CITY OF REVELSTOKE

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003
COMMENCING AT 3:30 P.M.


PRESENT:
Council: Mayor M. McKee
Councillors: C. Johnston, B. MacFarlane, T. O’Hagan, N. Richardson, M. Singh
Excused: Councillor P. Frew

Staff:
D. H. DeGagne, Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Corporate Administration
G. Inglis, Director of Finance
E. Greenwood, Administration Secretary
T. LeRose, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration
B. Yeomans, Superintendent of Public Works
T. Knight, City Planner
A. Mason, Director of Community Economic Development
A. Chell, Director of Parks, Recreation and Personnel

Others:
S. Filipchuk, Revelstoke Cable TV
D. Rooney, Revelstoke Times Review




CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor McKee called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance.


ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:

Moved by Councillor Richardson, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that the Agenda be adopted with the following addition: COMMITTEE REPORT – Mayor McKee, Chair Administration, Policy, Bylaws and Public Relations 12.h) Change of Date for Council Meeting.
CARRIED


ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES:

1. Regular Council Meeting – August 25, 2003

Moved by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor O’Hagan that the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held August 25, 2003 be adopted as presented.
CARRIED


BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:

1. Regular Council Meeting – August 25, 2003

Nil.


PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Indoor Pool Project

Mayor McKee read the following Update

On Tuesday, September 9, 2003, Council will meet with Task, our construction manager, and Vic Davies, our Architects, to move the pool project forward. Council is very excited with the high level of experience and expertise that these firms bring to the table. Among other issues, Council will discuss timeline options. This should result in a decision by Council on whether or not to start construction in the fall or wait until spring. Although Council wanted to explore the potential for a fall start, a decision in this regard has not been made.

Also on September 9, 2003, Task, Vic Davies and City representatives will be meeting with members of the Pool Committee and related user groups to obtain input on design and other details. This input is critical to ensure the end product meets the needs of the community.

On a related matter, you are no doubt aware that Council’s decision respecting the hiring of a construction manager for the pool project is the subject of a lawsuit. This dispute has resulted in a lot of accusations and allegations by various individuals. Because this matter is the subject of litigation, Council is limited in what they can say in response to these allegations.

However, Council can say with confidence that the process was fair to all and that Council was well informed in the decision making process. Most of what is being said results from a difference of opinion. However, some allegations are, in our opinion, erroneous or put forward without all the facts being known or understood. Council has no problem with differences of opinion, in fact, it is a welcome part of the democratic process. However, statements made that are erroneous or have no basis in fact do nothing but inflame the situation and impact negatively on the project and the community.

Council has chosen not to get involved in a war of words as it would be counter-productive. Rather, Council intends to move the project forward in the best interests of the whole community and, if necessary, rely on the litigation process to provide the facts and clarity that cannot be revealed at this time. Council is confident that the outcome of the project and the litigation will reflect positively on its decisions.


CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Revelstoke Skating Club Re: Request for Reduction in Ice Rates and Elimination of Interest Charged on Outstanding Invoices

Moved by Councillor MacFarlane, seconded by Councillor Richardson that the correspondence from the Revelstoke Skating Club be referred to the Parks and Recreation Committee and Finance Committee for review.
CARRIED


COMMITTEE REPORTS:


COUNCILLOR FREW, Chair Public Works and Protection

1. Monthly Animal Control Report – August 2003

Mayor McKee requested that the report be amended to include how many animals are currently in care waiting to be adopted.

2. Monthly Fire Department Report – August 2003


COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON, Chair Planning and Land Development

1. Monthly Building Permit and Accumulative Building Permit Summaries – August 2003

2. Development Variance Permit DVP-2003-27 – 304 Fifth Street East

Mayor McKee called for comment from the public regarding the proposed Development Variance Permit. None were given.

Moved by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor Singh that Development Variance Permit DVP-2003-27 be approved.
CARRIED

Councillor O’Hagan questioned whether a response had been received from the immediate neighbour and if the City had confirmation of them receiving the notice. The City Planner replied that the notices are mailed out. Councillor O’Hagan was concerned that the City did not know whether the neighbours had received their notice and requested the Planning Committee review the way notices are sent out for future applications.


