A G E N D A

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD

TUESDAY, MAY 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 (including introduction of late items)

Mealey/Patterson

That the agenda be adopted as circulated with the addition of the following late items: C.7 Neil Malbon, McLean Mill, F.11. Port Alberni Port Authority, I.8.1 City Planner and I.9.1 from Alan Long, Receiver for the Somass Hotel.

Carried

B. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

Mealey/Solda

That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held May 9, 2005 at 7:00 pm be adopted as circulated.

Carried

C. DELEGATIONS

1. Recognition of a Champion

Council recognized Brooke Pighin for her accomplishments in track and field.

2. Robin Nadig

Ms Nadig was in attendance at the request of the Mayor to advise Council of

"McHappy Day" held Wednesday, May 18^th. Proceeds of the fundraising event

were contributed to Kiwanis Cycles Kilometres for Diabetes.

3. Telecommunications Workers' Union

Lesley Hammond, Business Agent and Steven Lewis, local President, were in attendance to provide information on the looming confrontation between TELUS and its unionized employees and effects it may have and to request Council's consideration of adopting a resolution of support.

Chopra/Mealey

That Council for the City of Port Alberni endorse the request of the Telecommunications Workers' Union for a letter of support.

Carried

4. Youthquest

To thank City Council for honouring and recognizing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

Transgendered local community and requesting June 24, 2005 be proclaimed as

"Pride Day" in Port Alberni.

Mealey/Chopra

That the correspondence from Youthquest be received and the day

proclaimed as requested.

Carried

5. The Gateway Sculptural Committee

Connie Watts and Kelly Foxcroft-Poirier introduced the Alberni Valley's newest

initiative to expand Port Alberni's currently limited public art program and

requested a letter of support from Council.

Patterson/Mealey

That the letter from The Gateway Sculptural Committee dated May 17,

2005 be received and Council for the City of Port Alberni concur with the

request to write a letter of support to the ARTS NOW! 2010 Legacy fund,

applying for 50% of total project funding for the creation and installation of

several large scale 3-Dimensional sculptural works to be prominently

placed throughout the Alberni Valley.

Carried

6. Alexandra Pazitch

Ms. Pazitch addressed the City's Animal Control and Pound Bylaw. She

impressed upon Council the need for regulations which prohibit pit bulls and

require muzzles on all dogs at large.

7. Neil Malbon

Mr. Malbon advised Council about the special running of the Steam Train to

McLean Mill on Saturday, May 14, 2005 for the guests from the visiting Cruise

Ship docked in Nanaimo.

D. PROCLAMATIONS Nil

E. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION

1. Association of BC Forest Professionals

Chopra/Mealey

That the letter dated May 9, 2005 inviting our community to apply to be named the 2006 Forest Capital of British Columbia be received and Council direct staff to complete the required application.

Carried

2. Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce

Chopra/Lord

That the letter dated May 12, 2005 requesting an investment of $500 to help cover costs for the production of 5,000 new "Information Package Folders" for special visitors and potential investors in our community, and inviting the City to include their logo and contact information in the packages, be received and Council concur with the request.

Carried

F. INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

1. Stephen Harper, Leader of the Opposition

Open Letter dated May 6, 2005 to explain to Canadian municipal leaders the Conservative Party of Canada's position regarding infrastructure funding.

2. BC Hydro

E-mail dated May 5, 2005 advising that the first draft of the BC Hydro Resource Options Report are available for review and comment on their website at: http://www.bchydro.com/info/epi/epi22844.html.

3. Land and Water British Columbia Inc.

Letter dated May 5, 2005 confirming receipt of the City's application package for a Crown Grant of property at the former plywood site.

4. Rick Hansen, Wheels in Motion

Letter dated April 25, 2005 advising that the "Roll for Hope" event will take place at Victoria Quay on Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 10:00 am, and inviting the Mayor, Council and City Staff to participate in the event or to make a donation.

5. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Letter dated May 6, 2005 responding to the Mayor's letter supporting the West Coast Vancouver Island Aquatic Management Board.

6. North Island College - Facilities Services Department

Letter dated May 2, 2005 advising that they are renewing their lease at the Tebo Vocational Centre (Lot A, District Lot 137, Alberni District, Plan 38945) for an additional term of 5 years (2005-2009).

7. Union of British Columbia Municipalities

Memo dated May 11, 2005 advising that the "West Nile Reduction Initiative Funding" deadline has been extended to May 30, 2005.

8. Government of Canada

Document received May 17, 2005 advising that June 21, 2005 is "National Aboriginal Day".

9. BC Seafood Alliance

Paper dated May, 2005 entitled "What Do We Want From BC's Commercial Fisheries? The Case For Reform".

10. Vancouver Island Regional Library

Letter dated May 13, 2005 advising that their Board members approved and ratified a resolution regarding the Port Alberni Library facility expansion.

11. Port Alberni Port Authority

Letter dated May 20, 2005 inviting Council and Staff to attend their Annual

General Meeting on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 in the Dogwood Room, Echo

Centre at 3:00 pm. The Board welcomes input from Council and members of the Community regarding future beautification of our City.

Mealey/Lord

That Informational Correspondence items numbered 1 through 11

be received and filed.

