In its final meeting of the four-year term, Council considered a request from Caleb Pike residents who say seasonal parking closures at the nearby trailhead send as many as 30–40 cars onto their road; Council supported pursuing answers from BC Parks, while staff had already contacted the ministry. The most detailed debate was over a new purchasing policy: Council added a rule against splitting purchases to avoid tender thresholds, discussed who may approve spending and sign cheques, and passed the policy with one councillor opposed. Council also adopted the 2027 permissive tax exemption bylaw, though a councillor warned that shortening exemptions from five years to one could make it harder for recipient groups to plan. Other business included two temporary agreements for structures encroaching on Bukin Drive road land and approval of a cycling event on three roads.
Generated from the recording's captions and the agenda (minutes not yet published by the council).
What was discussed
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2 PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
community services3 public speakers1:41 Watch · Read
One speaker thanked Council and staff for their work over the past four years, including an estimated 110 Council meetings and roughly 800 additional regional meetings. Two residents of Caleb Pike described cars parking along both sides of their road when BC Parks closes the main trailhead lot in the off-season. They reported blocked driveways, loose dogs and litter, and asked the District to help get the parking lot opened year-round.
Agreement
Council members thanked the speakers and acknowledged the workload and the Caleb Pike parking concerns.
A councillor said the parking issue warranted follow-up with BC Parks.
A councillor reported that the province had approved a Capital Regional District water-supply development cost charge program; the regional board was expected to consider it the next day. A councillor also praised the outgoing head of the library for 16 years of service and noted that a successor would take over that month. The Mayor reported that handyDART service had expanded in Highlands and that District staff would work with BC Transit and the minister’s staff on transportation improvements.
Agreement
Council members praised the library’s outgoing leader and expressed confidence in the transition.
Council welcomed expanded handyDART service and further work on local transportation.
6.1 Development Permit with Variance Application DVP-01-26 — 2015 Millstream Road
Council returned to the development permit with variance for 2015 Millstream Road. The Mayor said the application had already gone through three readings and described this as the adoption step. A councillor moved the recommendation; the chair said the vote carried, with no opposition. The recommendation also sought authority for the permitted buildings and structures to sit within the area covered by covenant EW109663.
Agreement
No objections were raised in the discussion.
6.2 Bukin Drive East and West — Encroachment Agreements
The agreements would let existing private structures remain temporarily in the unopened public road between Bukin Drive East and West while the current owners hold the properties. Staff said the road had already been closed to the public and signed, and the agreements would clarify owners’ responsibilities and reduce District liability. Before an owner leaves, the structures must be removed and the road land restored. One of three affected properties was not included because its owners still had questions. Councillors asked whether the agreements would excuse bylaw violations, whether survey costs were shared, and whether the agreements could be registered on title; staff said the District paid the survey costs and the agreements could not be attached to private titles because the structures are on District land. Two councillors recused themselves because of family connections to an affected property.
Agreement
Councillors and staff agreed that the agreements address existing encroachments and do not prevent the District from enforcing its bylaws.
The two draft agreements concerned only the properties whose owners were ready to proceed; the third remained unresolved.
Council discussed the email about seasonal parking problems near the Caleb Pike trailhead. A councillor proposed formally asking BC Parks why parking is restricted and what dates or criteria govern seasonal closures. Staff said they had already emailed the ministry about the road and safety impacts, the reasons and timing for closures, and ways to increase parking or address the effects on residents and visitors. Councillors also asked whether parking rules could be enforced locally; staff said there were no no-parking signs in the affected area, so there was no current basis for ticketing. Council discussed whether to follow up with the volunteer who opens and closes the gate.
Agreement
Council members supported seeking a clear explanation from BC Parks and documenting the effect on residents.
Staff and councillors agreed that more information was needed before considering further steps, such as inviting BC Parks representatives to a meeting.
Council adopted the 2027 permissive tax exemption bylaw. A councillor supported the exemptions but objected to the change from five-year exemptions to one-year terms, warning that recipient organizations may find it harder to plan several years ahead. The Mayor said a change to the term would require the bylaw to return for further readings; the next Council could consider extending it.
Agreement
The councillors who spoke supported the tax exemptions for the organizations receiving them.
Disagreement
A councillor warned that one-year terms could harm recipients’ ability to plan; the Mayor supported proceeding with the bylaw as presented and left any extension to the next Council.
9.1 Tripleshot CrossFondo Cycling Event – Sunday, October 18, 2026
Council approved the Tripleshot Cycling Club event and use of Munn Road, Woodridge Place and Westridge Place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 18, 2026, subject to the organizer signing the District’s public-property occupancy agreement. The Corporate Officer was authorized to sign for the District. No questions were raised.
Agreement
No objections or concerns were raised.
9.2 Update to Purchasing of Goods and Services Policy
The proposed policy replaces a 2020 version and sets out purchasing methods by value and type, delegated spending authority, ethical rules and vendor relations. Staff said larger purchases may need to be posted on BC Bid under trade agreements. A councillor proposed adding an ethical rule that staff must not split transactions or purchase agreements to avoid a threshold; Council passed that amendment. Councillors also debated delegated limits—up to $200,000 for budgeted capital purchases and $100,000 for budgeted operating purchases for the Chief Administrative Officer—and whether the Mayor should continue signing smaller cheques. Staff said the higher limits could reduce delays on work already approved in the financial plan, while larger cheques would still require the Mayor’s signature. A councillor also asked staff to clarify that the five-per-cent overage rule applies to purchases that already required Council approval, and to improve wording about bias in bid evaluation. The policy passed with one councillor opposed.
Agreement
Councillors agreed on adding a prohibition against splitting purchases to evade procurement thresholds.
Several councillors supported giving staff discretion to carry out purchases already approved in the financial plan and recognized the value of clear ethical standards.
Disagreement
One councillor opposed the final policy and questioned the higher delegated spending limits, the revised cheque-signing practice, and the removal of provisions in the older policy.
Another councillor supported the policy but cautioned that legitimate project phasing should not be confused with an attempt to evade tender rules; the proposed amendment was framed as a safeguard against evasion.
The Deputy Chief Financial Officer’s short written report was before Council, but no details were discussed aloud. The Mayor called it a good-news story. Council voted to receive the report; one councillor opposed receiving it.
Disagreement
One councillor opposed receiving the report; no reason was stated in the transcript.
Decisions
Highlands has not published the minutes for this meeting yet. Councils post minutes only after a later meeting adopts them, usually two to six weeks afterwards. We check weekly. We last checked Fri, Oct 2, 2026. Votes and decisions are taken only from the official minutes, so this section fills in once Highlands publishes them. Anything above about motions comes from the recording and is preliminary.