to consider longevity, focus on what happens after developers hand-off municipal infrastructure, get it right at the front-end, and prepare for the future. Climate change is part of the liability equation - adaptation has level-of-service implications for infrastructure," explains Derek Richmond, Manager of Engineering with the City of Courtenay.

“Looking at the big picture will give everyone the right perspective for the smaller, individual initiatives. Consequently, long-term O&M liabilities associated with infrastructure can be reduced or minimized. We are open for business to look at new and innovative applications and technologies that have been properly researched and are applicable to the situations at hand. Think beyond our borders. Think in terms of integrated watershed planning in a cooperative, coordinated and collaborative manner.”

The CAVI-Comox Valley Regional Team is setting the stage for A Regional Response to ‘Infrastructure Liability’. A 3-part seminar series will provide a forum for shared learning. The target audience is land use and infrastructure professionals in the local government and development sectors. To learn more, click here.

Seminar #1 in the 2011 Series will be hosted by the Town of Comox on April 14^th. To register, click here. Space is limited. Registration will be capped at 45. The registration fee is $25 plus HST.

Comox Valley Update #2011-02

March 17, 2011

Okanagan Basin Water Board releases report on ‘Managing Stormwater in a Changing Climate’

From Rain to Resource: Recommendations Highlight Application of Planning Tools

In October 2010, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) and the BC Water and Waste Association co-hosted a 2-day workshop titled From Rain to Resource: Managing Stormwater in a Changing Climate. The OBWB has just released a report that summarizes a comprehensive set of recommendations that came out of the workshop; and provides an overview of the topics and case studies that were presented.

“In the past decade it has become clear that problems with water quality, environmental health, and aquifer failure are connected to rainfall and runoff management. Looking forward, we need to change the way we view rain and rainstorms - to manage the risks and uncertainty associated with climate change, and to preserve the things we value without going broke on ever-larger engineering solutions,” states Anna Warwick Sears, OBWB Executive Director.

“Changing our rain and storm water management will change how we approach development, but we will be living in a healthier environment with lower impact designs.”

One of the key recommendations for local government is to incorporate the Water Balance Model in planning. Application of this scenario modelling tool was a recurring theme throughout the workshop. To download the report and learn more, click on From Rain to Resource: Okanagan Basin Water Board releases report on ‘Managing Stormwater in a Changing Climate’.

News Release #2011-11

March 15, 2011

Water Balance Model Partners are charter members of the ‘Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia’

Local Governments in Four Regions of BC are Water Balance Model Partners

In November 2010, the ‘convening for action’ partners incorporated the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia as a non-profit society. The Water Balance Model and Water Bucket Website now reside within the Partnership. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of both.

“The Water Balance Model is a core element of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia, released in February 2004. Furthermore, it is one of the 'twin engines' driving an outreach and continuing education program that is building leadership capacity in the local government setting. The other 'twin engine' is the Water Bucket website,” explains Tim Pringle, Partnership President.

“Local governments in four regions of BC are Water Balance Model Partners. For most, their support of the Water Balance Model goes back almost a decade. In recognition of their long-term commitment, we are pleased to announce that these local governments are deemed to be charter members of the Partnership for Water Sustainability.”

To learn more, click on Water Balance Model Partners are charter members of the ‘Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia’.

News Release #2011-10

March 11, 2011

A Regional Response to 'Infrastructure Liability': Comox Valley Regional Team releases agenda for Seminar #1 in 2011 Learning Lunch Seminar Series

Achieve Water Sustainability Outcomes through Green Infrastructure Solutions

Green infrastructure and water sustainability --- the Comox Valley is demonstrating what can be achieved through a 'regional team approach' that is striving for consistency at local government front counters. This is accomplished through sharing of experiences, collaboration, alignment, and pooling of resources to ‘achieve more with less’.

“The Town of Comox is hosting the 2011 Learning Lunch Seminar Series on April 14, May 19 and June 23. The regional team is inviting Vancouver Island land use and infrastructure professionals in the local government and land development sectors to attend,” states Shelley Ashfield, an engineer with the Town of Comox.

"The spotlight will be on the unfunded ‘infrastructure liability’ confronting all local governments. This is a driver for a change in the way we plan, finance, implement and over time replace infrastructure. In the 2011 Series, we will focus on how all those involved in land development can help communities achieve Sustainable Service Delivery.”

To foreshadow the information transfer that will take place in each of the three 2011 seminars, weekly e-blasts will be circulated throughout the March - June period. To preview Seminar #1, click on A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability: Comox Valley Regional Team releases agenda for Seminar #1 in 2011 Learning Lunch Series

To register for Seminar #1 via the registration service provided by CivicInfo BC, click here. Registration will be capped at 45.

Comox Valley Update #2011-01

March 10, 2011

Water Balance Model Partners Forum on April 7 will showcase vision for ‘WBM Express for Homeowners’

Water Balance Model evolves to help local governments ‘achieve more with less’

Local governments in British Columbia are faced with this challenge: the initial capital cost of infrastructure is about 20% of the life-cycle cost; the other 80% largely represents a future unfunded liability. Thus, fiscal constraints provide a powerful impetus for doing business differently to ‘achieve more with less’.

“Population growth in BC’s urban settlement areas is being accommodated to a large degree through redevelopment. From a watershed health and restoration perspective, this creates opportunities to ‘get it right’ the second time. Doing more with less includes ‘designing with nature’ to achieve lower life-cycle costs,” states Richard Boase, Vice-President of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia.

“Success is more likely to follow when a drainage planning process is truly integrated with a blueprint for watershed redevelopment over time. True integration requires a way to link actions at the site scale with outcomes desired at the watershed scale.”

“The Water Balance Model supports ‘design with nature’ strategies. Because the model is a scenario comparison tool, it can create an understanding of the past and compare it to many possible futures. Protecting or restoring watershed health starts with the individual homeowner. This is a big reason for developing the WBM Express.”

To learn more, click on Water Balance Model Partners Forum will showcase vision for ‘WBM Express for Homeowners’.

News Release #2011-09

March 8, 2011

Comox Valley Local Governments Showcase a Regional Response to Tackling the ‘Infrastructure Liability’

Achieve Water Sustainability Outcomes through Green Infrastructure Solutions

Green infrastructure and water sustainability --- the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island is a provincial demonstration region for showcasing the benefits of a ‘regional team approach’. A convergence of interests has created an opportunity for the four local governments to set their sights on the common good, challenge the old barriers of jurisdictional interests, and align efforts at a watershed scale.

“Commencing in 2007, the four governments in the Comox Valley have been collaborating under the umbrella of Convening for Action on Vancouver Island, known by the acronym CAVI. Through a program of continuing education, we are aligning efforts, building leadership capacity, and striving for consistency at our front counters,” reports Glenn Westendorp, Public Works Superintendent with the Town of Comox, and Chair for the 2011 Learning Lunch Seminar Series.

“The theme for the 2011 Series is A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability. The initial capital cost of municipal infrastructure is about 20% of the life-cycle cost. The other 80% represents an unfunded liability. This is a driver for a change in the way local governments plan, finance, implement and over time replace infrastructure. The 2011 Series will focus on why and how all those involved in land development have a role to play in achieving Sustainable Service Delivery.”

To learn more, click on Sustainable Service Delivery: Comox Valley Local Governments Release Program Details for 2011 Learning Lunch Series.

News Release #2011-08

March 1, 2011