TOWN OF SMITHERS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1027 ALDOUS STREET, SMITHERS, B.C. ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 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: Susan Bassett, Acting Chief Administrative Officer Leslie Ford, Director of Finance Mark Allen, Director of Development Services Andrew Hillaby, Director of Recreation, Parks and Culture Keith Stecko, Fire Chief Rob Blackburn, Airport Manager Wilf Taekema, Director of Works and Operations Janice McKay, Recording Secretary. Staff Excused: Deborah Sargent, Chief Administrative Officer Media Present: S. Komadina, 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) 13.0001 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Adomeit/Wray THAT Council approves the agenda. 1.2. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 1.2.1 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Standing item dated December 2012, was presented. 2. PUBLIC HEARING None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1 13.0002 REGULAR DEC 11 Adomeit/Wray THAT the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held December 11, 2012, be adopted. Page 1 of 15
3.2 13.0003 3.3 13.0004 C.O.W. DEC 11 Brienesse/Wray THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held December 11, 2012 (New Arena), be adopted. C.O.W. DEC 19 Northrup/Wray THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held December 19, 2012 (Grant-in-Aid Decisions), be adopted. 4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 4.1 ITEMS MADE PUBLIC Report ADM 12-082 dated December 17, 2012, from D. Sargent, Chief Administrative Officer, recommending items be made public from the Special (In-Camera) Meetings of Council held November 27, 2012, and December 18, 2012, was presented, and the following items brought forward to the public agenda: Special (In-Camera) Meeting of Council held November 27, 2012: 11.1 Airport Fuel Through Put Agreement Report AIR 12-28, dated November 23, 2012, from R. Blackburn, Airport Manager, regarding Shell Fuel Through Put Agreement, was presented (8400-03). 12.148 Brienesse/Bandstra THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to sign a five year Fuel Through Put Agreement between the Town of Smithers and Shell Canada Products to allow the Town to collect a royalty of $0.02 on each litre of fuel Shell sells at the Smithers Regional Airport; AND THAT Council approves continuing with the current Agency and Fueler Agreements on a month to month basis to allow Shell time to get new accounts, contracts, and P.O.S. machines in place for the Smithers site until the new Through Put Agreement is in place. Special (In-Camera) Meeting of Council held December 18, 2012: Strategic Priorities Chart Brienesse/Bandstra THAT Council authorize the release of the updated December 11, 2012 Strategic Priority Chart to the next Regular Meeting of Council agenda for January 8, 2013 (see Item 11.1). Page 2 of 15
4.2 ITEM 7.1.5 - DEC. 11 REGULAR MTG. The emails dated December 12, 2012, presenting a schedule showing Smithers' costs to be a participant in the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Planning Function, were presented (0400-55). 13.0005 Northrup/Adomeit THAT Council postpone any action regarding the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Planning Function until after Delegation 5.1. 4.3 ITEM 15.6 - DEC. 11 REGULAR MTG. Councillor Northrup asked about cash-in-lieu parking spaces. M. Allen advised that three property owners came forward, prior to December 31, 2012, to pay for approximately 30 parking spaces, valued at approximately $143,000. 4.4 ITEM 15.8 - DEC. 11 REGULAR MTG. Councillor Bandstra asked when the Design/Build tender package for the new arena would be released. M. Allen advised that the tender will go out before the end of January 2013. 5. PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS 5.1 REGIONAL DISTRICT OF BULKLEY NECHAKO J. Llewellyn, Director of Planning, Regional District of Bulkley- Nechako, gave a PowerPoint presentation, at the request of Council, regarding participation in the Regional District Planning Function. The presentation included the Regional District Planning Department's staffing and three areas of responsibility, namely, Building Inspection, Development Services and Electoral Area Planning. J. Llewellyn explained that Electoral Area land use planning, associated with Part 26 of the Local Government Act, includes: a) Official Community Plans and zoning; b) Mobile Home Park Bylaw; c) Development, Development Variance, and Temporary Use permits; d) Board of Variance; and e) related planning studies and policies. Current Electoral A Planning participants include Telkwa, Granisle, Burns Lake, and Fort St. James. Both Smithers and Vanderhoof opted out and therefore have no vote at Board meetings regarding Electoral Area Planning issues, such as legislative bylaw issues. Page 3 of 15
Costs to participate in Electoral Area Planning are distributed between electoral areas and the participating municipalities. The municipal contribution is based on two-thirds of the municipality's assessment. For Smithers to participate in 2013, the cost would be approximately $23,000. J. Llewellyn outlined the benefits of participation, provided examples of how Regional District planning policies support municipal needs, and emphasized that municipalities that do not participate receive the benefits of good planning at the expense of those municipalities that do. Council provided questions and comments regarding: a) whether or not determining costs by assessment, rather than per capita, is legislated; b) the financial impact to participating municipalities if Smithers and Vanderhoof were to participate; and c) whether or not Smithers and Vanderhoof would utilize Regional District's services, given that they have their own Planning Departments. 5.2 SPECTRA ENERGY K. Rock, Community Coordinator, Spectra Energy, made a PowerPoint presentation regarding a joint project, with the BG Group, to develop an 850-kilometre pipeline to carry natural gas from northeastern British Columbia to a new Liquefied Natural Gas plant on Ridley Island. The presentation included Spectra Energy's 55-year history and their safety and sustainability records. The company is nearing completion of a $1.5 billion expansion program in British Columbia, which has created more than 1,350 construction jobs and resulted in $120 million in contracts with Aboriginal and local contractors in the province. The proposed project would: a) address seismic protection, gas-leak warning systems, and input from community leaders and First Nations; and b) allow shipping of liquefied natural gas overseas while growing British Columbia's supply. Council provided questions and comments regarding: a) the amount of hydro necessary to condense natural gas to liquefied natural gas; and b) the impact to Prince Rupert, regarding power generation, and to rate payers for the new infrastructure. Page 4 of 15
6. COUNCIL REPORTS 6.1. COUNCILLOR ADOMEIT 6.1.1 BVRPRC NOV MINUTES & OCT FINANCIALS The email dated December 14, 2012, from the Bulkley Valley Regional Pool and Recreation Centre, providing November minutes and October Financials, was presented (0230-20). 6.2. COUNCILLOR BANDSTRA 6.2.1 FINANCE DEC. 19 The minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held December 19, 2012, were presented. 13.0006 Bandstra/Wray THAT the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held December 19, 2012, be adopted. 6.2.2 BANDSTRA REPORT Councillor Bandstra advised that he appreciated the 2013 Centennial First Day fireworks display and the Town's Works Yard Christmas social. 6.3. COUNCILLOR BRIENESSE 6.3.1 APC DEC 12 The minutes of the Advisory Planning Commission meeting held December 12, 2012, were presented. 6.4. COUNCILLOR GOODACRE 6.4.1 GOODACRE REPORT Councillor Goodacre advised that he was pleased with the 2013 Centennial First Day events and that the 2013 Homecoming Committee meets again on January 9, 2013. 6.5. COUNCILLOR NORTHRUP 6.5.1 RDBN DEC 13 NOTES The notes from Councillor Northrup providing highlights from the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako's meeting held December 13, 2012, were presented (0400-55). Page 5 of 15
