Committee of the Whole

Afternoon, everyone.

I'll call the afternoon portion of the committee of the whole meeting to order, and I will recognize our friends and our neighbors, the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation.

And hopefully, for the second to last time, I have to read this out.

This meeting is being held under the auspices of Ministerial Order M192 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health officers' orders prohibiting gatherings.

So the public will be able to weigh in both this afternoon and the this evening under public participation.

And you probably that refers to any item on the agenda that you would like to speak to in either this afternoon's or the the evening session.

And the number to call in is 778-402-9227.

778-402-9227 when prompted, enter conference ID number 889-064-654 pound.

And at the appropriate time in the agenda, I will ask announce the last four digits of your phone number.

I will ask you to mute the live webcast to avoid feedback, ask you to not use speakerphone to ensure sound quality, and ask that you unmute yourself by pressing star six.

And you may begin and please just give us your name and address for the record.

This meeting will be recorded by participating in this webcast.

You are consenting to being recorded, and the recording will be available on the town's website for future access.

So the one change I knew of for the agenda was I think there was general consensus to defer the Chilco Park off leash to the September Committee of the Whole.

Was there?

Yeah, yeah.

Well, I mean, certainly I heard from most, not you, but most.

Because of the fact there's a a lot of public interest in that, and that'll allow the public to be here in chambers with us if they choose to be.

Are they allowed to bring their dogs if they're on leash?

They can do whatever they say.

So we're gonna do if staff can put the Chilco on the September Committee of the Whole.

And with that amendment, can I get a motion to approve the agenda, please?

Thank you.

Just to just take a question.

I'm under the um under protective services.

I'm wondering if the um new business should go into um the chief's area.

It's fine where it is.

I think the chief will be here.

Yeah.

Yep, okay.

We can he can speak to it.

There you go.

All right.

Um sorry I have to go back up my computer still.

All right, check and see if you're on the council chambers.

Because mine had actually bounced to the if you were all guest one.

So just leave it outside and come back for petitions and delegations.

Um okay, so the agenda was moved for approval by councillor Mattson, seconded by Councillor Lemmon.

All in favor, opposed.

That's carried.

We have the minutes from June the 8th.

Move the adopt.

Thank you.

Adoption was moved by Councillor Madsen.

Seconded by Councillor Lemmon.

There are any comments, corrections?

No, everything's good.

All in favor, opposed, that's carried.

Next up, we have petitions and delegations, but I would just suggest you just wait a moment, Rachel, as um Councillor Rogers is back in.

Oh, Councillor Rogers is now here.

So welcome, Rachel Sansom, on behalf of B.

Baker, the owner of 1720 Wilfred.

Hello.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Chair and Committee.

It's lovely to see you all again.

I look forward to seeing you live in person soon.

As you know, um, now hopefully I've got the right screen up.

I did practice this earlier, but you know how that goes.

Um, can you see my present?

Oh, there it is.

I can see behind you.

Lovely.

So back in December, if you recall, I approached uh a committee regarding 1720 Wilfert Road.

As you're aware, the C7 zone changed to remove the um uh mixed commercial and residential use from that zone, and we were hoping to be able to rezone this parcel then to allow the residential use again.

At that time, you did ask me to return with a bit more detail, and of course, our architects were very busy, and you know, we're all coverting, and here we are today.

I do apologize for the delay.

I was hoping to get this in front of you sooner.

So hopefully, in your agenda packages, you can see the short letter and attachments that showed what we were hoping to propose and move forward into a rezoning application.

Yeah, where are you going to go forward for me?

There we go.

So the location of the property is essentially behind the casino on Wilfert Road, just off the intersection of the island highway there, and it does back on to Mill Stream Creek.

This was a 2018 proposal that never did go forward.

This was on behalf of a potential purchaser who got as far as a development permits.

I did believe go went before council, but it didn't proceed.

At that time, one of the critical elements of that proposal was a road closure of Wilfert Road that had been contemplated primarily to accommodate parking, but also to move that mixed-use building on the left away from the Millstream Creek embankment.

Our proposal is slightly different, different configuration of buildings.

The red line does indicate the right pairing setback as identified by Thomas Roy, our biologist.

He has confirmed that there is no changes to that, but of course, should we go forward, we'll we'll perform a more thorough analysis for your review.

You'll note that the proposed residential apartment does encroach into the proposed road closure, a slight, slight difference from the previous application.

And we do have mixed use included in this.

I believe that the lower floor of one or both buildings would still like to be a commercial office type use.

As previously noted, it's not the best place for commercials.

It's hidden by the casino and the car dealership in front.

It may be appropriate for apartments uh earliertainly a lovely view off the back to geotechnical stability of the embankment and of course all that analysis will be completed in full with a full application so um i if uh you're willing today, we would like to proceed with a rezoning application and certainly here to take your questions um prior to that okay thank you no elevation some nice elevations of it they're kind of blocky looking but it gives you the idea of the scale of six stories sorry forgot that one I am now finished thank you okay thanks so just before we just go to feedback just is director chase, are you on the line?

No.

I was just curious on the zoning on that, because I believe before we took the residential out, I think residential was still just an accessory use to commercial.

I believe it was a mixed use, sorry through the chair, if I may.

Mixed use commercial.

Um and then the residence residential component was deleted.

Right.

Yeah.

Okay, thank you.

So is Rachel just looking for comments?

Yeah, they're just looking for general feedback, and I suppose some clarification.

We had we have made it clear with the 2018 proposal, the council wasn't interested in selling our road right of way.

And I I get the impression that that is sort of being asked again.

Yes, we if I may through the chair.

Is that correct, Rachel?

Uh the owner is interested in purchasing a portion of that road right away if indeed council thought it was appropriate to dispose of that.

Um it certainly is not our property, so um that's that's entirely up to to council.

Okay, thank you.

So yeah, I think it's just general feedback and and a and an idea of whether we would be so in general, I just don't see any benefit to the town from this at all, other than you know, more people.

It's looks huge.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't see how that benefits town of you royal.

So your general feedback is that you're not supportive of the concept as presented.

No, yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

Yeah, no sweat.

No, that's why it's here is is just to get an unofficial feedback.

Yeah.

Councilor Rogers?

Yeah, I feel the same way.

Um, thank you for for presenting and and thank you for s showing us the um uh the ideas you have, but um no, I I I don't see um uh the benefit uh to the neighbors of the town or or even the farm next door to you.

Um and it's it is interesting because um we did have a uh an application recently on I think at the 200 block Atkins, and uh the geotech um uh response to that was stay back stay back stay back um this is um you know glacial till as uh Mr.

