MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD

MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2005 AT 7:00 PM IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

 

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

 

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

 

                        Mealey/Patterson

That the agenda be adopted as circulated with the addition of late item C.2  Recognition of Champions, I.7.1 Margaret Street Sewage Pump Station tenders and I.7.2 verbal report from the Director of Parks & Recreation regarding the Library project.

Carried

 

B.        ADOPTION OF MINUTES

 

                        Mealey/Patterson

That the minutes from the Special Meeting held at 4:00 pm and the Regular Meeting held at 7:00 pm on July 25, 2005 be adopted as circulated.

Carried

 

C.        DELEGATIONS

 

1.         Recognition of Champions

            Edna McCreight introduced Special Olympic champions from softball.

 

2.         George McKnight 

Mr. McKnight was in attendance to express his opposition to the proposed sale of

property at the "Harbour View Site" (Kingsway Avenue and Argyle Street).

 

Chopra/Patterson

That the City Planner be directed to thoroughly review the history of the

properties at Kingsway Avenue and Argyle Street and provide a full report

to Council.

Carried

 

D.        PROCLAMATIONS                                    

 

1.         Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

           

                        Chopra/Mealey

            That the letter dated June 27, 2005 advising that on September 29, 2005 UBCM will mark its 100th Anniversary, enclosing a congratulatory letter from the Governor General Her Honour Adrienne Clarkson and requesting that the week of September 26 to 30, 2005 be proclaimed as "UBCM Centennial Week" be received and the week be proclaimed as requested.

Carried

 

2.         British Columbia Teachers' Federation 

 

                        Chopra/Mealey

That the letter dated August 2, 2005 requesting that October 5, 2005 be

proclaimed as "World Teachers' Day" be received and the day be

proclaimed as requested.

Carried

 

E.        CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION

 

1.         Cowichan Citizens Coalition - Duncan Initiative 

 

                        Chopra/Lord

            That the letter dated August 1, 2005 advising of their initiative to urge municipalities to get back to using the Bank of Canada for interest free funding, enclosing a video and information as well as the letter from the Town of Ladysmith requesting  the federal government's consideration and response to a Federation of Canadian Municipalities' request, be received and Council provide a letter of support.

Carried

 

2.         Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) 

 

                        Chopra/Mealey

            That the memo dated July 27, 2005 inviting a representative to a meeting in Courtenay on Friday, August 19, 2005 to update members on the "North Island Coast Initiative" announced by the Premier at the 2005 Annual General Meeting in April, be received and that the Mayor be authorized to attend.

Carried

 

3.         Judith Sayers, Hupacasath First Nation

 

            Price/Patterson

            That the letter dated August 3, 2005 requesting permission to reserve the parking area at Victoria Quay for the 2nd Annual "Choo Kwa Challenge" on Saturday, August 27, 2005 be received, that the Hupacasath be requested to consult with businesses in the area, and Council concur with the request to block off the parking area.

Carried

 

4.         Various Residents 

 

            Chopra/Patterson

            That the e-mail dated August 3, 2005 from concerned citizens requesting that City Council examine current zoning bylaws to encourage more public input regarding publicly owned properties, for both the City and the School District be received.

Carried

 

Chopra/Patterson

That staff be directed to conduct a review of the City's Zoning Bylaw.

Defeated

 

Solda/Patterson

That staff be directed to conduct a review of the City's Zoning Bylaw after

adoption of the Official Community Plan.

Defeated

 

 

F.         INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

1.         BC Transit

Letter dated July 25, 2005 enclosing the "BC Transit 2004/05 Annual Report" which includes more detail on the ridership and performance improvements; writing about the most recent federal government announcements on the New Deal, advising they are working with the Minister of Transportation regarding provincial support to cost-share fuel price increases this year, as well as working to support the provincial government in developing a sustainable funding and governance structure for transit. 

 

2.         American Sail Training Association (ASTA)

E-mail from Steve Baker, Race Director for the American Sail Training Association, thanking Port Alberni for putting on a successful Tall Ships Festival held July 13-15, 2005 and advising they will be sending a request for information to support Port Alberni being named "ASTA Port of the Year".

