Let’s Talk Trash team has indicated that it greatly enjoyed working with qathet Regional District (qRD).
At the January 24 committee of the whole meeting, directors reviewed correspondence from the team, which no longer has a contract after consulting with the regional district for 13 years.
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said he read the correspondence and noted qRD had worked for a long time with Let’s Talk Trash.
“They have provided stellar service to our community,” said Fall. “I am sad to see us part ways. I would say that is primarily our loss. I wish them the best in their next steps and I’m confident they will help BC communities wrestle with our waste management monster issues.”
Fall said there was mention in the correspondence that job sharing was not available as an option to Let’s Talk Trash, which has worked the job as co-shares during the time it had been contracted with qRD. He asked for clarity on when job sharing is or is not an option for positions.
Corporate office Michelle Jones said there was a flexible work arrangement policy and the development of a flexible work arrangement program, and that does not contemplate job sharing.
Chief administrative officer Al Radke recommended that any future discussion about specifics go in camera at a future meeting.
Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick said that was her thought because it is a personnel issue.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said when he saw the correspondence on a public agenda, he ran into someone who asked him what the item was about. Gisborne said the board goes in camera for matters that involve land, labour and law. He said his question was, in relation to the correspondence on the public agenda, what could the regional district tell the public about the relationship between Let’s Talk Trash and qRD.
“It seems we are starting to skirt that line between out of camera and in camera and I want to make sure we stay within our fenced enclosure,” said Gisborne.
Radke said directors could speak about anything contained in the letter.
“They wanted it in the open,” said Radke.
Gisborne said it appeared qRD would not be having a working relationship with Let’s Talk Trash in the future.
Radke said the correspondence was self-explanatory and if the board wanted to get into further details, he suggested they go in camera at some future date.
McCormick said the letter raises a lot of questions of a personnel nature, which, by legislation, is an in camera discussion.
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said the team had done some valuable work for qRD.
“I’ve just learned about it in the last year that I’ve been involved,” said Lennox. “The main point of the letter is to acknowledge that there has been some solid work here and we’re looking for opportunities to continue to work with these folks. That’s what people in the public should know, but we need more details for the directors to understand this.”
McCormick said she had nothing but praise for the work of Let’s Talk Trash, growing into an incredibly important resource.
Directors voted to go in camera to further discuss Let’s Talk Trash.
The team, in its correspondence, stated: “We are proud of our award-winning work, which includes consulting on the resource-recovery centre, establishing Canada’s first ocean plastic depot, facilitating zero waste opportunities for events and creating communications to inform and inspire waste reduction.
“Let's Talk Trash is enthusiastic about future opportunities to collaborate with all three local governments as we also expand our services across the province.”
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