Council Meeting

So I'll call the uh council meeting for Tuesday, December 5th uh to order.

Um and I'll forego reading the statement, seeing how we've just read that, and we've also given a territorial acknowledgement.

Uh, can I get an approval uh for motion to approve the agenda, including the uh laid items, please?

So moved.

Moved by councillor Lemon, seconded by Council McKenzie because she looked at me.

And uh all those in favor.

Any opposed?

Seeing none opposed, motion carries.

Uh and the receipt of the move motion to uh receive the minutes from our last council meeting.

Moved by councillor Brown, seconded by councillor Lemon.

All those in favor.

Any opposed, seeing none opposed, motion carries.

Uh mayor's report.

I'll be very brief.

I was very happy with our uh public hearing that we had at the Scottish Cultural Center.

Uh yeah, point of order staff.

Can we get the door closed, please?

Thank you.

Very pleased with uh both the turnout, uh, the correspondence and the survey uh that closed last uh Friday.

I think it represented a real cross-hunt section, not only of our municipality, but of our neighbors as well.

Uh, very pleased with the turnout uh and and the behavior of uh everybody there.

I think we heard a broad range of views.

Um staff is working on a survey, uh, what we heard report now that should be available in the coming weeks for us to look at not only the survey results, but of course the most important part, which is the comments people had to make about the new provincial legislation.

And with that, I think we can advance the uh agenda.

Um I think there's uh appointments for uh committees of the whole.

These appointments uh are done annually.

Um uh sometimes therefore terms that last more than annually, two year terms and four year terms um that we're appointing.

So for the first one, it was the appointment uh for the committee of the whole, and that is at schedule a i'm happy to move forward for a to e moved and seconded moved by count uh uh by councillor matts and seconded by councillor brown all those in favor sorry i have discussion please yeah yes go ahead um so as i express to the mayor i would like to develop further and take on a new subcommittee and committees um i've in really enjoyed being the environmental uh uh subcommittee chair and will continue to you know champion environmental issues of course however i feel i have already started the ball rolling on a lot of initiatives including the zero carbon step code that you heard a bit about tonight letters to the province new uh asking them to regulate gas utilities consideration of a tree watering program consideration of a demolition and deconstruction by law etc so these are just like I had these ideas I also have many ideas when it comes to other committees particularly parks and rec and arts and culture and some of my ideas would require a lot of work on my own part, because we do not have a whole lot of staff uh time to do that, and I would be happy to take that on.

However, I couldn't do that in addition to my responsibilities as chair of the environmental committee.

And uh so I I would like to be considered for uh other subcommittees and and committees, and I think it's really important, especially being a new counselor, that in that I take the opportunity to get the exposure and familiarity with all areas uh that council considers in this first term.

Thank you, Councillor McKenzie.

Um noted, and I should have probably um started it a little bit earlier, right?

So everybody is aware of what comes down.

Ultimately, the appointments fall on the mayor to appoint.

Um, and I tried my best to arrange people's um uh what they're interested in and pair them up.

Unfortunately, we got it in it probably a little late in the game to make the adjustment right for for you.

So what I sugg suggest that you do if there's a specific uh area that you'd like to pursue over the next year is uh is work with who you'd like to switch with maybe we could amend this to be an alternate for those things and switch it out at that time.

And it's not just interest it's people's time that they've already kind of uh shelved out so uh again, I should have started it earlier, and that's on me.

Uh, but normally these things go for a couple of years for appointments, um, and and uh just so people can get used uh to them as well.

Um the appointments are based for the needs of the town that I try to balance as much as I can with the needs of the counselor.

Counselor Brent.

Yeah, I'm a director on the uh Crest uh board.

That's the radio system that uh looks out for fire, uh uh police, uh, ambulance, etc.

etc.

Uh and and they expressed in the last meeting uh they would prefer, they would prefer as a as a board to have continuity.

And I agree with that.

So um I really appreciate being appointed to that, and I'm really happy to continue on with that.

Uh certainly it's an area of interest, but I don't know if it's other committees feel the same way.

I'd I'm sure Councillor McKenzie uh was want to continue with the work she's doing on her committee, but you know, I just like the idea of you know talking amongst ourselves.

Maybe we want to switch off.

I think that's a great idea.

Councilor Roger.

Uh yeah, it's um you know, you typically we have um uh most boards and and commissions and so forth, uh, there's a two-year appointment.

That's I guess that just goes without saying.

But um yeah, it a second year of two years, that that's interesting.

The um the other option is that um we do not have an alternate for um uh arts or library or uh west shore.

So um, you know, I I think it's reasonable that uh the uh the current representatives, if and when they're not available for any particular reason um then um if a council makenzie is interested then be an alternate to those and and that's another way of gaining um expertise when that arises so that's a great point councilor McKenzie would that work I I think that's a little bit of uh lip service to be honest because I am alternate on several committees and I've yet to attend with the exception of IACD um so I anticipate that that would be the same this coming year and uh don't feel that it really addresses my comments and desire for exposure to more areas of council.

Thank you, Councillor McKenzie other comments Councilor Brown.

Yeah, the board of directors for for Crest, because we are directors of a private corporation.

Uh they I talked about that, having an alternate, and they said it's a good idea to have an alternate, however, because it's a private corporation, uh, they wouldn't be able to vote.

Yeah, if it was possible, would there be a room, let's say, for Victoria Public Library to have an alternate there, Councillor Lemmon?

I know that um Langford, when um Councillor Spock was away, sent an alternate.

Um, but other than that, I'm I I I haven't experienced it, but certainly I'd be comfortable with it, but but only if that that interested Counselor McKenzie.

And and I'm not sure that that's what she's seeking.

Just uh Counselor Matson.

So should she wish to do that, she would receive copies of the uh she she could get copies of your minutes and agendas for the uh library to become fully uh up to date in terms of what their initiatives are.

Should uh should you not be able to attend, and if nothing else, she'd get a lot of experience just in terms of what happens at the library board.

If that is true, my turn to that yeah, thanks, uh Councillor Mattson.

So it's it's in your hands, Councilor McKenzie, how do you like to proceed?

I think I'll stick with the appointments as they are right now.

It's just because we got it out of the late in the game.

People had planned their lives around it, and for the various reasons mentioned, people have carved their lives around those schedules.

Normally, I think it's been practiced that unless there's two consenting counselors that want to switch duties, that's the way I usually try to balance it out.

So if you want to start those conversations now, I'm happy to amend the schedule at a later date and uh have you uh appointed as an alternate whenever that switch would like to take place.

Uh I think we're at a motion mover and this seconder.

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

Seeing councillor McKenzie opposed, the rest um carries.

And appointments of representatives of other committees, commissions, and boards.

And uh Councillor Madsen's happy to move A to E.

No, I think that's what we just approved, isn't it?

Yeah, sorry.

Yeah, you did.

Um, so that's what we've done.

Petitions and delegations, which we have one.

Oh, we've got uh, yeah, and no motion required for the uh liaison, but we moved it anyway.

Uh so petitions and delegations.

We have one petition and delegation, and that is uh to ban rodent blue board traps.

Uh and I think we have uh Ms.

Rojas, Mr.

Broadbent for that presentation.

Staff, will we get that loaded?

Okay.

Thank you for having me.

I am from the municipality of Victoria.

And you will understand the reason why I'm here tonight after I read this.

Okay, so thank you for the opportunity.

We want to express our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to speak on a profoundly distressing and harmful issue that continues to persist in our modern society.

The usage of rodent glue boards.

Many of us find it deeply troubling that these devices are openly displayed, potentially exposing children to their existence and the practices they represent.

Studies and research have been done.

Glue drops cause immense physical and psychological suffering to animals and even birds.

