{"videoId":"EaOHNDzqFHE","source":"serpapi","segments":[{"t":537,"text":"Okay, good evening everyone. Good evening and welcome to our regular council meeting of Monday, June 22nd."},{"t":546,"text":"Call tonight's meeting to order. I do wish to begin by recognizing that the district of Souk is located on the traditional territories of both the"},{"t":554,"text":"South and Shannon nations. Uh, council, I'll turn your attention to item 3.1."},{"t":560,"text":"That will be for that the agenda for the June 22nd, 2026 regular meeting of council to be adopted as presented."},{"t":569,"text":"Moved by councelor Beto, seconded by St. Pierre. All those in favor? Any oppose?"},{"t":574,"text":"That's unanimous. Thank you. 4.1 is adoption of meeting minutes. Uh, so that the following council meeting minutes be"},{"t":582,"text":"adopted as presented. June 8th, 2026 regular and June 15, 2026 committee the whole moved by councelor St. Pierre and"},{"t":591,"text":"seconded by Pearson. Any questions or corrections? Seeing none, all in favor?"},{"t":596,"text":"Any opposed? That's unanimous. Thank you. Report of our chief administrative officers number five. Over to Miss Gray, please."},{"t":605,"text":"Um I have nothing further to add at this time. I was going to speak a bit to the annual report um on the agenda tonight."},{"t":612,"text":"Okay. Thank you very much. The report is within the consent agenda. So therefore, this takes us to our public question and comment period, item six. Uh so I'll"},{"t":621,"text":"invite any members of the public that wish to address council and its materials tonight to please do so at this time. If you could please introduce"},{"t":629,"text":"yourself with your name, the municipality or local government you call home, and please let us know which agenda item you are referring to."},{"t":638,"text":"Thank you."},{"t":640,"text":"Good evening, uh Padam Mayor and Council. My name is uh Brian Mcatti from Souk and uh I don't have the actual"},{"t":647,"text":"agenda item but it's the 2025 annual report. So you'll know where that"},{"t":653,"text":"is in the agenda. And uh throughout my uh career as a planner and and uh as a"},{"t":662,"text":"politician uh for for three terms uh I've uh read lots of annual reports uh and some of them I've fallen asleep too."},{"t":671,"text":"their great bedtime reading. Uh but uh through those hundreds of reports, you get a sense of different approaches that"},{"t":679,"text":"are taken uh by by staff and and the readability. And I can tell you that this is one of the best reports uh that"},{"t":686,"text":"I've ever read of that type, an annual report. And uh it's it's the readability of it because they can be difficult to"},{"t":694,"text":"to read. uh the the way that's uh presented in terms of transparency uh the uh the content uh it's content full"},{"t":703,"text":"and uh it's it's clear on uh on where the spending of the municipality is is"},{"t":710,"text":"taking place uh very important for uh for citizens uh in terms of the budget."},{"t":716,"text":"The statistics section in the back is particularly helpful uh and in full and it connects well to the strategic plan"},{"t":723,"text":"of council and the uh the key uh performance indicators that council has chosen as well. So from from my"},{"t":731,"text":"perspective, it uh and then the highlights of course uh with the uh the all the consultation, the official"},{"t":738,"text":"community plan being passed during this term of council, passed by council and the environmental stewardship work of"},{"t":745,"text":"the the streamkeepers program I'm attending on Wednesday. So that's a pretty exciting initiative uh of the municipality and the community coming"},{"t":753,"text":"together. the tourism uh destination uh tax implementation. Looking forward to seeing that. So I think what one takes"},{"t":761,"text":"away from this and I I want to take uh thank the CIO in particular Rachel and Christina Moog who I understand had a a lot to do with writing the report."},{"t":771,"text":"We are out of time. Mr. Mcatty finish up the last sentence. Uh so what what one takes away is is stability in terms of"},{"t":780,"text":"the organization and the staff. uh strong commitment to planning and the public interest and of course the financial planning award that's"},{"t":787,"text":"highlighted as well which is pretty exciting. Thank you very much."},{"t":791,"text":"Thank you for sharing that. We'll certainly pass it on to our staff. Thank you. Other speakers today."},{"t":805,"text":"Thank you. My name is Veronica Petbertton Villing. I live in Souk. I'm pleased to be with you. I also thought it was a beautiful report and I must"},{"t":814,"text":"admit I didn't have time to read it in depth but I thought it was a lovely report. I did however and I it's wonderful to have a financial planning"},{"t":823,"text":"award. I'm here however to bang the drum again on costs because I think we need a"},{"t":829,"text":"total rethinking of what we're about as council and staff. It's a beautiful report. I would like to know if it was"},{"t":837,"text":"prepared by consultants or if it was done inhouse. if it was done in house. I I'm thrilled completely for if it was done completely in house, but I wanted"},{"t":845,"text":"to point to just I do think we need to look at every single expense we're doing. So, and I'm going to put out some"},{"t":854,"text":"minor things like when we talk about well, we're doing civic education in the classrooms or combining that's not the"},{"t":861,"text":"job of the municipal council. When we look at the climate initiatives now, I think we need to look at them one by"},{"t":867,"text":"one. So because we're already we know that BC Hydro is using more and more fort as gas to support it. We know that"},{"t":876,"text":"the climate the IPCC has pulled back their their models and it's not as catastrophic as they said. And we also"},{"t":883,"text":"know that the world is in crisis. We particularly know that Canada is entering a really really difficult time"},{"t":890,"text":"financially. So I think if we're standing on that annual report going forward, we really need to look at every"},{"t":898,"text":"every single section of what we're every single line item and it's not enough to win a financial planning award although"},{"t":905,"text":"it's admirable but it's what is the direction of that planning and I think we need to be looking at a full uh what"},{"t":913,"text":"can I say scaling down of our expenses starting from the most minor to the major ones. Thank you."},{"t":923,"text":"Thank you. Other speakers today."},{"t":931,"text":"Hello. Uh Noah Dowey Souk. Uh just here again about 10.1 through road connector."},{"t":938,"text":"Um having reviewed the materials in tonight's agenda, I'm still in favor of a 20 m cross-section as sort of a compromise. Given the limited number of"},{"t":945,"text":"entrances and exits that can be anticipated with this stretch of road, I don't see the value of a center lane or median uh provided in the 25 meter."},{"t":954,"text":"Conversely, with the 15.2, I think it's too bare bones. Basically, just shifting the highway over without enough consideration for other modes of"},{"t":962,"text":"transportation than cars or uh the pedestrians, mostly youth, that currently traverse this corridor. I'd just like to also note that when"},{"t":970,"text":"speaking about the right-of-way acquisition in the report, um the report indicates that a majority of the land will need to be purchased from the CRD,"},{"t":979,"text":"specifically Sea Parks. So, the proceeds from such a sale, I'm told, would most likely end up in Sea Park's capital"},{"t":986,"text":"reserve, um and would in a roundabout way represent a significant investment in recreation here in Sou. So I I feel"},{"t":994,"text":"like that's a nice way to think about that."},{"t":998,"text":"Separately uh regarding 8.1 Souk soccer club delegation, I just want to recognize the value this organization provides for youth in Souk and to"},{"t":1006,"text":"commend them for the transparency around their financial situation that accompanies this request. I recognize it's a difficult ask, but that kind of"},{"t":1014,"text":"openness from local groups coming to the taxpayer for funding is nice to see and should be commended. Thank you."