McBride Council: Senior housing update, water metering and grant timing discussion
By Andrea Arnold
Mayor Gene Runtz called the McBride Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on January 28th. Council received an update on the Robson Valley Legacies Senior Housing Development, discussed further the implications of water metering and adopted a new OHS policy.
Senior Housing update
Doug Monroe presented a status update on the Robson Valley Legacies Senior Housing Development. He said that the project has not gone ahead as they had hoped because the other project he had mentioned in May has not gone as smoothly as they had hoped. In the meantime, Monroe said they have been working behind the scenes so that when they can begin construction, they have everything in place. He had with him drawings for 90 per cent of the completed project. Monroe said they have been working with Northern Health and the building inspector. They also have been compiling materials and finalising processes.
The first building they plan to construct is a single story four-plex. The plan for this and all residences is to provide seniors a home where they can age in place, transitioning from independent living to assisted living then to long term care.
Mayor Runtz asked if the concrete sandwich panel construction method has been approved. Monroe said that yes, the method, usually used for large scale, commercial and multi story buildings had to be modified for their smaller scale needs, but it has been approved. He anticipates the timeline for the first building to be about four months, and they hope to have it ready for residents in late fall or early winter 2025. He expects that the first complex will take a little longer than the rest as they learn.
Monroe said he is looking forward to starting construction after navigating so many hurdles like COVID and material costs.
BC Water Metering Pilot Program
Prior to Council voting on the recommendation regarding the BC water metering pilot program, resident Rick Thompson was given an opportunity to address Council. He said he has had a water meter for about 10 years and is in favor of them, but wondered if the installation of these meters would save or cost the Village money. He said in his experience and research, he has seen a decrease in water cost as low as 15 per cent. He believes that when people see that using less water will cost them less, the overall water use will decrease as well.
Thompson asked whether existing meters would be replaced if the project moves ahead, and how they would be read. Economic Development Officer Karen Dubé said yes, existing meters would be replaced and that they would be read automatically with no need for manual readings. The information would then be sent to a central location. Dubé said the change would also include commercial buildings, and that all expenses associated with the meters would be covered by the grant.
As in the previous meeting, Mayor Runtz again stated that the meters would not mean that charging by usage would occur, that the purpose would be to find and track issues in the water system to allow for timely repairs. If a switch to pay per use was to occur, it would be brought before the community before any decisions were made. This is an opportunity to have the system installation completely covered, if the grant application is successful.
Thompson said he thinks that if the community had more information about the benefits they would be happy to switch to a pay per use system. He volunteered to be a pay per use pilot home if needed.
Runtz said Council needs to be more engaged with managing and studying water use in the village. At the recent BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George – an annual event for municipal governments, First Nations and provincial officials to discuss the natural resource sector – Runtz said McBride was unable to meet with members of the provincial government at the forum. He said this was in part because each time the Village attempted to set up a meeting, provincial government officials were unavailable.
“When I look at what the other villages were doing and stuff, I’d say we weren’t doing our job as complete as it needed to be done. It was very apparent to all of us up there. And that’s our fault,” Runtz said.
He added, “We have to stay right on top of this as a council, okay? We can help and get to people that can make a difference.”
Council moved on to the recommendation that they support an application to the BC Water Metering Pilot Program for the Village of McBride Universal Water Metering Project in the amount of $1,295,100 and agreed to cover any cost overruns and support overall grant management. There are currently 365 locations in the community that would be receiving the meters. Prior to the vote, there was further discussion. Mayor Runtz asked if the job of installation would be done by contractors from within the village or not.
Dubé said the job would be put out to tender, and that there would be potential for locals to bid on it. But she reminded him that they were only in the application phase at this time.
Mayor Runtz asked if when the time comes for tenders, if it was possible to ensure the timeline allows for smaller sized contractors enough time to complete the job, allowing them to be competitive in the bid for the job. Dubé said the timeline is long so that was possible.
Councillor Joe Kolida asked what insurance would be in place to cover these meters if something were to go wrong after installation. Dubé replied that most contractors will have some form of warranty, but as they do not have a vendor selected, they do not have any details yet.
Thompson was allowed to ask a follow up question, and asked who is responsible for meters in new builds. Dubé said there is a bylaw that states that the village will provide meters for new builds.
Councillor Tina Bennett asked why they as council were not given more time to familiarize themselves with the program, so they are able to make an educated decision. McDougall said that often the turnaround time between when they receive grant information and the deadline is tight and they try to get information to council as soon as possible. She also suggested that councillors use the internet to further investigate if they have more questions. Councillor Bennett said that this one came forth a month ago and asked why it just came to them right before the end-of-January deadline.
Councillor Kolida agreed it was a little too fast.
“I have 100 questions,” he said.
Due to these questions he is reluctant to make a decision. He requested that Village staff provide council with more time and information for making decisions about grants, and to allow for public input. He also believes that the move to metered pay by use is inevitable.
Mayor Runtz said that this particular grant came through during the Christmas break, and that they would work on providing more time for council and community input on future grants. The recommendation was passed with a vote of three to two with Councillors Kolida and Bennett in opposition.
Village Projects Report
The Village Projects report was brought forward as an information item. This is a new addition to the agenda that will provide council and the public a clearer idea of what the village is doing. Listed on this first report was: the Airport – Zoning amendment and lagoon, BC Air Access Program – Cardlock Fuel System Project, alternate community water source feasibility study, cemetery fencing, dominion creek bridge (water reservoir), train station renovations and work on the water reservoir. Mayor Runtz would like to see on the report a per cent or details as to where the projects are at. He would also like to see timing allowed for each project to allow for local small contractors to have the opportunity to bid on projects.
Fraser Headwater Alliance support
McBride resident Brad Kope addressed Council regarding the request from the Fraser Headwater Alliance asking for support for the CNC Research Forest Society Legacy Fund application. Kope pointed out that the request does not state how much money the FHA needs to further upgrade the historic Goat River trail. He also asked if this is a Village of McBride item or if it should be brought to the Regional District.
CAO Jeanette McDougall said that letters of support requests do not always state the amount of money needed for a project. They are just asking for a letter stating that the community is in support of the project. This same explanation goes for the question of jurisdiction.
Councillors Kolida and Bennett stepped out due to a conflict of interest prior to the vote. Council passed the motion directing staff to provide a letter of support to the Fraser Headwaters Alliance regarding their application to the CNC Research Forest Society Legacy Fund to further upgrade the historic Goat River trail.
Occupational Health and Safety
Council adopted Policy OHS – 03 Version 1- Occupational Health and Safety. The village has not previously had one in place. This new policy outlines the principles that guide the Village in creating and maintaining a psychologically and physically safe and healthy workplace and identifies responsibilities necessary to meet the Village’s commitment.
In Camera
In a late item, Council made the recommendation to waive the requirement as per section 127.1a4 of the Community Charter to hold a Special Council meeting for the purpose of moving to an in-camera section under section (c) labour and employee relations. No discussion was had and the vote was called. Four members of council voted in favour. Councillor Frear abstained saying he did not understand what was going on. CAO McDougall said that in order for the meeting to continue, all of Council needed to vote in order.
With no in-camera meeting scheduled, the meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
