Minutes of a Committee of the Whole Meeting held electronically on Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Minutes covering regular committee business including public safety reports, election procedures, and transit priority projects.
MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
HELD ELECTRONICALLY ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE EMERGENCY PROGRAM ACT MINISTERIAL ORDER NO. M192
PRESENT WERE: Mayor Screech Councillor Kowalewich Councillor Lemon Councillor Mattson Councillor Rogers
REGRETS:
PRESENT ALSO: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration D. Christenson, Director of Finance L. Chase, Director of Development Services J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering P. Hurst, Director of Protective Services Insp. Preston, West Shore RCMP E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer J. Cochrane, Executive Assistant
5 members of the public attending electronically 0 members of the press
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.
The Mayor acknowledged that this meeting is being held on the traditional territory of the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the agenda be amended to include items 10. a) and b);
AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS, ADOPTION OF
a) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held January 12, 2021
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held January 12, 2021 be adopted. CARRIED
4. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.1 PROTECTIVE SERVICES & COMMUNITY SERVICES – Councillor Lemon, Chair
6.1.1 Chair’s Report
6.1.2 Business Arising from Previous Minutes
6.1.3 Reports
STAFF REPORTS
a) Public Safety Report for November – December 2020
- Report dated February 3, 2021 from the Director of Protective Services
The Director of Protective Services gave a summary of the report to the Committee.
The Committee and Director discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, supply of personal protective equipment, contracting out of the Town’s building inspection services, new rescue vehicle, and mental health calls for service.
MOVED BY: Mayor Screech SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the report dated February 3, 2021 from the Director of Protective Services titled “Public Safety Report for November – December 2020” be received for information. CARRIED
b) West Shore RCMP Monthly Media Summary
- Monthly Media Summary – December 2020
Insp. Preston discussed statistics, enforcement, and open files in View Royal.
The Committee and Inspector discussed mental health, gang activity, and calls for service.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the West Shore RCMP Monthly Media Summary dated December 2020 be received. CARRIED
6.1.4 New Business
6.2 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Mayor Screech, Chair
6.2.1 Chair’s Report
6.2.2 Business Arising from Previous Minutes
6.2.3 Reports
STAFF REPORTS
a) Election Procedures Bylaw No. 989, 2018 – Proposed Amendments: Election Signs and Logo Usage
- Report dated January 22, 2021 the Corporate Officer and Deputy Corporate Officer
The Corporate Officer gave a summary of the report to the Committee, noting the inclusion of an additional option being the prohibition of any plastic signs.
The Committee considered the report’s various options for election signs and expressed interest in taking a measured approach that would establish sign zones with a limit on the number and size of signs. The Committee also noted the importance of including safety provisions, protecting the Town’s medians, and allowing private property owners to continue to have election signs on their property as they see fit. Clarification around the use of the Town’s logo in campaign material was discussed.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the report dated January 22, 2021 from the Corporate Officer and Deputy Corporate Officer titled “Election Procedures Bylaw No. 989, 2018 – Proposed Amendments: Election Signs and Logo Usage” be received. CARRIED
b) Territorial Acknowledgement Policy No. 0100-052
- Report dated January 29, 2021 from the Corporate Officer
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
COW-04-21 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that Territorial Acknowledgement Policy No. 0100-052 be approved. CARRIED
c) CAO Update
- Report dated February 4, 2021 from the Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) gave an overview of the report to the Committee.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the report dated February 4, 2021 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “Chief Administrative Officer Update” be received for information. CARRIED
d) Town’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Presentation
- Presentation of the Town’s GIS from the Director of Engineering
The Director of Engineering gave an overview of the Town’s GIS to the Committee.
The Committee and Director discussed the frequency of updates and information that can be included in a GIS.
OTHER REPORTS
6.2.4 New Business
7. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the meeting now recess at 5:32 p.m.
EVENING BREAK
8.1 CALL TO RECONVENE – Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT WERE: Mayor Screech Councillor Kowalewich Councillor Lemon Councillor Mattson Councillor Rogers
REGRETS:
PRESENT ALSO: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration L. Chase, Director of Development Services D. Christenson, Director of Finance J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering J. Chow, Senior Planner J. Davison, Community Planner E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer J. Cochrane, Executive Assistant
2 members of the public attending electronically 0 members of the press
8.2 PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
a) J. Wadsworth, L. Trotter, and E. Nordstrom, BC Transit, Re: BC Transit Island Highway Transit Priority Project
Mr. Wadsworth gave a PowerPoint presentation on BC Transit’s Island Highway Transit Priority Project, updating the Committee regarding:
- ridership increases;
- RapidBus as a component of the region’s twenty-five year “Transit Future Plan”;
- planning process - Island Highway Phase 1 study – View Royal and Colwood;
- design work – Island Highway Phase 2;
- stakeholder engagement;
- advancement, construction, and delivery; and
- next steps.
The Committee, Mr. Wadsworth, and the Director of Engineering discussed traffic flow, an additional traffic control device to be installed by the Transit Commission at the Island Highway/Atkins Road intersection, land required for a new park and ride, impact to business owners, and pedestrian safety.