},{"t":1022,"text":"Okay. Thank you. other speakers"},{"t":1031,"text":"Ellen Lurs I also would like to speak to the annual report uh number one the amount of police and fire calls do not"},{"t":1039,"text":"actually reflect the actual calls of which 78% of call for mental and health and drug and alcohol calls. This is"},{"t":1048,"text":"extremely important to know where to put our resources and to lobby the province to pay the bills, not the property owners by council hiring two more firemen and two more policemen, a direct cost to property tax increase."},{"t":1060,"text":"Uh report that there that there were many who commented on the budgets with pop-ups, etc. But how many knew anything that was in the budget and how would it"},{"t":1069,"text":"affect their taxes? I don't think that was a fair process. We need to know the exact cost of creating more parks and maintenance costs of trails versus"},{"t":1077,"text":"sidewalks out of and of uh maintaining the parks or and how perhaps parks should be community gardens. Uh the cost"},{"t":1086,"text":"of EVs under the guise of climate change. Grant allegedly covered the cost of EV stations for staff and district vehicles but did not cover the cost of"},{"t":1094,"text":"four vehicles EV vehicles with a total of 252,000."},{"t":1100,"text":"Water costs are associate associated with climate change, refits at the fire hall, city hall, cost for something not"},{"t":1106,"text":"tangible like CO2 reduction which is now not so important anymore as we're using our water to build AI centers. Civic"},{"t":1114,"text":"education for the youth is not the responsibility of the district of Souk and taxpayers but is responsibility of the education system. Food security was"},{"t":1122,"text":"never discussed at OCP level or with council. Yet here it is in the report like we all were all involved. Council and staff are not the ones to decide"},{"t":1129,"text":"food security issues and should have been discussed with people affected i.e."},{"t":1133,"text":"farmers who region Fuji and those invested in growing and raising food in the community. Hiring more staff is isn't necessary. Where do we cut back on"},{"t":1142,"text":"services? I.e. letting some parks going back to nature which aren't frequented and stop creating more doing more with less. We are in a recession."},{"t":1151,"text":"Let's start acting that way. Cutting back on the amount of staff and counselors going to conferences is a huge savings as two members attending"},{"t":1158,"text":"can pass on the info and reduce the cost of one effective government operation as well. And one other uh comment time, Miss Lur, it's just a quick comment."},{"t":1167,"text":"Okay."},{"t":1168,"text":"Uh it's it's about the the letters to council. They're just they're just a let we don't know what they say and I think that that should be open to the public"},{"t":1176,"text":"to see as well what people are commenting to to the uh council. Thank you."},{"t":1183,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Other speakers today on tonight's agenda."},{"t":1206,"text":"And no, you'll need to turn on your on the microphone, please. This one? No. On the base of the stem. Thank you. Oh, this one."},{"t":1214,"text":"Okay. Were you here tonight as a delegation? Not yet. Somebody."},{"t":1221,"text":"No, but I'll reorder the agenda since you're seated here. And I'll just ask staff to monitor the No, I can wait. I'm not right."},{"t":1229,"text":"It's fine. We might as well because I was thinking you call by name."},{"t":1235,"text":"We're fine, sir. Uh we'll start you as a delegation and you'll have five minutes to address council and then I'll go back to see if there's other members of the"},{"t":1243,"text":"public. Okay. All right. Go ahead please."},{"t":1247,"text":"Okay. My name is Shustmuda residents of Souk for last five years"},{"t":1253,"text":"and then I came here to talk to the six brain of Souk but I don't see five of"},{"t":1261,"text":"them today. So, one is missing. But anyway, I'm going to talk about the budget uh property taxes increases."},{"t":1274,"text":"Uh I'm the on disability pension plan and I cannot follow increases as you as you do"},{"t":1283,"text":"that because my pension plan cannot do it."},{"t":1287,"text":"And today I talk to the city council about property taxes. I make the simple"},{"t":1296,"text":"chart for you to understand my point. You everybody know the tax"},{"t":1304,"text":"assessment looks like ABC right? Do you right? ABC. So A is for people working people pay taxes."},{"t":1314,"text":"So then B is uh people over under 65"},{"t":1320,"text":"and uh C is people uh over 65 right and this is the glitch guys you know I don't"},{"t":1328,"text":"know I'm talking to the brain of suk and then this is the problem because uh"},{"t":1337,"text":"section C when you see it uh for example my neighbor living with"},{"t":1344,"text":"his spouse house and the combined income is on pension plan $5,000."},{"t":1350,"text":"I'm living alone for $2,000 and I have to pay the same amount of taxes as they pay. Do you think it's"},{"t":1358,"text":"fair? What do you think? Can you open your mind? Can you think about it?"},{"t":1366,"text":"So I have that solution because you spend too much money. what I review the"},{"t":1373,"text":"the budget. So spend too much money. So we have to control that or maybe reduce"},{"t":1380,"text":"that. Did you even consider it to reduce the property taxes? No. No clue."},{"t":1389,"text":"I give you the clue."},{"t":1391,"text":"How about we can reduce your salaries to minimum wage from BC and then Okay, that's counselor. Thank you."},{"t":1400,"text":"Then you can feel it. You feel it. what I feel and others working for minimum wage in souk how to pay you property tax"},{"t":1408,"text":"increase and increase case increase so my solution is like I said reduce your salaries reduce your uh amount of"},{"t":1418,"text":"the city council because we don't need the six because Lanford have the 50,000 people residents and they have six souk"},{"t":1427,"text":"only have the 16,000 and also six we cannot afford to have the six. So my suggestion is to reduce to four and two"},{"t":1436,"text":"other seats I will able for the seniors volunteer seniors who can maybe address"},{"t":1443,"text":"and do something for seniors in the city because nobody cares one of you and my"},{"t":1450,"text":"another solution is to make changes for four A B C D."},{"t":1460,"text":"You see they see the couple they make $5,000 together and I'm alone and I have"},{"t":1468,"text":"to pay the same amount of taxes which is unfair. So you have to adjust to make the D for the single low-income people"},{"t":1477,"text":"living in souk then afford to pay property taxes. Is that clear?"},{"t":1485,"text":"Any question? Can you start thinking about this?"},{"t":1494,"text":"Do something for the people low income. Call call souk maybe retired town. Do you something about the souk traffic?"},{"t":1504,"text":"Another suggestion is to relocate the city hall the district to the"},{"t":1511,"text":"uh elementary school on the souk which create the traffic extra traffic. You"},{"t":1518,"text":"can move there and move the uh elementary school here for safety."},{"t":1525,"text":"How about that? Make sense?"},{"t":1529,"text":"I I ask you guy you you become the brain of Souk. I want I expect you can use the common sense because the government was"},{"t":1538,"text":"created for people that can make something think for us how to make"},{"t":1546,"text":"easier and better in souk but I don't see that only I you what do you do you"},{"t":1553,"text":"approve only we are at your time limit thank you for presenting so I have another issue I I"},{"t":1562,"text":"will come back again uh with another issue."},{"t":1566,"text":"Okay, not finish."},{"t":1568,"text":"Okay, that was five minutes. So, thank you. That you are not including."},{"t":1575,"text":"Okay, I'm sure many people agree with you. Thank you."