{"videoId":"UvWlyNW8Jc0","source":"serpapi","segments":[{"t":54,"text":"Good evening."},{"t":56,"text":"Good evening. I'd like to call our regular council meeting on Monday, September 14th to order at 6 PM. I'm Mayor McNeel Smith. Uh we have two"},{"t":64,"text":"colleagues, council colleagues, uh participating virtual online. You'll see their pictures on the screen. Uh good"},{"t":72,"text":"evening and and welcome to Councelor Novik and Councelor Duck. If you want to confirm your audio, please. Uh good evening."},{"t":79,"text":"Good evening, everyone. I hope you can hear me."},{"t":82,"text":"Yeah, we can hear you well. Thank you both. Uh, and in the room to my far left, councelor O'Keefe, councelor Renul, to my far right, councelor"},{"t":89,"text":"Duncan, and councelor Garnett. Um, hello to members of staff, good evening to members of staff in attendance. We do introduce all staff uh prior to them"},{"t":98,"text":"speaking or taking questions. Uh, and good evening to members of the public both here in the chamber and to those who may be watching the live webcast or"},{"t":105,"text":"recording of the meeting at a later time. I would like to uh next provide uh a territorial acknowledgement and respectfully acknowledge that we're"},{"t":114,"text":"holding our meeting and indeed the entire town of Sydney is in the territory of the Wasenish people. Uh today u we have the Sartup nation, the"},{"t":123,"text":"Seikkum nation, the Pakuchin nation and the Se nation and the Malahhat nation."},{"t":129,"text":"And um we uh we respectfully acknowledge uh that they've been stewards of these lands and waters for millennia, that is"},{"t":136,"text":"thousands of years. And uh we appreciate our commitment to work together with the Wish people for the stewardship of these lands for people living today and for future generations."},{"t":147,"text":"In turning to approval of the the of the agenda since it was published last Thursday, there are some additions and"},{"t":154,"text":"uh one change. Um, we have received additional correspondence on three agenda items since the agenda was published. Uh, and I'll just note those."},{"t":164,"text":"We have four letters of correspondence regarding the variance application on the heat pump uh for a heat pump on Second Street. Uh, that will go under item 9A."},{"t":174,"text":"We have uh two uh items of correspondence uh for the variance um request for a setback on Foryia Place."},{"t":182,"text":"That will be under item 9B. And we have seven uh pieces of correspondence uh regarding the Bower Bank uh bikeway uh"},{"t":191,"text":"which um will come under 12A and the fourth recommendation. Uh council sitting as committee last week made a"},{"t":198,"text":"number of recommendations at the committee of the whole meeting coming forward to this evening and that was recommendation four. Uh so those are the"},{"t":206,"text":"additions. There are no deletions. There is one change. uh councilors Garnett and Duck uh requested that we raise item"},{"t":213,"text":"15.1 which is a letter from uh Peninsula Streams um and uh to discuss that and it"},{"t":221,"text":"will uh be placed under item as item 14D uh which is correspondence and with those changes I would seek"},{"t":230,"text":"movers uh to approve our agenda this this evening as amended. So moved."},{"t":236,"text":"Councelor Parnett and councelor Renul. Thank you. Any further any discussion? Seeing none, those in favor?"},{"t":245,"text":"Thank you. Opposed and opposed. That carries. And if I could perhaps have the same movers to approve the minutes of our special two sets of minutes, those"},{"t":254,"text":"of our special council meeting on August the 10th and those of our regular council meeting also on August the 10th. So moved."},{"t":261,"text":"We have the same movers. Thank you. Are there any corrections to the minutes?"},{"t":265,"text":"Looking online, not seeing any. I'll call the question. Those in favor? Thank you. Opposed? None are opposed. That carries."},{"t":271,"text":"So, we're next turning to our regular uh public participation period where we allow provide opportunities for members of the public to address council. Uh we"},{"t":280,"text":"ask that you uh abide by our 4m minute uh time period, that you provide your name and the municipality that you reside in or the organization that you"},{"t":289,"text":"represent. uh and speak to an item on the agenda or another matter that typically wouldn't be answered um by"},{"t":297,"text":"staff in or directing it to staff. And so I'll call for the first time if anyone uh wishes to come forward this evening. There is just a bottom at the"},{"t":304,"text":"bottom of the microphone to make it make it live. Good evening. Okay."},{"t":309,"text":"Good evening, mayor and council. My name is Cindy Barton. I'm a longtime resident of Sydney, BC, and I'm also the president of the Peninsula Community"},{"t":317,"text":"Pickle Ball Club. I'm here tonight to request a preliminary letter of support from the town of Sydney. The PCPC has"},{"t":325,"text":"assembled a team of local players, community stakeholders, and others who propose to collaborate and work together"},{"t":333,"text":"with the airport authority and the municipalities to build a year-round covered pickle ball facility on airport lands. Our"},{"t":341,"text":"concept is founded on a similar partnership like those currently enjoyed by the soccer association at Blue Heron Park and the baseball association at"},{"t":349,"text":"Rotary Park. We have identified Rotary Park as a potential building site that offers distance from housing and existing infrastructure that makes"},{"t":358,"text":"sense. Our proposal is based on what is known as a threeP approach. Private public partnership where the mun"},{"t":365,"text":"municipalities north Sanich and Sydney would assist us in securing a land deal like a nominal lease such as available at Rotary Park and the pickleball"},{"t":374,"text":"community would fund raise to put up the building."},{"t":378,"text":"Additionally, PCPC is offering to manage the day-to-day operations of the pickup ball facility, similar as happens with soccer and uh"},{"t":387,"text":"sorry, baseball. Um, okay. So, the airport in order for them to discuss the Rotary Park lease with us because you"},{"t":394,"text":"are the lease holders has asked us to get a letter of support from the town of Sydney. not committing to anything, just allowing us to open discussion so that"},{"t":402,"text":"we can prepare for you a very comprehensive proposal um that you can then decide if it should move forward or not. So, I'm here tonight to ask for"},{"t":409,"text":"that letter. I've already been to North Sanage and I've stood before their council and asked them for this exact same letter and they have given me one."},{"t":416,"text":"So, I thought I'd just quickly read it to you so you have an example of what I'm looking for. Um and that's all I have for you. So the letter says, \"On behalf of North Sanage Council, the"},{"t":425,"text":"district is pleased to support the Peninsula Community Pickle Ball Club in proceeding with preliminary discussions with the Victoria Airport Authority."},{"t":432,"text":"These discussions will assist PCPC in establishing baseline information and identifying potential opportunities and"},{"t":439,"text":"considerations related to its proposed Rotary Park pickle ball facility project.\" That's all I have for you. Thank you."},{"t":446,"text":"Thank you very much, Miss Barton. And we do have your letter of request uh as agenda item 14A. It might be some time before we come to that this evening, but we will address it this evening."},{"t":456,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Thank you."},{"t":461,"text":"I'll call for a second time if anyone wishes to come forward. Good evening."},{"t":469,"text":"Just a just a button at the bottom there. Yeah."},{"t":472,"text":"Good evening. Uh my name is Pauline Finn. I live in Sydney and uh I'm also the executive director of the new Marine"},{"t":479,"text":"Center society operating as the Shaw Center for the Sish Sea. So I'm here tonight to ask council to to make us I"},{"t":487,"text":"want to make my statement of support to ask council council to support the lease renewal. That's agenda item 13A for the"},{"t":494,"text":"center. This long-term commitment is essential to the cent's next chapter."},{"t":500,"text":"It will give us the necessary stability to plan responsibly, attract supporters, hopefully some big ones, uh renew our"},{"t":508,"text":"visitor experience and capital equipment, retain skilled staff, and continue serving this community. I've"},{"t":516,"text":"served in my role with the center since August 2018. And throughout those eight years, our team has worked hard to"},{"t":524,"text":"deliver our mission, creating vibrant experiences that inspire learning, exploration, and care for the unique Salish Sea bio region we all call home."},{"t":534,"text":"Our strategic plan and our team culture are more than what we do."},{"t":539,"text":"They're also about how we do it. We are a values-based charitable charity. We're committed to contributing to Sydney's"},{"t":547,"text":"vibrancy by participating in community events, sharing our energy and space with other partners and organizations"},{"t":555,"text":"and as well um support them in in creative ways. For example, our upcoming Halloween family fundraiser, the"},{"t":563,"text":"Escarium of the Salish Sea. Admission by donation proceeds will be shared between our charity and the Sanage Peninsul"},{"t":570,"text":"Peninsula Lions Food Bank. And as most of you know, when I first joined the center, it was in a very precarious financial position with limited"},{"t":578,"text":"reinvestment in visitor experience and capital equipment and facing the real risk of potentially closing its doors."},{"t":586,"text":"with support from the town of Sydney, residents, visitors, donors, granters, sponsors, volunteers, some of whom are"},{"t":594,"text":"here tonight, uh our board leaders, and our committed staff. We've been moving from just surviving towards long-term stability."},{"t":604,"text":"This lease gives us practical gives practical life to the funding commitment this council has already made. Stable"},{"t":611,"text":"operating support and a secure long-term home work together."},{"t":615,"text":"One allows us to operate with confidence while the other gives us a horizon to invest and renew our visitor experience, build partnerships, retain skilled"},{"t":624,"text":"people, and plan responsibly. The lease is much more than a property agreement, which I think is obvious. Uh it is the"},{"t":632,"text":"foundation that will move the center from surviving to thriving and make it possible for us to continue to serve Sydney as a strong, trusted community"},{"t":641,"text":"institution for decades to come. I respectfully ask council to consider it fully. Thank you."},{"t":648,"text":"Thank you, Miss Finn. And and you are on the agenda as well. Okay. Just before pickle ball. Excellent."},{"t":655,"text":"Thank you."},{"t":657,"text":"Are there any further speakers? Please come forward."},{"t":665,"text":"Mic. The mic also adjusts in height if you so wish."},{"t":673,"text":"Sorry, one more time. Red light. There we go. Red light. I apologize. My name is Susan McDonald."},{"t":682,"text":"I'm a resident of Sydney and I'm here representing Repair Cafe North Sanage."},{"t":690,"text":"Repair Cafe International was formed 16 years ago in Amsterdam. It's an international movement to fight against"},{"t":698,"text":"a throwaway culture. We started our cafe six years ago"},{"t":704,"text":"um in 2020 just before co and since then we've held 67 cafes."},{"t":713,"text":"Repair cafe was reformed to lighten the load on landfill to share skills and promote community."},{"t":721,"text":"We are a self- sustaining nonprofit services provided by donation. We have"},{"t":729,"text":"over 70 volunteers. We average 35 volunteers at each cafe."},{"t":734,"text":"We have fixers who do sewing, electrical, electronic, jewelry, small appliances, tool repair, wood repair,"},{"t":742,"text":"tech, bikes, wool, and clocks. We even have someone who refurbishes uh Blundstone shoes."},{"t":752,"text":"We look at 120 to 150 items per cafe, and we could do more. Our fixed rate is"},{"t":760,"text":"80%. Over time, although it wasn't part of the original plan for our cafe, twice annual"},{"t":767,"text":"annually, we donate all the extra funds over our expenses back to like-minded nonprofits in the community."},{"t":777,"text":"To date, we have donated $15,000."},{"t":782,"text":"I'm here tonight to let you know that we are delighted to have found our new home at St. Paul's United Church at Fifth and Malibu."},{"t":792,"text":"We will be operating on the fourth Saturday of every month except December."},{"t":796,"text":"We are open between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Our launch is in two weeks, Saturday, September 26th. We'll have"},{"t":806,"text":"Elizabeth May coming to officially open the cafe and we'll have a few draws with prizes donated by the Sydney BIA."},{"t":814,"text":"Repair Cafe International has a map of all the 2500 cafes operating around the"},{"t":821,"text":"world. By moving here, we are literally putting Sydney on the map."},{"t":828,"text":"I invite all of you to come to our cafe to get something fixed or just pop by for a cup of coffee and a sweet treat. I"},{"t":836,"text":"would ask for the council's help in promoting our repair cafe by mentioning it in town talk and perhaps advertising"},{"t":846,"text":"with the electric sign that's on Beacon Avenue before each cafe. Thank you very much for your attention."},{"t":854,"text":"Thank you for coming to council this evening and we extend a warm welcome uh to Sydney for the repair cafe. Thank you for sharing some of the successes you've"},{"t":863,"text":"had to date. It's very impressive and we look forward to continued success for turn to uh look to see if there are any further speakers. Please come forward."},{"t":876,"text":"Good evening."},{"t":878,"text":"Good evening. My name is Jamie Wellelburn and I live in Sydney. I'm speaking in support of the power bank bike again and obviously I'm"},{"t":885,"text":"disappointed in the outcome of last week's committee of the whole meeting on this subject and I'd like to address some of the comments that came up during that discussion."},{"t":892,"text":"There was a lot said about the non-compliance of drivers at the modal filters in particular at Piery. As I said last week, I agree that that is an"},{"t":900,"text":"issue that needs resolving. But when there is an issue with non-compliance, we should be looking at how can we improve the compliance rate. If driver non-compliance is just a vacation to"},{"t":908,"text":"remove a traffic control device, then we would have no stop signs, no speed limits, and a few less red lights. Watch the right turn lane from 7th to Beacon"},{"t":916,"text":"for a few minutes, and you'll see things that make you gasp there, too."},{"t":920,"text":"The approach last week revolved around removing the modal filter as if it was somehow forcing drivers to disobey the law. When you approach the modal filter"},{"t":928,"text":"at Pierce, there is a sign warning of no through traffic, a block in advance, and many signs indicating that there is no entry past PI."},{"t":935,"text":"There is no safety decision that forces drivers to continue driving straight when PI is a perfectly valid option."},{"t":942,"text":"Some of the discussion was also around the level of engagement. It's worth reviewing the summary of engagement for the active transportation plan back in May of 2023. There was a survey"},{"t":951,"text":"conducted that had over 10,000 responses and the two neighborhoods that showed up with the highest number of responses covers the entire Berbank bikeway"},{"t":958,"text":"corridor. There was also a comment made last week that only 19% of people were in favor of the bikeway. And but consider this 40 46% of people say they"},{"t":967,"text":"don't want any cycling projects within Sydney at all. And you might think, wow, that's a lot of people. But that number tells a different story. On the flip side, it shows that a majority of"},{"t":976,"text":"people, 54 54% want you to build something in Sydney."},{"t":982,"text":"If we continue to delay, water down, or threaten to remove individual projects, you aren't listening to the majority, but ignoring them."},{"t":990,"text":"Now, could we have communicated this project better? Yes. The reports and communications lack visuals to illustrate what it would look like at street level, and the construction drawings were never published."},{"t":1001,"text":"Does that mean that we should rip it out? No, absolutely not. I've heard many proposals for other options, and I believe that none of them would"},{"t":1009,"text":"adequately lower traffic volumes to a safe enough level for an all ages and abilities neighborhood bikeway. The sweet humps of Melville were mentioned"},{"t":1016,"text":"last week as a possible solution. But those are not only more expensive than what was built on Barbank, they only lowered traffic volumes on Melville by"},{"t":1024,"text":"about 24%. Which would not have been enough to keep our bank below 1,000 vehicles per day."},{"t":1031,"text":"We spend a lot of money on consultants and plans, but what is the point if we don't have the courage to act on those plans? At some point, we have to listen"},{"t":1038,"text":"to the experts and commit to what we plan to do."},{"t":1042,"text":"Lastly, I do agree with councelor Renul that this is turned into a political decision with the timing of the upcoming election. I ask that you leave it as is"},{"t":1049,"text":"and let the next council decide what they would like to do with it, if anything. Thank you. Thank you for coming forward."},{"t":1058,"text":"And I'll call for a third and final time. Is there anyone wishing to come forward this evening?"},{"t":1064,"text":"Not seeing any, I'll close the public participation, thank those who came forward this evening, and we'll turn to our next item, which is presentations, and we're pleased to welcome uh Staff"},{"t":1073,"text":"Sergeant Connley from the Sydney North Senate RCMP to present uh policing report. Good evening, sir."},{"t":1084,"text":"Good evening, Mayor and members of council. I'm happy to be back to provide you a sort of a midyear"},{"t":1091,"text":"uh update on policing report. Um I thought I'd start by telling you a little bit about the detachment renovation project that's been ongoing."},{"t":1102,"text":"The this was the relocation of the detachment's primary interview room."},{"t":1108,"text":"It's been a long-standing project that is planned to was planned to address improved security within the detachments"},{"t":1117,"text":"operation area and the renovations which began in July and involved extensive changes to the office at the front of"},{"t":1124,"text":"the building are almost completed. The installation of the new audio video equipment and monitoring equipment are"},{"t":1134,"text":"replacing um the existing aged recording system. So, we're happy to see that project coming to a near close."},{"t":1143,"text":"Um, just for awareness, the RCMP is replacing the issued Smith and Wesson"},{"t":1150,"text":"firearms with a new Glock pistol, which has improved features over the Smith and and Weston, which they're approximately"},{"t":1158,"text":"30 years old. The training rollout will include a coordinated training schedule to train all um South Island RCMP"},{"t":1168,"text":"officers. So, West Shore Souk and Sydney will combine together for for this training and that will be taking place during uh this fall, the fall of 26."},{"t":1178,"text":"It's already actually commenced. Um costs associated to the training will include range rental, u new firearm equipment, and ammunition."},{"t":1190,"text":"Um, just to go back in time a little bit, I wanted to mention about the FIFA deployment that happened between the 1st of June and the 15th of July. The"},{"t":1199,"text":"detachment um was called upon to deploy rotating resources to assist with the"},{"t":1206,"text":"policing security for the 2026 World Cup soccer event in Vancouver. So during"},{"t":1213,"text":"that 7-week period, the detachment deployed three officers per week. Um, I"},{"t":1219,"text":"want to ensure the council is aware that costs associated to the deployed resources are not borne by the municipality."},{"t":1228,"text":"And also just to mention as an addendum that there have not been any detachment resources deployed deployed for"},{"t":1236,"text":"wildfires um so far in 2026. So we've been fortunate um not to have had to supplement resources there."},{"t":1246,"text":"And then just mentioning on resources for the detachment, there are three officers uh with planned transfers"},{"t":1253,"text":"leaving the detachment in 2026 that we know of. U two of those officers have actually recently departed in the last"},{"t":1261,"text":"couple of months. Um we have a new corporal supervisor that transferred into the detachment in August. Uh came to us from North Kawan filling an"},{"t":1270,"text":"existing vacancy that we had. And then we have three incoming constipals who have completed basic training requirements in Reginaina. They have all"},{"t":1279,"text":"arrived now and they will begin their policing careers in Sydney. This is being their first posting."},{"t":1286,"text":"Um just to touch base a little bit on annual policing priorities. Our detachment has implemented strategic"},{"t":1294,"text":"priorities to enhance community safety and bolster crimerevention objectives."},{"t":1299,"text":"These priorities include traffic enforcement targeting the highest risk contraventions of impaired driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving."},{"t":1308,"text":"Um, additional community policing initiatives which support fraud scam awareness and property crime uh"},{"t":1316,"text":"prevention are emphasized through our blockwatch program. A crime reduction initiative supports the monitoring of"},{"t":1323,"text":"repeat offenders on release conditions is another um priority priority that the detachment has as well as the targeting"},{"t":1332,"text":"of drug trafficking and illegal drug possession."},{"t":1337,"text":"Um during the months of May through August, the detachment unfortunately had to reassign the community policing officer"},{"t":1345,"text":"to frontline general duties. This was a temporary measure to fill essential core policing services during 247 emergency and a response to calls."},{"t":1356,"text":"effective. I'm happy to share that effective September 8th, our community policing officer uh has returned to the"},{"t":1363,"text":"community policing role, providing previous services supporting things like the school liaison program outreach to"},{"t":1371,"text":"the unhoused in the community, a business watch program, managing the detachment's volunteer programs, and"},{"t":1378,"text":"also to mention that the blockwatch coordinator, which we have in place, continues to expand the program to additional neighborhoods. is providing"},{"t":1387,"text":"residents with timely information on local crime activity, uh, fraud scam awareness and property crime prevention tips."},{"t":1396,"text":"Um, this evening I wanted to make an announcement regarding a change in the official language designation for Sydney North Detachment."},{"t":1406,"text":"Um, I don't there there is a a media release that I've asked to have sent out. I don't know if it's actually um"},{"t":1415,"text":"been completed at this point, but I did make this announcement at the North Sanage uh council meeting last month."},{"t":1422,"text":"And so uh the Sydney North Sanage RCMP are announcing the detachments approaching change in official language designation."},{"t":1433,"text":"Effective September 30th, 2026, Sydney North Sanage Detachment will discontinue"},{"t":1441,"text":"bilingual services in accordance with a review completed through the official"},{"t":1447,"text":"languages regulations exercise, which is completed every 10 years. It was"},{"t":1455,"text":"determined through the most recent review that services in both official languages would now be provided by the"},{"t":1462,"text":"Westshore RCMP detachment at 698 Atkins Avenue uh Victoria while services by"},{"t":1471,"text":"Sydney Nor Sanage would become unilingual. These changes mean the general public will be able to receive"},{"t":1478,"text":"services in the official language of their choice in person, by telephone, in writing, or via website at Westshore"},{"t":1487,"text":"RCMP Detachment as of September 30th, 2026."},{"t":1492,"text":"The changes in official language designation are the result of a 2023 review based on census data which"},{"t":1500,"text":"assesses the size of the linguistic minority and the volume of communication and services provided by the detachment."},{"t":1509,"text":"there are of interest. There are 51 RCMP offices in British Columbia which are having their official language"},{"t":1517,"text":"designation changed from uniling lingual to bilingual while six RCMP offices in"},{"t":1525,"text":"BC including Sydney are ch are changing from bilingual to unilingual."},{"t":1533,"text":"Um and then just to touch base on the crime report that was um previously um"},{"t":1543,"text":"uh provided to council. Uh I thought I would just touch base on a few points."},{"t":1549,"text":"Uh again this report that crime report that was forwarded to mayor and council and um the town of Sydney administration"},{"t":1558,"text":"was for the period 1st of January to the um 1st of July. So the first six months of this year so it does not include the"},{"t":1567,"text":"the summer this past summer. The number of calls for service in the first half of 2026 was consistent with the previous"},{"t":1576,"text":"year representing 38% of the calls responded to by the detachment."},{"t":1583,"text":"Despite the number of calls for service remaining at the same level, some crime categories declined."},{"t":1591,"text":"In general, property crime levels decreased by 17%."},{"t":1598,"text":"Offenses where increases in property crime levels occurred were for theft of"},{"t":1605,"text":"vehicles and theft of bikes were two areas where we saw saw increases."