By Andrea Arnold
July 11th Summary
Mayor Gene Runtz presided over the July 11th meeting of McBride Council. Two items requiring action were brought forward as late items. Prior to these additions, no reportable motions were listed on the agenda.
Also listed in the minutes from the June 27th meeting was an item brought out from in-camera.
Council directed staff to enter into a contract with Rynic in the amount of $92,000.00 as the successful proponent for the Activate Tourism Project.
Council directed Administration to provide notification to the Regional District of Fraser – Fort George Board of Directors Council on behalf of the electors in the Village of McBride consenting to the adoption of the RDFFG Fire Department Coordination Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1990, Amendment Bylaw No, 3310, 2023. CAO Salt explained that this bylaw will remove the maximum requisition amount that each department can submit throughout each year.
Council directed staff to send a copy of the Urgent Need for Water Conservation news release issued on July 11th to all community water systems users through the mail and to cover the additional postage expense.
Deputy Mayor Peter Caputo called the McBride Council meeting to order at 7:01pm on July 25th.
Public and Press comments
Doug Munroe addressed the council during the questions from the public and press portion. He wanted to thank staff and council for the forward thinking that has resulted in the zoning amendment bylaw no 818, 2023 regarding the new zone. The proposed IH-1 zone’s principal use is to permit residential-institutional housing. It was voted on later in the meeting.
Mobile Vendor request
Council agreed to let The Country Girl’s Kitchen Mobile Vendor park and use the electrical services on the Village property at Steve Kolida Park during the Community Market every Friday until September 1st.
Letter of support – Little Munchkins
Council directed staff to provide a letter of support to Tabatha Reis for her grant submission regarding building a dedicated daycare centre for McBride.
Cannabis retail zoning bylaw
Council gave final reading and adoption to zoning amendment bylaw No. 817, 2023. The bylaw will only permit Retail Cannabis in the Highway Commercial and Mainstreet Commercial zones. There are additional provisions that restrict this use within 150m of a school.
Zoning amendment Bylaw No. 818, 2023
Council gave first and second reading to zoning amendment bylaw no 818, 2023 and directed staff to schedule a public hearing. The proposed amendment includes the creation of a new zone, to support seniors and other forms of supportive housing such as student housing. The proposed IH-1 zone’s principal use is to permit residential-institutional housing for use by a specific use group, inclusive of seniors’ housing. The new zone includes multiple accessory uses that are supportive of seniors living and support facilities.
By-Election appointment of officers
Council moved to appoint Finance Coordinator Sherri Flynn as Chief Elections Officer and Director of Finance/Interim CAO/Interim CO Sandra Salt as the Deputy Chief Elections Officer for the 2023 Village of McBride Local Government By-Election. Council also approved remuneration of $1,000 to the Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2023 election.
In Camera
Council moved an in camera portion for consideration of matters of the Community Charter related to Section 90 (1) (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.
The public portion of the meeting adjourned at 7:17pm.
