Japanese Earthquake

A STRONG EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED BUT A TSUNAMI IS NOT
  EXPECTED ALONG THE CALIFORNIA/ OREGON/ WASHINGTON/
  BRITISH COLUMBIA OR ALASKA COASTS...

NO WARNING... NO WATCH AND NO ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR
THESE AREAS.

BASED ON THE DEPTH OF THE EARTHQUAKE WITHIN THE EARTH A TSUNAMI
IS NOT EXPECTED ALONG THE CALIFORNIA/ OREGON/ WASHINGTON/
BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA COASTS.

AT 928 PM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME ON DECEMBER 31 AN EARTHQUAKE WITH
PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE 7.0 OCCURRED
SOUTH OF HONSHU JAPAN AT 371KM DEPTH.

Yet Another Storm Warning !

Marine Forecast
Winds
Issued 04:00 AM PST 31 December 2011
Today Tonight and Sunday Storm warning in effect.
Wind northwest 15 knots increasing to southeast 15 to 25 early this morning and to 25 to 35 early this afternoon. Wind increasing to southeast 35 to 45 late this afternoon except 40 to 50 northwest of Estevan Point late this evening overnight and Sunday morning.


Waves
Issued 04:00 AM PST 31 December 2011
Today Tonight and Sunday Seas 2 to 3 metres building to 3 to 5 after midnight.

Beach Clean Up- All Welcome

Another Storm Warning !

Winds
Issued 10:30 AM PST 29 December 2011
Today Tonight and Friday
Storm warning in effect.
Wind southeast 15 to 20 knots increasing to 30 to 40 this afternoon and to 40 to 50 early this evening. Wind diminishing to southwest 20 to 30 late this evening then increasing to southwesterly 30 to 40 before Friday morning. Wind veering to northwest 30 to 40 near noon Friday.
 
 
Waves
Issued 04:00 AM PST 29 December 2011
Today Tonight and Friday
Seas 4 to 6 metres building to 6 to 8 before Friday morning.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 AM PST 29 December 2011
Saturday
Wind northwest 20 knots increasing to southeast 25 to 35 in the afternoon.
Sunday
Wind southeast 25 to 35 knots veering to southwest 25 to 35 late in the day.
Monday
Wind southeast 25 to 35 knots becoming northwesterly 30 to 40.
 
 
Weather & Visibility
Issued 10:30 AM PST 29 December 2011
Today Tonight and Friday
Rain changing to a few showers late this evening and ending Friday evening.
 

Tsunami Debris Tracking Project

Here's a link to a site tracking tsunami debris.Whether the current beach finds are of tsunami origin or not it is important to plan for when a larger amount of debris makes landfall.Please comment if you find anything of interest....thanks,Ralph

http://www.oceanrecov.org/tsunami-debris/about.html

Japanese Lumber Source

The stamp on the Japanese lumber that is washing up on the coast is registered to this company....http://www.meihansenpaku.co.jp/carpentry.htm#

Another Storm Warning !

Winds
Issued 04:00 AM PST 26 December 2011
Today Tonight and Tuesday
Storm warning in effect.
Wind south 15 to 25 knots increasing to 25 to 35 early this morning and to 35 to 45 near noon except 50 northwest of Estevan Point. Wind becoming southwest 30 to 40 early this evening then diminishing to northwest 20 near midnight. Wind diminishing to light overnight then increasing to southeast 15 to 25 Tuesday morning. Wind increasing to southeast 25 to 35 Tuesday afternoon then becoming southwest 30 Tuesday evening.
 
 
Waves
Issued 04:00 AM PST 26 December 2011
Today Tonight and Tuesday
Seas 3 to 5 metres building to 5 to 7 late this afternoon then subsiding to 3 to 5 after midnight. Seas building to 5 to 7 Tuesday evening.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 AM PST 26 December 2011
Wednesday
Wind south 30 to 40 knots.
Thursday
Wind northwest 30 to 40 knots diminishing to southeast 20 to 30 late in the day.
Friday
Wind southeast 30 to 40 knots becoming northwest 35 late in the day.
 
