Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Monday, August 11, 2025 at 7:15 P.m. - 8:15 P.m.

Council Chambers of the Municipal Office

1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC

Council Present:

• Mayor J. Atkinson, 
• Councillor A. Barnes, 
• Councillor V. Brumovsky, 
• Councillor P. Kyllo, 
• Councillor R. McMeeken, 
• Councillor K. Tapper, 
• and Councillor J. Wright 

Staff Present:

• Chief Financial Officer K. Borne, 
• Director of Corporate Services E. Kaehn, 
• Economic Development Coordinator R. Richman, 
• and Legislative Clerk/Executive Assistant, C. Smith 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:15 PM.

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

1.1

Defer to Closed Meeting

• Resolution: 33924
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT the Special Closed meeting be deferred until after the regular meeting;

  AND THAT the basis of the Special Closed Meeting relates to Section 90 (1) (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public;

  CARRIED

2.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

2.1

Special Meeting- July 28, 2025

The minutes of the Special Meeting held on July 28, 2025 were adopted as presented.

2.2

Committee of the Whole - July 28, 2025

The minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting held on July 28, 2025 were adopted as presented.

2.3

Regular Meeting - July 28, 2025

The minutes of the Regular Meeting held on July 28, 2025 were adopted as presented.

3.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

• Resolution: 33925
  Moved by: Councillor P. Kyllo

  THAT the following late items be added to the agenda:

  7.1.3    Mackenzie Seniors Week Proclamation        
  The Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society would like to request that the District of Mackenzie honour our seniors in our community by recognizing and valuing their contributions they continue to make, and proclaim September 28 - October 4, 2025, as Mackenzie Seniors' Week.

   

      7.2    For Consideration:

      *7.2.5    Resident Letter re: Recreation Centre Pool Slide Upgrade        
  Residents Khristian Laroche and Kate Elliot have written to Mayor and Council to regarding the Recreation Centre Pool Slide Upgrade discussion at the July 28, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council. 

   

      8.    ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

  *8.6    Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society – Drain Tile Request    

     THAT Council approves the Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society’s request to dig into the District of Mackenzie road right-of-way along Little Cloudmaker Road to replace the building drain tile subject to:

  A project workplan from the Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society’s contractor being presented to and approved by the Director of Operations prior to beginning the work to ensure the District road subgrade is not impacted or damaged by the work;

  
  A BC One Call request is completed prior to beginning the work; and

  
  The Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society agrees to enter into a License-to-Use Agreement with the District for the use of the area for their drain tile, to clarify property expectations for access and future works, and to waive District liability for any regular road operations (ie. snow removal or sweeping) that may encroach on the District’s road right-of-way.

  
  *8.7    RTC – Strategic Marketing Initiatives Plan Contract Award        
  THAT Council awards the Strategic Marketing Initiatives Plan contract to Kimbo Design in the amount of $35,000 plus GST;

  AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute the contract and any related documentation.

  CARRIED

4.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Resolution: 33926
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT the Agenda be adopted as amended.

  CARRIED

5.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Janice Nelson Macktown Buzzette, asked if the Fee-for-Service Agreement with MORATA has been discontinued for this year. Director of Corporate Services, Emily Kaehn told Ms. Nelson that the agreement was not put forward again for this year. They did not request to continue in 2025. 

Ms.Nelson also asked how long the Special Closed Meeting on July 28, 2025 lasted. Mayor Atkinson answered they had met from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Ms. Nelson asked if the Agenda for the Closed Meeting was hundreds of pages. Mayor Atkinson said she could not recall the exact number of pages.

6.

PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS

N/A

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Resolution: 33927
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT the Correspondence listed on the Agenda be received.

  CARRIED

7.1

For Action:

7.1.1

MORATA Morfee Lake Scramble Stage Request

• Resolution: 33928
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT the District of Mackenzie donate District stage and sound system and workers -  request as asked for 

  CARRIED

7.1.2

Regional District of Fraser - Fort George Accessibility Advisory Committee

• Resolution: 33929
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT the District of Mackenzie will not join the RDFFG Advisory committee on accessibility but will reach out to collaborate.

