MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2005 AT 7:00 PM IN THE CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor McRae, Councillors Chopra, Mealey, Patterson, Price and
Solda
EXCUSED: Councillor Lord
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (including introduction of late items)
Mealey/Patterson
That the agenda be adopted as circulated with the addition of item G.1,
Unfinished Business - Bear Smart proposal.
Carried
B. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Mealey/Solda
That the minutes of the October 24, 2005 Regular Council Meeting be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
C. DELEGATIONS
1. Port Alberni Save Our Services (SOS) Committee
Bev Denning, Chair of the Port Alberni SOS Committee, provided City Council with an update of SOS activities as requested in the Spring of 2005.
2. Port Alberni Women's Resources Society
Ann Graboski, Port Alberni Women's Resources Society, presented information about Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Port Alberni, informed Council members of their "Youth Resiliency Project" possibilities and thanked the City for their continued support to their endeavours.
3. Batstar Adventure Tours,
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Natalie Haltrich from Batstar Adventure Tours provided information on the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour being held in Port Alberni this month.
D. PROCLAMATIONS
1. Correctional Service Canada
Solda/Mealey
That the letter dated October 11, 2005 requesting that the week of November 13 to 20, 2005 be proclaimed as "Restorative Justice Week 2005" in Port Alberni, and advising that the theme is "Wisdom Gained Through Experience", be received and the week be proclaimed as requested.
Carried
E. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
1. John Sillren
Council received a letter from Mr. John Sillren dated November 2, 2005 regarding the state of the recycling depot on 4th Avenue and requesting that the site be graded or paved as well as a verbal report from the City Engineer advising that the site has been paved.
2. Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Chopra/Solda
That the letter dated October, 2005 advising that Canada Post is reviewing its national network and has announced plans to close a mail processing plant in Quebec City, expressing concern that other parts of its network may be closed and requesting that municipalities pass a resolution to write to the Minister Responsible for Canada Post, be received and that Council write a letter requesting that the Minister consult with the public and other major stakeholders to develop a uniform and democratic process for making changes to the Canada Post's network.
Carried
3. Shelley Lumsden
Patterson/Mealey
That the e-mail dated October 31, 2005 advising that Malaspina University-College and Thompson Rivers University are partnering to help support rural tourism development in British Columbia, and have created an Endowed Chair position in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development who will work with communities and entrepreneurs in rural areas of the province to provide research support, resources and training opportunities and requesting a letter of support to attest to the need for such an initiative with the Province, be received and Council concur with the request.
Carried
4. Holy Family/Notre Dame Parish
Price/Chopra
That the letter dated October 18, 2005 requesting to hold its annual Walk For Peace Day on January 1, 2006 and inviting members of Council to attend, be received and that Council for the City of Port Alberni authorize the use of City streets for the Walk for Peace Day subject to no disruptions to traffic and the event assuming its own liability insurance.
Carried
5. House of Commons
Price/Mealey
That the letter dated October 25, 2005 from Inky Mark, MP (Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, Manitoba) advising he has tabled a Private Member's Bill to protect recreational hunting and fishing rights for all Canadians, and asking for support by considering a resolution supporting this legislation, be received and that Council for the City of Port Alberni pass a resolution supporting protection for recreational hunting and fishing rights for all Canadians.
Carried
6. Pitch-In British Columbia
Price/Mealey
That the letter dated October, 2005 inviting Council to complete a "Municipal Questionnaire"; enclosing a summary of the 2005 Pitch-In Campaign, advising that April 24 to 30, 2006 will be "2006 Pitch-In Week" and inviting the City to become a member of Pitch-In, be received and Council concur with the request.
Carried
7. Tsu-ma-as Transformation Society
Patterson/Chopra
That the letter dated October 31, 2005 requesting a permissive tax exemption for two years as they begin fund-raising to raise the capital necessary for construction of the interpretive centre at Victoria Quay, be received and Council table the request until the Society attends a Regular Meeting of Council to provide an update and explain their request.
Carried
8. Marge Redford
Chopra/Solda
That the letter dated November 4, 2005 concerned about the repair business located at 3259 3rd Avenue, be received and staff be directed to write a letter to advise Ms. Redford of the status of the issue.