},{"t":1612,"text":"Crimes against person offenses remained at similar levels to the previous year."},{"t":1618,"text":"In alignment with the increased enforcement activity that I previously mentioned for illegal drug possession,"},{"t":1625,"text":"the number of offenses increased from four in 2025 to seven in 2020, the first half of 2026."},{"t":1635,"text":"There has also been increased enforcement for contraband tobacco possession with five tobacco seizures, illegal tobacco seizures having been conducted."},{"t":1645,"text":"of interest. The number of fraud offenses reported year to date has decreased. The number of reported"},{"t":1652,"text":"traffic collisions in 2026 decreased from 40 to 33 this year with zero fatalities."},{"t":1662,"text":"An increased emphasis on road safety and impaired driving enforcement has resulted in 30 impaired driving"},{"t":1671,"text":"contraventions in 2026 up from seven in 2025."},{"t":1678,"text":"Significant increase there. In terms of crime t trends observed, there has been an increase in property crime in local"},{"t":1687,"text":"marinas and local neighborhoods close to marinas in recent months. This is an ongoing problem"},{"t":1695,"text":"um of rec in recent weeks. We are seeing uh breakins to um trailers at"},{"t":1702,"text":"construction sites, thefts of tools related to that and we continue to investigate"},{"t":1708,"text":"those um property crime offenses that are taking place."},{"t":1715,"text":"Um, I just also wanted to mention that during the month of August, um, the detachment"},{"t":1723,"text":"conducted a number of marine shifts, uh, out in the water surrounding Sydney and"},{"t":1730,"text":"North Sanage, uh, conducting boat safety checks and and an emphasis on small vessel regulation,"},{"t":1737,"text":"um, as part of our summer seasonal policing, uh, programs."},{"t":1743,"text":"And I am aware that there was some um questions about uh ecooters and so I thought I would just share a little bit"},{"t":1752,"text":"of information that maybe answers the questions that were brought forward to me earlier."},{"t":1758,"text":"Um so in recent weeks uh information regarding the electric scooter pilot"},{"t":1765,"text":"program regulations has been reshared with our officers. We've sort of had some discussions about um what the"},{"t":1774,"text":"officers are seeing on the street, what we're hearing from the community. So, we're we're sort of revisiting this"},{"t":1781,"text":"issue. Our municipal traffic officer and our community policing officer will be both engaging in education programs and"},{"t":1790,"text":"increased enforcement activities on these regulations. There are observations of increased use of e-"},{"t":1799,"text":"scooters in the community and also non-compliance with regulations on local streets and we are hearing about that more now than we were previously."},{"t":1811,"text":"Um there has not been a noticeable increase in traffic accidents involving"},{"t":1819,"text":"e scooters thankfully. Although there was one one um significant collision that happened, it actually happened in"},{"t":1827,"text":"North Sanage um a while back in which an escooter operator ran into the side of a"},{"t":1834,"text":"moving vehicle in a crosswalk. And I might point out that it is illegal to operate an e- scooter in a crosswalk."},{"t":1843,"text":"Um so and I would just add that um a wider focus on this issue will include"},{"t":1852,"text":"us looking at um enforcement activities to do with ebikes and cycling in"},{"t":1860,"text":"general. just the the number of um contraventions that I think are taking place out there of this morning. Um it"},{"t":1870,"text":"was it was mentioned about an incident with a cyclist that uh involved some enforcement activity yesterday. So um so"},{"t":1878,"text":"that concludes my midyear reports. A little I was planning to be here in August, but it didn't work out. So, just it's a little bit late"},{"t":1886,"text":"coming to you, but we'll um we'll leave it at that for now."},{"t":1892,"text":"Thank you, Staff Sergeant Connley for the update. We appreciate it. I'll turn to colleagues if there are any questions. I'll start with councelor Duncan, then councelor Ganette."},{"t":1902,"text":"Thank you. I just one question. Um you mentioned before and it's in the report that the impaired traffic uh violations"},{"t":1909,"text":"was because you actually had resumed doing traffic stops. Uh, and so you're out looking and that's why there's more."},{"t":1916,"text":"Um, is that the uh controlled drug and substance violations again had a huge jump at the same time. Is that because you're finding them in the cars when"},{"t":1924,"text":"you're actually stopping them or is it was a coincidence?"},{"t":1928,"text":"No, it's actually it's actually part of um increased enforcement that we're doing. Um we are seeing more impaired"},{"t":1938,"text":"driving offenses as we conduct the enforcement checks and some of that is"},{"t":1945,"text":"happening with the drug the drug possession. Um but our officers are becoming quite focused on that um that"},{"t":1954,"text":"area because we've sort of directed that as managers to say look we want our streets safe in Sydney and North Sanage"},{"t":1962,"text":"and so we want to get the message across to the community. This is not going to be a tolerated thing and we're going to do the enforcement that we feel is necessary."},{"t":1973,"text":"Thanks Councelor Duncan. I have councelor Gret then councelor Novik and councelor Duck online. Please go ahead."},{"t":1979,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Staff Sergeant Connley, for the information, the report, and your presentation. Um, and thank you for answering the question about e- scooters. I I also I don't"},{"t":1988,"text":"know, I didn't realize other people had sent questions, but I had a similar question about enforcement based on what I'd seen in other communities. So, appreciate your answer on that. I just"},{"t":1996,"text":"have one question, and it's with regards to the um harassing communications um attributed to a series of unwanted phone calls"},{"t":2004,"text":"targeting local downtown businesses. and as the liaison to the SBIA, this has come up in discussions and it I'm not"},{"t":2012,"text":"sure if it's the same, but it was seemed to be more targeting female business owners uh from what they were telling me. So I I this given the reports a"},{"t":2021,"text":"little older, is this still an ongoing situation or has it improved at all?"},{"t":2026,"text":"I think it's improved of late, but it did um take place over a period of many"},{"t":2033,"text":"weeks um and was the subject of a lot of investigation to try and see if we could dial in on on what was happening there"},{"t":2041,"text":"in terms of the offender. They're all similar in nature. There's no question in our minds that it's one individual"},{"t":2048,"text":"um that's that's behind those um those calls. But at this point we we still"},{"t":2056,"text":"have an active investigation and I do not believe they have been they were they were quite random in terms of uh"},{"t":2063,"text":"frequency but uh not not frequent in the last two or three weeks that I've heard."},{"t":2068,"text":"Thank you very much. Thank you mayor councelor [clears throat] Nook please online."},{"t":2073,"text":"Uh thank you mayor and thank you staff sergeant for your report. Uh as always it's most illuminating. I was"},{"t":2081,"text":"particularly intrigued by your comments concerning uh your on the water enforcement."},{"t":2089,"text":"Um I have had a number of people come to me and express dismay at the number of"},{"t":2097,"text":"uh seemingly derelict vessels in Salem Harbor. I've also had people complain to"},{"t":2104,"text":"me about vessels dumping waste well within the three mile limit. Um, I know"},{"t":2113,"text":"that that is federal jurisdiction, but I also know that local authorities do have"},{"t":2119,"text":"enforcement capabilities and some municipalities have um"},{"t":2129,"text":"have have had the enforcement or rather the management of that particular section of marine law handed over to"},{"t":2138,"text":"them, such as uh Vancouver when they went ahead and and managed to get rid of"},{"t":2144,"text":"all the derelic boats in False Creek. Um I I don't know if if this is um setting"},{"t":2154,"text":"off any alarm bells in either your mind or in the minds of other counselors, but um c could you give me your perspective"},{"t":2163,"text":"on Sam Harbor and uh some of the issues that uh are present there?"},{"t":2170,"text":"Yes, thank thank [clears throat] you for your question. Um, so we're well we're well aware of um the"},{"t":2179,"text":"uh concerns that have been brought forward about um rafted vessels [clears throat] rafted vessels into CM"},{"t":2186,"text":"Harbor. Um we are working closely with Transport Canada um who have um"},{"t":2196,"text":"different uh regulations that they are able to for to enforce. Um and in fact"},{"t":2203,"text":"um we we are aware that they have been um out a couple of times this this"},{"t":2209,"text":"summer. um and they have made contact with occupants of uh some vessels out there and that they will be continuing"},{"t":2219,"text":"their their investigation of that and we are there supporting them and working with them to address some of these these"},{"t":2227,"text":"concerns. There are other concerns that um stem and flow from this that include"},{"t":2233,"text":"u north Sanage bylaw being involved and uh actually we have a meeting this week with North Sanage bylaw um to discuss"},{"t":2241,"text":"this and some other bylaw stuff. So, I don't know if I've completely answered your question, but it kind of gives you"},{"t":2249,"text":"um you know, some reassurance that Transport Canada who are best"},{"t":2256,"text":"um have the best authorities for these kind of problems to uh that they're that they're engaged and involved."},{"t":2265,"text":"Great. Thank you. It ju it just gives me the uh comfort to know that um it it it isn't being um overlooked that it is"},{"t":2274,"text":"that [snorts] there is some action going on behind the scenes. Thanks very much and that's all for me chair. Uh thank you councelor Duck please."},{"t":2283,"text":"Thank you mayor and thank you staff sergeant Connelly for your report as u my colleagues have said very illuminating on a number of counts. I'm"},{"t":2291,"text":"wondering uh if you can give me provide any observations uh regarding the violations that are happening at Bower Bank and Kelvin. I know your officers"},{"t":2299,"text":"have been out there uh a couple times and just wondering if there's anything they've noted or you've seen um as was brought up in public participation"},{"t":2307,"text":"tonight. Uh it seems to be an area of concern for uh residents and and in that area both pedestrian and cyclists. Thank you."},{"t":2316,"text":"Yeah, thank you. I I don't have anything recent that I could speak to in res in regards to that. I do know that our"},{"t":2325,"text":"municipal traffic officer has um has uh taken the opportunity to uh do some"},{"t":2334,"text":"enforcement in that location. um observed uh that that uh violations are frequent"},{"t":2343,"text":"there um and some measures taken to try to address that. But um as I'm sure"},{"t":2350,"text":"everybody is well aware, one traffic officer for both Sydney and North Sanage has to be shared with all of our higher"},{"t":2358,"text":"risk enforcement activities. So, it's it's um it's kind of all that that that's focused on right now."},{"t":2367,"text":"Thank you, Staff Sergeant. And Elsa, our thanks go out to you for the increased enforcement, obviously apparent in the number of uh traffic violations and and"},{"t":2376,"text":"impaired drivers. So, I appreciate that you're getting uh unsafe drivers off the road. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you."},{"t":2385,"text":"Uh any further questions or comments?"},{"t":2387,"text":"Not seeing any. Thank you again, Staff Sergeant. We always appreciate the updates and please uh share our thanks with all members of the detachment. Our"},{"t":2395,"text":"our gratitude for your professional policing services that keep our community safe."},{"t":2399,"text":"I'm happy to do that, mayor, and thank you again for for allowing me the update. Thank you."},{"t":2405,"text":"Yeah, that was the first of two presentations uh this evening. The second is the"},{"t":2413,"text":"presentation of a petition regarding parking enforcement on All Bay Road. Uh we have received a petition from B."},{"t":2419,"text":"Bessie dated August the 16th. And I would call upon a representative to come forward if they wish to speak to that uh speak to that item."},{"t":2431,"text":"Good evening."},{"t":2433,"text":"Good evening. Uh I wish to thank mayor and council and staff for providing this opportunity to discuss parking and traffic issues on All Bay Road."},{"t":2443,"text":"I am Bruce Bessie, 10392 All Bay Road."},{"t":2448,"text":"I'm the spokesperson for 23 residents in this neighborhood who unanimously supported a resolution forwarded to"},{"t":2455,"text":"council to address safety issues that we notice in our area."},{"t":2460,"text":"Many of us feel that our community common values have often been sidelined or neglected. Our goal is to work"},{"t":2470,"text":"cooperatively with the regulators to develop a plan to address all of our concerns and the neighborhood."},{"t":2477,"text":"All bay is a community prominad used frequently and regularly by pedestrians,"},{"t":2484,"text":"walking groups, cyclists, dogs and their owners, babies and strollers, even individuals with limited mobility. We"},{"t":2493,"text":"embrace all these activities, but there are numerous safety concerns brought forward by the residents in my area. one"},{"t":2502,"text":"vehicle parking on all bay considering the regulations mandated by MOTI,"},{"t":2508,"text":"BC Motor Vehicle Act, the Drive Safe BC and our municipal bylaws"},{"t":2515,"text":"limits parking and much of that available parking space is taken up by the employees of neighboring commercial operations."},{"t":2523,"text":"Much of the illegal parking that does occur is due to lack of signage and/or notification of parking restrictions."},{"t":2532,"text":"There are solutions. We could provide adequate signage and/or painted yellow curbs in the zones of no parking. Adopt"},{"t":2542,"text":"restricted parking times. Example, as in our city here, 2-hour parking or 3 hours from 8 to 4 except with permit."},{"t":2551,"text":"This would address that issue. Traffic density. With the expansion of commercial activities close to our"},{"t":2559,"text":"neighborhood, All Bay is now utilized as a traffic shortcut for many employees or clients of these commercial operations."},{"t":2568,"text":"With further increase in residential growth, there is considerable more residential traffic. At the same time,"},{"t":2576,"text":"there are solutions that would discourage vehicles from using all bay as a shortcut by just installing signs"},{"t":2583,"text":"designating residential traffic only at key intersections. An example is Bowerbank Road. Further, as with Bower"},{"t":2592,"text":"Bank, designating a road as no through traffic would greatly improve the situation."},{"t":2598,"text":"And as done on Bower Bank, an addition of a one-way only at the junction of Bowen and Harbor would probably eliminate the entire problem."},{"t":2607,"text":"Traffic speed. A posted speed of 30 kilometers per hour is rarely followed."},{"t":2613,"text":"Given the narrow width and curving nature of All Bay Road, our residents have no alternative but to walk on the"},{"t":2621,"text":"road or the very limited shoulder. This creates a danger to all users. As detailed earlier, particularly if cars"},{"t":2630,"text":"are not complying with the parking restrictions, as I pointed out, many neighbors have expressed limited"},{"t":2638,"text":"visibility when exit exiting their driveways magnified by the non-complied parking or the speeding vehicles. The"},{"t":2646,"text":"solutions are better signage along with the installation of possible speed humps as on Melville Street. drivers will be"},{"t":2655,"text":"compelled to slow down or choose the direct wider purpose-built harbor road to the commercial activities."},{"t":2664,"text":"All of the above solutions would require virtually no bylaw enforcement since the engineering report of August the 17th"},{"t":2671,"text":"advises that staff resources are very limited and that enforcement responses only by complaint driven."},{"t":2680,"text":"We thank you for your time and careful consideration in making our community a safe place to live. Hopefully, we can"},{"t":2687,"text":"cooper cooperatively develop an amicable solution. Thanks for your time."},{"t":2695,"text":"Thank you uh for coming forward this evening. Um we are the town is in receipt and it is in the agenda package."},{"t":2702,"text":"uh your letter uh received on August the 17th and the one and a half page staff reply also"},{"t":2710,"text":"dated August 17th uh to you addressing the chief a concern that was raised"},{"t":2717,"text":"there with regards to uh to parking enforce or by law enforcement. Uh I would turn to uh now that the presentation is concluded I would turn"},{"t":2726,"text":"to uh any members of council who would either like to ask a question of the presenter or to uh to speak to this matter further."},{"t":2738,"text":"Councelor please."},{"t":2740,"text":"Uh thank you if I'm permitted then to uh uh pose a question to the the presenters."},{"t":2745,"text":"Um please. So council spent a significant amount of time in the past year um with"},{"t":2755,"text":"um meetings focused specifically on all bay. We had a number of letters. We had"},{"t":2761,"text":"a number of meetings and I believe we uh out of that came came up with some solutions. So, I'm wondering if you're"},{"t":2770,"text":"the 23 people on your uh petition were uh familiar with with that process and the actions that came out of that."},{"t":2780,"text":"Thank you, Councelor O'Keefe. Yes. Uh many of us attended those meetings. Uh many of us did not in that the 23"},{"t":2788,"text":"petitioners that I represent are mainly in the early stages of all bay rather than the later stages of all bay. later"},{"t":2795,"text":"being closer to the commercial activity and I appreciate that council has attempted to address the situation but it's far from safe still."},{"t":2805,"text":"Okay, thank you for that."},{"t":2810,"text":"Thank you. I'm looking online. I'm not seeing any further questions and I'm not seeing any further discussion further to the letter provided by staff."},{"t":2818,"text":"Thanks again for your time. Thank you for coming forward."},{"t":2825,"text":"That concludes the the presentations uh and delegations this evening. Uh we're now turning to the bylaw section and the"},{"t":2833,"text":"first under item 8A is bylaw number 2301 uh regarding development cost charges also known as DCC's. Um and uh this"},{"t":2842,"text":"matter has been brought forward to to a number of meetings prior to this evening. Uh the intention of the DCC is"},{"t":2849,"text":"to uh to or sorry it is u the bylaw is to impose development cost charges for providing funds I'll just pause for a moment."},{"t":2866,"text":"Sorry. The bylaw uh the new bylaw is to impose development cost charges for providing funds to assist the town in paying for capital costs for expansion"},{"t":2875,"text":"of sanitary sewer, water supply, drainage, transportation infrastructure and parks to service directly or"},{"t":2884,"text":"indirectly the development for which the charges are imposed. As I indicated, this has come forward through a series of meetings. Uh ministry uh the"},{"t":2892,"text":"provincial ministry approval was required and it was received on August 4th. Council has provided readings at previous meetings. We do have a recommendation."},{"t":2903,"text":"Councelor Duncan, he's looking at me. All right. I'll move I'll move the recommendation that the bylaw be adopted. Second."},{"t":2911,"text":"Moved and seconded. Any discussion?"},{"t":2913,"text":"Uh I I don't think so. We had a wholesome discussion about this. We've been waiting for these development cost charges for a long time."},{"t":2920,"text":"Thank you. Not seeing any online. I'll seek to call a question. Those in favor?"},{"t":2926,"text":"Thank you. Opposed. Councelor Keefe is opposed. Uh the motion carries. Thank you."},{"t":2933,"text":"Item 8 B is bylaw number 2302. Amenity cost charges, also known as ACC's. Uh this bylaw is to impose amenity cost"},{"t":2941,"text":"charges for providing funds to assist the town in providing a facility or a feature also known as an amenity that benefits the community either directly"},{"t":2950,"text":"or indirectly from a development uh for which the charges are imposed. Again we've uh proceeded through a series of meetings. Uh provincial approval was not"},{"t":2959,"text":"required for this. Uh this was brought forward read uh recent at recent meetings for readings and we have a recommendation"},{"t":2967,"text":"come through Duncan. I move this bylaw be adopted. Second. Moved and seconded. Thank you. Any discussion?"},{"t":2975,"text":"Not seeing any. Not seeing any online. I'll call the question. Those in favor?"},{"t":2979,"text":"Thank you. That carries unanimous. Thank you."},{"t":2984,"text":"And new on our agenda is um is item 8 C bylaw number 2303"},{"t":2991,"text":"which is development cost charge and amenity cost charge waiverss and reductions. So this is in relation to the two previous bylaws. The intention"},{"t":3000,"text":"of this or sorry I will turn to Mr. uh Mr. Hik our manager of our director of finance to introduce this please."},{"t":3008,"text":"Thank you Mr. Mayor. So a waiverss and reductions bylaw supports the two previous bylaws by providing means to"},{"t":3015,"text":"exempt qualifying developments from all or part of the charges. The intention of a waivers's bylaw is to provide relief"},{"t":3023,"text":"to certain types of desirable development that has community benefits."},{"t":3028,"text":"Waivers are permitted by legislation under a very limited set of circumstances as outlined in the staff report."},{"t":3036,"text":"Working with our DCC consultants, staff have opted to pursue reductions only for affordable rental housing units provided by nonprofit organizations."},{"t":3046,"text":"We've also opted to keep the rules simple for now."},{"t":3051,"text":"As every reduction will require a housing agreement, council will have the opportunity to approve specific applications as they come forward for an exemption."},{"t":3062,"text":"Now, some council questions about the bylaw earlier today have prompted us to suggest awarding amendment to the bylaw"},{"t":3069,"text":"after introduction to make it clearer that the 50 50% exemption is meant to apply to the entire development and not just the affordable portion."},{"t":3080,"text":"With that being said, it's important to note that the bylaw only applies at this time to not for-profit housing providers. We would likely not recommend"},{"t":3088,"text":"a similar treatment for um the for-profit developments unless we were trying to strongly encourage the"},{"t":3095,"text":"provision of of affordable rentals. And it should be noted that the legislation does allow for us to exempt for-profit"},{"t":3103,"text":"developments as long as they're providing the affordable housing component."},{"t":3108,"text":"So as it stands now, one has to jump back and forth between the definitions and the bylaw to determine that the"},{"t":3115,"text":"charges for the entire development uh are to be reduced by 50%. So the amendment we would like to propose is as"},{"t":3124,"text":"follows. In sections 3.1 and 4.1, we would like to insert the words for the"},{"t":3131,"text":"entire development immediately after the words cost charges in both of those sections. Thank you."},{"t":3139,"text":"Uh thank you Mr. Hik. I'll I'll turn to colleagues uh if they have any questions. Uh and then I will uh make a"},{"t":3146,"text":"comment on going through the three readings and making the uh proposed looking to move the proposed amendments that Mr. Hik has provided."},{"t":3156,"text":"Uh councelor O'Keefe, please."},{"t":3158,"text":"Thanks. And I thank staff for the the some of the back and forth on this uh"},{"t":3164,"text":"earlier today. Um so what we're proposing is as you say that so in a a building of 100 units as"},{"t":3174,"text":"long as 30 um are affordable as we've defined then the the other market unit the 70 would"},{"t":3184,"text":"also be um get the waiver as well as Mr."},{"t":3189,"text":"said um do we know if other municipalities any other municipalities have had that"},{"t":3196,"text":"type of arrangement where the you know 30% with just that 30% and then the 70%"},{"t":3204,"text":"that are market also get the waiver is that a just I know staff didn't have a lot of time to research that but I know"},{"t":3212,"text":"in looking at Sanage that they specifically state that it only applies to the um that you know the the"},{"t":3221,"text":"affordable component. So I don't know if we have other examples. Mr."},{"t":3227,"text":"I can't give you a specific one but it does exist and the difference with ours is that it's limited to non notfor-profit housing providers only."},{"t":3235,"text":"Perhaps that is why Senate is uh treating it the way they are. perhaps it's open to forprofit developments and therefore it's more important to limit"},{"t":3244,"text":"it to just the affordable component. Um our thought thought process was that um"},{"t":3252,"text":"since we're dealing with a nonprofit development entirely in addition to the 50% exemption for um"},{"t":3260,"text":"DCC's ACC's they might need the additional financing provided by um the market"},{"t":3268,"text":"rentals to make the project work and that's why we wrote it the way we did as a start. Okay. Yep. Thank you."},{"t":3277,"text":"Thank you."},{"t":3279,"text":"Are there any other questions? Not seeing any. So, uh we can proceed with three readings separately. Uh procedurally I've checked with staff. We"},{"t":3287,"text":"can go ahead and provide or do first reading. Uh we'll do second reading and after second reading we will look to make an amendment and then continue."},{"t":3295,"text":"Just check with uh sorry amendment before second reading."