},{"t":1584,"text":"Okay, thank you. Do we have other I'm going to go back to our public input section now and see if there are any other members of the public that would like to address council."},{"t":1594,"text":"Thank you."},{"t":1607,"text":"No, if you just turn on the button, it's just at the st. Thank you."},{"t":1610,"text":"Hi, I'm Christine. I live in Souk. I just had a quick little blurb that I wanted to do. Um I I want to qu I want"},{"t":1618,"text":"to ask a question actually. Why are we giving um an NGO such as Mcola that makes $34 million per year permissive tax exemptions right through to 2030?"},{"t":1630,"text":"Why do taxpayers have to pay their property taxes when we have they have more than enough to pay their own? It is my understanding that before October"},{"t":1639,"text":"2026, we can revisit and reconsider this exemption."},{"t":1649,"text":"I'll just respond that uh Mcola will have tax taxis levied on them and it'll be phased in over time, but their land"},{"t":1657,"text":"assessment is not within our discretionary ability. Are there speakers tonight?"},{"t":1666,"text":"I'm looking for members of the public to speak."},{"t":1678,"text":"Helen Ritz. I live in Souk. I'm here to uh speak to the throop road and I support the um the the 25 meter"},{"t":1686,"text":"buildout. Um, you know, I think there was a time when when we built roads and pedestrian and and biking safety wasn't"},{"t":1693,"text":"a top priority, but that has long since passed. And I think also the role of council is to uh to think to the future and and to think about public safety."},{"t":1703,"text":"And I know that so many people would want to bike, walk, roll, whatever they could. So, you know, it's it's costs so"},{"t":1711,"text":"much money. You know, my dad used to say the most expensive solution is a temporary one. And it seems like once you put duct tape on something, you"},{"t":1718,"text":"really never go back to finish it. So I I think, you know, the best thing is do it right to begin with. So I would support that. And then there were there were some tax numbers and I think it was"},{"t":1727,"text":"about an extra $5 to do it right. So I would definitely support that."},{"t":1732,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Any other speakers this evening?"},{"t":1739,"text":"Anyone else? This is the final time on tonight's agenda."},{"t":1743,"text":"Okay. Thank you everyone. We'll move on to our next delegation today which or sorry item seven is our invited"},{"t":1752,"text":"presentation. So 7.1 is BC transit a draft Victoria regional transit plan update. Welcome."},{"t":1761,"text":"Excellent. And thank you to the mayor and council for having me here today. Uh my name is Levi Meenber. I'm the manager of service planning. Uh pleased to be back here again today to provide an"},{"t":1770,"text":"update on the draft Victoria regional transit plan."},{"t":1774,"text":"What is the Victoria Regional Transit Plan and what are we trying to accomplish with it? Um, I'd say the first component is really looking to update the vision for the transit system"},{"t":1781,"text":"over the next 25 years. It's been about 15 years since the transit future plan was completed in 2011 and we've seen some massive changes in the region. So, it's high time we we re revisit it."},{"t":1791,"text":"Beyond the vision for the transit network, uh we also are looking to develop some comprehensive network and route design guidelines. Uh the intention of these are to provide a"},{"t":1800,"text":"malleable framework uh so we can continue to evolve the transit system as the region continues to grow and develop. Um we know it's been a very"},{"t":1808,"text":"dynamic period of time over the last 5 years in terms of development official community plan updates. We want to make sure that this 25-y year plan has the resilience to evolve and change as the"},{"t":1816,"text":"region continues to uh shape over the next 25 years. And then finally uh really to guide future infrastructure investment. uh that goes for operations"},{"t":1825,"text":"and maintenance facilities to support uh expanded fleet in the coming years as well as supporting rapid transit initiatives and the evolution and growth"},{"t":1833,"text":"of the regional express services and local transit services within the region as well."},{"t":1839,"text":"Uh the the career regional transit plan isn't starting from scratch. It's building on the foundation of previously completed planning work uh that includes"},{"t":1846,"text":"the 2011 uh transit future plan uh which included a basic uh network hierarchy of rapid, frequent and local services. Uh"},{"t":1855,"text":"it also builds upon the 2021 rapid bus implementation strategy. Uh so taking some of the great work that was done there and expanding it even further uh"},{"t":1863,"text":"recognizing the recent changes to the region."},{"t":1867,"text":"We also know the plan needs to grow and evolve with the region and we've seen significant changes uh over the last 15 years and in particular I think we we've"},{"t":1875,"text":"all seen the rapid pace of growth within the west shore in particular with souk having one of the highest uh percentage uh increases in population uh in the"},{"t":1883,"text":"province. Uh we recognize how important it is for us to be looking to the future how we can improve service to the west shore and to souk as well."},{"t":1893,"text":"Before talking about the details of the plan, I think there's value in just briefly reflecting on some of the significant uh accomplishments within the transit system over the last five"},{"t":1900,"text":"years. So the first is the uh digital fair collection technology Yumo uh which allows people to pay for their transit"},{"t":1908,"text":"service on their phone or or with a digital card they can reload. Uh and then over the last month of course we introduced uh debit and credit tap um"},{"t":1915,"text":"which was a major milestone for the system allowing tourists to access uh the system much easier and and occasional users. uh battery electric"},{"t":1923,"text":"bus continues to unfold within the region. So we have 25 battery electric buses now operating within the region with more coming uh which is a huge uh"},{"t":1932,"text":"huge and exciting milestone. Uh in 2023 we launched the first rapid bus service within the region with the 95 Victoria"},{"t":1939,"text":"to Langford uh Blink rapid bus line that's now carrying over 11,000 passengers per day within the region. Uh"},{"t":1946,"text":"work continues on the Highway 1 rapid bus infrastructure in particular right now between the McKenzie uh interchange and the island highway. Um so that"},{"t":1954,"text":"should wrap up by fall of next year and will once again continue to improve the speed and reliability of transit uh across the region. Uh we recently"},{"t":1962,"text":"completed the Handy Dart facility in View Royal which is uh huge uh game changer. We haven't been able to invest in handy dart in over 10 years and so"},{"t":1971,"text":"this allows us to finally uh provide improvements to handy dart service within the region. And then finally uh the province introduced the kids 12 and"},{"t":1979,"text":"under ride free program and it's been great to see the youth demographic uh growing rapidly in terms of ridership."},{"t":1985,"text":"We definitely see that in terms of our statistics and it's it's shaping the future generation of transit riders within the region."},{"t":1993,"text":"In terms of current service within Souk, uh the majority of service is provided by the 61. Uh in peak periods, it's almost every 15 minutes in combination"},{"t":2001,"text":"with the 65, but providing 30 to 60 minute service, uh the throughout the uh rest of the day. Uh and it's"},{"t":2009,"text":"supplemented by other local services including Route 63, 64, uh and Route 65."},{"t":2015,"text":"Um I'll just point out the Route 65, we recently changed that to better align with recent development within the Souk area. Um, so now we have improved"},{"t":2023,"text":"service to the Iranwood Helguson area within the northeast part of Souk, which was uh something we heard through public engagement."