By Andrea Arnold
Members of McBride Council met for their regular meeting on Tuesday October 22. The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Mayor Runtz. Also present for the meeting, Council members Lucille Green, Diane Smith, Alan Frederick, Rosemary Hruby and CAO Sheila McCutcheon.
Council passed a motion to approve the Village of McBride Building Assessment as presented. David Franzmann from Radloff Engineering presented a summary of the report, which included buildings in McBride that require repairs. Assessed were the McBride Railway Station, the Public Works Building, and the Robson Centre Main Building, as well as an environmental study completed on the Creda Building on 2nd Avenue. The report is over 300 pages long, and a hard copy is available at the Village office for public review.
At the previous meeting, there was discussion on whether changes were needed to Council appointments to Council Committees and Community Liaison positions. Administration was asked to bring it forward again. Council approved the Council Committees and Community Liaison Appointments as they are now for the remaining three years of the four-year term.
Council passed a motion to have administration submit a letter to BC Parks and the Ministry of the Environment requesting the extension of the consultation period of the Ancient Forest Park Management Plan beyond the calendar year 2019. Also, the letter will express disappointment in the first meeting in September and request the opportunity to meet again. Also, it will request a consultation with groups in the area who have been deeply involved in the process of upgrading and maintaining the area so far.
After Councillor Frederick removed himself from the room due to his participation with the Fire Department, Council approved a Grant in Aid for the McBride & District Volunteer Firefighters Association for the amount of $250 to assist in the cost of the annual Halloween fireworks display.
Council passed a motion approving the 2020 Regular Council Meeting schedule as presented.
Council approved a motion to close the Village Office on December 23, 24 and 27th this year. Staff will be required to use either vacation or banked time during the closure.
Council passed a motion to approve the McBride Charlie Leake Airport Development Plan as presented. The plan outlines renovations and new development.
Last year, when Council was sworn in, it was stated that, in the mayor’s absence, Councillor Frederick would hold the position of Acting Mayor until November 5, 2019 when Councillor Green would take over the role. Due to her schedule and commitments, Green is unable to serve as Acting Mayor until February 1, 2020. Council passed a motion to extend Councillor Frederick’s term until January 31, 2020.
BC Hydro Manager for Northern Community Relations, Bob Gammer, along with his all-electric Chevy Bolt were in town for the grand opening event of the EV Charging Station in McBride on October 23rd. The site is located just outside the Village office in Robson Centre. The Charging Station includes a light and signage containing a map of local amenities and shopping. The map originally posted was incorrect, and a replacement has been ordered. Council passed a motion to receive a report regarding the station for information.
Council passed motions to receive the report “Emergency Management and Evacuation Plan Launch,” as well as the 2019 UBCM Convention Report for CAO McCutcheon for information.
Administration is planning for a Village of McBride Emergency Management Open House on Tuesday November 19, 2019 4:00-7:00pm. Andy Ackerman with Myriad Consulting Services will be there to present the launch of the emergency plans.
Council passed the motion approving an application to the UBCM Childcare Planning Programing to maximum of $25,000 and agrees to support the grant administration throughout the project.
Administration met with Michelle Kirby, Engagement and Partnership Manager for the Ministry of Children and Family Development. They will be working together along with other local stakeholders to determine a plan and potential application for either the UBCM Child Care Space Creation Program and/or the Provincial Child Care BC New Spaces Fund. Progress will be reported in upcoming council meetings.
Council passed the motion authorizing Mayor Runtz and CAO McCutcheon to execute the terms and conditions’ schedule for the Potable Water Systems Disinfection and Filtration Assessment with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for project funding of $10,000. The terms and conditions of the project attached to the Provincial Infrastructure Planning Grant requires the signing and return of the terms and conditions by October 28, 2019.
The public portion of the meeting adjourned at 7:43pm.
Council moved into the In-Camera portion in accordance with Section 90(l) (c) labour relations and other employee relations, (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, and (j) information that is prohibited, or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited, from disclosure under section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are in the preliminary states and that, in the view of Council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public.