6.5.2 VISITOR STATS DEC 2012 The Visitor Statistics from the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce for the period ending December 31, 2012, were presented (0230-20). 6.5.3 NORTHRUP REPORT Councillor Northrup reported that he attended: a) the Chamber of Commerce luncheon held December 21, 2012; b) the Town's Works Yard Christmas social held December 21, 2012; c) the 2013 Celebration First Day events; and d) the Regional District's meeting held January 7, 2013, at the Town Office. 6.6. COUNCILLOR WRAY None. 6.7. REPORT OF MAYOR BACHRACH 6.7.1 MAYOR'S REPORT JAN. 8 Mayor Bachrach's report dated January 8, 2013, was presented. 6.7.2 MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Bachrach advised Council: a) he has been invited to sit on the UBCM Municipalities' Municipal Finance Committee; b) W. Oppal's report regarding the "Missing and Murdered Women Enquiry" mentions the Town's resolution calling on the Provincial government to implement a shuttle bus service between northern communities, passed at the 2012 UBCM conference. Mayor Bachrach advised Council that he would like to attend AMEBC's Roundup beginning on the second day of the conference, in order to be able to attend the January 29, 2013, Community to Community Forum and that he is open to having another Council member attend on his behalf. Mayor Bachrach will follow-up with Council via email after contacting the Bulkley Valley Economic Development Officer and Tourism Coordinator. Page 6 of 15
RD PLANNING FUNCTION 13.0007 DISCUSSION OF ITEM 4.2 - RD PLANNING FUNCTION Northrup/Brienesse THAT Item 4.2 be brought back to the table. 13.0008 Northrup/Brienesse THAT the Town of Smithers commit to being part of the Planning Function of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako for 2013/2014; AND THAT Council re-evaluate its participation at the end of 2014. OPPOSED: COUNCILLOR WRAY. 7. STAFF REPORTS 7.1. STAFF (A) REPORTS 7.1.1 CANADIAN HELICOPTERS LEASE Report ADM 12-081 dated December 10, 2012, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, recommending the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer sign the lease agreement with Canadian Helicopters Ltd., was presented (Vault). 13.0009 Wray/Brienesse THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to sign a Lease Agreement between the Town of Smithers and Canadian Helicopters Limited for a three-year term commencing on January 1, 2013, and expiring on December 31, 2015. 7.1.2 GATEWAY SIGN POLICY Report ADM 13-003 dated December 17, 2012, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, recommending signing of "Policy ADM-021 - Gateway Sign Management", was presented (Vault). 13.0010 Brienesse/Northrup THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to sign "Policy ADM-021 - Gateway Sign Management". Page 7 of 15
7.1.3 PERMISSIVE TAXATION Report FIN 12-68 dated December 28, 2012, from L. Ford, Director of Finance, recommending approval of "Permissive Taxation Exemption Policy FIN-011" was presented (1610-01). 13.0011 Brienesse/Wray THAT Council approves "Permissive Taxation Exemption Policy FIN- 011" (1610-01). 7.1.4 AREA 'A' OCP REVIEW Report DEV 13-02 dated January 3, 2013, from A. Cseke, Planner, recommending Council approve: a) soliciting feedback from the Advisory Planning Commission regarding the Electoral Area 'A' Rural Official Community Plan; and b) a meeting with the Electoral Area 'A' representative, was presented (3020-20/DEV13-02). 13.0012 Brienesse/Goodacre THAT Council solicit feedback from the Advisory Planning Commission (APC) regarding the rural Official Community Plan (OCP) review. 13.0013 Brienesse/Goodacre THAT Council request a meeting to occur, after soliciting feedback from the APC, with the Electoral Area 'A' representative, regarding the rural OCP review, appropriate future levels of rural residential development, and growth management in general. 7.2. STAFF (B) REPORTS 7.2.1 COR MAINTENANCE AUDIT Report ADM 13-002 dated December 17, 2012, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, presenting the Certificate of Recognition (COR) in Safety - 2012 Maintenance Audit Executive Summary and scoring summaries, was presented (0360-20). Page 8 of 15