},{"t":3300,"text":"Thank you. So I look uh for um I would look for someone to move first reading."},{"t":3306,"text":"Uh, did I beg your pardon, mayor? Did I understand you wanted it moved as amended? Is that correct?"},{"t":3311,"text":"No, we we'll move first reading and then we will we will bring forward the amendment. I will move first reading. Second."},{"t":3319,"text":"Move and second. Uh, all those in favor."},{"t":3323,"text":"Thank you. Opposed? None opposed. That carries. And um, if someone could make the I understand their clauses 3.1 and 4.1."},{"t":3333,"text":"Um if you could repeat the wording uh Mr. Hik and and um I believe I have the wording if you'd like me to repeat it."},{"t":3341,"text":"Oh that thank you."},{"t":3342,"text":"So the amendments would be in uh sections 3.1 and 4.1. Insert the words for the entire development immediately after the words cost charges."},{"t":3352,"text":"Thank you. We could have a mover and seconder for the amendment. I'll move the second reading as amended. No we we're just moving the amendment."},{"t":3361,"text":"Amendment."},{"t":3363,"text":"Second second. Any discussion?"},{"t":3366,"text":"Not seeing any. Thank you, Mr. Hick, for bringing those forward. Uh, those in favor? Thank you. Opposed? None of that"},{"t":3373,"text":"carries. If we can now look to second reading. Do we have to make reference?"},{"t":3376,"text":"Point of order. Mayor, I think councelor O'Keefe might have been opposed. Sorry."},{"t":3382,"text":"Thank you. You were opposed to the amendment."},{"t":3387,"text":"We are moving the amendment, not second reading. Sorry."},{"t":3392,"text":"Thank you. The amendment amendment carries unanimously and I'll now turn to the corporate officer. We are moving second reading as amended. Yep."},{"t":3402,"text":"Thank you. Now I can do it. I'll move second reading as amended. Thank you."},{"t":3408,"text":"Second and seconded. Any discussion? Councelor O'Keefe."},{"t":3413,"text":"Uh thank you. I'm I think this is a good idea to have the waiverss. Um, and I I"},{"t":3420,"text":"agree with the overall intent. What I'm just a little bit uncomfortable with is the um"},{"t":3429,"text":"allowing the 70% of market units that would also get the waiverss. And I understand from staff that this would"},{"t":3436,"text":"only be extended to uh nonprofit providers, but in reading the the the"},{"t":3444,"text":"part of the local government act that deals with this, I just um came away with a different understanding of"},{"t":3452,"text":"whether we have the authority to do that. And so I I'm a little uncomfortable with it from that perspective. So that's all for me."},{"t":3462,"text":"Thanks. Thank you. Any further discussion?"},{"t":3469,"text":"I'm not seeing any. I'll call the question. All those in favor?"},{"t":3473,"text":"Thank you. Opposed. Councelor Ke is opposed. The motion carries."},{"t":3479,"text":"And if we could have third reading with third reading. Second."},{"t":3482,"text":"Moved and seconded. All in favor. Thank you. Opposed. Councelor Keefe is opposed. Uh the motion carries. uh that will come forward at a future meeting for consideration of adoption."},{"t":3494,"text":"Thank you. Uh we're next turning to section 9 which is development permits and variance permits. We have uh"},{"t":3501,"text":"uh we have two this evening and the first under 9A is development variance permit application number DV10. Point of order 8D mayor."},{"t":3510,"text":"Well, I'm sorry I didn't mean to skip that."},{"t":3513,"text":"Check mark the wrong place. Thank you. 8 D is bylaw number 2320, permissive tax exemption for Rest Haven Lodge at 2281"},{"t":3521,"text":"Mills Road to exempt the subject property from taxation for an for eight years 2027 to 2034. This did come"},{"t":3529,"text":"forward at a council meeting earlier in the summer. Council approved the 8-year uh exemption. Uh and this is a process"},{"t":3536,"text":"to uh this evening we're we're starting the process to uh to create the bylaw and can go through first uh go through the readings separately."},{"t":3545,"text":"I'll turn to colleagues. I'll move first reading."},{"t":3549,"text":"Second. Thank you. All in favor? Thank you. Opposed. Opposed. None opposed. Carries."},{"t":3558,"text":"Move second reading."},{"t":3559,"text":"Second. Any discussion? That second reading? Seeing none, those in favor?"},{"t":3565,"text":"Thank you. Opposed. None opposed. That carries. And third reading. I'll move third reading."},{"t":3570,"text":"Second. Moved and seconded. All in favor? Thank you. Opposed. None opposed."},{"t":3574,"text":"carries that will also come forward at a future meeting for consideration of adoption. We are now moving to section nine and the two development or the two"},{"t":3582,"text":"variance permits under 9A is development variance permit application DV1000396 at 40498702nd"},{"t":3591,"text":"Street to permit a heat pump on the balcony within the front yard. We did uh this was discussed at a previous u came"},{"t":3598,"text":"forward at a previous meeting. We did uh direct for notice to go to area residents. Uh we have received three written submissions as of September 8th"},{"t":3606,"text":"and then as I indicated during approval of the agenda we have received an additional four uh pieces of correspondence. Uh I'll turn to"},{"t":3614,"text":"colleagues um uh to consider the recommendation."},{"t":3619,"text":"Councelor Renul, I'll move that the application be approved."},{"t":3624,"text":"Second. Moved and seconded. I'll turn to the movers for discussion."},{"t":3628,"text":"Yeah, thank you. Um just in time for winter. Um, so hopefully it'll help keep you toasty warm as well. Uh, and thank"},{"t":3636,"text":"you for I think lobbying or at least making your neighbors aware of this and having them come forward with some some positive insight on this. It's uh, I'm"},{"t":3644,"text":"happy to see it move forward. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Counc. Thank. Please do."},{"t":3649,"text":"Uh, if just want to confirm because there the letters writers that submitted later this afternoon mentioned decibel levels and I believe in our bylaw we have required decibel levels."},{"t":3662,"text":"Good evening. Yes, thank you through the mayor. We do. It's within the town's noise bylaw. Great. Thank you very much. Thank you."},{"t":3668,"text":"Um and a follow-up question if I may. Um the letter writers we had that letter from from that were earlier on mentioned"},{"t":3676,"text":"um amendments and when I was looking at this, I'm wondering is this is this something we should give consideration to moving forward rather than having to"},{"t":3683,"text":"have somebody come back every single time looking for an an amen to have an amendment to allow something. Um, and"},{"t":3692,"text":"thinking in terms of what happened here, like if they were to if they had everything lined up ready to go and they could avoid this summer and having a potential heat dome, like do we have a"},{"t":3700,"text":"process where do do you think we should go to a direction where we can make it more seamless in some capacity?"},{"t":3705,"text":"Turn to M. Hagen, our director of development services."},{"t":3709,"text":"Sure. Thank you. Through the mayor. Um, yes, that would be something to consider. The current violet does not allow heat pumps in the front yard. So"},{"t":3717,"text":"this front elevation of the building is considered within the front. Um and that's mainly for aesthetic reasons even though it would be screened. Um it is"},{"t":3725,"text":"something that we could consider or possibly as was mentioned earlier to council when the housing target order was received the report. Um one"},{"t":3733,"text":"potential would be to consider delegating approval of some minor variances. So this could be something that would be considered a minor variance and something like that would"},{"t":3740,"text":"come to council in future for council to determine what level of variance they may be willing to delegate to staff approval."},{"t":3748,"text":"Thank you very much. Thank you mayor."},{"t":3749,"text":"Uh thank you councelor for the question and I'll I'll just follow up with a question through to staff that is after this matter is dealt with uh we could"},{"t":3756,"text":"have a motion arising for staff to to bring back um a report to uh to council or is it something that staff will be looking to do? at some point."},{"t":3769,"text":"Um, thank you. Yes, it is something that we're already looking into, but it's up to council what resolution you may want to make."},{"t":3775,"text":"Okay. Well, let's uh let's deal with this particular request. And um we do have the we do have the um sorry, it was"},{"t":3784,"text":"moved. It's on the floor. Sorry, Councelor Keefe. Go ahead."},{"t":3787,"text":"Uh thank you. I just uh did want to comment um in regards to the individuals"},{"t":3794,"text":"that wrote in and had concerns about the noise um and concern about heat pumps"},{"t":3801,"text":"perhaps um being uh installed on all all balconies and the impact that might"},{"t":3808,"text":"have. My understanding when we reviewed this was that it was a very unique configuration for this balcony in terms"},{"t":3815,"text":"of where it was located and how it was situated. Uh so it was felt that there wouldn't be a large impact um on"},{"t":3825,"text":"neighbors across the street or surrounding area and that it the uh noise levels are considered to be uh lower. So I'm happy to support this one."},{"t":3835,"text":"I think if we do decide to move forward with a broader, you know, a change in policy, I think it would be good to have"},{"t":3844,"text":"some more data from staff on that in terms of, you know, the implications of having heat pumps on every every balcony"},{"t":3852,"text":"and how the cumulative impact of that noise might impact neighbors. But for now, I'm happy to see this one go ahead. Thank you."},{"t":3860,"text":"Thank you, counselor. Uh, any further discussion?"},{"t":3864,"text":"Seeing none, I'll call a question. Those in favor? Thank you. That carries unanimously."},{"t":3871,"text":"We'll turn to item 9B, which is development variance permit application number DV10397 at 10249 for Cythia Place to"},{"t":3880,"text":"retroactively relax the minimum interior side setback along the west lot line to allow the deck addition. We have had this come forward at previous meeting."},{"t":3889,"text":"Council directed notice to go out to uh immediate residents. Uh we have had no written submissions as of September the 8th or this evening. Uh and we do have a"},{"t":3897,"text":"recommendation. Councelor Keefe, I'll move that the recommen recommendation be approved or that the variance be approved that the application be application."},{"t":3908,"text":"Yes. Second. Thank you. Any discussion? Yes, councelor Garnette."},{"t":3915,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. just just want to comment because I had mentioned when this first came forward concerns about process and and not following process"},{"t":3922,"text":"and um you know it it I'm thankful that uh we're at a point where they're working with staff to make sure the permits are all in place and"},{"t":3930,"text":"everything's done properly. And I'd just like to also thank them for reaching out to their neighbors. And in our last package, we had a from the one neighbor to the east that will be most impacted"},{"t":3938,"text":"by this. And um driving by on the weekend, uh thank them as well for not going ahead and working on it and waiting for the process to play out"},{"t":3946,"text":"because that hasn't always been the case. So I'm very appreciative that they have allowed the process to play out. Thank you, mayor."},{"t":3952,"text":"Thank you, counselor. I did um I did note uh that uh the process that we've gone through and that we' received no"},{"t":3959,"text":"written submissions. Uh however, we did receive as I indicated during approval of the agenda, we did receive two um"},{"t":3966,"text":"pieces of correspondence uh since the agenda was published and though both of those are in support of the application uh from neighboring residents. Uh seeing"},{"t":3976,"text":"no further discussion, I'll call a question. Those in favor? Thank you. Opposed? None are opposed. That carries."},{"t":3984,"text":"Uh we're now turning to the mayor's report. Uh the only item this evening is the CRD board highlights which come forward on a monthly basis uh a few"},{"t":3992,"text":"weeks after the uh just pause for a moment after the um after the CRD"},{"t":3999,"text":"meeting. Uh the last CRD meeting was that we have highlights for was July the 8th. Uh there is nothing that I wish to highlight further particular to Sydney."},{"t":4008,"text":"So, I'll turn to colleagues as I usually do if there are any questions or comments regarding the highlights. We don't need a motion to receive. I'll turn to colleagues. I'm looking online."},{"t":4019,"text":"Not seeing any comments or questions."},{"t":4020,"text":"Thank you. We don't have any council reports this evening. We'll returning to committee reports. Uh we had our committee of the whole meeting on September 8th. We do have the minutes uh"},{"t":4029,"text":"for reference on the agenda. And I'll now turn to councelor Novik who is chair of the committee meeting to bring forward"},{"t":4036,"text":"the seven recommendations that were at the meeting. Councelor Novik, please."},{"t":4041,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. Um the very first recommendation was regarding the Sydney Transit Hub update and the"},{"t":4050,"text":"recommendation is N and I so move that the staff report back on the feasibility and cost of bike lockers and a public"},{"t":4058,"text":"washroom at the proposed Sydney Transit Hub. We have it moved. Second."},{"t":4065,"text":"Seconded by councelor O'Keefe. Uh turn to the movers."},{"t":4070,"text":"Um any discussion? I I I think we had quite uh a full discussion of this last week and I don't see a need to uh say"},{"t":4080,"text":"anything further. I'm still in support of it."},{"t":4082,"text":"Thank you, councelor. Seeing no discussion, I'll call the question."},{"t":4087,"text":"Those in favor, thank you. That carries unanimous, please continue."},{"t":4092,"text":"Thank you. And the second recommendation is regarding development variance permit application number DV1000395"},{"t":4103,"text":"at 10007 Sitall Road to reduce rear interior side and exterior side setbacks to allow a"},{"t":4112,"text":"new dwelling in the rear yard. The recommendation is and ISO move that owners and tenants in occupation of"},{"t":4119,"text":"property within 75 m or 246 ft of 10007 Sitall Road be notified regarding"},{"t":4128,"text":"development variance application number DV1000395 to relax the minimum rear yard setback"},{"t":4137,"text":"from 4.5 meters to 3 meters. the minimum interior sideyard setback from 2 meters"},{"t":4144,"text":"to 1.5 meters and the minimum exterior sideyard setback from 3 m to 1.5 m to"},{"t":4153,"text":"allow a dwelling in the rear yard and that any written correspondence received be forwarded to council at the time of"},{"t":4161,"text":"consideration of approval of the variance. Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion?"},{"t":4170,"text":"I have nothing. Mayor, thank you. Not seeing any discussion. It was discussed well at the last meeting. All in favor?"},{"t":4177,"text":"Thank you. Opposed? None opposed. That carries. Uh councelor, just a gentle note that um while there is an introdu preamble to each of these, just going"},{"t":4185,"text":"with the reading the recommendation uh would suffice."},{"t":4189,"text":"Uh thank you, mayor. Uh the third recommendation is and ISO move that council authorize submission of an"},{"t":4198,"text":"application to Pacific Hands Build Community Strong Fund BCSF local impact"},{"t":4204,"text":"stream for 2026 for a bundled package of park recreation accessibility waterfront and public use infrastructure"},{"t":4213,"text":"improvements with a total estimated combined project value of $972,750."},{"t":4220,"text":"50 and two that council endorse short-term borrowing of up to $550,000"},{"t":4228,"text":"to fund the to list park boat launch rehabilitation project and authorize staff to bring forward the necessary"},{"t":4236,"text":"short-term borrowing bylaw. And three, that the following budget amendments be approved. Firstly, to increase the"},{"t":4244,"text":"budget for to list a park boat launch rehabilitation project to $600,000 from the current $100,000"},{"t":4254,"text":"funded as follows. $300,000 from grants, $50,000 from boat launch reserve,"},{"t":4262,"text":"$250,000 from short-term borrowing, subject to approval of the grant. Next, to bring"},{"t":4269,"text":"forward the Iricqua Park Pathway Project from 2028 to 2027."},{"t":4276,"text":"And finally, to change the funding source for the two parks shade element projects from Canada Community Building Fund to Amenity Reserve."},{"t":4289,"text":"We have that move. Do we have a second, please? Second."},{"t":4292,"text":"Councelor Duncan, I'll turn to the movers."},{"t":4295,"text":"Uh again, we had a a full discussion on this last week. I don't think there's need to say anymore. Thank you, Councelor Duncan."},{"t":4303,"text":"Uh I I guess I just briefly because it's it's a lot and there's many people actually sitting here in council. Um"},{"t":4310,"text":"that the Toista Park boat launch is probably one of our our projects that's bigger now that's in our upcoming budgets. And this is not adding any"},{"t":4319,"text":"budget elements. It's actually just because we are applying for a grant. We are discussing projects that are already within our five-year plan now in the"},{"t":4329,"text":"hopes that we can get some of that funded uh under a grant. Thank you, Council Knight, please."},{"t":4335,"text":"Yeah, thank you, mayor. U and thank you to staff for the Herald Engineering report that was provided after the meeting. Um, and I had reservations at"},{"t":4344,"text":"the initial meeting around the cont the percent contingency of $20,000. And after I read the report, uh, option one"},{"t":4352,"text":"was chosen for the concrete ram uh, ramp pre-cast replacement and the sleeving existing piles, timber piles, um, both"},{"t":4359,"text":"class D estimates. And I noticed when they had under disadvantages for the um the sleeving they they mentioned and"},{"t":4366,"text":"I'll read their wording because they're engineers and I'm not. Condition of the embedded timber below cut elevation remains unknown. If shallow bedrock"},{"t":4374,"text":"exists, the new steel sleeve may reach refusal unexpectedly complicating installation. So my only hesitation with"},{"t":4382,"text":"this is unknowns usually mean greater cost. So, I I'm wondering if we're"},{"t":4389,"text":"our estimate and what we're providing for short-term borrowing if we need to be looking at a greater quantity. Um,"},{"t":4397,"text":"not like wanting to spend money, but rather than having to face this down the road when the costs come back and potentially escalating. If staff could"},{"t":4405,"text":"possibly through you to staff could could speak to whether this could be done, should be done, what their feelings are on it."},{"t":4412,"text":"Thank you. Should would it be appropriate um Mr. Edwards to turn to Mr. Murphy our director of engineering"},{"t":4420,"text":"or uh yes mayor that would be um preferred and I'm happy to speak to it if Mr. Murphy would like me to add anything."},{"t":4428,"text":"Good evening Mr. Murphy online."},{"t":4431,"text":"Good evening Mayor and councel. Uh so yes there's still unfortunately unknowns with this project. uh were were"},{"t":4441,"text":"advancing the consideration of this project uh significantly because of the deadline to apply for the the grant"},{"t":4450,"text":"program. So unfortunately there's still a lot of unknowns and and detailed planning that would come. Uh the grant"},{"t":4459,"text":"deadline is today. So from that perspective, the uh the grant portion of funding if"},{"t":4468,"text":"successful would most likely be capped at 300,000 if successful. Uh we would if"},{"t":4477,"text":"if the grant is successful, then we would, you know, accelerate review of this project and and move it forward uh more quickly than we might otherwise."},{"t":4488,"text":"And uh so certainly unfortunately there is a chance that there could be some"},{"t":4494,"text":"unknowns coming through and uh and might have to ask Mr. Hik here. But uh so we"},{"t":4502,"text":"would not proceed with the borrowing bylaw until we have more certainty in"},{"t":4510,"text":"the project itself. So the first step would be is the grant successful or not?"},{"t":4515,"text":"If the grant is successful, then we'll accelerate our review of the details of the project and then come back with a"},{"t":4522,"text":"further refined picture of of what's needed, including if hopefully not, but if uh we might need to ask for more"},{"t":4531,"text":"short-term borrowing on top of the grant contribution. Thank you, Mr. Murphy. I'll turn to Mr. Hik if you please."},{"t":4539,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Mayor. um short-term borrowing bylaw is not that ownorous and um I do plan on bringing it forward at"},{"t":4547,"text":"the 550 level for the next meeting just so we can um honestly say to the grant"},{"t":4554,"text":"administrators that we have taken the steps to put our portion of the funding in place."},{"t":4561,"text":"But by the time we hear about the application, um, this project should be"},{"t":4571,"text":"probably a little bit better planned and we might have some more certainty. And if sometime next year when we're ready to proceed, um, turns out that we need"},{"t":4580,"text":"more, it won't be that hard to uh, change the that bylaw or um, bring forward a bylaw for an additional amount."},{"t":4591,"text":"Well, I was just waiting to see if Mr."},{"t":4592,"text":"Edwards wanted to weigh in, but he's looking like he doesn't. So, no, thank you very much, staff. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you."},{"t":4602,"text":"Uh, sorry, councelor O'Keefe, please."},{"t":4605,"text":"Yeah, thanks. So, I just want through you confirm through staff. I understand the point that, you know, if we don't get the grant, we don't have to borrow the money. So, that's that that's good."},{"t":4616,"text":"Um I guess uh but if the grant is approved, we will be required to move"},{"t":4623,"text":"forward with the project no matter how much it costs and we will have to have that completed by 2027."},{"t":4631,"text":"Is that my turn to Mr. Hik."},{"t":4634,"text":"We are not under no obligation. We're not required to proceed with it. It's just we've applied on the basis that we"},{"t":4642,"text":"will be proceeding. So, it would be a bad look if we didn't, but as we um tried to point out through um"},{"t":4651,"text":"responses to council, h with the application having been submitted now, we will have time before"},{"t":4658,"text":"the next budget to come up with alternative funding sources. So, it we are not required to carry through just"},{"t":4666,"text":"because we have um grant application in or a um short-term borrowing bylaw in place. Okay."},{"t":4673,"text":"If I if I may, I just ask for clarification on on the question. The second part of the question was that it would proceed in 2027. Can staff speak"},{"t":4680,"text":"to what the uh what the options are in terms of the timing of it proceeding?"},{"t":4688,"text":"I understand that um the projects under this program can be completed prior to"},{"t":4695,"text":"2030, but until we see the specific um grant agreement, um I can't say for"},{"t":4702,"text":"certain when our deadline would be, but it it would be placed into the financial plan for 2027"},{"t":4709,"text":"um on the assumption that we might be ready ready to proceed, but I doubt we'll have to get it uh completed in that specific specific here."},{"t":4716,"text":"Thank you. I'll turn the floor back to you."},{"t":4718,"text":"Yeah. Okay. No, that's um help helpful helpful for me. I guess I I had the idea that once we're approved that we would"},{"t":4727,"text":"have to go forward no matter what. But it sounds like although it wouldn't be a good look for us to turn down the money that if we once getting the additional"},{"t":4736,"text":"information about how much longer we have um for that um for for the boat"},{"t":4743,"text":"launch, what the actual costs are. Um whether there's other projects that we could uh forego to help pay for that. Um"},{"t":4751,"text":"that I have a more comfortable feeling that we have those options. So, thank you for that."},{"t":4758,"text":"Thank you, councelor. Councelor Duck online, please."},{"t":4760,"text":"Yes. Thank you, mayor. Um, I will continue to remain opposed to this motion. Um, as I stated at committee of the whole, um, the requirement of the"},{"t":4769,"text":"grant is to cover 50% of the anticipated costs, which is it identified under under item number three of uh, $300,000."},{"t":4778,"text":"as was pointed out by councelor Garnett and echoed by Mr. Murphy. Um we don't know the cost of this project and item"},{"t":4786,"text":"number two um is gonna I I as councelor Garnet expect this to be more than that and I I suggest and I wanted to separate"},{"t":4794,"text":"this one out that we approach the long the short-term funding amount once we know more details about what that is in"},{"t":4803,"text":"terms of the grant. We've covered that under item number three with the $300,000 um short-term funding, but I don't want to put the um town on the"},{"t":4812,"text":"hook for uh $550,000 or more until we know more of the details on that. Thank you."},{"t":4818,"text":"Thank you, councelor. I'll turn to councelor Renul, then councelor Duncan."},{"t":4822,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. I to some extent reiterating councelor Duncan's comments with regards to this. U these are projects already in our financial plan."},{"t":4833,"text":"I understand that we don't have a finite number uh for the boat ramp undertaking."