MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026

MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE: Councillor Lemon - Chair Mayor Tobias Councillor Brown – via Microsoft Teams Councillor Kowalewich – via Microsoft Teams Councillor MacKenzie Councillor Mattson Councillor Rogers – via Microsoft Teams

PRESENT ALSO: S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer E. Bolster, Director of Corporate Administration L. Taylor, Director of Development Services I. Leung, Director of Engineering S. Vella, Director of Finance S. Scory, Senior Planner J. Chow, Senior Planner J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration

9 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER – Councillor Lemon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Councillor Lemon 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 Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF

a) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held December 9, 2025

MOVED BY: Councillor MacKenzie SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held December 9, 2025 be adopted as presented. CARRIED

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

a) G. Siren, Margaret Lane, discussed challenges with managing a health care business, and shared his concerns regarding the proposed combination of a medical clinic and a café in the commercial space at 258 Helmcken Road.

5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) Insp. Saran, West Shore RCMP, Re: West Shore RCMP Update

Insp. Saran mentioned the upcoming arrival of the new Superintendent T. Gillespie in early February and acknowledged both past Supt. Preston and acting Superintendent, Insp. Rose. He discussed statistics, community engagement events, calls for service, and open files of note. He also highlighted the benefits of the new Body Worn Camera Program.

The Committee and Insp. Saran discussed the new Body Worn Camera Program, and the possible return of the Photo Radar Program.

b) G. Brown, Chief Administrative Officer, West Shore Parks and Recreation (WSPRS), Re: WSPRS 2026 Budget and Requisition Request

Mr. Brown gave a presentation to the Committee regarding the WSPRS 2026 budget and requisition request, specifically 2025 highlights and budget projections, 2026 budget considerations and financial variances, and overview of the five-year financial plan.

The Committee and Mr. Brown discussed the Town’s funding source for WSPRS, ice skating services, requisition increase, programming, and View Royal resident usage.

c) M. Sawa, Chief Executive Officer, and M. Barnes, Assistant Director - Finance, Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL), Re: GVPL 2026 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan

K. Rossingh, GVPL Board representative, introduced M. Sawa, CEO, GVPL who gave a presentation to the Committee regarding the GVPL 2026 budget and five-year financial plan, specifically, library services provided by GVPL, annual highlights on community use of library services, family engagement, virtual services, and digital access challenges, and budget impact to View Royal.

The Committee and M. Sawa discussed the level of literacy statistics, licensing fees, cost reduction measures/initiatives, staffing, safety and security costs, and user fees.

6. REPORTS

6.1 STAFF REPORTS

a) Rezoning Application No. 2025-01 for 258 Helmcken Road

1. Report dated January 2, 2026 by Senior Planner

The Senior Planner gave an overview of the report to the Committee.

The Committee discussed the layout of the café and medical services area, the total square footage for the clinic, use of outdoor space for the café, operation of the café, and parking.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1160, 2025 be amended to remove the requirement for a café within the commercial space, and to restrict the permitted use of the space to a medical clinic and/or grocery store only. DEFEATED Councillors Lemon, MacKenzie, Mattson, and Rogers opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor MacKenzie SECONDED: Councillor Brown

COW-01-26: THAT the Committee recommend that Council consider an amendment to Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1160, 2025 to reduce the minimum required floor area allocated to a café use from 150m² to 74m² at the January 20, 2026 Council meeting.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

THAT the motion be amended to reduce the minimum required floor area allocated to a café use from 150m² to 100m² in Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1160, 2025. DEFEATED Mayor Tobias, Councillors Brown, Lemon, MacKenzie and Rogers opposed

The question was then called on the main motion. CARRIED

b) Official Community Plan Review and Update: What We Heard Report #3 - Vision Survey Engagement

1. Report dated December 12, 2025 from the Senior Planner

The Committee discussed the inclusion of a territorial acknowledgement in the vision statement, and the length of the vision statement.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Mayor Tobias

THAT the report dated December 12, 2025 from the Senior Planner titled "Official Community Plan Review and Update: What We Heard Report #3 - Vision Survey Engagement" be received for information. CARRIED

c) Official Community Plan Review and Update: What We Heard Report #4 - Western Gateway Community Corridor Engagement

1. Report dated December 12, 2025 from the Senior Planner

The Senior Planner gave an overview of the report.