8. BYLAWS 8.1 13.0014 8.2 13.0015 8.3 13.0016 BYLAW 1707 Bandstra/Adomeit THAT "Bylaw No. 1707- Parcel Tax - 4200 Block of Second Avenue", be adopted. BYLAW 1708 Bandstra/Adomeit THAT "Bylaw No. 1708 - Temporary Borrowing Bylaw - 4200 Block of Second Avenue Local Area Service Project", be adopted. BYLAW 1709 Brienesse/Adomeit THAT "Bylaw No. 1709 - Airport Fees and Charges 2013", be adopted. 8.4 BYLAW 1710 Report ADM 13-001 dated December 17, 2012, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, introducing "Bylaw No. 1710 - Advisory Planning Commission" for readings, was presented. 13.0017 Wray/Brienesse THAT Council repeal "Bylaw No. 1575 - Advisory Planning Commission". 13.0018 Wray/Brienesse THAT "Bylaw No. 1710 - Advisory Planning Commission" be read a first and second time. 13.0019 Wray/Brienesse THAT "Bylaw No. 1710 - Advisory Planning Commission" be read a third time. Page 9 of 15
8.5 BYLAW 1711 Report DEV 13-03 dated December 21, 2012, from A. Cseke, Planner, introducing "Bylaw No. 1711 - Town of Smithers Zoning Bylaw No. 1403 Amendment No. 12-12" for readings, was presented (3787 Sixteenth Avenue). 13.0020 Adomeit/Brienesse THAT "Bylaw No. 1711 - Town of Smithers Zoning Bylaw No. 1403 Amendment No. 12-12" (3787 Sixteenth Avenue), be read a first and second time. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS ADOMEIT, BANDSTRA, AND NORTHRUP. 13.0021 Brienesse/Wray THAT "Bylaw No. 1711 - Town of Smithers Zoning Bylaw No. 1403 Amendment No. 12-12" proceed to Public Hearing. 8.6 BYLAW 1425 AMENDMENT 12-01 Report ADM 13-004 dated December 17, 2012, from S. Bassett, Director of Corporate Services, introducing "Bylaw No. 1425 Amendment 12-01 - Garbage Collection" for readings, was presented. 13.0022 Northrup/Goodacre THAT "Garbage Collection Bylaw No. 1425" (2003), be repealed; AND THAT "Bylaw No. 1425 Amendment 12-01 - Garbage Collection", be read a first and second time. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS BANDSTRA AND WRAY. 13.0023 Goodacre/Brienesse THAT "Bylaw No. 1425 Amendment 12-01 - Garbage Collection", be read a third time. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS BANDSTRA AND WRAY. Page 10 of 15
9. CORRESPONDENCE (A) ITEMS 9.1 WALK FOR MEMORIES The letter dated November 22, 2012, from Investors Group, inviting Council to participate in the Investors Group Walk for Memories event being held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Smithers, was presented (0530-05). 9.2 SMITHERS COMMUNITY BAND SOCIETY The letter received December 17, 2012, from the Smithers Community Band Society, requesting storage space for the Society's equipment and records, was presented (0530-05). 13.0024 Northrup/Brienesse THAT Council directs Staff to provide a report, within sixty days, regarding any possible, suitable storage spaces in Town-owned buildings which the Smithers Community Band Society could utilize for storage purposes. 9.3 PERIMETER TRAIL The letter dated January 3, 2013, from B. Blix, resident, requesting: a) Town's written permission to allow a volunteer to run over the trail with a snowmobile; and b) signage regarding cleaning up after dogs, was presented (6140-20). 13.0025 Brienesse/Bandstra THAT the letter from B. Blix requesting: a) written permission to allow a volunteer to run over the trail with a snowmobile; and b) signage regarding cleaning up after dogs, be postponed to the January 22, 2013, Regular Meeting of Council (6140-20). OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS ADOMEIT, DEFEATED. BANDSTRA, NORTHRUP, AND MAYOR BACHRACH. 12.0026 Brienesse/Wray THAT Council directs Staff to provide a report regarding the requests by B. Blix for the January 22, 2013, Regular Meeting of Council. Page 11 of 15
10. CORRESPONDENCE (B) ITEMS - RECEIVE AND REPLY 11. CORRESPONDENCE (B) ITEMS - RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION 11.1 GRANT WRITER QUARTERLY REPORT The Town of Smithers' Grant Writer Quarterly Report dated July to December 2012, prepared by G. George, Quick Thinking Management Solutions, was presented (6750-20). 13.0027 Northrup/Bandstra THAT Council request grant writer G. George to determine the success of other neighbouring grant writers in acquiring grants. OPPOSED: COUNCILLORS ADOMEIT, DEFEATED. BANDSTRA, BRIENESSE, GOODACRE, NORTHRUP, WRAY, AND MAYOR BACHRACH. 11.2 FEDERAL FISHERIES ACT - BILL C38 The letter dated November 30, 2012, from the District of Elkford, presenting concerns regarding the Federal Fisheries Act - Bill C38, was presented (0230-30). 