Carried
9. Marge Redford
Price/Chopra
That the letter dated November 4, 2005 suggesting that City workers put up barriers when they are working on the streets rather than leaving trucks running, be received and staff be directed to implement procedures to diminish idling of City vehicles.
Carried
10. Nuu Chah Nulth Tribal Council,
NTC Huupiistulth (Helping Each Other) Prevention Program
Patterson/Chopra
That the memo dated November 8, 2005 advising of their planned events for the upcoming "National Addictions Awareness Week" from November 21 to 25, 2005 to draw more awareness of support options available in the Alberni Valley for individuals and families dealing with addictions, and requesting that Council participate in the walk from the Harbour Quay to Friendship Centre at 12:15 pm on Monday, November 21; assist at the pancake breakfast and take part in the photo opportunity at the House of Gathering on November 15, be received.
Carried
11. Montrose Place Strata Council
Price/Solda
That the letter received October 20, 2005 from the Manager of the strata complex at 2825 3rd Avenue regarding ongoing problems with the rental house north of their building at 2853 3rd Avenue, be received and staff be directed to advise the writer of the state of this matter.
Carried
12. Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society
Solda/Mealey
That the letter dated November 4, 2005 requesting sponsorship in the amount of $75.00 for its fundraiser the "Festival of Trees", which would provide lights and decorations for a tree that would be displayed at the Alberni Mall from December 10 to 18, 2005, then donated to a family for Christmas, be received and the new Council be encouraged to participate.
Carried
F. INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
1. Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)
Memo dated October 24, 2005 providing a "Regional District Tool Kit", a resource developed by the Union of BC Municipalities in cooperation with the Ministry of Community Services and the Local Government Management Association of BC, to promote a better understanding of regional districts in British Columbia.
2. Janette Briere
E-mail dated November 2, 2005 to the provincial government requesting that the integrity of Cathedral Grove be protected.
3. Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce
Copy of a letter dated October 25, 2005 sent to the Minister of Environment and Minister of Agriculture and Lands advising of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Director's support for the construction of a new parking lot in Cathedral Grove.
4. Alberni District Teachers' Union
Letter dated October 31, 2005 expressing appreciation that the membership and executive of the Alberni District Teachers' Union and the Ucluelet and Tofino Teachers' Union feel for the motions of support passed at the Council Meeting held October 24, 2005.
5. Canadian Union of Public Employees, British Columbia Division (CUPE BC)
Letter dated October 26, 2005 regarding public ownership and operation of water and wastewater systems, and providing a summary of results from an Ipsos Reid polling showing that the public are opposed to private ownership or operation of our water systems, CUPE BC's new brochure on Water entitled "Water Keep it Public" and "Waves of Regret", a publication on water privatization in the United States.
6. Director, Parks and Recreation Department
Copy of a letter dated October 26, 2005 from the Director of Parks and Recreation to British Columbia Buildings Corporation advising that the City of Port Alberni will not renew their lease with the Government Agent's Office at 4711 Elizabeth Street, due to Council's direction to advertise the building and properties for sale.
7. Passenger Transportation Board
Municipal Advisory dated October 21, 2005 advising there will be a temporary fuel surcharge of 4.5% programmed into taxi meters effective Sunday, November 13, 2005 to help offset recent fuel price increases.
8. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) - Zero Crash Month
Letter dated October 18, 2005 thanking the City of Port Alberni for supporting the Community Crash Reduction Challenge in conjunction with Zero Crash Month in October, which challenged all British Columbians to help reduce the number of car crashes.
9. Smart Growth BC
Letter dated October 18, 2005 providing two copies of the Smart Growth BC Voter Education Guide, which seeks to raise voter awareness of smart growth practices, the benefits that accrue to communities that are growing smart and the responsibilities of local government for land development.
10. Port Alberni Women's Resources Society
Letter dated October 12, 2005 thanking Council for supporting a new Outreach program to help support women of the Alberni Valley who are victims of violence, and advising they have been successful in obtaining core funding to implement this new program and have now hired an Outreach Support Worker.
11. Canada Census 2006
Letter dated October 20, 2005 advising that the Canada Census will take place in 2006, Census Day is May 16, 2006 and enclosing an order form to indicate what types of materials the City would like to help promote the census.
