Summary of Proceedings:

Present: Mayor Santo Talarico Councillors Lisa Dafoe, Wendy Coomber, Sue Peters and Annette Pittman (via telephone) Staff: Chief Administrative Officer Martin Dalsin Chief Financial Officer Cristina Martini Press & Media: Gareth Smart, Hub Online Network.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

A) Economic Development • Councillor Peters and Councillor Coomber. No meeting no report.

B) Budget & Administrative Services • Councillor Peters and Councillor Coomber. No meeting no report.

C) Policy & Bylaw Review • Mayor Talarico and Councillor Peters:

1) Utility Discount Extension MOVED by Councillor Peters SECONDED by Councillor Dafoe THAT due to COVID-19 restrictions Council approves an extension of the deadline for the 10% discount on utility payments to May 31 for 2020 only. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2) Seniors Discount Waiver MOVED by Councillor Peters SECONDED by Councillor Dafoe THAT senior discounts be granted without signatures. AND THAT forms are to be held and signed when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Public Works & Community Facilities • Mayor Talarico and Councillor Dafoe:

Community Facilities Mayor Talarico informed the public that the Cache Creek Park Playground, has been roped off, and the Community Hall and Fitness Centre are padlocked shut until the health warnings around COVID-19 are lifted.

Village Services & Liaison • Councillor Dafoe and Councillor Coomber:

1) Canadian Royal Purple Week Mayor Talarico proclaimed the week of May 10-16, 2020 to be Canadian Royal Purple Week.

2) Historic Hat Creek Ranch Councillor Coomber reported that she was on a phone meeting regarding the ranch. They have a few employees on staff already working toward getting the ranch ready to open for the season. The opening day is set for May 1st, but this will likely be delayed due to COVID-19.

Protective Services • Mayor Talarico and Councillor Coomber:

1) Roundtable Meeting Councillor Coomber reported that on March 17 she and Mayor Talarico met with approximately 14 people representing the Villages of Cache Creek and Ashcroft, The Ashcroft Indian Band, the Ambulance service, Interior Health, TNRD Area Directors and Emergency Management Staff, and the Ashcroft Pharmacy. They all discussed if they had the beginnings of a joint plan to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak to see what everyone is doing and ensuring we do not have any gaps in service in terms of water, or prescription medicine availability. It is difficult to stay on top of things with how quickly things are changing but a joint statement was issued and there will hopefully be future meetings. Mayor Talarico added that it was nice to get together with everyone who did attend and it was great to get an overview of how things are maintained, especially regarding how the Pharmacy plans to maintain their supply chain. He also found the dialogue with all the other communities and representatives that were there very helpful. He also hopes there will be future meetings.

2) Freshet Planning Councillor Dafoe reported that she, Councillor Peters and Councillor Coomber attended an EMBC planning session regarding what is to be expected in the upcoming spring flood season. It was pointed out that it is important to be sure that the public do not lose sight of the risk of flooding in light of everything else going on. Mayor Talarico stated the Fire Department has started filling sandbags. CAO Dalsin reported that earlier in the day Fire Chief Moe reported that fire practices have been cancelled moving forward due to COVID-19. They will still respond to fire calls, but will not have regular practices. There will be a stockpile of empty sand bags at the park along with a pile of sand for people to be able to fill their own bags but to maintain social distancing while filling.

Intergovernmental Relations • Mayor Talarico and Councillor Coomber:

Member of Parliament Brad Vis Mayor Talarico reported that Minister Vis has issued a letter to the Honorable Patti Hajdu covering the points that Council brought up with Mr. Vis on his visit regarding the Village’s concerns around rural health care.

NEW BUSINESS:

Potential for Electronic Meetings Councillor Peters wondered about using an electronic video platform to be able to hold meetings electronically in order to avoid meeting in person moving forward. CAO Dalsin has concerns regarding the security issues of online meeting platforms, he would prefer using our conference phone. Councillor Coomber recommended that moving the meetings to the meeting room in the Community Hall would provide more space to allow for proper distancing. Councillor Peters stated that her concern is that we may be placed on full lock-down, at which point there must be a different option. Councillor Pittman stated that the Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs advised that they are discouraging Municipalities from conducing Council Meetings and if they do to only limit the items to a few so that the public can attend.