Pollack uh the farm next door knows full well and as we've had historically and um what I see here is uh really um something that might belong in I don't know Alberta and um you know this is a um um uh you know on on such a a steep bank uh right next to a highly sensitive ecosystem is um uh causes me great uh great great concern and and stress so uh no I'm not in support councillor lemon.

Yeah I'm I'm sorry to be a big old wet blanket um i'm i'm i'm just really uncomfortable with this given the proximity to the creek i can't see how there won't be interference by that volume and number people volume number of people living there um the activity around there and uh as my colleague said i i don't see the benefit to the town or to the town to any of us um so that's where i'm at the cure i i think when you came before, I mean the the the council expressed a general willingness to possibly look at a building on the sort of flat level part of the property, if it meant the rest of it being protected.

But I think definitely that this to me uh looks like too much for the property.

I don't think there's interest in selling any of the road right of way.

I mean, that was fairly firmly set last time, and I don't I don't think any of council has changed their position on that at all.

Um so I think in general, Rachel, there isn't a whole lot of support for the this proposed use of the land.

And thank you so much, Mr.

Chair.

That's exactly why we're here today, as opposed to proceeding with a full-blown um, you know, and expensive application.

Um, would would the chair and council be so kind as to perhaps share a vision for this property with us?

It is currently has a has a C7 zone on it and identified as uh I think it's neighborhood in the official community plan.

Um if one were to be able to prove out the geotechnical um aspects of it environmental, uh what would you be willing to see on this property?

I know that's probably a big question, but it's it would like to do something, and certainly we would look forward to your approval for that.

So um any any thoughts?

I think it's a little hard to answer that sort of question just right off the top of our head.

I mean, obviously.

Yeah, anything that the property is is technically zoned for, we would be required to obviously look at that in terms of a development permit.

Um, if the zoning was in place.

So I know it's a very difficult property.

Um and especially without that road right of way.

Um, but it's also a very unique sort of special property within the town.

And I think there's a great deal of wariness of what potential harm could happen to the two mill stream.

So I know that's not helpful, but I would encourage you to work with staff and the zoning that's in place.

And um, you know, and feel free to come and do this again if that's if that's any help before before going to the trouble of plans.

Yeah, thank you, Mr.

Chair.

That's it's a wonderful opportunity, and we do appreciate that.

Um, would it be inappropriate to propose some residential in this area, or are you opposed to uh uh rezoning at all?

I think when you came before that there was, you know, as you as you noted, council was amenable to looking at residential, right?

I don't want to speak out from council, but when they when Rachel did come before in December, we did express that willingness.

I've also lost track of what what actually the zoning is.

And yeah, I think that's fair enough.

When when Rachel came before, we did have that we removed the residential component that used there, used to be a residential component in the zoning on this property, and we was we removed it.

So when the proponent came in December, they asked basically if we were still prepared to consider residential as one of the uses.

Councilor Rogers.

Yeah.

I guess I I'd uh also want to reiterate the mayor's point.

Um uh because of uh the steep slopes and and uh glacial till and all those kind of problems, um uh yeah, you can pour a whole bunch of concrete in here and and um and maybe we'd get something, but uh we would be losing so much ecologically.

Um it's interesting at the very south portion next to um the park and and Caulwood, there is a a very flat piece.

And if um you know if there was some sense you know huge sensitivity on on behalf of the owner builder um to uh you know protect three quarters of it for the ability to have um uh a building on that flat site maybe there that um that would be of interest and supportable by the community but as I see what I see at this point it would be um a real hard pressed sale.

Oh well certainly we will uh thank you again through the chair certainly we will uh we will go back to the drawing board and ask our architects to uh come up with another plan.

And I again I'd really welcome the opportunity to speak with you again.

So hopefully it won't take six months next time.

Okay.

Thank you, Rachel.

Appreciate your feedback.

Have a lovely afternoon.

Thank you so much.

Thanks.

Thanks, Matt.

This is great.

I'm not sure what the density of that was, but no.

But I mean I don't think you sort of got to that those details.

Yeah, I remember seventy-eight.

Yeah.

278 units I think couldn't report.

Yeah.

No, it's huge.

Yeah.

Okay.

So next up we have public Kim?

Nothing, thank you.

Oh, who was next up, we have public participation period.

So any of the public who'd like to speak, it's better to kind of split the day into two.

So if you want to speak on the afternoon's um agenda items, this is your opportunity.

Um, although really you can't speak on any.

But the the number to dial is 778-402-9227.

And when prompted, enter conference ID 889-064-654 pound.

So we'll just pause for 20 or 30 seconds to give anyone a chance to call in who would like to.

If you could just hit your phone so you can have the music.

I think the Jeopardy music or something.

I'd love to be able to play that in.

We won't, I was gonna say we won't need to pause in September, but we may, right?

If we're gonna do hybrid meetings where we have in person and um public potentially on the phone, we'll have to give them a chance to call in.

Especially for counselors who are in one once or twice a year and they have to be not in in attendance.

Would that be there's a limit to that, right?

I think we're gonna make sure there'll be a limit to that.

Why don't we take two vacations anyhow?

We're not quite there yet on the agenda.

Staff, do we have any um callers on the line?

Your vote should be only uh one caller right now, and caller's name is Jane Devonshire.

Okay.

Jane, were you wishing to speak now to an item on this afternoon's agenda?

Hello.

Devonshar.

Hello.

Hello.

Uh is it all right to speak now?

Are are you speaking to an item on this afternoon's agenda?

Yes, I am.

Okay, yeah, go ahead.

Okay, so um good afternoon, Mayor and Council.

Um I'd like to speak on behalf of the VRCC to agenda item six point one point three, parking in the Thetis Lake area.

In reviewing today's COW agenda, our attention was drawn to Councillor Kowalovich's request that staff provide an update on parking on the Thetis Lake area.

As the VRCC, we've been very busy studying the climate action plans of various municipalities.

One of the top three biggest emitters in municipalities has always been identified as transportation.

We would therefore like to take this opportunity to provide our feedback on Thetis Lake parking, as this is an area where we can take immediate concrete actions to reduce our GHG emissions.

We would like to see the town request of the CRD parks that they reinvest the parking fees at Tetis towards GHG reductions by incorporating the following.

One, supply 20 bike lockers, e-bikes are expensive and theft is high.

Two, provide four EV charging stations with user pay for parking, and with a charging limit of three hours.

Three, promote the number 53 bus route and lobby for increase for an increase in its frequency.

And four, create a parking lot and trails off Langford side, closer to their residence.

There's a bus service there already, with a gravel parking lot and new trails.

Those living north of the Trans Canada Highway would have a more convenient option than the six mile parking lot.

As the VRCC, we would be prepared to support any such motion going to the CRD parks.

Thank you so much for your kind attention.

Thank you, Jane.

