MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD

MONDAY, APRIL 25 2005 AT 7:00 PM IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

                                               

PRESENT:  Mayor McRae, Councillors Lord, Mealey, Patterson, Price and

                        Solda.

 

EXCUSED:   Councillor Chopra.

 

 

A.        APPROVAL OF AGENDA (including introduction of late items)

 

Mealey/Lord                 

That the agenda be adopted as circulated with the addition of late items C.4 from the SOS Committee and E.4.1 from Barbara Cooper.

Carried

 

B.        ADOPTION OF MINUTES

 

Mealey/Lord     

That the minutes of the April 11, 2005 Regular Meeting be adopted as circulated.

Carried

 

C.        DELEGATIONS

 

1.         Alberni Valley Spirit of BC Community Committee

Dan Washington, Chair and Tom Housholder were in attendance to provide a brief overview of Committee activities.

 

Lord/Price          

That the letter from Dan Washington, Chair, Alberni Valley Spirit of BC Community Committee, dated April 15, 2005 be received and Council for the City of Port Alberni concur with the request to write a letter to John Furlong, CEO, Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, requesting that the Olympic Torch Run include the Alberni Valley, and also that  Councillor Mealey sit as a member of the local Spirit of BC Committee.

Carried

 

2.         Welcome Wagon

Colleen Miller was in attendance to make a presentation on behalf of the Welcome Wagon, including presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation to the City of Port Alberni and requesting that the week of May 2 to 6, 2005 be proclaimed as "Official Welcome Wagon Week" in Port Alberni.

 

Price/Mealey          

That the letter be received and the week of May 2 to 6, 2005 be proclaimed as "Official Welcome Wagon Week" in Port Alberni as requested.

Carried

 

3.         Proud & Proactive Committee

            Members of the Proud & Proactive Committee were in attendance to discuss

their achievements to date, advise of the Media Wise Information Session to be held on May 11, 2005 and present to Council their Media Resource Handbook.

 

 

4.         SOS (Save Our Services) Committee

Bev Denning in attendance to speak against a request that the City remove the SOS signs across from West Coast General Hospital.  (Item E.4).

            Carried

 

D.        PROCLAMATIONS                                                            

 

1.         Deb Barr, Recreation Programmer, Parks and Recreation Department

 

            Solda/Mealey          

            That the letter dated April 20, 2005 requesting that June 5 to 11, 2005 be proclaimed as "Seniors' Week" in Port Alberni, and requesting a photo with the Mayor and the Seniors' Week Organizing Committee to advertise this event be received, and the week of June 5 to 11, 2005 be proclaimed as "Seniors' Week” in Port Alberni and a photo opportunity be arranged as requested.

Carried

 

E.        CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION

 

1.         Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

 

           Solda/Mealey          

That the memo dated April 7, 2005 advising of a funding program to assist communities under the Seniors Housing and Support Initiative, called "Seniors in Communities Dialogue", be received.

Carried

 

2.         Canada Day Parade 2005

 

  Price/Mealey          

That the e-mail from Sally Anderson on behalf of the Folkfest Multicultural Association dated April 13, 2005 regarding the Canada Day celebrations on Friday, July 1, 2005 as well as requesting permission to hold the parade, be received and the requests for the use of the ADSS/Burde Street area for marshalling, the use of 10th Avenue and part of Burde Street, 11th Avenue, 12th Avenue and Anderson Avenue be approved subject to the provision of  $2,000,000 liability insurance in the City’s name and pertinent information being provided to the RCMP, Fire Department, and BC Ambulance.

Carried

 

3.         Murray Preusche

 

  Price/Mealey                    

That the fax dated April 19, 2005 expressing concerns about the condition of the railroad crossing on Stamp Avenue in front of Norske Mill and a report from the Acting City Engineer regarding the repairs, be received. 

