MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD MONDAY,
MARCH 13, 2006 AT 7:00 PM IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor McRae, Councillors Chopra, McLeman, Mealey, Patterson, Solda and Whiteman.
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Patterson/Mealey
That the agenda be adopted as circulated with the addition of late items: E.8. David Whitworth; E.8.1. Frederick Boyko, Jr.; E.9. Save Our Valley Alliance; G.1. Cultural Capitals of Canada Grant Application; and I.11.1. report from the March 13, 2006 Special In Camera meeting.
Carried
B. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Mealey/Patterson
That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held February 27, 2006 be adopted as circulated.
Carried
1. Mr. and Mrs. J. Arden
Mayor McRae presented a certificate to Mr. and Mrs. Arden in honour of their 65th Wedding Anniversary.
2. MS Society - Central Island Chapter
HollyJoy Massop, Community Walk and Fund-raising Co-ordinator for the MS Walk/Run 2006, discussed the Walk/Run event and requested permission to hang a banner at the top of the 10th Avenue "dip" promoting the event.
McLeman/Chopra
That the request from the MS Society requesting permission to suspend a banner across the 10th Avenue "dip" from March 20 to April 10, 2006 to promote the MS Walk/Run event, be received and the request approved subject to provision of liability insurance.
Carried
3. Bruce McKerricher, BC Timber Sales
Bruce McKerricher from BC Timber Sales in attendance at the request of Mayor McRae to discuss their operations as an independent organization within the BC Ministry of Forests.
4. BC Old Age Pensioners' Organization, Port Alberni Branch #45
Terry Whyte in attendance requesting that Council adopt a resolution ensuring that inventories of buildings, spaces, equipment and supplies be prepared and maintained for potential use in a disaster.
Solda/Patterson
That Council for the City of Port Alberni refer the resolution of the BC Old Age Pensioners' Organization, Port Alberni Branch, to the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District for consideration in the Alberni Valley Emergency Response Plan.
Carried
5. Vina Robinson, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Vina Robinson and Deb Foxcroft, Vice Chief, Tseshaht First Nation, discussed the 30th Annual BC Elders Gathering, July 18, 19 and 20, 2006 at the Alberni Valley Multiplex, noting that 3000-5000 participants are expected.
D. PROCLAMATIONS
1. Catherine Cartagena - Dental Assistants' Week
Chopra/Mealey
That the letter dated February 3, 2006 be received and March 5 to 11, 2006 be proclaimed as "Dental Assistants' Recognition Week" in Port Alberni.
Carried
E. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
1. Port Alberni Aquatic Club (Blue Wave Swim Club)
Whiteman/Patterson
That the letter from the Port Alberni Aquatic Club requesting Tag Day dates for 2006 be received and Tag Day dates of July 21 and 22 be awarded.
Carried
2. The Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society
Whiteman/Mealey
That the letter dated March 2, 2006 be received and the requested Tag Day dates of July 28 and 29, 2006 be awarded to the Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society.
Carried
3. The Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society
Patterson/Chopra
That the letter dated February 27, 2006 suggesting that the City provide "Banner Kits" containing two each of previous years banners, to lend to organizations hosting major events that attract visitors/delegates to the community to use for decorating venues, be received, that such a kit be made available, noting that no hardware will be provided for hanging the banners, and that the kit be loaned to Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society from May 8 to 15 when they host the Provincial and National meeting of Canada's Abbeyfield Societies.
Carried
4. Tourism Vancouver Island
Whiteman/Mealey
That the letter dated March 2, 2006 requesting proposals to host the "Tourism Vancouver Island Conference and Annual General Meeting 2007", be received and referred to the Chamber of Commerce.
Carried
5. Westcoast Career Centre
Chopra/Solda
That the letter dated March 2, 2006 providing information about the community based employment assistance services the organization provides and requesting a letter of support from Council, be received and Council concur with the request.
Carried
6. Move for Health Day
Whiteman/Solda
That the Invitation for local governments to participate in the 2006 Move for Health Day event on May 10 by organizing a noon hour walk for City employees led by the Mayor and registering the City's participation and number of participants on the BC Recreation and Parks Association website, be received.
Carried
7. Pelmorex
Solda/Mealey
That the letter dated March 9, 2006 requesting Council's support in its application to the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) for an All Channel Alert Service, an emergency warning system that alerts Canadians of local emergencies threatening life or property with a message on their television screens, be received and forwarded to the Alberni Valley Emergency Planning Committee.