 
Weather & Visibility
Issued 04:00 AM PST 26 December 2011
Today Tonight and Tuesday
Rain. Visibility 1 mile or less in rain.

Merry Christmas !! Storm Warning !!

Today Tonight and Monday
Storm warning in effect.
Wind southeast 20 to 30 knots except 35 northwest of Estevan Point. Wind becoming southeast 25 to 35 early this morning then becoming west 25 to 35 late this morning. Wind diminishing to west 15 to 25 early this evening then becoming southwest 15 late this evening. Wind increasing to south 15 to 25 after midnight and to 25 to 35 Monday morning. Wind increasing to south 35 to 45 Monday afternoon except 50 northwest of Estevan Point. Wind becoming southwest 30 to 40 Monday evening.
Big tides as well so please proceed with caution !

Christmas weather forecast-slow news day

Tofino


Current Conditions

Light Rain

9 °C

Observed at:
Tofino Airport
Date:
9:00 AM PST Saturday 24 December 2011

*

Condition:
Light Rain

Pressure:
102.6 kPa

Tendency:
falling


Visibility:
1 km


*

Temperature:
9.0°C

Dewpoint:
8.6°C

Humidity:
97 %

Wind:
SE 26 gust 37 km/h



Forecast

Today
Rain at times heavy

* 8°C
*
*

Sun
Rain at times heavy

* 7°C
* 6°C
*

Mon
Rain

* 9°C
* 4°C
*

Tue
Rain

* 9°C
* 7°C
*

Wed
Rain

* 8°C
* 7°C
*

Thu
Rain

* 8°C
* 4°C
*

Fri
Rain

* 8°C
* 4°C
*

Issued : 5:00 AM PST Saturday 24 December 2011

Today
Rain at times heavy ending late this afternoon then cloudy. Amount 30 to 40 mm. Wind southeast 40 to 60 km/h. Temperature steady near 8.

Tonight
Cloudy. Rain at times heavy beginning this evening. Amount 30 to 40 mm. Wind southeast 40 to 60 km/h increasing to 60 to 80 after midnight. Low 6.

Sunday
Rain at times heavy ending late in the afternoon then cloudy. Amount 20 to 30 mm. Wind southeast 60 to 80 km/h becoming west 30 to 50 in the morning. High 7.

Monday
Rain. Low plus 4. High 9.

Tuesday
Rain. Low 7. High 9.

Wednesday
Rain. Low 7. High 8.

Thursday
Rain. Low plus 4. High 8.

Friday
Rain. Low plus 4. High 8.

Marine Warning

During the next few days we will be having some tides in the 13 foot range with some gale force southeast and south winds.Surf during this time will be in the 4-6 meter range so please proceed with caution if you are engaged in marine or beach activities. thanks,Ralph

Cougar Sighting

A cougar has been sighted by the Co-op Gas Station. Please watch your kids and pets.Call 1-877-952-7277 if you have problems with this cat. thanks,Ralph

Japanese Tsunami Debris ??

One thing more popular than politics in Tofino is beachcombing ! There has been much speculation that the recent influx of flotsam of Japanese origin is from the Tsunami....I'm at the beach quite often and have noticed a lot more lumber and bottles with Japanese markings.Please comment with your reports and observations. thanks,Ralph

Community Charter relevant to meeting time change

Procedure bylaws

124 (1) A council must, by bylaw, establish the general procedures to be followed by council and council committees in conducting their business.

(2) Without limiting the matters that may be dealt with under this section, a council must, by bylaw, do the following:

(a) establish rules of procedure for council meetings, including the manner by which resolutions may be passed and the manner by which bylaws may be adopted in accordance with Division 3 [Bylaw Procedures] of this Part;

(b) establish rules of procedure for meetings of council committees;

(c) provide for the taking of minutes of council meetings and council committee meetings, including requiring certification of those minutes;

(d) provide for advance public notice respecting the time, place and date of council committee meetings and establish the procedures for giving that notice;

(e) identify places that are to be public notice posting places for the purposes of section 94 [public notice];

(f) establish the procedure for designating a person under section 130 [designation of member to act in place of the mayor];

(g) establish the first regular council meeting date referred to in section 125 (1) [council meetings] as a day in the first 10 days of December following a general local election.

