Regular Council Meeting January 26, 2009
Posted by admin in : Fernie , add a comment1) Development Variance Permit Approved
Council approved Development Variance Permit No. 216 for 932-4th Avenue to legalize the siting of the existing single detached dwelling and to legalize the siting of the existing sundeck with steps.
2) Fernie Bear Aware Program
Ms. Kathy Murray, Fernie Bear Aware Program Delivery Specialist provided Council with an update of the 2008 Bear Aware Program and the Final Progress Report regarding the Bear Smart Community Initiatives. Ms. Murray noted there has been a reduction in bear mortality statistics over the last few years, which can be attributed to increased awareness, and an improvement in the management of bear attractants by residents of the community.
3) Fernie & District Historical Society Lease Agreement
The Agreement between the City of Fernie and the Historical Society for the lease of civic property located at 491 2nd Avenue for a term of 25 years commencing on
February 1, 2009 was approved and further, the Mayor, and Chief Administrative Officer were authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
4) Living Water Smart Initiatives
Council committed to reduce water consumption by 20% by 2011 and further, committed that 50% of new municipal water needs will be met through water conservation measures by 2020.
This was initiated due to recent discussions with the Province regarding an application submitted by the Operations Department for funding the construction of the NW Reservoir and a pipeline connecting the reservoir to a proposed well in James White Park. The Province had concerns with the application and the fact that it appeared the City did not reflect a strong commitment towards water conservation and demand side management. Supporting the conservation measures will hopefully enhance the application and better the City’s changes of the application being successful.
5) The Ride to Conquer Cancer
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two-day cycling journey, which will take place in Alberta and British Columbia on June 26-28, 2009. The Event Coordinator recently contacted Council requesting the event be allowed to finish in Fernie on June 28 at the Fernie Aquatic Centre.
Council supported the request and will allow the cycling relay to use the parking lot as their finish site.
To find out more about the event please visit their website at www.conquercancer.ca
6) Building Healthy Communities
An invitation will be extended to representatives of the Interior Health – Health Protection Team to attend an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss with the Committee regulatory and health improving activities and roles, which will support and serve our community.
7) City of Fernie Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan -Milestone 1 – Corporate and Community Emissions Inventory
Council received the above noted document and authorized Ms. Megan Walsh to forward the plan to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Partners for Climate Protection as having completed Milestone 1.
The next step in the process is to engage the community in a discussion about greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies. This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the College of the Rockies.
8) Bylaw No. 2089 cited as the 2009 Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw a bylaw to authorize borrowing pending receipt of the 2009 current year taxes was granted first, second and third reading. This bylaw authorizes the City to borrow from any Chartered Bank in the City an amount or amounts not to exceed $2,500,000.00 dollars. Any monies borrowed shall be used solely for the purpose of meeting the current lawful expenditures of the Municipality in 2009.
9) David Suzuki Foundation – Species and Ecosystem Protection Act Endorsement
Council agreed to forward their endorsement to the Species and Ecosystem Protection Act and to indicate their support of the key principles to provide for effective protection. British Columbians need to protect species from habitat loss and global warming. A provincial Species and Ecosystem Protection Act would be critical to maintaining and recovering a healthy ecosystem.
10) Poverty Reduction plan with Targets and Timelines
The City of Fernie agreed to endorse and sign the Columbia Institutes Open Letter to British Columbia Political Parties: BC Needs a Poverty Reduction Plan with Targets and Timelines.
11) Earth Hour “Lights Out”
The City has agreed to participate in the Earth Hour “Lights Out” event to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009.
Regular Council Meeting January 12, 2009
Posted by admin in : Fernie , add a comment1) Development Variance Permits approved:
a) Development Variance Permit No. 191 was approved for 152-4A Avenue to vary the maximum parcel coverage, the maximum open porch and open porch eave projections into the minimum rear yard setback to legalize the construction of an ‘L’ shaped open porch.
b) Development Variance Permit No. 213 was approved for 701 & 711 2nd Avenue to vary the required number of off-street parking spaces from 34 spaces to 2 spaces to enable the operation of an 80-seat restaurant and a retail store and further, to vary the fencing height requirement in the front yard from 1 metre to 1.68 metres for a wrought iron fence to enclose an outdoor furniture display area.
2) BP Canada Energy Company – Mist Mountain Coalbed Gas Project
Representatives from BP Canada Energy were in attendance to provide council with an update on the Mist Mountain Coalbed Gas Project and further to discuss the details regarding the tenure application process leading to the Provincial Government awarding BP tenure for lands in the Crowsnest Coalfield, excluding lands in the Flathead Watershed.
3) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
Ms. Megan Walsh was in attendance on behalf of Wildsight and provided an overview of the City of Fernie’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan on the community emissions inventory. Ms. Walsh noted that Council had previously approved a corporate emissions inventory and that these steps lead towards meeting the City’s commitment to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program.
4) Notice of intended Disposal (lease) of the Heritage Hydro Building at 491 2nd Avenue
Council authorized notice of the proposed disposal (lease) of the Heritage Hydro Building to the Fernie and District Historical Society for a period of 25 years at rental rate of $1.00 per year in accordance with the requirements of the Community Charter.
The following are among other things some areas that the Society will be responsible for:
➢ Paying any taxes or license fees;
➢ Repairing and replacing the leased area (building and land and every part thereof and improvements thereon and all equipment and fixtures0;
➢ Providing janitorial services, rubbish removal, snow clearing or sidewalks and the parking area;
➢ Paying all costs for garbage collection, telephone, internet, natural gas, water, sewer and electricity etc.
➢ Purchasing and maintaining in force during the term public liability insurance in the sum of at least $2M;
➢ Purchasing and maintaining standard fire insurance.
The Society will provide a public museum and archives and operate a downtown visitor information centre in the building.
5) Liquid Waste Management Plan Steering Committee (LWMP)
The Process and contents of a LWMP are influenced in large measure by the requirements of the Province set forth in Guidelines for Developing a Liquid Waste Management Plan relating to the management of sanitary sewage.
Council appointed Councillors Goos, Giuliano and Mayor Corrigan to sit on the (LWMP) Committee.
6) Teck Coal Limited – Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement (EVPTSA). Recent boundary extensions to bring Class 4 rural properties into the EVPTSA were not in place prior to the end of June 2008 resulting in Teck Coal having paid the taxes twice on these properties. Teck Coal is requesting the Ministry to refund the overpayment.
Council referred the letter to staff for review and requested a report be brought back for Council’s consideration.
7) Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane’s Five Point Plan
Council moved to support the Citizens Concerned about Coalbed Methane’s five-point action plan “Building a safe future for CBM” calling for the following:
➢ Suspend CBM drilling across B.C. until four key policy improvements are in place:
➢ Local communities have a clear say in deciding where and how CBM projects proceed;
➢ CBM projects undergo mandatory environmental assessments that address cumulative impacts;
➢ “World-class” CBM regulations promised in B.C.’s Energy Plan are fully implemented and enforced; and
➢ Funds are dedicated to independent baseline research and to proving the safety of “world-class” technologies.
8) Bylaws
Bylaw No. 2078, cited as Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 Amendment Bylaw No. 85, 2008 (Applicant – Pat Dwyer for 1561 10th Avenue) was adopted.
This will allow for the construction of eight dwelling units located above the first storey of the building at 1561 10th Avenue.