Carried
8. David Whitworth – Financial Plan Process
Chopra/Whiteman
That the letter from David Whitworth thanking Council for the chance to provide input to the budget process in the various public meetings, attaching a copy of his responses to the questions raised in the Public Input Questionnaire, providing additional comments for Council's consideration regarding the public consultation process and suggesting an amendment to the City's Mission Statement, be received and forwarded to a Special Meeting of Council on March 20th for further consideration.
Carried
8.1. Frederick Boyko Jr. – Bainbridge Lake Water Quality
McLeman/Patterson
That the letter from Frederick Boyko Jr. received March 13, 2006 providing suggestions to improve the water quality at Bainbridge Lake and also suggesting Vancouver Island communities band together to put pressure on the BC Government regarding private logging practices, be received, and that the City of Port Alberni contact other communities with a view to protecting water supplies and to determine private logging practices.
Carried
9. Save our Valley Alliance
McLeman/Mealey
That the letter received March 13th, 2006 from Wayne James, Spokesperson for Save our Valley Alliance, advising of the makeup of their Committee, providing a statement of their goals and purposes and requesting Council's support and assistance in their ongoing protests against the attacks on water quality and jobs, be received and Council comply with the request.
Carried
F. INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
1. Stephen Ashton, owner of the Red Crow Inn, Tofino BC
Email dated March 1, 2006 providing a copy of the February 25, 2006 news release opposing lifting the moratorium that bans drilling for oil off the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
2. Municipal Finance Authority
Memorandum dated February 27, 2006 advising that the Municipal Finance Authority of BC's credit rating has been downgraded from AAA to AA+.
3. Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)
Memorandum dated March 3, 2006 providing information regarding the preparation of resolutions and the procedures employed by the UBCM Resolutions Committee in categorizing resolutions for the UBCM Convention.
4. RCMP
Letter dated February 24, 2006 advising that the RCMP Musical Ride is tentatively scheduled to visit BC in 2009 and Port Alberni will be considered to host the event.
Mealey/Patterson
That Informational Correspondence items numbered 1 through 4, be received and filed.
Carried
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Director of Parks & Recreation – Cultural Capitals of Canada Grant Application
Whiteman/Patterson
That Council for the City of Port Alberni endorse their support for the Cultural Capitals Grant application and that funding from the City of Port Alberni be committed in the form of in-kind services totaling $75,000 and further, that following approval of the Cultural Capitals Grant application, the City of Port Alberni include these funds in the 2008 Financial Plan.
Carried
H. BYLAWS
1. Administrative Assistant - Verbal Report from the Public Hearing held at 6:00 pm regarding Bylaw No. 4625, 4626 and 4627
Mealey/Patterson
That the verbal report of the Public Hearing held March 13, 2006 at 6:00 pm be received.
Carried
2. "Zoning Amendment No. 46 (4833 Southgate Road - Alberni Design Associates) Bylaw No. 4625"
Mealey/Chopra
That "Zoning Amendment No. 46 (4833 Southgate Road - Alberni Design Associates) Bylaw No. 4625" be read a third time.
Carried
3. "Zoning Amendment No. 47 (East end of Roger Street - City of Port Alberni) Bylaw No. 4626"
Mealey/Solda
That "Zoning Amendment No. 47 (East end of Roger Street - City of Port Alberni) Bylaw No. 4626" be read a third time.
Carried
4. "Zoning Text Amendment No. T24 (Building Height & Number of Storeys) Bylaw No. 4627"
Mealey/Chopra
That "Zoning Text Amendment No. T24 (Building Height & Number of Storeys) Bylaw No. 4627" be read a third time.
Carried
Mealey/Chopra
That "Zoning Text Amendment No. T24 (Building Height & Number of Storeys) Bylaw No. 4627" be now finally adopted, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the corporate seal and numbered 4627.
Carried
5. "Zoning Amendment No. 41 (2151 11th Avenue - Vandermolen) Bylaw No. 4615"
Mealey/Chopra
That "Zoning Amendment No. 41 (2151 11th Avenue - Vandermolen) Bylaw No. 4615" be now finally adopted, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the corporate seal and numbered 4615.
