By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
Valemount Council heard a delegation from Columbia Basin Trust, discussed RV use in the village, and authorized an agreement with the Union of B.C. Municipalities to receive over $55,000 in funding for infrastructure at their July 9th regular meeting.
Mayor Owen Torgerson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Council moved to amend the evening’s agenda by adding a request for decision report which would authorize the mayor and corporate officer to sign the 2024-2034 Canada Community Building Fund Agreement on behalf of the Village.
After adopting minutes from council’s June 25th regular meeting and the June 19th special meeting, council heard from the evening’s delegation.
Updates from Columbia Basin Trust
Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO of Columbia Basin Trust, gave a presentation on the work the organization has done over the past few years. The Trust used to provide annual organizational updates to local governments, but paused the practice during COVID restrictions. According to Strilaeff, annual updates will continue from now on.
After a year and a half of community consultation, the Trust renewed its Columbia Basin Management Plan in February. The plan, available on the Trust’s website, outlines strategic priorities for the Trust over the next 10 years, such as continuing to grow the Trust’s endowment and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples in the region.
Throughout 2024, the Trust will work on an implementation framework which will establish actions for the organization to take so it can achieve these goals. This may include the creation of new programs, which will be announced in the fall and winter, according to Strilaeff.
Strilaeff highlighted nine Valemount-area projects for which the Trust partnered with community organizations during 2023 and 2024, such as the installation of backup generators for the Valemount Community Hall and the Robson Valley Community Services’ Seniors Outreach Activity Program.
Strilaeff also told Council that the Trust may have to reduce its delivery of benefits program within the next year, meaning there may be less financial support available for community organizations. A mechanical issue at the Arrow Lakes Generating Station may be an “eight-figure impact” on the Trust’s finances, according to Strilaeff – if the cost of repairs is not covered by insurance, the Trust will have to use money from the delivery of benefits program to pay for repairs. Read more about the damaged turbine in this week’s issue.
Councillor Hugo Mulyk said he looks forward to the Trust continuing its collaboration with community organizations over the next year. Councillor Pete Pearson asked if there is a timeline for when the Trust will know whether repairs will be covered by insurance, and Strilaeff said it will likely be in early- or mid-September.
Torgerson asked Strilaeff to clarify the Trust’s role amid the Columbia River Treaty negotiations. The treaty, which governs how the U.S. and Canada share the river water flow, and the hydroelectricity and money generated from the river, is currently being updated.
Strilaeff said the Trust acts as a liaison between basin residents and the negotiators on the Local Government Committee by providing information sessions about the treaty. However, the Trust does not play a direct role in the negotiations.
After moving to receive the delegation, Council moved on to administrative reports.
RV Use
Residents John and Sherral Shaw applied for a Temporary Use Permit to use an RV as a place of residence while their house is being constructed.
Previously, the Village’s Temporary Residential Structures Policy allowed for RVs to be used as residences, as there was a housing shortage during pipeline construction. With more accommodations available now that pipeline work is coming to a close, and because RVs do not meet the BC Building Code requirements for a permanent residence, Council moved to repeal this policy during their May 14th meeting.
According to the staff report, feedback from the fire department said the RV poses a fire and safety hazard since additional heating sources were installed in the vehicle. Additionally, the Village’s Building Inspector confirmed the RV is not suitable as year-round living quarters pursuant to the BC Building Code. As such, staff recommended against giving initial approval to the Temporary Use Permit application.
“There are other options for parking an RV long term through the spring, summer, and fall months at nearby campgrounds,” the report reads. “Some may also offer year-round camping options.”
Councillors Pete Pearson and Hugo Mulyk moved to follow the recommendation.
“I think we’ve already dealt with this as far as moving forward from the need for the (Temporary Use Permits) with the pipeline residency situation,” said Pearson. “I think there are other options, so I support the recommendation.”
Mulyk said he agreed with Pearson’s comments about the permits, and he believes there are other accommodation options for the Shaws.
Council unanimously voted not to approve the application.
5th Avenue cabin renovation
As previously reported in The Goat, RVCS is preparing to renovate its property at 1444 5th Avenue. This includes the replacement of the front left portion of the building, which is an old cabin lacking proper foundation that the rest of the building was built around. As such, Co-Executive Directors of RVCS Donalda Beeson and Jana MacMaster applied for a development permit to make these changes.
Staff recommended that the application be approved, on two conditions:
- “That an Encroachment Agreement be required for the parking along 5th avenue that is located on the Village Road right-of-way.”
- “That ‘small vehicle parking only’ signs be posted for the parking located to the front of the building.”
According to CAO Anne Yanciw, encroachment agreements are used to delegate responsibilities for property care – such as clearing snow – when someone’s property extends onto another property. Beeson and MacMaster propose using existing Village parking spaces on 5th Avenue as their accessible parking spaces because they are closer to the building’s ramp and door, which would require an encroachment agreement.
The Public Works Superintendent recommended adding “small vehicle parking only” signs near the 5th Avenue parking spaces so access to the nearby Bigfoot Trail will not be impeded by large parked vehicles.
“I support the application,” Councillor Pearson said. “I guess my biggest concern is, we’re losing the log cabin. A little piece of history is gonna go away, but other than that I support the recommendation (to approve the application).”
Councillor Mulyk agreed that removing the cabin is unfortunate.
“That (building) has been here a long time,” he said. “But it’s not suitable in its current state, so it’s time to move on.”
Council unanimously approved the development permit application. Now, staff will draft and enter into an Encroachment Agreement for RVCS to use the parking spaces in the Village right-of-way.
Community Building Fund
Valemount will be receiving money from the Canada Community-Building Fund each year over the next decade. The fund, administered as part of an agreement between Canada, British Columbia, and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is meant to provide long-term, predictable funding for local governments to dedicate to infrastructure projects, according to the UBCM’s webpage on the fund.
The amount of funding the Village will receive will change year-to-year based on a formula outlined in the Community Works Fund Agreement. This year, Valemount will receive $55,657.
In order to receive this payment, the Village must provide a Council resolution authorizing the Mayor and Corporate Officer to sign an agreement between the Village and UBCM.
Council unanimously voted to authorize the signing.
“It’s nice to have a stable source of revenue for 10 years,” Councillor Pearson said.
RVCS letter of support
RVCS is applying for the Community Places funding program from the Northern Development Initiative Trust. Money from the program will be used to improve the outdoor spaces on the RVCS property at 1444 5th Avenue, according to a letter to Council from Co-executive Director Donalda Beeson.
In her letter, Beeson asked for a resolution from Council announcing their support of the application.
Council unanimously approved a resolution to provide a letter of support for the application.
Adjournment
Torgerson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