But Jane, just before you hang up, I mean, I I don't necessarily disagree that any of those are great ideas, but I'm curious why you would bring them to us rather than bring them directly to the CRD.

I because what we're discussing more is the negative impacts on our residents of the parking on residential streets and six mile road.

So I mean we can certainly give a plug.

I I don't disagree with any of your ideas, but I would really encourage you also to write to the CRD and support them.

We could certainly do that.

We just weren't sure of the protocols because this was raised at you know our counts, you know, the COLM meeting.

So we thought this was the avenue to go through.

I just just saying it would really reinforce the message, I think, if you took it directly as well.

Thanks, Jen.

Okay, bye-bye.

Okay.

We can certainly do that.

Thank you so much, Mayor Screech.

Bye now.

Staff, do we have any other callers on the line?

No, your worship.

We don't have any other callers at the moment.

Okay, thank you.

So we'll close public participation and we'll move directly to protective services and um councillor Lemmon.

Thank you very much.

And um I have no chair's report.

Uh no business arising.

Um under new business, we have parking at Thetis Lake and the impacts on our local residents.

And perhaps um we we we have the privilege of having sergeant Sgt.

G. Pask um in in um available to speak to us plus we have fire chief paul hearst so paul do you want to take this away and perhaps um the sergeant might have some some input thank you counselor counselor.

Yeah, the the issue, the issue of parking in and around Thetis is is complex.

I mean, uh CRD uh has told us over the years that the number of visits to the park is increasing, and uh as a result, of course, you're gonna get the overflow.

The parking lot that they have in place obviously isn't adequate to handle the number of people that are visiting that park.

Um this is really more evidenced when we get these spikes in the heat early on in the season, and then we get overflow uh onto not only our streets but provincial highways, right-aways, and and ministerial owned roads.

Obviously, um it creates an issue for us.

So it it would have to be a sort of a multi-pronged approach to solving this problem.

Obviously, the the parking problem is a result of let's say a tenant in V Royal being the CRD park, their park, their users, but it overflows into V Royal and creates a demand and a and a problem for View Royal residents and our bylaw office and our and our local police in parking enforcement.

I've asked our bylaw officer to do a pretty extensive review of number of complaints in the area, what the possible solutions are for controlling that uh that issue and and working with uh with the CRD to come up with some solutions.

Um I have passed some comments uh on to the CRD, uh sorry, onto our CAO, um just in a preliminary state.

And uh we have had a brief discussion just specific to jurisdiction and and what we can do on that road.

As we know the the six-mile road, Trans Canada, the on ramps, is is a provincial jurisdiction, and there is a jurisdictional issue in that um we we can't do any enforcement without some form of agreement or ownership or or some sort of uh authorization to do enforcement on that road.

Everything else would be mute.

We would, you know, we could tick it, but then none of them would stand up.

And if we towed, we'd probably end up owning the tow because it's not our road.

We don't have the authority to do any enforcement there.

So looking to the CAO and then and looking forward, um, I think it it's definitely something that has to be addressed.

It's a it's an ongoing issue, it's every summer.

And unfortunately, the residents in V Royal are the are the victims of the success of Thetis Lake Park.

So I uh I would look to Merrant Council for some form of direction or or just you know discussion points or moving forward from there.

Okay, thanks, Paul.

Um Councillor Matson.

Yeah, yeah, I certainly understand how it's uh an issue for Thetis Lake Park in the adjacent areas, but I also noticed that um in other areas we've you know put a number of multi, you know, we have basically apartment blocks, et cetera.

We we've approved recently.

Uh and I just see that same problem.

Like it's a much bigger problem than just Thetis Lake, because we have a number of areas, which I think, you know, if not already, certainly will be subject to all sorts of parking from non-resident parking, or at least non-adjacent resident parking.

So you know, unless we start putting up parking meters and have people fill them in, or have um people have to go out and purchase permits from the town, and those who don't have permits get pulled, get fined, get ticketed or pulled away.

I'm I'm not sure what you guys can do.

So I'm looking forward to uh to whatever you come up with, which I guess in the scheme of things, I think we've already met Damien's request in terms of having staff look at this and come back to us with recommendations.

So thank you.

Okay.

I mean, I I had quite a few calls for during that.

I mean, and I know they were the hottest days in history, and then obviously people wanted to go to the lake.

And I do always point that out to people that there's benefits and drawbacks from having such a beautiful regional park in our area, um, and that we're always gonna have to cope with that.

However, when I see the on ramp to the Trans Canada Highway lined with vehicles, there's clearly something wrong, and we need to do something about it, right?

Because it's a real public safety issue.

Um, so we need to get the authority, and I don't think that would be hard, and we need to tow people.

Um, and then once it's done two or three, I mean, when you go to Sooke Potholes, for example, I mean, everyone knows out there, right?

Because for years that road to Sooke Potholes used to get blocked, people couldn't get in and out, the fire trucks couldn't get in and out.

And then soup just started, you know.

If your wheels are on the pavement of that road, you're towed.

There's no ifs, ands, and buts about it.

Um, so and and what really bugs me about there's a few things, and I'm going to go on a bit because I probably heard heard more about this than the most, except for maybe Paul.

Um those flipping no parking signs on six-mile road.

I mean, they they kind of make us look like a laughing stock, right?

I mean, everybody ignores them and we don't do anything.

Do we have jurisdiction there?

We don't have jurisdiction there.

So arguably we should take down the signs because we're the ones who put the signs up.

So if we can't enforce, then they shouldn't be there.

Um, or we should get the right to enforce.

Because again, I mean, people say to me, the residents out there, why do you have, you know, why are people parking there and they never get a ticket?

And then lastly, I guess, is the you know, for the people in Chilco, I just I think the days are gone when it's okay to say to them that we don't have bylaw enforcement on the weekend.

I mean, I think we need to figure it out, whether it's a part-time commissioner like we used to have years ago.

Yeah, we have we have a we have opportunity for for weekend enforcement.

I've had that discussion with the bylaw office.

Do we?

Yeah.

Yeah, that hours can be shifted.

Right.

And uh we can have bylaw enforcement.

The there has to be a pretty complex strategy.

The the issue of issuing tickets, um, it does have its, it has it, it's it's a very labor process um kind of process.

You issue the ticket, but if the person isn't there, you have to serve the ticket personally.

So if they live, say over on Cedar Hill, you've got to find out who this person is.

You have to personally serve the ticket.

There is quite a uh, it's a long drawn-out process, and we're looking for a different, we're looking at a different process, an adjudication process where we can adjudicate those tickets ourselves.

And there are some processes that other municipalities are using that would make it simpler.

There's also the issue of uh towing vehicles that aren't um you know aren't residential, they don't belong in that area.