The Committee discussed the employment districts and their uses, and engagement.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the report dated December 12, 2025 from the Senior Planner titled “Official Community Plan Review and Update: What We Heard Report #4 – Western Gateway Community Corridor Engagement” be received for information. CARRIED

d) Official Community Plan Review and Update: What We Heard Report #5 - Policy Review Engagement

1. Report dated December 16, 2025 from the Senior Planner

The Senior Planner gave an overview of the report.

The Committee discussed community engagement and the community’s response to the survey, and thanked staff for their efforts in engaging the community.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT the report dated December 16, 2025 from the Senior Planner titled “Official Community Plan Review and Update: What We Heard Report #5 – Policy Review Engagement” be received for information. CARRIED

Councillor Kowalewich left the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

e) West Shore RCMP Facility Expansion Council Validation

1. Report dated January 7, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer

The Committee discussed the District of Metchosin’s financial contribution, accommodation for future growth, project timelines and funding.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

COW-02-26: THAT the Committee recommends the following to Council: a. endorse the attached West Shore RCMP Facility Expansion Council Validation Report (Appendix A); b. direct the Chief Administrative Officer to finalize and enter into a CCDC-30 contract for execution; and c. approve moving forward with the detailed design and construction of the project. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Mayor Tobias

THAT the meeting be extended until 9:30 p.m. CARRIED

f) Chancellor Park Playground Equipment Award

1. Report dated December 16, 2025 from the Director of Engineering

The Director of Engineering gave an overview of the report.

The Committee discussed project funding, parking, the life expectancy of the playground equipment, CSA requirements, public input, proximity to amenities, and equipment maintenance.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the playground equipment purchase and installation as outlined in Option #1, excluding the “We-Go-Round” spinner, per the Committee of the Whole staff report dated December 16, 2025 titled “Chancellor Park Playground Equipment Award” be awarded to Habitat Systems Inc. DEFEATED Councillors Lemon, MacKenzie, and Rogers opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

COW-03-26: THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the report dated December 16, 2025 from the Director of Engineering titled “Chancellor Park Playground Equipment Award” be tabled to the January 20, 2026 Council meeting. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the meeting be extended until 9:45 p.m. CARRIED

g) Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program

1. Report dated December 2, 2025 from the Director of Development Services

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Mayor Tobias

COW-04-26: THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the report dated December 2, 2025 from the Director of Development Services titled “Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program” be tabled to the February 10, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting. CARRIED

h) Departmental Update

1. Report dated December 23, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Mayor Tobias

COW-05-26: THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the report dated December 23, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “Departmental Update” be tabled to the February 10, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting. CARRIED

6.2 PORTFOLIO REPORTS

a) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Mayor Tobias

b) PROTECTIVE SERVICES & YOUTH – Councillor Brown

Councillor Brown noted The Village Initiative is hosting the “A Critical Conversation about Child and Youth Wellbeing” on February 24, 2026 at the Royal Canadian Legion (Langford Branch).

c) ENGAGEMENT – Councillor Kowalewich

d) ARTS & LIBRARY – Councillor Lemon

Councillor Lemon announced that the winners of the annual Light Up View Royal contest, were 291 Helmcken Road and 306 Gull Road.

e) ENVIRONMENT, PARKS & RECREATION – Councillor MacKenzie

f) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT – Councillor Mattson

Councillor Mattson inquired about the potential for a Council session to discuss the draft Official Community Plan review.

g) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION – Councillor Rogers

Councillor Rogers discussed BC Transit’s #40 bus route at Admirals and Watkiss Way, the Sooke Lake reservoir, and expressed thanks to staff for response efforts during recent flood events.

7. NEW BUSINESS

a) West Shore Municipal Approaches to Supporting Access to Primary Care

1. Report dated January 9, 2026 from Mayor Tobias

The Committee discussed healthcare providers looking for clinic space, the number of medical doctors that could be available for View Royal residents, and costs to the Town.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

COW-06-26: THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to continue discussions with healthcare providers, property owners, and Island Health, and to report back to Council with updates and any proposals intended to increase primary healthcare coverage for the residents of View Royal. CARRIED

8. QUESTION PERIOD

a) M. Lloyd, Werra Road, questioned whether Council would consider addressing the Official Community Plan vision statement as a separate project.

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 9:48 p.m. CARRIED