MINUTES OF AN INAUGURAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018
Minutes from the inaugural council meeting documenting the swearing-in of the Mayor and Councillors and the establishment of committee appointments.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
MINUTES OF AN INAUGURAL COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018
VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT WERE:
- Mayor Screech
- Councillor Kowalewich
- Councillor Lemon
- Councillor Mattson
- Councillor Rogers
PRESENT ALSO:
- K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
- S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration/Corporate Officer
- L. Chase, Director of Development Services
- J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering
- P. Hurst, Director of Protective Services
- Insp. T. Preston, Officer in Charge, Westshore RCMP
- E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer
- 32 members of the public
- 0 member of the press
1. CALL TO ORDER (Corporate Officer)
The Corporate Officer called the Inaugural Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
a) OATH OF OFFICE – Mayor Screech
Hon. Judge Jennifer Barrett, Provincial Court of British Columbia, administered the Oath of Office to Mayor-elect Screech and the Corporate Officer presented the Chains of Office.
- Mayor Screech assumed the Chair
b) OATH OF OFFICE– Councillors
Hon. Judge Jennifer Barrett, Provincial Court of British Columbia, administered the Oath of Office to Councillors-elect as follows:
- Damian Kowalewich
- Gery Lemon
- Ron Mattson
- John Rogers
2. MAYOR’S ADDRESS (Mayor Screech)
a) Presentation to Aaron Weisgerber
Mayor Screech thanked Mr. Weisgerber for his years of dedicated service as Councillor with the Town of View Royal from 2004-2008 and presented him with a gift of appreciation.
Mayor Screech gave his inaugural address, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms a part of these minutes.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Kowalewich
THAT the agenda be approved as presented.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held September 25, 2018
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held September 25, 2018 be adopted as presented.
CARRIED
5. MAYOR’S REPORT
a) Appointment of Committee of the Whole
Mayor Screech announced his appointments to the Standing Committees of Council, as outlined in Schedule A, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms a part of these minutes.
b) Appointment of Representatives to other Committees, Commissions and Boards
MOVED BY: Councillor Kowalewich SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the Appointment of representatives to other Committees, Commissions and Boards as outlined in Schedule B, items 1 through 24, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms a part of these minutes be endorsed as presented.
CARRIED
c) Miscellaneous Appointments
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the selection for miscellaneous appointments, as outlined in Schedule C – items 1 through 4, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms a part of these minutes be endorsed.
CARRIED
d) Approval of Tag Days
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the selection for approved Tag Days for 2018-2019, as outlined in Schedule D, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms a part of these minutes, be endorsed.
CARRIED
e) Appointment of Liaisons and Alternate to Advisory Committees
Mayor Screech announced the selection for Liaisons and Alternates to the Community Development Advisory Committee and Parks, Recreation and Environment as outlined in Schedule E – items 1 and 2, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms part of these minutes.
6. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
9. REPORTS
9.1 STAFF REPORTS
a) Council and Committee of the Whole 2019 Meeting Schedule
- Report dated November 1, 2018 from the Deputy Corporate Officer
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the Council and Committee of the Whole 2019 meeting schedule be adopted.
CARRIED
b) Report of 2018 General Local Election Results
- Report dated October 25, 2018 from the Deputy Corporate Officer
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the 2018 general local election results from the Chief Election Officer, provided pursuant to sections 158(1) and (2) of the Local Government Act, be received.
CARRIED
9.2 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RESOLUTIONS
9.3 OTHER REPORTS
10. CORRESPONDENCE
10.1 FOR ACTION
10.2 FOR INFORMATION
11. BYLAWS
12. NEW BUSINESS
a) Regional Transportation – Mayor Screech
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
C-131-18 THAT the Mayor write to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure requesting that a meeting be held with her and all the Regional Mayors as soon as possible to discuss regional transportation issues;
AND THAT First Nations representatives in the Region be invited to attend as well.
CARRIED
13. QUESTION PERIOD
a) B. Fairweather, 2 Casey Place, questioned whether the Town could approach the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to request an increase in Ministry staffing to ensure local representation on transportation issues.
14. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION
15. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION
16. TERMINATION
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT this meeting now terminate. Time: 7:33 p.m.