COUNCILLOR MACFARLANE, Chair Economic Development

1. Monthly Business License Summary – August 2003


COUNCILLOR O’HAGAN, Chair Finance

1. City of Revelstoke Cheque Summary – September 2, 2003 - $477,249.55


COUNCILLOR RICHARDSON, Chair Environmental, and Social Issues

1. Monthly Victim Assistance Program Report – August 2003

2. Food Bank and Housing Centre Update


COUNCILLOR SINGH, Chair Parks and Recreation

No Report.


MAYOR MCKEE, Chair Administration, Policy, Bylaws and Public Relations

1. STARS BC – An Enhanced Helicopter Air Ambulance Service

Moved by Councillor Richardson, seconded by Councillor Singh that Council send letters to the MLA’s for the Interior Region and the Honourable Colin Hansen, Minister of Health Services supporting the Enhanced Medical Air Rotary Transport Committee in their initiative to provide a STARS-like model for the public of Interior BC.
CARRIED

2. Comox Firefighters Association

Mayor McKee read out a letter from the Comox Firefighters Association commending four members of the City’s Fire Department who assisted at the Lamb Creek fire outside of Cranbrook.

Mayor McKee also advised that Fire Chief Wade Rota has been called by the Provincial Fire Commissioner to work in the Emergency Operations Centre in Cranbrook and on behalf of Council he relayed thanks to everyone who has been involved in fighting the local forest fires.

3. Chamber of Commerce Agreement

Moved by Councillor Richardson, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that the revised agreement between the City of Revelstoke and the Chamber of Commerce be approved as presented.
CARRIED

4. City of Revelstoke Fees and Charges for Various Municipal Services and Goods Bylaw No. 1706

Moved by Councillor Singh, seconded by Councillor O’Hagan that City of Revelstoke Fees and Charges for Various Municipal Services and Goods Bylaw No. 1706 receive First, Second and Third Readings.
CARRIED

5. Policy C-8 Council Proceedings (Distribution of Minutes); Policy R-5 Record Search Fee

Moved by Councillor MacFarlane, seconded by Councillor Richardson that Policy C-8 Council Proceedings (Distribution of Minutes) be amended to delete “Board of Variance Chairman and Recreation Commission Chairman” from the distribution of minutes at no charge and “Other interested firms, associations or businesses be charged in accordance with the rates outlined in the City’s Fees & Charges for Various Municipal Services and Goods Bylaw”; and that Policy R-5 Record Search Fee be repealed.
CARRIED

6. Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Health Care

Moved by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor Richardson that Mr. Dinham Drew be appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Health Care.
CARRIED

7. Proposed Night-time Whistle Cessation - Mackenzie Avenue Rail Crossing Update

8. Big Eddy Floodplain Update

9. Change of Date for Council Meeting

Moved by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor Richardson that due to the UBCM Convention in Vancouver, the regularly scheduled Council Meeting of September 22, 2003 be changed to September 29, 2003.
CARRIED


OLD BUSINESS:

1. Illegal Fence located at 308 Benson Street

Moved by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that if the fence located at 308 Benson Street is in contravention of the City’s Bylaws that staff proceed with enforcement.
CARRIED
Opposed: Councillor Singh


NEW BUSINESS:

1. Interior Health Authority

Councillor Richardson requested that the Interior Health Authority be invited to the September 29, 2003 Council Meeting.


RESOLVE INTO IN CAMERA:

Moved by Councillor Richardson, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that Council resolve into In Camera at 4:00 p.m. to consider items of business pursuant to Section 242.2 of the Local Government Act.
CARRIED


BUSINESS ITEMS TO REPORT:

1. Cott – Fire Protection Services – City Request for Consent from CSRD

That Staff send a letter to the CSRD Board of Directors, requesting its consent to the City of Revelstoke for the provision of fire protection services to Cott Revelstoke Ltd. situated outside the municipal boundaries at Jumping Creek Forestry Road, Lot A, Plan NEP61052.

2. Downie Burner

It was reported that due to the cooler, damp weather Downie Sawmills has requested to restart its burner operations. Staff will contact the Fire Chief and David Raven, BC Forests, to discuss the potential for lifting of the fire ban for local sawmill operations.


ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION(S):

Moved by Councillor Singh, seconded by Councillor Johnston that the resolution(s) as approved by Council In Camera, be adopted.
CARRIED


ADJOURNMENT:

Moved by Councillor Richardson, seconded by Councillor MacFarlane that the meeting adjourn at 4:50 p.m.
CARRIED



DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION

MAYOR


Certified a true copy this day of , .


Director of Corporate Administration