11.3 GAS TAX AGREEMENT COMMUNITY WORKS FUND The letter dated December 3, 2012, from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, advising of the second Community Works Fund payment, was presented (0230-30). 11.4 RETURN TO THE PST The email dated December 14, 2012, from the City of North Vancouver, regarding their "Return to the PST" Council resolution, was presented (0230-30). 11.5 WETZIN'KWA COMMUNITY FOREST The letter dated December 14, 2012, from S. Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, following up on a meeting held during the 2012 UBCM Conference regarding expansion of the Wetzin'kwa Community Forest, was presented (0230-30). 11.6 HOUSING The letter dated December 1, 2012, from R. Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing, following up on a meeting held during the 2012 UBCM Conference regarding housing issues, was presented (0230-30). Page 12 of 15
11.7 NDI BVEDA The letter dated December 10, 2012, from the Northern Development Initiative Trust advising that the Bulkley Valley Economic Development Association's application for a grant toward the Ski and Stay Smithers Expansion project has been approved subject to confirmation of other funding sources, was presented (6750-20). 11.8 COASTAL GASLINK The letter dated December 18, 2012, from the Environmental Assessment Office, advising that the environmental assessment for the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project has been initiated, was presented (0400-20). 11.9 SHUTTLE BUS NORTHERN COMMUNITIES The letter dated December 20, 2012, from Premier C. Clark in response to Mayor Bachrach's letter calling for a shuttle-bus service among northern communities, was presented (0400-20). 11.10 FORT ST. JAMES - TOWN'S UBCM RESOLUTION The letter dated December 4, 2012, from Mayor R. MacDougall, Fort St. James, supporting the Town's UBCM resolution urging the Province to establish an inter-community transportation service in northern British Columbia, was presented (0230-30). 11.11 FIREWORKS The email dated January 1, 2013, from L. McCulloch, resident, complimenting the 2013 Celebration First Day fireworks display, was presented. 11.12 FIGURE SKATING - 2ND SHEET The letter dated December 16, 2012, from the Smithers Figure Skating Club Executive regarding the proposed new arena, was presented (0360-20). 11.13 ACCESSIBLE RAIL TRAVEL The letter dated December 21, 2012, from the Canadian Transportation Agency responding to the Town's letter regarding accessible passenger rail travel, was presented (0400-50). 11.14 MUSEUM THANKS The letter dated January 3, 2013, from the Bulkley Valley Historical and Museum Society thanking Council for the grant-in-aid, was presented (7930-02). Page 13 of 15
12. CORRESPONDENCE (C) ITEMS 13. CORRESPONDENCE (D) ITEMS 13.1 Access West - Fall/Winter 2012, Western Economic Diversification Canada, was presented. 13.2 Speaking of Children, Fall 2012, British Columbia Children's Hospital Foundation, was presented. 13.3 Mineral Exploration, Winter 2012, AMEBC, was presented. 13.4 The Woodland Almanac, Winter 2012, Federation of British Columbia Woodlot Associations, was presented. 14. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS APPROVED FOR DISCUSSION None. 15. OTHER/NEW BUSINESS 15.1 Regarding Item 11.12, A. Hillaby advised that the Smithers Figure Skating Club indicated that they required one or two hour hours of additional ice time, when Carscadden Architects completed the new arena feasibility study. 16. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD None. 17. NOTICE OF SPECIAL (IN-CAMERA) MEETING(S) OF COUNCIL PURSUANT TO SECTION 92 OF THE COMMUNITY CHARTER. 13.0028 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, January 22, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. to deal with matters falling under Section 90, Subsection 1 and/or 2 of the Community Charter. Page 14 of 15
18. ADJOURNMENT 13.0029 Adomeit/Brienesse THAT the Regular Meeting of Council be adjourned (9:30 p.m.). Taylor Bachrach Mayor Susan Bassett Acting Chief Administrative Officer Certified a True and Correct Copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, B.C. Deborah Sargent Corporate Administrator Page 15 of 15