7.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.1 PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT – Councillor Rogers, Chair
9.1.1 Chair’s Report
9.1.2 Business Arising from Previous Minutes
9.1.3 Reports
STAFF REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
OTHER REPORTS
9.1.4 New Business
9.1.5 Correspondence
9.2 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT – Councillor Mattson, Chair
9.2.1 Chair’s Report
9.2.2 Business Arising from Previous Minutes
9.2.3 Reports
STAFF REPORTS
a) Community Amenity Contributions Policy Amendment
- Report dated February 3, 2021 from the Senior Planner
The Senior Planner summarized the report for the Committee.
The Committee, Director of Development Services, and Senior Planner discussed a desire for flexibility and options for the use of community amenity contributions.
It was noted that community amenity contributions are intended to ease the transition to new developments for neighbourhoods as they can provide the “nice to have” items as opposed to projects that are to be funded from taxes.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Mayor Screech
COW-05-21 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that an amendment to Policy No. 6400-041 – Community Amenity Contributions be approved.
b) Board of Variance Update Report
- Report dated February 3, 2021 from the Community Planner
The Community Planner gave an overview of the report for the Committee.
MOVED BY: Mayor Screech SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the report dated February 3, 2021 from the Community Planner titled “Board of Variance Update Report” be received for information. CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.2.4 New Business
9.3 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION – Councillor Kowalewich, Chair
8.3.1 Chair’s Report
8.3.2 Business Arising from Previous Minutes
9.3.3 Reports
STAFF REPORTS
a) BC Transit Island Highway Priority Project Update
- Report dated February 4, 2021 from the Director of Engineering
The Director of Engineering gave a summary of the report to the Committee.
The Committee and Director discussed project scope, potential for an additional future bus lane west of Six Mile Road, and potential congestion due to the installation of additional traffic control devices.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Mayor Screech
COW-06-21 THAT the Committee recommend that Council endorse the BC Transit Island Highway Priority Project;
AND THAT the Town of View Royal support the BC Transit Island Highway Priority Project throughout the process as required. CARRIED Councillors Kowalewich and Rogers opposed
b) Distance Between Motor Vehicles and Cyclists – Request for Signage
- Report dated February 3, 2021 from the Director of Engineering
The Director of Engineering gave an overview of the report to the Committee.
The Committee and Director discussed the possible installation of some “Share the Road” signs in the Town.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Mayor Screech
THAT the report dated February 3, 2021 from the Director of Engineering titled “Distance Between Motor Vehicles and Cyclists – Request for Signage” be received for information. CARRIED
c) Regional Transportation Priority Setting
- Report dated February 5, 2021 from the Director of Engineering
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that, in response to the Capital Regional District Board’s request to provide regional transportation priorities, the Town of View Royal indicate its 100 points be allocated to the revitalization of the E&N Rail Corridor. OPPOSED Mayor Screech and Councillors Kowalewich and Rogers opposed
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Mayor Screech
COW-07-21 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that, in response to the Capital Regional District Board’s request to provide regional transportation priorities, the Town of View Royal indicate its 100 points be allocated to the creation of a regional governing body for transportation issues. CARRIED Councillors Lemon and Mattson opposed
COMMITTEE REPORTS
OTHER REPORTS
9.3.4 New Business
a) Erskine Lane – Councillor Mattson
Councillor Mattson questioned whether it would be possible to install cycle lanes and sidewalks in a manner that would preserve trees on Erskine Lane.
The Committee, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Director of Engineering discussed the requirement for a bylaw variance to alter the road width, the provision of sharrows, tree loss, loss of on-street parking if the street is narrowed, desire by residents for a sidewalk, pedestrian safety if a sidewalk is in a heavily treed area, and traffic speed vis a vis road width. Staff will continue to work with the developer to get the best engineering results for the Town.
b) Shoreline School Expansion – Mayor Screech
The Mayor stated that he and the Chief Administrative Officer met with J. Watters, R. Painter, and S. Green from the Greater Victoria School District No. 61 regarding the potential Shoreline School expansion through the closure and relocation of the Craigflower Elementary School population to Shoreline School.
The Mayor suggested that the anticipated increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Island Highway should be further explored.
MOVED BY: Mayor Screech SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
COW-08-21 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that, due to the potential increase in pedestrian and vehicle traffic from the Shoreline School expansion, staff ask ICBC to undertake a safety audit at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Island Highway;
AND THAT a traffic study be completed for the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Island Highway. CARRIED
10. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Email dated February 8, 2021 from I. Brown, Re: BC Transit Island Highway Transit Priority Project
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Mayor Screech
THAT the email dated February 8, 2021 from I. Brown, Re: BC Transit Island Highway Transit Priority Project be received. CARRIED
b) Email dated February 8, 2021 from J. Skrlac, 501-288 Eltham Road, Re: Park and Ride Proposal, Atkins Road, View Royal
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Mayor Screech
THAT the email dated February 8, 2021 from J. Skrlac, 501-288 Eltham Road, Re: Park and Ride Proposal, Atkins Road, View Royal be received. CARRIED
11. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION
12. QUESTION PERIOD
13. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION
14. TERMINATION
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 9:19 p.m. CARRIED
MAYOR
CORPORATE OFFICER