The City of Grand Forks council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night, discussing an in camera letter circulated by a councillor and deciding which councilors would attend the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments conference in Rossland this spring.
Minutes
While council normally spends relatively little time adopting the minutes of the previous meeting, much of the discussion on Monday night revolved around the accuracy of the minutes from the February 14 Committee of the Whole.
Councillor Julia Butler raised objection to item 13 a) of the agenda, resolution to go in camera based on Section 90 (1)(a) to discuss personal information about an individual. While it is noted in the minutes that Butler was opposed to going in camera, Butler said she wanted it stated for the record that she was opposed because sections (c) and (g) were not listed as reasons.
“It is noted that I voted against the resolution, and I would like it noted that the reason I stated was that the agenda did not include section (1)(c) employee relations and (1)(g) litigation or potential litigation facing the city,” she said. “I wanted the reason noted.”
Councillor Neil Krog said he was against amending the minutes because Butler had not voiced her specific reasons at the time, meaning the minutes as presented were an accurate depiction of what occurred.
“At the time you did not say you wanted those two [added]. This morning you requested two other headings and they were granted, but you had not requested it [at that meeting],” he said.
Councillor Bev Tripp then followed Butler with a note that while she had voted in favour of going in camera at that meeting, she had since responded to the two items Butler raised and had a “private and confidential” letter for mayor and councillors, which she then distributed. Copies were not given to members of the public or media.
A debate ensued about how best council should handle the letters, given that they dealt with in camera information that would have to be released from in camera before the letters could be accepted at a public meeting. Tripp maintained that the letters were regarding the special meeting immediately preceding the in camera; however that they should be considered private correspondence.
After cautioning by Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Doug Allin that the city should seek legal advice before accepting such letters, mayor Frank Konrad announced that council would not be accepting the letters and they were returned to Tripp.
Council then voted on the amendment to the minutes. Councillors Thompson, Krog, Hammett and the mayor were opposed, so the amendment failed and the minutes were adopted as presented, which Tripp and Butler opposed.
Report from the regional district
Konrad presented his report from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, noting recycling and solid waste issues that came up at the RDKB. The landfill in Grand Forks will be operating 41.5 hours per week, an increase of 11 hours, to meet demand.
Recommendations for decision
A report from the deputy manager of operations recommended that council approve the contract with Joan Heart for the position of campground host from April 27-Sept. 30, 2017. The contract is valued at about $9,000, and is for the maintenance of the site over the course of the tourism season. Every councillor spoke in favour of the contract, with many noting that the increase in revenue to the campground last year as a result of Heart’s presence and care for the site far exceeded the cost of the contract. This value of this contract represents a slight increase over last year, which Allin said was more than justified given Heart’s dedication to the job, including getting up before dawn to clean the washrooms before campers wake up.
Council also received a report from the manager of operations on the solid waste contract with the RDKB. Butler raised concerns about the cost in the contract for yard waste pickup, billed at $50,000 for nine months of once-monthly pickup. She asked staff if there was a way to provide the same service for cheaper, perhaps by hiring contract or casual staff to pick up yard waste from city residents.
The motion, stating that council agrees to the five year (2017-21) contract with the RDKB for weekly solid waste, green bin and yard waste collection; and that the city join regional recycling services provided by Multi Materials BC. Butler and Tripp were opposed.
Information items
Council moved to approve the special occasion liquor license to gallery 2 for their Wineology 101 event on March 10. Butler said she was supportive of the motion, congratulating gallery 2 on innovative fundraising ideas that will attract patrons who love their fall wine tasting event.
Council received for information two letters from Nadine Heiberg, one each submitted under maiden and married names.
Late item
Councillor Christine Thompson moved to add a late item to the agenda, which Butler and Tripp voted against. Thompson’s motion was that she, Hammett and Konrad attend the AKBLG on behalf of the city in the spring, for the purpose of saving money for the taxpayers.
“I have been thinking about the AKBLG in Rossland and I put forward the following resolution for consideration, that Council authorizes the mayor, Hammett and myself to attend 2017 AKBLG in Rossland.
Tripp spoke strongly against the motion, noting that since she had a resolution before the AKBLG she considered it imperative that she attend.
“As I have a motion I am hoping to have passed, I would very much like to be present,” she said.
Councillor Butler spoke against the motion, noting her offense at a time when she believes the council should come together.
“This reminds me of the motion before UBCM that also excluded Councillor Tripp and myself from attending meetings with ministers. I think it is an important time to come together, work together and support one another and I would not be in favour of limiting attendance,” she said. “Councillor Krog [and Councillor Ross] had already stated they would not be attending so really this is a motion to exclude Councillor Tripp and myself and I take offense.”
Konrad then called the question on the motion, with Butler and Tripp voting against. The motion passed. Butler continued to speak regarding AKBLG during question period, when a member of the public also asked by the councillors were being “excluded.
Tripp later reiterated that he wished to attend given her motion, and also being a new councillor who has not already attended. She proposed instead that she, herself and Thomspn attend given that she and Thomspon have motions on the table at the conference.
“It is to do with costs and the taxpayers having that burden. Councillor Hammett, the mayor and myself have been to the conference and are familiar and know how to conduct ourselves,” Thompson said in response to the question. “Taking offense is unfortunate and it is not expected to be personal.”
