TOWN OF SMITHERS. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (including Supplemental Items)

Transcription

1 TOWN OF SMITHERS Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Council Present: Cress Farrow, Mayor Norm Adomeit, Councillor Mark Bandstra, Councillor Jo Ann Groves, Councillor Frank Wray, Councillor. Council Excused: Lorne Benson, Councillor Charlie Northrup, Councillor. Staff Present: Susan Bassett, Director of Corporate Services Mark Allen, Director of Development Services Andrew Hillaby, Director of Recreation, Parks and Culture Keith Stecko, Fire Chief Wilf Taekema, Director of Works and Operations Jan McKay, Recording Secretary. Staff Excused: Deborah Sargent, Chief Administrative Officer Leslie Ford, Financial Administrator/Collector Kelly Zacharias, Airport Manager/Deputy Fire Chief. Media Present: M. Tarasko, The Peak; K. Koppitz, CFTK-TV, and R. Schierer, The Interior News. CALL TO ORDER 1. Mayor Farrow called the meeting to order (7:30 p.m.). APPROVAL OF AGENDA (including Supplemental Items) 1A AGENDA APPROVAL Adomeit/Wray THAT Council approves the agenda, and the following supplemental item for discussion later in the meeting (under Section 7A-2): 14-1 Letter dated October 27, 2009, from K. Gingles, Vice-President, National Car Rental, regarding DV09-03 to vary the Sign Bylaw to allow installation of a recycled 29 ft. sign ( /DV09-03). 2. PUBLIC HEARING None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES REG OCT C.O.W. OCT 13 INTERVISTA C.O.W. OCT 14 LIBRARY Bandstra/Groves THAT the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held October 13, 2009, be adopted. Adomeit/Bandstra THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held October 13, 2009, be adopted. Bandstra/Wray THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held October 14, 2009, be adopted.

2 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page SPEC. OPEN OCT 20 Adomeit/Groves THAT the minutes of the Special (Open) Meeting of Council held October 20, 2009, be adopted, as amended by showing how long Councillors Bandstra and Groves were out of the Chambers, after declaring a conflict of interest C.O.W. OCT 20 MICRO- BIOLOGY Adomeit/Bandstra THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held October 20, 2009, be adopted. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES ITEMS MADE PUBLIC Groves/Bandstra THAT Report ADM dated October 26, 2009, from D. Sargent, Chief Administrative Officer, regarding items being made public from the Special (In- Camera) Meeting of Council held September 22, 2009, be received; AND THAT no items be placed on the public agenda at this time ( ) FIGURE SKATING Item Regular Meeting of Council held October 13, Smithers Figure Skating Club Adomeit/Groves THAT the request from the Smithers Figure Skating Club for waiving of ice time rental fees, be received Groves/Wray THAT the request from the Smithers Figure Skating Club for waiving the cost of two hours of ice time per week for the 2009/2010 season, be denied. PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS 5-1 WETZIN KWA COMMUNITY FOREST D. Daly, Chair, Board of Directors, Wetzin kwa Community Forest Corporation (WCFC), updated Council on the operations of the community forest and provided a financial summary. He reported that it has been a great year for the community forest and for the community. WCFC is run by a volunteer Board, that includes Dean Daly (representative for the Town of Smithers), Tom Dall (representative for the Village of Telkwa), David dewit (representative for the Office of the Wet suwet en) and Dave Jacobs (representative for NewPro), and Colin Macleod, Jass Morin-Parker, and Marie-Lou Lefrancois (Directors at Large). Bill Golding of Silvicon Services Inc. is the General Manager. When the Board replaced Director Skuce, there were four qualified applicants interested in the position. D. Daly thanked Mayor and Council for their efforts in lobbying for an expanded community forest tenure.

3 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page 3 He reported on community involvement and public consultation highlights, including: a) completed Memoranda of Understanding with three community groups and one in progress; and b) present and future research partnerships with the Office of the Wet suwet en and BV Research Centre. To date, WCFC has: a) sold 70,916 cubic meters of logs to PIR and log home builders; b) paid out over $2,050,000 to local contractors to manage, harvest, and reforest the tenure; c) paid out $48,600 in stumpage fees; d) set aside $250,000 to finance ongoing operations for one to two years; e) retained $330,000 to fund silviculture obligations for up to 15 years on harvested areas; f) set aside $150,000 to finance current operating year expenses; g) donated $90,000 to 15 regional not-for-profit organizations; h) donated $40,000 through direct awards to the BV Cross Country Ski Club, Office of the Wet suwet en, and the Smithers Community Forest Society; and i) paid back loans, ahead of schedule, to the Town of Smithers. D. Daly gave details of: a) a new contract commitment from PIR to purchase Mountain Pine Beetle damaged timber; b) plans to seek additional value-added market options; and c) plans to explore log home and transmission pole markets. Councillor Bandstra asked if the Bulkley Valley Economic Development Initiative could be considered for a WCFC grant. D. Daly explained the Community Grant Application process and clarified that if a project is lead by a non-profit group, it is eligible. Mayor Farrow mentioned that the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition is an additional avenue for lobbying for an expanded community forest tenure. Mr. Daly left the following documents with staff: a) Year End Summary (2008/09) - Operations Annual Report; b) WCFC Financial Statements (Unaudited), June 30, 2009; c) BC Ltd. Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), June 30, 2009; and d) BC Ltd. Financial Statements, June MUSEUM UPDATE F. Tomlin, Director, Bulkley Valley Museum and Historical Society, gave an update on past and future exhibits and requested permission to fly the flags of Sweden and Norway during the winter exhibit A Retrospect of Skiing around Hudson Bay Mountain from 1930 to He reported that the Museum is a tourist attraction and is open for business. He noted that although there was an overall drop in attendance this year, due to fewer American travellers, tourists experiences were more enriched, citing the very successful culture crawl. One role, as Director, is to market Smithers to the cultural tourist, adding that he has gone as far as putting European visitors in touch with local realtors to view properties, and often recommends local food vendors and tour operators to visitors. Fundraising efforts include the publishing of two books (by H. Kruisselbrink and L. Schibli) and the selling of Norman Leach books in conjunction with the exhibit on aviation. Future exhibits will include Gasoline Valley, regarding the history of cars and car lots in the Valley, and the Remembrance Day exhibit, BV Remembers which will include entries from Cedarvale, Quick, and the Wet suwet en.

4 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page 4 Mayor Farrow complimented Mr. Tomlin on his Culture Crawl format, which has caught on regionally. Mr. Tomlin thanked Council for its support and financial contribution and the Fire Department for putting up flags. COUNCIL REPORTS: 6-1 None. COUNCILLOR ADOMEIT COUNCILLOR BANDSTRA BANSTRA UPDATE Councillor Bandstra attended the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce luncheon held October 15, 2009, and the Business Awards ceremony held October 24, 2009, and will be attending the Bulkley Valley Economic Development Initiative working session on October 28, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. COUNCILLOR BENSON TORCH CELEBRA- TION TAC OCT FERRY RELOCATION Groves/Adomeit THAT the notes of the Olympic Torch Relay Host Community Celebration Working Group meeting held October 7, 2009, be received ( ). Groves/Bandstra THAT the minutes of the Tourism Advisory Committee meeting held October 9, 2009, be received ( ). Groves /Wray THAT a letter be sent to BC Ferries Service Inc. opposing the relocation of the BC Ferries route for the Northern Expedition Ferry to Tsawwassen instead of Port Hardy, as this would result in: a) fewer sailing; b) a longer journey (7 plus hours more); c) additional fuel costs; d) additional fare costs; and e) potential financial loss to northwest municipalities. COUNCILLOR GROVES GROVES UPDATE Councillor Groves attended Northwest Community College s groundbreaking ceremony on October 16, 2009, on behalf of Council, for the $16.2 million capital project.

