McBride Council: McBride Secondary Grad, Men’s Shed open house, NCLGA
By Spencer Hall
Mayor Gene Runtz called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Council approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of its previous regular meeting on March 11th.
McBride Graduation
McBride Secondary School Grad Representative Jessica Buck sent a letter to Council requesting that Mayor Runtz attend the school’s graduation and awards ceremony held on Saturday, June 21st at the McBride Secondary Gymnasium. Buck said the school would be honored to have Runtz present a brief greeting to the 2025 graduating class at the ceremony.
Council approved the recommendation that Village staff respond to Buck to confirm that either Runtz or an alternate member of Council would attend.
McBride Community Market
Council received a letter from Jackie Edwards, manager of the McBride Community Market, requesting permission to use the pavilion at Steve Kolida Park on Fridays for 11 weeks, starting June 20th. “As you are aware, the Market has been an ongoing summer event since the mid 1990s and has been a draw for both community members and tourists,” Edwards said in her letter. She added the Market would purchase event insurance for the summer and would forward the Village proof of purchase prior to June 20th. Council approved the Market’s use of the pavilion, contingent on receipt of certificate of insurance.
Additional BC Drag-iT activities
Organizer of the BC Drag-iT challenge Richard Rollinson is planning some additional events to bring to McBride the weekend of the Drag-iT event. In his letter to Council, Rollinson said the events he’d like to bring to the village on June 21st could include a show and shine, road safety displays, music, membership drives for local non-profits, public demonstrations of emergency services, children’s games, a bicycle rodeo, a 50/50 draw supporting the McBride Legion, and a barbecue in Steve Kolida Park.
“I would like to formally invite Mayor and Council to attend these events on June 21st in your roles as community ambassadors. We would particularly welcome your participation during the BBQ to flip burgers,” Rollinson wrote.
Staff recommended that Council direct Village administration to confirm Mayor and Council’s attendance at the BBQ event. Council approved the recommendation.
McBride Men’s Shed Open House
The McBride Men’s Shed is hosting an open house on March 22nd and invited Mayor and Council to attend the event. The McBride Men’s Shed is a support group for men’s physical and mental health. The group allows members to socialize and learn new skills while helping their community. According to Men’s Sheds Canada, the Men’s Shed movement began in Australia during the 1990s and took root in Canada in the early 2000s, growing steadily since then.
The McBride Men’s Shed open house will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 22nd at 902 2nd Avenue. Refreshments such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and hot dogs will be served.
Council received the email for information.
North Central Local Government Association AGM & Convention
The annual North Central Local Government Association AGM and Convention is scheduled to be held from May 12th to 15th in Prince Rupert, B.C. In her report, CAO Jeanette McDougall said about 250 delegates from across northern B.C. are expected to attend, and it provides an opportunity to network and showcase the Village of McBride. She requested Council’s approval for the Mayor, Council, and Chief Administrative Officer to attend.
Registration for each attendee costs $720, however the Village has been offered two complimentary registration fees due to a credit from the 2024 convention. Mayor Gene Runtz said typically the Village approves all members of Council to attend the convention, but said it costs the Village a lot of money. He said if every member of Council wants to go, he wants councillors to line up meetings with provincial ministers as soon as possible.
Runtz said each member of Council has certain qualities and capabilities that he wants to maximize when meeting with ministers. Council approved the attendance of Runtz, McDougall and all members of Council at the NCLGA convention. Should the cost of attending the convention not fit into the Village’s budget, Council will reassess who will attend.
Speeding concerns
Under new business, Councillor Pietro Caputo raised concerns regarding vehicles speeding down First Avenue. Runtz pointed out the speed limit along that road is 40 km per hour. Caputo said he was aware of that but that the speed limit is rarely followed, and suggested putting a three-way stop on the road to slow down the flow of traffic.
After some discussion, Kolida suggested inviting the RCMP to Council to discuss how to best deal with the speeding issue. The recommendation was approved by Council.
New Dominion Creek water weir
After discussing a concept of a new water weir on Dominion Creek at its committee of the whole meeting, Council approved the expenditure of $300,000 to be drawn from the growing Communities Reserve Fund to move forward in replacing the existing Dominion Creek weir. To read more about the proposed weir project, see our story on P4.
In Camera
Council proceeded to an In-Camera Council Meeting for consideration of matters of the Community Charter related to Section 90 (1): (c) labor relations or other employee relations.
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