For instance, you talk about uh Sooke Potholes on Highland Road.

We have signage on Highland that says no parking on pavement, immediate towway.

And the fire department routinely tows vehicles off a Highland Road.

One tire on the pavement, it's towed, it's hooked.

Um and it's pretty clear.

It's painted on the road, it's signed, we take a photograph, we call it West Shore, and the vehicle's gone.

Um, you know, I'm I'm gonna be meeting with our director of engineering regarding signage and curbs.

Uh, we have I mean other issues where they're they're parking too close to the intersection.

The on-ramps are are a dangerous place to park.

You know, I I've talked to the superintendent about what our options are with this traffic division in in dealing with that.

Um and there there's there's there's a lot of solutions that we can throw at it.

I'd like I'd like to see what the CRD um has for solutions as well.

Um they're going to be losing several parking spots, as I understand it, with the new bus route that's going in and the way they have to loop the buses through the parking lot with gates and whatnot.

I understand there's gonna be some parking lost.

Uh that's just gonna add to the problem.

Yeah.

So it'd be interesting to see, you know, what the CRD's thoughts are on this.

I don't think the parking lot's expanded in probably 20 years, but probably the uh the use is expanded a hundredfold.

And you're right, Mayor.

This is a this is a seasonal issue.

We don't have a parking problem in from September to you know June 15th, and then from about mid-June through the summer months, it's it's a major issue, and it's a it's a huge problem for the for the Chilco neighborhood.

Yeah.

Yeah, I do get the challenges involved with it, and and I get them from the CRD end as well, because that for the CRD to say we're gonna expand that parking lot.

I mean, that seems a bit at a time when we're trying to discourage automobile use for greenhouse gases and to cut down a whole lot of trees in a park to make a bigger parking lot or to put on a second level or what is it about our ticketing?

I've never understood why our ticketing bylaw or whatever it is seems to be so unworkable.

And maybe that's a discussion to have someday.

I mean, I what why is it the city of Victoria?

And I know they're much bigger, but you know, they simply record a license plate number and they give you a ticket.

Um, I don't think they go to any great lengths on residential parking only tickets to find out where you live or to serve you.

And I mean, it and in their case the the the the the the resident of the neighborhood has to prove that they live in the neighborhood right so I I don't get why our ticketing bylaw seems to be not particularly helpful for us to in to enforce our and maybe that's something which you've already said that we need to look at redoing that or redoing it yeah coming up with a better system because as Counselor Matson said we're going to only have with the number of big buildings that we've approved the the parking problems are just gonna we're getting to the point where you could probably almost have a full-time parking bylaw soon.

Yeah.

Okay.

Thank you.

Uh Councillor Rogers and then Councillor Matson.

Okay.

Uh yeah, I I certainly agree with Marin and um that we need to um uh get things moving on um understanding uh the enforcement um uh process I'm I'm happy to hear that we can um I miserably uh improve that um I think uh the no parking signs on six mile road can come down.

Um okay they're gonna be putting in bus stops but you know that's that's the good news.

The good news about bus stops is that people know there are buses and and um um and the number 53 is is in session.

It started June twenty eighth and um um we obviously we in the CRD uh should promote that as as much as possible, although I think what we now also need to do is promote the frequency that uh people will be willing to take.

Uh just six buses on a Sunday is not gonna work that well.

Um I would be interested in the CRD demographics.

Who are the people that are coming and where are they coming from?

Uh that would give us some good indications.

Um driving down Home Depot and and um uh you know that stretch of road.

The number of apartment buildings that are going up there, those are all do need to go.

No.

Okay.

Then the number of apartment buildings there in Langford residents that uh also want to enjoy the lake, you know, what are they gonna do?

They're gonna drop down on on the Tan Transcount Highway to six mile, or is the CRD going to invest on the parking lot at Phelps Road?

Phelps Road has three.

Three parking stalls.

So, you know, if they want to have um uh parking and consider expansion of parking, that's where they should be doing it.

Um so that we could have 23 um and or whatever to and it's flat, it's it's certainly buildable, and um, and then so the Langford residents can be serviced and they won't have to come.

Um, so I think that uh that's an advantage great advantage.

I agree with Jane.

I think the CRD needs to uh step up and consider uh e bike storage because maybe people do want to ride their e-bikes, but they're three thousand dollars and they don't want to leave them you know for the risk of of getting stolen.

So um I think the CRD could most certainly help to invest on that.

Um I see that there's no signage whatsoever for people to consider going to park at Atkins.

The Atkins uh parking ride there, which is for the Gallop and Goose.

But you know, a miracle that is happening is that the Millstream connector, the ENN, will is probably open now or at least in a week or two.

And so people will be able to ride all the way in from Jacqueline Road.

And that's where all those people are now going to go starting to park.

So there's lots of parking spots available at CRD.

So CRD needs to start putting out some signage saying we got some alternatives.

And I guess my feeling is that the days of us having on our property Theus Lake Overflow parking, we need to rethink that.

I think maybe CRD doesn't want to charge for parking, but I think it's time for us to consider.

I I know, I know.

Remember, we there was this great discussion whether to increase the rates and so on just recently.

But um I think that's something that we could uh also start looking at is um either having a parking lot with fees or change it into an off-leashed dog area.

Um so there's lots of um you know different opportunities, but the CRD needs to come to the table, as does the province and and uh whatever other agencies we can start bringing in in.

My last comment is um um hearing from uh Thias Cove um or Theus Bale residents there, and the audacity of people, the way people are parked in cul de sacs and dead end streets, and with no regard of of the residents there, um that's where I'd be more than happy to see 24 hour enforcement with ticketing.

And maybe they'll get the message.

But I think uh certainly the CRD needs to expand to Langford Parking lot.

Thank you.

Thanks, Jen.

So uh just in terms of ticketing, you know, we could have a twenty four hour person doing the ticketing, and then we have to fight to get people to pay for the tickets.

You know, I think if we just started towing, the messages get out quickly and the problem would disappear.

Okay.

Yeah.

Good.

Good.

I I tend to agree.

If there was signage saying immediate tow away or seasonal signage at the entrance to the Chilco neighborhood, you know, saying essentially if you don't live here and you park here, you're going to the lake, you're gonna be towed.

Yeah, it takes one or two tows, and that's the end of it.

We we've we've managed to control Highland.

And the the other positive thing is is engaging the CRD as Counselor Rogers indicated.

Um we engage the CRD on the other issues in the park.

And you know, I'm pleased to report that we haven't had one incident at the lake this year as a result of the increased enforcement.

So I think you're right, in engaging the CRD on what their ideas for solutions might be a a uh viable and get them in the game uh as well.