Carried

G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Nil

H. BYLAWS

1. 2005 Municipal Elections Bylaw and Appointment of Officers

Chopra/Mealey

That the report from the City Clerk dated May 12, 2005 advising that the general municipal election is November 19, 2005 and recommending introduction and first two readings of the revised Elections Bylaw and appointments of the Chief and Deputy Election Officers, be received.

Carried

"Election Bylaw, No. 4589, 2005"

Chopra/Mealey

That "Election Bylaw, No. 4589, 2005" be now introduced and read a first time.

Carried

Chopra/Lord

That "Election Bylaw, No. 4589, 2005" be read a second time.

Carried

Appointment of the Chief and Deputy Election Officers

Chopra/Mealey

That the City Clerk, Russell Dyson, be appointed as Chief Election Officer, and Tanya Meek be appointed as Deputy Chief Election Officer for the November 19, 2005 general municipal election.

Carried

I. REPORTS

1. Accounts

Chopra/Patterson

That the certification of the Director of Finance dated May 24, 2005 be received and the cheques numbered 85073 to 85298 inclusive, in payment of accounts totalling $624,277.59 be approved.

Carried

2. RCMP

Solda/Lord

That the monthly report from the OIC, Port Alberni Detachment providing information about current departmental operations in May, 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 May, 2005 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 and Heritage Commission Minutes

Patterson/Chopra

That the minutes of the Alberni Valley Museum & Heritage Commission meeting of Wednesday, May 4, 2005 be received.

Carried

6. Director of Finance - Audit Committee Minutes

Chopra/Patterson

That the minutes of the May 9, 2005 Audit Committee Meeting, April, 2005 financial statements and the memo dated May 18, 2005 from the Director of Finance responding to questions arising from the May 9, 2005 Audit Committee Meeting, be received.

Carried

7. Acting City Manager - Rail Operating Agreements - ENR, CPR and

City of Port Alberni

Patterson/Mealey

That the report dated May 17, 2005 from the Acting City Manager advising

of three operating agreements that are required between the City of Port

Alberni, Canadian Pacific Railway Company and the Esquimalt and

Nanaimo Railway Company for the operation of the Alberni Pacific

Railway, and requesting Council's endorsement of the agreements, be

received.

Carried

Patterson/Chopra

That, under authority of Section 8 of the Community Charter, the City of Port Alberni enter into an Agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway to conduct a passenger excursion train on a line on Vancouver Island leased to ENR by CPR pursuant to the Gap Lease Agreement dated December 28, 1998 (the "Lease Agreement") which passenger excursion train will be operated by the City (the "Excursion Operation") for the period of May 14, 2005 until May 31, 2005.

Carried

Patterson/Lord

That, under authority of Section 8 of the Community Charter, the City of Port Alberni enter into an Agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway and The Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company (1998) Ltd. to conduct a passenger excursion train on a line on Vancouver Island leased to "ENR by CPR pursuant to the Gap Lease Agreement dated December 29, 1998 (the "Lease Agreement") which passenger excursion train will be operated by the City (the "Excursion Operation") for the period of June 1, 2005 until December 31, 2005 (regular operating season).

Carried

Patterson/Mealey

That, under authority of Section 8 of the Community Charter, the City of Port Alberni enter into an Agreement with The E & N Railway Company (1998) Ltd. to use the Licenced Rail Track for the sole purpose of operating a rail passenger service from May 13, 2005 to October 31, 2005, which includes a licence fee and contribution toward property taxes ($18,350 which is included in the McLean Mill operating budget) payable by the City in instalments.

Carried

8. City Planner - Official Community Plan and the Johnston Road Corridor

Council received the report dated May 18, 2005 from the City Planner

recommending that the existing draft of the Official Community Plan be

finalized and brought forward as a bylaw for consideration, the formal

referral and public hearing process.

Lord/Price

That the report dated May 18, 2005 from the City Planner recommending that the existing draft of the Official Community Plan be finalized and brought forward as a bylaw for consideration, the formal referral and public hearing process be received and Council concur with the recommendation.

Defeated

Chopra/Patterson

That Council for the City of Port Alberni direct the City Planner to amend the Official Community Plan to designate the Johnston Road Corridor Commercial as outlined by the map titled as "Option A" as presented by the City Planner.

Defeated

For the Motion: Mayor McRae, Councillors Patterson and Chopra

Against the Motion: Councillors Mealey, Lord, Price and Solda

Chopra/Mealey

Carried

9. Show Cause Hearing - Termination of Water Service - 5251 Argyle Street

(Lots 13-17, Block 104, District Lot 1, Alberni District, Plan 107D)

- Somass Hotel

The Director of Finance and Acting City Engineer reported that the City is in

receipt of an initial payment and post-dated cheques for payment of water bills,

and the water leaks have been repaired.

Lord/Mealey

That the Council for the City of Port Alberni direct staff to provide an update regarding the state of account and water service at 5251 Argyle Street at the next Regular Meeting.

Carried

10. Mayor's Report

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

Mealey/Patterson

That the Mayor's report be received.

Carried

11. 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

(Including Motions and Notice of Motions)

L. ADJOURNMENT

Mealey/Patterson

That the meeting adjourn at 9:05 pm.

Carried

_______________________________ ______________________________

Mayor Clerk