},{"t":2031,"text":"In terms of public engagement for the Victoria Regional Transit Plan, we talked to a lot of people. Um, we had almost 1,900 people fill out our online survey. We had 350 people come out and"},{"t":2039,"text":"talk to us in person over the nine openhouse events we hosted. Um, and we got a lot of feedback and input. Beyond public engagement, we also had some"},{"t":2046,"text":"extensive stakeholder engagement. We talked to neighborhood and community associations across the region, key employers, uh major institutional"},{"t":2053,"text":"uh uh organizations like UIC, um YJ, BC Fairies. Um and we heard a lot of"},{"t":2061,"text":"feedback. Um additionally, I just want to indicate we also spoke extensively with local government staff at all the municipalities to make sure we're"},{"t":2068,"text":"aligned with official community plans and that was huge. Um what we heard from public engagement though, really frequency was what we heard the most of."},{"t":2076,"text":"people want more frequent options to travel. Uh improve reliability. We heard a huge amount about rapid transit. I would say about 80% of the open comments"},{"t":2084,"text":"we received were about improving and expanding rapid transit, making uh evolving it more quickly within the region. Uh and then a desire for"},{"t":2093,"text":"simplified routes and direct connections within the transit network."},{"t":2098,"text":"I won't go into too much detail on the network and route design guidelines because it's almost its own separate topic. Um but really the intent of these"},{"t":2105,"text":"is to develop a demand-based framework for guiding future service investment."},{"t":2110,"text":"And then the other key component is to provide clarity to the public, local governments and BC transit as well around if a community builds a certain"},{"t":2117,"text":"type of uh development that there's clear understanding of what type of transit service will be provided to that in the future. Um and that's really just"},{"t":2126,"text":"to ensure equity and clarity uh as we continue to grow and evolve within the reach."},{"t":2133,"text":"So that brings us to the major component of the plan which is the draft big moves. Uh so there's 10 key uh initiatives that we've identified to"},{"t":2140,"text":"move the transit system forward. Um one thing you'll note is a large part of these are rapid transit oriented and"},{"t":2147,"text":"this really um is reflective of what we heard through public engagement and also what we've been seeing in terms of ridership patterns and and the needs"},{"t":2154,"text":"evolving within the region. Um, so that's everything between uh Mackenzie Rapid Transit, Peninsula Rapid Transit,"},{"t":2162,"text":"uh, higher order transit between downtown Victoria and the Langford area, um, and potential future rapid transit extension to James Bay and Jubilee areas"},{"t":2170,"text":"within the core. um as well as some major transit infrastructure projects including the six mile mobility hub and the uptown mobility hub which are"},{"t":2178,"text":"largely seeking to help support the evolution of the the rapid transit network and and support how the network needs to evolve to support that in the"},{"t":2186,"text":"future. Beyond rapid transit, we have three other key big moves. Um one is expanding the frequent transit network and modernizing the transit network. Uh"},{"t":2194,"text":"modernizing the handydart system and then improving interreional connections."},{"t":2201,"text":"So, a little more detail on the higher order rapid transit. First of all, what is higher order rapid transit? Um, we're defining that as essentially higher capacity vehicles beyond a"},{"t":2210,"text":"double-decker. So, we're talking trains, we're talking trackless trams, something that could carry a lot more people within a sing single vehicle. Um, in"},{"t":2218,"text":"particular, Mott updated their uh LRT study and they released that in 2025."},{"t":2223,"text":"And by 2050, it's anticipated that we're going to need higher capacity vehicles on Douglas to manage the the anticipated ridership growth and demand."},{"t":2231,"text":"Um, so the alignment between downtown and the six mile area is is locked in, but we do need to revisit the connection"},{"t":2239,"text":"between the six mile mobility hub and downtown Langford. There have been some massive changes to plans between Calwood and Langford with their official community plans. We just want to make"},{"t":2247,"text":"sure that the future alignment uh reflects some of those changes uh within those communities into the future."},{"t":2256,"text":"What do we mean by network modernization? Uh it's this there's a lot uh embedded in this particular big move. So the first is really building"},{"t":2264,"text":"out a frequent transit grid um where we know there's going to be the highest density and ridership within the region to improve mobility. Um but what does"},{"t":2272,"text":"that mean for areas that aren't anticipated to support all day 15minute service frequency? Um there's some other new service types we're looking to uh"},{"t":2280,"text":"include in the future plan. One of those includes regional express um which I think is particularly relevant for outline areas like Souk where maybe they"},{"t":2288,"text":"won't support 15-minute all day service but we can still really improve connectivity uh into the rest of the system in a different way than we do today. Um and then is as well low"},{"t":2297,"text":"density in rural areas. We've got a new service type called digital on demand that's being piloted elsewhere within uh the uh within British Columbia, sorry."},{"t":2306,"text":"Uh and that we can look to extend into the Victoria Regional Transit System in the coming years. So just a bit more on digital on demand."},{"t":2314,"text":"What is it? Uh the really easy way of describing it is uh Uber for buses. Um essentially there's a digital app where"},{"t":2321,"text":"people can book a trip within a defined service area. Um and the bus will optimize uh picking up and dropping off"},{"t":2329,"text":"all the passengers who are requesting rides uh in a way to pick up and drop off people within lower density areas."},{"t":2334,"text":"Um and the intent of the digital on demand service is once again provide base coverage in lowdensity areas, connect people within those areas and get them to the conventional transit"},{"t":2343,"text":"system um and and to tie into the rest of the transit network handy modernization. Uh we're in the"},{"t":2352,"text":"process of procuring uh a uh digital tool to help with the customer experience booking trips and also to"},{"t":2359,"text":"improve the efficiency of the delivery of handydart service. Um so the intent there is people can still call in as they currently do but they can book"},{"t":2366,"text":"online. Um and then the uh algorithm on the back end will optimize how trips are distributed hoping we can squeeze out"},{"t":2374,"text":"more value and and deliver more trips within our existing resource window. Um and then finally I'll just indicate the handy dart facility just opened and we can finally expand for the first time in"},{"t":2382,"text":"10 years which is huge uh westshore priorities uh beyond the big moves. So continuing to develop the"},{"t":2389,"text":"rapid, frequent and regional express and local transit networks. Um I think transit priority is something that we really need to consider in a in a bigger"},{"t":2398,"text":"way uh within the region. We're seeing transit slow down by about one and a half% every year. Uh and so that means even though we've been expanding by"},{"t":2406,"text":"about 2% every year, we're not actually getting that many additional trips. Um, so we're really going to focus on trying to work with local governments to speed transit up so we can get more value out"},{"t":2414,"text":"of our existing resources. In terms of additional transit infrastructure, so mobility hubs and exchanges, we do have the Watam's Way transit exchange on the"},{"t":2422,"text":"books still um for just in front of the library on Watam's Way. Um, but there's also a number of other mobility hubs and transit exchange projects identified for the Westshore area."