MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD MONDAY,

JANUARY 24 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

 

                        Mealey/Lord

That the agenda be adopted as circulated with the addition of the following late items: E.8. Port Alberni and District Labour Council; E.9. Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; and F.10. BC Honours and Awards Secretariat.

Carried

 

B.        ADOPTION OF MINUTES

 

                        Mealey/Lord

That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held January 10, 2005 be adopted as circulated.

                        Carried

 

C.        DELEGATIONS

 

 

Councillor Solda declared a conflict of interest in regard to Item C.1. as Solda's Promotions sells concert tickets through Echo Centre.  She removed herself from the meeting at approximately 7:05 pm.

 

 

1.         Barry Miller, Port Alberni Orchestra & Chorus Society

Mr. Miller discussed the 10% surcharge on event tickets sold at Echo Centre.  He requested that Council reconsider this charge and eliminate it in support of the performing arts.  The Mayor agreed that the matter should be reconsidered by Council.

 

Mealey/Chopra

That Council for the City of Port Alberni direct staff to prepare a bylaw amendment to reduce the 10% surcharge fee on ticket sales to 5%, to be charged as an additional cost on each ticket.

Defeated

 

Lord/Patterson

That Council for the City of Port Alberni direct staff to prepare a bylaw amendment to eliminate the 10% surcharge fee on ticket sales.

Defeated

 

 

            Lord/Patterson

That Council for the City of Port Alberni direct staff to prepare a bylaw amendment to reduce the 10% surcharge fee on ticket sales to 2.5%, to be charged as an additional cost on each ticket.

Defeated

 

            Chopra/Mealey

That Council for the City of Port Alberni direct staff to prepare a bylaw amendment to reduce the 10% surcharge fee on ticket sales to 4%, to be charged as an additional cost on each ticket.

Defeated

 

            Lord/Chopra

That Council for the City of Port Alberni direct staff to prepare a bylaw amendment to reduce the 10% surcharge fee on ticket sales to 3.5%, to be charged as an additional cost on each ticket.

Carried

 

Councillor Solda returned to the meeting at approximately 7:20 pm.

 

2.         Carolynne Parsons, Manager, Working Solutions

Ms. Parsons provided information on the organization and requested a letter of support for the application for "seed funding" from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the project to provide accommodation and meaningful employment to people with physical disabilities.

 

Chopra/Mealey

That Council for the City of Port Alberni provide a letter of support for the Working Solutions proposal for funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as outlined in the presentation by Carolynne Parsons.

Carried

 

3.         Barb Stevenson, Outlook 20/20

Keith Wyton provided an update on the organization's progress and invited Council to attend one of two workshops on February 2 and 7.

 

           

D.        PROCLAMATIONS                                    

 

1.         The Kidney Foundation 

           

            Chopra/Mealey

            That the letter dated January 5, 2005 from the Kidney Foundation, requesting that March be proclaimed as "Kidney Month" in Port Alberni, be received and the day proclaimed as requested.

Carried

 

 

E.        CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION

 

1.         Vancouver Island Regional Library

 

Patterson/Mealey

That the Vancouver Island Regional Library 2005 budget circulated January 5, 2005, be received.

Carried

 

2.         Union of British Columbia Municipalities

 

Chopra/Mealey

That the summary of 2003-2004 accomplishments, be received and that the City renew its membership with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for 2005 at a cost of $7,776.69.

Carried

 

3.         CivicInfo BC

 

            Chopra/Lord

That the letter dated January 4, 2005 providing highlights from 2004, be received and that the City renew its membership with CivicInfo BC for 2005 at a cost of $911.51.

Carried

 

4.         Tourism Vancouver Island

 

            Patterson/Mealey

That the letter dated January 7, 2005 requesting proposals to host the May 2006 Conference and Annual General Meeting be received and referred to the Chamber of Commerce for consideration with the City cooperating in the provision of facilities.

Carried

 

5.         Neill Middle School

 

            Chopra/Lord

That the letter dated January 11, 2005 requesting permission for the Neill Middle School Bands to conduct a tag day on March 25 and 26, be received and the request approved.

Carried

 

6.         Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Canada

 

Chopra/Mealey

That the letter dated January 13, 2005 requesting that the City contribute to its fund raising by placing a "Message of Support" in its KIN Magazine, be received.

Carried

 

7.         William Beckingham

 

            Chopra/Patterson

That the letter dated January 17, 2005 requesting that Council ask the Federal Government to allocate funds for manufacturing fish boats to replace some of those lost in the tsunami in South Asia, with a view to obtaining work for our local industry, be received and staff investigate this proposal with local shipbuilders.

Carried

 

8.         Port Alberni District Labour Council

 

            Chopra/Solda

That the email dated January 23, 2005 concerning the lack of up to date highway condition reports to Valley residents be received and a letter written to enquire whether this can be accommodated by the Ministry of Transportation.

Carried

 

9.         Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

 

                        Chopra/Mealey

That the letter dated January 13, 2005 regarding West Coast issues including allocation of the Hake quota, be received.

Carried

 

 

F.         INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

1.         Government Finance Officers Association

Letter dated December 23, 2004 advising that the City's Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003, qualifies for a Canadian Award for Financial Reporting.

 

2.         YouthViews Communications Inc.

Email dated December 10, 2005 providing information about its directory of resources and services available for youth, ages 12 - 24, dealing with addiction, recovery and mental health issues.  The on line directory address is www.youthondrugs.com.