12. The Mining Association of British Columbia
Letter dated October 25, 2005 advising of the challenges and opportunities facing the mineral exploration and mining sector, their support for the provincial government's "BC Mining Plan" which provides a 10 year vision for mineral exploration and mining in BC and enclosing their most recent publications that provide background information on their associations and highlight the issues and challenges they face.
13. Provincial Health Services Authority
Letter dated October 18, 2005 providing an update regarding improvements to specialized health services at both the provincial level and in the regions where they live and attaching a "Regional Overview".
14. Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)
E-mail dated November 8, 2005 from Suzanne Germaine, Communications, Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) advising that they are holding Community Information Sessions in 14 Vancouver Island communities to provide information regarding the Authority's strategic plan, as well as answer questions and solicit feedback from interested groups and individuals. (The session in Port Alberni will take place November 23, 2005 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the West Coast General Hospital, Room A).
Mealey/Patterson
That Informational Correspondence items numbered 1 through 14 be received and filed.
Carried
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Bear Smart
Council received a report from the City Clerk dated November 14, 2005 proposing endorsement of a Bear Smart project submitted by Maggie Paquet. Council took no action.
H. BYLAWS
1. City Planner - Advisory Planning Commission
Price/Solda
That the report of the Advisory Planning Commission Meeting held on October 20, 2005 be received.
Carried
Price/Solda
That the City proceed with an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw Map to
rezone Lot 2, District Lot 11, Alberni District, Plan 618 from A1 - Market
Garden District to R5A - Rural Residential District.
Carried
Price/Mealey
That the City proceed with text amendments to the Zoning Bylaw as
follows:
A. Amend Section 6.6A.1 R5A - Rural Residential District Permitted Uses by:
i. deleting the text "A second single family dwelling, one of
which could be mobile home, where the lot area is 1.6 ha (4.0 acres or greater)", andii. adding the text "A second single family dwelling, one of which could be mobile home, where the lot area is 0.6 ha (1.5 acres) or greater".
B. Amend Section 6.6A.3 R5A - Rural Residential District Bulk and Site Regulations by:
i. deleting the text "Maximum Gross Floor Area 83 m2
(893.4 ft2)", and
ii. adding the text "Minimum Gross Floor Area 83 m2
(893.4 ft2)".
Carried
Price/Patterson
That the City proceed with an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw Map to rezone Lot B (DD EP57593), Block 184, District Lot 1, Alberni District, Plan 1603 from R2 - One and Two Family Residential District to R3 - Small Lot Single Family Residential District, and
a) as part of the development process, the applicant be required to receive a Preliminary Layout Approval for the proposed subdivision from the City of Port Alberni's Approving Officer.
Carried
"Zoning Amendment No. 39 (4920 Beaver Creek Road - Melnick), Bylaw No.
4610"
Price/Mealey
That "Zoning Amendment No. 39 (4920 Beaver Creek Road - Melnick), Bylaw No. 4610" be now introduced and read a first time.
Carried
Price/Mealey
That "Zoning Amendment No. 39 (4920 Beaver Creek Road - Melnick), Bylaw No. 4610" be read a second time.
Carried
"Zoning Text Amendment No. T22 (4920 Beaver Creek Road - Melnick),
Bylaw No. 4611"
Price/Mealey
That "Zoning Text Amendment No. T22 (4920 Beaver Creek Road -
Melnick), Bylaw No. 4611" be now introduced and read a first time.
Carried
Price/Mealey
That "Zoning Text Amendment No. T22 (4920 Beaver Creek Road -
Melnick), Bylaw No. 4611" be read a second time.
Carried
"Zoning Amendment No. 40 (4710 Maitland Street - Courtney), Bylaw No.
4612"
Price/Chopra
That "Zoning Amendment No. 40 (4710 Maitland Street - Courtney), Bylaw No. 4612" be now introduced and read a first time.
Carried
Price/Chopra
That "Zoning Amendment No. 40 (4710 Maitland Street - Courtney), Bylaw No. 4612" be read a second time.
