By Andrea Arnold
Deputy Mayor Lucille Green called the regular November 10, 2020 McBride Council meeting to order at 7:02pm. Along with Councillors Smith, Frederick and Hruby were 10 other attendees on the zoom call, including village staff.
Draft Tourism Master Plan
Justin Rousseau and Maxwell Harrison were on hand from Expedition Management Consulting Ltd. Rousseau presented an overview of the Draft Tourism Master Plan. The plan states that the community has a lot to offer and needs to find residents who are dedicated, committed and willing to take on roles to help the village shine.
Transfer Station Road money
Council approved an amended recommendation committing $25,000 from the Horizons Camp sewage contract to fund some of the remaining work needed to complete the Transfer Station Road. Deputy Mayor Green reworked the recommendation to include the possibility of using the money and Council passed the motion.
Visitor Centre agreement
Council passed the motion to extend the current agreement between the Village of McBride and McBride & District Chamber of Commerce for the Visitor Centre Operations Funding for another year.
Transportation Study
Deputy Mayor Lucille Green recused herself as she is employed by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the next motion involved the Ministry. Council passed the motion to direct Administration to gather statistical information needed for the CPCS Rural, Remote, and Indigenous Transportation Study to submit to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Council also requested that it be made known that there is no municipal transportation services serving the area.
COVID Grant
Council adopted Bylaw No. 796.2020 Amendment to Bylaw 793.2020 Five-Year Financial Plan. The Province announced that the Village of McBride will be receiving a $366,000 COVID-Restart Direct Grant, a portion of the total $425 million available province-wide. Other money is available through grant applications.
Oath of Office
Council moved to allow Interim CAO Heidi Frank to administer the Oath of Office for newly appointed Bylaw Officer Kelly Mortensen. The position is temporary, subject to available funding.
Tourism Committee
Council passed the modified motion authorizing advertising for establishing a tourism committee. Furthermore, Council directed Administration to organize the next meeting on November 25, 2020, provide an agenda and act as secretary.
Face Masks denied
Council rejected the recommendation that Council approved funds to purchase face masks for Village of McBride businesses at a cost of no more than $350 as part of the COVID-19, education, information and support program.
No credit card
Council didn’t move the recommendation to authorize a corporate credit card to be issued in Sherri-lee Flynn, Finance Coordinator’s name. They moved on with no discussion.
Holiday closure
Council passed the motion authorizing the Village of McBride office to be closed for two business days over Christmas and New Year’s holidays from December 23rd-28th, 2020.
In-camera
Council passed the motion to proceed into an In-Camera meeting for consideration of matters per Section 90 (1) of the Community Charter related to: (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose. The regular council meeting was recessed at 8:52pm.
