MINUTES

CITY OF MERRITT

REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
2185 Voght Street
Merritt, B.C
PRESENT:
  • Mayor L. Brown
  • Councillor M. Bhangu
  • Councillor K. Christopherson
  • Councillor A. Etchart
  • Councillor T. Fehr
  • Councillor T. Luck
  • Councillor M. White
IN ATTENDANCE:
  • Mr. S. Hildebrand, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Mr. J. Dinwoodie, Director of Engineering & Development
  • Mr. S. Smith, Director of Corporate Services
  • Ms. S. Thiessen, Director of Finance & IT
  • Mr. W. George, Tourism & Economic Development Manager

1.
CALL TO ORDER
 

1.1
Call to Order
 

Mayor Brown called the meeting to order at 7:02pm

2.
LATE ITEMS
 

3.
PUBLIC INPUT
10 m
 

Michelle Sproson of 1575 Main Street, a neighbour of 1330 Pine Street spoke to item 9.3, the 1330 Pine Street OCP amendment.

Michelle provided her opinion that the OCP is not in support of this rezoning application.  She also mentioned Council's campaign promises to deal address flood issues and stated her opinion that this development would add to flood problems on the Coldwater River.

4.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
 

4.1
Regular Council Meeting Minutes - August 27, 2019
 

  • THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on August 27, 2019 be adopted

    Moved, Seconded, CARRIED

5.
PUBLIC HEARING
 

 

6.
GENERAL MATTERS - Delegations and Recognitions
 

6.1
2019 Summer Tourism Ambassadors
 

File: 6900

Rachel and Joe spoke to Council as the 2019 Tourism Ambassadors for the City of Merritt.  They were open at the kiosk for 56 days and had 4,384 visitors to the kiosk.  The Kiosk was at the 100th Airport Anniversary, the Canada Day Celebration, the Night Markets, Bass Coast, Rockin' River, Central Park and Dewolf Way.

6.2
Korean Culture Day
 

File: 0250

Mr. Young Li (John) Kim to invite Council to Korean Culture Day on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Civic Centre

Mr. Young Li (John) Kim discussed the Korean Cultural Day event with Council.  The event will be held on September 27, 2019 at 5:30pm in the Civic Centre Auditorium at 1950 Mamette Ave, Merritt BC.

The purpose of the event is to strengthen cultural understanding between Koreans and Merritt residents, and to serve Merrittonians through Korean cultural performances.

6.3
Water Restrictions
 

File: 0250

Mr. Craig Gray to address Council on the matter of water restrictions

Mr. Craig Gray presented to Council, stating his position that none of the aquifers that the City draws on come from the Coldwater River.  He argued that when you look at the evidence, noting a 2012 report issued by the Province, water restrictions do absolutely nothing to reduce water levels on the Coldwater River.

7.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
 

8.
BYLAWS
 

8.1
City of Merritt Fire Safety Regulations
 

File: 3900.2272

  • 244/19

    THAT Council adopt City of Merritt Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 2272, 2019

    Moved, Seconded, CARRIED

9.
NEW BUSINESS
 

9.1
August 2019 Financial Position Report
 

File: 1870

245/19

  • THAT Council accept this report for information only

    Moved, Seconded, CARRIED

9.2
Kettle Valley Railway - TNRD Letter of Support
 

File: 0480

The TNRD is working on an application to secure two 5 year tenures to develop a portion of the KVR Railway, after which there will be an option to renew the tenures.  The TNRD is seeking a letter of support from the City of Merritt for this initiative.  More information will be provided to Council as it is available.

  • 246/19

    THAT Council provide the TNRD a letter of support in favour of their KVR trail tenure applications

    Moved, Seconded, CARRIED

9.3
1330 Pine Street Rezoning – Direction to proceed with OCP Amendment
 

File: 3900.2116

  • 247/19

    THAT Council direct staff to bring forward an Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw to Council that would allow Intensive Residential (R9) development in the Collettville sector.

    Against (3)Mike Bhangu, Kurt Christopherson, and Adam Etchart
    Moved, Seconded, CARRIED

9.4
Change in Funding Source – Flood Mitigation
 

File: 5225

  • 248/19

    THAT Council direct staff to allocate one hundred fifty thousand ($150,000) dollars from the Gas Tax Reserves for the Flood Mitigation Plan project and amend the 2019-2023 Financial Plan to reflect this allocation

    Moved, Seconded, CARRIED

9.5
CAO Update
 

File: 0112

10.
NOTICES OF MOTION
 

11.
REPORTS FROM COUNCIL
 

Councillor Bhangu and Mayor Brown encourage the public to attend the Community Clean-up Day on September 21, 2019.

Councillor Luck invited the public to donate food through the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive, sponsored by a number of local groups and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He noted that bags will be dropped off at homes in Merritt during the week.

12.
INFORMATION ITEMS
 

13.
TERMINATION OF MEETING
 

The Mayor declared the meeting ended at 8:49pm

No Item Selected