(3) A bylaw under this section must not be amended, or repealed and substituted, unless the council first gives notice in accordance with section 94 [public notice] describing the proposed changes in general terms.

Requirements for public notice

94 (1) If this section applies, the applicable notice must be

(a) posted in the public notice posting places, and

(b) published in accordance with this section.

(2) Subject to subsection (4), publication under subsection (1) (b)

(a) must be in a newspaper that is distributed at least weekly

(i) in the area affected by the subject matter of the notice, and

(ii) if the area affected is not in the municipality, also in the municipality, and

(b) unless otherwise provided, must be once each week for 2 consecutive weeks.

(3) The obligation under subsection (2) may be met by publication of the notice in more than one newspaper, if this is in accordance with that subsection when the publications are considered together.

(4) If publication under subsection (2) is not practicable, the notice may be given in the areas by alternative means as long as the notice

(a) is given within the same time period as required for publication,

(b) is given with the same frequency as required for publication, and

(c) provides notice that the council considers is reasonably equivalent to that which would be provided by newspaper publication if it were practicable.

(5) As an exception, subsection (4) (b) does not apply in relation to an area if the alternative means is by individual distribution to the persons resident in the area.

(6) If the same matter is subject to 2 or more requirements for publication in accordance with this section, the notices may be combined so long as the requirements of all applicable provisions are met.

(7) A council may provide any additional notice respecting a matter that it considers appropriate, including by the Internet or other electronic means.

Agenda for December 14,2011 Council Meeting

REGULAR MEETING OF THE DISTRICT OF TOFINO COUNCIL
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AGENDA: 2011-DECEMBER-14 AT 9:00 AM
A)
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
B)
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA
C)
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
D)
ADOPTION OF MINUTES

1.

Minutes of the Regular Open Council Meeting held 2011-11-08.
2011-11-08 Regular Meeting Minutes

2.

Minutes of the Inaugural Council Meeting held 2011-12-05.
2011-12-05 Inaugural Meeting Minutes
E)
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
F)
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
G)
DELEGATIONS

1.

Mr. Peter Boulton to present his concerns regarding the installation of "Smart Meters" being installed by BC Hydro.
Delegation Handout
H)
CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION ONLY

1.

UBCM legislative update on Bill 8 - Community, Sport and Cultural Development Amendment Act and Bill 13 - Metal Dealers and Recycling Act.
2011-11-09 UBCM In The House

2.

UBCM In The House release regarding Bill 20 - Auditor General for Local Government Act.
2011-11-24 UBCM Provincial InThe House

3.

Letter from UBCM advising Council of the second of two payments regarding the Gas Tax Agreement Community Works Fund.
2011-11-24 Letter from UBCM

4.

UBCM Member Release regarding CFIB's Fourth Municipal Spending Report.
2011-11-14 UBMC Member Release

5.

UBCM Member Release providing Council with an update on the RCMP contract negotiations.
2011-12-08 UBCM Member Release

6.

UBCM memo notifying Council of Executive vacancies.
2011-12-01 UBCM Memo re Executive vacancies

7.

Letter from Rebecca Hurwitz, Managing Director, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, providing Council with an update on their project, Measuring Community Health.
2011-11-07 Letter from Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

8.

Letter from Sheila Malcolmson, Chair, Islands Trust Council, providing Council with correspondence related to Salish Sea shipping and oil concerns.
2011-11-10 Letter from Islands Trust

9.

Letter from Barbara Kaminsky, Chair, BC Healthy Living Alliance and CEO, Canadian Cancer Society BC & Yukon and Mary Collins, Director, BC Healthy Living Alliance Secretariat congratulating Council on their success in the recent election and to advise Council of a number of healthy living issues that were brought to their attention at their recent event: “Healthier Small Communities – A Virtual Town Hall”.
2011-12-01 Letter from BC Healthy Living Alliance

10.

