MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 17, 2026

MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE: Mayor Tobias Councillor Brown Councillor Kowalewich Councillor Lemon Councillor MacKenzie Councillor Mattson

REGRETS: Councillor Rogers

PRESENT ALSO: S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer I. Leung, Director of Engineering L. Taylor, Director of Development Services – via MS Teams S. Vella, Director of Finance J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration 7 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Tobias called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the agenda be amended to include items 10. d) to i);

AND THAT a new item “Update on BC Hydro Closure of Island Highway” be added to New Business;

AND FURTHER THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED

3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

a) L. Jearound, Ardenlea Place, read P. Dijak’s email out loud which forms 10. h) of this agenda and expressed support for a Natural Asset Resource Inventory.

b) J. Bates, Helmcken Road, spoke regarding the Drainage Master Plan and inquired about the inclusion of Little Road Park.

c) J. Jansen, Creed Road, expressed concern about the maintenance schedule, drainage plans, and infrastructure safety of the Craigflower Creek ecosystem and adjacent properties.

4. BYLAWS

5. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Tobias spoke about his recent interview with City Hall Watch to discuss a legal judicial review of provincial housing legislation. He also provided an update on the West Shore RCMP Building Expansion project, and noted the upcoming Special Council meeting on February 24, 2026, concerning the Western Gateway corridor.

6. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) R. Brooke, Natural Assets Initiative, Re: Natural Asset Management

Mr. Brooke gave a presentation and discussed municipal challenges, the benefits of natural asset management, the creation of a natural asset inventory, and gave an update on the progress of other local municipalities.

7. STAFF REPORTS

a) Transportation Master Plan Engagement #1 What We Heard

1. Report dated January 29, 2026 from the Director of Engineering

The Director of Engineering gave a presentation and an overview of the report.

Council and staff discussed survey feedback, regional commuter impacts on local roads, transit service standards to support development, integrating updated BC Transit and rail planning data, the rating of current roadways, and mapping.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the report dated January 29, 2026 from the Director of Engineering titled “Transportation Master Plan Engagement #1 What We Heard” be received for information. CARRIED

b) Urban Forest Strategy Request for Additional Funds and Grant Funding Opportunities

1. Report dated February 3, 2026 from the Director of Engineering

The Director of Engineering gave an overview of the report.

Council and staff discussed the increase to tree canopy targets, the updated canopy modeling, and opportunities to leverage grant funding. Council sought clarification on current approvals, ongoing consultant work, and budget timing, while also expressing concerns about potential scope creep and sole-sourcing of additional work to the same consultant.

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-24-26 THAT an additional $22,000 (net of GST) be allocated to fund the lift in the Urban Forest Strategy programing for 35% and 40% canopy cover targets;

AND THAT staff be authorized to directly award the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) grant-funded work to Diamond Head Consulting, who will act as co-collaborators on the projects, to deliver the awarded Urban Forest Strategy programming over the next two years. CARRIED Councillor Mattson opposed

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

9. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Letters dated January 20, 2026 and February 2, 2026 from J. Jansen, Re: Public Safety Hazards and Infrastructure Failure - Marler Park Stormwater Facilities

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT the letters dated January 20, 2026 and February 2, 2026 from J. Jansen, Re: Public Safety Hazards and Infrastructure Failure - Marler Park Stormwater Facilities be received. CARRIED

10. CONSENT AGENDA

a) Minutes of the Council meeting held February 3, 2026

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held February 3, 2026 be adopted. CARRIED

b) Minutes of the Public Hearing held February 3, 2026

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the minutes of the Public Hearing held February 3, 2026 be adopted. CARRIED

c) From the February 10, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting:

1. Official Community Plan Project Update

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

C-25-26 THAT a facilitated Special Council meeting be scheduled to gather Council’s input on the Western Gateway Corridor prior to the preparation of the draft Official Community Plan (OCP);

AND THAT the OCP Advisory Committee be invited to attend the Special Council meeting;

AND FURTHER THAT the cost of a facilitator not exceed $5,000. CARRIED

d) Email dated February 13, 2026 from L. Jeaurond, Re: Inventory of Natural Resources – Councillor Brown

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the email dated February 13, 2026 from L. Jeaurond, Re: Inventory of Natural Resources – Councillor Brown be received. CARRIED

e) Email dated February 14, 2026 from P. Gooch, Re: Writing in Support of Councillor Don Brown’s Motion to Include a Natural Asset Inventory in the Budget

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the email dated February 14, 2026 from P. Gooch, Re: Writing in Support of Councillor Don Brown’s Motion to Include a Natural Asset Inventory in the Budget be received. CARRIED

f) Letter dated February 14, 2026 from P. Hamilton, Re: Councillor Brown’s Motion to Include a Natural Asset Inventory in the Budget

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the letter dated February 14, 2026 from P. Hamilton, Re: Councillor Brown’s Motion to Include a Natural Asset Inventory in the Budget be received. CARRIED

g) Email dated February 14, 2026 from R. Issac, Re: Motion for Natural Asset Inventory

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the email dated February 14, 2026 from R. Issac, Re: Motion for Natural Asset Inventory be received. CARRIED

h) Email dated February 16, 2026 from P. Dijak, Re: Motion for Natural Asset Inventory

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the email dated February 16, 2026 from P. Dijak, Re: Motion for Natural Asset Inventory be received. CARRIED

i) Email dated February 16, 2026 from I. Brown, Re: Motion for Natural Assets Inventory

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the email dated February 16, 2026 from I. Brown, Re: Motion for Natural Assets Inventory be received. CARRIED

11. CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

12. NEW BUSINESS

13. QUESTION PERIOD

a) L. McGuire, Creed Place, inquired about the monitoring of motorized e-bike speeds on the Galloping Goose Trail.

14. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION

a) Motions

1. Inventory of Natural Asset Resources - Councillor Brown

Council discussed the proposed motion including the usage of the Natural Asset Inventory, costs and possible funding opportunities, and the scope of the project.

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT staff commence work toward completing a 2026 Municipal Asset Inventory for the Town of View Royal, and include natural assets in any updates to the corporate Asset Management Policy;

AND THAT the 2026 budget include funding for a Municipal Natural Asset Inventory, and that staff seek to apply for available funding opportunities to offset the costs.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT debate stop and voting occur on the main motion. CARRIED Councillor Mattson opposed

The question was then called on the main motion. DEFEATED Mayor Tobias and Councillors Kowalewich, MacKenzie, Mattson opposed

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Brown

C-26-26 THAT consideration of a Natural Asset Inventory be included in the 2026 budget deliberations. CARRIED

a) Notices of Motion

15. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION

16. RISING REPORT

17. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT this meeting now adjourn. Time: 7:42 p.m. CARRIED

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MAYOR

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CORPORATE OFFICER