},{"t":4838,"text":"I don't know that we ever have a finite number when it comes to construction and construction costs and we move forward with projects on the basis that it's"},{"t":4846,"text":"municipal infrastructure that needs to be uh uh built and and we know that is the case with these infrastructure items. Now, someone's come along and"},{"t":4854,"text":"said, \"Hey, we're going to give you some money to help you out with it.\" Um so, I don't have a problem with supporting this. Uh I like the idea of applying for the grant and as councelor O'Keefe has"},{"t":4862,"text":"clarified u there's an opportunity for some some second thought on particular one of the projects as we move forward."},{"t":4868,"text":"So I'll support the motion. Thank you mayor. Thank you councelor Duncan."},{"t":4872,"text":"Yeah thank you. Uh I think I just wanted to add that um I I think my my colleagues concerns about there being escalating costs are are always valid."},{"t":4882,"text":"It's always good to keep in mind that there could be escalating costs. We do have two other docks that have been undergoing um exploration, you know, for"},{"t":4891,"text":"for for a while now. We did quite a lot of work for the Beacon Wararf um and and Fisherman's Wararf. And so I think while"},{"t":4898,"text":"the engineers have been uh very within their um professional scope of being of"},{"t":4905,"text":"saying as promising as little as they can so that they can credibly put their stamp on that and that they have not overpromised anything. Uh I think that"},{"t":4913,"text":"the likelihood that they're going to find something really um unexpected under there given the amount of work that we've had done before and how"},{"t":4920,"text":"familiar the town has been with the scope and and type of conditions that they're finding um in our marine environment. I feel it's it's going"},{"t":4929,"text":"likely to be far less of a surprise than we might expect based upon that. Um and that having been on the Beacon Warwarf committee uh when we knew that we"},{"t":4937,"text":"actually initially had started with this might be really big and expensive and this could could be you know very degraded because it's very old. um when"},{"t":4946,"text":"they actually did as they narrowed it down and and inspected more and more, the costs actually decreased and the condition of the dock improved to the"},{"t":4955,"text":"point where now when we're getting people going in and doing uh the check the checks every year, they're saying this is actually still in better condition than we expected it to be at"},{"t":4964,"text":"this stage. So, um I I think that I'm comfortable therefore going forward with uh that that what we have is not likely"},{"t":4973,"text":"to go um obscenely high or you know that it's just as likely to be uh be better"},{"t":4981,"text":"than we think it is and so I'm comfortable going forward. Thanks."},{"t":4985,"text":"Uh thank you. Um I spoke in support of this uh at the meeting last week and uh"},{"t":4992,"text":"I remain supportive and I I want to clarify one point that um was I don't know that it was crystal clear last week. I I think uh staff provided the"},{"t":4999,"text":"answer but but staff have provided it this evening and that is if we proceed we can staff will still bring back uh"},{"t":5008,"text":"this project the wararf project uh in 2027 or at the appropriate time. Passing"},{"t":5015,"text":"this series of resolutions does not commit uh the town does not commit us to"},{"t":5023,"text":"moving forward with the project if we're successful with the grant. uh staff will come back uh we will have the detailed"},{"t":5031,"text":"costs or more refined costs and uh the consider other cons any other considerations that need to be brought"},{"t":5038,"text":"forward. So, uh, I remain supportive of this. Um, with regards, it was clarified at the last meeting in terms of breaking"},{"t":5045,"text":"out the second recommendation, um, to, uh, with regards to the short-term borrowing of up to 550,000 and it was clarified by staff and I"},{"t":5053,"text":"would seek confirmation tonight that, uh, we cannot proceed with the application unless we also proceed with the second recommendation."},{"t":5061,"text":"I'll turn to Mr. Hik perhaps."},{"t":5067,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah, that's correct. We are not not um bound by this and ahead of the next"},{"t":5074,"text":"budget which will be presented in um early in the new year, we might come back with alternative funding sources"},{"t":5081,"text":"anyway, even if the borrowing bylaw has been adopted."},{"t":5084,"text":"Thank you. And for the public at large um who are uh hearing this for the first time um uh the town doesn't normally"},{"t":5093,"text":"proceed with doing a major cap approving a major carpet project midyear we have our budgeting process where we uh"},{"t":5101,"text":"approve an overall capital pro uh uh budget with a number of projects up to a 100 different projects. Uh but this has been brought forward by staff because"},{"t":5109,"text":"there is an opportunity to apply uh for a significant grant of about $500,000."},{"t":5115,"text":"Uh and staff have uh I think appropriate reasonably identified um the u uh the"},{"t":5121,"text":"boat launch uh as an important part of piece of infrastructure in our community, not just for recreational borders, but the RCMP will use it. Um the um uh fire department will use it."},{"t":5134,"text":"Uh First Nations use it. uh and uh it is important infrastructure. Uh and while"},{"t":5141,"text":"there are other projects bundled with this, this is to try to bring the maximum advantage to us that is support, financial support to us. Uh we will"},{"t":5150,"text":"consider the entire capital budget in 2027 are able to revisit the boat launch project, but all of these other projects uh that are indicated in the grant"},{"t":5159,"text":"application. I'll leave my comments there and uh seeing no further discussion. Oh, councelor Duck, please go ahead. Thank you, mayor. If then I"},{"t":5167,"text":"could get uh further clarification from staff through you just the difference between number two and number three, and that will help me. In number two,"},{"t":5175,"text":"there's we're looking for short-term borrowing of 550,000 and in number three, it references um 250,000 in"},{"t":5182,"text":"short-term uh borrowing. Are these one and the same? Is one part or the other?"},{"t":5187,"text":"As I understood it, the the requirement of $250 to $300,000 from the town to go forward for application of the grant was"},{"t":5196,"text":"all we had to show. And I'm just wondering if the two are combined or different. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hisl."},{"t":5202,"text":"Um Mr. Mayor, the um the larger amount is intended to cover the um eventuality that we are not successful [snorts] in"},{"t":5211,"text":"the grant just so it's brought forward as few times as possible and amended as few times as possible. But again, um it"},{"t":5219,"text":"doesn't bind us and it's just a way to keep it administratively simple. But but that as was stated at the last meeting"},{"t":5226,"text":"that is a requirement for the grant application to show that you are willing to fund the project or you have the capacity to fund the project and how you"},{"t":5234,"text":"will do that if your grant is not successful."},{"t":5238,"text":"Um the the requirement for the grant program is to um have a commitment for our 50% share. So, if it was simply for"},{"t":5247,"text":"that reason, it could be um brought for the lower amount, but because um I'm trying to cover us in case it we don't"},{"t":5257,"text":"um get the grant and we choose to move ahead regardless, then it's already in place."},{"t":5262,"text":"Thank you. Councelor Duck, you had the floor."},{"t":5265,"text":"No, that doesn't change my mind. Thank you. Thank you."},{"t":5269,"text":"Seeing no further discussion, I'll call the question. Those in favor?"},{"t":5273,"text":"Thank you. opposed. Councelor Duck is opposed. The motion carries. Uh councelor Novak, I'm turning back to you to proceed with recommendation four, please."},{"t":5282,"text":"Uh thank you, Mayor. And the next few recommendations uh regarding the barbank bikeway. the first recommendation and I"},{"t":5290,"text":"so move that staff bring forward to the next committee of the whole meeting a report that includes potential"},{"t":5298,"text":"alternative designs or approaches that could be considered for the Bower Bank Bikeway, a breakdown of the costs for"},{"t":5305,"text":"the different elements of the $516,000 spent on the B power B power B power B"},{"t":5310,"text":"power B power B power B power B power B power B power Bikeway and implications on the grant money received for the project if council opted to remove or change elements of"},{"t":5320,"text":"the bikeway, specifically traffic diversions at Calvin and Sidol. Second."},{"t":5327,"text":"Uh we have it moved and seconded by moved by councelor Novik, second by councelor Duck. I'll turn to the movers."},{"t":5333,"text":"Uh thank you, mayor. Uh this this is obviously a controversial issue. There are a number of people uh and groups"},{"t":5341,"text":"that are uh in favor of maintaining the Bower Bank bikeway as is. Uh there are also a number of people that are opposed"},{"t":5350,"text":"to maintaining it as is and would like to see some relief of the traffic congestion that has resulted from this."},{"t":5358,"text":"Uh I find myself in that latter group and would like to see uh at least a staff report coming back to us that"},{"t":5366,"text":"outlines some potential changes that could alleviate these problems."},{"t":5372,"text":"uh and once we see that report, we can then choose to either act on it or not."},{"t":5377,"text":"But I think that option should be put before us and uh I I think we also want to deal with some public engagement on"},{"t":5386,"text":"that to make sure that the public is behind us regardless of which direction we choose to move. I'll leave my comments there for now. Thank you."},{"t":5395,"text":"Thank you, Councelor Nov. Councelor Duck, please."},{"t":5398,"text":"Uh I can't uh but echo councelor Novak's comments and I think we just need to take a look at this again and see if we"},{"t":5405,"text":"can u increase the safety because certainly with the violations that are h happening at Kelvin and Bower Bank um we"},{"t":5412,"text":"need to find a safer way to make sure the traffic moving through that area."},{"t":5416,"text":"And secondarily, I I think um opening that street up with different traffic calming u methods would be a better way"},{"t":5424,"text":"to go and provide uh better use of that uh the neighborhood's uh traffic patterns. Thank you."},{"t":5431,"text":"Thank you, Councelor Duck. I'll turn to uh Councelor Duncan next."},{"t":5436,"text":"Yeah, thank you. I I'll vote against this again, and I voted against it last time, not because I think that um having this report uh is is a good idea to have"},{"t":5444,"text":"this report. I simply agree with uh councelor Ren Tulle's comments at the last meeting which is that um because this is that this is a political issue"},{"t":5453,"text":"and I think this is not we have one more month left in this council's term this will be rushing this report and uh and"},{"t":5460,"text":"staff's work and I know that since so many of the candidates will be having wholesome discussions and probably quite"},{"t":5468,"text":"a lot of door knockocking uh they'll they'll come up with lots more stuff that a lot of what may be asked for by council to be in in this report um will"},{"t":5478,"text":"potentially additional things will come forward and so this may be duplicative as well that even if this comes forward and quite a lot of this information"},{"t":5485,"text":"that's been requested is good information and would be in that there will be other things too um and I'd rather that that waited until afterwards"},{"t":5493,"text":"when undoubtedly the new council will want to do this um and just that further for I think you know the public's the"},{"t":5502,"text":"public's knowledge we spent dozens of hours, I think, talking about this in council. Absolutely dozens. So,"},{"t":5510,"text":"I can understand why, uh, most people have not actually watched those videos."},{"t":5514,"text":"Um, and even more have never read the report. Um, and so they don't know all of the steps about why this was done the"},{"t":5523,"text":"way it was and the decisions were made the way they were because it was such a long process. Um but uh part of why we"},{"t":5532,"text":"did this because all municipalities were looking at these active transportation plans were something we needed to do."},{"t":5539,"text":"Adding bikeways is something the municipal governments were looking at and this was the least bad option in in"},{"t":5547,"text":"Sydney because we have such a strangely built little town with a highway that goes now through the middle of it. Um,"},{"t":5554,"text":"and so if we wanted to pilot building out more of this type of infrastructure in Sydney, uh, this was where we were we"},{"t":5561,"text":"were going to do it. And part of our criteria for when we were having this designed was to make sure that we put as"},{"t":5569,"text":"little hard infrastructure that would in fact be difficult to pull out in the end in place. And which is why there are so"},{"t":5577,"text":"many of those ballards and poles everywhere when if you look at a lot of other bike lanes and other municipalities, you'll probably see a"},{"t":5584,"text":"lot more um you know, cement barriers and and poured concrete. And we we knew that um in trying to do this, there may"},{"t":5592,"text":"well be a lot of things that once it was actually tried on the ground would not work well, but we really we wanted to"},{"t":5599,"text":"see. And so uh we knew that that future councils and after you know a few years"},{"t":5608,"text":"of maybe people trying this and it looks like people have abs they they never intended to give it a try. So um"},{"t":5614,"text":"reviewing pulling parts of it out uh we knew could be necessary and that it it"},{"t":5622,"text":"may may well be the the best thing for the town. And so none of this is is surprising or unexpected or un"},{"t":5630,"text":"entirely unplanned for by staff. Um, and so hopefully within that long conversation, our new staff and and"},{"t":5639,"text":"other staff that are here can can pull out what was what was discussed before"},{"t":5645,"text":"[laughter]"},{"t":5646,"text":"with the help maybe of council. Um, but in in in the meantime, uh, while I think"},{"t":5653,"text":"much of this may be worthy work, uh, I would like to leave it for the next council to do. Thanks."},{"t":5658,"text":"Thank you, Councelor Duncan. Councelor O'Keefe."},{"t":5661,"text":"Uh, thanks. So, um, no surprise. I'm still in favor to see this, uh, move forward. Um, and, you know, reflecting"},{"t":5670,"text":"again about, um, this being the least bad option. Um, and things in the active transportation plan, this was the least"},{"t":5679,"text":"favored option in the active transportation plan in terms of cycling options. And in terms and as councelor"},{"t":5688,"text":"uh, Duncan it out. We had talked about having infrastructure or things that could be e easily removed and we always"},{"t":5696,"text":"planned to have staff report back to us in the fall of of this year and so that's what's happening. I don't feel"},{"t":5706,"text":"like you know we've we've fast we've we've fasttracked the report coming out because we asked for that last year for"},{"t":5714,"text":"the report to come out in September. So that's exactly what staff have done. Um so I think it's reasonable once you know"},{"t":5722,"text":"when we got the report last week on how the traffic patterns have have changed."},{"t":5727,"text":"Um and we have continued to have letters come in throughout the year about Bower Bank and the challenges that's presenting to the surrounding residents."},{"t":5737,"text":"So I think it's reasonable having had that traffic study report to go to staff to consider what other options they"},{"t":5745,"text":"might be and to have that come back. um September 20th. Uh staff didn't indicate"},{"t":5751,"text":"that that would be uh ownorous. Um and I don't know that perhaps we won't make"},{"t":5758,"text":"the decision before the election. I don't know. We'll have to see what that report is. But I think it's worthwhile"},{"t":5766,"text":"to to get the information. And if at that time more information is needed, well, it might get pushed to the next"},{"t":5773,"text":"term. But I think um the timeline that we're on, it's coincidental. Yeah, that is part of the election, but um I think"},{"t":5782,"text":"it's part of a time frame that we kind of anticipated last year. Anyways, so I'm happy to continue to support it."},{"t":5790,"text":"Thank you."},{"t":5791,"text":"Thank you, councelor Councelor. Thank you, Mayor. Um"},{"t":5797,"text":"yeah, I don't support uh the motion for a number of reasons. Number one, I'm I'm happy to acknowledge and and I've come"},{"t":5806,"text":"and not before my colleagues have also spoken to it. You know, this project, if you look at where we had received, I think perhaps anecdotally the most u"},{"t":5814,"text":"concern in Sydney around speed on residential roads. Um power bank had to top that list. Siddle u you know chronic"},{"t":5821,"text":"concerns from residents there. This project has helped you know alleviate u much of that and reducing speed frankly"},{"t":5830,"text":"adds to pedestrian safety, bicycle safety um you know everyone sharing that that roadway. So um you know I'm really"},{"t":5838,"text":"really pleased to see that. Are there elements of this that perhaps should be uh revisited overall and perhaps some of"},{"t":5845,"text":"the traffic diversions? Absolutely. I don't think anyone is saying uh you know we implemented this you know not with"},{"t":5853,"text":"prospect of of uh looking at it with a critical eye to make sure it's a success in in as many aspects as as possible."},{"t":5861,"text":"Having said that, um one of my colleagues referred to, you know, we expected this report to come in September because we asked it uh for it to come in September and and and we did."},{"t":5871,"text":"We wanted the traffic study. We wanted the feedback. that doesn't mean that um our staff were uh prepared to provide as"},{"t":5879,"text":"the motion reads potential alternative designs."},{"t":5884,"text":"Uh and we'll approve that at our council meeting on Monday and have that agenda out on Thursday with those potential"},{"t":5892,"text":"alternative designs because that's what's happening here. Now, you know, if my boss comes in my office and says, \"Give me your report in a week.\" I'm"},{"t":5899,"text":"going to try and do it. What's the quality of that report? If I'm given three days to do it in terms of council's instruction, I don't think"},{"t":5907,"text":"it's going to be great. I might use chat GPT and it might help me out, but I I feel like uh that's the element of this"},{"t":5915,"text":"that I find frustrating. We have a grantup supported project. We have some"},{"t":5922,"text":"feedback from residents where there's concerns. We're hearing this council acknowledge, yeah, I think we can make it better for all parties and and let's"},{"t":5931,"text":"work towards that. Certainly during this election cycle, you're not going to hear anyone say much different than that that this can be made better. So why are we"},{"t":5939,"text":"tasking staff who was correctly noted acknowledged, you know, they could bring something forward uh to have this"},{"t":5946,"text":"discussion uh at this in this junction of time. I I don't feel like we have"},{"t":5953,"text":"tked uh staff or ourselves frankly with um an undertaking that's going to be successful given that timeline."},{"t":5962,"text":"Um you know here's what I see something coming back and you know seven people sitting up here who are not traffic"},{"t":5969,"text":"engineers taking a look at those uh pieces of feedback and making uh decisions on behalf of the community or"},{"t":5976,"text":"maybe deferring it till later possibly after the election when this can be addressed more wholesomely. Why support this motion tonight? You know, let's"},{"t":5984,"text":"acknowledge that there's improvements that can be made uh and let's do it in a more I think uh wholesome manner as"},{"t":5992,"text":"opposed to now trying to get something back from staff on Thursday of this week when the agenda comes out. Thank you, Mayor."},{"t":5999,"text":"Thank you, councelor. I'll turn to councelor Ganette."},{"t":6002,"text":"Thank you, mayor. Um thank you for u colleagues for your points. Um I think as councelor O'Keefe"},{"t":6012,"text":"had mentioned and I I believe myself and the mayor might have mentioned it when this whole process first started that this would always be revisited. There would be data collected. There would be"},{"t":6020,"text":"discussions to be had on what what if what and if any changes might be necessary or tweaks to what the plan was. This was always the plan. Uh"},{"t":6028,"text":"somehow that got lost in the shuffle. I don't know in the public eye they just thought this was boom it's done. It's forever. Uh that was never intimated in"},{"t":6036,"text":"any of the conversations. So I I think that the motion is reasonable in that context. And while I understand that is a bit of a short time frame. Um knowing"},{"t":6045,"text":"what I know about Mr. Murphy, our director of engineering, in the short time I've gotten to know him, I'm I'm I'm betting he's already working on that and probably was the day after our"},{"t":6053,"text":"meeting last week. So I I I do have confidence that he'll come back with something. What is it going to be perfect? No. Uh but it's a it's a discussion point. It's a starting point."},{"t":6062,"text":"It's a if you will, it'll it's a direction to take and I think um yeah, maybe it won't be this council that makes that decision, but it will provide"},{"t":6071,"text":"direction for the next council if it if it doesn't. And so, you know, we'll have done some groundwork and given them a pathway forward when they're when"},{"t":6078,"text":"they're if it gets to the point where next council has to decide. So, I'm comfortable following the motion. Thank you."},{"t":6084,"text":"Thank you. I do see councelor Duck as a second time speaker, but if I uh may speak as a first time speaker uh first. Um thank you councel. There"},{"t":6093,"text":"are differing views in the community on the Bower Bank Bikeway and there are differing views on council on how we should proceed uh with the concerns that"},{"t":6101,"text":"are uh have been presented to us over time uh by uh by our community by the public. Um and we have a pro we have a"},{"t":6109,"text":"recommendation that is that is a process or an option for a process forward. Um last week when I spoke on the matter I I"},{"t":6117,"text":"I spoke for for a little bit about cost benefit in terms of what our intentions were in creating the the bio bank bike"},{"t":6124,"text":"way and and um how successful we may have been to date um and speaking to some of the some of the concerns. Um,"},{"t":6133,"text":"one of the things that has been touched on this evening, and we didn't really speak to it last week, is it's important that we approach this from uh the top"},{"t":6142,"text":"that we have an active transportation plan. We have an approved active transportation plan which pres um has uh"},{"t":6149,"text":"approximately 10 uh bikeways or protected bike lanes to connect uh to provide a connected uh uh connected"},{"t":6158,"text":"routes uh north south in Sydney and and east west."},{"t":6162,"text":"Um this was the first uh of the uh of the elements that we moved forward with."},{"t":6168,"text":"Uh when the u uh when the act of transportation plan came forward, the recommendation from the consultant was actually to move forward with protected"},{"t":6176,"text":"bike lanes um uh north south on on Fifth Street uh between Sydney Avenue and uh"},{"t":6183,"text":"and Ocean and to proceed with protected bike lanes on Bevon. uh council at that time uh felt that that was uh and the"},{"t":6192,"text":"and I believe it was close to the third option was the Bowerbank uh bike way which had a connection between schools."},{"t":6198,"text":"So we chose this we understood at the time that it would be a learning experience uh and that we would have the report that's come forward uh a year"},{"t":6206,"text":"later uh to date. I think uh council not this evening um and unless we want to proceed down the path uh needs to have a"},{"t":6214,"text":"conversation about where the power bank bikeway where in our in our priorities or the priorities for the community the power bank bikeway fits in the active"},{"t":6222,"text":"transportation plan. There are other elements to the active transportation plan that we have moved forward with with regards to improvements at intersections and crosswalks. some of"},{"t":6230,"text":"those inventory significant um and as well as inter sorry intersection and crosswalk improvements and sidewalk"},{"t":6238,"text":"improvements and some of those are very substantial. There will be sidewalks on some busy roads and avenues that don't have a sidewalk on either side of the"},{"t":6246,"text":"street. Um so the bikeways bike lanes are are the third element. Uh a fourth element was education and awareness uh"},{"t":6253,"text":"which we've I think only only begun or started on that uh in the community because We are looking uh to um uh try"},{"t":6263,"text":"to create mode share. We have a congested community with uh with vehicles and we wanted to create um a safe community for for all users,"},{"t":6272,"text":"pedestrians, cyclists, uh rollers as it were uh as well as the uh those in in vehic in motorized vehicles. Um so I"},{"t":6282,"text":"think there needs to be a larger discussion. Is it reasonable? You know, this this recommendation is is as general as it can get. potential"},{"t":6290,"text":"alternative designs or approaches that could be considered for the Bower Bank Bikeway. Well, that could be a short list or that could be a long list that"},{"t":6297,"text":"staff is able to provide uh over the next few days uh before it goes to the agenda on Thursday. Uh we've given no"},{"t":6305,"text":"further direction to that. So if I was to offer a comment, uh given the feedback that we've had, uh first we"},{"t":6312,"text":"have to decide as I said last week, um do we want to maintain a aaa bikeway uh"},{"t":6318,"text":"given the and and try to achieve the traffic volumes and the speeds uh that"},{"t":6325,"text":"are uh that are um uh are are required to use the term uh AAA bikeway. Um there"},{"t":6333,"text":"are bikeways uh elsewhere uh in the region, probably elsewhere in in in the province that are bikeways, but they're"},{"t":6340,"text":"not AAA bikeways. And so, you know, can we consider uh a bike way on Bower Bank or through through that Bower Bank"},{"t":6347,"text":"corridor because it does involve a couple of other streets um that is not AAA, but it still serves as a bike way."