And perhaps they have some solutions that they can help us with.

Well, I I think it's untenable for the residents and unfair.

And before we, you know, I I I don't know if we can have any kind of solution in place before the next heat dome hits, and it could well hit within the next month.

Um what what are our options like for this summer?

Well, the some of the immediate options could be weekend enforcement.

Um tickets, the payment of tickets is voluntary.

If if people don't pay the tickets, it's no different than the city of Victoria.

It's a voluntary, a voluntary fine.

So if people pay it, they pay it.

If they don't, they don't.

Um but there I could discuss some solutions, obviously, with with Rosenberg and engineering and the CAO and come up with uh maybe something temporary for the rest of the summer, whether it's signage or it's enforced uh weekend enforcement.

I do I do tend to agree with Counselor Matson.

The word gets out pretty quick when you start towing vehicles.

It's it's about a it's it's close to 200 and something dollars a tow with the tow and the storage and the inconvenience of coming out of the park at the end of the day, your car's gone.

Yeah.

Just yeah, I one other comment.

For the residents, we could provide resident-only parking thing.

That if a guest comes, they could give it to them, and if they're supposed to be able to park their vehicles in there, so everybody gets one, and if they want another one, they could come in and rent one from the town or something.

But if they don't have one of these certificates in the window.

Residents only, all others towed.

Yeah, and again, I just quickly we need to hear back from staff.

I mean that sounds good in principle, but in reality, the enforcement of it might be kind of difficult.

So staff need to but the six-mile road issues, especially and the highway on ramp, that there should be a fairly quick fix possible for that.

You might not even need to get them towed, you just get those metal things or those tire locks.

Put them on there, and they pay $200 to get it and get it taken off by the staff.

Okay.

Yeah, in the interim, I'll I'll talk with the superintendent.

Uh until we get some form of authority, if we can get authority for that provincial jurisdiction.

Um and see if if there's something he can help us with with his traffic division.

Right?

Because you had the the residents of the new CRD buildings blocking their driveways with a sign saying you can't park here, or they were sitting there in their lawn chairs like this, right?

So just to add to their entire residential parking lot was full of uh and people get cranky in the heat.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So but you know, it you would hope that we could have had some some uh game plan now, but certainly we're gonna need it for next year when um the the CS area gets fully built out with all the homes and 10 stories.

So goodness knows what else we're gonna have.

Yep.

Okay.

Could we get a copy of this sent off to Damien?

Yeah.

Damien can watch it on webcam.

Wherever he's watching it right now.

He might be.

Okay.

Okay, thank you, Chief.

You're welcome.

Do you want to come back or do you want to do your report now?

Why don't we let the ICMP?

Well at the time.

Yeah, that's let the Sergeant.

No, Sergeant Pass, we'd like to meet you.

Looks like I'm I'm being trumped here with a couple of years.

We'd like to meet you.

I'm happy to step aside and let our my colleague uh speak.

Yeah, because he's got important work to do.

Hi there, welcome.

I've just uh I'm Sergeant Greg Posk.

Um Superintendent Preston uh was uh regrets that he was unable to make it, and staff sergeant sandwich is on leave this month, so um I have the honor of presenting today.

I will speak a little bit if I may, uh, just in regards to uh the parking problems, please.

Please, yes.

Um, just from my experience, um, the ticking option is a little labor intensive.

Um, not a problem to lay the ticket, but once they start to uh fight that ticket, there is quite a lengthy process.

Um, if whether or not it's voluntary or not, it's not as effective in my opinion as towing.

Towing is immediate, like you uh had indicated.

Word gets out immediately, and you get somewhat immediate results in regards to that.

Other option, I you know understand you got the um the park and ride, perhaps shuttle services or something like that on the weekend to the lake from that location.

Um not sure who would pick that bill up, but just some other considerations, right?

As well as a strong media campaign.

If we if you do decide to go with the towing off yeah I'm suggest that.

Now, did you did um did any of the RCMP have to be on site for the on ramp issue um during the weekend yeah no not that I'm aware of on weekend we were on site uh at the list lake we did call get called out and I'll speak to it uh later on in regards to an incident on Friday and the bylawers but um no um not in regards to the parking issues.

Okay all right thank you thank you so I've been asked by uh Superintendent Preston just to present uh kind of our Bureau of stats here for the last six months.

If uh at any time you have any further questions or clarification by all me, just ask me, just stop and ask me.

Um so overall, since January 1st to uh June, um, we have had a 17% increase in call service for VROIL.

Most of that increase uh was as a result of additional curative checks, people out on probation.

Um mental health calls were higher than normal during that time frame, uh as well as COVID related calls.

Um, as far as violent crimes, uh for this period compared to last, pretty much even one percent decrease, uh, but overall, pretty much even.

That includes uh the uh violent crimes include the assaults, uttering threats, harassing communications.

Um, those were the top three offenses during that time frame.

Property crime, pretty much even as well as actually an 8% decrease.

Again, property crime is mailing your theft from auto, mischief under, and shoplifting.

As far as the hospital calls out to the hospital area, over the month of June, our files doubled the month of June compared to May.

And those are mostly caused disturbances, abandoned 911 calls, mental health uh calls as well, related to hospital, where there would be walkways and they would uh be having a mental health uh episode outside of the hospital, usually on the overpass or something like that where we would be involved in.

As far as the um casino calls to the casino go, um obviously it was shut down.

I understand it's open now.

Um, but uh there actually were additional calls here in the last few months.

Um, more transient in nature, people starting to camp out.

We've have seen uh uh a larger transient population moving into the area in the summer months, and uh a lot of these calls are associated with that.

Um, again, overall, not just the hospital, but mental health calls overall were higher this year compared to last increase of six percent.

Six.

Six percent.

Um just a quick snapshot is kind of what we've uh been doing at um West Shore in the last uh few months as it relates to View Royal.

Uh Superintendent Preston Constable Brewer uh participated with the uh Song East and Esquimel First Nation in a residential school reconciliation paddle at the Inner Harbor in uh on June 8th.

Also uh next Monday on the 19th, uh Constable Brewer has organized a youth canoe paddle day at the Craig Flower uh Park for the Songhis and Esquimalt youth camps.

Um our community policing um personnel will be there with the tents offering refreshments, and uh multiple detachment members would be out paddling with the kids as well.

Uh June 3rd, and I can speak to uh the community initiatives here that we're working on.

On June 3rd, um we executed a drug warrant on paddock place.

So this was uh as a result of um our drug unit doing surveillance, uh writing a warrant, executing that warrant, and arresting an individual.

Um in this case, uh there was a large amount of uh meth, coke, and fentanyl that was obtained.

Uh so charges are pending with that individual.

Uh of course, there's a lot of media coverage on this.