 

3.         Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Letter dated January 10, 2005 regarding initiatives to improve environmental protection during urban and rural land development, and advising of workshops available for local government staff and elected officials.

4.         BC Hydro

Letter dated January 18, 2005 advising that BC Hydro is seeking input from First Nations, stakeholders and the general public in the development of its 2005 Integrated Electricity Plan (IEP), which outlines how the province's future electricity needs will be met, and inviting a Council member to a work shop regarding this issue on February 16 in Nanaimo.

 

5.         Port Alberni Port Authority

Letter dated January 10, 2005 enclosing a cheque for $88,000.00 for the Accord payment for 2005.

 

6.         Village of Cumberland

Letter dated January 10, 2005 inviting Council to the 2nd Annual Lunar New Year's Celebration on February 19.

 

7.         Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia

Email dated January 12, 2005 regarding the 2005 Annual General Meeting and Financial Forum on March 23 and 24 in Vancouver.

 

8.         Citizens' Assembly

Circular dated December 2004 providing information on its final report entitled "Making Every Vote Count - The Case for Electoral Reform in British Columbia".  Explanation on how vote counts to be circulated with agenda.  (Note: Complete report in Reading File.)

 

9.         Vancouver Island Aboriginal Transition Team

Letter dated January 18, 2005 advising that the team is working with Vancouver Island Aboriginal Communities to create a vision of how services will be delivered to children and families by a Vancouver Island Regional Aboriginal Authority (VIRAA), and inviting community members to participate in Community Dialogue sessions held throughout the Island during February. 

 

10.       Honours and Awards Secretariat

Letter dated January 14, 2005 providing application forms to nominate local citizens for the Order of BC.

 

                        Mealey/Patterson

That Informational Correspondence items numbered 1 through 10, be received and filed.

Carried

 

 

G.        UNFINISHED BUSINESS             NIL

 

H.        BYLAWS                                           NIL

 

I.          REPORTS

 

1.         Accounts

 

                        Chopra/Patterson

            That the certification of the Director of Finance dated January 24, 2005 be received and the cheques numbered 83275 to 83449 inclusive, in payment of accounts totalling $584,649.42 be approved.

Carried

 

2.         RCMP

 

            Solda/Patterson

That the Annual Policing Report for 2004 from the OIC, Port Alberni Detachment be received.

            Carried

 

3.          Parks and Recreation

 

            Mealey/Patterson

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

Carried

 

4.         Museum       

           

            Patterson/Mealey

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

Carried

 

5.         Alberni Valley Museum & Heritage Commission - Minutes

 

                        Patterson/Lord

            That the minutes of the Alberni Valley Museum & Heritage Commission meeting of January 5, 2005 be received.           

Carried

 

6.         City Clerk - January 10, 2005 Public Hearing Report

 

                        Price/Mealey

That the report of the Public Hearing held January 10, 2005 be received and filed.

Carried

 

7.         City Manager - Infrastructure Grant Applications

 

Patterson/Price

That the report dated January 10, 2005 regarding Provincial Infrastructure Grants and requesting that Council identify its top two priorities for infrastructure funding be received and Council identify the following two projects as its priorities:

 

·        China Creek Watermain Replacement Project - replacement of 3.5 km of the main China Creek supply pipeline (1930's vintage);

 

·        Public Library/Echo Lobby Expansion Project - 4000 square foot expansion to the library and an upgrade to the Echo Centre lobby.

Carried

 

8.         Director of Finance - Audit Committee Minutes

 

                        Chopra/Mealey

That the minutes of the January 10, 2005 Audit Committee Meeting and December 2004 financial statements be received.

Carried

 

9.         City Clerk - Lease of Unit 4 and Unit 5 Alberni Harbour Quay

                          

Chopra/Mealey

That under the authority of Section 8 of the Community Charter, the City of Port Alberni enter into a lease agreement with Clara Dal Col for Unit 4 at the Alberni Harbour Quay for a five year term commencing February 1, 2005 for operation of a Gourmet Fish and Seafood Market, at a rate of $612.90 plus GST, per month.

Carried

 

Chopra/Mealey

That under the authority of Section 8 of the Community Charter, the City of Port Alberni enter into a lease agreement with Ernst Joss for Unit 5 at the Alberni Harbour Quay for a five year term commencing March 1, 2005 for operation of a delicatessen and coffee shop, at a rate of $612.90 plus GST, per month.

Carried

 

10.       City Clerk - Lease of portion of Lot 3, Plan 65347, DL 10, AD

 

Chopra/Lord

That under the authority of Section 8 of the Community Charter, the City of Port Alberni enter into a lease agreement with Asker Naesgaard for a portion of Lot 3, Plan 65347, District Lot 10, Alberni Land District for a five year term commencing February 1, 2005, at a rate of $200.00 per acre, per year.  

Carried

 

11.       Community Forest Advisory Committee

 

                        Price/Lord

That the minutes from the meeting held January 11, 2005 be received.

Carried

 

12.       Mayor's Report

 

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

 

            Mealey/Patterson

That the Mayor's report be received.

Carried

 

13.       Councillors' Reports

 

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

 

                        Mealey/Patterson

That the Councillors' reports be received.

Carried

J.         QUESTION PERIOD

 

 

 

 

 

            There were no questions from the public or the press.

 

K.        OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS         NIL

 

L.         ADJOURNMENT

 

Mealey/Chopra

That the meeting adjourn at 8:55 pm.

Carried

 

__________________________              ___________________________

Mayor                                                                           Clerk