},{"t":6355,"text":"Uh could still serve as a route for um the the presenter last week came forward and and was in a um I want to use the"},{"t":6364,"text":"word taxi but not taxi is not the right word a bike bus you know for uh for for students in in the morning and the afternoon I think that's a that's that's"},{"t":6373,"text":"a great idea um does it have to be the bike way that we have today or could it be a bike way uh with with differences a"},{"t":6380,"text":"nice so I would say that you know one of the considerations is if we if we were to move the the traffic diversion"},{"t":6386,"text":"elements at at Ardwell and or PC Kelvin and uh and and said, \"Oh, could we uh could we still maintain a good bikeway?"},{"t":6395,"text":"Uh that would be of benefit there, but also uh lead to uh to continuing the uh the bikeways uh routes that we have in"},{"t":6403,"text":"our active transportation plan. I don't know that staff can do that uh or I I mean, I'm just exploring a couple of options. There are other options. I"},{"t":6411,"text":"don't know whether that can be done in a in a in a good way uh for staff's or for council's consideration at a community"},{"t":6418,"text":"meeting. Um I might suggest an alternative given that we have two future meetings on September 28th and"},{"t":6425,"text":"October the 5th. Um I think in any event whether we have information come forward uh next week at next week's committee of"},{"t":6433,"text":"the whole which will then automatically go to the council of the 28th. We're not going to be giving direction uh at the committee of the whole that's that staff"},{"t":6441,"text":"proceed with until the council meeting of the 28th. um even if it comes forward, even if a report of this nature comes forward on the 28th or October the"},{"t":6450,"text":"5th, this council is not going to institute uh because we have said we would want to do and I think a majority"},{"t":6457,"text":"of us has have spoken last week and a little bit this week that um however we proceed particularly if we're going to proceed with changes is we need to do"},{"t":6466,"text":"engagement uh with uh with with the community at large and certainly with the neighborhood that's been affected and provided us with uh with feedback."},{"t":6474,"text":"So, uh, I'm reluctant to, uh, to support the motion. It's not that I don't support, uh, exploring changes and considerations and proceeding with"},{"t":6482,"text":"engagement, uh, with the with the neighborhood in the community at large."},{"t":6486,"text":"Uh, but I don't think the the best path forward is to give staff a few days to bring a sketch of some of some options"},{"t":6493,"text":"uh, and us spending a lot more time asking questions about what what other options or options on those options might be uh, at a committee level to"},{"t":6501,"text":"then go to the 28th. I'll leave my comments there. I'm now going to second time speakers. Councelor Duck, please."},{"t":6507,"text":"Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for that outline because I think it identifies we have been moving forward on this. This is not a rush, as my colleagues have"},{"t":6515,"text":"pointed out that we've been collecting data from the streets and the traffics and and at this point, the barbank bike way does not meet AAA standard because"},{"t":6524,"text":"the speeds are still not low as required. And yet, we have a a motion further down on the agenda that will address that part as well. Also in the"},{"t":6533,"text":"past few months and I think it was early this spring um staff brought forward the option for neighbors neighborhoods to put in traffic calming. So we have the"},{"t":6542,"text":"mechanism now for neighborhoods to identify different trafficcoming uh ways in which they can slow down traffic in their neighborhood which the barb folks"},{"t":6550,"text":"can do. I think the the reason we're looking at this the data collected was to identify and see if we are AAA and"},{"t":6557,"text":"we've met it in terms of traffic volume but not in terms of traffic speed. So we have to look at other traffic coming"},{"t":6564,"text":"anyway and I think that this motion um brings forward those next steps to look at that. Are we going to come with a"},{"t":6572,"text":"solution in two weeks? uh we may because we already have these in the in the hopper relative to different neighborhoods looking into trafficcoming"},{"t":6580,"text":"and I think our staff will be very competent and bring forward suggestions if they can and feel it's uh does fit with the the the neighborhood and I"},{"t":6588,"text":"think as the mayor's indicated that engagement is most important to find out what people want to do with this neighborhood and with the active"},{"t":6596,"text":"transportation plan which could be a longer process when we review our plans in the next council for the council does"},{"t":6603,"text":"look at that. So I continue to support this motion. Thank you. Thank you, councelor."},{"t":6610,"text":"I'm not s counselor Duncan for a second time."},{"t":6612,"text":"Yeah, I I think just briefly um because we've been discussing the the AAA requirements that the the point we"},{"t":6620,"text":"have for an upcoming recommendation that we will be establishing a new speed limit on this road. It"},{"t":6627,"text":"currently is 30 and posted as 30. and our data showed us that people drive 40."},{"t":6634,"text":"um which I think brings up as as many have brought up the idea that we need public engagement on this has been a"},{"t":6641,"text":"thorny issue for me actually as my term in government has continued on about how we seek engagement what we actually ask"},{"t":6650,"text":"people and then what we do with that information like whether it's considered as like the writ of God itself or"},{"t":6658,"text":"herself or whether we take it into consideration um because what What we've learned is that when you ask people who already"},{"t":6667,"text":"knowingly speed whether they like having structures that make them slow down, it turns out they don't."},{"t":6678,"text":"And so I don't know how future councils I I would prefer to leave up to them to figure out how to then make people happy"},{"t":6687,"text":"when you know uh they already uh don't intend to follow the existing"},{"t":6695,"text":"plan uh and how you uh what it what it means then when those"},{"t":6702,"text":"people refuse to to follow additional ones. And so, yeah, I I I I I"},{"t":6711,"text":"think maybe further public engagement is is something even though I vote against this and and hopefully people will will when they come forward with"},{"t":6720,"text":"this uh report uh and actions later, we'll"},{"t":6726,"text":"think about it. But I I hope uh what is considered is um"},{"t":6734,"text":"how incorporate engagement in a way that is uh useful and um"},{"t":6743,"text":"not disingenuous. I guess I can't think of a positive way to put that. Thanks. Thank you, counselor."},{"t":6750,"text":"Not seeing any future uh any further discussion. I'll look to call the question. All those in favor of the recommendation."},{"t":6757,"text":"Thank you. Opposed uh councelor Duncan uh myself and councelor tool or opposed. The motion"},{"t":6765,"text":"carries. Uh thank you councel for the discussion."},{"t":6770,"text":"Uh councelor Novak, I'm turning back to you for recommendation number five, please."},{"t":6776,"text":"Thank you, mayor. Uh the fifth recommendation and I so move that the Bowerbank bikeway corridor speed limit"},{"t":6782,"text":"be established as says as 30 kilometers per hour."},{"t":6792,"text":"I'll also I'll second or councelor Duck seconds it. I'll turn to the movers."},{"t":6799,"text":"Um, thank you, mayor. U, we've just had the discussion about this. My colleague suggested that the the the speed limit"},{"t":6808,"text":"is already 30 miles an hour, I think, or kilometers an hour. I think we simply want to ensure that a it remains that"},{"t":6815,"text":"way and b that it's enforced so that the signs actually have some meaning and"},{"t":6821,"text":"will provide the level of safety that we need and allow that bike route to become a AAA bike route if necessary. Thanks."},{"t":6831,"text":"Thank you, councelor D. Yeah, I think this uh motion was brought forward to um confirm it's 30 kilometers an hour as it"},{"t":6839,"text":"was a feeder road and um it was although may have had signage that said 30 km an"},{"t":6845,"text":"hour the actual um u posted speed limit could be up to 50 km an hour because that had yet to be changed. So I think"},{"t":6852,"text":"this is just a correction of um in terms of the signage"},{"t":6859,"text":"uh matching the actual designation of the street. Thank you."},{"t":6865,"text":"Thank you. So um I I'm going to actually just uh seek clarification through staff. So um and and I'm going to pose a"},{"t":6873,"text":"question through to staff and that is um council is aware that this posted speed limit that is signs on power bank R30K."},{"t":6882,"text":"Do staff have an indication of how long we understand it's been a number of years but do do staff have any indication of how long it's been posted at 30?"},{"t":6893,"text":"Might turn to Mr. Murphy."},{"t":6898,"text":"Uh unfortunately I don't know. So, unless one of the longer serving members knows."},{"t":6906,"text":"Yeah, thank you. It's it's it's it's not an urgent question. I'm sorry I didn't ask it earlier today um in advance of the meeting, but um uh but it has been"},{"t":6915,"text":"posted for for a number for for some time. And the situation is is that we brought forward a new bylaw which"},{"t":6922,"text":"specifies the speed limits that are less than 50k in the community which is a provincial requirement uh that we do uh"},{"t":6930,"text":"by virtue of bylaw. So, the intention of this motion when staff brought it forward was to have the posted speed"},{"t":6936,"text":"limit align with um or sorry, have the posted speed limit included in the bylaw, but also we were bringing forward"},{"t":6945,"text":"the power bank bikeway and um for aa bikeway it was to reduce"},{"t":6952,"text":"the speed to 30k. So, there was two parts uh to that."},{"t":6958,"text":"Any further discussion? Councelor Duncan, you had your hand up."},{"t":6961,"text":"Uh, no, thank you. I was just going to uh get get staff to clarify that that that uh the speed limit we established"},{"t":6968,"text":"is 30 is in the bylaw in our in our written bylaw that we are changing. Not not not established on signs. The signs are already there. It's our written"},{"t":6976,"text":"bylaw that we are changing. I'm certain nobody consults before they drive. Thank you."},{"t":6983,"text":"Thank you. Any further discussion? Uh, seeing none. All in favor?"},{"t":6988,"text":"That carries unanimous. Thank you. Uh, councelor Novik. Uh, on the sixth recommendation, please."},{"t":6994,"text":"Uh, thank you, Mayor. The recommendation is, and I so move that the following motion be referred to a future committee"},{"t":7000,"text":"of the whole meeting. Quote, that Rest Haven Drive between Mills Road and McDonald Park Road be established as 40 kilometers per hour. Close quote."},{"t":7013,"text":"Second."},{"t":7014,"text":"Seconded by councelor Gett. Any discussion?"},{"t":7017,"text":"Uh, again, we had a big discussion about that last week, so I have nothing further to add. Thank you."},{"t":7024,"text":"Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, those in favor."},{"t":7029,"text":"Thank you. Opposed? Not opposed. That carries. And the last recommendation, please."},{"t":7033,"text":"Thank you, mayor. Uh, the recommendation is, and I so move that the tax distribution policy be referred to the next committee of the whole meeting."},{"t":7042,"text":"Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Seeing none. Oh, sorry. To the next."},{"t":7048,"text":"Yes, the next committee to hold. Thank you. Uh, all in favor? Uh, that carries unanimous. Thank you."},{"t":7053,"text":"Uh, councelor, we're just going into staff reports. I will call a recess until 5 after 8. Uh, and we'll start promptly then. Thank you."},{"t":7545,"text":"Okay, we'll look to uh reconvene our meeting now, please."},{"t":7551,"text":"We're reconvening at 8:05. Uh we're turning to section 13, staff reports. Uh the first under item 13A is the renewal"},{"t":7559,"text":"of lease and operating agreement for the Shaw Center for the CLC. Uh we have a report and I'll turn to Mr. Hik, our director of finance."},{"t":7568,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The town's initial 20-year lease agreement with the new Marine Centers Society"},{"t":7575,"text":"uh who operate the Shaw Center for the Salish Sea is slated to expire on August 31st of next year, less than 12 months"},{"t":7583,"text":"from now. The society is seeking renewal now to provide them with much needed certainty for continuing operations."},{"t":7592,"text":"This new version of the lease agreement incorporates the annual ongoing funding commitment approved by council with the"},{"t":7599,"text":"2025 budget as well as the corresponding financial reporting requirements."},{"t":7605,"text":"A renewed agreement was presented with an initial term of 10 years along with a 10-year extension."},{"t":7612,"text":"The key parameters of of the lease have been highlighted in the staff report, including the fact that the town funding"},{"t":7619,"text":"has been set at 1.4% of property taxes as previously directed by council. I'd be pleased to address any additional questions. Thank you."},{"t":7629,"text":"Uh thank you. Uh before I turn to questions, councelor Ganette."},{"t":7632,"text":"Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I I would move that we would invite uh Shaw Senator Representatives in into the meeting to answer questions. I'll take that as u a"},{"t":7641,"text":"motion and we have a seconder. All in favor."},{"t":7645,"text":"Uh that carries. Thank you. And uh so we will now turn to questions either of uh staff or representatives from uh the"},{"t":7654,"text":"Marines the Discovery Center. Uh who would councelor O'Keefe?"},{"t":7659,"text":"Uh thank you. Um through you to to staff. Um if we have any info in regards"},{"t":7666,"text":"to the percent of tax revenue or roughly that we contribute to other uh community"},{"t":7675,"text":"organizations like Mary Winspear Center, the museum um Artsy,"},{"t":7684,"text":"I know Mary Windspear Center I think is a a percentage of tax revenue and I believe the other two were just set"},{"t":7692,"text":"amounts, but I'm not sure what those set amounts uh sort of equate to in terms of rough percentage of tax revenue."},{"t":7705,"text":"Uh through the mayor, the um Memorial Park Society currently receives 3%."},{"t":7712,"text":"Um Sydney Museum and Archives, it's not a percentage of taxes. Uh as the counselor pointed out, it's by"},{"t":7719,"text":"agreement. it equates to um including the strata fees and operating"},{"t":7725,"text":"costs approximately 1% and artsy is considerably less uh but they'll be coming forward later this fall with their own renewal."},{"t":7735,"text":"Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions?"},{"t":7744,"text":"Not seeing any questions. Uh councelor Keefe."},{"t":7748,"text":"Um I get maybe through through uh the uh the representative from the center. So"},{"t":7755,"text":"um I understand the you know wanting to uh to feel settled and and all that and"},{"t":7763,"text":"um I'm just wondering if we were to you know the renewal is it is uh slated"},{"t":7772,"text":"till for August currently. Um, and if we decided we we did want to leave it to"},{"t":7779,"text":"the new council and allow them the opportunity to review the new five-year budget, you know, would that have"},{"t":7788,"text":"significant impact on your operations to just, you know, delay it for a few months to give a new council the"},{"t":7796,"text":"opportunity to to get familiar with you and understand what you guys are doing?"},{"t":7804,"text":"Um, good question. Um, I'm just going to refer back to Mr. Hissik's notes a little bit here, but the reason why we"},{"t":7812,"text":"we wanted to bring it forward and it has been several months of of discussions and uh deep engagement by a couple of"},{"t":7821,"text":"our board members. Our board did pass a motion that we could of course come like we're okay with the version that"},{"t":7829,"text":"you you have in your package. um we wanted to bring it to this council because we've had experience with this council and because it's already less"},{"t":7837,"text":"than a year away. So there's a lot of nervousness around um having some security and and I I mean I think when I"},{"t":7846,"text":"first stood before you folks some years back now almost eight um we weren't feeling terribly secure and"},{"t":7855,"text":"we weren't planning very far ahead and we have changed that story for our our planning for our team and for our"},{"t":7864,"text":"future. So, it would it would be very stressful for our team. I think it would would change some long-term thinking."},{"t":7875,"text":"Um, I don't have direction from my board and how I would answer this question. So, I'm freestyling as you can imagine."},{"t":7882,"text":"uh but uh this has been sort of on our board's mind for for at least a year and"},{"t":7889,"text":"we have the right board members in place that brought it forward and and worked on it for I'd say at least three months"},{"t":7897,"text":"of discussion from the beginning. So it's it's not been just thrown together."},{"t":7901,"text":"So the first lease was 20 years and so this this made sense and uh if we could"},{"t":7908,"text":"have put the effort in earlier we probably would have come to you sooner."},{"t":7912,"text":"So that's how I'm going to answer your question O'Keefe."},{"t":7919,"text":"Sorry, just to uh sorry, just to uh you did speak during um public participation and you made"},{"t":7927,"text":"reference to the very significant I think that might have been your term fundraising campaign and you feel this would be uh"},{"t":7936,"text":"would be helpful to have this in place with visav that fundraising campaign and approaching donors. Yes, thank you so much. Um, absolutely."},{"t":7945,"text":"We have already found that big granters and and substantive donors are looking for more security. A there's a lot of"},{"t":7953,"text":"charities and not forprofits out there that do own their own buildings. Um, you know, there's pros and cons to that."},{"t":7959,"text":"We're so grateful to have this incredible location to to to serve our mission. Um, but those funders want to know about our lease. They want to know"},{"t":7967,"text":"about our security. uh as well. Um I do have a a board member who would like to respond."},{"t":7974,"text":"We we welcome that."},{"t":7976,"text":"Excellent. Lori, if you could just provide your name, please."},{"t":7981,"text":"I'm Lori Henderson. I sit on the board and help work on the lease here, but I think you started to get to the issue that I was going to raise, which is"},{"t":7988,"text":"simply that in the next seven months, we're still trying to get grants. We're still trying to get funding from other sources. And if they ask, do you have a lease?"},{"t":7998,"text":"six months, four months, three months, two, sorry, come back when you actually have a lease, it's longer and there's a potential that we could lose some of"},{"t":8006,"text":"that funding. So, I think there is a good reason for us to move ahead with it now. I I I certainly agree with what Pauline has said, but I think in terms"},{"t":8014,"text":"of the stability of the center and being able to continue to access funding, it's important for us to be able to say with"},{"t":8022,"text":"confidence, we have this lease. It's new. We're good for a certain amount of time. Um and uh we're happy to work with the funders on that basis."},{"t":8033,"text":"Can uh yeah, just to follow up. Yeah, I understand that that makes sense. I'm wondering um you know whether you know a"},{"t":8043,"text":"time period of less than 10 years would still be sufficient you know like three years or four years just to I mean my"},{"t":8051,"text":"own thinking is to at least give the next council some opportunity to as I"},{"t":8058,"text":"say get familiar with the center and and weigh in. So whether an amount less than 10 years um you know going to"},{"t":8068,"text":"potential donors with a a lease that was maybe three years. Um whether that might"},{"t":8074,"text":"be some sort of compromise or Sorry, counselor. I'm I'm I'm I'm going to comment on the question and that is"},{"t":8081,"text":"it it's a bit of negotiation with the with the applicant. I think we should they've made the request. Okay."},{"t":8088,"text":"Uh we have asked questions in terms of the the intention of the request and uh I don't think we should try to negotiate."},{"t":8096,"text":"Okay. is just a question. But that's fine. That's all. Then thank you. I'm sorry. Did I miss uh"},{"t":8104,"text":"someone online? Uh councelor Duck or Councelor Ro? No."},{"t":8109,"text":"Any further questions for staff or the uh representatives? Not seeing any."},{"t":8114,"text":"Thank you very much for staying and taking your questions. Uh and we do have a recommendation. Councelor Gnap, please."},{"t":8122,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. I move the recommendation that the 10-year January 1st, 2027 to December 31st, 2036 lease and operating agreement between the town"},{"t":8130,"text":"and the new Marine Center society for continuing operation of the SHA center for the sale be approved subject to a notice being published in the newspaper."},{"t":8139,"text":"Second moved in second. I'll turn to the movers."},{"t":8141,"text":"Yeah. Thank you, mayor. Um, being the leazison of the Shaw Center, I've seen this process play out. Um, and thank you"},{"t":8149,"text":"to staff and particularly Mr. His for for working with the uh with the board and the executive director. Uh it has been a fairly lengthy process that"},{"t":8158,"text":"they've they've uh undertaken. Um and as um the board member uh Lori Henderson had mentioned, it's uh it is about"},{"t":8167,"text":"stability. It is about letting the the larger donors know that their their donation will be is going to go to"},{"t":8174,"text":"something that lasts. And it's an important consideration for grant funding as well. So it's well it may seem like August is only a few months"},{"t":8181,"text":"away as was mentioned that those are opportunities and one of the things we laid out for metrics I think when we started way back when was find other"},{"t":8190,"text":"financing and other other funding sources and this is this is a way to continue the the possibilities for that to happen so that the center you know"},{"t":8198,"text":"hopefully in time will you know this kind of agreement won't be necessary and and they'll be able to fund everything on their own but you know this is you"},{"t":8205,"text":"know a way to a path of stability and it's it's an organization that provides huge indirect benefits to our community economically and um"},{"t":8214,"text":"educationally. So, um I think it's important for us to provide them with that stability and to let them know that the council supports what they do at the center. Thank you, Mayor."},{"t":8224,"text":"Thank you, Council Tuls. The second Yeah, thank you, Mayor. I concur uh completely with councelor Garnett's uh"},{"t":8231,"text":"comments. Uh you know and further to those perhaps just to you know add to them. Uh the question you know was"},{"t":8239,"text":"raised or brought forward from the applicant with respect to uh a sense of familiarity with this council. I think that's important. I think it's important"},{"t":8246,"text":"because we've seen uh some of the the challenges that this group has has overcome, frankly, have have faced and"},{"t":8254,"text":"have addressed head on and and never hid them never hid them from this council or the community what those challenges"},{"t":8261,"text":"were, but came forward and uh looked to work with the town for some initial stability to be able to move forward and then uh went out to the community and"},{"t":8269,"text":"sought their support. And as councelor Garnett noted, um this attracts people to our community,"},{"t":8276,"text":"people who spend their uh dollars, um in our town, u not just at this uh center, but uh throughout the the community."},{"t":8286,"text":"It's a great attraction for families uh and for visitors uh from from far and wide. And so, uh, I'm really, really"},{"t":8296,"text":"pleased that you came forward with this opportunity for this council to grant you with the type of stability that you need to send the message to your staff,"},{"t":8304,"text":"to your volunteers, to your board, um, that the town of Sydney is is fully supportive of the work you're doing and appreciative. Thank you, mayor."},{"t":8312,"text":"Thank you."},{"t":8314,"text":"I have councelor Novik online, then I have councelor Keefe and councelor Duck. Thank you."},{"t":8319,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I'm fully supportive of this. Um, I I think it's a wonderful uh asset and as councelor"},{"t":8327,"text":"Intoul stated, a tourist draw for the town and uh I think we'd be sad uh to"},{"t":8334,"text":"see it go or to do anything that would perhaps hasten its demise. Uh but that having been said, I I do have a question"},{"t":8342,"text":"which I'm I apologize for not asking earlier. It just popped into my head during the early part of this motivation"},{"t":8350,"text":"discussion. So, uh, Mayor, if it's okay with you, either through you to staff or to, uh, Miss Finn, I'm not sure who can"},{"t":8357,"text":"answer this best, but my question is simply, if we renew the lease on a"},{"t":8363,"text":"10-year basis, are we still uh tied to the uh"},{"t":8371,"text":"supposed sponsorship of of Shaw in the name of the uh center or Uh could that perhaps be changed at this point?"