},{"t":2432,"text":"So before I talk about next steps, I just want to uh indicate this is a very ambitious plan. Uh the amount of"},{"t":2440,"text":"investment required to accomplish all the objectives within this plan will require us as a region to look at transit in a different way. Uh that means from the province in terms of"},{"t":2448,"text":"funding uh and potentially legislative opportunities for funding in in a different way. That means BC transit looking at the transit network and how"},{"t":2456,"text":"we prioritize service in a different way. And that also means local governments in the regional district in terms of how we work to prioritize transit on our streets uh and and and"},{"t":2464,"text":"move more people more efficiently uh across the region in the coming years."},{"t":2469,"text":"Um so with that in mind um I just want to indicate in terms of next steps we are in the process of presenting this draft plan to all municipalities uh and"},{"t":2477,"text":"the regional district. Um I believe we have two more to go after the district of Souk. So um you know uh we've got a"},{"t":2485,"text":"couple more conversations to go. Um but after that we'll be updating the commission in July uh with the draft plan getting feedback and then we hope to bring the final version back to the"},{"t":2494,"text":"commission in September for final endorsement."},{"t":2497,"text":"But with that I wanted to open the floor for any questions and comments you may have. Um there is an opportunity to make tweaks and adjustments to this at this stage. So looking forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback."},{"t":2507,"text":"Okay. Thank you councelor Hel."},{"t":2511,"text":"Yeah sure. I got a couple um airport there's um desperate need obviously cabs are super expensive and people need to"},{"t":2520,"text":"get from downtown or westshore to the airport or picked up and parking out there is you know if you week holiday it's 120 bucks that kind of thing. So is"},{"t":2529,"text":"there any ability to increase that 100%. So through the chair um it is in the peninsula rapid transit big moves uh"},{"t":2538,"text":"section uh based off recent conversations with the commission there is a strong priority to uh provide a one seat ride between the downtown Victoria"},{"t":2546,"text":"area and YJ um and so as we look to roll out the Peninsula Rapid Bus uh solution that will be one key component of that"},{"t":2555,"text":"moving forward into the future. Um, and that is a change to what our previous plans indicated, which was continuing to provide a connection at McTaff Exchange."},{"t":2563,"text":"So, this is a new adjustment in terms of how we're looking at transit within the region. Right. Okay. Thank you."},{"t":2569,"text":"The the other thing I'll also just say is we do have a minor step in that direction that we're planning to launch this September for those early morning commuter trips and late evening trips."},{"t":2579,"text":"We will be deviating the 72 into the airport. Um, so if you're trying to catch a very early morning flight or coming back late in the evening, there's"},{"t":2586,"text":"the opportunity potentially to get service later and and also reduce the number of connections required within the network as a first step."},{"t":2594,"text":"Yeah, that would be great. Appreciate that. Um, the other thing was the amount of money we're spending on the bus lane to get back and forth to Victoria and"},{"t":2602,"text":"out to the West and stuff. Is there an opportunity for an HO um for multi-passenger cars to be able to work"},{"t":2609,"text":"with that? I mean buses are only using the lane intermittently."},{"t":2613,"text":"Can that be bumped up or is that anything you guys have to do with or you can agree to or share the lane?"},{"t":2620,"text":"Yeah, it's it's a good question. Um different regions look at this infrastructure in different ways and I think Colona is a good case study and"},{"t":2628,"text":"potential uh scenario where maybe we've tried it and it didn't work out so well as a cautionary tale. Um so for example"},{"t":2636,"text":"Colona we do have HOV and bus lanes on um highway 97 and we actually find that transit doesn't operate any quicker um"},{"t":2645,"text":"since we implemented it. Um and in in relation when we opened the highway 1 bus lanes between I believe it was Toli"},{"t":2654,"text":"and Tikcom we saw 15 to 20 minute peak travel time savings with the bus. Um, one of the challenges we face is once"},{"t":2661,"text":"you start letting other uses share the lane, turning movements continue to to slow things down. Um, and and we just"},{"t":2668,"text":"find that it will delay transit more and more. We operate a lot of transit down the uh highway one corridor. You may not see constant buses going, but each"},{"t":2677,"text":"double decker carries about up to 100 people. Um, so I think it it's something that could be considered. Um, but I think we just need to be very careful"},{"t":2684,"text":"about where that line is drawn, recognizing the experience we've seen in in other communities such as Colona."},{"t":2690,"text":"Well, there's an opportunity to make it three people instead of two or that type of thing lessen it, but to give you some bonus for car pooling, come up with some."},{"t":2699,"text":"Yeah. Anyhow, thank you."},{"t":2700,"text":"Okay. Other counselors have questions, comments. Well, sure."},{"t":2707,"text":"Okay. If I let our guest stop that quickly."},{"t":2710,"text":"Okay. So, um, Levi, thank you for being here. Now, you mentioned regional express services. What would those look like? Would that just be fewer stops"},{"t":2719,"text":"along the way into town or how does that work?"},{"t":2723,"text":"So, great question. Um, one of the things we hear, I would say in particular from souk riders and souk residents is there are challenges in"},{"t":2732,"text":"particular in the PM getting back from Victoria into Souk because there's a lot of people who want to hop on that bus and just hop off at Uptown, for example."},{"t":2740,"text":"Um, so one of the concepts for the regional express service is it potentially allows us to look at things such as limited pickup and drop off, right?"},{"t":2748,"text":"So for example, we could say, \"Hey, no drop off until you get to Slig Lumber or something like that with the 61.\" Um, so"},{"t":2757,"text":"yes, limited stop I think we would want to potentially look at so we can move people more quickly while still preserving um, access to where the"},{"t":2765,"text":"majority of people need to go. But I think this other piece of um pickup drop off policy is something we can explore to help make sure that the capacity on"},{"t":2773,"text":"the bus for the people that service is designed for is preserved."},{"t":2777,"text":"Um yeah, but we need to look at that comprehensively because we need to think about the people who currently use it."},{"t":2782,"text":"How do we move them and all of that fun stuff? Yes. Okay. So, this is a 25-y year plan."},{"t":2788,"text":"So, over the next five years, we'll be seeing work on this. Um I was very I think in game changers for for transit"},{"t":2796,"text":"use here. Um that rapid bus lane expansion to downtown Langford by which you mean the Langford station. Would"},{"t":2804,"text":"that be the downtown Langford you're thinking of for mobility hub for rapid bus? Let me just go back. Um"},{"t":2813,"text":"oh are you talking about the higher order transit?"},{"t":2816,"text":"Yeah. So right now um we don't have the specific alignment confirmed yet. We're gonna have a separate study as an output of this plan just to reconfirm what that"},{"t":2825,"text":"alignment is. There is the potential in the future to look at further extensions to that alignment. Um whether that be to West Hills or to the Happy Valley"},{"t":2833,"text":"Highway 14 uh future hub that's being envisioned by Langford for for future development and densification. Um these are all things"},{"t":2840,"text":"we need to explore in greater detail um through that future alignment study. But I think once again there are opportunities as we invest in uh"},{"t":2849,"text":"corridor prioritization to benefit Souk residents and other residents um as they use some of those same corridors wherever they're they're traveling within the region."