By Andrea Arnold
Deputy Mayor Diane Smith called the June 28, 2022 McBride Council meeting to order at 7:00pm. Mayor Gene Runtz and Councillor Alan Frederick were not able to attend, and Councillor Green attended via Zoom.
Delegation
Steven and Andrea Garhammer started their presentation by mentioning a complaint they had made to council members, and requested action be taken. Council acknowledged the complaint and stated that they are looking into it.
Garhammers then presented an update on the progress of their development of a home at 455 Horseshoe Lake Rd. They have the engineered plans for water and sewage hook-up that the village required before a permit was issued, but they said the village turned the plans down stating that they had to abide by Section E of the bylaw covering rules for subdivisions. The Garhammers said that they are not trying to subdivide, they are trying to prepare the land they purchased for a home that is set to arrive at the beginning of August. The engineers they hired discussed with the village-appointed engineers and they agreed that no, this is not a subdivision. However, they have not been granted the permit to proceed with the sewage and water hookups, and are getting worried as their home delivery deadline is approaching. Deputy Mayor Smith requested that the Garhammers allow Council members an opportunity to discuss with Councillor Frederick and Mayor Runtz, and get back to them in a timely manner.
Grant increase
Council directed staff to submit an application for grant funding in the amount of $146,290 for the Village of McBride Integrated Community Sustainability and Implementation Plan Project through the Canada Community Building Fund in BC strategic priorities stream. This amount is an increase of $13,235 that was agreed on at the June 14, 2022 meeting. The increase comes after the Village was advised that staffing costs would also be covered under the grant. Council further agreed to support the project and is willing to cover any cost overruns, ineligible costs and provide overall grant management.
Flagpole replacement
Council agreed to receive the report regarding new flagpole options. Council agreed to delay their final decision regarding replacement poles until 2023 once the Capital Reserves can be reassessed from 2022’s Capital projects.
Community Market
Council approved the request from the Elks and Royal Purple to use power for the food booth at the same time as the Community Markets on Fridays until September 2, 2022. An arrangement with Public Works will be made to turn the power off and on. In the letter of request sent, they also asked if power could be provided throughout the summer, not just on market days. After discussion, Council agreed that using taxpayer money to keep the fridge and freezer running all summer was not something they were willing to do. They are open to further discussion with the Elks and Royal Purple if other options are brought forward.
General Election Bylaw
Council gave final reading and adoption to the Village of McBride General Local Government Election Bylaw No 811.2022. Following the last meeting, Beaverview Lodge and McBride Mountain Manor were included under the special voting opportunity category.
Canada Post lease extension
Council received a report from staff informing them of a Canada Post request for a lease extension in Robson Square. The proposal presented to the Village in February requested a five-year contract extension, a 17 cent/square foot increase in annual rent, two five-year options to extend after April 2028, and a 12-month termination clause to be usable anytime after May 1, 2023. Administration approved the agreement.
2021 Annual Report
Council moved to receive the Village of McBride 2021 Annual Report and any submissions or comments related to the report. The report was made public and at the time of the meeting, no feedback from the public had been provided. The report provides financial information, an outline of completed projects and plans, and a statement of strategic priorities: increase economic capacity & community development, fiscal & corporate health, asset management and risk management, and good governance. With no further discussion, Council moved to adopt the Village of McBride 2021 Annual Report.
2021 Financials
Council approved the Village of McBride 2021 Statement of Financial Information Report as presented. It includes expenses paid over $75,000 and grants and accounts paid over $25,000. Village employees who made more than $75,000 in 2021 include former CAO Sheila McCutcheon, Sandra Salt and Matthew Slaney.
Council to Council
Councillor Green requested a discussion regarding a meeting with Valemount Council before the current electoral term is up. Councillor Rosemary Hruby said that a collaboration like this had been discussed following the by-election that brought herself and Councillor Green into Council. They decided that McBride would host a social event in July, with details to be decided through conversation with Valemount Council.
In-camera
Council moved to proceed to an in-camera meeting for consideration of matters of the community Charter related to Section 90 (1) (c ) labour relations or other employee relations, (e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality, and (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision 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 beheld in public.
