Merritt public meetings in 2023
21 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Committee of the Whole
The City of Merritt Committee of the Whole is reconvening to continue discussions from the December 11, 2023 meeting. This session is part of a multi-day series scheduled for December 11 through December 14.
- Continuation of the December 11, 2023 Committee of the Whole agenda
Committee of the Whole
This meeting is a reconvening of the Committee of the Whole from December 11, 2023. The agenda consists of continuing discussions, with sessions scheduled through December 14 if required.
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
The City of Merritt Council will consider three readings for Bylaw No. 2357, 2023, which sets rules for local election and assent voting. Council is also scheduled to vote on adopting Bylaw No. 2356, 2023 to amend the city’s 2023-2027 financial plan, which determines funding allocations for municipal services. Staff recommend council approve a development variance at 1510 Williams Crescent and support dedicating park land for the Bann Street subdivision rather than accepting cash-in-lieu payments. Information items include correspondence regarding emergency department closures and a Canada Community Building Fund grant.
- Bylaw No. 2357, 2023: Three readings proposed to establish new election and assent voting rules.
- Bylaw No. 2356, 2023: Adoption recommended to amend the city’s 2023-2027 financial plan.
- Development Variance Permit DVP 2022-003: Council to decide on a parcel depth variance at 1510 Williams Crescent.
- Subdivision 2023-002 (Bann St.): Staff recommend dedicating park land within the subdivision instead of accepting cash-in-lieu payments.
- Information items: Letter from MLA Jackie Tegart on emergency department closures and a Canada Community Building Fund grant.
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will discuss the 2024 budget presentation and preliminary financial plan. The agenda also includes a review of financial aid to City organizations and the proposed 2024-2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw.
- 2024 Budget Presentation
- Proposed 2024-2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw
- Review of Financial Aid to City of Merritt Organizations
Policy Review Committee
The Policy Review Committee is reviewing the draft 2024 - 2026 Charges and Fees Bylaw. The committee will also review a report regarding financial aid provided by the City to local organizations.
- 2024 - 2026 Charges and Fees Bylaw Draft
- Review of Financial Aid to City of Merritt Organizations
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will consider a financial plan amendment bylaw and the adoption of a new strategic plan. Additionally, council is reviewing remedial action requirements for properties at 1798 and 1740 Voght Street.
- Bylaw 2356: 2023-2027 Financial Plan Amendment
- Remedial action requirement for 1798 Voght Street
- Remedial action requirement for 1740 Voght Street
- Adoption of the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan
- Enbridge regional updates presentation
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
The Council will review several municipal policies, including privacy, vehicle use, dress code, and workplace conduct. Additionally, they are set to approve the 2024 meeting schedule and acting mayor rotation.
- Notice of Motion regarding home repair requirements for catastrophic damage
- Approval of the 2024 Council Meeting Schedule
- Appointment of the 2024 Acting Mayor rotation
- Approval of the Fortis Operating Agreement
- Review of various municipal policies including Privacy, City Hall Vehicles, Dress Code, Respectful Workplace, and Attendance Management
Policy Review Committee
The Policy Review Committee will review several draft policies regarding city operations. This includes a return of the amended policy for the use of City Hall assigned vehicles.
- Use of City Hall Assigned Vehicles policy review
- Privacy Management Policy introduction
- Street Naming and Addressing Policy discussion
- Dress Code Policy discussion
- Respectful Workplace Policy discussion
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will review the 2022 Annual Report and a quarterly report for the Baillie House visitors centre. The agenda also includes an amendment to the Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw.
- Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2356, 2023 amendment
- Baillie House Quarterly Report presentation
- City of Merritt 2022 Annual Report and audited financial statements
- Spayum Holdings letter of support request for Gateway 286 grant
- Request for size variance of a memorial plaque at Pineridge Cemetery
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will meet to review a presentation from Tourism Nicola Valley. Greg Girard and Tony Luck are scheduled to present their marketing plan.