They experience extreme distress while struggling to feed themselves, and they get injured while attempting to escape, resulting in broken bones, dislocated joints, torn skin, dehydratation, exhaustion, starvation, or even cell mutilation.

Critters, cats, and glutrops can suffer for several days before they eventually die a slow and agonizing process, which is considered true and inhumane.

Having awareness of the horrific torture this device can inflict, it is undeniable that it should never have been permitted to enter the market.

Our hopes are elevated, anticipating that this municipality will emerge as a compassionate council and banning glue traps, following in the footsteps of 18 Indian states and territories, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, England, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, two states and one territory in Australia, many USA states, and hundreds of companies and other entities have prohibited their sale or use.

To consider a glue trap ban locally, just in your municipality or regional district.

And or if they propose a resolution for consideration by ABIC and then UBCM, we respectfully petition this municipality to propose a resolution for consideration by AVIC in April 2024 due to their inherent animal cruelty and environmental impact.

Thank you very much.

My experience with glue traps was about 20 years ago when I was in university.

My friend and I had happened upon a glue trap and a mouse was stuck on their side.

Because the mouse was on their side, their eye that was near the trap was pulled out of the socket as the mouse had obviously struggled to lift their head repeatedly.

There were trails of blood coming from the eye socket, indicating that the mouse had been struggling for a long time.

We tried to see if we could lift one leg or the tail from the glue trap, but it was obvious the trap would not allow any removal without a force that would break legs or tear off fur and skin.

I regret it now, but we decided that as it was raining at the time to move the glue trap outside in the hopes that the rain would dissolve the glue enough for the mouse to break free.

Of course, that wouldn't work.

I know now that it requires specific chemicals.

Labor-intensive process that causes immense stress to the animal, is also very dangerous to the rescuers as the animal bites during the process, and often the rescuers get covered in defecation and urine from the animal, all of which can transmit diseases.

That mouse would have died of very slow death, as Lavinia outlined earlier.

We never check back, I think because we know on some level that there would not be a good outcome.

Last year, the wildlife Rescue Association of BC reported a more than 87% increase in glue board related intakes at its wildlife hospital since 2019.

Following the province of BC's recent ban on rat poison that unintentionally kills the owls who eat the rats, glue traps should also be banned for also killing wildlife.

My second point is that glue boards are not an effective long term rodent solution, rodent control solution.

These devices may be effective at catching a few animals, but they do not provide a long term solution.

Unless the conditions that encourage the animals to take up residence in the first place are addressed, it's highly likely that others will simply move into the vacated territory.

Removing the availability of glue traps in stores will discourage people from opting for a thoughtless, short-term, and cruel solution and instead encourage them to follow the advice of humane societies and pest control companies in adopting ways of dealing with unwanted rodents that are not only more humane, but also far more effective in the long term.

Thank you for your time.

Councilor Rudd.

Yeah, just uh thank you.

I have a question for staff.

Um, what is council's ability to ban the sale and use of glue traps in Raw?

A number of years ago, we developed an integrated pest management program for our own purposes around the time when the province was dealing with their um their banning of, and it was a temporary thing at the time, the um second level of uh pesticides dealing with rat poisons.

And part of that deals with glue boards as well, but that's dealing with our own use or non-use of glue boards for our own application.

Um, and so we weren't dealing with what the public can do in dealing with with that.

I know that um federal government, the provincial government, and the municipalities can do things uh for pesticide use and and dealing with pests.

And people will view anim some of these animals that they're trying to trap as pests.

So there are things that can be done.

I would have to look more specifically though into whether or not glue boards would be part of that and what municipalities can do about it.

I think the other thing, though, that we would need to consider is is that something that we would look to enforce as as well and who would be enforcing that.

Thank you for the question.

I'll go to Councillor Brown, then Councillor McKenzie and Councillor Rogers.

Yeah, I I personally I should probably should have checked this myself, but uh I wonder if the BCSBCA already has some provincial legislations.

And if not, it may be a more appropriate venue to check with them and see if it's a possibility.

Much in the same sense as poisons as you mentioned, leg hole traps, things like that.

Um maybe something they might be considering rather than adding it as as a bylaw thing, which is difficult to enforce.

I know when I did animal control at the Capital Regional District, um, we worked closely with the SBCA in changing some of their bylaws and vice versa, or in provincial acts and our bylaws.

So I'm sure the SBCA would, if you haven't already contacted them, might be quite happy to hear from me as well.

Thank you.

I I think yeah, go ahead.

Yeah, so all organize animal organizations, um, they recommend non-let always.

There are many different ways we don't you don't kill the animal.

Um, for example, you have uh live what I think it's called live cages.

Yeah, I think the the question specifically wasn't about the alternatives, the question was kind of about the legislation.

Yeah, so there are cages where the animal is cut and then you release them to someplace.

You remove them from the area.

There's no need to kill them.

You have instead of having a thank you.

You have an animal walking around here, a mice.

I I think the thanks.

Uh the question was about the legislation, not about alternative.

Sorry, yeah, there is no legislation about it yet, but I do have a um federal petition with um MP calling um uh Lord Collins, and which is due in about a month's time, and we are collecting signature at the time, and it ideally will be across Canada.

Yeah, uh that is why we are um addressing the 13 municipalities because I don't want to just concentrate in the federal government as well as the provincial government.

So hopefully um one municipality will uh vote the solution for um to to go to UBC and then to be considered by the provincial government.

Thank you.

Very welcome.

Council Mackenzie and uh I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak on this topic and also waiting as long as you you did to to speak on it.

Um I my question was going to also be around you know the practicalities of how do we support this and just kind of spitballing.

There's some things that maybe don't require report.

You know, we can confirm that we don't use them currently uh encourage residents to you know use other potential trapping uh mechanisms and also if bylaw is already inspecting a property perhaps they could again discourage the use um but I would be happy to hear if staff has any ideas or comments right now.

Thank you to the petitioner's point, and and uh I I she had pointed this out earlier, and that is there is a petition to the House of Commons, and it and it does close for signatures on January 26, 2024.

And it is uh Laurel Laurel uh Collins from the NDP party, and she uh has uh something online where she is asking people to to uh support her in this, and this is uh calling upon the government of Canada to implement an immediate ban on rodent glue board traps across Canada due to their inherent animal cruelty and environmental impact.

And um, she gives examples of what other countries have done and um where they have prohibited the usage of rodent glue board traps uh nationally, and so perhaps the the approach could be through through that um as as the best approach, so then it is not just a small scale but a larger scale impact available to to residents.

Thank you, sir.

Uh council Rogers.

Yes, I I noticed this on the uh provincial website.

So I would imagine that um uh just as we had uh dealt with the poisons provincially.

Um uh council members, if um if there's an interest, um I can work with the applicant, we can get a uh AVSCC resolution uh drafted and uh sent up through that way uh to the province.

So um if if you want to work that way, then let's see what ABSCC and yeah, let's try that.

So I'm gonna put you down as an action error on that, Councilor Rogers, if you don't mind, to uh come across the resolution and maybe we could consider that at our next council meeting.

Yep.

Okay, thank you.

And uh thank you very much for coming for the presentation.

Um uh very much appreciated.

And I think that moves us down to bylaws uh and our next one.

Staff, did you want to speak to agenda item 10?

Hi, Mayor and Council.

Just a note for the um the bylaw uh 1128.

The uh consideration is for third reading.

Um council gave first and second reading on November the seventh.

Um that that's really all I have to say.

There's no no presentation on this.

So just uh And uh the question, Sterling, is that it's third reading but not adoption.

Can you tell me why it's not adoption?

To the mayor, uh prior to adoption, we have to uh first draft uh the legal uh documents that were covered in the uh November seventh meeting.

So there's a long list, I think, of thirteen items of which there were uh securing covenant, uh traffic traffic signal, um, the uh amenity spaces, amongst other things.

