Short meeting at the RDOS today:

1. The board has approved a motion to have the Environment and Infrastructure Committee look into the question of what are the negative and positive effects that will result if Fortis builds a $400 million dam on the Similkameen River west of Princeton.

Rural H Director Brad Hope of Princeton says it is important to be in on the discussion in the beginning rather than waiting until the last minute to express your views. The Fortis proposal has a dam built not to generate power but to control the river for revenue from the Americans.

Some believe a dam would help control the wild river and stabilize the lake level in Osoyoos.

2. RDOS staff directed to bring forward bylaw ideas for medical marijuana production plants that could be located in the region.

3. An Area A Osoyoos rezoning application for property near the Haynes Point Park at 2815 – 85th Street was delayed again for two weeks because the owners and legal/planning representatives could not attend. It is expected that first and second reading and a move to go to a public hearing will happen on July 17th.

4. A bylaw authorizing a joint service for the operation of the Frank Venables Theatre cleared a hurdle today with a referendum in the fall authorized to allow for funding.