CARRIED
MAYOR
CORPORATE OFFICER
SCHEDULE A
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL
1) COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Members: All members of Council
Chairs of Sub-committees:
- Mayor David Screech, Chair, Finance & Administration
- Councillor Gery Lemon, Chair, Protective Services & Community Services
- Councillor Ron Mattson, Chair, Planning & Development
- Councillor John Rogers, Chair, Parks, Recreation & Environment
- Councillor Damian Kowalewich, Chair, Public Works & Transportation
SCHEDULE B
OTHER COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS
THAT the following be appointed as Directors, Representatives, Liaisons, Delegates and Alternates effective November 2018 to December 2019, except where the term is listed otherwise:
1) CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT ARTS COMMISSION (first year of a two year term – effective December 1, 2018 to December 1, 2020) Representative: Councillor John Rogers
2) CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD (first year of a four year term) Director: Mayor David Screech Alternate: Councillor John Rogers
3) CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT CLIMATE ACTION STEERING COMMITTEE (first year of a four year term – effective January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022) Representative: Councillor Gery Lemon Alternate: Councillor John Rogers
4) CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT HOSPITAL BOARD (first year of a four year term) Director: Mayor David Screech Alternate: Councillor John Rogers
5) CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT HOUSING TRUST FUND COMMISSION (first year of a two year term – effective January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020) Representative: Mayor David Screech
6) CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY COMMISSION (first year of a four year term) Representative: Councillor John Rogers Alternate: Mayor David Screech
7) CAPITAL REGION EMERGENCY SERVICE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC. (CREST) Director: Mayor David Screech
8) ESQUIMALT HARBOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE Representative: Councillor Ron Mattson
9) FRIENDS OF COLE ISLAND SOCIETY Representative: Councillor John Rogers
10) GORGE WATERWAY INITIATIVE Representative: Councillor Gery Lemon
11) GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Representative: Councillor John Rogers
12) JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT/MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE Representative: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
13) JUAN DE FUCA WATER DISTRIBUTION COMMISSION (first year of a four year term – effective December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2022) Representative: Councillor John Rogers Alternate: Councillor Ron Mattson
14) MUNICIPAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION Delegate: Mayor David Screech Alternate: Councillor John Rogers Alternate: Councillor Ron Mattson
15) PARENTS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE Representative: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
16) POLICE BUILDING LIAISON COMMITTEE Representative: Mayor David Screech
17) SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY ASSOCIATION Representative: Mayor David Screech
18) TE’MEXW TREATY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Representative: Mayor David Screech Alternate: Councillor Gery Lemon
19) VICTORIA FAMILY COURT AND YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE Representative: Councillor Ron Mattson Representative: Adam Flint
20) VIEW ROYAL READING CENTRE Representative: Mayor David Screech
21) WESTSHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Representative: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
22) WESTSHORE COMMUNITY POLICING ADVISORY COMMITTEE Representative: Councillor Gery Lemon
23) WESTSHORE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Representative: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
24) WESTSHORE PARKS AND RECREATION OWNERS Representative: Mayor David Screech
SCHEDULE C
MISCELLANEOUS APPOINTMENTS
1) ACTING MAYOR
2019
- December 2018 to February 2019: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
- March 2019 to May 2019: Councillor Gery Lemon
- June 2019 to August 2019: Councillor John Rogers
- September 2019 to November 2019: Councillor Ron Mattson
2020
- December 2019 to February 2020: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
- March 2020 to May 2020: Councillor Gery Lemon
- June 2020 to August 2020: Councillor John Rogers
- September 2020 to November 2020: Councillor Ron Mattson
2021
- December 2020 to February 2021: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
- March 2021 to May 2021: Councillor Gery Lemon
- June 2021 to August 2021: Councillor John Rogers
- September 2021 to November 2021: Councillor Ron Mattson
2022
- December 2021 to February 2022: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
- March 2022 to May 2022: Councillor Gery Lemon
- June 2022 to August 2022: Councillor John Rogers
- September 2022 to November 2022: Councillor Ron Mattson
2) SIGNING OFFICERS
Mayor David Screech or Acting Mayor
3) AUDITORS
Grant Thornton LLP 823 Canada Avenue Duncan, B.C. V9L 1V2
4) BANKERS
TD Canada Trust Branch 9955 309 Burnside Road West Victoria, BC
SCHEDULE D
TAG DAYS – 2018-2019
(Note: Tag Days are designated days for local clubs and organizations to fundraise within the municipality.)
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters
- B.C. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society
- B.C. Lions Society
- B.C. and Yukon Heart Foundation
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Canadian Diabetes Society
- Child Find B.C.
- Girl Guides
- West Shore Chamber of Commerce
- Kinsmen Club (Mothers’ March)
- Kiwanis Club
- Parents in Crisis
- Rotary Club
- Royal Canadian Legion (Poppy Drive)
- Salvation Army
- Scouts Canada
- United Way
- Vancouver Island Multiple Sclerosis Society
- View Royal Firefighters’ Association
Any Cadet Group of the Armed Forces Any other Auxiliary to the Service Clubs herein stated
SCHEDULE E
ADVISORY COMMITTEES – 2019
THAT the following be appointed as Liaisons and Alternates for the year 2019:
1) PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- Liaison: Councillor John Rogers
- Liaison: Councillor Damian Kowalewich
- Alternate: Mayor David Screech
2) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- Liaison: Councillor Ron Mattson
- Liaison: Councillor Gery Lemon
- Alternate: Mayor David Screech
Mayor David Screech
Inaugural Address,
View Royal, November 6, 2018
Good evening everybody. I would like to begin by acknowledging a member of Council from this last term. Aaron Weisgerber was a Councillor from 2014 to 2018. Before that he was a member of the Town’s Transportation Advisory Committee. He grew up in View Royal and has strong ties to the community. Earlier this year Aaron and his wife made the hard decision to move to Colwood so they could buy a home. On behalf of the Town and Council I thank Aaron for his years of service to the Town, and for his work and commitment. Aaron, you will be missed.
