Mayor Jeannette Townsend, councillors Hollie Blanchette, Sandy Salt and Owen Torgerson met on March 13, 2018 while councillor Peter Reimer participated remotely via the internet. Chief Administrative Officer Adam Davey, Corporate Services Clerk Carleena Shepherd, Economic Development Officer Silvio Gislimberti and Administrative Assistant / Planner 1 Megan Vicente” were the staff present.
Public Hearing
Village undertook a public hearing for a site specific Zoning Amendment Bylaw 780, 2018 to rezone John Crowley’s property at 1430 King Road from RR1 to RR2 to allow a secondary dwelling on the property and amend the Short Term Vacation Rentals regulations to permit both residential and vacation rental use on the property. There were no public comments or letters. Council gave third reading to the bylaw.
TransCanada Yellowhead Highway Association urged to lobby for passing lane
Council approved for councillor Salt to attend the AGM in Edmonton on April 6. The Mayor will attend by teleconference.
Council passed a resolution that the association advocate to secure funding from the federal government for a passing lane between Jasper and the western border of Jasper.
Gas Tax Funding
The Village of Valemount has been approved to receive $165,000 for an asset management plan from the $193 million federal Gas Tax Fund.
Child Sex Trafficking
Council agreed to write a letter to the BC Premier John Horgan and the Public Safety Minister/Solicitor General Mike Farnworth asking to create a Human Trafficking Task Force and enforce the Federal Law in B.C., as being done in the rest of the country.
Accounts Payable
Council received the accounts payable reports for January and February 2018.
Valemount Craft Beer Experience
Council received information about the second annual festival. Councillors reported that Tourism Valemount is excited about the event and the Chamber of Commerce will be volunteering at the event.
Council Reports
Councillor Blanchette attended the public meeting for CBT’s Community Initiatives program as well as committee’s final deliberation meeting. She attended the Child & Youth Mental Health Committee meeting. This committee wants to know what the demographic needs and are wanting their input.
Councillor Reimer attended a Valemount Community Forest meeting.
Councillor Salt attended the public meeting for CBT’s Community Initiatives program as well as a Columbia Basin regional Advisory Council and Columbia River Treat update meetings.
Councillor Torgerson attended meetings for the Valemount Community Forest meeting, CBT’s Community Initiatives program and Tourism Valemount.
Mayor Townsend said she would have liked to see an application to CBT Community Initiatives for air quality monitoring equipment.
Speculation Tax
Councillor Reimer requested staff to seek clarification from the Ministry of Finance on the new Speculation Tax introduced in the provincial budget, which is 0.5% in 2018 and 2% in 2019 of the assessed value of a home. (This tax is not applicable to principal residences or long term rentals. The speculation tax will initially apply to the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Capital and Nanaimo Regional Districts, and in the municipalities of Kelowna and West Kelowna.)
Marijuana Use
Councillor Reimer asked staff to ensure that the Village is protected from issues related to marijuana use at work, with the legalization of cannabis. CAO Davey said that the Village’s Alcohol and Drug Policy #57 covers it and staff could run it past their lawyer to make sure it will be adequate.
Public Comment on Short Term Rentals
Rashmi Narayan requesting staff to research other communities before permitting new uses or allowing variances on short term rentals as they take away from long term rentals and thus affordable housing. Other communities like Fernie have policies to prevent the use of secondary suites and secondary homes as short term rentals.
In-Camera Items
Council closed the public portion of the council meeting to discuss three in-camera items related to litigation against the municipality and proposed provision of a municipal service.
