The city will be proceeding with the creation of a climate resiliency plan, with the $200,000 cost funded largely by grant funding. 

At its Jan. 13 meeting, Salmon Arm council voted to award preparation of the plan to Associated Engineering Ltd. for $199,698 plus taxes. Associated was one of a dozen companies to respond to a request for proposals issued by the city, with the majority of the bids coming in around $199,000. 

In a report to council, city engineer Jenn Wilson explained climate action initiatives are identified as a priority in the city's corporate strategic plan. She defined "climate resilience" as "the ability of people, ecosystems and economies to prepare for, respond to and recover from climate related events and trends." 

Wilson said the city's 2024 budget contained $100,000 towards a climate resiliency plan. However, in July 2024 the city was awarded a $150,000 grant from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund administered by the Union of B.C. Municipalities. 

The city will contribute the remaining funding for the resiliency plan, which will encompass Salmon Arm directly, along with regional partners including the Columbia Shuswap and North Okanagan regional districts and local Secw茅pemc bands (particularly the Adams Lake Indian Band and the Neskonlith Indian Band), recognizing "climate risks have no boundaries."

"This grant allows us to do a deeper dive into our risk evaluations, including vulnerable people and assets, as well as our emergency response coordination both internally and with neighbouring jurisdictions," said Wilson. 

The completed plan will be an operational document identifying both corporate and community actions. 

"The CRP is intended to provide a roadmap for our community to mitigate climate risks to the best of our collective ability fostering a sustainably resilient community," reads a staff report. 

Coun. Sylvia Lindgren said the city's Environment Advisory Committee is excited to see the plan move forward and that it's going to be a "game changer." 

Asked how long the it would take to complete the plan, Wilson said the proposal had eight months, and that an initial meeting could take place next week.