  CARRIED

7.1.3

Mackenzie Seniors Week Proclamation

• Resolution: 33930
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  WHEREAS on October 1, 2025 communities across Canada will join together to recognize National Seniors Day; and

  WHEREAS on October 1, 2025 is recognized as the International Day of Older Persons; and

  WHEREAS National Seniors Day focuses on celebrating and recognizing the contributions made by seniors to better their communities, families and workplaces; and

  WHEREAS seniors in the District of Mackenzie are present in all aspects of our lives: they are our parents, our grandparents, our teachers, our volunteers, our mentors, our neighbours and our coworkers; and

  WHEREAS every day, seniors right here in the District of Mackenzie, make a big difference and we value what they are doing;

  NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Joan Atkinson, Mayor of Mackenzie, do hereby proclaim that September 28th to October 4^th, 2025 to be observed as "Mackenzie Seniors’ Week" in the District of Mackenzie, and I urge my fellow citizens to recognize the crucial role played by older Canadians in our community.

  CARRIED

7.2

For Consideration:

7.2.1

Response from Jason Olmsted, Ministry of Forests

• Resolution: 33931
  Moved by: Councillor P. Kyllo

  THAT the District bring this forward to a future meeting

  CARRIED

7.2.2

Mackenzie Community Arts Council Mural Unveiling & Groundbreaking Ceremony

• Resolution: 33932
  Moved by: Mayor Atkinson

  THAT the District of Mackenzie attend the ground breaking ceremony and Councillor McMeeken will represent the District 

  CARRIED

7.2.3

BC Community Bat Program

7.2.4

Invitation for Mayors and Council to Northern Angel Summit Finale

7.2.5

Resident Letter re: Recreation Centre Pool Slide Upgrade

7.3

Centre Table File

8.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

8.1

Sunrise Expansion Program – What We Heard

• Resolution: 33933
  Moved by: Councillor P. Kyllo

  Whereas Westcoast Energy Inc. (Westcoast), an Enbridge company, is proposing an expansion of the southern portion of their BC Pipeline system, known as T-South.

   

  Whereas Westcoast will need to house up to 700 workers in the Mackenzie area during the peak construction period.

   

  Whereas Westcoast will meet with District of Mackenzie officials prior to construction to discuss the existing services of the town including infrastructure (water, sewage, waste management, power), community services, recreation services, transportation, holiday trailer stalls, medical and hospital capacity, grocery stores, policing resources, etc.

   

  Whereas Westcoast will work with District of Mackenzie officials to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to describe relationship roles and responsibilities, how issues will be managed, project impacts to the community and region, etc.

   

  Whereas Westcoast will be coordinating a community open house for residents of Mackenzie to get information, ask questions and provide feedback.

   

  Whereas Westcoast is engaging in discussions with local Indigenous communities on the temporary workforce accommodations.

  Whereas Westcoast has conducted due diligence in identifying appropriate locations for temporary workforce accommodations.

   

  Whereas parcels of land situated south of Mill Road and west of Coquawaldy Road, accessed from 5051 Coquawaldy Road, meet the specifications including:

   

  • Proximity to town – close enough to access services and local businesses;
  • Proximity to Westcoast construction sites;
  • Land size - Westcoast needs approximately 22.5 acres of land for workforce accommodations and parking;
  • As a former camp site, the land is already cleared;
  • The landowner (Silva Biotech) is in support; and,
  • The site was suggested after consultation with our council members.

   

  Therefore, be it resolved that the District of Mackenzie supports the construction of temporary workforce accommodations at 5051 Coquawaldy Road for Westcoast employees and contractors during the expansion of the southern portion of the BC Pipeline system.

