By Andrea Arnold
Mayor Torgerson called the June 22nd Council meeting to order. Also present were Councillors Blanchette, MacLean and Pearson.
Tourism Valemount Governance Structure recommendations
Phillip Coppard and Ray Freman from Stormy Lake Consulting presented the Tourism Valemount Governance Structure recommendation. The goal is to have a destination management operation (DMO) that: is dedicated to tourism, has autonomy to meet stakeholder needs, is accountable to the Board of Directors and has a strong line of communication with Council. The recommendation is to move from the current committee of council structure into an independent model once the right individual is found to lead the group. The pair stressed that trust in the right CEO/Manager is crucial for success.
Council moved to receive the delegation for information.
Diversity and inclusivity crosswalk
Derrick Shaw, Principal of Valemount Secondary School presented a request to Council to have a crosswalk representing diversity and inclusivity put in on Ash street near the school. The crosswalk would not only contain the rainbow colours associated with the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) community but also the colours that have been added to SOGI’s flag, black (diversity Black Lives Matter), brown (indigenous community) as well as light blue and white (transgender community). The crosswalk would indicate that Valemount not only welcomes diversity and inclusivity, but embraces and celebrates it. Shaw presented research around the types of paint needed for an effective crosswalk, cost and ICBC guidelines. Kiba Dempsey as well as a local student and member of the LGBQ community also spoke in support of the request.
Council moved to receive the delegation. At this time, no decision will be made, however Council requested information be forwarded to senior staff at the village for a report.
Reading items
Councillor MacLean made a motion to write a letter of support to the City of Pitt Meadows regarding their letter supporting and calling for further action to find, and hold accountable through who were involved in the deaths of the Indigenous children. Also included in the motion was the request to also have administration pen a similar letter to MP Bob Zimmer.
Councillor Pearson made a motion to support the township of Spallumcheen requesting BC Hydro reopen the survey regarding the residential rate review, and to also have administration submit a similar letter from the Village of Valemount to BC Hydro as well.
Both of these motions were passed by council.
Annual report
Council passed a motion to receive the Village of Valemount 2020 annual report
Clean Air Task Force recommendations
Council passed both of the following recommendations regarding the Clean Air Task Force Meeting:
a) that the summary report for the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) meeting of June 15, 2021 be received for information and b) that council supports the CAFT’s development of an Airshed Management Plan for Valemount and area.
Accounts payable report
Council approved the receipt of the accounts payable report – May 2021.
SOFI
Council passed the motion to approve the statement of financial information (SOFI).
Contracts awarded:
Paving 17th Avenue
Council passed the motion directing staff to negotiate a contract with Dawson Construction Ltd in the amount of $1,036,882.33 for the paving of 17th Avenue, subject to the village receiving a funding agreement from Trans Mountain for the project.
Airport weather station
Council passed the motion to award the Airport Weather Station contract to Code Project Enterprise Ltd. in the amount of $32,500 plus taxes.
Centennial Park washroom demolition
Council passed a motion to award the Centennial Park Washroom Demolition contract to KRM Contracting 2000 Corp. in the amount of $7,500 plus taxes to be paid from the Tourism Dependent Community Fund.
Village entrance sign – no contract awarded
Two requests for quotes for the Village of Valemount Entrance Sign Maintenance contract resulted in no submitted bids. Council passed the motion to receive the report stating that staff will work to secure a vendor to complete the project in 2021, within the approved five-year financial plan budget.
Portable changeable message sign
Council passed the following motions regarding contracts for a portable changeable message sign. A) that council; approve an increase to the portable changeable message sign budget from $18,000 to $21,000 from the COVID 19 Safe Restart Plan (as originally approved by resolution #42/21) and b) that Council awarded the purchase of the sign to Adtronics Signs Ltd. in the amount of $19,250 plus taxes.
Canada Day celebrations
Council passed the motion to cancel 2021 Canada Day celebrations. Councillor Pearson commented that it was not an easy decision by Tourism Valemount.
Electric car for bylaw
Council discussed the following recommendations regarding the purchase of an electric vehicle for bylaw enforcement:
a) that staff obtain a suitable electric vehicle for village use by utilizing the CARIP funding held by the village, and
b) that the funding for a stationary electronic message board be reallocated towards the remaining balance of the cost of an electric vehicle, OR, the COVID19 Safe Restart grant be used to cover the remaining balance of the cost.
The motion to approve option B was passed.
Village of Valemount Bylaws and Policies
Council passed the motion to give the cemetery amendment bylaw no. 846, 2021 third reading as amended.
Council agreed to give the zoning bylaw no. 847,2021 first and second reading.
Council accepted the recommendation to repeal procurement policy No. 39 from November 2013, and replace it with the new procurement policy No. 39, 2021.
Upon receiving reports from each Councillor, the meeting was adjourned.