Carried

 

4.         Alberni-Qualicum Liberal Riding Association

 

  Patterson/Solda          

That the letter dated April 20, 2005 asking to have the "Don't Care Card" signs removed from City property (located across the highway from West Coast General Hospital) and a report from the Administrative Assistant dated April 20, 2005 providing the resolution passed by Council, March 8th, 2004, be received and Council continue to grant permission for the signs to remain with a review of their status being given in 6 months.

Carried

 

4.1       Barbara Cooper

 

  Patterson/Solda                     

That the e-mail dated April 25, 2005 expressing concerns about the possibility of the SOS signs being removed from City property (located across the highway from West Coast General Hospital), be received.

Carried

 

 

           

F.         INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

1.         Consul General of Italy, Vancouver

Letter dated March 31, 2005 enclosing the Guide "Over 100 Years of Italian Associations in British Columbia" celebrating the 100th Anniversary of their two oldest Societies in British Columbia (the "Confratellanza" in Vancouver, and the "Cristoforo Colombo" in Trail).

 

2.         Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia

Letter dated April 6, 2005 advising that the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia has achieved another milestone with their Spring, 2005 debenture issue resulting in every local government in BC enjoying a lower interest rate than the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto.

 

3.         Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia

Letter dated April 15, 2005 providing the City of Port Alberni's share of the MFA Leasing Program dividend ($76.92).

 

4.         British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC)

Letter dated April 8, 2005 advising of the Edge Tree Program that BCTC is about to initiate on land adjacent to Port Alberni, from the Dunsmuir Substation to Wallace Street.  BCTC is the Crown Corporation that plans, operates and maintains BC Hydro's Transmission assets. 

 

5.         Provincial Emergency Program

            Letter dated March 21, 2005 advising that May 1 to 7, 2005 is "Emergency Preparedness Week 2005", and inviting Port Alberni to participate in this important annual event.

 

6.         Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services

            Letter dated March 31, 2005 enclosing Certificate of Approval No. 15697 for Bylaw 4575, cited as "Long Term Capital Borrowing (New Port Alberni RCMP Detachment) Bylaw No. 4575, 2004".

 

7.         Liquor Control and Licensing Branch

            Policy Directive dated April 7, 2005 announcing recent amendments to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act Regulations and policies regarding packaged liquor pricing in licensee retail stores (LRS).

 

8.         Union of British Columbia Municipalities

            Memorandum dated April 7, 2005 providing an update on a treaty-related issue of key importance to local governments - additions to Treaty Settlement Land.

 

9.         Union of British Columbia Municipalities

            Letter dated April 14, 2005 enclosing a cheque in the amount of $4,149.84 representing the City of Port Alberni's share of the proceeds of the 2004 Commercial Vehicle Licensing Program.

 

10.       Indian and Northern Affairs Canada    

            Letter dated April 4, 2005 enclosing two videos, "First Nations/Private Sector Partnerships" and "First Nation Business in BC", and thanking the Mayor for his participation in the project and making of the video.

 

11.       BC Hydro

            Letter dated April 6, 2005 inviting comment on their draft Resource Options material by stakeholders and First Nations who were involved in the development of the 2005 Integrated Electricity Plan.

 

12.       Port Alberni Grand Prix

Letter dated April 8, 2005 advising that the directors of the 2005 Port Alberni Grand Prix have unfortunately agreed to cancel the 2005 Port Alberni Grand Prix due to the fact that Vancouver Island lost its Karting facility in 2004, and have been unable to acquire a new home for 2005.

 

13.       Gillian Trumper, MLA (Alberni-Qualicum)

Letter dated April 11, 2005 advising that the City's application under the Local Government Tsunami Preparedness Program has been approved. 

 

14.       Gillian Trumper, MLA (Alberni-Qualicum)

Letter dated April 7, 2005 responding to the City's letter regarding the Province's objectives for BC Hydro and their purchase of energy.