So that would have to be uh drafted, signed.

The other uh thing that would be required is going to the uh ministry of transportation infrastructure that's required for um rezonings that are in proximity to uh highway.

Um so prior prior to adoption, those things would have to be completed, and that's not done until third reading is completed.

Any questions for staff about the uh rezoning, knowing this was tied to the questions in the presentation.

Seeing no questions, the uh motion is to uh for third reading, and that's not adoption.

Just uh for our uh education uh Sterling, when should we expect uh adoption back?

To the mayor, uh difficult to give a specific date.

Um you can guess, Sterling.

I'm good with that.

Your guesses are pretty accurate.

It would be in the new year.

Um so if uh uh if council was to give third reading tonight, staff would work with uh the applicant uh on those next those next steps um and uh look to yeah look to schedule uh uh uh consideration for adoption on uh a regular council meeting in the new year thank you sterling uh councillor rogers i would move third reading got a mover and a seconder uh go to you councillor rogers to motivate yes um as we've heard uh by staff um uh this meets the uh OCP uh zoning um only the uh the height yeah the building is is uh an issue and and um uh on that uh vein uh we've uh got plenty of examples of uh five and six-story buildings throughout the town already the um um this has been going on uh for a couple of years, but I think um to benefit, we've evolved to a um uh uh a proposal that is uh far in excess uh better than uh the original proposals that we've heard.

Um the site coverage is significantly less than than what um uh could have been.

It's amazing that we've got a site with 40% uh preservation, protection of the trees.

Um the um I think the the proportions of units are are reasonable.

Um we don't have any issues with um uh the parking, that's uh meeting the requirements.

The um financial, if you like, contributions of DCCs and fees and um CACs are quite impressive, staggering as a matter of fact.

And um, I think a million dollars of um CACs would go a long way to addressing uh community issues.

We've heard uh a lot about um uh the need for uh proper traffic calming in the harbor.

Um, and uh that uh it certainly does make sense and it should be a focus, even to start doing some traffic counts now.

The um the other significant community benefits that we could invest in um obviously, as has already been mentioned, um uh Jetbrook sidewalks, the bike lane on on Burnett, the Heddle Trail, the list goes on.

Um I the tax contributions um from this, if it's around 400,000, um, is a significant increase to the current uh level.

Um it uh I think helps offset um whatever um, you know, if you like services that would uh be increased uh based on this um uh the development site protect services or otherwise.

This site also we spoke of um the number 46 bus and how infrequent and how inferior it is.

And um I understand that the applicant has spoken to uh BC Transit and their transit response is you give me the numbers, we'll improve the service.

And we certainly have seen that with um uh the success of the number 53 bus that goes up to uh Theus Lake and and uh the service that now we've we're now building bus stops on the six mile because of um the transit's response to that density.

So um, you know, we were wondering what would happen if we um pause this to see what would happen with Bill 44.

Danger, danger.

In other words, we can't because we cannot receive any more new information.

The public hearing is over.

Uh, this is the time that we've we uh should be making our decisions on this.

And really, and really in terms of the traffic woes of the harbor or any else uh part of the town, it's more the province's uh declarations of uh four and six units on every single residential lot uh practically, that is going to have um huge uh impacts on traffic far in excess of uh what this site uh could possibly impose on us.

And in terms of um uh the traffic light and its flow, it's one of six lights that would go from casino to um uh Admiral's Walk.

Uh we've we've got all those lights that we've been negotiating and and uh considering, gosh, even transit wants to throw a light, another light between six miles and the theetis interchange, which this council approved.

So um I I think on on the merits of it all, um it's I live on Prince Robert, I understand.

I saw the traffic that happened when we were doing the island highway project out here.

And I think there are definitely solutions.

Because otherwise if we don't solve it, we'll be sued for injuries and and safety issues that will occur on those two very steep hills, one in Prince Robert, one here.

So it is incumbent upon us.

The applicant has given us the funds to resolve this.

So I I think it's fair and reasonable to uh support the application as presented.

Thank you.

Councillor Rogers Councillor Brown Yeah, it's clear you're saying it's not final approval, so this is third reading of the bylaw, so I'll be supporting it.

Uh and I think one of my concerns was addressed earlier about that you know getting to step four, and it sounds as if the permits and stuff won't be um submitted until after July 1st next year, anyway.

So that that's eases my my peace of mind for that for sure.

Um I also uh concur with uh counselor Rogers' concern about the what's coming with Bill 44.

So that's also a concern of mine.

So thank you, Councillor Brown.

Uh comments?

Counselor Lowan, please.

Um yeah, I didn't I didn't come tonight with a um predetermined decision.

Uh I um the the applicant will know based on previous experience that um I I wait to hear what the public has to say.

And what I've heard is the people that are going to be most impacted by this, um, especially one person who is lives directly behind, um think it's pretty great, um, including uh someone right at this table.

So uh you know, and and kudos to to Boardwalk and to Mr.

Ford for listening and um and responding to concerns with the public and to to to council and uh working diligently with staff with staff.

So yeah, I'm surprising myself, I'll be supporting.

Councilor Lennon.

Anybody else?

Councillor Manson.

Yeah, let me begin by saying that it's a way better design than first came through.

Bring in something that's awful and then you improve it.

But I mean that's sort of standard for development.

But kudos for listening and making a lot of changes that that improved this project.

Yeah, I do have some concerns, you know, and the rat running or shortcuts, whatever you want to call it, has a could have a significant impact on the community.

Um normally when people are doing those rat runs are going quicker, they want to they want to get to wherever they're going quickly.

Um the literature has lots and lots of things to say about the damage it causes to communities.

And so I have a significant concern about this.

And in terms of the DCCs or sorry, the community amenity fees being used to correct a problem that was actually created by this development.

I you know I think that's sort of a bad argument.

So I also agree with what the people were public were saying is we should need to address that before this gets approved.

And so uh those are some significant concerns there's I have in terms of just the impact on our community.

Um other issues about this, I think it's just too dense.

I mean, where it's located, the fact that all this traffic is going to go onto Island Highway, which is already a dog's breakfast in the morning in terms of traffic and uh six stories again, too tall.

And you know, we we talk about the the money that they're giving us.

Well, most of the money that they're giving us, except for the uh amenity fees, are things they are incurring because of their development.

And so DCCs, I mean, aren't ours to spend on on whatever you want on whatever we want.

And the building permits are required for the reviews of the building, etc.

So I'm not nearly as impressed as some of my colleagues in terms of the money that's going there, because most of it's you know required because of the development.

We talk about potentially $400,000 in new taxes.

We've already, you know, previous meetings talked about the impact in terms of policing.

Every 800 people we add is going to cost us, I don't know, what's it $150 or $200,000 for police?

Uh also increases the cost of the library, increases the cost of one defeat of a rec center, and has significant implications in the longer term in terms of the fire department.

And probably my my biggest issue, and you know, and in all fairness to the the developer, you know, the fact that they're building a project that's too expensive in their minds to provide affordable housing, you know, it doesn't go, it doesn't sit well with me.

I mean, we have had other projects, uh, for example, on on Shoreline Drive, where I think 25 homes were actually the people when they moved moved back in were going to get rents at exactly where they what they would be when they left.

And that was part of the bylaw that we approved.

We talk about affordability, and these projects again are going to be sort of the higher end of the market.

We're not doing anything for affordability.

Um, and last but not least, we aren't doing anywhere near enough for the current residents in terms of this.

So I just don't see us getting a lot of benefit out of putting 230 homes on that area, crowding crowding the street even more than it is uh having an impact on our you know limited amenities in the town in terms of recreation, etc.

Um, so I can't support that.

I just don't see this being a benefit to the community.

Thank you, Councillor Mattson.

Any other comments?

