Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Monday, June 10, 2024 at 7:15 P.m. - 8:15 P.m.

Council Chambers of the Municipal Office

1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC

Council Present:

• Director of Corporate Services E. Kaehn, 
• Councillor R. McMeeken, 
• Councillor V. Brumovsky, 
• Chief Financial Officer K. Borne, 
• Chief Administrative Officer D. Smith, 
• Mayor J. Atkinson, 
• Councillor A. Barnes, 
• Councillor A. Hipkiss, 
• Councillor K. Tapper, 
• Councillor J. Wright, 
• and Director of Operations J. Murray 

Staff Present:

• Legislative Clerk/Executive Assistant C. Smirle 

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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.

1.1

Defer to Closed Meeting

• Resolution: 33422
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  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 (l) discussions with municipal officers and employees respecting municipal objectives, measures and progress reports for the purposes of preparing an annual report under section 98 [annual municipal report] and Section 90 (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

  CARRIED

2.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

2.1

COTW- May 27, 2024

The minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting held on May 27, 2024 were adopted as presented.

2.2

Regular Meeting - May 27, 2024

The minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May 27, 2024 were adopted as presented.

3.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

N/A

4.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Resolution: 33423
  Moved by: Councillor K. Tapper

  THAT the Agenda be adopted as presented. 

  CARRIED

5.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Shannon Bezo, resident, mentioned she could answer and of Council's questions regarding item 7.1.4 if needed.

6.

PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS

6.1

License to Use - Barn Extension

Rob and Christine Souka presented to Council regarding their wish to amend their license-to-use agreement and potentially purchase the land from the District. 

6.2

License to Use - Fencing

Andre Garon, resident, presented to Council requesting to be able to apply for a license-to-use to put a fence between his property and his neighbour's.

• Resolution: 33424
  Moved by: Councillor A. Hipkiss

  THAT staff bring back a report regarding the District's License-to-Use policy with recommendations for amendments to address the issues presented at the meeting as well as other identified with program.

  CARRIED

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Resolution: 33425
  Moved by: Councillor J. Wright

  THAT the Correspondence listed on the Agenda be received.

  CARRIED

7.1

For Action:

7.1.1

2024 UBCM Meeting Appointments

Council requested staff prepare meeting requests for the following Ministries and organizations at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities conference:

• Honourable Rachna Sigh, Minister of Education and Child Care
• Honourable Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests
• Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing
• Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health
• Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions
• Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation
• Honourable Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

7.1.2

UBCM Convention - Invitation to Meet with BC Hydro

• Moved by: Councillor V. Brumovsky

  THAT staff submit a meeting request with BC Hydro at the Union of BC Municipalities conference in September 2024.

  CARRIED

7.1.3

Request for Support for Canadian Council for the Arts: Cultivate Grant

• Resolution: 33426
  Moved by: Councillor J. Wright

  THAT the District of Mackenzie supports the application to the Canadian Council for the Arts: Cultivate from the Mackenzie Community Arts Council for their Project, the Creative Hands of the North Talent Hub, with Recreation Services as one of their stakeholders to the pilot project.

  CARRIED

7.1.4

Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce - Expansion Project

Councillor Brumovsky left the meeting to avoid a conflict of interest. He returned following the discussion and vote.

• Resolution: 33427
  Moved by: Councillor A. Barnes

  THAT Council provides a letter of support towards the Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce's application for their expansion project to the South Peace Mackenzie Trust as noted in their letter.

  CARRIED

7.2

For Consideration:

7.2.1

Letter to Honorable Bruce Ralston

7.2.2

Mackenzie High Speed Internet Press Release

7.2.3

IREN Mackenzie Community Grants Program

7.2.4

Sunrise Expansion Program Notification Update

7.2.5

BC Rural Health Network Newsletter

7.3

Centre Table File

8.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

8.1

Building Inspection Services

• Resolution: 33428
  Moved by: Councillor A. Barnes

  THAT Council authorize the District to enter the attached building inspection services agreement with Praxis Solutions in the amount of $6,750 per month, plus $240 per occurrence to travel to Mackenzie, BC, plus GST;

  AND THAT, for the term of the agreement, the Building Inspectors at Praxis Solutions be designated as building inspectors for the municipality and as persons to enforce the District’s Building Bylaw as authorized agents under Section 16 of the Community Charter;

  AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be delegated the authority to renew the contract following expiration if mutually agreed.

  CARRIED

8.2

DOM 24 - 02 Grader Replacement

• Resolution: 33429
  Moved by: Councillor V. Brumovsky

  THAT Council awards the DOM 24 - 02 Grader Replacement to Brandt Tractor Limited in the amount of $644,755 plus GST;

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

  CARRIED

8.3

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1517 (Housing Update)

• Resolution: 33430
  Moved by: Councillor V. Brumovsky

  THAT Council receive this report for information;

  AND THAT Council waives the requirement for a public hearing.

  CARRIED

8.4

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1518 (Shipping Container)

• Resolution: 33431
  Moved by: Councillor J. Wright

  THAT Council receives this report for information.

  CARRIED

8.5

Resident Concerns – Roaming Cats

• Resolution: 33432
  Moved by: Councillor V. Brumovsky

  THAT Council receives this report for information.

  CARRIED

9.

COUNCIL REPORTS

9.1

Mayor's Report

N/A

9.2

Council Reports

N/A

9.2.1

Councillor Brumovsky

Councillor Brumovsky provided a written report.

10.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

N/A

11.

NEW BUSINESS

N/A

12.

BYLAWS

12.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1517, 2024

• Resolution: 33433
  Moved by: Councillor A. Hipkiss

  THAT Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1517, 2024 be given first two readings.

  CARRIED

12.2

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1518, 2024

• Moved by: Councillor J. Wright

  THAT Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1518, 2024 be given first two readings.

  CARRIED

13.

NOTICE OF MOTION

N/A

14.

COMING EVENTS

14.1

MORATA Bike Rally

Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm at the Mackenzie Recreation Centre.

15.

INQUIRIES

Shannon Bezo, resident, commented that she was surprised Council did not add Honourable Brenda Bailey of the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation to the list of Minister meeting requests for the Union of BC Municipalities conference. She indicated that Minister Bailey had met with the Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce recently and had shared that there are supports and funding opportunities available for communities to support economic development. Shannon Bezo indicated that Council may benefit from speaking to her about these opportunities and tourism during the meeting. 

• Moved by: Councillor J. Wright

  THAT Council submit a Union of BC Municipalities Minister meeting invite to Honourable Brenda Bailey of the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation. 

  CARRIED

16.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by: Councillor A. Hipkiss

  THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 pm.

  CARRIED