 

15.       Alberni-Clayoquot Film Commission

Letter dated April 12, 2005 thanking the Mayor and Council for their support at the recent budget committee meeting of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.

 

16.       Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL)

Fax dated April 14, 2005 attaching a copy of their April 2005 Board Meeting News Brief.

 

17.       Western Canada Wilderness Committee

Letter dated May 17, 2005 enclosing their latest education report entitled "Vote Wild! May 17, 2005". 

           

18.       City of Burnaby

Letter dated April 7, 2005 advising of a resolution passed at their Council meeting held April 4, 2005 requesting a Public Inquiry into the Investigation of the Air India Bombing.

 

19.       Government of Canada News Release – New Deal for Cities and            Communities – Federal Gas Tax

            Fax received April 20, 2005 announcing an agreement on federal gas tax       investments in BC’s cities and communities.   For the community of Port Alberni      

            the New Deal means $2,075,451 funding over the next five years.       

 

  Mealey/Lord       

That Informational Correspondence items numbered 1 through 19 be

received and filed.

Carried

 

G.        UNFINISHED BUSINESS                         NIL

 

 

H.        BYLAWS      

 

1.         "5 Year Financial Plan 2005 - 2009, Bylaw No. 4587"

           

   Lord/Mealey   

That "5 Year Financial Plan 2005 - 2009, Bylaw No. 4587" be now finally adopted, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the corporate seal and numbered 4587.

Carried

 

 

2.         "Tax Rates 2005, Bylaw No. 4588"

 

   Lord/Mealey          

That "Tax Rates 2005, Bylaw No. 4588" be now introduced and read a first time.

Carried

 

   Lord/Patterson     

That "Tax Rates 2005, Bylaw No. 4588" be read a second time.

Carried

 

   Lord/Mealey    

That "Tax Rates 2005, Bylaw No. 4588" be read a third time.

Carried

 

I.          REPORTS

 

1.         Accounts

 

   Lord/Price    

That the certification of the Director of Finance dated April 25, 2005 be received and payment of accounts totalling $529,614.18 be approved.

Carried

 

2.         RCMP

 

            Solda/Mealey

That the monthly report from the OIC, Port Alberni Detachment providing information about current departmental operations in April 2005, be received.

Carried

 

3.         Parks and Recreation

 

            Mealey/Lord

That the monthly report from the Director of Parks and Recreation providing information about current departmental operations in April 2005, be received.

Carried

 

4.         Museum       

           

            Patterson/Mealey

That the monthly report from the Museum Director providing information about current departmental operations in April 2005, be received.

Carried

 

5.         Director of Parks and Recreation - Liftgate Purchase

 

            Lord/Mealey

That the report from the Director of Parks and Recreation dated April 20, 2005 be received and Council endorse the recommendation that a rear liftgate be purchased from Del Equipment in the amount of $3,700 plus tax, and the funds be provided from the ERRF account.

Carried

 

6.         Acting City Engineer - Engineering Department 2005 Equipment Purchases

 

            Price/Solda

That the report from the Acting City Engineer dated April 19, 2005 be received and Council approve the replacement of units #156, 340, 376, 405, 425 and 516 for a total cost including taxes of $869,788 from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Fund.

Carried

 

7.         Mayor's Report

 

            The Mayor reported on recent activities and matters of current interest.

 

            Mealey/Patterson

            That the Mayor's report be received.

Carried

 

8.         Councillors' Reports

 

            The Councillors reported on recent activities related to their various portfolios.

 

            Mealey/Lord

                        That the Councillors' reports be received.

Carried

 

J.         QUESTION PERIOD

 

 

 

 

 

            The public and the press were provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Mayor and Council.  There were none.

 

K.        OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

 

There was none.

 

L.         ADJOURNMENT

 

            Mealey/Solda

That the meeting adjourn at 8:50 pm.

Carried

 

 

 

_______________________________              ______________________________

Mayor                                                                         Clerk