TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
Minutes from the previous Committee of the Whole meeting covering RCMP updates, grants-in-aid approvals, and financial planning discussions.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT WERE: Councillor Rogers, Chair Councillor Brown Councillor Lemon Councillor MacKenzie Councillor Mattson
REGRETS: Mayor Tobias
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 J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration 7 members of the public 0 members of the press
1. CALL TO ORDER
Councillor Rogers called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Councillor Rogers 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 amended to include item 7. b);
AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED
3. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF
a) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held March 10, 2026
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held March 10, 2026 be adopted as presented. CARRIED
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
a) A. Kolla, Helmcken Road, President, View Royal Community Association (VRCA), spoke in support of the VRCA’s grant-in-aid requests for the View Royal Summerfest event and the View Royal Community Hall enhancement and redevelopment planning initiative.
5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
a) Supt. T. Gillespie, West Shore RCMP, Re: West Shore RCMP Update
Supt. Gillespie introduced himself to the Committee, reviewed the completion of the 2025 annual performance plan, and invited Council’s input on future policing priorities. He provided an overview of first-quarter 2026 data, including overall file counts, trends in offence types, and year-over-year changes. He also discussed open files and calls for service in View Royal.
The Committee and Supt. Gillespie discussed wait times for police officers in emergency waiting rooms, high-crime areas in View Royal, incidents of extortion, and the process for providing input on policing priorities for 2026–2027.
6. REPORTS
6.1 STAFF REPORTS
a) The Village Initiative 2026-2028 Request for Funding
- Report dated April 8, 2026 from the Director of Finance
The Director of Finance gave an overview of the report to the Committee.
The Committee discussed contributions from other municipalities, a regional coordinator role versus supporting frontline services for View Royal residents, and raised concerns regarding budget constraints and competing grant-in-aid priorities. The Committee further discussed mental health and youth support needs in the West Shore, the appropriate roles of municipalities versus health authorities, and the implications of multi-year funding commitments on future Councils.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that staff execute a Memorandum of Understanding with The Village Initiative to fund a coordinator position and include in the 2026-2030 Financial Plan Bylaw the requested funding of $11,603 per year in the General Operating budget for the years 2026-2028 inclusive, funded from Casino reserve. DEFEATED Councillors MacKenzie, Mattson, Rogers opposed
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
THAT the report dated April 8, 2026 from the Director of Finance titled “The Village Initiative 2026-2028 Request for Funding” be received for information. CARRIED Councillor Brown opposed
b) 2026 Grants in Aid
- Report dated March 19, 2026 from the Director of Finance
The Director of Finance gave an overview of the report to the Committee. He noted that the Committee may allocate up to 5% of the previous year’s casino revenue to support not-for-profit and community organizations.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
COW-15-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the Peninsula Streams Society for $5,000.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
COW-16-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the ReImagine West Shore Community Society for $1,300.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
COW-17-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Spasticity Research and Awareness Society’s 2026 Grant in Aid application in the amount of $8,000.00 be declined. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
COW-18-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission for $3,000.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
COW-19-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the Victoria Brain Injury Society for $1,000.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
COW-20-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the Victoria Compost and Conservation for $2,000.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
COW-21-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the View Royal Community Association in support of View Royal Summerfest for $6,000.00. CARRIED
6:44 p.m. Councillor Lemon recused herself from the meeting, noting there may be a perception of bias in relation to consideration of View Royal Community Association’s grant-in-aid request due to her living in close proximity to the View Royal Community Hall. She left the room and did not participate in the discussion of the matter or vote on it.