- Presentation by Greg Girard and Tony Luck regarding the TNV marketing Plan
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
The Council will review three readings of Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2356, 2023. The agenda also includes updating authorized signers for municipal banking and a proposed extension for remedial actions at 1625 Coldwater Avenue.
- Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2356, 2023 readings
- 35-day extension for Remedial Action Requirement at 1625 Coldwater Avenue
- Update to authorized signers for Municipal Finance Authority of BC
- Amendments to City banking signing authorities
- Approval for Councillor Egan to attend economic development conference
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will discuss the City of Merritt Compost Facility and receive a presentation regarding the Walk of Stars Society Revitalization Project. The agenda also includes the adoption of minutes from August 8 and August 23, 2023.
- City of Merritt Compost Facility discussion
- Walk of Stars Society Revitalization Project presentation
- Adoption of August 8, 2023 meeting minutes
- Adoption of August 23, 2023 meeting minutes
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will review considerations for the Merritt Business Improvement Area. Jeremy Heighton, Executive Director of the Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association, will provide a presentation. The committee will also adopt minutes from the July 26, 2023, meeting.
- Adoption of July 26, 2023, Committee of the Whole minutes
- Presentation on Merritt Business Improvement Area considerations
The Committee adopted the minutes from the July 26, 2023 meeting. The session included a presentation on the function and funding of Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) in British Columbia.
- Adopted Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes from July 26, 2023 (Carried)
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will choose between several operational options for the City of Merritt Compost Facility, including potential private leasing or hauling. They will also consider approving a concept design for the Pine Ridge Cemetery Columbarium and reviewing a new tax exemption bylaw.
- Future operations for the City of Merritt Compost Facility
- Concept design approval for Pine Ridge Cemetery Columbarium
- Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2356, 2023 readings
- Upholding invoices #7120 ($7,693.61) and #6996 ($7,814.36)
- FortisBC Energy Transition Plan presentation
Council approved the concept design for the Pine Ridge Cemetery columbarium and upheld two invoices for properties on Voght and Grimmett Streets. The council also appointed members to the Airport Advisory Committee and deferred a tax exemption bylaw.
- Approved Pine Ridge Cemetery columbarium concept design
- Upheld Invoice #7120 ($7,693.61) and Invoice #6996 ($7,814.36) for 3350 Voght Street and 3155 Grimmett Street
- Deferred Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2356, 2023 to September 26, 2023
- Instructed staff to arrange a Committee of the Whole meeting regarding compost facility options
- Appointed Mayor Goetz, Ray Robinson, Geoff Scholtens, Ron Panton, Quinn Pooley, and Jessie Pierce to the Airport Advisory Committee
- Adopted July 25, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole
The committee adopted the minutes from the July 26, 2023 meeting. The remainder of the session was conducted in closed session regarding the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements.
- Adopted July 26, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes (Carried)
- Approved moving to closed session pursuant to Section 90(1)(e) of the Community Charter (Carried)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee adopted the minutes from the May 2, 2023 meeting. Members discussed an Economic Development Strategy and the roles of the City and Tourism Nicola Valley, though no formal votes were recorded for these items.
- Adopted May 2, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes (Carried)
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
Council approved a contract for track repairs at Voght Park and authorized borrowing over $406,000 for a wildland fire truck. The city also accepted its 2022 audited financial statements and updated several municipal policies. Additionally, Council ratified a grant application for Coldwater River flood mitigation.
