Tara Irwin

The meeting involved discussions on several significant items, including a request from the Terrace and District Museum Society to change its mandate to include establishing a downtown museum and digital archival system, and updating director election terms. The United Way presented on its Better at Home Project aimed at assisting local seniors. Council supported the Museum Society's proposed mandate changes and received the United Way presentation for information. Committee of the Whole discussions addressed a Development Variance Permit for Sunshine Inn Executive Suites Inc. regarding building height and a Zoning Amendment for Vista View Holdings Ltd. to change zoning from R1 to R3. Financial matters included supporting a grant application by Ksan House Society, amending the 2013-2017 Financial Plan to add reserves, and adopting the 2013 Tax Rate Bylaw. Following an in-camera session, a resolution was passed to offer a sale agreement for Co-op property to Superior Lodging.

The meeting included discussions and decisions on several items. A presentation was received regarding the Seabridge Gold KSM Project Update, focusing on its economic viability and planned operations. The Council also addressed a request from the Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat for a resolution of support for grant funding to expand the apron, replace under-runway ducts, and develop snow removal equipment exit areas. Additionally, the BCGEU representative requested recognition for Community Social Services Awareness Month. In new business, the Council resolved to invite the RCMP Inspector to report on future priorities and adopted several bylaws concerning highway naming, animal control amendments, and a temporary loan. The proceedings also included committee reports and the adoption of minutes from previous in-camera and committee meetings.

The meeting began with an In-Camera Special Council session to discuss personnel matters. During the regular session, Council reviewed information stating that agendas and minutes are available online. Key discussions included a request from the Salvation Army for 500 pool passes to include in their Christmas hampers, which was approved at a cost to the unbudgeted fund. Council also considered a request from the Terrace Northmen Rugby and Football Club for resolutions of support for grant applications totaling over $249,000 for field upgrades. A letter of support was approved for the Kalum Community School Society's Gaming funding application, and support was granted for the Terrace Riverboat Days Society's application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust. Following convention into Committee of the Whole, discussions covered OCP and Zoning Amendments for a property at 4830 Highway 16 West, and a recommendation to support a geothermal exploration permit application by Kitselas Development Corporation (KDC), contingent on groundwater protection. Further items included discussions on grant funding policies, specifically considering repealing Policy No. 52 and contributing $50,000 to the Terrace Community Foundation, and approving contributions toward the Highway 16 Transit Expansion Proposal. An employee was designated as the Bylaw Enforcement Officer, and travel approvals were granted for the Mayor and a Councillor. First and second readings were passed for the Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment Bylaws related to 4830 Highway 16 West.

The meeting included an In-Camera session to discuss personnel matters. During the regular session, the Council received a delegation from the BC Government and Service Employees' Union requesting a Letter of Support for Community Social Services Awareness Month. The Council subsequently approved a resolution recognizing March as Community Social Services Awareness Month and passed a motion to provide the requested letter of support. The Committee of the Whole discussed the Development Services Component, leading to recommendations regarding a Development Variance Permit for an accessory building at 5101 Agar Avenue and a Zoning Amendment for the Sunshine Inn Executive Suites Inc. properties. Further Committee of the Whole business included referring the Living Wage concept for review. Special reports covered approval for Councillor Davies to attend the Council of Forest Industries Conference and Mayor Pernarowski to attend the BC Mayors' Caucus, as well as receiving the February 2013 Building Synopsis. The Council also passed the first and second readings of the Zoning Amendment Bylaw related to C3 Zone uses. New Business included a report on hosting the 2015 North Central Local Government Association AGM. Finally, two items were released from In-Camera status: approval for signing the Cooperation Protocol Agreement update with the Kitsumkalum First Nation, and appointments to the Kermodei Tourism Society Board.

The documented meetings covered several important items. Discussions included a presentation regarding a proposal for a second boat launch on the Skeena River, which was referred for administration review. The Council adopted minutes from previous meetings and dealt with various committee reports, including funding allocations for Kermodei Tourism participation in a tradeshow and reviewing the budget shortfall for the Visitor Information Centre. Special reports addressed entering into the Terrace Rural Water Supply Agreement, amending Animal Control and Ticket Information Utilization Bylaws, receiving the Terrace RCMP Detachment Annual Report for 2009, and providing free transit during the Terrace 2010 BC Winter Games. Bylaw adoptions included amendments to Zoning and Official Community Plan Bylaws, particularly concerning secondary suites and property rezoning at 4620 Davis Avenue, as well as the adoption of a Temporary Loan Bylaw. New business included donating funds to Haiti relief efforts and discussions on upcoming community events and priorities for MLA advocacy, such as infrastructure development and hospital replacement.