By ANDREA ARNOLD
The regular meeting of the McBride Village Council was called to order on Tuesday January 14, 2020 at 7:03p.m. by Mayor Runtz. Also in attendance were Councillors Green, Councillor Smith, Councillor Hruby and CAO McCutcheon. Councillor Frederick attended via speakerphone.
Naomi Balla-Boudreau presented a brief update to Council on the library’s previous year and strategic plan for 2019-2022. The library served 1650 people, meaning usage has increased by 8.9% this year. The three points of the strategic plan outline the library’s goal to” be responsive to technology, be a community hub for diverse ages and interests and respond to changing needs in the community, and to be a conduit for community resources.
Dedicated reserve report
Council approved the motion to receive a report establishing a dedicated reserve for the Northern Capital and Planning Grant. These funds must be used for capital and long-term planning purposes.
Council passed the motion to receive a report from Public Works outlining their tasks up to December 31, 2019.
Request for ski program
Council passed the motion to approve the request from S. Umstot, McBride Centennial School PAC Treasurer to use Bill Clark Memorial Park for the school’s cross-country ski program, contingent on the receipt of confirmation of adequate insurance coverage.
Council passed the motion to give first, second and third reading to Village of McBride Northern Capital and Planning Reserve Financial Plan Bylaw No 791, 2020.
Application for funding to the Union of BC Municipalities
Council passed a motion to approve an application for funding to the Union of BC Municipalities 2020-Age Friendly Community Planning and Project Grants to develop an Age-friendly Action Plan for the Village of McBride and agrees to support overall grant management. The goal would be to develop a common vision and plan that aspires to improve the quality of life for older adults in the community.
Attendance expenses
Council approved expenses for Mayor Runtz to attend the Roundtable with the Minister of Natural Resources Canada in Prince George, BC on January 16, 2020. Assessments were determined on July 1, 2019.
Assessment Property Information
Council passed the motion to receive the 2020 BC Assessment Property Information. The report indicates that a single family home in McBride last year had a typically assessed value of $125,000. This new assessment shows an increase of 6% bringing the value to $132,000.
Infrastructure Planning Grant program f approval
Council passed the motion to approve an application to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs Infrastructure Planning Grant program for a Village of McBride 2020-2050 Water Conservation Plan and agrees to support the overall grant management.
Housing Needs Assessment Report approval
Council passed the motion to approve the Village of McBride Housing Needs Assessment Report prepared by David Nairne and Associates Ltd as presented or amended.
BC Housing Letter of Support
Council also passed a motion to approve a letter of support to BC Housing for the Pre-Design Funding application to BC Housing Community Housing Fund by the McBride and District Housing Society for a 24-unit seniors and family housing development. And further, Council commits land located at 964, 976, 1032 and 1044 2nd Avenue for the proposed housing development. These lots total 25,000 sq. ft. This is not necessarily the final location of the housing complex and further research as to a potentially more appropriate location will be carried out until the Village is first successful with the funding application. Before the motion was voted on, Councillor Green recused herself as a member of the McBride and District Housing Society, due to a conflict of interest.
Sanitary Asset Management plan approval
Council passed the motion approving the development of a 35-year Sanitary Asset Management plan by Radloff Engineering for $5,451 and funding from the Asset Management Reserve funds in 2020. This project would consolidate all the infrastructure upgrades and provide an asset management plan for the Village’s entire sewer infrastructure.
In-Camera
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, (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, 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.
The regular open meeting was recessed in order to conduct the Closed In-Camera Meeting.