On June 18th, there was that Corvette hit and run that ended up at the McKenzie Interchange.

But uh that initiate or that started the Malahat went through the community in multiple calls on that.

Uh the person responsible for that uh has been charged with impaired driving.

Um Thetis Lake, of note, uh obviously increased calls of service to Thetis Lake throughout.

We do have additional park patrols on on Saturdays.

Um we have two members on uh each on those days for the park patrol.

Um we haven't been able to fill in all those shifts, that's the only problem.

August we'll have everybody out on Saturdays or those shifts completely covered on Saturdays.

Um, but there have been a few weekends we're unable to meet those resources.

Ferry Creek is um using up some of our resources and so burning the candle at both ends, so to speak.

Uh speaking in regards to Thetis Lake, um, just on Friday, um there is uh two bylaw officers who were assaulted there.

They're trying to affect an arrest of an intoxicated male who is refusing to leave the park.

Um, so when they went to effect arrest on him, uh the male fought back.

And um they contacted the West Shore detachment for assistance.

Um West Shore attended, uh, arrested the individual, and uh he is currently up on charges of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and public intoxication.

Um the fall of Victoria or at the at the hospital here, um, MCF reported that a female had given birth and departed at the hospital almost immediately after while leaving the infant behind.

So we were involved in locating the missing mother as there's concerns to her uh well-being.

Um as she was a Victoria resident member, uh conducted inquiries, and she was located in downtown Victoria by Victoria Police.

Um, some other files of note.

Assault at the cell at the Shell gas station at Island Highway in six mile cab driver attended Shell for a fair, uh, who was intoxicated and became angry with the cab driver uh due to the color of his skin.

They began raining uh yelling racial shoulders at him and uh opened the door and punched the driver repeatedly.

Members attended, and the man was arrested on scene.

He was up on charges of assault.

Another call in regards to cabs is again receiving multiple messages from a client or bluebird cabs were uh reporting one of their drivers was receiving um uh threats again involving racial schlures.

Uh client was picked up and dropped off at Esquino Lagoon, where he was later arrested for being drunk in public by the Westhor members.

Um 1910 and 1920 West Park Clay.

There's just a note here.

Uh, in the preceding six weeks, we've had nine calls of service there at the new building complex, only one of which is in regards to parking.

The residents did attempt to sit in blockade when late traffic increased, apparently.

But uh currently the calls for service there range from assault, theft from mail, criminal harassment, fraud, theft, and check well being.

um for um mental health related matters uh so that ties up our members in in dealing with this one person okay um if there's any other questions just let me know but i'll move on to the initiatives that we've any questions council manson yeah i did one call on the um sorry was it nineteen twenty west park lane uh is there a specific trying to figure out where those clients came from it I can probably help with that but that's the CRD buildings there was one real problem tenant in there who caused multiple calls and they have been evicted so I'm sure that that that he was the reason for several, probably not all of them, but several of those calls.

More than likely.

I don't have those details, but yeah more than likely.

Okay.

It was just an odd spike, and usually it is caused by one or two people.

Right.

Councillor Rogers.

Yes, thank you.

What might not be an odd spike is the um, and I really appreciate the ongoing reporting of uh number of incidences at uh VGH where attendance is is required.

And um, you know, that's that's a particular file that's um of of great interest to council, and so maybe we'll it would be useful to have um some maybe month to month numbers start to track those um uh so that we can um see them on a on a monthly basis, on an annual basis, and and start working with the appropriate authorities to uh uh ensure the adequate resources for for the RCP.

Sure, yeah.

We could definitely break that down most of the more.

Thank you.

Um I've I have just a question about the woman that gave birth and then you know just and took off.

What becomes of her?

What becomes of her?

She was she was trapped down downtown Victoria and you just check to make sure that she's okay or does she so in this case there would probably be I'm just speaking from experience not in this particular file but social worker would become involved there's more than likely addiction issues that they would take a look at and they would do whatever they can to offer her services for her mental health as well as addiction and uh with the expectation down the road um perhaps be united with the child.

Sure.

Meanwhile, the baby's in foster care.

Thank you.

That's correct.

Right.

Okay, good.

Carry on.

Thank you.

So the initiatives I know we weren't Superintendent Preston advises that we weren't able to make uh meet together in regards to the or because of the COVID.

So any initiatives that we're doing in regards to organized crime and drug trafficking, um the objective is to brand and reduce the threat and impact of serious and organized crime initiatives.

So as a result, uh we continue to uh gather intelligence on um outlawed motorcycle gangs in the area.

We have um created a gang task force that uh will be in operation in September.

Uh we're just getting the resources in place, the equipment in place.

And not only in the West Shore area, but the South Island really.

So we do have a provincial resource for that.

And not sure who is funding the other two.

I believe it's Langford.

Okay.

Um as well.

Um our drug unit is increasing the uh number of drug trafficking projects, as I indicated that uh drug trafficker in V-Royal.

They're trying to do uh at least one um search warrant a month where surveillance warrants and everything else is is written, so it's a little time consuming for those projects.

Uh when they do have the time, they they try to hit the dialodobers.

Those are little quick, fast, uh easy charges where um they can um get immediate results there.

But really, we're trying to go after the bigger fish, the the dollar, the the people who are supplying the dollar dopers is is what they're targeting.

Uh traffic safety.

Um our traffic unit is up in full.

They're back in uh in action.

We did um during COVID, we did uh dismantle that unit a bit, um, added them to the watches, but now they're back as their traffic unit.

Great and getting great results.

Uh overall in the West Shore area, they've done 149 um school zone patrols in the last uh three months.

Specifically in uh View Royal, they've done what they call 22 operations, so that would be where they actually set up somewhere, either in a uh high traffic problem area, um school zones, um, whatever they choose to be.

Um, in that time, in those uh 22 operations, they were able to write uh 25 violation tickets and uh issued 26 written warnings so again they're out there uh uh schools school zone campaigns is big um obviously in the summertime here uh they can spend a little bit more time on speed and aggressive driving enforcement but uh they have been increasing their their ticket volume uh as well as their presence out in the community uh especially when there's the four of them they can work as a unit they're independent of the watch and everything so they really focus on on educating the public and using enforcement where necessary uh visibility of police um our uh media relations officer in community policing um releases uh information on Twitter and through our webpage from time to time in regards to various campaigns.

As well, she's doing a couple media projects.

Her uh last one that she did was um looking at the amount of time that uh police officers are dealing with um mental health apprehensions at the school at the uh hospitals and uh you know perhaps down the road, hopefully getting that streamlined so that members aren't tied up at the hospitals for two to three to four hours um waiting to get seen by an eMERGE doctor.

Here's hoping.

Yeah, here's hoping is correct.

