CITY OF FORT ST. JOHN OPEN STRATEGIC PLANNING AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 23, :00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

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1 CITY OF FORT ST. JOHN OPEN STRATEGIC PLANNING AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 23, :00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT: Acting Mayor Karen Simpson Councillor Lori Ackerman Councillor Dan Davies Councillor Larry Evans Councillor Don Irwin John Locher, City Manager Carol Susak, Director of Corporate Administration Fred Burrows, Fire Chief Curtis Helgesen, Deputy Treasurer/Collector Patti Murray, Director of Community Services Horacio Galanti, Director of Engineering Jim Rogers, Director of Protective Services Victor Shopland, Director of Public Works and Utilities Grace Fika, Manager of Human Resources Janet Prestley, Deputy City Clerk 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:01 p.m. 2. Notice of New The following items were added to the agenda: crosswalk at Business: Northern Lights College, parade request for the Cadets, notice of meeting, residential sidewalk snow removal and Enerplex funding. 3. Adoption of The January 23, 2006 Strategic Planning and Finance Committee Agenda: agenda as amended was adopted by consensus. 4. Adoption of Strategic Planning and Finance Committee Meeting of Minutes: January 9, 2006 THAT, the minutes of the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee Meeting of January 9, 2006 be approved. 5. Business Arising: None 6. Delegations: Ministry of Transportation Introduction of District Manager Mike Minshall, Operations Manager North Peace - Ashok Bahatti, Operations Manager for Peace River South - Neil Wood and Area Manager - Dean Daniels Mr. Minshall explained that there were a number of personnel changes within the Ministry and he wished to introduce senior staff to Council.

2 January 23, 2006 Page 2 6. Delegations: Ministry of Transportation (continued) Introduction of District Manager Mike Minshall, Operations Manager North Peace - Ashok Bahatti, Operations Manager for Peace River South - Neil Wood and Area Manager - Dean Daniels Councillor Evans asked about future Alaska Highway four-laning plans. Mr. Minshall replied that the Ministry is developing four laning plans for the highway from the Humpty s intersection to the 269 and 271 roads. He reported that future work is subject to available funding. Councillor Irwin asked what the Ministry of Transportation s responsibilities are in this area. Mr. Minshall responded that the Ministry is responsible for the maintenance and construction of all rural roads including the Alaska Highway. Councillor Ackerman asked about the upgrading of 86th Street from 100th Avenue to the North Bypass Road. Mr. Minshall replied that the Ministry is reviewing traffic channelization and drainage issues for this road and the final designs have not been completed as of yet. Councillor Davies asked why the left turn lane was moved from the 96th A Street/Alaska Highway intersection to the 92nd A Street intersection. Mr. Minshall explained that this turn was dangerous and the decision was made to redirect traffic to a signaled intersection. He noted that placing another set of lights at the 96th A Street/Alaska Highway intersection would congest traffic since there would be too many signals too close together on the highway. Acting Mayor Simpson thanked the delegation for attending the meeting. 9. New Business: Northern Lights College Councillor Davies stated that a lit crosswalk needs to be installed on the North Bypass Road at Northern Lights College. The City Manager replied that this road is the Ministry of Transportation s responsibility. The road is scheduled for upgrading in 2007 and the College is considering driveway access relocation so the crosswalk could be installed after these projects are completed. Parade for Cadets Councillor Ackerman received a request from the Legion asking for approval to have a small parade on May 27th starting at the Legion and ending at City Hall where a Freedom of the City ceremony will be conducted. The City Manager stated that this ceremony is a special honour and suggested that staff provide a report outlining additional events that could be included to recognize this important ceremony.