5 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page 5 COUNCILLOR NORTHRUP UBCM NOTES Wray/Adomeit THAT the report by Councillor Northrup regarding the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference held September 28 to October 2, 2009, in Vancouver, be received ( ). COUNCILLOR WRAY LIBRARY PROJECT WILFORD Wray/Bandstra THAT Council authorizes the Smithers Public Library Board to pursue grant funding provided: a) the Library Board seeks Council s permission prior to applying for government grants; and b) the Library Board keeps operating costs for the project to one hundred and twenty percent (120%) of today s operating costs. Councillor Wray attended a luncheon with the Smithers Public Library Board honouring K. Wilford for thirty years of service as a library employee. MAYOR FARROW RDBN SEPT 17 OCT NWCDC NOTES FLIGHT SERVICES FARMERS MARKET Adomeit/Bandstra THAT the minutes of the following Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako meetings, be received: a) Meeting No. 16, held September 17, 2009; b) Planning Committee meeting held September 17, 2009; c) Environmental Services Committee meeting held October 8, 2009; d) Rural Directors Committee meeting held October 8, 2009; and e) Strategic Development Committee meeting held October 8, Wray/Bandstra THAT the report by Mayor Farrow regarding the Northwest Corridor Development Corporation conference held October 5 to 7, 2009, in Prince George, be received ( ). Bandstra/Wray THAT Council continue to lobby for the deferral of all proposed flight service reductions, to the fall of 2010, including the reduction of hours of operation stipulated in the 2005 Transport Canada/NAV Canada Level of Service Review. Groves/Wray THAT the thank you card to D. Sargent and Mayor Farrow from T. and J. Bachrach for meeting to discuss the Farmers Market, be received ( ).

6 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page 6 STAFF (A) REPORTS 7A CONTRACTS LEASES AGREE- MENTS POLICY 7A-2 & DV09-03 NATIONAL CAR RENTAL SIGN 7A TORCH STAND 7A FORD AWARD Wray/Groves THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to sign Policy ADM Contracts, Leases and Agreements for Municipal Property and Services, as recommended in Report ADM dated October 20, 2009, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services ( ). Wray/Bandstra THAT Development Variance Permit application DV 09-03, to vary Section 12.1.f. of Sign Bylaw No. 1450, 2005, by increasing the permitted height of the proposed freestanding sign from 5 meters (16 ft.) to 8.83 meters (29 ft.) to be located at 4220 Highway 16, and the letter dated October 27, 2009, from K. Gingles, Vice-President, National Car Rental (Supplemental Item 14-1), be referred to the Advisory Planning Commission ( //DV09-03). Groves/Bandstra THAT Council authorizes purchase of a display stand for the Olympic Torch Replica at a cost of approximately sixty dollars, as recommended in Report ADM dated October 22, 2009, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services ( ). Bandstra/Groves THAT Report ADM dated October 22, 2009, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, requesting that Council consider covering costs for D. Ford and his wife to travel to Vancouver to accept an award, be received. Adomeit/Wray THAT Council agrees to cover the cost of travel and accommodations for D. Ford and his wife, to allow D. Ford to personally accept the Lemckert Community Policing Award in Vancouver on November 2, 2009, with funds to come out of Council Contingency. STAFF (B) REPORTS 7B SEPTEMBER REPORTS Adomeit/Wray THAT the following department reports for September 2009, be received: a) Airport Services; b) Development Services Department; c) Fire Department; d) Prevention and Community Safety; and e) Works and Operations.

7 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page 7 BYLAWS BYLAW BYLAW 1610 Fireworks Bylaw No Wray/Adomeit THAT Council rescind third reading of Bylaw No. 1609, cited as Fireworks Bylaw No. 1609, as recommended in Report FIR dated October 20, 2009, by K. Stecko, Fire Chief. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS BANDSTRA AND GROVES. CARRIED. Wray/Adomeit THAT Bylaw No. 1609, cited as Fireworks Bylaw No. 1609, be amended at second reading; AND THAT Council adopts said amendment; AND THAT Council adopts third reading, as amended. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS BANDSTRA AND GROVES. CARRIED. Bylaw No Town of Smithers Sign Bylaw No Amendment Adomeit/Groves THAT Bylaw No. 1610, cited as Bylaw No Town of Smithers Sign Bylaw No Amendment 09-01, be adopted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY CORRESPONDENCE - (A) ITEMS RUEMPER ROSENTHAL WATER WORKSHOP P.R. NOV 23 Groves/Wray THAT the letter received October 7, 2009, from A. Ruemper presenting a petition from residents of 9 th Avenue, 10 th Avenue, and Columbia Drive, regarding dust pollution caused by heavy traffic from the rural regional district Rosenthal Road, be received ( ). Council directed staff to: a) include this matter for discussion at the upcoming meeting with S. Bond, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; b) refer the speeding issue to Staff Sgt. S. White, and c) refer the matter to the Director of Development Services to prepare a report outlining possible options for Council s consideration at the November 24, 2009, Regular Meeting of Council. Adomeit/Bandstra THAT the letter dated October 9, 2009, from the North Coast Water Quality and Biotoxin Program Society inviting Council to attend the one-day workshop The Time is Now: The Futures Game, being held November 23, 2009, in Prince Rupert, be received ( ).