Councilor Qualitage.

Thanks.

Got a few points of discussion here.

Just get comfy.

So uh we've had a lot of discussion about this development over the past uh well, few years and for some of us, even longer.

In particular, we had a pretty robust discussion at the committee of the whole, uh, all of us.

And I know the public uh doesn't attend those as regularly or monitor them, but uh I can assure you this has been discussed, and a lot of the points you're hearing tonight we have discussed already, but it's important to go over them again.

I was very impressed with uh having five neighborhood consultations and engagement sessions.

Uh that is extraordinary for something like this and uh is very noteworthy.

It's impressive.

Uh certainly, Counselor Rogers, the DCC's uh and the tax revenues are something that uh are much needed.

And and I know we've had so many discussions together about how costs do rise with more residents, and I do agree with that.

Policing costs will rise the more residents we have.

And you know, Counselor Matson, you have a point.

I'm not certain about you know West Shore of the Library Board, but you know, yes, you you have a point there.

Um, and it's a it's a fine balance.

Uh in particular, this site, uh, revitalizing this site is critical.

We have been uh hoping for something to happen here.

Uh the proponent has been very patient and engaging uh and has uh has changed uh and and met a lot of our asks uh and the public's asks.

And that's even supported by members of the public tonight, uh, which is great to hear.

And there was also um actually quite a good point tonight by one of our uh regular speakers about uh how we're not going to be solving the uh affordable housing crisis and I fully agree I really do uh because uh in Canada I think our system is inefficient between the federal provincial and local governments I think we should model ourselves after England or Austria uh that's probably for another day that discussion uh but it's not the developer's responsibility to build affordable housing it's just not or else you know they would it what doesn't work.

Um, and I've been around here as an elected official long enough to know that uh it's not going to happen as much as we ask.

Uh, we have to seek those out ourselves, or like Counselor Mattson, I know you've been pushing for policy and we were moving forward uh in some regards, but we would need to use stronger language or have something that would uh enforce that in the future.

Uh I was really impressed with the 40% of the site being preserved as well.

Um, probably I think the most challenging part for me every time this happens is and we we saw a resident earlier with tenants being uh displaced.

And certainly this it's it's no secret, this site is unique in a sense that it has very, very low rents.

Uh, there's not many of those sites around anymore.

Uh we've made efforts as a council to come up with new policy.

Uh certainly, the BC Residential Tenancy Act has policy around how this works, the developer actually has been very engaging in this regard as well.

Believe me, I'm not going to sit here and say that the residents there are going to be able to afford the new apartments and they need a place to go during the build.

I know that.

And that is the hardest part of being elected officials sometimes is looking at that long-term visioning and saying, okay, we're going to lose X number of rentals, but we're going to gain 240 rentals.

And housing affordability and availability is the top issue in Canada and the CRD.

And it's something I can get behind.

So uh certainly not perfect, the development.

I'm very mindful that this is a significant uh development for the Harbor Precinct.

It will drastically change the landscape of the island highway, and it will cause some increased traffic in the harbor district.

We, uh, council and staff certainly should be alive to that.

I think some of the points raised tonight are very uh very appropriate and realistic about some cut throughs.

I mean, every residential neighborhood has it.

Um, and whether that's traffic calming or what, I don't know the answer to that, but we need to put our minds to that.

So uh we would never want to jeopardize local road safety ever.

So thank you.

Councilor Qualit.

Councilor McKenzie, did you want to add anything?

Okay.

Um I'd like to thank the developer for accommodating a lot of the changes, particularly around the the forests.

You listen to the the people you adjusted.

One of the the challenges that I have that we haven't resolved for, and it's not the developer's um responsibility to do it.

But as we know with what is coming, we don't have a plan.

There was an issue raised about traffic, and it's not just about the use of the road, it's about safety.

Uh and it's not again separate from the developer's responsibility.

We don't have a plan right now uh for uh Prince Robert Drive.

And we know we're going to increase density on it.

We know we're gonna increase traffic on it.

Um the cost of redoing a sidewalk on a single side, covering ditches and paving that road is gonna be significant.

And that's one that we're going to probably kick down the road until we get a grant for it or whatever years away from when we actually need it where there could be a safety infraction.

So my my issue is I think around this that the residents have been bringing up is basic safety.

It's not about use, it's not about um avoiding traffic.

It's about the consequences while you're doing that.

The other point I'm gonna make is that I couldn't have picked a worse place to increase the density on that corridor than this, mainly because it's displacement from amenities.

You're gonna have to hop into a car to get a uh a liter of milk.

Supportive of the density, even though we've been uh comparatively on Erskine Lane, because of its proximity to Eagle Creek, um uh around the Admiral's uh walk area, um, and the closest other point, I think would probably be Admiral's and in Callwood.

Um so I guess I won't support that just for that.

But looking at the density that we've probably got coming around major transit stops currently with 30 minute uh uh service on on that road.

Not in agreement though with BC Transit Build it as we will come, because what they're experiencing in SUK right now, they uh did away with the double deckers, is now they've increased frequency by taking off stops, but now the impact is people are standing from SUK to Victoria, from Victoria to Sukh, taking public transit.

So uh from from my perspective is that we don't have mitigations for the issues that have been brought up around transportation at all, um, especially with the increase in density.

So I'm not going to support it.

Counselor Brown.

Yeah, I mean, I agree with uh Councillor Metz and about if you try to impose that 10% uh below market, how how do you enforce it?

I mean, you and people change over.

It doesn't really work to me.

The best thing is continuing to support C or D housing.

Uh, we can we're contributing to that $85 million land pool they're creating uh to create some more co-op housing.

I think um I think it's more the upper uh provincial and and federal governments that have to help out with the low-cost housing i did some number crunching on this thing i said i i figured it out if the average is two thousand dollars and said they put 25 per uh ten percent of those properties at a lower rent maybe fifteen hundred dollars is is that still reasonable it's still pretty high to me it seems high and if you had a three percent surcharge to the rest they would actually make money but then how do you how do you enforce that uh people change over uh you and you'd have to have a uh a person here you'd have to have a higher housing person here so to me uh they have the co-op housing at Thetis Lake.

Not everyone's happy with it, but however, it's providing a lot of housing for a lot of people at based on their salaries.

And I think uh uh again, I've I'll say this again, I'm not always a big fan of the C or D, but the housing is good and we approve that $85 million, not just us, but all the communities.

And I think that's the way we have to look at it.

And encourage province and federal government to do what they can do as well.

Thank you, Councillor Brown.

Councillor Rogers.

Yeah, um your worship you raised a good point about um uh the transit issues and and certainly the challenges if they're going to have rapid bus um uh wide ditch to double deckers.

Um so um and I I would hope that uh it's it's time for an annual visit by C BC Transit and we can ask them those questions about the number 40, the 46, the 53, and all those other other other points.

I think the key point about um this development proposal is it's right in the middle between the Atkins Community Development Site that's uh in the OCP and the um not across the street that might be a long time of coming, but um at Helmaken and and uh Island Highway.

There's uh you know property there that I think the landowner is interested in in developing, and that might be the the walkable services that would help with these these individuals.

So that's walking, and of course we have the ENN, and if we use those CACs appropriately and build the bike lane that goes both ways on Burnett, um we've got um uh a really good quick link uh for that wonderful trail.

So I I think um yeah it's positioned for uh a good use of active transportation.

Thank you.

Council Rutz.

Yeah just lastly, I mean if we look we're looking at a project of this magnitude it's going to cause potentially a lot of issues or things that we need to mitigate which we haven't mitigated yet.

But there's no advantage like there aren't advantages to view roll you can say we're getting a few more dollars from them but most of those are going to be spent on related to the project.

