By Andrea Arnold
The June 14, 2022 McBride council meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by Mayor Gene Runtz.
Grant application support
Council directed staff to submit an application for grant funding for the Village of McBride Integrated Community Sustainability and Implementation Plan Project through the Canada Community Building Fund in BC – Strategic Priorities Fund – Capacity Stream. Council further moved to support the project and is willing to cover any cost overruns, ineligible costs and provide overall grant management.
If the application is successful the money could be used to update the Official Community Plan and update zoning bylaws.
Drinking water
Council directed staff to submit an application for grant funding for the Village of McBride Drinking Water Filtration System Project through the Canada Community Building Fund in BC – Strategic Priorities Fund – Capital Stream. Council further agreed to support the project and is willing to cover any cost overruns, ineligible costs and provide overall grant management. Council discussed their concern about asking for a grant to install a filtration system when the feasibility studies and other planning have not been completed. At this time, the Village does not have details as to the type of system, or the installation costs. CAO Tupy assured Council that the funder is aware of the timelines.
Budget increase
Council approved an increase to the Capital Budget for the train station roof replacement project up to $190,000. This is an increase of $40,000 following two tender submissions, and taking into consideration the increases in market conditions.
Canada Day events
Council directed Administration to send confirmation to Dannielle Alan confirming Mayor Runtz’s attendance to the 2022 Canada Day celebrations in McBride. Councillor Green hopes to attend, Councillor Hruby will be there as part of the Chamber and Councillor Frederick is hoping to stop by but has prior commitments. Council also approved a $250 grant-in-aid to the McBride and District Chamber of Commerce to support the celebrations. The Chamber is planning cake and games in the park and the singing of O Canada.
Lheidli T’enneh meeting
Council asked Administration to respond to Kevin Brown with any additional topics to be added to the meeting with Lheidli T’enneh Chief and Council on Friday, July 15, 2022. Council also confirmed they would like the following additional events and activities planned during their time together: common interests, forest management overview, beaver management and concern about fish populations. Council also confirmed that arrangements for lunch need to be made.
Zoning Bylaw
Council gave first and second reading to Zoning Bylaw Amendment No 810, 2022 and directed staff to schedule a public hearing. The following are all items being addressed in the motion:
1) The addition of “Hotel” to the list of permitted uses in the “Highway Commercial (C2) Zone.” Currently “Motel” is permitted, but not “Hotel.”
2) Rezoning of 797 Bridge Road to the Highway Commercial (C2) Zone (to permit the use of a Hotel)
3) Adding “Light Industry” as a permitted use at 275 McBride Road South.
4) Amended definition of “Retail” to permit bulk sales.
The motion was amended to include:
5) A building height restriction to keep the number of tall buildings under 10.5 metres to prevent the need for a ladder truck for fire protection.
Elections Bylaw No 811.2022
Council moved to rescind Bylaw No. 779.2018 regarding General Local Government Elections, and approved first and second reading to Bylaw No 811.2022.
Council discussed the election procedures and requested that Beaverview Lodge and Mountainview Manor be classified as areas covered under “special voting opportunity.”
Council approved third reading to the bylaw including the amendment.
Utility bill relief request
Mayor Runtz excused himself as a member of the Elks prior to discussion of the next item. Council did not approve a grant in aid request for $250 to help cover the 2022 Elks Hall utility invoice, having been told that Pioneer Days brought in a considerable amount of money for the group.
Train station deck
Councillor Diane Smith requested a discussion regarding the decking at the train station. She referred to its condition as deplorable, and she was worried someone might get hurt if the boards gave out. Council discussed that the issues lay where planters had been located, and water became an issue, rotting the wood. Councillor Rosemary Hruby had taken a look earlier and she didn’t see it as being as big of an issue as Smith was saying. However, all Councillors agreed that if replacing a few boards now could prevent having to replace many later, then action needed to be taken. Council passed the motion to proceed with a repair patch job on the deck of the train station.
In-camera
Council moved to proceed to an in-camera meeting for considerations of matters of the Community Charter related to Section 90 (1) (c) labour relations or other employee relations and (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provisions of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public.
The public portion adjourned at 7:53pm.