Um as well, they continue to uh um mentor uh youth um looking at them as uh potential recruits.

Um again, COVID did shut us down a bit, but now as the COVID rules are starting to relax, uh we're hoping that they can get out and get the word out a little bit more.

Um Indigenous policing reconciliation uh initiatives.

Um again, we have um Constable uh Cole Brewer, who is doing an excellent job, if I may say so.

Uh just meeting with chief and counsel, uh getting input from them as to what they want.

Um conducting curfew checks um on the residents and uh focusing on programs for youth um such as DAIRE or similar type of programs.

And then our crime reduction unit is concentrating on thefts.

So again, um they are um project uh driven, not necessarily charge-driven.

Uh and much like the drug unit, they are uh trying to do one project a month.

Sometimes they've been their success is is their own enemy, and they have to spend longer with the paperwork after getting um reports to crown and disclosure to crown in a timely manner before they can move on to the next project.

Uh that in a nutshell is you've been busy.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you for that.

Any questions?

Councillor Matson?

Yeah, one of the things I and I'm not sure how effective it is, but I always understood it was effective.

We had a neighborhood watch meeting probably two years ago here, somewhere around there, but nothing much came of it.

Uh so I'm just wondering if the RCMP is that something you guys promote and push because there's always a people who want to be involved and see things, you know, report to the police on issues that that come up, but anyways.

Yeah, absolutely.

I'm glad you brought that up.

So um historically, the community police or the um block watch program was um kind of um the exhibitor constables were a large part of uh the contributors to that.

They would set up the meetings, assist us with that.

Now the province has come up and and has essentially disbanded the auxiliary constable program for the time being.

So, what we are looking at doing is taking all of our exiled constables and making them community volunteers, if you will.

COVID did um shut down the ability to do the block watch program.

We are looking in the fall again to revamping them out, um, getting our auxiliaries now as as volunteers, community volunteers, and going back at that as well.

We have um several of them who are excellent at organizing those things, have reached out, are prepared to start that program up again, if you will, and yeah, certainly get the the the community back in contact with us, um, yeah, answering any questions again and getting the program back off running again.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Councillor rochers.

Yeah, thank you.

That's uh and uh very timely because um we're reviewing our strategic plan and um the increasing amount of block watches uh uh was part of that so timely and and uh good to know um uh uh in terms of the um annual performance i i noticed that number two uh had a quantifiable measure but the others did not yeah that's correct um i don't know how i can explain that though um yeah it it just yeah um i don't really need an explanation other than the fact that it probably would be a good idea if there're just going back to uh whoever's going to be doing, you know, working on this in in more detail, uh, that they might want to, you know, replicate or you know, use the model of number two, and to see um um, you know, how would you measure um the success in the number of um drug trafficking projects?

You know, it's nice that you've got the squad going, um, and and so on and so forth.

And I know I guess when I'm on number four, um, great to see um the number of indigenous youth outreach uh programs, but I would also hope that there's an increase and in recognition of an increase in the number of youth outreach programs as well.

Um you are correct.

With the community policing, um, there will be again.

Um, you know, in the past COVID has shut it down, but our community policing will be fully operational come school year, and that will be the exact expectation of them is that they do go out and get more involved with the youth, especially the youth at risk.

Good.

Yeah.

One and you know, one of the hopeful measures that we have uh that we never uh that we didn't uh we had a problem with in the 2020 uh annual performance was um COVID.

And the fact that Crown was um not willing to um let's say it was more of a catch and release program, uh where you're um you would do your work apprehend, but they would simply be turned around back out the door.

Um, I hope that uh with uh the changes in COVID and vaccinations and so forth, that you know we now may have a stronger response from Crown to have um you know do more of the the um if you like the public protection and and uh and incarceration remand.

Um and it you know for that I know you can't answer the question, but I'd be very interested to know from a corrections point of view what uh what they're initiating and and undertaking for inmate vaccinations, and that that's not your problem.

No, um I yeah, I agree it's not, but we have noticed that as well.

It it continues.

Um in fact, today I just got uh notice that we'll now be conducting.

Well, let me back back up.

So prior to COVID, if we had an in custody from the night before, we'd have it in our cells, the sheriffs would come in the morning and take them into court.

That is changing.

Uh sheriffs will no longer be taken to the court.

We are going to be retrofitting a uh room in our detachment for bail hearings.

Right.

So you'll have a monitor, if you will.

And uh we are requesting the sheriffs attend to do those bail hearings, not transfer them or transport them, but do the bail hearings.

Um so how that's gonna work out, if that's gonna require additional.

Well, I I guarantee you it'll require additional work on behalf of of the RCP members.

Uh the very fact that they're in our cells, right?

Impressive.

I like the innovation.

Yeah, congratulations.

And then, yeah, it'll be either release or from there they'll be rebanded to Wilkie or something like that.

Thank you.

Great.

Ms.

Creech, you're thank you very much.

It was a lot of information.

Okay.

I'll move proceed.

Yes, you're you're released.

Thank you.

Go fight TJ Slate.

All those in favor?

Opposed?

Passed.

Um Chief.

Yes.

Would you like to come speak with us again?

Do you really have to wear masks in here when we're all well?

I don't because the the staff rule is that when you're walking from place to place, that you should be wearing a mask.

That's true.

Directly from our CAO.

I go for it.

I know.

Yeah, but I don't set up an alarm if I won't inside.

Yeah.

No, no.

We'll have to arrest you though.

Uh good afternoon.

Um in front of you the public safety report for May and June of 2021.

Um just a couple of points I want to go over, and again, more than happy to answer any questions.

So we've uh we've resumed our our fire inspection model in the community now with the relaxation of some of the COVID restrictions, uh which is nice.

Um three small fires of note just in the month of uh month of June.

Um at the daycare on high street, another on Hallowell Road, and then one on V Royal Avenue, where a resident was burned significantly as a result of the fire.

Training is recommencing.

Uh the members are starting to get back into the swing of things, obviously, with the relaxation.

We're letting our ESS and emergency communications teams back in the building now to start to do their work.

Um, from the building department's perspective, everything seems to be moving forward.

Um, as our numbers are catching up to our 2020 and 2019 revenue numbers.

Obviously, there's several projects in the in the stream right now that are going to contribute to uh some revenue and workload for our building inspector.

Um by law just a couple interesting um notes May and June we saw an increase of motor homes in the area that seems to be the new it's no longer tents in campground in uh parks it's it's motor homes and what we're finding now with these motor homes is um these people are becoming very savvy on the 72 hour and parked on the side of the road and at 71 hours they move it eight blocks down the road and set up and thus sets in motion the cycle again.

Every once in a while these people will abandon their motorhomes.

