ACCESSIBLE BRITISH COLUMBIA ACT [SBC 2021] CHAPTER 19

July 18, 2023Pages 234–2436 sections

A copy of the provincial legislation establishing the framework for accessibility committees, plans, and public feedback mechanisms for prescribed organizations.

1 CALL TO ORDER- Mayor Tobias called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.

Assented to June 17, 2021Current to February 8, 2023Requires organizations to develop an accessibility plan at least once every three years

INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 2 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR .......................................................................................... 3 COMMUNITY PROFILE ..................................................................................................... 4 SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS........................................................................ 7 MAYOR & COUNCIL ....................................................................................................... 9 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART .......................................................................................... 11 VISION ............................................................................................................................ 13 MISSION, VALUES & ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE ............................................... 14 2022 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................................... 15 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT ............................................................................ 16 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT ................................................................ 19 ENGINEERING & PARKS DEPARTMENT ................................................................. 22 FINANCE DEPARTMENT .......................................................................................... 25 PROTECTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT..................................................................... 27 2022 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES .................................................................... 30 LOOKING AHEAD .......................................................................................................... 39 FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................................................................ 48

Page 234–243

INTRODUCTION

This year’s Annual Report outlines the Town’s achievements and major projects for 2022.

It shows the progress on our 2022 municipal goals and objectives, highlights financial reporting, and gives insight into plans for the future.

Page 234–243

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Hello Neighbours,

I invite you to read this year’s Town of View Royal Annual Report. The report summarizes a year in review and provides insight into significant changes that affect our community. Of particular note, this Annual Report comes after an election in the Fall that enhanced the capacity for governance by two Councillors and a new Mayor. It also comes at a time of significant uncertainty as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic in the midst of unprecedented inflation, rise in interest rates, an affordable housing crisis, an environmental emergency, chronic homelessness, a crisis in addiction and the rapid growth of the Region. The combined effect of today’s reality makes planning for the future complicated and I am grateful for the novel thinking of Council and Staff.

Much of the work that has been accomplished is because of a very lean and highly effective Staff. The report provides significant work to protect our environment and sensitive ecosystems through funding the Heat Pump replacement program, precedent setting work in new building codes and policies, as well as our first ever Active Transportation Plan.

View Royal, like many West Shore municipalities, is working to balance growth with sufficient infrastructure, design, and exceptional parks. Council voted to cease work on a draft Official Community Plan that was primarily focused on housing and density to take a thoughtful pause and ensure we create a more wholistic approach to Land Use Planning and ensure we fully include opportunities for you to participate in the process of planning our collective future. The price of this growth has however meant increased calls for service for our Fire Department and RCMP. The continued safety of our residents is paramount to Staff and Council and we continue to invest in expanding our capacity to address our growing population including crossing guards, new RCMP Building planning and training and equipment for our protective services.

The Sustainable Infrastructure Replacement Plan has been a hallmark of success to ensure we are saving the money required to replace our infrastructure without creating a large tax burden for the future. Council and Staff are very focused on maintaining a level of service that we have come to expect while addressing the best balance from the pressures of increasing costs of modernization, salaries, and connecting our growing neighbourhoods.

We have increased our dedication to work with our neighbouring municipalities and First Nations. West Shore Mayors and Staff are working together regularly to ensure plans and services are coordinated to create a positive effect on our protective services and opportunities collaborate on recreation such as the new Skate Park at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and opportunities to jointly plan transportation and Community Planning. A highlight of my year was to have Chief Rob Thomas of Esquimalt Nation address Council on the importance of respecting the land and embarking on new ways to walk a path of reconciliation together; it was the first time for such an address at our Town Hall.

Respectfully,

Sid Tobias Mayor

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COMMUNITY PROFILE

The Town of View Royal is located on southern Vancouver Island, approximately six kilometers west of Victoria, British Columbia. On December 5, 1988 – with a population of less than 5,000 – the Town of View Royal was incorporated and became its own distinct municipality comprising approximately 2,500 hectares of land. Since that time, the community has experienced significant growth and development while still maintaining much of its small town character.

The Town of View Royal acknowledges with respect that it is within the unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and that their historic connections to these lands continue to this day.

INCORPORATED DECEMBER 5, 1988
11,575 POPULATION*
14.33KM² LAND AREA
5,175 HOUSEHOLDS
72 MUNICIPAL PARKS & 2 REGIONAL PARKS
30.5KM BIKE LANES
27.3KM TRAILS

*as per Statistics Canada, 2021 Census

View Royal is divided into eight distinct precincts based on such factors as topography, major transportation corridors, natural environment and the age of housing stock. These precincts are:

Craigflower
Harbour
Helmcken
Hospital
Thetis
Burnside
Atkins
Wilfert

The municipality encompasses McKenzie, Pike, Prior and Thetis Lakes and portions of Esquimalt Harbour and Portage Inlet and is situated adjacent to the established jurisdictions of the City of Colwood, Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt First Nation, District of Highlands, City of Langford, District of Saanich and Songhees First Nation.

Trees above the stone wall on Island Highway

Detail of river rock mosaic on the stone wall

Plants and base of the stone wall along the sidewalk

Curb and asphalt surface of Island Highway in front of the stone wall

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SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL SERVICES

The Town of View Royal is responsible for the provision of a wide variety of local services and programs. These include:

Transportation network (e.g. roads, bridges, street cleaning, sidewalks)*
Stormwater management
Garbage/household food waste collection
Sanitary sewer collection system
Parks, recreation and cultural facilities
West Shore Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Fire protection and inspection
Emergency preparedness planning
Land use planning
Building permits
Business licensing
Bylaw establishment and enforcement
Economic development
Heritage and revitalization

*excludes Admirals Road, Six Mile Road and the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) which are controlled by the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure.

TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT

Animal control
Sewer system management
Water management
Recycling & Blue Box Program

TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

School system (Provincial Government and Local School Boards)
Social and health programs (Provincial Government)
Hospital care system (Provincial Government)
Real property assessments (B.C. Assessment)
Library collection and distribution system (Greater Victoria Public Library; Town is a part owner of the Downtown Branch)
View Royal Reading Centre (Town provides partial support through a grant-in-aid)
Planning and the management of public transit (Victoria Regional Transit System)

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MAYOR & COUNCIL

The Town of View Royal is governed by an elected mayor and six councillors for a four-year term (2022-2026). Each member of Council is also appointed to serve on various Town and Regional committees. Council meets regularly and the public is welcome to attend any open meeting or provide feedback in writing via mail or email. Learn more at viewroyal.ca/mayor-council.html.