},{"t":8384,"text":"Sorry, the question is with regards to the Shaw sponsorship in the naming. Correct."},{"t":8389,"text":"I'll turn to a represent. We don't normally during deliberation, but we'll certainly make an exception since you're invited into the meeting."},{"t":8398,"text":"Sorry, if you could just press the mic for all to hear. Thank you."},{"t":8402,"text":"uh the arrangement with Shaw has has concluded and uh it is one of the projects that we are working on and also one of the projects we're trying to get"},{"t":8410,"text":"funding for in relation to the long-term funding. So no, we're no longer tied to Shaw"},{"t":8417,"text":"or Rogers if that's where you would be also thinking. Thank you, Councelor Novik."},{"t":8424,"text":"Thank you. Uh thank you, Mayor. Um, I'm wondering if it would be appropriate for this council to uh perhaps"},{"t":8434,"text":"discuss at a future meeting the naming of of the center for the sailor sea. But uh if not then I'll I'll leave my"},{"t":8442,"text":"comments there and glad to know that Shaw is on the way out. Thank you."},{"t":8446,"text":"With respect councelor Novik, I think that's within the purview of the external organization at arms length and their board to uh to consider. But thank"},{"t":8455,"text":"you. Um I have next councelor O'Keefe and councelor Duck."},{"t":8460,"text":"Uh thank you mayor. Um first I'll start off about how much I really love the the center and the the people there and the"},{"t":8468,"text":"work and the contribution that they're making to the community over the years."},{"t":8473,"text":"Um but I do have reservations with a 10-year continuing with and especially with 1.4%"},{"t":8482,"text":"of of tax revenue. interject with correction. It's not an MOU, it's a lease."},{"t":8487,"text":"Oh, lease. Okay. A lease. Um and so my concerns are first of all, I think um"},{"t":8497,"text":"you know to we we've got till August to re to review this and I think it would be good to have another set of eyes,"},{"t":8505,"text":"another fresh set of taxpayers uh eyes look looking at this besides ours. Um"},{"t":8512,"text":"over the years I think we've been very supportive of the um the center. We started off I think with an ask I think"},{"t":8520,"text":"it's mentioned in the report um that we increased uh the amount to 65,000 which they thought would be"},{"t":8529,"text":"sufficient to get them on stable footing. And then uh they came uh back"},{"t":8535,"text":"again in 2019 and with an ask for 125,000. So doubled that and then they"},{"t":8542,"text":"came back again in 202020 almost doubling the request again to $25,000."},{"t":8550,"text":"Hello councelor Novik. You're uh you're live."},{"t":8554,"text":"Oh I'm sorry if you can mute."},{"t":8563,"text":"I'm not sure you're muted. Councilman Novik. Thank you. Councelor Keefe you have the floor. Uh yes, and my my recollection"},{"t":8571,"text":"um when we had those presentations from the center is that they needed stable funding and they were going to launch"},{"t":8578,"text":"fundraising campaigns and look for alternate donations and with the goal to reducing the funding from from the town."},{"t":8587,"text":"And so, you know, what what concerns me a little bit is that um we're we're now"},{"t":8595,"text":"uh providing even more 1.4% of tax revenue and wanting stability"},{"t":8603,"text":"um so that they can approach donors, potential donors. So, my concern is that"},{"t":8610,"text":"that that's that I've heard that before and then we're hearing it again. So that's a a concern for me. Um and the"},{"t":8619,"text":"thing about the the 1.4% I would have liked us to take a second look at that because you know as our tax base expands"},{"t":8628,"text":"um that will mean they'll get more revenue which is which is good. However I know and as we've talked about further"},{"t":8635,"text":"a number of big expenditures that we've got on our our plate. So, we've got, as we know, the Toista boat launch, Bevon"},{"t":8643,"text":"Pier, uh a new town hall, um what we're going to do with Beacon Warf. So, there's a lot of big things coming on"},{"t":8651,"text":"our plate that are absolutely necessary that we need to do. And so I think it's"},{"t":8657,"text":"I think what we've heard from citizens in the last little while is about the need concerned about 10% close to 10% tax increases in the last couple years."},{"t":8670,"text":"So that's weighing on my mind and what that increase might look for next year."},{"t":8675,"text":"So when I Sorry, councelor Keefe. I'm I'm going to interject and ask you to stay closer to the motion on the floor which is regards to the lease rather than the financing"},{"t":8684,"text":"agreement. I I think we appreciate the point that you've made with regards to your consideration of that."},{"t":8690,"text":"So the financing agreement is part of the lease I well in in regards to the the 10-year"},{"t":8699,"text":"commitment. I I guess my overall feeling is I think it would be good for a new council to to take another look at it. I"},{"t":8707,"text":"think it's um not beyond their realm to get familiar with it just as as we have"},{"t":8714,"text":"and so that would be uh my preferred uh process. Thanks."},{"t":8720,"text":"Uh thank you uh councelor Duck, please."},{"t":8723,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. Um I'm going to support this motion. I think uh the the center has demonstrated a remarkable"},{"t":8731,"text":"turnaround and uh they should be applauded for that and supported for that effort. as my colleagues have identified, they're an economic driver"},{"t":8738,"text":"for this town. So, yes, putting money into them uh I think has a return to this community more so than into the"},{"t":8746,"text":"Toista boat launch or the war for anything. They bring money into our community as council identified. I think"},{"t":8754,"text":"that's an important thing to remember that we're supporting an e economic driver for this community. their work"},{"t":8760,"text":"over the last eight years has shown a due diligence uh to demonstrate that"},{"t":8767,"text":"they can make this work. Um and I think that what they're asking right now is just to show that we're in investing in them and continue to invest in them on a"},{"t":8775,"text":"base rate so they can go out and fund raise uh comfortably knowing that they uh have the support. We did something"},{"t":8782,"text":"similar with the Mary Winspear Center in providing them with a similar tax-based um contribution. I think uh both those"},{"t":8791,"text":"Mary Winssper Center and this uh Sorish Center demonstrate that they bring money into this community and I think we can should continue to support them. Thank you."},{"t":8800,"text":"Thank you. Any further discussion? I just want to add and and we'll look to confirm with staff that um council uh"},{"t":8809,"text":"earlier this term uh approved a um uh a funding formula the 1.4% of of tax which"},{"t":8818,"text":"is uh intended as a long-term funding uh mechanism."},{"t":8822,"text":"Um, can staff uh confirm that there there isn't a um a specific uh time period associated with that for it to be is to be reviewed."},{"t":8836,"text":"Mr. Mayor, that's correct. Uh when it came up as part of the 2025 budget, my recollection is that council confirmed"},{"t":8844,"text":"at the time that their intention was to make this perpetual and that's the way it's been written into the agreement."},{"t":8850,"text":"Thank you. So, I just wanted to substantiate that. And I also want to substantiate that the lease that we're considering tonight is not tied to that funding agreement."},{"t":8860,"text":"Um actually it's built into the lease in terms of um how much they get on an"},{"t":8867,"text":"annual basis. So approving the lease is approving that uh 1.4% funding"},{"t":8876,"text":"uh for the term and the renewal term."},{"t":8881,"text":"Okay. So, I I guess if we've if council has already approved the funding agreement that doesn't have a date for review, what is the necessity to include the funding agreement in the lease?"},{"t":8893,"text":"Um, just to clarify, there was no actual funding agreement. Um, it was approved as part of the budget pursuant to a"},{"t":8901,"text":"number of um reports to council by um both town staff and the Shaw Center."},{"t":8908,"text":"Would it be accurate to say then that the the funding agreement that the council had the intention of being perpetual is now being formalized uh by"},{"t":8915,"text":"virtue of the lease given there isn't a separate agreement. Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you."},{"t":8921,"text":"Thank you. So I I'll uh I'll be very supportive of this. Uh council has committed to the the funding. Uh it is included as we understand or needs to be included as we understand in the lease."},{"t":8931,"text":"That that's certainly reasonable. uh and we u I I think it's a reasonable request uh to consider the lease a year in"},{"t":8938,"text":"advance uh given the ambitious fundraising plans you have for financial sustainability in in the future. Um and"},{"t":8946,"text":"as I recall for I think it was I think it was the soccer application for the turf fields is that"},{"t":8953,"text":"the uh the application required a lease or proof of a lease uh and I forget what the length of it was but there was a requirement in the provincial grant"},{"t":8961,"text":"application. So, uh, that's that's understood to be a requirement for at least some, uh, granting opportunities. So, uh, I'll leave my comments there."},{"t":8970,"text":"Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor?"},{"t":8975,"text":"Thank you. Opposed. Councelor Keefe is opposed. The motion carries. Thank you."},{"t":8979,"text":"Thank you for coming this evening. We appreciate your attendance."},{"t":8985,"text":"We're now turning to uh 14 correspondence. We have three four items. Uh 14A is a request for a letter of support pickle ball courts on VAAA"},{"t":8994,"text":"subleased lands. Uh we did have we do have the email from Cindy Barton from the Peninsula Community Pickle Ball Club. Uh we had Miss Barton uh speak during public participation."},{"t":9006,"text":"Uh and uh we do have a recommendation. I would um I would look to uh if there are"},{"t":9012,"text":"any questions of staff. Um otherwise if we could have the rect actually I'll look for the recommendation and then if there are any questions we can pose those to staff while under discussion."},{"t":9025,"text":"Councor in thank you we'll move the recommendation that the town provide a letter of support."},{"t":9032,"text":"Second move and second alternative movers."},{"t":9035,"text":"Yeah thank you mayor. Um this has maybe been a long time coming."},{"t":9043,"text":"I mean we as as a council we certainly had encouraged uh pickle ball associations or previous"},{"t":9050,"text":"incarnations of such associations to to look to u land in the community that they may be able to have access to for a"},{"t":9059,"text":"facility. Um, you know, I I I feel like um whether it was the Memorial Park Society"},{"t":9066,"text":"or the Victoria Airport Authority, uh, those associations, you know, took that advice on and went and had those"},{"t":9074,"text":"dialogues. Um, with with those um, participants in our community and they've come back to us now saying,"},{"t":9083,"text":"\"Yeah, um, look, the the VA parcel it's it's lease land. It's it's afforded in that manner uh on a very cost-effective"},{"t":9092,"text":"basis to um the Peninsula Baseball and Softball Association. Um there's excess land there and and we want to you know"},{"t":9099,"text":"take a look to see if we can do something there with the uh cooperative spirit of Sydney North Sage and the airport authority. So I'm supportive in"},{"t":9107,"text":"the dialogue moving forward and this letter seems to u seems to enable that process. Thank you mayor. Thank you councelor Dette."},{"t":9116,"text":"Thank you mayor. uh back in the first term, a pickle ball organization came before us and I think they worked with staff looking at potential for uh pickle"},{"t":9124,"text":"ball VA and at the time there was no appetite from the VA to move forward."},{"t":9129,"text":"So, um I did have questions when I first saw this on the on the agenda when I was reading through it and you did answer them tonight. So, I appreciate you being"},{"t":9136,"text":"here with the presentation um in terms of what what you're asking for us here and so um yeah, I'm I'm more than happy to support. Thank you."},{"t":9145,"text":"Thank you, councelor Keith, please."},{"t":9147,"text":"I think he questioned and then I have councelor Duck just to confirm. Go ahead through uh you to staff. When we talked"},{"t":9154,"text":"about this before, I'm pretty sure that we had asked staff to contact the AAA"},{"t":9163,"text":"and at the time they said they weren't um they they didn't have the space or"},{"t":9171,"text":"there was reasons why they couldn't um Do we have any inclean as to whether they've had a a change of heart in"},{"t":9180,"text":"regards to that initial response they gave us years ago? I'll turn to CEO Edwards, please."},{"t":9189,"text":"We don't uh necessarily know the details in the change in direction that's uh occurring at the VA. Um I do know that"},{"t":9199,"text":"this may be a different location. Uh and and we also um because I I understand at one point they were considering a"},{"t":9207,"text":"location closer to the parking area. Um and uh but I also do know that there has been a change in their uh staff"},{"t":9217,"text":"leadership and so that may uh be a contributing factor."},{"t":9222,"text":"Okay. And just confirming my understanding just once again this isn't committing to us providing funding or"},{"t":9230,"text":"anything like that. It's just we think it would be good idea for you guys to have a discussion about this."},{"t":9236,"text":"That's correct. This enables the uh pickle ball association to deepen their discussions with the uh Victoria airport authority."},{"t":9244,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Duck, please."},{"t":9248,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. If I may, a question through to staff. Um the presentation included uh discussions with the uh"},{"t":9256,"text":"softball association. Um would this be presented in any way to the liaison or the um management committee for the"},{"t":9266,"text":"Rotary Park or or the um council liaison. I'm just wondering if it needs to go through that process if they're involving Rotary Park. Thank you."},{"t":9275,"text":"S Edwards."},{"t":9277,"text":"Uh not at this time. and the myself and um the pickleball association did meet"},{"t":9284,"text":"with the Peninsula Baseball and Softball Association president um and uh you know"},{"t":9291,"text":"are seeking a letter of support from the baseball association as well. Um and so again this is very preliminary stages"},{"t":9300,"text":"and uh through those discussions it was clear that the proposed uh parcel of land wouldn't uh be infringing upon any"},{"t":9309,"text":"of the uh baseball associations uh land use that's currently in operations."},{"t":9316,"text":"So if I may through to staff again so the land use management would be between the pickle ball association and the airport. So wouldn't involve uh Rotary Park at all. Thank you."},{"t":9327,"text":"Uh it that's likely correct. I I don't know exactly how things will play out because it's such early days in the"},{"t":9334,"text":"process, but it is likely that it would be a uh essentially a distinct parcel from the uh the uh baseball association's uh land use area."},{"t":9348,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Edwards. Thank you, Mayor. Uh thank you. I see no other speakers."},{"t":9352,"text":"I'll just add that uh you know reference was made to to previous discussions with the airport. There was a different uh pickle ball organization involved at the"},{"t":9361,"text":"time as the CEO indicated there was different airport staff. So I want to thank um Miss Barton for uh for reaching"},{"t":9369,"text":"out to the municipalities uh for taking initiative to reach out to the airport authority. Um pleased to see that um uh"},{"t":9379,"text":"Miss Gone from the airport authority has you know provided the that is in the agenda package indicating the process that you're looking in. And quite frankly, if if the initiative is to move"},{"t":9387,"text":"forward in any fashion, there has to be some discussion and and between the pickle ball organization and the VA before approaching the municipalities."},{"t":9397,"text":"So, uh thank you. Thank you for those initiatives. Uh seeing no further discussion, I'll call the question in favor."},{"t":9404,"text":"That carries unanimous. Thank you."},{"t":9408,"text":"Uh we're next turning to item 14B. uh which is uh CRD bylaw number 4782 Sanage"},{"t":9416,"text":"Peninsula Recreation Services uh for a District of Central Sanage Recreation Facility loan authorization"},{"t":9423,"text":"bylaw number two 2026. We do have a letter as council will be aware uh dated July 10th from the Capitol Regional"},{"t":9431,"text":"District. Um and uh I just want to reiterate uh our cover process to date."},{"t":9438,"text":"Um the uh this came forward at our uh at our August meeting. Uh and at the August meeting uh we referred uh the matter for"},{"t":9447,"text":"discussion to this evening's meeting uh to provide several weeks of opportunity for the public uh to uh provide us with"},{"t":9455,"text":"their with their views. Uh and I did have the number at hand here. We have had 14 pieces of correspondence which I"},{"t":9462,"text":"uh made reference to during agenda approval of the agenda. Um and that in the letter from the Capital Regional District, uh given the process that has"},{"t":9471,"text":"gone through the Peninsula Recreation Commission, uh the Capital Regional District Board, it has now been referred to the three municipalities."},{"t":9479,"text":"We have a letter in our package that indicates Central Sanage has given consent uh to this bylaw and CRD has"},{"t":9486,"text":"asked that council consent sorry that the motion be that council consent or not consent to the CRD adopting bylaw"},{"t":9495,"text":"number 4782 Sanage Peninsula Recreation Services DCS uh recreation facility loan authorization bylaw number two 2026."},{"t":9506,"text":"So um and we did have uh we we do have lots of other information in the agenda package as well. So I will look uh to a council member unless there are any"},{"t":9515,"text":"questions of staff in the process but this is really a CRD commission process if there are any questions uh to move a a recommendation. Council"},{"t":9524,"text":"I'm happy to move the recommendation uh a recommendation. I will move that council consent to the CRD adopting"},{"t":9530,"text":"bylaw number 4782, Senate's Peninsula Recreation Services, DCS Recreation Facility Loan Author Authorization bylaw number two, 2026."},{"t":9542,"text":"Thank you. Do we have a second? Second."},{"t":9545,"text":"Second. I'll turn to the movers first, please."},{"t":9549,"text":"Yeah, thank you. Um I I recognize um we've had a couple of opportunities to"},{"t":9556,"text":"discuss u this proposal and uh that the feedback from the"},{"t":9563,"text":"community has expressed I think um not not fully but certainly on on some"},{"t":9570,"text":"levels uh concern about building a recreational facility in another municipality."},{"t":9576,"text":"Um, but let's clarify that's exactly what the Peninsula Recreation Commission"},{"t":9583,"text":"is set out to do. So, here in Sydney, we've got Green Glade, uh, a facility"},{"t":9590,"text":"that Panorama u manages and has put uh, funding towards. Uh, in North Senate, we"},{"t":9598,"text":"have the Panorama Recreation Center, a facility, which the Peninsula Recreation Commission is also responsible for. And"},{"t":9606,"text":"what we've seen through um user surveys and through actual data at the gate at"},{"t":9614,"text":"Panorama and Greenlade is that those facilities are are stretched."},{"t":9620,"text":"Particularly if you look at things like the wait room and where there can be opportunities to make more recreational"},{"t":9627,"text":"opportunities available to the peninsula community."},{"t":9632,"text":"So where central Sanage and their participation through this tri municipal"},{"t":9638,"text":"uh initiative have um you know not seen a a um a recreation"},{"t":9647,"text":"uh broad use facility um built. They're coming forward with an opportunity for"},{"t":9653,"text":"the PRC to utilize, you know, their new building project and hence this coming"},{"t":9661,"text":"forward to peninsula municipalities. I'm not suggesting that Central Sanage hasn't seen recreation uh recreation"},{"t":9668,"text":"benefit from this recipe because obviously they have with the lacrosse uh box, the multisport box that's been"},{"t":9675,"text":"built and developed there. Uh what I'm saying is that this argument uh you know that why would we be a why would we"},{"t":9683,"text":"participate in a in a recreational project in Central Sage uh is contrary to the spirit of the the peninsula"},{"t":9692,"text":"community working together on recreational facilities. So if we're hearing that uh Panorama is at capacity"},{"t":9701,"text":"and something needs to be done uh and we have an opportunity with a new building project to participate uh and and"},{"t":9709,"text":"address you know what is a growing community um central Sanich and and their needs. Um that's exactly what the recreation"},{"t":9718,"text":"commission is is set out to do. That is you know their mandate to address recreation uh throughout the broader peninsula community."},{"t":9726,"text":"And so, you know, in that that uh commission has recommended this project to go forward and we're seeing it again"},{"t":9733,"text":"at a this occasion with a reduced overall cost down to 9.1 million and and Sydney would be one of the three participants in the project."},{"t":9743,"text":"that facility is open to uh all residents to use uh just as Panorama or"},{"t":9751,"text":"Green Glade are open to all residents of central San Sydney and North Sanage. So"},{"t":9756,"text":"I'm I'm supportive of Sydney moving this forward and consenting as uh as per the"},{"t":9765,"text":"motion that's on the table because that is in our microcosm of the peninsula."},{"t":9772,"text":"the formula for recreational services uh and and uh I think it has been"},{"t":9780,"text":"illustrated that there is a demand for this service to grow and here's an opportunity to make that happen. Thank you, Mayor."},{"t":9788,"text":"Thank you, councelor. I'll turn to councelor Duncan."},{"t":9791,"text":"I have nothing to add to uh councelor Renel's statement. Uh thank you, councelor Garnett, please."},{"t":9796,"text":"Thank you, mayor. I'm just going to provide some context of my first time speaking. I'll speak again later. um just because I had brought it up before"},{"t":9804,"text":"um the process started. It was initiated by central sage reaching out to Panorama staff and when this first came September"},{"t":9812,"text":"last year there one of the impetus or rationale for this moving forward was based on survey data that was collected"},{"t":9820,"text":"by central sanage in the month of September. Um, and so at the time there was very limited information and I had"},{"t":9828,"text":"requested that they bring back the survey results and what we heard results uh to the commission so we could have a more wholesome discussion based on what"},{"t":9836,"text":"was being proposed given that that was part of the rationale for moving forward that there was support in central sanage for this facility. Uh, unfortunately the"},{"t":9845,"text":"information did it didn't come actually to the commission. So I took some time this summer and I went navigated the"},{"t":9851,"text":"central sus website to find it and um so what what's pertaining to this part is um when they asked different questions"},{"t":9860,"text":"they gave four different designs and this refers to concept A uh in there and it proposes um an option with a two or threetory building on Hovie road that"},{"t":9869,"text":"would bring municipal fire and police services together with community meeting rooms and the potential for recreation space managed by an external eneral"},{"t":9878,"text":"provider. So um Deote conducted the survey their findings and they used a scale of 1 to 10. So 1 to three was"},{"t":9887,"text":"opposed, 4 to 7 was neutral and 8 to 10 was support. The findings were 33% were opposed, neutral 25% and support was 42%."},{"t":9897,"text":"uh and in the end the key insight that comes from the report is that overall support for concept A is mixed and they"},{"t":9904,"text":"mentioned the 42 respondents uh 42% of respondents indicating strong support 33 expressing opposition and 25 uh"},{"t":9911,"text":"remaining neutral and then they did also did an in-house survey there were of 192 in this particular question uh there"},{"t":9918,"text":"were 168 respondents not statistically significant uh and concept a uh they found that 73% of the or 123 people were"},{"t":9928,"text":"very or somewhat supportive of the new facility. Uh and they the reasons they gave were inclusion of recreation, commercial spaces, desire for a vibrant"},{"t":9936,"text":"development that contributes to village life, recognition that growth is inevitable and should be well planned."