3 January 23, 2006 Page 3 9. New Business: Quality of Life Meeting Councillor Evans announced that a Quality of Life meeting is taking place on January 24, 2006 at the Health Unit to discuss handicap issues and invited the public to attend. Residential Sidewalk Snow Removal Councillor Irwin asked if the City had a residential sidewalk snow removal bylaw. The City Manager replied that sidewalk snow removal is included in the Traffic Bylaw although regulations are for commercial businesses only. Councillor Irwin asked how residential sidewalk snow removal could be incorporated into the bylaw to persuade residents to clean them. The City Manager reported that a revised bylaw will be placed on an upcoming agenda for Council s consideration. The meeting recessed at 2:21 p.m. and reconvened at 2:24 p.m. New Totem Archery Club Jea Geelen, President Ms. Geelen explained that the Archery Club wrote this letter in October, 2005 since the Club did not have an indoor facility at that time. She reported that this issue had recently been rectified. Cor DeBoon provided the club s history to Council and outlined the variety of programs that the Archery Club offers. Ms. Geelen reported that the Club partnered with the Taylor Archery Club and is sharing their indoor facility. She stated that there are 100 archers in the club although these numbers have dropped to 26 due to the travel time involved to go to Taylor. Enerplex The City Manager explained the Enerplex s concept and amenities proposed for the building. He outlined the proposed funding allocation between the City, Provincial and Federal Governments. The Provincial Government committed $12.5 million for the project but due to two Federal Government elections, a funding commitment has not been obtained from them. The City Manager stated that the Provincial Government requires a financial commitment from the City regarding this project by Monday, January 30th. He noted that the price of the project has not been determined although four project cost estimates will be submitted by the consultants which will determine the type of material that will be used for construction.

4 January 23, 2006 Page 4 9. New Business: Enerplex (continued) The City Manager mentioned that Council also needs to consider whether or not the project will be scaled back in size if required. He informed Council that the Enerplex concept had always included a speed skating oval with two ice rink surfaces. Discussion took place regarding the Enerplex s budget and operating costs. RECOMMENDATION NO. 1 THAT, it be recommended to Council that the City of Fort St. John commits to the construction of the Enerplex project in 2006 and will scale back the project to comply with available funding if required. 7. Correspondence: None The meeting recessed at 2:46 p.m. and reconvened at 2:51 p.m. Gaming Centre Councillor Irwin asked about the status of the lawsuit between the City and the Coalition for Open Government. The City Manager replied that topics such as these are discussed in a closed meeting but reported that there is no petition filed with the court at this time. 8. Reports from Administration Report No. 23/06 City Manager & New Totem Archery Club Lease Agreement and Building Administration: Options The City Manager provided an overview of the report. Discussion took place regarding the feasibility of providing water and sewer services to this property. RECOMMENDATION NO. 2 THAT, it be recommended to Council that the City approves in principle the renewal of the lease agreement with New Totem Archery Club for a five year period subject to the final review and authorizes the Mayor and Director of Corporate Administration to sign the lease agreement.

5 January 23, 2006 Page 5 8. Reports from Administration Report No. 23/06 (continued) City Manager & New Totem Archery Club Lease Agreement and Building Administration: Options RECOMMENDATION NO. 3 THAT, it be recommended to Council that the City s first option is to work with the Club to find a suitable building or property that is serviced by water and sewer and failing that to approve in principle the Club s request to locate a building for the purposes of an indoor range, on the leased property, subject to the proviso that the Club connects to water and sewer, that all regulatory requirements are met and that the design be complementary to the parks and recreation setting in which it will be located. City Manager s Briefing Report North Bypass Road The City Manager clarified that the North Bypass Road from 100th Street to the east side of Kin Park is the City s responsibility. The City would have to work with Highways to incorporate a crosswalk at the College intersection. The City Manager reported that a bicycle trail is also being planned for this section of road. He stated that a grant application will be submitted within the next month for the Province s consideration. Toboggan Hill 9. New Business: Council Calendar Acting Mayor Simpson reported that the RCMP were enforcing the no parking areas on the toboggan hill and suggested that signage be installed to inform residents. The City Manager replied that no parking signage was installed on the hill but were vandalized and subsequently destroyed. He explained that the roadway and parking area is marked by clearing a snow path to the hill, although this has been difficult due to the lack of snow this year. The City Manager noted that parking is only allowed at the east end of the hill. The Director of Public Works was requested to coordinate a clearly marked parking area for the toboggan hill. The Council Calendar was received for information.

6 January 23, 2006 Page Motion to None Close Meeting: 11. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m. Confirmed by Council this 13th day of February, 2006 CERTIFIED CORRECT WILLIAM JAMES EGLINSKI, MAYOR CAROL SUSAK, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION