By Andrea Arnold
McBride Mayor Gene Runtz called the Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on October 22nd to discuss MCFC partnership, Halloween plans and the annual Bung Bung Vintage snowmobile event. Following the introduction of new items and removal of the in camera portion, Council moved to a Public Hearing for the Proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 830, 2024.
Public Hearing
Proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 830, 2024
The purpose of the bylaw is to allow one family residential as permitted accessory use (apartments contained within the hangars) and commercial activities (airside activities such as maintenance) that are site-specific to the Charlie Leake Airport..
No written submissions, comments via zoom or in-person were made so the public hearing was adjourned and the regular council meeting reconvened at 6:09 p.m.
Delegation
Micheal Martineau with KPMG, a global organization of independent services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services, made a presentation to Council regarding a proposed limited partnership between the Village and the McBride Community Forest Corporation.
In August 2022 the federal income tax act changed and the exemption that the village previously relied on no longer exists. A partnership between the Village of McBride and the Community Forest would return the organization into the tax exempt category, allowing more funds to remain in the community.
Immediately following the presentation and discussion, Council made a motion and voted unanimously to direct MCFC to follow through with the next steps towards the development of a partnership with the Village.
Big County Snowmobile support
Council directed staff to provide a letter of support to the McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association. The group is applying for grants that will allow the work needed to keep Renshaw road open and provide the vital support to the community through the tourism the Renshaw brings.
Signage on hold
Council agreed to table the decision to support the Northern British Columbia Tourism – Northern BC Tourism Association’s application to the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program for a Phase 3 Iconic Signage project that would see two tourism-focused signs installed at McBride’s Visitor Centre. The decision was made after Councillor Tina Bennett asked why two signs seven or eight feet tall were needed at the McBride Visitor Centre. CAO Jeanette McDougall said she would look into it and bring the matter back to Council at a later date.
Halloween treats
Council approved a request from the Elks and Royal Purple to use the Steve Kolida Pavilion and power on Thursday, October 31st, 2024 to serve hot dogs and hot chocolate, contingent on receipt of a Certificate of Insurance.
Bung Bung Friday night
Council approved two requests from the McBride Elks and Royal Purple pertaining to the Bung Bung event on Friday, November 22nd. The first approval was for the placement of a porta-potty to be placed in the park on the 22nd and to be removed on the 23rd. Second, Council approved their application for beer garden endorsement for Friday, November 22nd, contingent on receipt of a Certificate of Insurance.
New hiking trails
In the information only portion of the agenda was a document from Craig Pryor, General Manager, McBride Community Forest regarding a new hiking trail on Lucille Mountain that the MCFC has laid out in partnership with Recreation Sites and Trails BC.
The trail is close in proximity but not inside the Dominion Creek domestic watershed. Pryor confirmed that they would take precautions and create walkways and bridges to keep recreational traffic out of the riparian areas. The proposed trail ties in to some existing trails and is located in a cedar hemlock old growth area.
The letter states the trail will be open to all levels of users, so Councillor Bennett asked if that includes horseback riders. Pryor responded that the trail will be for hiking only, adding that it would be fairly cheap and simple to install. Councillor Joe Kolida asked how long the trail is. Pryor said that the longer loop is about two kilometres, starting and ending at the Lucille parking lot.
Community tax exemptions
Council gave first, second and third reading of Bylaw No. 831, 2024 “The Village of McBride 2025 Permissive Tax Exemptions.” The properties that fall under this bylaw are St. Paul’s United Church, the Roman Catholic Episcopal Church and Rectory, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church, the McBride Evangelical Free Church and the Open Gate Community Garden.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw
Council moved to give the Village of McBride Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 830, 2024 third reading and then to adopt the bylaw. The purpose of the bylaw is to allow one family residential as permitted accessory use (apartments contained within the hangars) and commercial activities (airside activities such as maintenance) that are site specific to the airport.
Workplace bullying and sexual harassment
Council approved the Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy – OHS -02, Version 2 as presented. The policy has been created in-house. Councillor Bennett asked who would take on the role of senior manager in the case of a complaint being filed against the CAO. McDougall replied that it would be the Public Works Manager that would receive the complaint.
Bung Bung street closures
Council approved two requests for temporary street closures from Matt Elliott for the annual Bung Bung event. First, a closure of Holdway Street, between First and Second Avenue from Friday, November 22nd at 4:00 p.m. until Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 a.m.
Secondly, a closure for Lonsdale Street to King Street via First Avenue and Main Street, First Avenue to Second Avenue for Friday, November 22nd from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the Vintage Snowmobile event contingent on receipt of Certificate of Insurance.
Business Facade funding application
Council approved the draft 2025 Village of McBride Business Facade Improvement Program Guide. They also directed staff to submit an application to Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Business Facade Improvement Program for a grant of up to $20,000. This money would be used to support the McBride Business Facade Improvement Program. The Village also agreed to support the overall grant management.
Community Forest Corporation Shareholders
Council approved the attached Community Forest Corporation Shareholders Consent Resolution pertaining to the election of Directors dated June 30th, 2023. Council also approved the attached 2023 Shareholders Consent Resolutions that deem the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the MCFC was held on August 31st 2023.
MCFC Annual Shareholder meeting
McBride Community Forest Corporation Annual General Shareholder Meeting 2024
Council recessed the regular Council meeting at 6:47 p.m. in order to conduct the McBride Community Forest Corporation Annual General Shareholder Meeting 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:48 p.m.
Reports
The MCFC Shareholders approved the receipt of reports from the following: MCFC Chair Michael Monroe, MCFC Manager Craig Pryor and the MCFC 2023 Year End Report.
Legal appointment
The MCFC Shareholders approved reappointing KPMG as the auditors for the year ending December 31st, 2024.
Directors appointment
The MCFC Shareholders confirmed the appointment of Directors Randy Kolida, Terry Kuzma, Waren McLennan and Michael Monroe for a two-year term commencing October 22nd, 2024 and ending October 21st, 2026.
There were no submissions from the public and question period.
The Shareholder meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
The regular council meeting was reconvened at 6:56 p.m. The in-camera portion had been removed so the meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