And one of the challenges we're having along with other municipalities is the removal.

So it's not dissimilar to an abandoned boat.

And the motorhome is abandoned.

We had one on Gurnett.

The tow companies now that we contract to will tow it, but they'll send us a bill between five and ten thousand dollars to dispose of the motorhome because what's happened now is the motorhome has to be held for 30 days.

There's the storage fees.

So there's the tow, the storage fees, and then there's the disposal.

So most of these motorhomes are, you know, sewage tanks, propane to break it apart to get rid of it.

So the tow company is now on the hook for the disposal of these.

Vis-a-vis they pass the savings on to the person who requested the tow.

They couldn't just take it out and sink it.

So I think this would being I think I think regionally it's just becoming it's becoming more and more of an issue.

Um fortunately, the one that we had that was going to be towed today, the person came and got it and it disappeared.

But I'm sure it's going to reappear somewhere else for another 72 hours.

Um bylaw complaints are up.

I think we've hit our August or September numbers by June.

And again, I think that's as a result of people being at home noticing more of what's going on in their community versus being at work, uh, but nothing unmanageable.

Uh obviously in June, we all know that um fire chief Callwood passed away.

Uh Chief Cassidy had a um a heart attack on the job, and then about two weeks later he succumbed to those injuries at home.

Um thanks to members of council who attended his service on Saturday.

I think it was a a fitting tribute to a good man as we sent him off.

That was a nice attendance, beautiful day.

I think everything went really well.

So thanks for attending.

I appreciate that.

Heck of a eulogy, Paul.

Thank you.

John was a John was a good man.

He was uh he was a lot of fun to work with.

So yeah, that's gonna leave a that's leaving a bit of a vacuum in the wish or right now.

So we'll we'll hopefully address that.

Um obviously, June, we relaxed some COVID restrictions, which was welcomed um from the department's point of view.

Uh we still are going to continue with our mask protocol uh on calls and in dealing with the public.

I think it's it sets just a good example, and we'll we'll carry those on until September when we're out in the streets or we're in areas where we can't physically distance.

Our homeless camps again and motorhomes seems to be on the upward tick as the weather's nice.

And if you notice in our stats, our obviously our calls for service spiked significantly in June.

We're almost back to historical levels now.

June was an interesting month in that I think they lifted the restrictions and people literally went nuts, whether it was car accidents, um parties, you name it, it just it was a there was a spike.

And then, of course, we had the heat wave in June, and that unfortunately saw an increase in uh heat-related deaths in Virroil, coupling that with overdose deaths, it was quite a month.

Uh it was a significant increase in June in our overdose deaths and in deaths as a result of the heat.

And these are these were found primarily in our elderly population where people weren't checked on, and uh they passed away as a result of a medical issue, either due to heat or overlying health issues.

And uh starting in July, we'll be starting our uh our 24 hour shifting schedule officially, coming out of the COVID staffing model and moving to our new shifting of of uh four people in the building at night, which we're really excited about, and I'll be reporting back on that in the next couple of months just to give you some some numbers and stats to show you where where we're seeing improvements in response and a reduction in response times, and that's what I got for you.

Thank you.

More than happy to answer any questions.

Thank you very much.

Don't you have a couple of new firefighters to tell us about?

Yes, I do.

I was just that was on the uh that was on the other note.

Um, yes, I do, and and thank you for that.

So um, as a result of uh one vacancy and then an approved uh hiring of a new position, we ran a competition in uh late April, May with uh two successful candidates.

One candidate, his name is uh Keith Kershaw.

Oh he is a yeah, he's uh he was a volunteer member at VRL Hugh.

He was a volunteer at View Royal for several years.

He went to the city of Vancouver fire department, transferred back over to Department of National Defense in Esquimalt, remained as a volunteer, and then he was uh one of the successful candidates.

The other successful candidate was Steve Gray.

Steve um might recognize the last name of Hames.

He's married to Samantha, and he's the was the brew master at Before Mile.

Steve's been a volunteer for 10 years and just lives on um Dunarily right now.

Um so a couple of longtime residents.

Uh Keith and uh both Keith and Steve are tenure members of the department.

They had 11 members apply, and uh they were the two successful candidates.

One started on July 4th, the other was on July 8th.

Excellent.

Yeah.

Excellent choice.

Good additions to the team.

Wonderful.

It was a draw.

Good.

Thank you, Mayor.

Anyone else?

I'm going to go with Councillor Rogers.

So Paul, I'm going to shift um gears on the um, you know, forest fire situation in the interior.

And we're like we're not getting anything on the island yet.

Um, and you know, as I'm watching these individuals, I'm thinking of Lytton and and other places, um, but maybe Linton was just uh a Holocaust, they just went in through so fast.

The but I see the people um working and trying to get these silly little sprinklers on their roof, you know, to try and keep that moist and so the embers that might hit the asphalt uh don't result in any in any problems.

So um refresh my memory.

Yeah.

I think we've talked about this before, but why doesn't the BC building code enable people to in new builds uh to have sprinklers go on the roof?

Yeah, it's a that's a good question.

If I was building in the interface, I'd be I'd be plumbing water through the interface.

But why don't we you know make it 100%?

Make it uh make it a mandatory requirement.

I mean they're they're they're super effective in the interface, you know, one or two sprinklers on a home raising the humidity in the area of the home uh will save it.

I mean it's evidenced every year.

So it but it's not required in in um the building code.

That's not a building code requirement, no.

But is it required in the interface?

Is that what you're saying?

No, no, you you would you would think that somebody would would have picked up on that.

It wouldn't be a bad addition to the VC building code to have some form of plumbing to the the ceiling space or the roof space.

It's remarkable.

It would make it would make life a lot simpler.

Can um yeah maybe maybe uh you know through Council Lemon we can work out something um uh so that you know we do something with the chiefs and with the region and um and I'm thinking of you know even more remote areas like Soup and Port Renfrew um any place in Malahette that has um you know the volunteer squads with and not the uh expertise or maybe sorry the equipment that we've got.

And uh we start you know addressing that in a in a provincial way, even if we have to take it to the U BCM.

Yeah, it would be a change to the BC building code, of course.

Yeah.

Okay, let's see what we can do on that.

Thank you.

Sure.

So I had a couple of questions here.

The uh just wanted to see how the Surrey dispatch, you mentioned it, just wonder how they're things are going there.

Things are going very well with the Surrey dispatch.

Um I'm not sure I don't think there's many formal announcements.

My understanding the city of Victoria Fire Department is uh transferring the service over to Surrey uh later this year, and I understand also the city of Langford is also moving over to Surrey.

Wind Santa's moving.

Sorry?

Wind Santa's moving.

I understand there could be our there there is an RFP process.