Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Monday, February 24, 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 Administrative Officer D. Smith, 
• Chief Financial Officer K. Borne, 
• Director of Operations J. Murray, 
• Fire Chief J. Guise, 
• Director of Recreation Services T. Gilmer, 
• Director of Corporate Services E. Kaehn, 
• Finance Manager W. Peterson, 
• and Legislative Clerk/Executive Assistant, C. Smith 

Visitors Present:

• Judy Matkaluk, Manager, Regulatory Affairs and Engagement, CTI Plus Resources

   

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:15pm.

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.

2.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

2.1

Regular Meeting - February 10, 2025

The minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 10, 2025 were adopted as presented.

2.2

Special Meeting- February 10, 2025

The minutes of the Special Meeting held on February 10, 2025 were adopted as presented.

3.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

N/A

4.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Resolution: 33702
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT the Agenda be adopted as presented. 

  CARRIED

5.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

N/A

6.

PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS

N/A

6.1

Rocky Creek Metallurgical Coal Project

Judy Matkaluk, CTI Plus Resources, Manager: Regulatory Affairs and Engagement, gave a presentation on the Rocky Creek metallurgical coal project. 

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Resolution: 33703
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT the Correspondence listed on the Agenda be received.

  CARRIED

7.1

For Action:

7.1.1

Letter of Support - Spectrum Support Program

Councillor Wright left the room.

• Resolution: 33704
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT the District provide a Letter of Support to Mackenzie Community Services application to the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest for funding to support Social Sunday Activities.

  CARRIED (5 to 0)

7.1.2

Letter of Support - Mackenzie & District Museum Society

Councillor Wright returned.

• Resolution: 33705
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT Council provide a Letter of Support to the Mackenzie & District Museum for their application to McLeod Lake Community Forests - Community Benefits Stream for the Trapped: Living Off the Land exhibit.

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 33706
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council provide a Letter of Support to the Mackenzie & District Museum for their application to the BC Hydro- Broad Impact Grant for the "Building Mackenzie" exhibit.

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 33707
  Moved by: Councillor Brumovsky

  THAT Council provide a Letter of Support to the Mackenzie & District Museum for their application to the Telus - Community Boards Grant for the "Technology Through Time" exhibit.

  CARRIED

7.1.3

Letter of Support - Kimta Transportation

• Resolution: 33708
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT Council provide  Letter of Support to Kimta Transportation for their application to the Housing Infrastructure and Communities Canada - Rural Transfer Solutions Fund, to provide local shuttle services within Mackenzie with additional services to and from McLeod Lake.

  CARRIED

7.1.4

CivicInfo BC 2025 Membership Dues

• Resolution: 33709
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT the CivicInfo BC 2025 Membership dues be paid in the amount of $268.80

  CARRIED

7.2

For Consideration:

7.2.1

Thank-you Letter - UBCM 2024

7.2.2

Thank-you Letter and Certificate - CN Police

7.2.3

NCLGA Resolution Submission Guidelines

7.2.4

World Down Syndrome Day Light Up Request

7.2.5

Northern Energy Dialogues - Mackenzie Community Open House

7.3

Centre Table File

8.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

8.1

2025 Budget Survey – What We Heard

• Resolution: 33710
  Moved by: Councillor Brumovsky

  THAT Council receives this report for information.

  CARRIED

8.2

2025 Provisional Budget Scenarios Recommendation

• Resolution: 33711
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council choose scenario 3, covering the $1,058,650 shortfall through a combination of other sources of funding and a higher property tax increase: Property Tax 12.87%, Water 12%, Sewer 9%, Garbage 6.5%.

  DEFEATED
• Resolution: 33712
  Moved by: Councillor Brumovsky

  THAT Council choose Budget scenario 2 and Recreation Centre option 3, covering the $1,058,650 shortfall through a combination of other sources of funding and a property tax increase: Property Tax 10.85%, Water 12%, Sewer 9%, Garbage 6.5% and additional reduction above the $220,000 which would include closing the facility for ½ day on Mondays year round and on Sunday between April and October as well as possible other overall changes to facility hours.

  Opposed (1)

  Councillor Wright

  CARRIED (6 to 1)

8.3

Public Alerting System (PAS)

• Resolution: 33713
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT Council approves a two-year contract with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George (RDFFG) for the use of their Public Alerting System (PAS) in the amount of $750 per year plus GST;

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

  CARRIED

8.4

Mental Health and Addictions Liaison

• Resolution: 33714
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council adds to the roster of Council Liaison Appointments the role of ‘Mental Health and Addictions” Liaison, whose role, as a starting place, is to represent the District of Mackenzie in its role as a signatory of the ‘Mental Health and Addiction’s Accord’ signed in November 2024.

  CARRIED

8.5

NCLGA and UBCM Resolutions – Foundry

• Resolution: 33715
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council directs staff to submit the following resolution to NCLGA and UBCM:

  “Whereas youth in rural and remote British Columbia are facing mental health and wellness challenges just like their peers in urban centers,”   

  “Whereas Foundry BC in-person Centers are largely located in urban British Columbia and not accessible for youth in rural and remote BC communities,”    

  “Therefore, be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government, commit to establishing in-person Foundry Centre's that meet the needs of rural and remote youth in their home communities, that recognizes the unique challenges of youth living in rural and remote communities.”     

  CARRIED

8.6

2025 Council Travel

• Resolution: 33716
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT Council receives this report for information.

  CARRIED

9.

COUNCIL REPORTS

9.1

Mayor's Report

N/A

9.2

Council Reports

Councillor McMeeken gave a verbal report.

Councillor Kyllo gave a verbal report. 

10.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

N/A

11.

NEW BUSINESS

• Resolution: 33717
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT staff bring a report to Council with information regarding the sale of lakefront and large acreage lots.

  CARRIED

12.

BYLAWS

13.

NOTICE OF MOTION

N/A

13.1

Notice of Motion – DOM Procurement Practices

• THAT Council directs staff to prepare a report highlighting opportunities to improve the District of Mackenzie’s procurement practices on how we can adapt to global/national issues and prioritize Mackenzie/Northern BC/BC/Canadian interests, in the event of American tariffs or other hostel actions from foreign countries, so we can respond with practices that emphasize Local Mackenzie/Northern British Columbia/British Columbian/Canadian interest.

14.

COMING EVENTS

15.

INQUIRIES

16.

ADJOURNMENT

• Resolution: 33718
  Moved by: Councillor Tapper

  THAT the meeting adjourn at 8:41pm.

  CARRIED