Notice from Ted van der Gulik, Chair of Water Balance Model Partnership, and Kim Stephens, Executive Director, Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC notifyling Council that the "Primer on Urban Watershed Modelling to Inform Local Government Decision Processes" has been released.
2011-12-06 Email from Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC

11.

Letter from the Tofino Business Association to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, inviting her to visit Tofino.
2011-11-07 Letter from Tofino Business Association

12.

Letter from the City of Langley to the Minister of Health and the Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency regarding the Marihuana Medical Access Program.
2011-11-08 Letter from City of Langley

13.

Letter from the Township of Spallumcheen to the Prime Minister requesting changes to the Criminal Code of Canada to make the Sexual Offender Register public.
2011-11-14 Letter from Township of Spallumcheen

14.

Letter from the City of Fort St. John to the Prime Minister requesting that the Federal Government alter the Criminal Code of Canada to allow the National Sex Offender Registry to be made available to the public.
2011-11-16 Letter from City of Fort St. John
I)
CORRESPONDENCE: REQUIRING ACTION

1.

Appointment to the 2012 Vancouver Island Regional Library Board.
2011-11-14 Letter from VIRL

2.

Request from Ralph Tieleman for the installation of a stop sign by Sobo at First and Neill Streets.
2011-11-19 Email from Ralph Tieleman

3.

Memorandum from AVICC requesting the submissions of nominations and resolution requests for the AVICC Executive (deadline for submissions is 2012-02-24).
2011-11-10 AVICC Memo

4.

Letter from the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, inviting Council to nominate a member of the community for the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism. (deadline for submitting nominations is 2012-03-01)
Letter from Ministry of CIM

5.

Invitation from Katie Cumby, Associate Producer, CBC Television, inviting Council to submit local businesses as candidates for their new show "The Big Decision".
2011-11-22 Email and press release from CBC

6.

Letter from Grant Warkentin, Communications Officer, Mainstream Canada congratulating members of Council on the election and inviting Council to take a tour of their operations.
2011-11-22 Letter from Mainstream Canada

7.

Email from the City of Burnaby inviting delegates from Council to attend the 61st Annual Western Cities Conference in October of next year.
2011-12-09 Email form City of Burnaby
J)
REPORTS
1.
Staff Reports

a)

2012 Regular Council Meeting Schedule. (Report from Deputy Clerk)
RECOMMENDATIONS: THAT the Regular Council and Committee of the Whole meetings for the fourth Tuesday in September and December be cancelled; AND THAT only one meeting be held for the months of July and August on the third Tuesday; AND THAT the proposed 2012 Regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting schedule be approved as presented.
2011-12-14 RTC - 2012 RC Mtg Schedule

b)

Elected Officials Computers. (Report from Accounting Supervisor)
RECOMMENDATION THAT Council direct staff to purchase laptop computers per the “Elected Officials Laptop Computer Policy”; AND THAT the “Elected Officials Laptop Policy” be amended to include “that Council laptop’s will reflect the operating system of District administration”.
2011-12-14 RTC Elected Official Computers

c)

Emergency Communications Strategy Update. (Report from the Protective Services Officer)
RECOMMENDATION That Council receives this report for information for review and discussion.
2011-12-14 RTC Emergency Communication Strategy
2.
Committee Reports

a)

RCMP Report for the months of October and November 2011.
2011-12-07 RCMP Policing Report for October 2011
2011-12-07 RCMP Policing Report for November 2011

b)

Minutes of the OCP Implementation and Monitoring Committee (OCPIMC) held on November 3, 2011 and DRAFT minutes of meeting held on December 7, 2011.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Council amend the OCPIMC terms of reference to include a mandate for the OCPIMC to review the OCP.
2011-11-03 OCPIMC Minutes
2011-12-06 OCPIMC DRAFT Minutes

c)

Minutes of the Tofino Recreation Commission meeting held October 19, 2011 and AGM held November 10, 2011.
COMMISSION DECISION: That funds earmarked for the multi-use path (MUP) be used for MUP Etiquette signage.
2011-10-19 Recreation Commission Minutes
2011-11-10 Recreation Commission AGM Minutes
2011 Recreation Commission Account

d)

