Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

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Council Chambers of the Municipal Office
1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC
Council Present:
  • Councillor A. Barnes, 
  • Councillor V. Brumovsky, 
  • Councillor A. Hipkiss, 
  • Councillor R. McMeeken, 
  • Councillor K. Tapper, 
  • and Councillor J. Wright 
Council Absent:
  • Mayor J. Atkinson 
Staff Present:
  • Chief Administrative Officer D. Smith, 
  • Chief Financial Officer K. Borne, 
  • Director of Recreation Services T. Gilmer, 
  • Director of Operations J. Murray, 
  • Director of Corporate Services E. Kaehn, 
  • Land and Environmental Programs Coordinator L. Thorne, 
  • Legislative Clerk/Executive Assistant C. Smirle, 
  • and Local Government Intern, R. Paulsen 

CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:15 pm.

Deputy Mayor Hipkiss acknowledged the land on which we gather is within the traditional territory of the Tse’khene People of the McLeod Lake Indian Band.

The minutes of the Regular Meeting held on March 11, 2024 were adopted as presented.

The minutes of the Special Meeting held on March 11, 2024 were adopted as presented.

  • Resolution:33331
    Moved by:Councillor Tapper

    THAT the Agenda be adopted as presented. 

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33332
    Moved by:Councillor McMeeken

    THAT the Correspondence listed on the Agenda be received.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33333
    Moved by:Councillor McMeeken

    THAT Council provide a letter of support.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33334
    Moved by:Councillor Wright

    THAT Council receive this letter.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33335
    Moved by:Councillor Brumovsky

    THAT Council approves the annual membership dues in the amount of $2,888.82 for the UBCM 2024 membership.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33336
    Moved by:Councillor Wright

    THAT Council write a letter in support of the City of Prince George's Resolution #1 of 2024 submitted to NCLGA to request the province fund a permanent Host Community Reception Centre in the City of Prince George for the North Central Local Government Area.  

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33337
    Moved by:Councillor Wright

    THAT if Staff has time they will register to attend the information sessions;

    AND THAT the District will provide space to host an engagement session;

    AND THAT the District will share the project website on our social media.

    CARRIED
  • Councillor Hipkiss declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor Hipkiss left the room and returned after the decision. ;)
  • Resolution:33338
    Moved by:Councillor Barnes

    THAT Council choose the Platinum Sponsorship option for sponsorship support towards the BC Community Forest Association’s Conference and Annual General Meeting being hosted in Mackenzie in June 2024 by the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33339
    Moved by:Councillor McMeeken

    THAT Council authorizes approval in proceeding with Temporary Use Permit 4520-20-24-01.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33340
    Moved by:Councillor Brumovsky

    THAT Council approves the updates to Council Policy 8.1 Recreation Services Rates & Fees Policy as attached to this report.

    Opposed (1)Councillor Wright
    Absent (1)Mayor Atkinson
    CARRIED (5 to 1)
  • Resolution:33341
    Moved by:Councillor McMeeken

    THAT the Regular Meeting on May 13, 2024 be cancelled.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33342
    Moved by:Councillor Wright

    THAT the signage on Second Beach be improved so that people are aware that it is an off-leash area for dogs.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution:33343
    Moved by:Councillor Wright

    THAT staff prepare a report for information regarding options for nomination policy and procedures for awarding the Freedom of Municipality.

    CARRIED

12.

 

N/A

In accordance with the "District of Mackenzie Council Procedures Bylaw No. 1470, 2022" notice of the proposed motion was provided. The proposed motions will be included on the April 8, 2024 Regular Council meeting for Council's consideration.

  • THAT Council directs staff to bring a report back outlining the progress that has been made in reaching the goal of: “Adopt and make progress on the specific Truth and Reconciliation Calls for Action identified for local Government.” 

The District of Mackenzie has proclaimed March 27, 2024 as International Purple Day in support of Epilepsy Awareness and will be lighting up the Rec Centre in purple in support.

Dominique Symbalisty, Resident, thanked Council for their support for Green Phoenix's recycling centre proposals.

Dominique Symbalisty also commented that the Morfee Lake Narrows trail should be included in signage as either an on-leash or off-leash area, as people have been using the point as an off-leash area. She agreed that more signage at Second Beach would be helpful. 

Shannon Bezo commented that she was happy to hear that Council supported the recycling centre.

Shannon Bezo also commented that she was surprised that animal boarding was not discussed.

Shannon Bezo commented that it would be great if the verbal council reports would be transcribed and added to the minutes.

Shannon Bezo asked if the three agencies have been advised that they will be referral services for the Rec Policy 8.1 updates. Director of Recreation Services Terry Gilmer replied that he will let them know now that Council has approved the changes. Shannon expressed a hope that WorkBC would be considered as another referral agency for the Recreation Access program, and noted that there are other documents available to show a "Change of Circumstance" that WorkBC uses.

Shannon Bezo also commented that she did not realize that not all bylaws and policies were being shared on the website, and recommended that when a new bylaw or policy is introduced that there be public notice.

Shannon commented that she is looking forward to the notice of motion 13.1 being discussed at the next meeting. 

Janice Nelson of the Macktown Buzette commented that all trails in Mackenzie have been designated as off-leash for dogs in Bylaw No. 1473, which she said was a change made without consulting the community and was presented as a housekeeping issue.

Janice Nelson also asked for clarity on what was decided for the Temporary Use Permit item. Director of Corporate Services Emily Kaehn explained that the proposed location for the Recycling Depot is not zoned for one, and that the item for the Temporary Use Permit begins a process for making an exception for that zoning for three year term.

Janice also recommended that the current webpage lists the most frequently requested bylaws. Janice suggested better advertising would help people.

Janice also asked what was decided for the Request of Support - Green Phoenix Recycling and District Bylaws items. Emily Kaehn said that a Letter of Support will be written for Green Phoenix Recycling, and the District Bylaws letter was received by Council. 

Carmen Schalles asked how people will present their concerns if the current rec pass policy isn't working for them. Councillor Wright replied that they could write a letter to Council. 

  • Resolution:33344
    Moved by:Councillor Wright

    THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:04 pm

    CARRIED