},{"t":2857,"text":"Okay. Now at today's CRD uh workshop it was mentioned at the outset that while walking and cycling throughout the"},{"t":2865,"text":"region is increasing transit ridership is is is flatlined at this point. So, um,"},{"t":2874,"text":"you mentioned 2,000 average weekday boardings here in Sou and we're we're quite a high per capita use of of the"},{"t":2882,"text":"service, I believe. Uh, c can you tell me what where were we at precoid?"},{"t":2887,"text":"Oo, that's a great question. I don't have those in my my back pocket."},{"t":2891,"text":"Um, but I don't think it's changed a lot over the last year or two. I think that's been pretty consistent. Yeah."},{"t":2897,"text":"Okay. We're tonight. I think we're going to be booking our UBCM meeting with uh trans minister of transportation and transit farworth. U suggestions on what we might raise with him."},{"t":2908,"text":"I know you Yeah, go ahead."},{"t":2911,"text":"Uh great question through the chair. I don't want to overstep. Uh overstep please. [laughter]"},{"t":2918,"text":"Um I think if you look at existing transit service, there's certain areas where we definitely see transit getting stuck in in traffic. Yeah."},{"t":2926,"text":"Causing reducing the desire perhaps to take transit um not really providing an additional uh"},{"t":2934,"text":"incentive to take transit over driving for example. So I think there's probably some specific areas um both with respect to highway 14 and within the souk town"},{"t":2942,"text":"core itself where there may be opportunities to prioritize transit so it's able to move more quickly and reliably uh and really incentivize"},{"t":2950,"text":"growth in transit ridership um within Sou and mitigate some of that congestion we're seeing growing in the future."},{"t":2956,"text":"So those are the jump lanes you're thinking few jump lanes potentially small sections of lane dedication for transit"},{"t":2963,"text":"where it makes sense. Um, I know there's limited right of way. So, what are the opportunities to get the most value out of uh limited additional curb space that"},{"t":2972,"text":"we can we can find um for key roadways within the Souk area? Transit priority is such a key uh need to once again move"},{"t":2982,"text":"transit more efficiently and squeeze more value out of each resource that we put into transit. Okay."},{"t":2988,"text":"Okay. Councelor Pearson then Betos."},{"t":2992,"text":"Yes. Thank you, Chair. Um I have a couple of questions and and you know over the years we've had quite a few"},{"t":2998,"text":"presentations from from uh transit itself and it feels always like a bit to me it always feels like you know build"},{"t":3007,"text":"and they will come and we're design a system based on a survey."},{"t":3015,"text":"So do we see a correlation between the survey and wrership? So we take a survey, you build a system, you say,"},{"t":3023,"text":"\"Okay, this is what the people of does is is there an actual measurement that tells us that you got the survey bang on or close?"},{"t":3034,"text":"What in the back end? Where are the metrics around wrership? What's the effectiveness of of that route once it's been put into place? How how do those"},{"t":3042,"text":"measurements show uh show up for us?\" Yeah, great question. through the chair."},{"t":3047,"text":"Um we do collect uh what we call APC or automated passenger counter data on our buses which allows us to track where people are getting on and off the bus"},{"t":3055,"text":"over time um across the entire transit network which is a very helpful metric for us to be able to understand where where are we seeing ridership uptake"},{"t":3063,"text":"maybe where aren't we? Um your question is broad enough it's hard to answer succinctly. Um, so for example, we did"},{"t":3071,"text":"the souk local area plan back in 2020, I believe, and we had a number of proposed improvements uh within the Souk region,"},{"t":3079,"text":"and I will fully admit that a lot of these priorities and initiatives we just have not had the resources to implement."},{"t":3084,"text":"Um, so I would say there's still a lot of things outstanding within the Souk region in terms of improvements to local service that just have not happened to"},{"t":3092,"text":"date. Um, and so we've made some tweaks and adjustments in recent years, like with the change to the 65, looking at how we can expand access within existing"},{"t":3100,"text":"resources. Um, the other thing I'll say is when we implemented the rapid bus alignment, we were able to because we"},{"t":3107,"text":"had to split the 95 and the 61 or I guess it was the 50 at the time, we were able to significantly improve"},{"t":3114,"text":"off- peak service on the 61, which was a huge improvement in terms of people being able to just take transit without consulting a schedule. Like from hourly"},{"t":3121,"text":"service to half hourly service is a game changer. Um, and we definitely saw a bump in transit ridership at that point."},{"t":3127,"text":"Um, I will say it's still too early to to really understand those changes to the 65. I've heard um just through"},{"t":3135,"text":"talking with people that more people appear to be getting on and off um the new bus stops um that we installed to to support that in the Iranwood Helguson"},{"t":3143,"text":"area, which is great to see. Um but yeah, there's still a lot more work to do within the Souk region. Um but with the changes we've done recently, like we"},{"t":3151,"text":"are seeing some some improvements in ridership."},{"t":3154,"text":"You're seeing some ticks up. Um is there short-term he's like uh recent gas prices as an"},{"t":3162,"text":"example? Do does that affect ridership like short-term and medium and long-term does once people find out about it do"},{"t":3171,"text":"they have a tendency to stay? Is there sort of a a retention rate? So through the chair, um I know back in 2008,"},{"t":3180,"text":"um when the the 2008 financial crisis hit and and fuel prices spiked significantly, um we definitely saw much"},{"t":3188,"text":"more demand at that time for for transit ridership. Um I don't think I don't think the region is experiencing"},{"t":3196,"text":"the same kind of pain right now that we were back then. And there's also a lot of other confounding factors um as well with the federal immigration changes."},{"t":3206,"text":"We've actually seen population growth sort of level off. Um so there's a lot of things that are happening right now."},{"t":3212,"text":"It's hard to track any the impact of any one change such as fuel prices. Um so I would say right now what we see is in"},{"t":3218,"text":"the region um ridership is kind of flatlining whereas before it was it was continuing to increase. Um but we need"},{"t":3226,"text":"to continue to monitor and see like I think to see how the population changes um continue to roll out how fuel prices"},{"t":3233,"text":"um once people uh get used to the new context. Okay. I have one more short question."},{"t":3242,"text":"What linkage do you have uh transit with communities on southern Vancouver Island with"},{"t":3249,"text":"relationship to Bill 44 uh increased density? Are you are you meeting with planning staff? Is that"},{"t":3256,"text":"going on across the region? You know, where we expect to see growth in 100%. Um, so we worked very closely with"},{"t":3264,"text":"local government staff through the development of this process. We had three separate staff workshops. Um, one of the key goals was to ensure we were aligning the transit plan with the"},{"t":3273,"text":"updated official community plans. Um, it was really ideal timing because we were able to have a two-way conversation between what are you thinking for land use and what does that mean for transit?"},{"t":3284,"text":"But also, if you were to make these adjustments, that would mean X, Y, or Z for transit. Um, so it actually allowed local government staff to reflect on"},{"t":3292,"text":"what they'd heard from their communities about what transit they want and to think about how they could make tweaks and adjustments to their official community plan. Um so it was really uh"},{"t":3300,"text":"an ideal timing and we had that opportunity for the the birectional conversation um to ensure we're aligning transit and land use rightly."