TOWN OF SMITHERS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1027 ALDOUS STREET, SMITHERS, B.C. ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013, AT 7:30 P.M. Council Present: Taylor Bachrach, Mayor Norm Adomeit, Councillor Mark Bandstra, Councillor Phil Brienesse, Councillor Bill Goodacre, Councillor Charlie Northrup, Councillor Frank Wray, Councillor. Staff Present: Deborah Sargent, Chief Administrative Officer Susan Bassett, Director of Corporate Services Leslie Ford, Director of Finance Andrew Hillaby, Director of Recreation, Parks and Culture Wilf Taekema, Director of Works and Operations Janice McKay, Recording Secretary. Staff Excused: Mark Allen, Director of Development Services Keith Stecko, Fire Chief Rob Blackburn, Airport Manager. Media Present: A. Owen, The Peak; K. Dow, CFTK-TV, and R. Jensen, The Interior News. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bachrach called the meeting to order (7:31 p.m.). 1.1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (including Supplemental Items) 13.0532 Brienesse/Adomeit THAT Council approves the agenda and the following Supplemental Items: 14.1 Letter dated October 18, 2013, from Bullrush Developments Inc. opposing Development Variance Permit application DV13-11 for property located at 1114 Queen Street (3020-20/DV13-11). 14.2 Letter dated October 22, 2013, from B. Weme, BPW Holdings Ltd. opposing Development Variance Permit application DV13-11 for property located at 1114 Queen Street (3020-20/DV13-11). 1.1.1 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Standing item dated July 19, 2013, was presented. Mayor Bachrach introduced D. Vanderstar and invited her to say a few words regarding the stained glass she created to commemorate the Smithers' Centennial, on display in the Council Chambers' window. D. Vanderstar advised that the design elements she chose for the stained glass represent her values and what she feels is special about Smithers and hopes that the artwork will inspire people to protect what we have in Smithers and the surrounding area. Page 1 of 12
2. PUBLIC HEARING 2.1 PUBLIC HEARING FOR BYLAWS 1730 & 1731 Mayor Bachrach opened the Public Hearing for "Bylaw No. 1730 - Town of Smithers Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1614 Amendment No. 13-05" and "Bylaw No. 1731 - Town of Smithers Zoning Bylaw No. 1403 Amendment No. 13-05" (between Ford Ave. and Tatlow Rd.) at 7:39 p.m. (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approval not required). The purpose of the two bylaws is to permit a residential home and the permitted uses within the Rural Residential Hobby Farm (R-7) zone on proposed Lot A. D. Sargent confirmed that no submissions were received prior to this meeting. Mayor Bachrach called a first time for submissions. Mayor Bachrach called a second time for submissions. Mayor Bachrach called a third and final time for submissions, and, receiving none, closed the Public Hearing at 7:40 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1 REGULAR - OCT. 8 13.0533 Brienesse/Wray THAT the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held October 8, 2013, be adopted, as amended, by adding the words "no later than" in Motions #13.0514 and #13.0516. 3.2 C.O.W. OCT. 8 13.0534 Northrup/Brienesse THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held October 8, 2013, be adopted (Airport Logo). OPPOSED: COUNCILLOR ADOMEIT. Page 2 of 12
3.3 C.O.W. - OCT. 16 13.0535 Brienesse/Northrup THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held October 16, 2013, be adopted (BC Housing/Homelessness). 3.4 BC HOUSING - HOMELESSNESS MTG. The notes of the BC Housing and Smithers Community meeting regarding homelessness, held October 16, 2013, at 3:30 p.m., were presented. 4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 4.1 ITEMS MADE PUBLIC Report ADM 13-066 dated October 11, 2013, from D. Sargent, Chief Administrative Officer, recommending no items be made public from the Special (In-Camera) Meeting held September 24, 2013, was presented (0640-01). 5. PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS 5.1 COASTAL GASLINK B. Wells, Director of Project Planning and Execution, and K. Giddens, Prince George-based Land, Community and Aboriginal Relations Liaison, for TransCanada s Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project provided a project update. Council received a presentation from the company back in October 2012. TransCanada is working on three proposed natural gas projects in northern British Columbia. These are the Coastal GasLink, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission, and North Montney projects. The presentation focused on the Coastal GasLink project, estimated to be 650 kilometres in length and 48 inches in diameter, with a capacity of up to five billion cubic feet per day. Pending approvals, construction should begin in 2015. B. Wells explained changes made to the pipeline route and how these route improvements came about, including the decision to approach Kitimat from the south. He updated Council on community and First Nations consultations, environmental and engineering field work, and skills training initiatives. He noted that while 2013 has been about collections, 2014 will be about jobs. Page 3 of 12
6. COUNCIL REPORTS B. Wells advised that the Coastal GasLink project is on schedule and on track and welcomed feedback. The final application will be delivered to the Environmental Assessment Office in early February, before it is reviewed by the Oil and Gas Commission. In response to questions from Council, B. Wells confirmed that Shell is building the condensing facility in Kitimat and that compressors will be run by gas-fired turbines, which require a small amount of power. 6.1. COUNCILLOR ADOMEIT 6.1.1 APC - OCT. 15 The minutes of the Advisory Planning Commission meeting held October 15, 2013, were presented. 6.2. COUNCILLOR BANDSTRA 6.2.1 NEW ARENA BUILDING ADVISORY - OCT. 10 The minutes of the New Arena Building Advisory Committee meeting held October 10, 2013, were presented. D. Sargent confirmed that Staff are awaiting the foundation drawings required for the building permit process. 6.2.2 BANDSTRA REPORT Councillor Bandstra advised that he attended the Chamber of Commerce Community and Business Awards gala and thanked organizers of the Town's cosmic bowling event. 6.3. COUNCILLOR BRIENESSE 6.3.1 BRIENESSE REPORT Councillor Brienesse advised that he attended: a) the Chamber of Commerce Community and Business Awards gala; b) the Mountain Biking Tourism Strategy meeting; c) the World Homelessness Day event; and d) the BC Housing meeting with the Smithers Community regarding the issue of homelessness. Page 4 of 12
6.4. COUNCILLOR GOODACRE 6.4.1 GOODACRE REPORT Councillor Goodacre reported on his recent visit to a small town in California, with a large Dutch population, where he attended a Council meeting and tour of the town hall and police detachment. 6.5. COUNCILLOR NORTHRUP 6.5.1 VISITOR STATS The Visitor Statistics, from the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce, for the period ending September 30, 2013, were presented (0230-20). 6.5.2 NORTHRUP REPORTS Councillor Northrup reported that he attended: a) the Life Exposure - Images of Community photography exhibit at the Smithers Art Gallery; b) the Chamber of Commerce Executive meeting; c) the Chamber Luncheon regarding the Knowledge Network; and d) the Chamber of Commerce Community and Business Awards gala. 6.6. COUNCILLOR WRAY None. 6.7. REPORT OF MAYOR BACHRACH 6.7.1 MAYOR'S REPORT - OCT. 22 Mayor Bachrach presented his Mayor's Report dated October 22, 2013 (0550-01). 7. STAFF REPORTS 7.1. STAFF (A) REPORTS Mayor Bachrach acknowledged C. Graf, Mayor of Telkwa, who was present in the gallery. 7.1.1 POLICY HR-020 Report ADM 13-064 dated October 7, 2013, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, recommending signing of Policy #HR-020 Workplace Bullying and Harassment, was presented. 13.0536 Wray/Adomeit THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to sign Policy #HR-020 Workplace Bullying and Harassment. Page 5 of 12
7.1.2 4241 ALFRED AVE. T.U.P. Report DEV 13-97 dated October 10, 2013, from A. Cseke, Planner, recommending approval of Temporary Use Permit (TUP 13-04) to permit a carriage house for a one-year term, for property located at 4241 Alfred Avenue, was presented (3035-20/TU13-04). 13.0537 Brienesse/Bandstra THAT Council approve Temporary Use Permit (TUP 13-04) to permit a carriage house, for a one-year term, for property located at 4241 Alfred Avenue. 13.0538 Northrup/Bandstra THAT Motion 13.0537 be amended by replacing "a carriage house" with "the existing second dwelling". The main motion, as amended, was voted on with the final wording being as follows: THAT Council approve the Temporary Use Permit (TU13-04) to permit the existing second dwelling, for a one-year term, for property located at 4241 Alfred Avenue. 7.1.3 DV13-10 SAUSAGE FACTORY Report DEV 13-99 dated October 16, 2013, from A. Cseke, Planner, regarding DV13-10 for property located at 1107 Main Street (Smithers Sausage Factory), to reduce the required off-street parking requirement from seven to two parking spaces, was presented (3030-20/DV13-10). D. Sargent advised that F. Reitsma, applicant, withdrew his Development Variance Permit application and indicated that he will pursue the cash-in-lieu of parking option for the five deficient parking spaces. Page 6 of 12