8 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page O ZONE RICHMOND RECYCLING HOTLINE NORTHERN GATEWAY PROJECT Groves/Adomeit THAT the letter dated October 8, 2009, from the City of Richmond inviting municipalities to participate in a live-celebration site of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, by showcasing their communities at the Richmond O Zone, be received ( ). Bandstra/Adomeit THAT the letter dated October 13, 2009, from the Recycling Council of British Columbia announcing the Recycling Hotline and seeking members, be received ( ). Groves/Wray THAT the letter dated October 14, 2009, from the National Energy Board regarding the Northern Gateway Project and offering to meet with Council to explain how the Joint Review Panel process works, be received ( ). Council directed staff to invite a representative from the National Energy Board to the Committee of the Whole meeting being held November 17, RDKS SOLID WASTE Groves/Bandstra THAT the dated October 21, 2009, from the Regional District of Kitimat- Stikine presenting the RDKS Solid Waste Management Initiative, be received ( ). 10. None. CORRESPONDENCE - (B) ITEMS- RECEIVE AND REPLY CORRESPONDENCE - (B) ITEMS - RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION 11-1 to RECEIVE FOR INFO Adomeit/Wray THAT the following correspondence be received: 11-1 Letter dated October 7, 2009, from R. Jorssen, Corporate Management Branch, RCMP, confirming an increase in Police Records Information Management Environment of British Columbia (PRIME-BC) user fees effective January 1, 2010 ( ) Letter dated October 14, 2009, from Mayor, S. Roline, City of Merritt, to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General regarding increased user fees for the Police Records Information Management Environment of British Columbia (PRIME-BC) system ( ) Letter dated October 16, 2009, from Mayor B. Lantz, City of Fort St. John, to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General regarding increased user fees for the Police Records Information Management Environment of British Columbia (PRIME-BC) system ( ).

9 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page Letter dated October 8, 2009, from Minister B. Bennett, Community and Rural Development, following up on a meeting held during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference ( , ) Letter dated October 9, 2009, from C. Seychuk, Northern Society for Domestic Peace, presenting July, August, and September 2009 statistics for the Smithers RCMP Victim Assistance Program ( ) dated October 8, 2009, from B. Ritchie, Salmon Arm, opposing the collection of revenue through increased liquor sales and gambling, because of the negative effects to family and community life ( ) Letter dated October 7, 2009, from the City of Coquitlam presenting the Evergreen ALRT Line Discussion Paper - Why the Evergreen Line is Long Overdue ( ) Letters dated October 8, 2009, from the City of Coquitlam to the Federal and Provincial governments opposing the introduction of a Harmonized Sales Tax ( ) Letter dated October 9, 2009, from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, thanking D. Sargent for serving as a scrutineer at the 2009 UBCM Convention ( ) Annual Report Summary, Forest Practices Board ( ) Letter dated October 16, 2009, from the District of Maple Ridge, supporting Resolution B66 - Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods presented at the UBCM conference ( ) Bulletin dated October 19, 2009, from Young, Anderson titled, North Cowichan Wins Battle Over Catalyst Tax Bill ( ) Letter dated October 8, 2009, from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advising that the ten percent holdback for the Canada- British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund for Smithers Airport Runway Extension Project #17047 will be released ( , ) Letter dated October 14, 2009, from the coordinators of the MATI Conference, thanking D. Sargent for leading the Community Planning for Non-Planners session ( ) Letter dated October 15, 2009, from the British Columbia Safety Authority advising that the Town s nominations for the Lieutenant Governor s Awards for Public Safety (in the Organization Award and Lifetime Achievement award categories) were not selected ( ) MINISTER BENNETT Council directed staff to contact D. Wall, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Community and Rural Development, to seek assistance in lobbying against the NAV Canada decision to reduce flight services at the Smithers Regional Airport, as recommended in the letter dated October 8, 2009, from B. Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development.

