MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING HELD ELECTRONICALLY ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ELECTRONICALLY ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE EMERGENCY PROGRAM ACT MINISTERIAL ORDER NO. M083

PRESENT WERE:

• Mayor Screech
• Councillor Kowalewich
• Councillor Lemon
• Councillor Mattson
• Councillor Rogers

REGRETS:

PRESENT ALSO:

• K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
• S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration
• L. Chase, Director of Development Services
• D. Christenson, Director of Finance
• J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering
• E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer
• 0 members of the public
• 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT agenda be amended to include items 8.1(e) and 9.2(a-b);

AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED

3. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF

a) Minutes of the Special Council meeting held April 14, 2020

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT the minutes of the Special Council meeting held April 14, 2020 be adopted as presented. CARRIED

4. MAYOR’S REPORT

5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

7. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

8. REPORTS

8.1 STAFF REPORTS

a) Council Meeting Schedule

1. Report dated April 15, 2020 from the Director of Corporate Administration

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-53-20 THAT the COVID-19 pandemic meeting schedule established March 17, 2020 through motion C-46-20 be rescinded;

AND THAT Council instead hold only the regularly scheduled Council meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month during the COVID-19 pandemic-related Provincial state of emergency. CARRIED

b) Eagles Nest Public Hearing Options

1. Report dated April 15, 2020 from the Director of Development Services

The Mayor noted he understands that the Province may be providing direction later this week to local governments regarding public hearing processes during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Director of Development Services gave an overview of the report to Council.

Council and staff discussed potential alternate process options.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-54-20 THAT a Zoning Bylaw amendment be prepared for the Eagles Nest project located at 1449 Burnside Road West for first and second readings consideration by Council;

AND THAT, concurrently, staff report back to Council regarding an alternate public engagement process (non-statutory) for the Eagles Nest project that could be undertaken prior to consideration of waiving a public hearing;

AND FURTHER THAT any alternate public engagement process (non-statutory) be contingent upon forthcoming, anticipated Provincial guidance to local governments regarding public hearing processes. CARRIED

c) Amendments to Grants-in-Aid Approvals

1. Report dated April 15, 2020 from the Director of Finance

The Director of Finance gave an overview of the report to Council, noting the challenges that have been or will be faced by some grant-in-aid recipients due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Council discussed the Greater Victoria Crossing Guards Association’s inquiry regarding funding during the COVID-19 pandemic school closures.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

C-55-20 THAT the 2020 grant-in-aid approved at the March 17, 2020 Council meeting in the amount of $500 for the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society’s Spring Bike to Work Week event be authorized for the 2020 Fall Bike to Work Week event due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

AND THAT should other 2020 grant-in-aid recipient events be postponed to a future date in 2020, their previously approved funding from the March 17, 2020 Council meeting be authorized for that event later in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

AND FURTHER THAT the grant-in-aid of $17,820 approved for the Greater Victoria Crossing Guards Association for View Royal Elementary (one position) and Eagle View Elementary School (two positions) from January to December 2020 be reduced to reflect the temporary suspension of the crossing guard program during the COVID-19 pandemic. CARRIED

d) 2020 Tax Rate Options

1. Report dated April 16, 2020 from the Director of Finance

The Director of Finance gave a summary of the report to Council.

Council and staff discussed tax rate scenarios, property tax penalty date, and the likelihood of those on the pre-payment plan and those who pay through their mortgage company to pay on the usual due date.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

C-56-20 THAT the tax rates be implemented for 2020 based on a 1.5% overall tax increase on prior year assessments applied evenly to all property classes;

AND THAT a bylaw be prepared to implement the tax rates accordingly. CARRIED Councillors Lemon and Rogers opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Kowalewich SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

C-57-20 THAT the property tax penalty date for all property classes be extended to October 1, 2020. CARRIED

e) Electronic Meeting Tools

1. Report dated April 20, 2020 from the Director of Finance/IT and Director of Corporate Administration

The Director of Corporate Administration gave an overview of the report to Council.