Decision from the Board of Variance hearing held on November 21, 2011.
BOARD DECISION: The Board of Variance voted unanimously to permit the variance of Zoning Bylaw No. 770 (1997), Sections 4.6.2 (h) and 6.6.1 (a) to allow building of a car port on the subject property according to the site plan submitted by the property owner.
2011-11-28 Decision Letter to applicant

e)

Minutes from the Committee to Approve Public Events (CAPE) meeting held on November 4, 2011.
Recommendations were adopted at the November 8, 2011 regular Council meeting.
2011-11-04 CAPE Minutes
3.
Council Reports
K)
BYLAWS

1.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1131, 2010 - 1140 Pacific Rim Highway, Lot 3, District Lot 127, Clayoquot District, VIP 20090. (Report from Manager of Community Sustainability)
RECOMMENDATION: that this report be forwarded to the next scheduled Committee of the Whole Meeting for in depth discussion and examination of the land use proposal.
2011-12-14 RTC Zoning Bylaw 1131
L)
NEW BUSINESS

1.

Discussion regarding festival support under the new Resort Development Strategy. (Verbal report from the Mayor)
M)
15 MINUTE QUESTION PERIOD
N)
RECESS
O)
ADJOURNMENT

Guest Post by George Smith

Open question to former council, new council, staff and anyone with specific knowledge.


For many, many years we have had a sewer system that relies on hydro to keep the pumps running. For as many years as we have had this sewer system we have had power outages. During these power outages we relied on village employees to keep the pumps running by moving generators on a trailers from pump to pump for the duration of the power outage. This resulted in sometimes significant overtime costs

Council/staff at some point decided generators that were stationary on site would be a great idea because they would reduce overtime costs. Now we have at least 3 diesel generators, and at least 2 propane units, maybe more that I have not discovered.


Was there ever an accurate costing done for these units? They require significant maintenance, rental of propane tanks and so on. Notwithstanding that, these units will have a finite life of 6-8 years before needing complete replacement.

I would like to hear if this was really a cost efficient way of reducing overtime. Maybe just to generate some discussion of projects which may have had little or no real accounting scrutiny before the spend.

What was the cost? The amortization? And what are the savings/advantages? Were they a good use of our money?

George Smith

Neil Buckle RIP

Neil Buckle R.I.P. Neil was a great guy....

George Christopher Mumblo R.I.P.

George Christopher Mumblo



Jan. 25, 1953 – Nov. 26, 2011

George died as he lived – with passion, dignity and surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, George moved to Toronto in 1972 and obtained a degree in photography at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. In 1976 he headed to Canada’s west coast. While staying at a youth hostel in Victoria, he met and fell in love with Robin Chernay, a resident of Oregon. Undeterred by long distance and international boundaries, their relationship flourished and in 1979 they married. They lived in Tofino, Calgary, Halifax and Vancouver before moving to Fanny Bay in 2007. Along the way they had two children, Melissa and Ian, who knew they had the best Papi in the word.
In the late 80s George started developing symptoms of a muscular disorder that eventually required him to use a wheelchair. This development did nothing to dampen George’s passion for life, quick wit, keen observation and incredible generosity. Music, a good meal, a juicy plum, the antics of birds, the opening of a flower; these were all reasons for George to appreciate life. He was a wise, kind and insightful man who profoundly touched all those he met.
Ever the thoughtful and loving son of John and Lydia Mumblo, George didn't give in to his illness until both his parents passed earlier this year. In addition to Robin, Melissa and Ian, George is survived by his sister Katherine and his brother John (Gina), son-in-law Dave Newman, six nephews, one niece, and his loving dogs, Foxy and Ray. We will celebrate George’s life this Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. at his final home -- 7651 Tozer Road in Fanny Bay.

Freedom of Information results from Oct.25,2011

Here's a copy of the minutes of the secret in-camera meeting of October 25,2011. One has to wonder why council was discussing the sewer system in a closed meeting ??? Please note that this document has been redacted prior to release.