Firstly, let me express how proud and grateful I am to have a second term as Mayor of View Royal. While my path to re-election was quite smooth, I take the confidence placed in me by the community very seriously and will work very hard to keep that trust and confidence. We have a wonderful community and I am very honoured to be the Mayor.
There are five of us that have been elected to guide the community for the next four years and I would like to acknowledge all of them beginning with Councillor Ron Mattson, on my far right. Ron is beginning his eighth term on Council which shows a truly remarkable commitment to his community. Councillor John Rogers is beginning his eighth consecutive term and again this shows a remarkable commitment to his community. Both John and Ron will receive their long service medals from the Union Of British Columbia Municipalities this term. On my far left is Councillor Damian Kowalewich who was originally elected in a by-election last November. Damian has served one year on Council and will now begin a full term. Directly on my left is Councillor Gery Lemon. Gery was just elected on October 20th and I know she will be a wonderful addition to our Council. It is important to remember that whether one has been here many years or is just starting out we are all equals and we are all collectively the Council that our community has chosen. I think we have an excellent mix of both new members and long-time members.
I have spoken with each member of Council since the election to discuss their hopes and ambition for the next four years and I have been impressed by the thoughtful input I have received. I know we have good Council moving forward and I look forward to working with all of them.
As we look ahead I know there will be high expectations of what we shall accomplish in the next four years. Council will soon embark on creating a new strategic plan for the coming term. Following are some of the issues and matters that will be incorporated into that plan or onto action lists:
- communicating and engaging with residents better is clearly something we need to do - this will become a priority for this term;
- transportation and traffic issues are top of mind for many residents and for Council - we will consider the creation of a select committee to provide advice on transportation issues and we will continue to lobby for a regional approach to transportation matters;
- staying with transportation there is a strong need and desire to see the E & N Rail Corridor revitalized - we will lobby the Province to make the necessary investments in this corridor;
- housing affordability is a region wide issue - we shall work with our partners and developers to achieve more affordable units in View Royal;
- some members of Council have expressed an interest in forming an advisory design panel to assist the Town, especially in the cases of larger developments;
- there is a desire for a community gathering place or perhaps as a longer term goal a Town Centre;
- develop local area plans for specific parts of the Town such as the Six Mile strip and the hospital area;
- continue to encourage multi-modal transportation throughout the Town and the region;
- develop a plan where specific Councillors would act as liaisons for certain neighbourhoods in the Town;
- complete a policy on amenity contributions from developers;
- develop long and short term plans for capital projects such as sidewalks and trails; and
- develop a meaningful Climate Change Action Plan for the Town. While the Town has reached a corporate carbon neutral status we must still be prepared to take bold actions in the area of climate change.
As we work on our new four year strategic plan I would like to see us have a meaningful engagement with the community. It is time to go to our residents and ask what they would like to see happen in this term throughout the Town. I am hoping that can happen very early in the term.
There is much to do and the points I mentioned are only a few of many ideas. But, one of our foremost responsibilities is to protect and preserve what makes View Royal such a wonderful community. I hear time and time again from residents how much they love our community and all that it has to offer. We will take care in the next four years to ensure those qualities remain while managing growth in an appropriate manner.
View Royal is bordered by five other municipalities and two First Nations. We acknowledge and respect the fact that our Town occupies the traditional territories of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. We will continue to work at building productive and good relationships with all of our neighbours.
At the Capital Regional District (CRD) level the two top issues will be affordable housing and transportation. View Royal has always been a regional player and we will work diligently with our regional partners to find solutions. The Regional Housing First Program that was recently initiated by the CRD Board will make a difference. Between local government, the Province, and the Federal government we will see the largest investment in affordable housing across our region ever. I, along with Council, will lobby to see that some of this housing supply is located in View Royal. I am a strong advocate of the CRD. The CRD does a lot of excellent work throughout our region and provides an excellent forum for the municipalities to work collaboratively.
Earlier in my address I mentioned communication and engagement with our residents. We fully acknowledge that the time has come to really set some new high standards in this area. But, I would also challenge our residents to stay engaged with us. Please read our agendas when they are posted on the website and send us your comments. Or better yet if you have nothing better to do on a Tuesday evening come and join us here. As much as the Town needs to engage the community better we also need the community to engage with us.
Before I close my address I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of our Town staff for their contributions. As Mayor for the past four years I can tell you that my job is made infinitely easier by having a first rate staff team led by our Chief Administrative Officer, Kim Anema. We have an outstanding Fire Department led by Chief Paul Hurst and the RCMP provides View Royal with a consistently high quality of policing. I am consistently impressed at the pride that all members of our organization, right from Council to staff to emergency services personnel, take in their positions and in our Town. It is that level of care from all and from our many volunteers that makes View Royal such an amazing community.
I look forward to this next term. I know I speak for everyone around the Council table when I say it is an immense honour to have been elected to serve the fine community of View Royal . I know there will be many challenges along the way but I am confident that with a strong Council and staff working respectfully together that we will continue to build and sustain View Royal as one of the best places to live and to call home.
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