},{"t":9942,"text":"Uh and another portion uh it says in regards to concept a hovi road um score uh please score this concepts attributes"},{"t":9951,"text":"and they give eight that you could could me and measure your how you scored them and not one of them was the recreation"},{"t":9958,"text":"facility. So um for me uh looking at this results of the survey um there was"},{"t":9965,"text":"no direct specific question on any of either of the surveys regarding this facility which for me was important um"},{"t":9972,"text":"because it answered for me the basic question at the start of this was so much around equity. um can you conclude from the information you got and there"},{"t":9980,"text":"was 845 respondents that the residents of Central Sanich actually want the facility in the building and uh there"},{"t":9987,"text":"they concluded there was support for the POI road facility and that there was strong support for recreation in it. Um I can't come to the same conclusion"},{"t":9996,"text":"based on the data I've seen in the survey. Um I just wanted the the rest of the of council to have the information in case they didn't uh take check a look"},{"t":10005,"text":"at the survey. Like I said, I it would have been provided had it been provided to the commission, I would have provided it to council, but I had to go and do some research on my own. Just something"},{"t":10013,"text":"to add further discussion and I'll save my other thoughts for later. Thank you."},{"t":10018,"text":"Thank you, councelor. Uh councelor Duck, please."},{"t":10022,"text":"Thank you, mayor. Um I will not be supporting this motion. Um, it's not about recreation services and I I I applaud uh the PRC, the Peninsula"},{"t":10031,"text":"Recreation Commission for seizing the opportunity presented by the District of Central Sage to add recreational services because yes, recreational services are welcome in any community"},{"t":10040,"text":"any time. But even as as council Garnett identified, these weren't the even the top priority of the recreation services"},{"t":10048,"text":"that people are seek seeking. In fact, they want another pool. Um I'm thankful of the public feedback we received over"},{"t":10055,"text":"the last couple of weeks and and it was very indicative there of how they felt about the tax impact. Um as one um"},{"t":10064,"text":"writer wrote in the cost per foot square foot is outrageous. Um, this is a long-term lease and and the question is"},{"t":10072,"text":"why why are we setting a precedent by rent leasing something for 50 years even even we just said tonight we're not"},{"t":10080,"text":"we're not really comfortable with a 10-year lease for Shaw Center and here we are sign looking at a 50-year lease. So that"},{"t":10088,"text":"was another u public opinion. Um the even the supporters that wrote in uh indicated they would like recreation"},{"t":10096,"text":"services but not these ones. So the rationale for this long-term lease is suspect in my mind. Um we don't have one"},{"t":10105,"text":"uh with uh Greenlade. We don't have one with uh North Middle School. These are both uh through the school district and"},{"t":10113,"text":"and have annual leases I believe. And so we're not paying for them 50 years in advance. So I I don't think we should be looking at a similar arrangement here."},{"t":10123,"text":"Um it is Central Sandwich wants to build I should say the staff and council of of Central"},{"t":10132,"text":"San would like to construct a new municipal hall and this is one of the way in which they can fund it appropriately is to seek funding that we"},{"t":10140,"text":"would provide through the other three municipalities for a recreation service that would be part of this building."},{"t":10146,"text":"My my comment back to the district of central Sage is go ahead and build the building and lease back that space to"},{"t":10153,"text":"pen recreation services just like we lease from the school district for Green Glade and and middle uh North Sage"},{"t":10159,"text":"Middle School. So I'm going to continue to oppose this uh uh motion going forward. Um, I think it's up to Central"},{"t":10168,"text":"Senate to seek the support of their um, constituents for a new municipal hall and um, not a recreation center has been"},{"t":10176,"text":"indicated by councelor Garnett. Thank you. Uh, thank you."},{"t":10181,"text":"Any other speakers? Uh, councelor Novik and councelor uh, O'Keefe."},{"t":10187,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. Um, I'm going to continue to oppose this as"},{"t":10193,"text":"well. Uh, I've looked at as much information as I can about this. Uh,"},{"t":10200,"text":"like councelor Garnett, I haven't seen any surveys that specifically"},{"t":10207,"text":"say that the residents of Central Sanich want to see a recreation"},{"t":10214,"text":"room or center built in their new municipal precinct."},{"t":10221,"text":"I don't think there's a question that Central Sanage would like to have some additional recreation facilities."},{"t":10229,"text":"Uh I have spoken to a number of Central Sanage residents that like the idea of"},{"t":10236,"text":"additional recreation facilities. They also like the idea of having those recreation facilities in other less"},{"t":10245,"text":"[snorts] expensive locations perhaps leased much as councelor Duck suggested."},{"t":10253,"text":"I do not see the justification in saddling town of Sydney residents with a $9"},{"t":10262,"text":"million debt for $7.5,000 square ft of recreation"},{"t":10271,"text":"space. The cost per square foot is $1,200."},{"t":10278,"text":"It's absurd for recreation space."},{"t":10283,"text":"I think it's unfair for the district of central Sanich to be asking town of"},{"t":10290,"text":"Sydney and even district of North Sanage to help them foot that bill."},{"t":10298,"text":"The people that I've spoken to in Sydney and in central Sanich coupled with the"},{"t":10305,"text":"letters that I've seen suggest to me that there is more than enough opposition"},{"t":10313,"text":"to this that I am comfortable casting my vote against this. So, I'll leave it there for now."},{"t":10321,"text":"Thank you, Councelor Keith, please. Uh, thank you. Um, I remain opposed to"},{"t":10329,"text":"this, but I think it's it's worth um saying that the issue for me has never"},{"t":10338,"text":"been that we shouldn't ask Sydney taxpayers to pay for a facility in central Sanich because as councelor"},{"t":10347,"text":"Renul says, the whole spirit of the Panorama Recreation Commission is that three municipalities ities uh decided to"},{"t":10356,"text":"work together to build recreation facilities and those those are shared."},{"t":10361,"text":"So I'm not opposed to necessarily where facilities are and where they get built but um you know for example we"},{"t":10371,"text":"have Panorama of of course in North Sanich and North uh Sanich Middle School is also used for Panorama programs. We"},{"t":10380,"text":"have Greenlade Central Sanich al actually has a number of places for programming. So as mentioned they do um"},{"t":10388,"text":"with the new sport box they now all offer multisport classes for kids pickle pickle ball classes. They do dance"},{"t":10396,"text":"classes via the uh Allegra dance studio in SanDton. um at the Central Sanich Cultural Center in Brentwood, uh Central"},{"t":10406,"text":"Sanich residents have access to fitness classes, music programs, theater programs, yoga. So, a number of things."},{"t":10413,"text":"And so, if somebody in Sydney has a kid that wants to get involved in a musical theater program, well, guess what? We"},{"t":10421,"text":"got to try to to to Brentwood Bay, maybe to access that. But that's just the way it goes with the uh the agreement that"},{"t":10428,"text":"we have in place that we've got a number of facilities. And so sometimes you got to drive a little bit further to get the"},{"t":10435,"text":"program that that you want. For me, the the the situation has been more or the"},{"t":10442,"text":"the issue for me is more on the the fiscal and the budget side. And so when"},{"t":10449,"text":"I looked at uh all I reviewed the the Sen uh Panorama uh the PRC strategic"},{"t":10457,"text":"plan, I looked at the data that they got got they provided for us and you know what I heard is that there's classes"},{"t":10465,"text":"that fill up quickly. Uh the gym is really busy at certain times of the day."},{"t":10470,"text":"Um, and that's true because I've been in that gym like after school and all the kids hit there and it is it is very"},{"t":10476,"text":"busy. But wasn't but what wasn't demonstrated to me sufficiently in the information that was provided um that"},{"t":10486,"text":"the needs that exist warrant the capital expense of a new facility and the additional operating expenses that will"},{"t":10495,"text":"be incurred. So, it's not just an extra I can't even remember what the new amount is, $30 or or $40 for per"},{"t":10504,"text":"taxpayer in Sydney, but there's also the additional operating expenses that will come with um operating another facility"},{"t":10514,"text":"and that will show up for taxpayers on the amount that comes from from the CRD."},{"t":10520,"text":"Um when I had looked at the data, it did show that there was a number of people that said um they couldn't access uh"},{"t":10528,"text":"particular programs because there were weightless, but that data didn't specifically ask for what sort of"},{"t":10536,"text":"programs. So, there's a separate bit of data that says uh fitness classes uh"},{"t":10543,"text":"fill up quickly, the gym is busy, but in terms of the the survey and the data about people that said they would"},{"t":10551,"text":"participate more in things if there was more classes, didn't say what that was for. It could have been swimming classes. Like I think if if you uh ask a"},{"t":10560,"text":"lot of parents around the peninsula what's their biggest thing that they want to get access to swimming classes for their kids. Um one of the things"},{"t":10569,"text":"that had caught my eye in looking at the data in the strategic plan was um one of the goals was to look at coste effective options to expand recreation facilities."},{"t":10580,"text":"And so what I didn't see enough of for from my perspective is how we went about"},{"t":10587,"text":"to try and identify alternate um facilities rather than building building a a whole new one. So I would have liked to see um more on that."},{"t":10600,"text":"Um there was a letter from talking about First Nations access to facilities um"},{"t":10607,"text":"and I agree that they should have access. What I think is I think there's a good opportunity it seems to provide"},{"t":10614,"text":"PRC programs on some of the First Nations properties. I know at Sawit they have a huge gymnasium, they have a large"},{"t":10622,"text":"activity room, they have a small gym, I believe that could use some upgrading."},{"t":10627,"text":"So, um and whether there's arrangements that could be made with with the school district as well. So, those are some of"},{"t":10635,"text":"the uh the challenges um that I had. I would have liked to seen um more more on"},{"t":10642,"text":"what they did to uh look at coste effective options rather than we need a brand new facility. So I'll leave it at that. Thank you."},{"t":10652,"text":"Thank you. So I'll be the first last first time speaker and then we can go to second time speakers."},{"t":10658,"text":"um in the 26 years that I've lived um here in Sydney, one of the uh and 11 years particularly 11 years on on"},{"t":10665,"text":"council is um what from Sydney North Sage and Central Sanage residents is why don't we work together better?"},{"t":10675,"text":"Um and the Panorama Recreation Service I think is uh exemplary and an example of the three municipalities working"},{"t":10683,"text":"together. the CRD sub regional uh recreation service was established in 1976."},{"t":10692,"text":"Um and the Panorama Center or the parts the the initial parts of it were con"},{"t":10699,"text":"construction started in 77 and opened in 1978. At that time uh Sydney North Sanich were the only two partners within"},{"t":10708,"text":"that service. Uh Central Sanage joined the service in 1996. So they've been participants 1997. Uh well they were"},{"t":10716,"text":"participants for the rinks in 96 and then the full center in 97. And so they've been participants for 30 years."},{"t":10724,"text":"And um uh the the recreation it's a subregional service mandated to provide"},{"t":10731,"text":"recreation services in the three peninsula municipalities in an efficient and effective manner using a shared"},{"t":10739,"text":"service model. And so we know from other speakers and from the information that's been available uh to us from the last"},{"t":10746,"text":"proposal and this proposal of the different facilities within the region, the main facility uh in North Sanage at"},{"t":10754,"text":"Panorama um and uh uh the Green Glade facility uh in Sydney. Um, I was on the recreation"},{"t":10763,"text":"uh commission for two years in uh 2009 2010 when we signed the commission"},{"t":10771,"text":"agreed to sign a 25-year agreement with school district 63. a 25-y year agreement with the province required a"},{"t":10778,"text":"25-year agreement between the SC school board and a recreation service, a recreation provider in order for the"},{"t":10785,"text":"province to add approximately $2 million to the North Sanish Middle School budget to improve facilities that could be for"},{"t":10794,"text":"leisure and recreation after hours in evenings and weekends. Um, the panorama or the green gate lease is either five"},{"t":10802,"text":"or 10 years. It was five years for a number of years and I it may have been expanded to 10 years. Um so um you know"},{"t":10811,"text":"the question why should residents of of Sydney uh pay for a facility in central Sanage? Um I'm going to first come"},{"t":10819,"text":"before I answer that question or or speak to that question, I'm going to come to the needs assessment because that's um that's uh certainly an"},{"t":10829,"text":"important factor in this. Um the um the recreation services panorama uh commission is required to do a five-year strategic plan uh uh every five years."},{"t":10840,"text":"Uh it engages a consultant and and so in my time serving on the commission. There have been at least two uh one in 2009 or 10 and then one just a few years ago."},{"t":10852,"text":"And uh in both of them it was identified uh that uh uh the goal to explore uh"},{"t":10859,"text":"expanding recreation services into uh into central Sanich. Um explore options"},{"t":10866,"text":"as as councelor O'Keefe uh quoted from the uh from the from the current strategic plan was to explore uh"},{"t":10874,"text":"services and through the strategic planning process and through other capital budgeting processes. uh the uh"},{"t":10882,"text":"um there have been options but there have been no options such as Greenblade."},{"t":10887,"text":"Greenlade was a was a was a an elementary school uh and the opportunity came up in 2006"},{"t":10894,"text":"uh for Panorama to lease uh that facility and and start recreation services. when I uh was on the"},{"t":10902,"text":"commission in 2009 and 10 that had started and the and the programs were gradually ramping up. Not all of the"},{"t":10909,"text":"classrooms even in 2009 or 10 were used at Greenlade but their programs were w were ramping up. Today it's a beehive of"},{"t":10917,"text":"activity um and so the needs has been identified."},{"t":10922,"text":"uh in speaking to the surveys that were done or not done uh with regards to the questions asked in terms of a recreation"},{"t":10929,"text":"facility in the new uh municipal precinct uh in central Sanage. Quite"},{"t":10936,"text":"frankly uh the the challenge with that survey um which has been which has been discussed at Central Sanage Council uh"},{"t":10945,"text":"is that there were people who were opposed to the project. So it it they weren't supportive of recreation"},{"t":10952,"text":"facilities in the in the in the in the precinct because they weren't supportive of the project. So in terms of having a specific question, it's hard to separate"},{"t":10960,"text":"whether people were in favor of they weren't asking a question, do you want recreation facilities in central Senate?"},{"t":10966,"text":"They were asking, do you want it as part of the municipal precinct? And there was an agreement on the municipal precinct,"},{"t":10974,"text":"large agreement. Um so uh but they've moved forward with that option. So need has been demonstrated through strategic"},{"t":10983,"text":"planning and needs assessments uh for a recreation service. Um so let's ask a question. Why should residents of Sydney"},{"t":10991,"text":"North pay? Well, the the uh mechanism for funding the operating budget at"},{"t":10997,"text":"Panorama is approximately 50% of the uh of the income of the revenues are"},{"t":11004,"text":"achieved through fees and charges. Uh approximately 50% is requisition of the taxpayers and it's there's a"},{"t":11013,"text":"proportional formula. It's it's based on population and assessed value. And in 2026, Central Sanage residents paid 2.36"},{"t":11023,"text":"million uh in requisition to uh Panorama. Sydney paid 1.78 million."},{"t":11030,"text":"Well, our population is is Central Sanish's population is approximately 50% greater than ours. So, that is a factor."},{"t":11038,"text":"They paid 33% more in rec 582,000 or 33% more in requisition than Sydney did. But"},{"t":11046,"text":"it's proportional. it's proportional to their population and considering their assessed value. So this shared model has worked very effectively. Um there have"},{"t":11056,"text":"been the rinks that were created separately. There was the pool, there was the additional pool, u there was the expansion to Green Glade, there was the"},{"t":11063,"text":"North Sanage agreement. Uh and then uh there was the multisport box in Central Sanage. Central Sanage brought that"},{"t":11070,"text":"forward to the commission after they had uh uh received applied for and received"},{"t":11077,"text":"uh a grant just under $3 million towards that facility. That constructing that multisport uh CRD constructing that"},{"t":11086,"text":"multisport box facility in central Sanich provides benefits to residents throughout the peninsula. There are things there are programs in that"},{"t":11095,"text":"multisport box that Sydney residents and North Senage residents participate in and it saved taxpayers a lot of money in getting almost $3 million in grant money"},{"t":11103,"text":"towards that. There are isn't grant money available for this uh for this recreation facility. The approaches have been or the the efforts have been made."},{"t":11113,"text":"So, um, the reason, uh, residents of Sydney should consider supporting this is because it's been a shared facility"},{"t":11120,"text":"or shared service for the for the three municipalities."},{"t":11126,"text":"If you we reverse this a little bit and we say, \"Okay, if you're if we are all Central Sanage"},{"t":11133,"text":"residents and we're Central Sanage Council and we're saying they want to have a 20,000 square foot facility at"},{"t":11141,"text":"Green at Greenblade.\" Now, granted, it's a lease. It's not it's not a a purchase or or a construction. Uh are we going to"},{"t":11149,"text":"be supportive? Are we going to pay and there's been approximately a half a million dollars in requisition for a Green Glade? And I'm sorry I don't know the exact time period. It may be three"},{"t":11157,"text":"years or or thereabouts. Um but uh what's central Sanage residents say why why should we be paying for that 20,000"},{"t":11166,"text":"square foot uh facility uh for programming running at that uh at that facility."},{"t":11173,"text":"It's the other way. So So it's the other way around. Now we have a 20,000 square foot facility in Sydney. The figures"},{"t":11181,"text":"are in the uh are in the Q&A and I'll try to find them quickly."},{"t":11195,"text":"Green Glade Community Center is seen as an example of of the successful expansion to support the needs of residents in the nearby surrounding"},{"t":11202,"text":"communities as seen by the following recent participation numbers. Attendance at Green Glade rose 18% in 2024 and"},{"t":11210,"text":"increased another 9.9% in 2025. through over um dropin programs at Green Glade,"},{"t":11218,"text":"Weight Room, Pottery Fitness have attracted an average of 30 thou 3,700 visitors per month um uh January through"},{"t":11227,"text":"March and there's no reason to to believe that that hasn't continued. Um as I indicated, it's a beehive activity."},{"t":11234,"text":"I've been there for a number of uh a number of programs or or facilities that they have there. Um so the residents of"},{"t":11242,"text":"Central Sanage and and North Sanche have contributed to the success of Green Glade and and the 20,000. There have been capital improvements in in that"},{"t":11249,"text":"facility. Um and now we're being asked uh in uh the community of central Sanche"},{"t":11256,"text":"which has a population of approximately 50 50% more than Sydney to support a"},{"t":11263,"text":"7500 square foot facility um uh for programming that is at capacity"},{"t":11270,"text":"in at or near capacity at Panorama and Greenblade and the figures are in uh"},{"t":11277,"text":"this uh this Q&A as well And I'm going to since they haven't been"},{"t":11282,"text":"referenced, uh, there were over 190,000 visits in 2025 to the weight rooms and"},{"t":11290,"text":"fitness classes at Panorama and Green Glade."},{"t":11296,"text":"One of the other notes, Panorama and Green Glade group fitness classes sell out very quickly, generally within 15 minutes of registration opening, and"},{"t":11305,"text":"often carry weight lists of up to 10 people. The primary limiting factor to offering more opportunities is facility"},{"t":11312,"text":"space. By adding a new fitness studio, the demand can be distributed across locations and free up space at Panorama"},{"t":11321,"text":"and Green Glade centers, thus benefiting residents of both North Sanage and Sydney."},{"t":11328,"text":"There's other figures. This is 10 This is 10 pages long. Um, but I'm I'm I'm motivating in favor of this because it"},{"t":11336,"text":"is a shared service that has provided substantial benefit to Sydney residents at the main panorama facility and at the"},{"t":11343,"text":"20,000 square foot facility since 2006 in Sydney and at North Sanish Middle School. Um, and I have had confirmation"},{"t":11352,"text":"as a sitting as a commissioner um u that residents of Central Sanage, North Sanage and Sydney use green uh go to"},{"t":11361,"text":"Green Delay programs. It's the only place that there's a potio stu pottery studio on the peninsula. Uh and there's"},{"t":11368,"text":"Sydney users at the multisport box in in in central Sanage. So this is a fine example of us working together. Uh and"},{"t":11377,"text":"uh with reference to the costs being unreasonable, um the land is being provided for free"},{"t":11384,"text":"by Central Sanage. If we were to locate a 7500 square standalone facility or have to purchase land to do that, the"},{"t":11391,"text":"cost would be a lot more than $9.1 million uh to construct the facility. Um the the $9.1 million for the loan"},{"t":11400,"text":"authorization that will fund the construction of this building is not contributing to the to the central sage municipal precinct. Those are the costs"},{"t":11409,"text":"associated with building the 7500 uh square feet. It's been factored in what portion of the back system that will be"},{"t":11417,"text":"in the building will be a portion to the to the fitness center."},{"t":11422,"text":"Um, so this is a this is a rare opportunity, a rare opportunity to not have land costs uh and a rare"},{"t":11430,"text":"opportunity to uh to to meet the strategic plans uh successive strategic plans to uh to demonstrate equity and"},{"t":11438,"text":"provide uh recreation facilities in the busiest programs of fitness and weight classes um uh for residents of u of"},{"t":11446,"text":"central Sanage. Um in terms of the cost, you know, I reference might have been made to to the cost per square foot and"},{"t":11455,"text":"that sort of thing. We paid $7.5 million for a traffic circle at Gallerin and uh uh at Beacon Avenue"},{"t":11463,"text":"West uh Sterling and Gallerin. Um costs are very and that project rose about two and a half million dollars over the over"},{"t":11470,"text":"the three to four years that we uh that we went through that process. We received a $5 million grant for that."},{"t":11476,"text":"Infrastructure is expensive. It's only getting more expensive. Uh And I think we're uh if we pass up on this opportunity, we're missing an"},{"t":11484,"text":"opportunity to as is in the mandate to efficiently and effectively uh provide recreation services in a shared service"},{"t":11492,"text":"model. I'll leave my comments there and go to second time uh speakers. Councelor Gette."},{"t":11500,"text":"Thank you, Mayor, since I haven't really weighed in other than providing some information. uh and the mayor referenced it's was bylaw 314 in 1976 that"},{"t":11510,"text":"established the commission and it was town of Sydney and North Sanage district of North Sanage Central opted not to be a part of it. So it you know this this"},{"t":11518,"text":"it I think it's it's reasonable to say that for 20 years until they joined under bylaw 2480"},{"t":11527,"text":"that they didn't contribute requisitions to the to the facilities that existed."