By Andrea Arnold
The McBride Council meeting on Tuesday February 23, 2021 was called to order at 7:01pm by Deputy Mayor Rosemary Hruby. Councillors Smith, Frederick, and Green were in attendance, as was Mayor Runtz.
Draft Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan
Anne-Marie Wittaker, Hudson McLellan and Katherine Levett from EcoPlan International Ltd. presented the draft Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan for Council input. The plan includes a table summarizing 46 recommended actions, their level of priority and who needs to take responsibility. It also gives suggestions for 11 available grant opportunities, and possible partnerships to strengthen implementation efforts. Council has been given the time to review the document and will have an opportunity to ask questions, and provide feedback in a few weeks.
Budget Timeline
Council passed the motion to approve the 2021 Budget Timeline as presented. The first budget meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00pm with the focus being on strategic priorities and initiatives review and update. On Thursday April 29, 2021 at 7:00pm, a Zoom meeting will be held for the presentation of the 2021 Budgets, 5-Year Financial Plan 2021-2025 and 2021 Tax Rate Bylaw to the community. The final meeting, and adoption of bylaws will be during the regular council meeting on Tuesday May 11, 2021.
Street Sign Replacement Funding Application
Council passed the motion directing Administration to prepare an application for submission to the CN Community Board’s CN Stronger Communities Fund for the McBride street sign replacement project. The other option discussed was the cemetery fence replacement. Due to the projected high cost of the fence, it was tabled for the time being.
Grant Application Support
Council passed the motion directing Administration to provide the Valley Museum & Archives with a letter of support for their application to Canadian Urban Institute’s Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Grant.
Council also passed the motion to have Administration bring the application for the Canada Healthy Community Initiative Funding Program before the Downtown Revitalization and Beautification Committee for consideration. The Committee will have the opportunity to bring forward a project(s) at the April 13, 2021 meeting,
Tourism Committee Terms of Reference Amendments
Council passed the motion to amend the Village of McBride Tourism Committee Terms of Reference with the following recommendations from the committee:
1. That committee member responsibilities be expanded to include:
Provide on a regular basis, tourism-related actions or reports by your organization or sector.
Help identify tourism data that is collected or could be collected by your organizations or sector.
2. That in the interest on continuity, each member representing a specific sector have an alternate representative to attend meetings.
New Garbage Bins for Residents
Council passed the motion approving the “hot stamp” design as presented for the new residential garbage bins. The bins will have the McBride train logo and McBride B.C. Canada stamped on them along with an individualizing serial number.
In Camera
Council passed the motion to proceed to an in-camera meeting for consideration of matters per Section 90 (1) of the Community Charter related to (a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality, or another position appointed by the municipality, (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; AND (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are in their preliminary stages and that, in the view of Council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public.
The regular meeting was recessed at 8:05pm to conduct the in-camera meeting.