},{"t":3307,"text":"Um and just my last question is is directed to our chair having a wealth of information and being on uh the transit commission for so long."},{"t":3317,"text":"How how are you seeing this plan integrated as being a commission member? Like how do you are are we progressing?"},{"t":3324,"text":"And I'd like to hear your comments actually because probably have the most experience at this table."},{"t":3329,"text":"H I need to think on that. I'm going to go to councelor Betos first because I can process. Go ahead."},{"t":3337,"text":"All right. Thank you very much for your presentation. Uh, mine's sort of a a bugaboo that I've mentioned numerous times, but when you remove the"},{"t":3345,"text":"double-decker buses from Souk, our wrership went down because I talked to people, they say uh because of a road"},{"t":3353,"text":"situation, sometimes it's delayed and there's no place to sit on the bus that they were getting. So, they went back to their cars. If they're going to sit"},{"t":3360,"text":"comfortably in traffic, they want to be in their cars. Is there any thought to bringing double double-decker buses back out to suit considering the amount of"},{"t":3369,"text":"ridership we have? Uh my personal feeling is we feel kind of slighted people that I've talked to uh that those were taken away. I understand they're"},{"t":3378,"text":"taken away for some good reasoning. Is there any opportunity to bring them back? Yeah, great question through the chair."},{"t":3385,"text":"Um we've had some significant challenges with our double-decker fleet over the last several years. Um, we had to retire a number of them early just because they"},{"t":3394,"text":"were having too many maintenance challenges and we couldn't keep them out on the road. I will say there is some hope on the horizon. We had a we have a"},{"t":3401,"text":"major uh order of double-deckers that are planned over the next sort of 3 to 6 months that should be arriving within Victoria, boosting up the amount of"},{"t":3409,"text":"deckers. Um, and then as well next year we've got the next batch of double-decker replacements coming into the fleet. Um, I can't promise with"},{"t":3418,"text":"certainty that Deckers are coming back to the Souk area, but I think that's something we need to look at um as we look to the future network restructuring. That will be a next step"},{"t":3426,"text":"out of the Victoria Regional Transit Plan. Um, either way, we need to improve the customer experience on transit for"},{"t":3435,"text":"Souk residents. Um, and whether that is looking at bringing double-deckers back, whether that's looking at the regional"},{"t":3442,"text":"express service, uh, preserving more capacity on buses so people do have a more comfortable travel experience to and from Souk, or some combination of"},{"t":3449,"text":"both. Um, I think we'll have some new tools in our toolkit with the completion of this plan that will allow us to look at the network a little differently and"},{"t":3457,"text":"look at how we can provide services in a way um, that meets the needs that we've been hearing from from the community over the last several years. and we just"},{"t":3464,"text":"haven't had the tools to to solve in the short term."},{"t":3468,"text":"I thank you for that response. Um that was the more most articulate response I've heard to the problem uh in eight"},{"t":3476,"text":"years that I've sat at this desk uh that there is hope on the horizon and we're not forgotten and you are thinking about"},{"t":3483,"text":"us uh in a very detailed way. So I thank you for your response and your time to come out here today."},{"t":3489,"text":"Councelor St. here uh through the chair. Uh I have three questions. One of them and both two of"},{"t":3497,"text":"them have to do with comfort of the users. One thing that did come up before was just that the language exchange was a long wait uh potentially without washrooms and I was wondering if that"},{"t":3505,"text":"had been addressed. Um I'll just leave it there for now. I'll ask I can answer that. So infrastructure like that is up to the local government to provide."},{"t":3516,"text":"Okay. So, it's something that that's why it's important to have conversations like this with transit staff. So, then"},{"t":3523,"text":"we also know on the ground as a local government what we can do to make transit more attractive. So, in some"},{"t":3530,"text":"cases there are there's access to maybe a locked washroom, but that's specifically for the driver or you see a driver duck in and out of a grocery"},{"t":3539,"text":"store. It doesn't do anything for a passenger. So, that is a challenge for riders that need to transfer and then wait. Yeah, the passenger experience is not awesomeness."},{"t":3547,"text":"No. So, that is something that is on the local government just like putting in the identifying transit stops, pull outs, um that sort of thing."},{"t":3556,"text":"Okay. So, I I would hope that we can all work together on that. Um and it sounds to me like bus stops fall under the same category of being a local government"},{"t":3565,"text":"responsibility, but I'm curious about bus stops along Route 14. Uh that would be, I would imagine, the Ministry of Transportation responsibility. Uh is"},{"t":3573,"text":"there any pull to actually get bus stops because it sometimes rains and it's sometimes windy and it's a pretty miserable experience?"},{"t":3580,"text":"Yeah, great question through the chair."},{"t":3582,"text":"Um you are correct. Um bus stops along Highway 14 do fall within the Ministry of Transportation Transit's purview. I will say BC Transit does have a shelter"},{"t":3591,"text":"program. Um and we do work with local governments um to support improvements to shelters within municipalities. Uh"},{"t":3598,"text":"the Ministry of Transportation and Transit has their own um what's it called? Minor Betterments program um that can provide funding for up to"},{"t":3606,"text":"$100,000 per project for improvements to um transit infrastructure potentially on highways. So that could be an"},{"t":3613,"text":"opportunity um for district staff to try to apply through the minor betterments program to get some improvements to targeted stops along Highway 14. Um and"},{"t":3622,"text":"then of course ongoing advocacy um with with Ministry of Transportation and Transit is another avenue. I know we"},{"t":3629,"text":"also we pass on the feedback we get. Um we've heard about a number of stops on Highway 14. I think like fronting the"},{"t":3636,"text":"new makola development as a particular example where I think there's a lot of need."},{"t":3642,"text":"Um and ultimately though the the ministry needs to step forward to fund with being within their right of way."},{"t":3649,"text":"Thank you. Um my last question if I may uh just curious given that uh honestly youth under the driving you know before"},{"t":3657,"text":"they can get a license are pretty much always going to be transit users uh maintaining them as transit users makes a lot of sense because they're already in the system they're already used to"},{"t":3664,"text":"using the system. Has there been a lot of conversation with youth and gathering data from them in terms of what would prevent them from hurry up and getting"},{"t":3672,"text":"the license in the shortest delay possible so that they can get off the buses."},{"t":3678,"text":"H That's a great question. Uh through the chair, there are some challenges in engaging"},{"t":3686,"text":"with youth like in terms of we're actually not allowed to directly engage with youth under I think it's 16 years"},{"t":3693,"text":"old without parental approval and and guidance. So it is a challenge in terms of how do we get this feedback. Um we do"},{"t":3700,"text":"have a bus ready program that does go out and helps train uh youth in terms of how to use the bus and we do receive um"},{"t":3709,"text":"uh qualitative feedback I would say um through those kinds of conversations um and then as well at high schools"},{"t":3717,"text":"we've had opportunities to engage with with students um to to get feedback on how we can improve transit. Um, but it"},{"t":3723,"text":"is a bit of a gap and I I don't have the solution at hand, but that's something I think we need to consider in the future is how do we improve youth engagement"},{"t":3732,"text":"within our current sort of uh legislative and policy constraints. Thank you."