Presentation: CONSIDERATION OF INCREASE TO COUNCIL SIZE

OUTREACH & FEEDBACK – NOVEMBER 2021:

Town’s social media:

• Council size information on Town website under “What’s New”
• Tweets & FB posts weekly – 5 posts to each platform in just under 3 weeks

Other social media:

• “Friends who like TVR” & “View Royal Community Connection”

Newspaper coverage:

• 2 ads in Goldstream Gazette
• Articles in both Goldstream Gazette and Times Colonist

November 15 Open House and November 16 “Public Participation”:

• “Atmospheric river” event day and power outages in surrounding areas but 7 attendees
• 3 people called in during Council meeting
• Correspondence on that agenda

Decision made to hold second Open House with “Public Participation” follow-up in January 2022 due to inclement weather

OUTREACH & FEEDBACK – JANUARY 2022:

Town’s social media:

• Council size information on Town website under “What’s New” & “Spotlight” (incl. link to open house “reader boards” for those who did not wish to attend)
• Tweets & FB posts weekly – 7 posts to each platform during Dec. and Jan.

Newspaper coverage:

• 3 ads in Goldstream Gazette
• Articles in both Goldstream Gazette and Times Colonist (the latter running after the Open House)

Personally addressed invitations:

• 3,948 invitations mailed out week of January 3, 2022, based on FAQs developed for November Open House

January 17 Open House and January 18 “Public Participation”:

• Approximately 16 attendees
• 4 people participated during Council meeting
• Correspondence on that agenda

OPTIONS PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED:

1. Community open house with subsequent engagement opportunity a Council meeting for call-in during “Public Participation” (Option selected)
2. Standalone statistically valid telephone survey
3. Comprehensive statistically valid telephone survey in early 2023
4. Standalone non-binding opinion poll
5. Ballot non-binding opinion poll

Some consider the non-binding opinion poll on the ballot (option 5) as efficient, economical and democratic but it is not recommended for several reasons. (some of the points raised on the next several slides also pertain to option 3)

“STATUS QUO BIAS”:

…in the case of voting, means that “potential voters make their decision based on the status of the current policy”*

Example of Qualicum Beach (pop’n 8,943) – had a council size ballot question in 2008 & 2014 which, while increasingly popular (23.7% in 2008 to 29.7% in 2014), was still not supported

In this circumstance, as QB experienced twice, a five-member council would remain in place given that it is the current situation

*Barber, Gordon, Hill and Price, 2017:152

“STATUS QUO BIAS”:

… is heightened “when there is higher voter uncertainty, indifference, or lack of knowledge”*

Some have followed with interest, but fewer than 100 responses despite extensive outreach - points to potentially some indifference

So the economical approach - putting it on the ballot - may not ensure the topic receives the nuanced & visionary consideration by Council it warrants

Magleby, 1984

IF ON THE 2022 BALLOT:

Puts off addressing the issues that lead to the topic coming up in the first place

– ensuring depth of coverage at business meetings – increased focus on opportunities for diversity, equity & inclusion

IF ON THE 2022 BALLOT:

…and fails, the 2026 ballot would still only seek a 5-member council (unless the 2022-2026 Council passes a bylaw to increase council size) and it would be a minimum of 8 years (2030 election) until topic comes up again as either a ballot question OR unless the 2026-2030 Council passes a bylaw to seek a 7-member council in 2030

IF ON THE 2022 BALLOT:

…and passes, there would be a 4-year interval before implementation in 2026

Could this cause concern or confusion prior to the 2026 general local election?

Puts off addressing the issues that lead to the topic coming up in the first place

PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION:

Feedback diverse with perspectives varying based on perceived advantages & disadvantages

G. Cuff in his 2019 book “Leading: The Real Value of a Mayor & Council” encourages councils to be visionary, to provide the “Where to from here?”, “…the necessary framework to subsequent goals and priorities.” (pg. 37)

VIEW ROYAL’S 2018 ELECTION STATS:

In 2018 the estimated eligible voter turnout for the View Royal (Town) was 25.3%, which was 10.3% lower than than the average BC municipal turnout of 35.6%.

VIEW ROYAL’S 2018 ELECTION STATS:

Elected incumbency rate of 100% is 19.4% higher than BC average of 80.6%.

VIEW ROYAL’S 2018 ELECTION STATS:

Women make up 20% of this Council. The BC average for municipal councils is 35.2%.

CONCLUSION:

• Discussed for past 14 months
• Considered by Community Development Advisory Committee 2X and recommended Council increase council size with a view to increasing diversity
• Diversity, equity & inclusion is everyone’s responsibility
• Public feedback received through 2 widely promoted Open Houses
• Broad range of perspectives
• Council has the information to make a decision that comes down to one’s beliefs around the future direction and vision the Town should be headed towards
• Draft bylaw to increase council size is provided for consideration of 3 readings

COUNCIL SIZE INCREASE BYLAW NO. 1086, 2022

A BYLAW TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

The Council of the Town of View Royal, in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows:

1.0 This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Council Size Increase Bylaw No. 1086, 2022”.

2.0 The Council for the Town of View Royal shall be increased in size by two (2) and shall consist of a Mayor and six (6) Councillors.

3.0 In accordance with Section 118 of the Community Charter, this bylaw becomes effective for the October 15, 2022 General Local Election.

ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report be received and draft Council Size Increase Bylaw No. 1086, 2022 not receive three readings.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated January 27, 2022 from the Corporate Officer titled “Consideration of Increase to Council Size” be received

AND THAT Council Size Increase Bylaw No. 1086, 2022 be given three readings at the appropriate time in the agenda.