By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
Village Council discussed upcoming railroad maintenance, supporting Earth Day events and amendments to various bylaws at their April 9th regular meeting.
After Mayor Owen Torgerson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m., Council amended the evening’s agenda. Initially, the agenda included an in-camera session to discuss matters related to the security of the property of the municipality, but Council decided to remove that item. Council also added an item to the agenda: a letter from Robson Valley Community Services (RVCS) requesting a letter of support for a grant application.
After approving the amended agenda, Council moved on to the evening’s delegation.
Delegation
Victoria Hua and Tyler Banick of Canadian National Railway, also known as CN, gave a presentation on the company’s upcoming plans to rehabilitate the railroad crossing at 5th Avenue. The crossing needs new wooden planks, along with a replacement for damaged rail and fasteners, said Hua. Read more about CN’s plans in this week’s issue.
Council moved to receive the delegation.
Correspondence for Action
Robson Valley Community Services (RVCS) sent a letter asking Council to provide a letter of support for their application to Infrastructure Canada’s Rural Transit Solution Fund.
Because of the lack of regular transit within and between Robson Valley communities, the region is a “transportation desert,” according to the letter. RVCS is seeking funding to plan and design transit for the region, and partner with Valemount’s Care-a-Van service to make it better funded and more accessible.
Infrastructure Canada requires applicants to provide letters of support from local governments to prove that they offer a variety of services within their region. RVCS reached out to Valemount and McBride Councils to acquire letters of support.
Councillor Hollie Blanchette moved to provide a letter of support, seconded by Councillor Hugo Mulyk. The motion carried with all in favour.
Highway Association meeting
Councillor Pete Pearson is also President of the Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway Association. The Association will have its annual general meeting in Edmonton on Friday, May 31st.
Pearson moved for Council’s support to send him to Edmonton on the 30th, then return on Saturday, June 1st. Mulyk seconded his motion, and it was carried with all in favour.
Highway Association Call for Resolutions
Torgerson said that the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has agreed to submit a resolution on the Village’s behalf asking for the Jasper Park West Gate to be upgraded to have an additional bypass lane and reconstructed ticketing kiosks.
Celebration of Tourism
On May 18th, Tourism Valemount will host a Celebration of Tourism event. The public event will include speeches from local representatives and Council members, followed by a social hour at 7:30 p.m.
Tourism Valemount sent a letter asking Council and Mayor Torgerson to attend. Torgerson said that he will be attending the event.
Earth Day event
Tourism Valemount is holding a “Cache In, Trash Out” event at George Hicks Regional Park on April 20th, two days before Earth Day. The event will include a lesson on geocaching – a scavenger hunt-like activity where participants find hidden boxes based on GPS coordinates – and a clean up of litter in the park.
For last year’s Cache In, Trash Out event, the Village provided handheld trash pickers and a garbage truck. Tourism Valemount asked Council to provide the pickers and a garbage truck or bin for this year’s event, and invited the Mayor and Councillors to attend.
Pearson moved to provide these items, seconded by Mulyk. The motion carried with all in favour.
Lheidli T’enneh Community Consultations
In January, Premier David Eby announced that the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation would receive funding for a community consultation project regarding a Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth in Northern B.C. The consultations, taking place in 16 different municipalities, will be used to identify what services the Centre will provide based on the needs of children and youth in the region.
Torgerson said he would like to attend the consultation in Valemount, which will be held on April 25th.
Development Permit for Bakery
Owners of the Valemount Swiss Bakery applied for a development permit to add a second floor to its building, and extend its parking lot. The permit included a variance to allow the use of compact soil and crushed rock, as opposed to pavement.
Council passed a motion to approve the variance.
Change to public notice
Council previously moved to give first and second reading to an amendment to the Village’s Public Notice Bylaw at the March 12th Council meeting. The amendment names the Village website as a method of notice for public hearings and meetings.
Council moved to give the amendment third reading with all in favour.
Dispute adjudication bylaw
At the most recent Council meeting, Council moved to give first and second reading to an updated dispute adjudication bylaw, which establishes fines for violations of building codes. The previous bylaw was adopted in 2003 and was out of date, according to the staff report.
The bylaw amendments align with the current B.C. Building Codes, and brings the Village in line with the Regional District regarding the cost of fines for violating the codes.
Council moved to give the bylaw third reading with all in favour.
Changes to building bylaw fees
Village staff drafted a set of updated fees for building inspections and permit applications. The proposed fees were given first and second reading at the March 26th meeting.
Council moved to give the Fees and Charges bylaw 3rd reading.
Adjournment
With no in-camera session for the evening, Torgerson adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