Whereas if you look at Eagle Creek it you know it was a huge change, but we actually got something out of it, like a million dollars for a fire truck, etc., as well as at you know, parks and things.

So I just have a hard time with us giving this big a big increase in terms of zoning to someone without actually getting a whole lot back for the community.

I think other than more apartments, which it's debatable whether the town of U Royal actually needs it given we've got six six hundred in the ground being built right now.

Thank you, Councillor Matzen.

If there's no other comments, um we've got a mover and a seconder on this already.

I think it's time to call a vote, unless there are any other comments.

So all those in favor of bylaw 1128.

All those opposed.

And let the record show that um Mayor Tobias and Councillor Mattson were opposed.

Motion carries.

And I think that brings us to public participation period.

Anybody in the chamber wish to address council?

Is there anybody on the phone?

Mayor Tobias, we have no callers at this time.

The excitement dropped off after the public particular after the public hearing.

Business arising from previous minutes.

I'll turn it to you, Councillor Rogers.

Yes, thank you.

This came from the last meeting where we were talking about free bus passes or um for for youth, and I offered to take it away for uh to develop this for your consideration.

Um and the the key points here is that um uh indeed um the um and you can see the whereas is um uh transit is certainly key to active transportation.

Um youth under 16 uh have to rely on bus or bike.

Um, you know, and uh thereafter they can they can work and and drive.

So um it's uh those that's the focus group that we should be looking at.

The current policy is uh children under 12 uh ride for free, and that was effective uh September 1st, 2021.

And the proposal is to raise that up a year, ask transit to um lobby or transit to increase eligibility or free transit from 12 to 13 years of age, and um and that transit uh reduce the transit fees by half for the ages of 14 and 15, and that transit would provide further discounts for the ages 16 to 18, similar to what Metro Vancouver has accomplished for their youth.

I think the key point of working through this uh and presenting it as a CRD regional wide initiative as a levy, it means that all children throughout the region uh can benefit, not just of your role, not just in in the city of Victoria.

Um, and I would hope that if we present this to um to the CRD and the Transportation Uh Committee Task Force, that they could um hopefully run with this and negotiate uh suitable terms with BC Transit and accomplish the whole thing.

Thank you.

Just you to be clear, this is a motion to go to CRD.

Yes.

To okay to CRD and uh and BC Transit with copies uh going to um all the other CRD municipalities, First Nations and um school districts.

Okay, I just had a question about the motion.

Like, should it be there for it it be resolved that view royal rights too?

I mean, because I don't think we can tell we can make a motion for Victoria Transit to do anything.

Yeah, this would be advocacy, uh, Councilor Rogers.

So it would be that that this is what if if we pass this, then then we would be encouraging yes, and then really it would be for information for uh and and requesting a call to action for other CRD municipalities, First Nations CRD Board Transportation Committee.

Well we can thank you.

Yes, yes, quite.

Yeah.

Uh we can refine that accordingly.

Uh so we got a mover and a seconder.

Um any other comments.

I think this is easy to support.

Thank you, Councillor Rogers.

Um, it's um it brings in the whole district and the whole region, and it doesn't become a a municipality to municipality that they do and they don't issue.

So yes, thank you.

Thank you.

You counselor McKenzie.

So I I was all on board with the idea of advocating until I got to the levy part and I know at our last meeting we were discussing having a levy for the new police station as well so because this would be an additional amount of money that people have to pay on top of their taxes they're not expecting it they're not expecting the levy for the CR or for the police station either I just think in this time of inflation I I can't imagine residents would welcome that um so I will be voting against if if I can keep there's a sorry go ahead off but um I your point's well taken and and what we're doing, what I'm hoping is that we'll we'll present as to this to the CRD into the transit and they're well aware of uh the challenges of um fixing levies and and I know this is all going to be at a huge discussion point to the CRD board.

Um and I'm hoping Mary Tobias will fight like hell.

But um levies um are on so many different things which are are reasonable benefits.

Um of course we people we all pay school taxes, but we don't have kids.

And I think it's one of those things where uh there's an equity of fairness, um, and I think something that uh would encourage the youth to um be um uh well have a have a transit mode in their in their way of thinking and um I think that it wouldn't encourage a lot more efficiencies and effectiveness in the overall transit system.

So let's let's give the old try and see how those with a shared council brown yeah I concur you get um young people used to riding the bus and then they'll more likely continue to use it when they're adults not to mention the ability to get around to different sports uh different events uh that they wouldn't otherwise be able to and there's a lot of people that are having a tough time now economy wise and I think this would be uh a big help to some families especially larger families so um and I don't think it's it'd be we're not like talking about a lot of money and uh yeah, we s we pay for a lot of services that we none of us use, right?

Thank you.

Uh no other comments.

We had a first, second, or we had movers, we had shakers.

All those in favor.

Any opposed?

Uh noted that Councillor McKenzie is opposed.

Motion carries.

And I think we're down to 247 Glenair Drive for staff reports for property maintenance violation.

Is that why you're here, Brett?

Where'd everybody go?

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

As you can see, uh notifications since our last uh meeting I had with you.

Um, I did go by the residence of 247 Glen Airly and attempted again to engage the property owner unsuccessfully.

I actually went to the neighbor next door and had a very nice uh chat with them, and they they um gave their impression of their neighbor, and they actually have seen him.

So he is around.

He does uh turn the light on at nighttime, but he is very reluctant to uh engage anybody for really.

They they won't even talk to him uh because he just sort of gives a bit of a wave and bye.

I actually did all go to the other neighbor to sort of get an idea of what um what their relationship was with this gentleman, and um I couldn't get hold of them.

There used to be two people in this house, both Mr.

and Mrs.

Frelick, and it sounds like only Mr.

Frelick is there now.

We did have an engagement with him.

My predecessor, if you remember, bylaw officer Jim Hanley.

Uh, uh he did find a name of a potential family member who was in residing in Sydney.

I tried to find that name, and uh we did happen to get a name as a different name, and there's nobody in, I couldn't find anybody who's related to this gentleman who could act as an advocate or at least as an as a as an in sort of in between uh with him.

So we did go, you can see that he's not here tonight.

And so I propose to um get your permission to exercise the uh responsibility of of engaging our our contractor to go in on a predetermined date and uh render the cleanup.

Um I do have a I can answer any questions you have.

Have uh we conducted a wellness check.

No, yeah.

So the plan, Mayor, is to if we get the approval today.

I have no intention of exercising this prior to Christmas.

I think that's just bad form.

Um plus this way once we get in there, the taxes would be that he pays for 2023 would not include the ex the the cost of of uh rendering this uh this cleanup.

Um the idea is to uh get a letter.

I have to contact the Victoria Contracting Group, uh to contact our own parks uh department and uh and the RCMP and pick a date sometime in January where we can go in.

Uh prior to that date, I will be going with the RCMP on a wellness check, which I'm very familiar with, um, as with the police, and hopefully get hold of him.

And we won't just do it a one-time thing.

We'll do it as over a series of a week and pick various times, whether it's in the morning, the afternoon, or in the evening, at least to try to engage this gentleman to let him know this is what's coming.

This is not something that's alien to him, because back in 2021, some of you and some of the staff may recall that we did send Victoria contracting in there to clean up the boulevard, which they did at the town's cost.

And so he is familiar with some of the steps, although this particular time is going to be much more extensive because there is a lot of accumulated debris and filth and dirt and and rotting cars and so on there.

Um so that's that's the that's the plan, anyways, to give him the best opportunity to work with me in order to get this thing done without the town having to come in and sort of act as a uh as a crudgel, if you will.

I'll move staff recommendation.

Uh thank you.

Uh do you had a question, Counselor Collins?

Yeah, thank you.

Uh in 2021, when the city uh c uh cleaned up the boulevard and uh we must have billed him uh questions staff.

Did he pay that bill?