7.1.4 METER READING EQUIPMENT - WELL PUMP Report W/OPS 13-16 dated October 10, 2013, from W. Taekema, Director of Works and Operations, recommending using $15,000 of the 2013 capital budget to purchase a new pump and motor for the 19 th Avenue water well, was presented (5380-01). 13.0539 Adomeit/Bandstra THAT Council approves using the 2013 capital budget amount ($15,000), originally budgeted for commercial water meter reading equipment, to purchase a new pump and motor for the 19th Avenue water well. OPPOSED: COUNCILLOR NORTHRUP. 7.1.5 DV13-11 LIQUOR WAREHOUSE Councillor Northrup declared a conflict of interest and left the Chambers, as his spouse has an interest in the neighbouring property (8:17 p.m.) Report DEV 13-100 dated October 16, 2013, from A. Cseke, Planner, recommending Council deny the Development Variance (DV13-11) request from the Liquor Warehouse, located at 1114 Queen Street, to waive the sidewalk requirement, was presented (3020-20/DV13-11). 13.0540 Bandstra/Wray THAT Council vary the agenda by bringing the following Supplemental Items forward to this point in the meeting: 14.1 Letter dated October 18, 2013, from Bullrush Developments Inc. opposing Development Variance Permit application DV13-11 for property located at 1114 Queen Street, was presented (3020-20/DV13-11). 14.2 Letter dated October 22, 2013, from B. Weme, BPW Holdings Ltd. opposing Development Variance Permit application DV13-11 for property located at 1114 Queen Street, was presented (3020-20/DV13-11). 13.0541 Wray/Bandstra THAT Council deny the variance request (DV13-11) for the Liquor Warehouse, located at 1114 Queen Street, to waive the sidewalk requirement to build a new red brick sidewalk along the frontage of Queen Street. Councillor Northrup returned to Chambers (8:19 p.m.). Page 7 of 12
7.1.6 DISABLED PARKING Report DEV 13-98 dated October 10, 2013, from M. Allen, Director of Development Services, regarding downtown disabled parking spaces, was presented (5480-03). 13.0542 Wray/Bandstra THAT Council not proceed with constructing the angled disabled parking stall on Main Street at First Avenue (in front of the Wooden Mallard); AND THAT Council considers installing the angled disabled parking stall on Broadway Avenue at Main Street, adjacent to Bovill Square, included in a five parking space boulevard reconstruction project; AND THAT Council considers a project budget of $50,000 in the 2014 budget discussions. 13.0543 Brienesse/Northrup THAT Motion 13.0542 be amended by deleting all words after the word "Mallard)". 7.2. STAFF (B) REPORTS The main motion, as amended, was voted on with the final wording being as follows: THAT Council does not proceed with constructing the angled disabled parking stall on Main Street at First Avenue (in front of the Wooden Mallard). 7.2.1 MONTHLY REPORTS Monthly reports for September 2013: a) Development Services; and b) Works and Operations, were presented. Council directed Staff to repair a large pothole behind Kondola's Furniture and Appliances. 7.2.2 COR AUDIT Report ADM 13-065 dated October 9, 2013, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, regarding Certificate of Recognition (COR) in Safety - 2013 Maintenance Audit, was presented. Page 8 of 12
7.2.3 SKATE PARK Report PR 13-14 dated October 15, 2013, from A. Hillaby, Director of Recreation, Parks and Culture, regarding the addition of a concrete box to the Heritage Park skate park, was presented (8100-01). 8. BYLAWS 8.1 BYLAW NO. 1730 13.0544 Brienesse/Adomeit THAT "Bylaw No. 1730 - Town of Smithers Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1614 Amendment No. 13-05" (between Ford Avenue and Tatlow Road), be read a third time. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS BANDSTRA AND NORTHRUP. 8.2 BYLAW NO. 1731 13.0545 Adomeit/Brienesse THAT "Bylaw No. 1731 - Town of Smithers Zoning Bylaw No. 1403 Amendment No. 13-05" (between Ford Avenue and Tatlow Road), be read a third time. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS BANDSTRA AND NORTHRUP. 8.3 BYLAW NO. 1733 13.0546 Bandstra/Wray THAT "Bylaw No. 1733-2014, 2015 and 2016 Permissive Tax Exemptions", be adopted. 9. CORRESPONDENCE (A) ITEMS 9.1 SMHA SIGN & MEDIA FLAT SCREEN The letter dated October 7, 2013, from the Smithers Minor Hockey Association regarding sponsor sign, media flat screen, and WiFi for the current arena, was presented. Council directed Staff to send a letter to the Smithers Minor Hockey Association to encourage the Association to attend the Let's Talk budget forum being held November 5, 2013, to help guide Council in making decisions regarding how to cover costs to operate the two arenas. Page 9 of 12
