Municipality of North Cowichan Regular Council Minutes

Transcription

1 Municipality of North Cowichan Regular Council Minutes Date: Time: Location: Members Present Staff Present October 16, :00 pm Municipal Hall - Council Chambers Mayor Jon Lefebure Councillor Ruth Hartmann Councillor John Koury, after 3:15 p.m. Councillor Barb Lines Councillor Kate Marsh Councillor Al Siebring, after 3:55 p.m. Councillor Jen Woike Dave Devana, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) John Mackay, Director of Engineering and Operations Mark Ruttan, Director of Administration and Deputy CAO Mary Beth MacKenzie, Deputy Municipal Clerk Scott Mack, Director of Planning and Development John Gunn, Manager of Information Services Mark Frame, Director of Finance 1. Call to Order There being a quorum present, Mayor Lefebure called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. (To accommodate the public and for purposes of convenience, some items of business were dealt with out of order. For ease of reading and cross reference with the agenda, these minutes are recorded in agenda order). 2. Approval of Agenda Council approved the agenda as amended to add the following items: Meadow Park Sewer Extension Encroachment Agreement Closed Session Proposed Service 3. Adoption of Minutes Council adopted its October 2, 2013 regular meeting minutes. 4. Public Meetings & Hearings None. 5. Delegations & Presentations 1

2 5.1. Climate Action Plan Councillor Marsh repeated a presentation she gave at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention. In it she outlined the process that went into the creation of North Cowichan's Climate Action and Energy Plan and the plan's key features. Councillor Koury joined the meeting after 3:15 p.m. during discussion of the following item Patricia Bell - Climate and Energy Action Award Patricia Bell representing the Community Energy Association and co-sponsors, presented Council with the Climate and Energy Action Award to recognize North Cowichan for an inspiring example of what local governments can do to address climate change John Gunn - New North Cowichan Website John Gunn, Manager of Information Services, introduced North Cowichan's new website and its key features and functionality, and answered questions from Council members. Councillor Siebring joined the meeting after 3:55 p.m. during discussion of the following item Echo Heights 6. Public Input Bernie Jones, President of the Chemainus Residents Association, showed Council a short video on Echo Heights. Kelly Bannister highlighted the ecological significance of Echo Heights Forest and the cultural significance particularly to the First Nations. Tom Masters summarized the history of efforts to protect Echo Heights. Gus Kolaric spoke on the economic aspects of a potential Echo Heights development. Diana Hardacker spoke about the educational value, Mary Dolan highlighted the health and recreational benefits of the Echo Heights Forest, and Bernie Jones spoke of the land use planning. Council received brief public input from registered speakers regarding items on the agenda. 7. Reports 7.1. Echo Heights Development Concept That Council receive for information the Director of Planning and Development's October 16, 2013 report describing the Echo Heights development concept. 2

3 That Council refer the Director of Planning and Development's October 16, 2013 report on Echo Heights to the Community Planning Advisory Committee and Chemainus Advisory Committee for review and recommendations; and further, that Council hold a public consultation process this fall on the Echo Heights development concept. Amendment: That Council amend the main motion to add the Climate Change Advisory Committee as another committee that will review the report. Opposed: Councillor Koury 3 Amendment: That Council further amend the main motion to remove that requirement to hold a public consultation process this fall on the Echo Heights development concept. Opposed: Mayor Lefebure, Councillor Hartmann and Councillor Marsh Main motion as Amended: That Council refer the Director of Planning and Development's October 16, 2013 report on Echo Heights to the Community Planning Advisory Committee, Chemainus Advisory Committee, and Climate Change Advisory Committee for review and recommendations. Opposed: Mayor Lefebure and Councillor Marsh Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention That Council receive for information the CAO's October 8, 2013 report on the 2013 UBCM convention Proposed Local Government Elections Reform That Council direct staff to provide the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development with the following feedback on the White Paper on Local Government Elections Reform: 1. consideration should be given to delaying proposed changes to local government elections, including the proposed Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, until after the 2014 general local election and well in advance

4 of the 2017 general local election to allow ample time for education and administrative preparation; and 2. reconsideration should be given to retaining current legislation that allows anonymous campaign contributions up to $50. 4 That Council consider item 13.2 Encroachment Agreement at this time. (see item 13.2) That Council extend the meeting to 8:00 p.m. following a 10 minute recess. Opposed: Councillor Lines and Councillor Woike 7.4. Traffic Calming at the Kingsview Road and Donnay Drive Roundabout That Council receive for information, the Director of Engineering's October 2, 2013 report regarding the roundabout at Kingsview Road and Donnay Drive Telecommunications Tower Upgrades That Council consent to Rogers' request to upgrade its equipment on the telecommunications tower on North Cowichan property near the Fuller Lake Arena based on a $6,000 annual rent increase Third Quarter Financial Report That Council receive for information the Director of Finance's October 9, 2013, third quarter financial report Bonsall Creek Management Plan That Council allocate $70,000 in matching funding over three years in the Financial Plan ( $25,000, $25,000 and $20,000) in support of the Agricultural Advisory Committee's proposed Bonsall Creek

5 Watershed Management Plan which will address the Committee's top priority implementation item to improve farming in North Cowichan State of the Island Economic Summit That Council support Councillor Koury attending the 2013 State of the Island Economic Summit on October 29 and 30, Volunteer Appreciation 8. Bylaws That Council direct staff to provide a report to Council by November 20, 2013, recommending a suitable event to recognize North Cowichan committee volunteers for their valuable contributions "Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Timbercrest), 2013", No That Council adopt "Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Timbercrest), 2013", Bylaw No "Financial Plan Bylaw ", No That Council adopt "Financial Plan Bylaw ", No "Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw", No Correspondence That Council adopt "Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw", No Letter from Catalyst 5

6 10. Notices of Motions None. That Council receive for information the September 25, 2013 letter from Joe Nemeth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Paper Corporation, thanking Mayor Lefebure for participating in a meeting with the Honorable Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines to discuss Catalyst's energy costs and Provincial Sales Tax on such purchases. 11. Review of Committee Minutes Council reviewed the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee minutes of September 30, Unfinished and Postponed Business None. 13. New Business Meadow Park Sewer Council dealt with this item at 7:25 p.m., after its closed session. That subject to receipt of a sufficient and valid petition for a shallow gravity/pressure sewer main for the Meadow Park Sewer Local Area Service, Council accept the following tenders: 1. Superior Excavating Ltd., $135,540 + GST for Phase 1, 2. Stone Pacific Contracting Ltd., $97,215 + GST for Phase 2, and 3. Stone Pacific Contracting Ltd., $99,615 + GST for Phase Encroachment Agreement That Council approve Icel Dobell's request to build a driveway for 7901 Stoney Hill Road within the dedicated but unconstructed road allowance, subject to Ms. Dobell agreeing to pay all associated costs, obtaining a highway construction permit, and signing an encroachment agreement. 6

7 14. Question Period Council invited the public to ask questions about what occurred at the meeting. 15. Committee of the Whole Arts and Culture - Wall of Fame 16. Closed Session Council resolved into Committee of the Whole at 7:00 p.m. to discuss whether a regional wall of fame should be established and rose at 7:05 p.m. Council closed the meeting to the public at 7:05 p.m., under the authority of section 90 (1) (d) [security of Municipal property], (f) [law enforcement], and (g) [potential litigation] of the Community Charter. At 7:25 p.m., Council rose without reporting. 17. Adjournment After dealing with item 13.1, Council adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Signed by Mayor (or presiding member) Certified by Corporate Officer 7