Uh through the mayor.

Um I was thinking about that actually as as this came up because I know the name and and that happened.

I I would have to double check.

I I don't believe so.

But yeah, I'm not sure how much of this is should be in camera because or but I guess my point is, you know, if you know we're taking incremental steps here uh and we're we're considering his um perhaps even operating mind uh at this point.

Um you know, knowing that fact I think is important as if he's in arrears, you know uh to an egregious amount, then perhaps you know we should be, you know, move slowly like we're doing.

Do you know what I'm saying?

Okay.

So I don't know if that helps.

Uh Councillor Rogers.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So um as you uh uh go about the final steps is uh if uh this matter's recommendation is approved, uh you're gonna be determining one's uh ability to pay.

That's not for me.

Uh no.

There's a it's an automatic trigger that once we render this work, any amount that is incurred through uh Victoria contracting uh is if i it gets leveled against his uh property taxes.

Mm-hmm.

So yeah, it would it would be somehow nice, important to try and figure that out.

I I understand your your duties and limitations, but um it it's something that we should try to think about and consider if we can.

Uh I'd be happy for council to consider this as maybe an alternate just thinking, Brad, how close we are to Christmas here.

Why don't we do carry out the wellness check and report back in January?

Uh I think that would, you know, who knows what's going on.

We don't we don't have an answer to that.

Uh there's no I think crushing, you know, I I realize that there's a a bit of a challenge there, but I don't think there is uh a life threatening issue with cleaning up the space right now.

Granted, yeah, it could cause some difficulties uh for for emergency services getting in there, but um that that that's my thinking.

Counselor Lemon.

Um and I I I agree.

Um and when it comes back I personally would be more comfortable if this discussion was in camera.

So I you know the the people aren't here and for some reason they you know they they needed to be in a public meeting um uh so I I I think end of story when we next talk about it we talk about it among ourselves Councilor uh any other comments counselor Matson yeah no my understanding was the last time we spoke about this there was some urgency about doing this because staff had mentioned it was a an unsafe situation mayor i so this is unsafe uh yeah as you just uh mentioned access up his driveway in order to get access into the house is is it was moss riddled then it's even worse now and of course with all the rain it is an ice rink trying to get up a fairly steep driveway so in terms of of if there is an emergency in his house first of all I don't know how anybody would find out because he's quite reclusive to if there was uh an emergency I can tell you that the you know ambulance fire or police it would be very dangerous for them to try to access this this piece of property.

So that that is one element.

Plus the the almost unfathomable flutter that surrounds access and e-grass into this house uh is is mind-boggling.

So it it is a safe thing, but but I'm quite happy if everybody's on board with this.

Excuse me for not framing it perhaps the right way.

See if I can't engage this gentleman and just see what he um what he likes.

I know that when Jim engaged him, it wasn't a um a pleasant encounter.

And so um hence I'll be being escorted by you know RCMP.

So there was a motion on the floor.

I don't think I I allowed it to second because there's questions, but Councilor Mattson, I think you had a motion on the floor to approve staff recommendation.

Yes, I you know, with that, my my intent was that there would be a wellness check first, and if things don't change that we would just uh implement the recommendation.

I don't see why delaying this for a wellness check is is gonna make any difference to the situation.

It still needs to be cleaned up.

Uh Councilor McKenzie and Councilor Roger.

Yes, I just had a question for staff, just for my own learning.

Uh how come this is in public?

Is there uh something that's required for it to be here?

V-Royal historically has often dealt with these buildings.

I'm thinking of one on Helmkin in in open meetings.

It's council sitting in a quasi uh judicial capacity making this decision.

And my recollection is that most of these have been dealt with that way when they're making this decision with respect to property.

I just should there be a wellness check and a report back to us because it's his personal information, then that would probably be in camera versus this item which is supposed to be public.

So we had a a motion on the floor.

You're gonna stand by your motion, Councilor Mattson?

Do we have a seconder for Counselor Mattson's motion?

Seconder, Counselor Brown.

And so the motion is to uh support support staff, uh staff's recommendation with the wellness check and then uh depending on the results of the wellness check uh issue the actions required.

Any other comments?

Depending on the wellness check, I could come back in camera.

Uh depending on what it is, I'll leave that to the discretion of staff.

Okay.

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Thanks, Bird.

Thanks.

And up to yard and waste garden garden contract with uh the town of Esquimalt, where we bring our stuff and stack it up.

Thank you, Mayor Tobias.

I'm the young director of engineering.

Uh, no presentation here, just the report on hand.

Uh, just a little precursor to this.

Um, for the last, I'd say 10-15 years or so, uh, the town has partnered with the Township of Esquimalt on um yard and garden waste, which is kind of a success story for Viewer, in the sense that back in the day we didn't have the space or a staff to administer a yard and garden waste contract.

So at that time, um the town partnered with Esquimalt, whom has a public works yard to uh carry out the duties of yard and garden waste.

Um, it's been done like that since uh I think 2006.

And uh how Esquamalt administers it is through a contract, a third-party contractor, which means that every few years uh they have to go through another RFP to uh renew the contract.

So they are at that time right now, at which point they they have um uh have gone through the RFP process and received two bids.

Uh the town staff have been uh informed and consulted on this contract, and the idea is to keep the same level of service, same location, basically no changes.

The only change is the uh anticipated cost over the next three years, and that's the reason why this uh this report is brought forward to you.

Um the recommendation from staff is to endorse the awards to um Ellis Recycling, whom is the uh current contractor for um the previous contract, and that the town uh contribute um the numbers you see on this report uh for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively.

Uh reports here, happy to take questions.

I'll just oh recommend.

Uh yeah, let's we get a motion on the floor first.

Uh so uh moved by councillor Mattson, second by councillor Lemon.

Uh Councillor Lemon, you had a question.

Um Ivan, is this this is the canteen site, right?

That is correct.

Yes.

I just wanted to conclude that.

And and a question on my own.

So if we were to have this program ourselves, Ivan, would we be looking at about the same ballpark number of a million dollars for let's say three years?

So w is that accurate in saying that if we were just not to do it on our own?

It's uh Mayor Tobias is a very good question.

That million dollars has to do with um the amount of trips plus tonnage.

So that is combined a squai malt and buro.

And it's hard to say that if we if the town only exhibited 40% of the cost, then if we're to do an RFP bid, then it would only be 40% of this cost.

The one thing that uh the town benefits from this agreement with Esquimalt is that um there is no capital cost uh associated with finding a piece of property, um, finding equipment and finding staff to administer the contract.

Just for clarification, we're looking at 400,000 over three years, not a million, right?

Correct.

That that's a total contract uh amount.

But but it would it may be more than four hundred thousand dollars for the contract if we were doing it, was my point, plus the other ancillary cost that uh that um Ivan had noted.

Counselor Rogers and Councillor McKenzie, please.

Uh do we have any anecdotal sense of um how popular and useful and dependable or residents uh how much we're using and how much they depend upon it?

I don't have the exact or through the mirror, I don't have the exact tonnage, but um the last page attachment one of the uh Escono staff report does indicate the number of trips that VO residents have had in comparison to the Esquamo residents.

And funnily enough, over the last four years, um, the percentage has been between 37 percent and 43 percent, so almost smack dab at 40 percent.

Um, but uh we don't have the exact numbers for that.

Yes, I think it's a great service.

Yeah.

Uh Councillor McKenzie and then Councillor Mountain.

I know we use it frequently.

Uh, and my only issue is that more people, I don't think, know about it.

And the reason I say that is because I know we have the collection to once or twice a year.

And um, so that kind of leads into my question is would that also continue?

Is that a separate uh service provider?

Uh yeah, through the mayor.

So that is the um Darden Garways pickup at the front door, basically.