9.2 ARTS & CULTURE The letter dated October 12, 2013, from the Bulkley Valley Community Arts Council requesting that the Arts and Culture Let's Talk forum be deferred to 2014, was presented (0230-20). 13.0547 Brienesse/Wray THAT the Let's Talk forum regarding arts and culture remain on the Strategic Priorities Chart; AND THAT funding for the proposed Let's Talk forum be discussed during 2014 budget deliberations. 10. CORRESPONDENCE (B) ITEMS - RECEIVE AND REPLY 11. CORRESPONDENCE (B) ITEMS - RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION 11.1 CROMER LETTER The letter dated October 3, 2013, from D. Cromer, Adams Road, acknowledging Council for playing a part in Town landscaping, and other improvements, and acknowledging the resilience of the people in the community, was presented (0530-05). 11.2 LNG UBCM BREAKFAST The letter dated October 3, 2013, from Progress Energy Canada Ltd. and Pacific NorthWest LNG, thanking Mayor Bachrach for attending the breakfast held during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference regarding liquefied natural gas, was presented (0230-30). 11.3 CAO SCRUTINEER THANKS The letter dated October 8, 2013, from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities thanking D. Sargent, Chief Administrative Officer, for serving as a scrutineer at the 2013 convention, was presented (0230-30). 11.4 VICTIM ASSISTANCE STATS The letter dated October 15, 2013, from the Northern Society for Domestic Peace, presenting Smithers RCMP Victim Assistance Program quarterly statistics for the months of July, August and September 2013, was presented (7400-02). Page 10 of 12
12. CORRESPONDENCE (C) ITEMS 13. CORRESPONDENCE (D) ITEMS 13.1 Building a Better Pipeline, Northern Gateway Pipelines, was presented. 14. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS APPROVED FOR DISCUSSION 14.1 BULLRUSH DEVELOPMENTS (Western Financial) - DV13-11 See Item #7.1.5. 14.2 BPW HOLDINGS (B. Weme) - DV13-11 See Item #7.1.5. 15. OTHER/NEW BUSINESS 15.1 Councillor Brienesse advised that: a) the Life Exposure - Images of Community photography exhibit is on until November 8, 2013; b) he attended the totem pole raising in Moricetown; and c) he provided copies of his 2013 Union of British Columbia Municipalities Conference report to Council and included handouts from the Conference in the October 22, 2013, 'D' Items folder. 15.2. L. Ford asked Council which topics they would like to introduce at the Let's Talk budget forum being held November 5, 2013. Councillor Wray will introduce the Roads and Sidewalks session, Councillor Northrup will introduce the Bylaw Enforcement session, and Councillor Bandstra will introduce the Our Arenas session. 16. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD 16.1. T. Bobb gave kudos to Council for enforcing the Town bylaws by denying the Development Variance for property located at 1114 Queen Street (Item 7.1.5) and cautioned Council that there could be noise complaints resulting from the rezoning of the property between Ford Avenue and Tatlow Road (Item 2.1). Mayor Bachrach advised that a nuisance covenant will be registered as a condition of the rezoning. Page 11 of 12
17. NOTICE OF SPECIAL (IN-CAMERA) MEETING(S) OF COUNCIL PURSUANT TO SECTION 92 OF THE COMMUNITY CHARTER. 17.1 13.0548 Bachrach/Wray 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 being held Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. to deal with matters falling under Section 90, subsection (1) and/or (2) of the Community Charter. 18. ADJOURNMENT 18.1 13.0549 Adomeit/Wray THAT the meeting be adjourned (8:56 p.m.). Taylor Bachrach Mayor Deborah Sargent Chief Administrative Officer Certified a True and Correct Copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, B.C. Deborah Sargent Corporate Administrator Page 12 of 12