10 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page None. CORRESPONDENCE - (C) ITEMS CORRESPONDENCE - (D) ITEMS 13-1 to D ITEMS Groves/Wray THAT the following correspondence, as routed, be received for information: 13-1 Transition, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, Fall Growing Tomorrow, Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, Fall The Trucking Industry: Proudly Serving BC and You, BC Trucking Association Terasen s video presentation shown at the UBCM Tradeshow Booth. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS APPROVED FOR DISCUSSION 14-1 DV09-03 See 7A-2. OTHER BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS 15-1 GOODBYE M. TARASKO 15-2 CLIMATE ACTION BOOTCAMP 15-3 SPECIAL ANNOUNCE- MENT 15-4 NWCC DELEGATION 15-5 FULTON AVE. WALKWAY 15-6 MAYOR S ABSENCE Mayor Farrow thanked M. Tarasko, reporter for The Peak, for his unbiased reporting and wished him well at his new position in Prince George. Councillor Wray advised that he is unable to attend the Climate Action Local Government Bootcamp being held in Burns Lake. Staff will ask Councillor Northrup if he is able to attend. S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, reminded Council, the media, and the gallery of the special announcement taking place October 30, 2009, at 12:15 p.m., in the West Fraser Room. Councillor Bandstra advised that a delegation from Northwest Community College will be giving a presentation at the next Economic Development Committee meeting. S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, was asked to invite L. Fitt, Regional Strategic Development Analyst, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, to the meeting. M. Allen, Director of Development Services, thanked Council for attending the Fulton Avenue Walkway ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor Farrow thanked the media for providing coverage of the event. Mayor Farrow advised that Councillor Groves will represent Council at the Canadian Police Curling Association bonspiel being held November 10 and the Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11, and will chair the November 10, 2009, Regular Meeting of Council.

11 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page 11 PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD 16-1 TARASKO 16-2 BYLAW ENFORCE- MENT 16-3 (9-1) RUEMPER ROSENTHAL M. Tarasko thanked Council for being accessible and easy to work with during his time as a reporter in Smithers. P. Brienesse commented that he has noticed that enforcement of the Town s bylaws is becoming lax, citing the ordering of fireworks by the Dollar Store prior to the allowable date and the Sunshine Inn s flashing, neon signs, as examples. He emphasized that when Council rewards a business that breaks the rules, Council is harming the ones that do not. He clarified that National Car Rental s sign would be taller than all other signs in Smithers, except for one. A. Ruemper, 4069 Tenth Avenue, advised that the dust situation in his neighbourhood has been ongoing for years and it has been particularly bad this year. He paced off the area and believes that 200 meters of seal coating would solve most of the problem. Mayor Farrow thanked him for bringing the issue forward. NOTICE OF SPECIAL (IN-CAMERA) MEETING OF COUNCIL PURSUANT TO SECTION 92 OF THE COMMUNITY CHARTER NOTICE OF IN-CAMERA Wray/Adomeit THAT, pursuant to Section 92 of the Community Charter, Council gives notice and exercises its authority and excludes the media and the public, except for municipal staff, from the Special (In-Camera) Meeting of Council being held on November 10, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. to deal with matters falling under Section 90, subsections 1 and/or 2 of the Community Charter. ADJOURNMENT ADJOURN Adomeit/Groves THAT the Regular Meeting of Council be adjourned (8:48 p.m.). Certified Correct: Cress Farrow Mayor Susan Bassett Acting Corporate Administrator (CAO)

12 Smithers, B.C., on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Page 12 Certified a True and Correct Copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, B.C. Susan Bassett Acting Corporate Administrator (CAO) DS/jm \\server\pccommon\wordpro\min\min 2009 council\min #20 regular oct 27.doc 2/11/11 2:44 PM