Carried
2. Setting Public Hearing for Bylaw No.(s) 4610, 4611 and 4612
Price/Mealey
That the following Bylaws be advanced to a Public Hearing on Monday, November 28, 2005 in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 6:00 pm:
1. "Zoning Amendment No. 39 (4920 Beaver Creek Road - Melnick),
Bylaw No. 4610",
2. "Zoning Text Amendment No. T22 (4920 Beaver Creek Road -
Melnick), Bylaw No. 4611", and
3. "Zoning Amendment No. 40 (4710 Maitland Street - Courtney), Bylaw No. 4612".
Carried
I. REPORTS
1. Accounts
Chopra/Mealey
That the certification of the Director of Finance dated November 14, 2005 be received and the cheques numbered 87555 to 87835 inclusive, in payment of accounts totalling $1,005,606.21 approved.
Carried
2. Engineering and Public Works
Price/Mealey
That the monthly report from the Engineering and Public Works Department providing information about departmental operations in October, be received.
Carried
3. Planning
Price/Mealey
That the monthly report from the City Planner providing information about departmental operations in October, be received.
Carried
4. Fire Department
Solda/Patterson
That the monthly report from the Fire Department providing information about departmental operations for the month of October, be received.
Carried
5. Alberni Valley Museum and Heritage Commission Minutes
Patterson/Mealey
That the Alberni Valley Museum and Heritage Commission minutes of Wednesday, October 5, 2005, be received.
Carried
6. City Clerk - Offer to Purchase City-Owned Land (Ship Creek)
Chopra/Mealey
That, Council for the City of Port Alberni agree to the sale of approximately 3,120 ft2 of City property in the Ship Creek area legally described as a portion of Lot A, Plan 8325, District Lot 1, Alberni Land District, for the price of $13,570 to Ms. Vanessa Collins, subject to its amalgamation with Lot 1, Plan 10384, District Lot 1, Alberni Land District, with the purchaser being responsible for survey, land transfer costs and all associated taxes on the understanding that the City assumes no liability for the state of the property and all improvements.
Carried
7. Fire Chief - Approval of Purchase of New High Pressure Lifting Bags
Solda/Mealey
That Council for the City of Port Alberni approve the purchase of five high pressure lifting bags in the amount of $8,470.20 (including taxes) from Shadowhawke/KGC Fire Rescue, with funding for this emergency replacement coming from the contingency fund.
Carried
8. City Engineer - Capital Sewer Project Change
Price/Chopra
That Council for the City of Port Alberni approve the allocation of funds ($17,233) budgeted in the 2005 Sewer Capital Budget for the 9th Avenue and Dogwood Street project, to replace the cast iron flap gates in the Argyle grit chamber, with the works at 9th Avenue and Dogwood Street to be completed through next year's Operational Budget.
Carried
9. City Engineer - Report from Ministry of Environment
re: Lagoon Record of Compliance
Price/Chopra
That the report dated November 8, 2005 from the City Engineer responding to a "Compliance Review Record" pertaining to the City's waste discharge system, be received.
Carried
10. City Manager - Community Works Fund Agreement
Chopra/Mealey
That the report from the City Manager dated November 9, 2005 providing information on funds to be provided through the New Deal for Cities, be received and the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a Community Works Fund Agreement with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
Carried
Chopra/Mealey
That the City send a letter of thanks to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their effort in negotiating the New Deal for cities.
Carried
11. Public Meeting - November 1, 2005
Patterson/Mealey
That the report of the Public Meeting held November 1st to discuss uptown revitalization and the Argyle/Kingsway (Harbourview) site, be received.
Carried
12. City Manager - Sri Lanka
Mealey/Patterson
That the report from the City Manager providing information about his upcoming trip to Sri Lanka as part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' tsunami relief effort, be received.
Carried
13. Mayor's Report
The Mayor reported on recent activities and matters of current interest.
Mealey/Chopra
That the Mayor's report be received.
Carried
14. 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
The public and the press were provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Mayor and Council.
K. OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
1. Harbourview Site
Price/Solda
That Council for the City of Port Alberni decide the future of the Harbourview Site at this meeting.
Defeated
L. ADJOURNMENT
Mealey/Patterson
That the meeting adjourn at 8:55 pm.
Carried
_______________________________ ______________________________
Mayor Clerk