That's a separate uh item that is administered through our um garbage collection program with waste management.

Yeah, I use this on a regular basis.

Sons or mounts?

And I how they figure out 40% or 38% of your residents, because most times you drive in there and out there and no one even notices that you're you've done that.

However, given that we want to keep trees in this in our community, etc., and all the waste that falls off of them, we need a spot to put it because it's a long way out to Heartland.

So it's yeah, it's this is a great service.

One of the best things we've done as a town.

Yeah, agreed.

Uh so we got a mover and a seconder.

Uh all those in favor of staff recommendation.

Any opposed.

Not opposed.

Ivan, there you go, sir.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh coastal adaptation Plan.

Sterling can talk into this?

I was guessing.

Jeff.

How come Sterling gets all the contentious stuff, Jeff, and you get all the all the good academic study stuff?

I want to know.

Thank you, Mayor Tobias.

I don't have presentation.

Presentation today.

I'm here to answer any questions about the report, if there are any.

Counselor McKenzie, then Councillor Madsen, please.

Yes, thank you.

So I'm conscious that in the past I've heard that reports aren't always used uh fully.

So I just wanted to be clear on a practical level.

Who is this report in the end intended for, and what is the practical use for it?

Thank you through the mayor.

The purpose of this uh project is to uh look at what the potential uh impacts are on from uh from tsunamis and and sea level rise along the coast.

And so that includes private property, includes uh public infrastructure, and it's also for the purposes of emergency planning.

So, for example, are there there are certain locations where if there is sea level rise and a high tide and a storm, there wouldn't be sections of the town that are actually cut off where the roads are actually cut off.

So the idea is to identify these locations and plan ahead to sort of um mitigate those potential scenarios.

So I thank you.

So I'm hearing mostly you know staff is using this versus and maybe potential residents themselves for whatever reason.

That's correct.

I just wanted to confirm that there is a grant that actually pays for the study.

Um through uh through the mayor.

Uh yes, the grant would fully fund this study.

Okay, thank you.

Uh so yeah the um CRD's done uh an update uh 2021 the task force uh I think report one and two and um you know or two and three or whatever and it it really is um an eye opener to see how much uh prediction at that time not uh not to mention the the rate of uh temperature and and thaw that we're seeing um of what an impact is of a point five one meter and and um so this is uh in a sense to to validate those those numbers that um uh the mapping that the CRD got.

But I also um know that uh the CRD, or sorry, our sewer master plan had identified a number of issues where um our our um stations are so close to the ocean, Midwood being an example, that it would be inundated and and um you know very problematic if that no longer were operational for that neighborhood.

I I think the other thing too is that it gives us a fair warning about um sea level rises and and storm surges uh for our parks, Vall Park, Helmut Park, uh even the the bridge uh that's on on uh um you know gosh, how it would inundate uh Helmaken.

So um this is to be um the whole plan is to be aware and start uh initiating some practical mitigation processes and and working with our municipal neighbors.

Um that would actually be after this project.

This purpose of this project, that was that was the original intent uh industry which planned is develop a policy to address these issues.

The grant that we had did not cover the policy kind of development of it.

What it does cover is more detailed mapping.

The mapping that the that was done for the CRD project was done at a regional level.

And this would provide information that is related, more related to the town, uh that I'll that would actually uh so if you uh in the first detachment, um they provide some suggested flood construction levels based on different levels of sea level rise or tsunami risk, um, but they don't illustrate it, um, which is what Callwood did in their study in a more detailed study.

And that's what we would do in this study, it's follow that same kind of process to so to show what are the areas that are affected from that, those that information can be used towards emergency planning, infrastructure planning, and in the long term, um looking the next phase would be looking at um when somebody who owns coastal property wants to develop their property, um how do we what are the guidelines to make sure that that building is going to withstand um coastal flooding?

So identifying where the changing flood lines are, that where people can no longer make have building permits because uh it's in a floodplain and they won't get insurance.

Yeah.

So fairly I think the other thing that if I may um is that with the tsunami reports, you know, I was shocked to see how much of that tsunami would come to uh and impact um v rule, just like it impacted um uh gosh, Port Alberni.

The same situation would would impact us.

So uh yes, it's this report is much needed.

I'm in support, I would move fast asked recommendation.

Thank you.

Can you go second or seconded by Councillor McKenzie?

Um Jeff, is there a way to make this highly visible to the public on the website?

I love these studies, but it would be very interesting, I think, for the public as well, as we're doing these, not only showing the value that we're investing in them and the good thoughts that staff have, but just out of uh out of interest, looking at their own personal properties or their favorite parks or whatever to see how they may be affected over time.

Uh through your ship no yeah there's no point to have a study that sits on the shelf.

This is the this is uh information that's paid for by public funds and it's intended to be available publicly just like uh the capital regional district study is available for everybody to look at.

This one will be more detailed for View royal residents.

I'm still waiting for my access to the CRD study on urban uh forest uh for View Royal.

Well, that was like over a year ago.

So yeah, if we don't have to, Ivan.

Are you waiting to?

Or are you just empathizing with me?

No, no, it's not not your fault.

I was uh I sit on the Environmental Services Committee as chair and I asked them again.

So it's not your fault, Ivan.

Not this time.

Um maybe next time it will be.

Um but yeah, anything we can do to make it highly visible.

So we've got a mover, got a seconder.

It's obviously important and linked to uh climate.

All those in favor of staff recommendation?

Any opposed, seeing none opposed.

Thanks, Jeff.

Uh and committee of the whole schedule.

Another document.

Um move to for adoption.

Seconded by council Lemon.

Um are you gonna interrupt yourself?

You just moved it.

You can't do that.

Okay.

So um in in this you know the staff had identified ABICC, UBCM and and FCM, but the the FCM dates aren't gonna have any impact on on the grid.

Okay.

Thanks.

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

Seeing none opposed.

Motion carries.

Uh can I get uh a motion to receive for information the email from the PRCC?

Second.

Seconded by Council Lemon.

All those in favor.

Any opposed, seeing non-opposed, and over to bylaw notification for 1106 2023.

We may need an extension as well, please.

Yeah, can we uh get a motion to extend to 1030?

Because I think we got a we got a closed after this, don't we?

Seconded.

Moved and seconded.

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

Seeing that opposed.

Motion carries.

Sterling.

This better not be contentious, otherwise.

Just gonna wait for the PowerPoint to load there.

Sure.

In council.

It's not contentious, but I I do have a couple hour presentation.

So sure.

Uh no, in in all seriousness, this is it's a it's a short presentation.

Um the purpose of tonight's presentation is to uh uh follow up on the uh committee of the whole meeting that took place on uh June 13th.

And um uh at that meeting uh the committee of the whole has provided uh kind of an introduction to public notification bylaw uh number 1106.

And as part of the discussion uh that the committee had, there were some decisions made on the types of notif notification um that uh the town would be uh wanting to use moving forward.

And um this is in response to bill 26, which is now actually uh a couple years old.

Um the uh the bill that was uh has now since passed uh introduced methods of notification for municipalities to uh modernize um that uh that uh process to um distribute and uh notify uh the community of events of um uh you know public hearings for development uh applications but also beyond development uh related applications um like land land transfers tax uh sale or or uh uh you know um uh tax season i'm um not overly familiar with those processes, but uh this uh this notification bylaw goes beyond just the development process.

It's a for all notification um in the in the municipality.

And at that committee, the whole meeting, um, the committee had discussed uh three methods of notification.

The first um thing I'll say is that the the way that the um legislation has been written is that municipalities are still required to uh host a notice of um uh or post a notification uh at their public posting place, which is at the town hall.

So that that remains, that's not going to change.

But the committee did discuss the other methods of notification, and those include the uh direct delivery of uh public notice to persons and businesses.

That's actually existing.

