MINUTES OF THE DISTRICT OF VANDERHOOF REGULAR MEETING HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON FEBRUARY 13, 2008.

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1 MINUTES OF THE DISTRICT OF VANDERHOOF REGULAR MEETING HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON FEBRUARY 13, CTO: The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm. PRESENT: Mayor Fox and Councillors Pedersen, French and Woodruff STAFF: Paul Hascarl and Marje Makow IN ATTENDANCE: Jake Wall, Peter Albers, Peet Vahi, Stuart Sinclair, Frank Read, Peter Giesbrecht and Dan Baker 1. AGENDA 1.1 February 13, 2008 regular council meeting agenda Woodruff/French that the February 13, 2008 regular meeting agenda be adopted. 2. MINUTES 2.1 January 23, 2008 regular council meeting minutes that the January 23, 2008 regular meeting minutes be adopted as printed. 3. DELEGATIONS 3.1 BCGEU highway maintenance Dan Baker, representing the BCGEU, provided a brief background on developments since 2002 when the provincial government privatized highway maintenance. 50% of the experienced workers are no longer doing the work and the private contractors now police themselves. BCGEU believes that government cutbacks in 2002 are leading to an infrastructure system that is failing. BCGEU has put together an information package for the public to make their own assessment as to services from the contractors. The pamphlet outlines common standards on amounts of snow permitted, cleaning of ditches, cutting grass, etc. They are asking Council to consider a resolution that calls for the Ministry to do more policing and to review the audits completed on the contractors. Mayor Fox responded saying that we are fortunate in Vanderhoof to have well manned maintenance crews. The municipality works well with YRB. The problem here is the lack of passing lanes and other construction needs between Vanderhoof and Prince George. Mr. Baker added that the BCGEU campaign is not designed to discredit any contractors but to reveal failures in the infrastructure. In Terrace, for instance, culverts need to be changed out, road bases are soaked with water and frost heaves are forming, leading to erosion in the road base road. Mr. Baker left pamphlets and a copy of the DVD. Mayor Fox thanked Mr. Baker for his presentation

2 3.2 Peter Albers, Jake Wall concerns re: Vanderhoof LRMP Jake Wall displayed mapping of proposed remote areas in the LRMP consisting of approximately 247,000 ha in the Vanderhoof area. If closed, recreation seekers would not have access to many park areas. The public was to be informed with table meetings leading to a consensus, but it appears that the public process has broken down. He feels that the guide outfitters, in attempts to protect their guiding areas, are behind a lot of the proposed changes. They want to restrict all motorized vehicles in their guiding territory. The main concern is for public access to hunting, camping and fishing. Peter Albers expressed his opinion that there had to be an even playing field for everyone. Mayor Fox informed that Council forwarded a letter in 2006 outlining its concerns to curtail access to recreational lands. He added that the LRMP process is legislated in that it has to be a land use plan and it is moving forward and evolving. Mayor Fox thanked Mr. Albers and Mr. Wall for sharing their concerns suggesting that perhaps Council may wish to invite Traci Leys-Schirok from the Integrated Land Management Bureau to provide an update on the LRMP. 3.3 Peet Vahi flood mitigation efforts Peet Vahi inquired as to short and long-term works and strategies for flood mitigation as he doesn t want to go through another summer as in Mayor Fox responded saying that Council is in the process of developing a plan. Funding was secured late last year and an engineering firm has been hired to evaluate the community as to appropriate flood mitigation measures. A public meeting will be held mid-march. Mayor Fox added that the District may have to go to the 200-year flood plain level with dyking. The District is in close contact with Alcan regarding its plans for water releases. Alcan knows what water levels our community can sustain. The District does not have community resources to go about completing projects ad hoc. We need the information from the experts before proceeding. There may be long-term options such as lobbying for the dredging of Tatsa Narrows but that must be part of an overall plan and Council is not there yet. Council will look at options once it s known what we need to achieve. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS 4.1 Fire Department Councillor Pedersen reported that the Department had discussions regarding the purchase of exercise equipment for the Fire Hall. Perhaps Council could assist. 4.2 Vanderhoof Library Councillor French attended the appreciation dinner for volunteers on Monday. The AGM will be held on March 11 th. 4.3 Historical Society 2

3 The Society feels it needs a grant writer and may hire Heather Stephens for the job. 4.4 Emissions inventory Councillor Woodruff informed that a survey is being distributed through NVSS. 4.5 Stuart Nechako Hospital Board Mayor Fox reported on a meeting of mayors and area directors from Burns Lake and Granisle eastward. 2 new hospitals are required in Fort St. James and Burns Lake and in 15 years or so, Vanderhoof will be in need. 40% of the funding must come from taxpayers. There is reserve funding for the 2 hospitals but funding for the Vanderhoof hospital is the subject of debate. Should current or future taxpayers pay? Perhaps this discussion could be held during the budget process. 4.7 Meeting with the Premier Mayor Fox will meet with Premier Campbell in Prince George tomorrow at 3:30 pm. 4.8 NDI Beetle Task Team They will be looking at some 60 applications for beetle funding on Friday this week. 4.9 Bond Road issue Mayor Fox and Paul Hascarl will meet with the Ministry of Transportation on Friday to discuss the situation with Quail Road and the Bond Road closure. that the verbal reports be received. 5A. CORRESPONDENCE FOR DISCUSSION 5A.1 Jake Wall, Neil Helland Vanderhoof LRMP that the correspondence be received. 5A.2 Lawrence and Ruby Harder property tax levies that the correspondence be received; further that a letter be forwarded to Mr. and Mrs. Harder in regards to the actual amount of the municipal portion, the frontage taxes and in general, the process with BC Assessment Authority. 5A.3 Greater PG Manufacturing Initiative request for letter of support that a letter be forwarded to the Greater PG Manufacturing Initiative in support of its efforts to procure more orders for machined goods and services from various federal ministries and the oil and gas exploration industries. Mayor Fox added that this project is part of the overall Progress House initiative. 5A.4 Nechako Lake Speed Skating Club request to donate ice, March 1-2,

4 that the ice be donated to the Nechako Lake speed Skating Club at $30.58 per hour, which is 50% of the regular rate and the same rate charged to Minor Hockey for the provincial pee wee tournament. 5B. CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION 5B.1 Provincial Ombudsman 2006 annual report 5B.2 Provincial Transit Plan 5B.3 Northern Health updates 5B.4 NCMA resolution submission deadlines 5B.5 WorkSafe BC regulation changes to improve worker safety 5B.6 COFI updates 5B.7 UBCM Picture BC contacts; highlights of January 25 th executive meeting 5B.8 Correspondence listing for January, B.9 Ministry of Environment 2008 Pitch-In Week 5B.10 Provincial Health Services Authority update 5B.11 UBCM regulations for use of zero emission electric vehicles 5B.12 Northern Health new community cancer clinic for Vanderhoof 5B.13 NCMA call for nominations and items for silent auction that the correspondence for information be received. 6. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS 6.1 Cheque listing for January, 2008 French/Woodruff that the cheque listing for January, 2008 in the amount of $323, be approved. 6.2 Statement of revenue and expense French/Pedersen that the statement of revenue and expense for January, 2008 be received. 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. BYLAWS No items presented. 8.1 District of Vanderhoof Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 1024, 2008 that the District of Vanderhoof Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 1024, 2008 be given third reading. 4

5 8.2 District of Vanderhoof Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1026, 2008 that the District of Vanderhoof Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1026, 2008 be given third reading. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1 Vanderhoof Fire Department mobile home sited on airport lands that the correspondence be received. 9.2 Building inspection services agreement that the District of Vanderhoof renew the building inspection services agreement with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako for the calendar year of 2008 with the same terms and conditions. 9.3 Motion to exclude the public Woodruff/French that, pursuant to Section 90(1) (c), Section 90(1)(e), Section 90(1)(i) and Section 92 of the Community Charter, the public be excluded from the meeting to follow adjournment. 10. ADJOURNMENT Moved Councillor French that the meeting be adjourned at 6:05 pm. MAYOR CORPORATE OFFICER 5