A Kolla, President, VRCA provided additional details about the funding request for the View Royal Community Hall enhancement and redevelopment planning initiative, including exploring development options such as lower income housing connected to a community centre. The Committee questioned whether the funding request aligns with the criteria as outline in the Grants in Aid policy.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
COW-22-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the View Royal Community Association’s 2026 Grant in Aid application in the amount of $30,000.00 for the View Royal Community Hall enhancement and redevelopment planning initiative be declined. CARRIED
6:54 p.m. Councillor Lemon returned to the Council Chambers
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
COW-23-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the View Royal Elementary School PAC for $2,930.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown
COW-24-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the Boys and Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria for $5,000.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
COW-25-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the Capital Bike (Bike Society Victoria) for $1,000.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
COW-26-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the Rewired Recovery Foundation for $2,500.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
COW-27-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the View Royal Arts Foundation for $5,000.00. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
COW-28-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a 2026 Grants in Aid be approved in accordance with Policy No. 1600 – 012 – Grants in Aid to the View Royal Climate Coalition for $350.00. CARRIED
c) 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan
- Report dated March 25, 2026 from the Director of Finance
The Director of Finance gave an overview of the report to the Committee, noting the current financial plan as presented includes an 8.15% tax revenue increase.
The Committee and staff discussed opportunities to reduce the tax increase to 7.05% on the average Class 1 residential property, while maintaining service levels.
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown
COW-29-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the 2026-2030 Financial Plan be approved in principle, as amended;
AND THAT the 2026-2030 Financial Plan bylaw be prepared for consideration at the April 21, 2026 Council meeting. CARRIED
d) 2026 Tax Multiples and Rates
- Report dated April 1, 2026 from the Director of Finance
The Director of Finance gave an overview of the report to the Committee.
The Committee expressed a preference to maintain a consistent tax burden amongst all classes.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown
COW-30-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that staff prepare the required 2026 Tax Rates Bylaw to implement uniform tax increase across all classes. CARRIED
e) Departmental Update
- Report dated April 1, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer gave an overview of the report to the Committee.
The Committee and staff discussed Atkins Road Sidewalk Upgrade Project, recent traffic disruptions on Island Highway, the website refresh project, and the off-site improvements on Burnside Road West related to the development at 3 Helmcken Road.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT the report dated April 1, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “Departmental Update” be received for information. CARRIED
6.2 PORTFOLIO REPORTS
a) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Mayor Tobias
b) PROTECTIVE SERVICES & YOUTH – Councillor Brown Councillor Brown provided an update on the Forge project and noted its continued progress.
c) ENGAGEMENT – Mayor Tobias
d) ARTS & LIBRARY – Councillor Lemon Councillor Lemon provided an update on the View Royal Arts Foundation, Greater Victoria Public Library, and Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Society.
e) ENVIRONMENT, PARKS & RECREATION – Councillor MacKenzie Councillor MacKenzie provided an update on the draft West Shore Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and youth programming at the West Shore Parks and Recreation Centre.
f) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT – Councillor Mattson Councillor Mattson discussed his concerns regarding the option for developers to pay cash-in-lieu of parking, noting the potential for insufficient on-site parking and increased off-site parking by residents of those developments.
g) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION – Councillor Rogers Councillor Rogers inquired about the Highway 1 Bus on Shoulder Project, specifically at the Helmcken Road overpass.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a) Notice of Motion
- South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) – Councillor Brown
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the following motion be brought forward to the April 21, 2026 Council meeting:
“THAT the Town review its annual membership with the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), which expired on March 31, 2026.” CARRIED
b) Email dated April 14, 2026 from D. Screech, Re: South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP)
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
THAT the email dated April 14, 2026 from D. Screech, Re: South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) be received. CARRIED
8. QUESTION PERIOD
a) R. Painter, Tuzo Court, inquired about recent traffic congestion at Six Mile Road and Island Highway, and the accrued benefits the Town receives from membership with the SIPP.
The Committee requested that SIPP be invited to a future Council meeting to present on membership opportunities and contributions to View Royal, with a focus on examples where the Town has gained advantage.
b) J. Jansen, Creed Road, inquired whether a commitment has been made to repair the fencing and restore the functional capacity of the ponds to protect Craigflower Creek.
9. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 7:57 p.m. CARRIED
MAYOR
CORPORATE OFFICER
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