Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Monday, January 27, 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, 
• and Councillor J. Wright 

Council Absent:

• Councillor K. Tapper 

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, 
• Land and Environmental Programs Coordinator L. Thorne, 
• and Legislative Clerk/Executive Assistant, C. Smith 

Visitors Present:

• Alice Pritchett, Director, Mackenzie Public Library, Camille Ginnever Chair Member Mackenzie Public Library

   

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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.

2.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

2.1

Regular Meeting - January 13, 2025

The minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 13, 2025 were adopted as presented.

3.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

N/A

4.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Resolution: 33669
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT the Agenda be adopted as presented. 

5.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

N/A

6.

PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS

6.1

Mackenzie Public Library Budget Presentation

• Resolution: 33670
  Moved by: Mayor Atkinson

  THAT the Mackenzie Public Library's request for an extra $8043.92 be approved.

  DEFEATED
• Resolution: 33671
  Moved by: Councillor P. Kyllo

  THAT Council approves funding for the library in an amount equal to the increase in the audit services fee.

  CARRIED

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Resolution: 33762
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT the Correspondence listed on the Agenda be received.

  CARRIED

7.1

For Action:

7.2

For Consideration:

7.2.1

Integrated Youth Services

7.2.2

Letter of Support Nuclear Energy in British Columbia

7.2.3

Industrial Inquiry Commission Reviewing Canada Post

• Resolution: 33673
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT the District of Mackenzie provide input for the Industrial Inquiry Commission for the review of Canada Post.

  DEFEATED

7.2.4

Northern Rockies Fire Rescue

7.2.5

Spectrum Support Newsletter

7.3

Centre Table File

8.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

8.1

2025 EOC (Emergency Operations Center) Grant

• Resolution: 33674
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT Council approves an application of up to $40,000 to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) under the 2025 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant;

  AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to administer the grant application, and if successful, any related documentation.

  CARRIED

8.2

Infrastructure Planning Grant Application – Sidewalk and Trails Assessment

• Resolution: 33675
  Moved by: Councillor Brumovsky

  THAT Council supports the application to the Provincial Government for the Infrastructure Planning Grant for up to $15,000 towards sidewalk and trail condition assessments and data collection;

  AND THAT Council authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the grant application and any related documentation.

  CARRIED

8.3

Resolution of Support – Municipal Website

• Resolution: 33676
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT Council supports the District of Mackenzie’s application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Marketing Initiatives grant program for up to $20,000 in funding towards the redevelopment of our municipal website.

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 33677
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT Council supports the District of Mackenzie’s application to SparcBC’s Local Communities Accessibility Grant program for up to $25,000 in funding towards redevelopment of our municipal website.

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 33678
  Moved by: Councillor Brumovsky

  THAT Council supports the District’s application to South Peace Mackenzie Trust grant program for up to $60,000 in funding towards redevelopment of our municipal website.

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 33679
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council supports the District’s application to the Outdoor Recreation Fund grant program for up to $10,000 towards website content and accessibility updates as they relate to outdoor parks, trails, and amenities.

  CARRIED

8.4

RTC – Business Façade Improvement Program 2025

• Resolution: 33680
  Moved by: Councillor Barnes

  THAT Council approves the applications from Mackenzie Community Arts Centre, Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce, and The Purple Bicycle to the Business Façade Improvement Program to a maximum amount of $9,969.59.

  CARRIED

8.5

2024 – 4th Quarter Activity Report

• Resolution: 33681
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council receives this report for information.

  CARRIED

8.6

Commemorative Bench and Tree Program Review

Councillor Wright asked to ammend "additional plaques" 

Mayor Atkinson "additional plaques up to a maximum of 6"

• Resolution: 33682
  Moved by: Councillor McMeeken

  THAT Council approve the amendment of Council Policy 1.16, the Commemorative Bench and Tree Program Policy, as detailed in the attached report.

  CARRIED

9.

COUNCIL REPORTS

9.1

Mayor's Report

N/A

9.2

Council Reports

Councillor McMeeken gave a verbal report.

Councillor Barnes gave a verbal report.

10.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

N/A

11.

NEW BUSINESS

McLeod Lake Indian Band has reached out to Mayor and Council requesting a letter of support. MLIB Chief and Council have discussed sending a letter to College of New Caledonia regarding the recent layoffs. 

• Resolution: 33683
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT Council send a letter to McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief and Council to support their letter to College of New Caledonia, if requested.

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 33684
  Moved by: Mayor Atkinson

  THAT the District of Mackenzie provide a letter of support for McLeod Lake Indian Band if requested.

  CARRIED

12.

BYLAWS

13.

NOTICE OF MOTION

N/A

14.

COMING EVENTS

15.

INQUIRIES

Janice Nelson, the Macktown Buzzette, noted that the total request for funding to update the Municipal Website are about $100,000. She asked if the District would utilize that entire amount.
Emily Kaehn, Director of Corporate Services, explained quotes the District has received are in the area of about $80,000. The District would also like to utilize "widget" features which can come at additional costs.
Janice asked if the project would be posted to BCBid, Ms. Kaehn answered that it would be put out for Request For Proposal (RFP).

Janice also inquired about the language in the "Infrastructure Planning Grant" application language. "Trails are not considered pedestrian pathways".
Miss Kaehn explained there are two projects in one application - one assessing paved pathways such as cowpaths and sidewalks, and one to help manage Recreational assets such as the trail system and man made structures/pathways included in them. 
Janice asked if MORATA is responsible for the monitoring of the Lakeshore and Azan Trails. 
Mayor Atkinson responded that trails and sidewalks within District boundaries are something the District should be aware of when it comes to maintaining and repairing. 

16.

ADJOURNMENT

• Resolution: 33685
  Moved by: Councillor Wright

  THAT the meeting be adjourned.

  CARRIED