- Approved $993,450 contract to KLL Construction for Voght Park track repairs
- Authorized borrowing $406,260 from Municipal Finance Authority for a Wildland Fire Truck
- Accepted 2022 Consolidated Financial Statements
- Ratified grant application for Coldwater River flood mitigation and risk assessment
- Appointed Adam Etchart as Alternate Director for Thompson-Nicola Regional District
- Approved $5,000 platinum sponsorship for 2023 Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo
- Adopted amended policies for Community Grant in Aid, Employee Long Service Recognition, and Outdoor Water Use
- Appointed Mayor Goetz, Councillor Etchart, and Councillor Charney to Parcel Tax Review Panel
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
Council issued remedial action requirements for two properties to remove nuisance materials. The city also approved the development of a mixed-use building at 2102 Coutlee Avenue and appointed a new Financial Officer.
- Adopted Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No 2355, 2023 (CARRIED)
- Ordered removal of nuisance materials at 1625 Coldwater Avenue within 60 days (CARRIED)
- Ordered removal of nuisance materials at 1525 Main Street within 120 days (CARRIED)
- Approved Kevin Natkinniemi as the City’s Financial Officer (CARRIED)
- Directed staff to work with Pattison Food Group on a 3-storey mixed-use building at 2102 Coutlee Avenue (CARRIED)
- Allocated approximately $3.2M in Provincial housing funds to the 2102 Coutlee Avenue project (CARRIED)
- Amended cheque signing authorities for elected and appointed officials (CARRIED)
- Adopted June 13th, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Minutes (CARRIED)
Policy Review Committee
The Policy Review Committee approved several recommendations for mobile food vendor operations, including a new booking system and bylaw amendments. The Committee also advanced the Employee Recognition and Community Grant in Aid policies to Council for consideration.
- Approved recommendations for mobile food vendors including a booking system and 5-hour time limits (Carried)
- Decided mobile vendors must be self-sufficient with no power upgrades provided (Carried)
- Directed staff to implement decibel reading regulations for generators (Carried)
- Directed staff to prepare amendments to the Business Licence Bylaw (Carried)
- Requested Use of City Hall Assigned Vehicles Policy be updated to include Fire and Public Works vehicles
- Requested Employee Recognition Policy be advanced to Council as presented
- Recommended outdoor water restrictions for even numbered houses on Thursdays and Sundays
- Requested Community Grant in Aid application be updated to include organizer fundraising amounts
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
Council adopted zoning and OCP amendments for 1227 Midday Valley Road and approved buyout contracts for TEMHP phase 1 and 2 residents. A transit agreement with Cook’s Ferry Indian Band was approved, and the Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2355 was passed. Council also directed proactive enforcement of the Good Neighbour Bylaw in the flood inundation area starting June 30, 2023.
- Adopted OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 2353 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2354 (CARRIED)
- Approved Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2355, 2023 (CARRIED)
- Approved TEMHP buyout contracts for phase 1 and phase 2 residents (CARRIED)
- Approved Transit Agreement with Cook’s Ferry Indian Band (CARRIED)
- Appointed Mayor Goetz and Councillors Etchart and Charney to Parcel Tax Review Panel (CARRIED)
- Directed staff to enforce Good Neighbour Bylaw in flood inundation area starting June 30, 2023 (CARRIED)
- Approved list of priority Ministry meeting requests for UBCM (CARRIED)
- Adopted May 23rd, 2023 meeting minutes (CARRIED)
Merritt City Council Regular Meeting
Council extended the expiration of the Temporary Evacuee Mobile Home Program by one year. The city also approved the 2022 Statement of Financial Information and the 2022 Development Cost Charges report.
- Extended Temporary Evacuee Mobile Home Program expiration from Dec 31, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025 (Carried)
- Approved 2023 Extraordinary Grant-in-Aid of $7,500 for Merritt & District Chamber of Commerce from Council Contingency funds (Carried)
- Approved City of Merritt Statement of Financial Information for year ended December 31, 2022 (Carried)
- Approved 2022 Development Cost Charges (Carried)
- Adopted May 9, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Minutes (Carried)
- Adopted May 10, 2023 Special Council Meeting Minutes (Carried)
- Referred enforcement of Good Neighbour Bylaw in Flood Inundation Zone to next Regular Meeting