Council and staff discussed timing for implementation of the technology required for electronic meetings given the current tight supply chain.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

C-58-20 THAT Council approve the expenditure of up to $37,500 in 2020 to facilitate the acquisition and installation of electronic meeting tools in Council Chambers, to be funded from Future Expenditures Reserve. CARRIED

8.2 COMMITTEE REPORTS

8.3 OTHER REPORTS

a) Minutes of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society Board of Directors meeting held March 12, 2020

Council and staff discussed the impact to the Westshore Parks and Recreation Society facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT the minutes of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society Board of Directors meeting held March 12, 2020 be received. CARRIED

9. CORRESPONDENCE

9.1 FOR ACTION

a) Letter received March 17, 2020 from A. Castro and C. Brady, Kids for a Plastic Free Canada, Re: Single-Use Plastic Bags

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the letter received March 17, 2020 from A. Castro and C. Brady, Kids for a Plastic Free Canada, Re: Single-Use Plastic Bags be received. CARRIED

b) Letter dated March 13, 2020 from C. Plant, Chair, Capital Regional District Board, Re: Bylaw 4328 – RGS Amendment Referral for Municipal Acceptance

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

C-59-20 THAT the Town of View Royal accept Bylaw No. 4328 "Capital Regional District Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2019" (Bylaw No. 4328) as referred by the Capital Regional District and in accordance with section 436 of the Local Government Act. CARRIED

9.2 FOR INFORMATION

a) Email dated April 20, 2020 from D. Gawley, 15 Helmcken Road, Re: Eagles Nest Public Hearing Options

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT the email dated April 20, 2020 from D. Gawley, 15 Helmcken Road, Re: Eagles Nest Public Hearing Options be received for information. CARRIED

b) Email dated April 20, 2020 from G. & S. Melanson, Re: Eagles Nest Public Hearing Options

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT the email dated April 20, 2020 from G. & S. Melanson, Re: Eagles Nest Public Hearing Options be received for information. CARRIED

10. BYLAWS

a) 2020 Garbage User Fees

1. Report dated April 15, 2020 from the Manager of Accounting

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT the report dated April 15, 2020 from the Manager of Accounting titled “2020 Garbage User Fees” be received. CARRIED

2. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1046, 2020 A Bylaw Relating to the Rates for the Collection and Disposal of Residential Garbage and Household Food Waste

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

THAT Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1046, 2020 be given first, second, third reading and adopted. CARRIED

b) 2020-2024 Financial Plan

1. Report dated April 15, 2020 from the Director of Finance

It was noted that there will be areas of the budget that will see decreased revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic but that, as discussed at the April 14, 2020 special Council meeting, a review of the financial impacts associated with COVID-19 will be undertaken based on various scenarios and needs.

It was observed that the Town has sufficient surplus to meet likely short-term scenarios and, as well, priority projects funded from unaffected sources, such as Development Cost Charges, could be considered for completion this year. The Chief Administrative Officer stated that the budget can be reviewed in the future as we learn more and necessary adjustments made at that time.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the report dated April 15, 2020 from the Director of Finance titled “20202-2024 Financial Plan” be received. CARRIED

2. Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1048, 2020 A Bylaw to Authorize the Financial Plan of the Years 2020-2024

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1048, 2020 be given first, second, third reading and adopted. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed

Councillor Mattson left the meeting at 8:13 p.m.

c) Cannabis Retail Regulations – Sign Bylaw and Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendments

1. Report dated April 15, 2020 from the Community Planner

Council and staff discussed appropriate business license fee amounts and the need to use fees for cannabis education, awareness and enforcement related issues.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

THAT the report dated April 15, 2020 from the Community Planner titled “Cannabis Retail Regulations – Sign Bylaw and Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment” be received. CARRIED

2. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1036, 2020 A Bylaw to Amend Business License Fees within Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016 for Cannabis Retail Store

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

THAT the business license fee for “Retail Cannabis Store” shown as $10,000.00 in proposed bylaw Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1036, 2020 be changed to $7,500.00;

AND THAT Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1036, 2020 be given first, second, third reading and adopted. CARRIED

3. Sign Bylaw No. 950, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1047, 2020 A Bylaw to Amend Sign Bylaw No. 950 with Respect to Retail Cannabis Store and Licensed Retail Store Window Signs

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT Sign Bylaw No. 950, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1047, 2020 be given first, second, third reading and adopted. CARRIED

d) Zoning Bylaw No. 900. 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1041, 2020 A Bylaw to Amend the Town of View Royal Zoning Bylaw with Respect to Amending the CD-1 Zone and with Respect to the Rezoning of a Portion of 1495 Admirals Road (Admirals Walk)

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1041, 2020 be adopted. CARRIED

11. NEW BUSINESS

12. QUESTION PERIOD

13. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION

14. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION

15. RISING REPORT

16. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 8:33 p.m. CARRIED