Notes from Council, October 20, 2025

Notes from Council, October 20, 2025

• Cedar LNG representatives provided an update to Council and received questions on the project.

• Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) and Tamitik Status of Women jointly spoke to Council with an overview of actions to prevent violence against women and girls. BWSS was extended an invitation to speak to Council from the July 7 meeting after council received a letter from the organization regarding a province-wide campaign to address gender-based violence.

• Tamitik Status of Women presented on a separate matter, updating Council on the use of the Kitimat Day Shelter and requested financial support to extend its operations. The request has been referred to future deliberations for the 2026 municipal budget.

• Council approved the initial two readings for the Floodplain Management Official Community Plan. This is part of the process to update the Official Community Plan, reflecting flood management practices. From here the bylaw will be referred to the Coast Mountain School District and there will be a Public Hearing on November 17.

• Council passed the initial three readings for the Mountainview Square Road Closure and Dedication Removal bylaw. While not an active road, a portion of the affected land at this space is legally registered as a municipal road. This bylaw allows the portion of land in question to be added to adjacent lots.

• Council adopted the Permissive Tax Exemption Amendment bylaw. A Permissive Tax Exemption bylaw is used for certain properties and means that property taxes are not collected. In this case, the bylaw is updated to reflect a change in ownership of a place of worship, as well as the inclusion of land parcels that the District will be leasing for public recreation.

• Council adopted the Municipal and Regional District Tax Bylaw. The MRDT is a two per cent tax collected at applicable tourism accommodations in Kitimat and is revenue that directly supports local tourism promotion and activities.

• Council directed for staff to process a Development Variance Permit application for 240 Chinook Avenue. The application’s purpose is to allow a greenhouse to be constructed closer to the rear and side property lines.

• Council directed the cancellation of the 2025 Tax Sale. The tax sale is an annual process under legislation to auction certain properties with two years of unpaid property taxes. The cancellation of the 2025 tax sale reflects an error in process in terms of providing required advance notice for affected property owners, a process which was amended and put into force earlier this year.

• Council has directed for remedial action to take place to address a nuisance property at 31 Egret Street within 30 days if the materials identified on the property have not been cleaned and removed by the property owner.

• Council has directed for remedial action against a nuisance building at 76 Capilano Street within six months if actions have not been taken as identified within the motion.

• A report to Council outlining requirements for Duty to Accommodate was received. This report follows direction from Council to report back on the topic, relating to concerns heard from a member of the public at an August 2025 meeting.

• Council will obtain a BC Social Procurement Initiative membership and staff will report back on the practicality of implementing a social procurement initiative.

• Council directed for staff to research suggestions provided by the Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) and Tamitik Status of Women presentation on how to address gender based violence.