  CARRIED

8.2

Zoning Amendment Application – 25 Gagnon Place – Kennel Operation

• Resolution: 33934
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

  CARRIED

8.3

Support for Non-Profits – Policies Review

• Resolution: 33935
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council approves the proposed financial aid policies review and associated public engagement plan as outlined in this report;

  AND THAT Council approves the 2026 budget and community grants program recommendations.

  CARRIED

8.4

2025 Housing Needs Report and OCP Engagement “What We Learned” Report

• Resolution: 33936
  Moved by: Councillor Brumovsky

  THAT Council receives this report for information.

  CARRIED

8.5

2025 Council Expenses to Date

• Resolution: 33937
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council receives this report for information.

  CARRIED

8.6

Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society – Drain Tile Request

Councillor Barnes left the room until voting on 8.6 finished.

• Resolution: 33938
  Moved by: Councillor Brumovsky

  THAT Council approves the Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society’s request to dig into the District of Mackenzie road right-of-way along Little Cloudmaker Road to replace the building drain tile subject to:

  1. A project workplan from the Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society’s contractor being presented to and approved by the Director of Operations prior to beginning the work to ensure the District road subgrade is not impacted or damaged by the work;
  2. A BC One Call request is completed prior to beginning the work; and
  3. The Mackenzie Autumn Lodge Society agrees to enter into a License-to-Use Agreement with the District for the use of the area for their drain tile, to clarify property expectations for access and future works, and to waive District liability for any regular road operations (ie. snow removal or sweeping) that may encroach on the District’s road right-of-way.
  CARRIED

8.7

RTC – Strategic Marketing Initiatives Plan Contract Award

• Resolution: 33939
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT Council awards the Strategic Marketing Initiatives Plan contract to Kimbo Design in the amount of $35,000 plus GST;

  AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute the contract and any related documentation.

  CARRIED

9.

COUNCIL REPORTS

9.1

Mayor's Report

N/A

9.2

Council Reports

10.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

N/A

11.

NEW BUSINESS

N/A

12.

BYLAWS

12.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1526, 2025

• Resolution: 33940
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Bylaw No. 1526, 2025, cited as Zoning Amendment Bylaw No.1526, is amended to include a 5-year Sunset Clause, to be revisited by Council;
  
  AND THAT Bylaw No. 1526, 2025, cited as Zoning Amendment Bylaw No.1526, be given its first two readings.

  CARRIED

12.2

General Rates Bylaw No. 1527, 2025

• Resolution: 33941
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT Bylaw No.1527, 2025, cited as General Rates Bylaw No.1527, 2025, be adopted.

  CARRIED

13.

NOTICE OF MOTION

N/A

14.

COMING EVENTS

• MORATA Morfee Lake Scramble - Saturday August 16, 2025.
• MCAC Mural Unveiling & Ground Breaking Ceremony - August 23, 2025. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at 9 Laurier Drive. 
• Duz Cho Fishing Derby August 16-17 2025
• Summer Send Off Classic Baseball deadline September 12, 2025

15.

INQUIRIES

Janice Nelson, Macktown Buzzette mentioned in the past there had been separate documents for late items. Mayor Atkinson explained that the updated/revised agendas can be found on the District website and the best time to check them is the afternoon prior to Council meetings.

Ms Nelson noted that the report on the OCP Amendment second survey had even fewer responses than the first survey and that she could not locate the survey on the District website but was able to find it on Let’s Chat Mackenzie.

Ms Nelson also asked about the Enbridge camp environmental responsibility specifically if anyone on Council ask how camp would be disposed of after use. Mayor Atkinson said the disposal of the Enbridge camp would be the responsibility of Enbridge as the proposed location is on private land. Councillor Wright added that Council did ask the question, and the answer Mayor Atkinson gave was the same answer Enbridge had to the question when asked by Council.

16.

ADJOURNMENT

• Resolution: 33942
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  That the meeting adjourn at 8:07 PM.

  CARRIED