},{"t":11531,"text":"So it would be fair to say that as uh some of the frequently asked questions in the package about subsidizing that residents there are subsidized central"},{"t":11539,"text":"sanage residents that use the facilities and I have family members that I know from back then actually used the facility so they were used by central sage residents. So I think that's I"},{"t":11548,"text":"think we have to keep those kind of things in in perspective. Um and 97 full partner um and the mayor has spoken to"},{"t":11555,"text":"how that's calculated so I won't speak into that. Um, speaking one of the other rationale was or discussion points was"},{"t":11563,"text":"geographic inequity and I've thought about this one for a while and I do I do struggle with that because it's it's 5"},{"t":11571,"text":"to 10 minutes where the proposed site is from Panorama um by bus or car. I think this would be a completely different"},{"t":11579,"text":"discussion for me if this we were talking about a facility somewhere in Brentwood and then that would more aptly address the geographic inequity but"},{"t":11586,"text":"where it's being considered I'm not sure if it's going to do that. Um rec recreation inequity uh councelor O'Keefe"},{"t":11594,"text":"and others have spoken to the multisport box. I I think that some kind somehow has gotten lost in a bit of the discussion. Um it's not an indoor facility. It doesn't provide weight room"},{"t":11603,"text":"pottery or fitness. provides many other recreation opportunities for people in central Sanich and and the peninsula in general. It's right across the street"},{"t":11611,"text":"from where this is proposed to go. Um it's it does have a roof so it can be used for the vast majority of the year for activity. So it's not like it's"},{"t":11618,"text":"limited as it used to be when it was an outdoor space with no roof. So there there is a possibility to use it uh for"},{"t":11625,"text":"most of the year. Um I guess um [clears throat] my last part will be about some some clarification"},{"t":11632,"text":"because there was comment about the cost of Sydney residents and 9.114 million that is the total cost for uh for the loan authorization for all three"},{"t":11641,"text":"municipalities. There is a million up to a million of capital uh reserve spending on this. So it is a 10.114 project if it"},{"t":11649,"text":"all comes to fruition. Um and I'll re I'll put out these numbers again so people are aware. town of city residents"},{"t":11656,"text":"average annual household cost per household per year is about $30.50 and that would be at project completion in 2030 over soever 15 years of the of the"},{"t":11665,"text":"amortization you're looking at 45750 each approximately uh the 15-year amortization for the loan itself is 13.14 million in total for the project."},{"t":11676,"text":"Uh Sydney's debt servicing is 256,668."},{"t":11681,"text":"These are all estimates. So if you figure that over 15 years about $3,850,000 is what the total cost to Sydney residents would be at the end of it. Um"},{"t":11690,"text":"so for me, you know, we've talked about town hall development beacon. This has come up a lot tonight about projects and things that are on Sydney's horizon in"},{"t":11698,"text":"terms of cost for taxpayers. Um, but another piece of the of the puzzle for me was when we had our last board meeting on August 27th, the provisional"},{"t":11707,"text":"budget was presented and the requisition increase and this will include operational matters and the debt financing for the heat recovery, the"},{"t":11716,"text":"multisport box, the um if the arena accessibility if that moves forward and uh and this proposal if it moves forward. So the increase of the"},{"t":11725,"text":"requisition over the next five years will be $2.7 million just for those just for throw that number out for people."},{"t":11731,"text":"And these are all based on the numbers that were provided in in in the staff report. And if you add up the increase in percentages that's 38.57%"},{"t":11740,"text":"increase over five years or average about 7.7. Um the provisional budget was approved 71. I I was a lone dissenting"},{"t":11749,"text":"voter on that. Um, and my my concern was when I look at those numbers is"},{"t":11757,"text":"is this trajectory sustainable for the taxpayer? And yeah, it is a shared service. Um, and they're all excellent"},{"t":11765,"text":"points made by the mayor and councelor Renul, and I do appreciate all the letters and comments we've had from people,"},{"t":11772,"text":"but what has impacted me the most is the conversations one-on-one I've had on the street with uh various people that have come up to talk to me about this item."},{"t":11782,"text":"And in general, um, basically what I'm hearing is I'm done. like they are."},{"t":11790,"text":"There's many people in our community that are stretched to the max with so many cost escalations, gas, groceries,"},{"t":11797,"text":"u mortgage, whatever have you. Lots of renewals in the last two years where people's mortgages have skyrocketed and they're they're stretched and they"},{"t":11805,"text":"they are struggling and they see things like this and the CRD arts that's coming through that that's about $910 a month."},{"t":11814,"text":"um we'll have a budget, you know, we'll have to go through. We have other things we have to look at. And although I do value recreation and it"},{"t":11823,"text":"has great benefits, I I I think to myself, is lifting weights or a pottery class or fitness more important than"},{"t":11831,"text":"somebody putting gas in their car to get to work or buying groceries to feed their family, pay their heating and cooling, pay their mortgage, they have a roof over their head. Those are"},{"t":11840,"text":"necessities. I don't view this particular building as a necessity. I view it as a nice to have. And in a"},{"t":11847,"text":"perfect world, I'd be willing to to support to support having consent on this. But I'm was really impacted by the"},{"t":11855,"text":"conversations I had. And that's one of the benefits of speaking to people one-on-one is you get to find out more of a individual picture, but you hear"},{"t":11864,"text":"when you hear it over and over again, it's a it's it's a thing that matters to people in the community. And yes, it's a shared service and we all want to be"},{"t":11872,"text":"part of working together as a municipality. But as I sit in here, I'd sit in here thinking this. I'm not sitting here as a commissioner. I'm"},{"t":11880,"text":"sitting here as a as a representative of taxpayers at the town of Sydney as a counselor. And that's how I'm basing my decision. And I I I um it weighs on me"},{"t":11890,"text":"heavily to think that and it doesn't sound like a lot of money. $30.50 a year works out to 250 a month, I think, or"},{"t":11897,"text":"something like that. But as a person who's lived on a string budget, I know what it's like when every dollar matters, every penny matters. And so"},{"t":11904,"text":"when we make these decisions and we're looking at things from a perspective up here, we're not looking down here and how it impacts people individually in"},{"t":11913,"text":"their lives. And I I'm I've kind of gone away from that a bit in the last little stretch of time, but I've come back to"},{"t":11920,"text":"it. It's it's kind of grounded me having these conversations because we make decisions and yes, they're difficult and sometimes it it can be"},{"t":11930,"text":"challenging in terms of the broader picture, but when you when it gets down to it, um I I I I'm not going to be able to"},{"t":11938,"text":"support it because I I do worry about impacts like this and the piggybacked effect of all the other things that [snorts] are asking to be approved and"},{"t":11946,"text":"the overall impact it will have on people just to survive. And maybe that's going too deep into the weeds on this, but it's kind of where I'm at right now."},{"t":11954,"text":"So, I'll leave my comments there, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Gett."},{"t":11958,"text":"Are there any other second time speakers?"},{"t":11962,"text":"I'm not seeing any. I'm going to look to call the question. All those in favor? Opposed?"},{"t":11970,"text":"C online. We have councelor Duck and Councelor Novik opposed. In the room, we have councelor O'Keefe and councelor Grenet opposed. The motion is defeated."},{"t":11979,"text":"um council the um the feat of the motion is um I believe and I'll turn to uh to"},{"t":11986,"text":"our corporate officer u in terms of the request from the CRD I I believe we need a motion to not consent. I don't believe"},{"t":11994,"text":"a defeated motion of consent uh suffices. So if I could turn to back to council on that. I'm just looking for"},{"t":12002,"text":"confirmation. I think I had a a yes from Okay."},{"t":12012,"text":"Again, just the wording of the motion that is in the in the letters. If we change it from consent to not consent."},{"t":12020,"text":"All right. [clears throat] I move that council not consent to the"},{"t":12027,"text":"CRD adopting bylaw number 4782, Senate Peninsula Recreation Services,"},{"t":12034,"text":"DCS Recreation Facility Loan Authorization bylaw number two 2026."},{"t":12042,"text":"Second and seconded. I don't think we need any further discussion. I'll look to call the question. All those in favor?"},{"t":12050,"text":"Thank you. opposed."},{"t":12052,"text":"Councelor Duncan, myself and councelor Winuler are opposed. The motion carries. Thank you council for the discussion."},{"t":12060,"text":"Uh we are next turning to item 14C which is a request uh for letter of support uh"},{"t":12068,"text":"uh in the VAAA's application to transport Canada's trade divers diversification quarters fund. Uh we have an email uh in our u uh in our"},{"t":12077,"text":"agenda from the VAAA Victoria Airport Authority dated August 31st and we have it recommendation."},{"t":12084,"text":"Council we'll move the recommendation that the town provide a letter of support."},{"t":12090,"text":"Second second. Any discussion? Councelor Duncan."},{"t":12094,"text":"Thank you. I just very briefly because I'm on the airport noise committee and I am aware of uh our appointee from the"},{"t":12101,"text":"citizen rep who is bringing forward um a request um from himself and another"},{"t":12109,"text":"citizen of North Sanage to the noise committee in October. um and requesting I guess they want more noise"},{"t":12118,"text":"monitoring obviously as city has been densifying um more people are being impacted uh and of course the airport is"},{"t":12126,"text":"expanding and this is another expansion we've had an expansion from the airport recently uh during which our citizens complained about noise in the Green"},{"t":12134,"text":"Glade neighborhood and the VA was very responsive in how they managed their construction program"},{"t":12140,"text":"[snorts]"},{"t":12140,"text":"um in a way that really made the Green Glade people feel quite heard and and and seem to solve the problem. And so this is another incident of people"},{"t":12148,"text":"bringing up that it feels like whether it's because of the way the build form is and there's more people moving in or perhaps that the runways are expanding"},{"t":12157,"text":"uh that that noise um monitoring official noise monitoring. We currently have no no noise uh monitoring equipment"},{"t":12165,"text":"offsite actually start to be done. Um and so I'm not changing the motion now."},{"t":12171,"text":"I think town supporting this is is something we should do. Um, and because we have never discussed this as a council, I wouldn't want to say council"},{"t":12179,"text":"is going to make another uh recommendation now. Nobody's seen anything. Um, but I did just want to bring that up to the council that"},{"t":12186,"text":"because we have another committee that has this uh ability to speak directly to the VA. um that kind of hopefully we get"},{"t":12194,"text":"this kind of onto our radar that um while citizens are using the mechanism that we currently have with the VA uh"},{"t":12203,"text":"that as this request kind of comes back and we have opportunities to to uh ask the VA to do something that other"},{"t":12211,"text":"airports are doing in urban areas um that they begin looking to that when they come forward with these particularly if they're actually starting if they're getting funding for"},{"t":12219,"text":"other things that maybe they can get funding for that sort two."},{"t":12224,"text":"Thank you, councelor. Any further discussion? Seeing none, I'll call a question. Those in favor carries unanimous. Thank you. And we're now"},{"t":12231,"text":"going to item 14D, which was uh raised during approval of the agenda. Um the 15.1, the letter from Peninsula Streams"},{"t":12239,"text":"regarding development permit conditions for 20 10 2031 Rest Haven Drive. Um and"},{"t":12246,"text":"uh a reply from staff dated September the 8th. I'll turn to councelor Gernett first and then coun and then councelor duck."},{"t":12253,"text":"Mayor if it's all right with you I'll I'll see the floor to councelor duck first. Councelor Duck."},{"t":12259,"text":"Thank you mayor and thank you councelor Gadette. Yeah I'm I'm I share equal concern that Peninsula Streams and Shorelines has expressed in their letter"},{"t":12267,"text":"to council. Um having looked at this development uh it's almost uh a couple blocks from my house. Um, I've seen the"},{"t":12276,"text":"the impact it's having on the land side there and I it's hard to see it from the the water side, but it lies on it backs"},{"t":12284,"text":"onto the ESA, Roberts Bay ESA, um, as well as onto Mermaid Creek. And I I"},{"t":12292,"text":"recognize that staff have uh, acknowledged the letter from Streams and certainly identified uh, what they're"},{"t":12300,"text":"doing there. I'm wondering if we need to do more in terms of um, protection of this area certainly in terms of setback"},{"t":12308,"text":"and u barrier to protect protect u mermaid creek and secondly that any"},{"t":12317,"text":"um the the land behind there I I don't know and it's hard to tell from without going through the property to see what kind of"},{"t":12325,"text":"damage is done but any restoration needs to happen to the uh shore bank front of that again I know staff have taken a look at this so maybe they can comment"},{"t":12334,"text":"on um having looked at it at a at a greater depth than uh the average person citizen can from the street. Um but I'm"},{"t":12343,"text":"concerned about the impact on this environmentally sensitive area. I'm concerned about the, you know, the the"},{"t":12350,"text":"plans we have to daylight Mermaid Creek, uh, which are obviously long-term, but, you know, that we keep those in mind as"},{"t":12358,"text":"we look at developments that are happening on the shores of both Rest, uh, Robert's Bay and Mermaid Creek. Last"},{"t":12365,"text":"fall, we went through considerable consideration of remediation of of Mermaid Creek Outlet into Robert's Bay"},{"t":12373,"text":"and um that was put aside by uh residents not wanting to change anything on their land yet u or watching the"},{"t":12380,"text":"beach erode away and I don't want to see us do the same thing relative to this property being developed and exposing"},{"t":12388,"text":"Mermaid Creek and ultimately Robert Bay to more erosion and destruction. Thank you."},{"t":12394,"text":"Sorry. Councelor Duck, uh, thank thank you for your comments. Do you do you wish to pose a question directly to staff? You did make reference to staff, but do you have a question you would like to propose to?"},{"t":12405,"text":"Yes, I thank you, mayor. Um, I would like to pose a question. U, have you read the letter that uh came from staff"},{"t":12411,"text":"regarding uh response to uh Peninsula uh streams and shorelines? Um, can they give more uh outline of what they're"},{"t":12420,"text":"doing to protect the uh beachfront, waterfront, streamfront on the back side of that development that um can't be"},{"t":12429,"text":"accessed by the public because of the location of it is. That's my concern is just what kind of um erosion or"},{"t":12437,"text":"potential u destruction to the the uh waterfront on that side. Thank you."},{"t":12445,"text":"Thank you. I'll turn to Mr. Hagen, our director of development services, who uh who wrote the reply."},{"t":12454,"text":"Good evening. Um, yes, there was a condition on the approved development permit for this site to control any silt"},{"t":12461,"text":"or runoff from the site that might spill out onto the beach. Also, the development permit was issued for work on private property. It was not"},{"t":12468,"text":"approving any work beyond the rear property line. It doesn't approve any work on the shore bank down to the beach or into the creek. Nothing was approved"},{"t":12477,"text":"to go beyond into that area. So, the property owner should not be doing any work in Mermaid Creek itself. That's public land."},{"t":12485,"text":"Thank you."},{"t":12486,"text":"Uh, if I could just speak to the setback as well. I'm just reminding council that in 2024 with the adoption of the new zoning bylaw, the rear the setback or"},{"t":12494,"text":"the minimum setback to the natural boundary was increased from 7.6 6 meters to 15 m following policy guidance in the"},{"t":12503,"text":"OCP to look for a greater setback to the natural boundary and the development here on this property definitely complies with that. Thank you."},{"t":12511,"text":"Thank you. And other measures are are indicated in the letter. Councelor Duck."},{"t":12516,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Mr. Vhagen. Yes. Um I I agree that we increased the setback on that. Um you did say in your comments"},{"t":12524,"text":"that the uh developer should not be doing anything that uh impacts on the creek. How are we monitoring that? Like"},{"t":12532,"text":"are we checking that regularly or is there somebody visiting the site and and investigating that part of the property? Thank you."},{"t":12540,"text":"Through the mayor, building inspectors are going to the site when called for building inspections on the building under construction. We don't have the staff capacity to monitor all active sites for compliance with DP guidelines."},{"t":12552,"text":"Um if something was noted by inspectors, we would go out and see. Thank you."},{"t":12557,"text":"Uh thank you again, staff. And so is this now incumbent on the public to um view it from the water side, I guess, if"},{"t":12566,"text":"they obviously can't access it and to provide input to um staff or for bylaw"},{"t":12573,"text":"office to check that because or building inspectors to check that because I assume the building inspectors looking at the building. I don't know if he's looking at the or has the capacity or"},{"t":12581,"text":"the uh expertise to look at the waterfront side and know if there's any impact there. Thank you."},{"t":12588,"text":"Sure. Thank you. Staff did planning staff do go out periodically during the process and during construction and development. We don't go by regularly."},{"t":12597,"text":"Perhaps Mr. Edwards wants to speak more to staff capacity there if he has any additional comments. Mr. Edwards."},{"t":12605,"text":"Yeah, thank you, Mayor. Um, and it it is not incumbent on the public to um to to be the watchful eye on development."},{"t":12613,"text":"However, as has been noted before in the past, when when the public does see activity that they are concerned about,"},{"t":12621,"text":"we immediately uh check upon it. Um and so we're very grateful when the public does keep a watchful eye on these types"},{"t":12629,"text":"of things and and effectively helps us out in this regard. But um you know we"},{"t":12636,"text":"we do have a very limited staff uh in all departments and so uh in a community"},{"t":12643,"text":"with as much activity and the level of density that we have and the limited staff that we have we we cannot be uh"},{"t":12652,"text":"checking perhaps the level of frequency that you're you're uh implying there."},{"t":12658,"text":"Um, however, we do feel fairly confident that when we before we issued these permits, and this one in particular took"},{"t":12666,"text":"a considerable amount of time uh back and forth between staff and the developer to issue the permits to ensure"},{"t":12674,"text":"that there was a clear understanding of all of the permit requirements. And so we we do put uh faith and trust in the"},{"t":12683,"text":"developer and and we do check up periodically."},{"t":12687,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Edwards, and thank you, Mr. Hagen. Yeah, I I appreciate the position of staff is in this, and I know our resources are limited, but I'm also"},{"t":12696,"text":"reflecting on uh past developers and the damage they've caused, and we've had to go back and seek remediation, if you"},{"t":12703,"text":"want to say that, as to where and what we how we do that. And so, I'm trying to be proactive in that respect that we"},{"t":12710,"text":"don't end up in the similar situation with this property or any other property for that that matter. Thank you. Thank you, mayor."},{"t":12717,"text":"Thank you. And I'll turn to Mr. Edwards one more time."},{"t":12720,"text":"And and just just following up on that that last comment, counselor, we we know and recognize those past situations that"},{"t":12728,"text":"you may be referring to. However, again, I I will reiterate is we we cannot we just simply do not have the resources to"},{"t":12737,"text":"go out to every development that has development permit requirements um to check on them at the level of frequency that I think is being implied here."},{"t":12749,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Again, mayor. No, I'm not implying that."},{"t":12751,"text":"I'm just suggesting this is an environmentally sensitive area. So, we should be if not more diligent uh versus other developments that maybe we don't"},{"t":12759,"text":"have the staff for. You know, may maybe I mean does anybody on staff have in the department have a drone that can fly"},{"t":12766,"text":"over there? I mean, that's one way it can be mediated, but it's it's because this is an environmentally sensitive area and we've had so much um discussion"},{"t":12775,"text":"around Robert's Bay and the the loss of u of shoreline there and and potential continued loss of shoreline that this"},{"t":12782,"text":"impacts on that as well. And so it's it's it's I appreciate the the limitations of staff, but at the same time, um we've defined this as an"},{"t":12791,"text":"environmentally sensitive area for a reason, and that's to protect it. So, we should be looking at ways we can better protect it uh as we go forward. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor."},{"t":12801,"text":"Thank you. If if we should be looking at ways to protect it in in terms of the policy and bylaws that we have, it would"},{"t":12809,"text":"take direction from council to staff to do otherwise. I'll turn to councelor Green, please."},{"t":12815,"text":"Thank you, mayor. And um I'm I'm not sure if having a drone that close to a bird sanctuary is a great idea, but um I"},{"t":12822,"text":"I I'm not going to speak to what councelor Doug has already spoke to. I just I just wanted to raise the red letter to thank streams and shorelines."},{"t":12830,"text":"Um and as been mentioned there, we have had a few developments where there were issues and those are raised by residents"},{"t":12838,"text":"as well and knowing that staff doesn't have the capacity to be everywhere, it's just not possible. Um, so you know, they"},{"t":12846,"text":"care enough to pay attention that it's important to them and um, you know, when they do this when they do this kind of in-depth look into something and they"},{"t":12853,"text":"want to make sure it's done right, it it it's beneficial to us as a council and a community when you have organizations that are willing to step up to help in"},{"t":12860,"text":"this regard. So, I just wanted to um give them my kudos, if you will, for um, taking the time to write this. Thank you."},{"t":12868,"text":"Thank councelor O'Keefe, please."},{"t":12870,"text":"Uh, thank you. Um, similarly, I'm very appreciative of the time and energy that"},{"t":12877,"text":"Peninsula Streams puts into paying attention to what's going on in the community and giving us feedback on"},{"t":12884,"text":"this. So, um, thank you for that. Um, and in looking at staff's response, what"},{"t":12891,"text":"I'm getting is that, you know, we are following the the rules and staff are familiar with what's going on. Um but I do note"},{"t":12900,"text":"that you know staff mentioning that there there might be broader opportunities um you know for habitat restoration,"},{"t":12908,"text":"ecological enhancement um and you know other objectives that we might consider and that the place to do"},{"t":12916,"text":"that would be in our maybe in our official community plan. Um so just question through to staff. Can you"},{"t":12923,"text":"refresh my memory on when when we're slated to do that again? The last eight"},{"t":12930,"text":"years have kind of blurry."},{"t":12939,"text":"Mr. Nukem, director of community planning through the mayor to councelor O'Keeffe."},{"t":12944,"text":"So the next required review of the uh community plan would be in 2030."},{"t":12949,"text":"Okay. We need to go back and look at the housing capacity. Uh apart from that provinially legislated requirement,"},{"t":12956,"text":"there's no specific date uh when we need to do that. It's okay. Essentially up to council. Okay."},{"t":12963,"text":"Thank you. Um yeah, so that's a long time away. The other uh the other uh opportunity we might have"},{"t":12972,"text":"is we made a motion I think we did a little while ago about referring to strategic planning that idea of bio-"},{"t":12981,"text":"regional having a bio-regional framework and coming up with um guidelines for ESAs and other things that go across all"},{"t":12990,"text":"three municipalities. So what I would just be doing is I think this is good information from peninsula streams and"},{"t":12998,"text":"I'll be popping that in a folder for our strategic planning session and you know considering this once we go to talk"},{"t":13007,"text":"about that bio- regional framework and so I don't think it's a lost effort on peninsula streams part and that's where"},{"t":13014,"text":"I think that we might uh take take a look at it at that time. Thank you."},{"t":13020,"text":"Thank you. Uh seeing no further speakers, uh we'll close that item off."},{"t":13024,"text":"We don't require we don't require a motion. Uh that turns us to item 15. And there are five other pieces of correspondence which we're receiving by"},{"t":13032,"text":"virtue of being on the agenda. We have no notices of motion uh this evening."},{"t":13037,"text":"I'll turn to councelor Gett who kindly reads our recommendation to go on camera."},{"t":13042,"text":"Thank you, mayor. And I'll move that is in the opinion of council that the public interest requires that persons other than members of the council and officers be excluded from the meeting to"},{"t":13051,"text":"consider confidential matters regarding personal information of an individual who holds or is being considered for an appointment pursuant to section 90.1"},{"t":13059,"text":"90.1A of the community charter and that council continue the meeting in close session. Second move and second. All in favor?"},{"t":13067,"text":"Thank you. Uh we'll pause for a moment to go in camera where it's closed to the public. Thank you. Thank you everyone for attending."},{"t":13074,"text":"Do I need a motion to journ this meeting?"}],"words":32499,"fetchedAt":"2026-10-03T04:18:16.363Z"}