 

3.         Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

Member Release dated July 29, 2005 providing highlights of the July 21-22, 2005 Executive Meeting noting that the Executive met with the new Minister of Community Services, the Honourable Ida Chong.

 

4.         Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

Memo dated July 29, 2005 announcing that the Executive approved Phase 1 of the Tourism Funding Program.  This will make available in two parts, 50% of the $25 million announced by the Premier at the 2004 Convention.

 

Mealey/Solda

That staff be directed to prepare a proposal under the Tourism Funding Program as announced by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities with Councillor Patterson identified as Council's liaison.

Carried

 

5.         Terasen

Letter dated August 1, 2005 announcing that the Board of Directors of Terasen Inc. unanimously approved a definitive agreement that will see Kinder Morgan, one of the largest energy companies in the United States, acquire all outstanding shares of Terasen.

 

Mealey/Patterson

That Informational Correspondence items numbered 1 through 5 be

received and filed.

Carried

 

 

G.        UNFINISHED BUSINESS            

 

1.         Updates to City of Port Alberni Strategic Plan 

            (from July 25, 2005 Regular Council Meeting)

 

Chopra/Lord

That the City Manager's report dated July 28, 2005 regarding updates to

the City of Port Alberni Strategic Plan, be received and Council for the City

of Port Alberni adopt the presented Strategic Plan, as modified, to be the

City of Port Alberni's 2005 Strategic Plan.

Carried

2.         2007 Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) Convention 

            (from July 25, 2005 Regular Council Meeting)

 

                        Chopra/Mealey

            That the report dated July 27, 2005 from the Administrative Assistant outlining the host community responsibilities and estimated costs to host the 2007 AVICC Convention in Port Alberni, be received.

Carried

 

            Chopra/Mealey

            That the City of Port Alberni provide an expression of interest to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities to host the 2007 Convention, if feasible.

Carried

 

3.         Alexandra Pazitch - Animal Control Bylaw Committee 

            (from July 25, 2005 Regular Council Meeting)

 

                        Mealey/Solda          

                        That discussions regarding proposed Animal Control Bylaw #4593 be         

                        lifted from the table. 

Carried

 

Solda/Lord

That input from the public regarding proposed Animal Control Bylaw #4593 be requested within a one month timeline.

Defeated

 

Solda/Mealey

That the letter from Alexandra Pazitch received July 21, 2005 be received and Council appoint a committee to review proposed Animal Control Bylaw #4593.

Carried

 

 

H.        BYLAWS      

 

1.       Places of Public Worship Exemption Bylaw Amendment 

 

                   Chopra/Patterson

That “Places of Public Worship Exemption Bylaw, Amendment No. 1 No. 4598” be finally adopted, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the Corporate Seal and numbered 4598.

Carried

2.         City Planner - Zoning Amendment Application - R. Shepherd & P. Walker

            5568 Grandview Road (Lot 7, DL 20, Plan 921 Except Plan 17338) 

 

Lord/Chopra

That the report dated July 14, 2005 from the City Planner regarding an application for an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw to rezone the property at 5568 Grandview Road (Lot 7, District Lot 20, Alberni District, Plan 921 Except Plan 17338) from R5 - Rural Residential District to R4 - Semi-Rural Residential District to facilitate an application for a proposed subdivision as well as a report dated August 3, 2005 from the City Planner advising that the Advisory Planning Commission members support this proposal, be received.

Carried

 

Lord/Chopra

That the following recommendations be approved:

 

1.         the City proceed with an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw Map to

      rezone Lot 7, District Lot 20, Alberni District, Plan 921 Except Plan

17338 from R5 -Rural Residential District to R4 - Semi-Rural

residential District, and

2.         the applicant be required to receive preliminary layout approval for

            the proposed subdivision from the City of Port Alberni's Approving

            Officer before final adoption of the Bylaw.

Carried

 

"Zoning Amendment No. 35 (5568 Grandview Road - Shepherd/Walker),

            Bylaw No. 4599"

 

            Lord/Patterson

That "Zoning Amendment No. 35 (5568 Grandview Road - Shepherd/Walker), Bylaw No. 4599" be now introduced and read a first time.

Carried

 

Lord/Solda    

That "Zoning Amendment No. 35 (5568 Grandview Road - Shepherd/Walker), Bylaw No. 4599" be read a second time.

Carried

 

Lord/Chopra

That  "Zoning Amendment No. 35 (5568 Grandview Road - Shepherd/Walker), Bylaw No. 4599" be advanced to a Public Hearing on Monday, September 12, 2005 at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Carried

 

3.         "Zoning Amendment No. 33 (2301 8th Avenue - Engstrom), Bylaw No. 4592" 

 

Lord/Patterson

That "Zoning Amendment No. 33 (2301 8th Avenue - Engstrom), Bylaw No. 4592" be finally adopted, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the Corporate Seal and numbered 4592.

Carried

 

 

4.         Director of Finance - 2005-2009 Amended Financial Plan, Amendment No. 1

            (Stage 2 of the North Port Sewer Abatement Project from 2006 to 2005) 

 

            Chopra/Lord

That the report dated August 2, 2005 from the Director of Finance be

received and Council concur with the request to amend Schedule "A" of

the "5 Year Financial Plan Bylaw, 2005-2009, Bylaw No. 4587" in order to

bring forward the second stage of the North Port Sewer Abatement Project

with funding for this stage to be borrowed and a contribution from capital

reserves.

Carried

 

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

4600"  

 

Chopra/Mealey

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

No. 4600" be now introduced and read a first time.

Carried

 

Chopra/Patterson

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

No. 4600" be read a second time.

Carried

 

Chopra/Solda

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

No. 4600" be read a third time.

Carried

 

 

I.          REPORTS

 

1.         Accounts  

 

Chopra/Lord

            That the certification of the Director of Finance dated August 8, 2005 be received and the cheques numbered 86136 to 86339 inclusive, in payment of accounts totalling $789,652.51be approved.

Carried

 

2.         Engineering and Public Works

 

            Lord/Mealey

That the monthly report from the Engineering and Public Works Department providing information about current departmental operations be received.

Carried

 

3.         Planning

 

                        Lord/Mealey

That the monthly report from the City Planner providing information about current departmental operations be received.

Carried

 

4.         Fire Department     

           

            Solda/Mealey

That the monthly report from the Fire Department providing information about current departmental operations be received.

Carried

 

5.         Public Hearing held July 25, 2005

 

Lord/Mealey

That the report of the Public Hearing held July 25, 2005 be received and filed.

Carried

 

6.         Administrative Assistant - Cancellation of September 26th Regular Meeting 

 

            Chopra/Mealey

That Council for the City of Port Alberni cancel the September 26, 2005 Regular Council Meeting to allow for Council's attendance and participation at the annual UBCM Convention in Vancouver.

Carried

 

7.         City Clerk - Asian Tsunami Relief 

 

                        Chopra/Lord

That Council for the City of Port Alberni confirm their previous resolution to work through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and offer its expertise and assistance to the International Centre for Municipal Development and pledge a contribution up to $10,000 toward a tsunami warning system for a region within southern Asia.

Carried

 

7.1       Margaret Street Sewage Pump Station

 

Lord/Mealey

That the report from the City Engineer dated August 8, 2005 advising that the City has tendered construction of the Margaret Street Sewage Pump Station project, be received and Council concur with the recommendation to accept the low bid tender from Hub Excavating Ltd. for $503,525.00 plus GST.

Carried

 

7.2       Proposed Library Construction at Echo Centre

 

Mealey/Patterson

That the verbal report from the Director of Parks and Recreation regarding status of the proposed library construction at Echo Centre, be received.

Carried

 

8.         Mayor's Report

 

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

 

            Mealey/Patterson             

That the Mayor's report be received.

Carried

 

9.         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. 

 

            Sue Frazer, requested information regarding the acquisition of Terasen, item F.5 on the agenda.  Information will be forwarded to the Environmental Coalition.

 

            Gillian Shearwater, 4773 Angus Street, enquired whether in-camera records regarding land at Kingsway Avenue and Argyle Street would now be available to the public, and showing a photograph from the Museum of this green space.  Staff will provide all available information to Council, and they will have the discretion to make in-camera information available to the public.

 

K.        OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

 

There was none.

 

L.         ADJOURNMENT

                         

Mealey/Patterson

That the meeting adjourn at 8:49 pm.

Carried