Uh we still do that um or we do do that, and the committee said to continue to do that.

Um they'll be posting to the town's website and then also posting to the town's social media platforms.

I believe that includes Facebook and Twitter.

Or X is what it is it now goes by.

The committee discussed the idea of going away from the newspaper.

So that's not been included as a formal method of notification.

That being said, the the way that the legislation reads is that the municipalities can still do those additional methods of notification.

It just wouldn't be considered a formal method.

So in terms of meeting public notification requirements, it would just be considered a kind of a an additional additional method that, but in terms of actually meeting those minimum requirements, we'd have to do all the other uh methods as shown on the screen.

There's not much more to say on this.

The one thing that I will clarify was there was at the the at the time of that committee whole of the whole meeting discussion on a bylaw bylaw number 1107.

That was for uh amendments to the development procedures bylaw.

Staff reviewed that and uh actually got legal counsel and confirmed that pro with the proposed uh amendments um there wasn't much uh point to doing them.

The reason being is that it was kind of a doubling up of what was already stated in the legislation.

Um the legislation at provincial level overrides what is said in a municipal bylaw.

Um we felt that we don't want to be in a position where we're potentially contradicting what may come down the line with uh changes to the uh provincial legislation.

It might uh might cause more problems for us in the future if we have out-of-date bylaws and are trying to follow a municipal bylaw and not just look at the uh the information online that's that's available for staff.

So with that being said, the um this is just for information only.

Um the the bylaw has been attached, uh, I think as the next agenda item.

Um so with that I'll just say that the uh the report dated for uh November 15th, 2023 from the community planner, uh titled Public Notification bylaw number 1106 2023 be uh received for information.

Thanks, Sterling.

In in a nutshell, really the only thing that's gonna change of consequence is posting in the Gazette.

Am I saying that right?

That's the only real big thing that's gonna change.

And I read the Gazette online where you don't see the notifications anyway, unless you get a hard copy newspaper to look at the printed notification.

So I I'm completely happy with this.

Councilor Matson?

Yeah, I just want a clarification.

We'll still be mailing them out then.

That was the direct delivery.

Okay, thanks.

Through through the mayor, correct.

Um the direct uh direct delivery notification uh that will s will still be required um for for notification purposes.

So that's a uh a mail out via uh Canada Post.

And that really pulls the attention.

That's great.

I've had neighbors comment that no matter that they're subscribed to the notifications from View Royal and everything, but nothing hits them until they get it in their mailbox.

It's just that in your face reminder of of a thing.

And it's it's I wish we were beyond it, but we're really not.

It's just so much noise on electronic media that people aren't filtering it out.

Move staff recommendation or move receipt.

Move receipt staff recommendation and uh seconded by Councillor Rogers.

Counselor Matson, you had a question?

Yeah, just uh we've talked about this forever, but in terms of some of the bylaw notices that go out, we don't have a little header on there that actually explains what it is.

So a lot of people, when they read this, haven't got a clue what it's about.

So a plain language conversion or even more just some something somewhere, uh a line on top to just describe what it is because there's been times where you know the cops comes to us and look at what's you have to go back and try to figure out what bylaw, you know, 47.

Yeah, just to um I I oh boy, that was loud.

I I think with with uh Bill 44, we will have fewer um re um rezoning notices to people within 400 meters, and and the um public hearing announcements might only be in cases like we had today.

There'll be several hundred to deliver within 400 meters uh if uh this thing goes ahead as planned.

But you're you're right, there will be a change from what I understand is that if it's already zone residential, it's not going to change, but you could come in and have a commercial or industrial uh rezoning application come in.

And of course, we'd have to upper game and ensure that the engagement for the OCP is absolutely incredible because that's going to be the only opportunity for most uh most folks to do it.

And I do, and just one more thing, and then I'll try it.

Um I do hope we keep advertising because I see, you know, if if every council and every every every city is um eliminating newspaper advertising, I see that just as one more nail in the coffin of print media.

Good point.

Council Rogers.

Steph, just for clarification, I think uh we're doing a better job in terms of uh giving details what bylaw I could see that from eleven oh six what the information is so it seems to be pretty evident now when you when either councillors the public read it.

So I think they're basically being covered.

Thank you Thanks.

Um, so I think we've got a mover in a second or any other comments, questions, nothing?

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

Seeing none opposed, motion carries.

Of a related note, I'm giving a brief to CRD tomorrow to model the multi-tenant software that each municipality would have an ability to do their engagement in it.

But by subscribing, you can also subscribe to CRD engagements and even provincial engagements.

So you'll get an alert on all of them.

I didn't volunteer view Royal as a pilot because that would be biased.

Um, but I'm given the uh I've done up a demo.

I'll I'll send you the link, Leanne, if you're interested, and uh you can look it over.

But it's just uh showing the features of it.

It's free, so it probably will save us whatever we're causing uh for bang the table.

And so that would save, I think we estimated for a CRD about a half a million dollars a year.

Um and it would allow smaller uh electoral regions also to participate in it.

And now you'll be able to share data like templates on OCPs that take all those survey questions.

So in most cases you could you know ship those uh housing needs reports that'll be you know maybe you want to ask some questions as a municipality but I after doing it for a couple of months now I realized the time to carefully crass questions, get them double checked, piloted, and put back in there is is a significant undertaking.

So I'll let you know how it goes, but I think they're gonna recommend it to the board for further study and uh maybe a pilot.

We've moved one one zero six I don't think we've got down to one one two nine yet uh no bylaw readings have occurred yet for one one zero six the report was received first second got uh seconded or first by counselor uh rogers second by counselor lemon all those in favor any opposed seeing none opposed motion carries and this was the piece by the roundabout uh seconded council McKenzie I have a question for staff does this roundabout then mean there won't what will happen to the overflow parking for Thetis uh when the roundabout comes in?

Uh through the mayor at this mayor to bias at this time when with the bylaw enacted if it was adopted, that would mean that that small portion would be smaller in size.

Um at this time there's no plans to change that uh usage of the section.

However, should it be the wish of council, we can certainly bring it back.

And uh the over that's uh further down the line than the overflow parking for the Thetis um or theta slight, correct?

The small chunk is by the rail line or the ENN uh overpass.

It's a small little bit just before, I think you get Council McKenzie.

Yeah, it's just I noticed the sign there saying it would be closed from January 2024.

So is that just because of the equipment that will be there then?

Uh that is correct.

It's because of the equipment and maintaining safety for um the public.

Any other questions for staff?

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

None opposed.

Oh, you're opposed?

Okay.

Councillor Brown is opposed uh to 1129.

C purposes, because I still don't agree with it.

And it's a big over cost what the original costs were.

It's anyways, the dug or whipping hole right here, anyway, already.

So it's already a done deal.

So, anyways.

People aren't happy.

I'm sure, I'm sure uh your young lady that worked in engineering has probably already got a lot of complaints from people about the traffic flow in there right now.

It's horrible.

Anyway, and it's gonna get worse.

And to it's not until July.

Thank you, Councillor Brown.

I will admire your consistency.

Uh no new business.

Question period.

We could move to question period.

There's nobody in the room.

Sarah will move to you on the phone if there's anybody uh begging to ask counsel a question.

Mayor Tobias, we have no callers this evening.

Uh thank you.

And uh there's no more chat, so we could there's no notice of motion, and uh over to you, Sarah, for a closed meeting resolution.

Thank you.

There's a need to have a meeting closed to the public and persons other than the immediate members of council, officers, and employees of the town, and those identified under section 91 subsection two of the community charter shall be excluded on the basis of section 90, subsection one G legal.

Can I get a motion to terminate?

Second.

Moved by Council Rogers, seconded by Council McKenzie.

All in favor.

Any opposed?

Seeing none opposed, we can move to our um closed agenda item.