Carried
I. REPORTS
1. Accounts
Chopra/Mealey
That the certification of the Director of Finance dated March 13, 2006 be received and the cheques numbered 89259 to 89540 inclusive, in payment of accounts totalling $773,161.37 be approved.
Carried
2. Engineering and Public Works
McLeman/Chopra
That the report from the Engineering and Public Works Department providing information about departmental operations in February 2006, be received and filed.
Carried
3. Planning
Mealey/Solda
That the report from the City Planner providing information about departmental operations in February 2006, be received and filed.
Carried
4. Fire Department
Solda/Mealey
That the report from the Fire Department providing information about departmental operations in February 2006, be received and filed.
Carried
5. Alberni Valley Museum and Heritage Commission
Patterson/Whiteman
That the minutes from the Alberni Valley Museum and Heritage Commission meeting held March 1, 2006, be received and filed.
Carried
6. Director of Finance - Audit Committee Minutes
Chopra/Patterson
That the minutes of the February 13, 2006 Audit Committee Meeting and the January 2006 financial statement, be received.
Carried
7. Administrative Assistant - Boundary Expansion
McLeman/Solda
That the report from the Administrative Assistant dated March 8, 2006 advising that the necessary advertising requirements to incorporate property at the end of Argyle Street into City boundaries are complete, and requesting Council's approval to proceed with the next steps for boundary expansion, be received and that staff request the Minister of Community Services to proceed with the extension of the City's boundaries to include Lot 7, District Lot 132, Alberni District, Plan 2961.
Carried
8. City Engineer - Change of Capital Water Project
McLeman/Mealey
That the report from the City Engineer dated March 7, 2006 recommending a change to the Capital Water Project by replacing the water main renewal project at Beaufort Street, May to East with a new project replacing a cast iron water main with PVC water main at Bute Street, 11th Avenue to Anderson, be received and Council concur with the request.
Carried
9. Director of Finance - Mileage Allowance Rates
Chopra/Whiteman
That the report from the Director of Finance dated March 8, 2006 recommending an increase in the mileage allowance rate paid to staff and Council for use of personal vehicle for work-related travel outside of City boundaries from $0.39 to $0.46, be received and Council concur with the recommendation.
Carried
10. City Engineer - Replacement of Lagoon Aerators
McLeman/Whiteman
That the report from the City Engineer dated March 7, 2006 requesting authorization to purchase three aerators from Midan Industries for $83,492.10 plus GST and two blower kits from SOS Environmental for $7,329.90 plus GST, total $90,822.00 plus GST with funds from the Capital Sewer Budget, be received and Council concur with the request.
Carried
11. Minutes from the March 6, 2006 Special Meeting of Council
Chopra/Whiteman
That the minutes from the Special Council Meeting held Monday, March 6, 2006 at 7:00 pm in the Dogwood Room at Echo Centre, for facilitated public input on the City of Port Alberni Five Year Financial Plan, be received and further that a Special Meeting of Council, open to the public, be scheduled for Monday, March 20th at 1:00 pm in Council Chambers to review the public input received, review the budget in more detail and to provide direction to staff regarding any changes to be made to the Draft 2006 - 2010 Financial Plan.
Carried
11.1. Report from March 13, 2006 Special In Camera Meeting
Chopra/McLeman
That the report from the Special In Camera Meeting regarding a proposal for the use of a portion of the Government Agent Building at 4711 Elizabeth Street for use as a temporary medial clinic, be received and staff be directed to continue with both the Request for Proposals for sale of the building and with the clinic proposal.
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/McLeman
That the Councillors' reports be received.
Carried
J. QUESTION PERIOD
An opportunity for the public and the press to ask questions of the Mayor and Council.
K. OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
1. Whiteman/Chopra
That a letter be sent to the Vancouver Island Health Authority indicating efforts that the community has made in providing assistance to Doctors in seeking a temporary medical clinic and urging their support in constructing a new medical facility in the community.
Carried
2. McLeman/Mealey
That a letter of thanks be extended to Dr. Smecher for his efforts in facilitating a temporary medical centre in the community.
Carried
3. Solda/Mealey
That a letter be forwarded to Dr. Samborski thanking him for his service to the community.
Carried
L. ADJOURNMENT
Mealey/Patterson
That the meeting adjourn at 9:03 pm.
Carried
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Clerk
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