},{"t":3739,"text":"Okay. So, thank you very much for being here. I was just going to respond to Councelor Pearson. So I was appointed to the commission in 2016."},{"t":3748,"text":"Uh though used transit pretty regularly from 2006 to about uh around 2016"},{"t":3756,"text":"actually uh and then life changed. Um to the point about the double-deckers,"},{"t":3763,"text":"um some drivers, some riders turned into drivers and then others started to ride the bus because the bus frequency like"},{"t":3771,"text":"all the data when I sit at the commission is all the data comes in. So you can see what the user"},{"t":3778,"text":"what what the user experience is and where it is. Uh transit also monitors all of the passups. So this is a the bus"},{"t":3787,"text":"is full and it can't pick anyone up anymore. It's at capacity where it is, how often that is and where it's happened. Uh it also monitors all the"},{"t":3795,"text":"customer calls. So for a while there was a lot regarding handydart service. Uh and that's now improved uh over time. Uh"},{"t":3803,"text":"so while some are driving, others are riding and we also have a lot of transit staff that live in our community that take the bus at all points of the day"},{"t":3811,"text":"that are also having that user experience as well."},{"t":3815,"text":"Um there was a big change through COVID because in that time transit could not increase fairs or its requisition but"},{"t":3822,"text":"the transit service continued to increase over time and then of course they we saw a lot of people move out this way in the whole flight from urban"},{"t":3830,"text":"to rural. So that continued to put pressure on the system as a whole and then in the last few years there's been an increase because we've never been"},{"t":3837,"text":"able it's been a struggle to keep up with both either dramatic fair increases or dramatic property tax increases"},{"t":3845,"text":"because those are really the two ways that transit is funded from the operational perspective."},{"t":3851,"text":"Uh I was thinking back to when fuel prices spiked and there was the case where people took the bus and then there"},{"t":3858,"text":"was H1N1 and nobody wanted to take the bus anymore. So this is going back in time but then suddenly the buses were empty again"},{"t":3866,"text":"back to where we were. Uh that all said, I think the work that transit staff does with our staff from a planning"},{"t":3873,"text":"perspective because they look at where the uh housing where the subdivisions happen, then where the development"},{"t":3880,"text":"permits are issued, when building permits are issued, and then occupancy so that the routes can be planned accordingly as best as they can. But"},{"t":3889,"text":"we're not the only community that's growing. Langford is growing tremendously. The UIC and student population is growing. CFBS squimalt is"},{"t":3897,"text":"growing. So while we're growing, they're growing significantly faster. So it's always a case of being a bit left behind. Although I think the system as a"},{"t":3905,"text":"whole is looked at uh as well as it can be. Uh would we want to see more? Of course we do. But then how do we pay for"},{"t":3913,"text":"all of that? The other challenge at transit has been uh bus driver retention and recruitment which seems to be steady uh but also heavy duty mechanics."},{"t":3922,"text":"There's I can't remember how many different types of buses. 10 15 different types of buses that all mechanics have to be trained to use uh"},{"t":3931,"text":"and repair. The body work is done at the transit yards, but sometimes with parts and tariffs and all of those challenges, parts are delayed. So, you'll see a"},{"t":3939,"text":"perfectly operational bus what looks like that, but is waiting for parts. So, if anyone is looking for a career idea, you may want to consider a transit"},{"t":3948,"text":"mechanic. Uh, early start, start start early, you finish early, but it's desperately needed. Uh, because they're"},{"t":3955,"text":"very difficult positions to fill. Uh, when I talk about our decisions that we make, if we don't allow and plan for"},{"t":3962,"text":"transit, there won't be a bus because where's the bus going to pull over? And when we have taken away those pullouts, there is no bus because there's nowhere"},{"t":3971,"text":"for it safely to stop. So that comes down to the decision making, the planning and you need to plan for writership because it does show up and"},{"t":3980,"text":"then right now arguably we don't have enough service. So it's that ongoing advocacy piece. I think with the current"},{"t":3989,"text":"uh work from home or the hybrid or remote that is saving us all including the transit system a lot of headache and"},{"t":3997,"text":"hassle because a lot of people still have the ability to work from home whereas once upon a time they were all taking the bus"},{"t":4004,"text":"and now they're only going to work maybe on a day of their choosing particularly with the province one day a week for many depending on the work but that is a"},{"t":4012,"text":"huge savings for us. Uh what is helping many is the fair, the digital fair. You don't have to wait till the start of the"},{"t":4020,"text":"month. You can start your month whenever you decide to start riding your bus. Try it for a little while and see if you like it. That is a huge uh for younger"},{"t":4028,"text":"people who don't carry cash. That is a huge saving right there. Um"},{"t":4035,"text":"but I think that's really all I have. So again, it's always the case you always"},{"t":4042,"text":"want to have more, but I also recognize I think in the last several years, there's been more cohesion, more"},{"t":4049,"text":"regional consideration around the commission as be when I first started, it was always a concern of being outvoted by the core because of"},{"t":4058,"text":"the there's more people representing core municipalities than way out in suit by myself. that sentiment has changed"},{"t":4066,"text":"where there's recognition that the service has to benefit the region as a whole and we're seeing a lot more of uh"},{"t":4072,"text":"consideration of that. Um and then I think yeah we'll just have to see over time but the the staff are"},{"t":4080,"text":"connecting regularly and sometimes uh at the commission where it is around setting fairs just to your point about youth there is a concession fair. So"},{"t":4088,"text":"while over 12 the uh you do have to start paying for transit there's a concession fair. So regular users get quite a discounted fair uh monthly to"},{"t":4098,"text":"use and many of the riders who know how to do that are already buying into that and use it regularly. So more to come."},{"t":4105,"text":"Keep up the advocacy. I think we have some takeaways that we can use going forward and uh we thank you for your time today. Council or members of the"},{"t":4114,"text":"public if there's anything further please just email that to me. There is a commission meeting uh as we just heard in July and I can ask those questions at"},{"t":4122,"text":"the related commission meeting in the coming month. Thank you for coming today. Thank you everyone. Okay, I'm going to move into section 8."},{"t":4131,"text":"8.1 is a delegation from the souk soccer club field rentals."},{"t":4151,"text":"Hi, thanks for having me. My name is Pete McKay. I'm the acting vice president of the Souk Soccer Club and the coach of Souk Celtic. Um, I'm here to ask the district of Souk to help the"},{"t":4159,"text":"Souk Soccer Club with financial support to cover a sudden unexpected field rental cost increase. Um, Souk soccer has a long-standing history in Souk and"},{"t":4167,"text":"existed for over 40 years, longer than I have been around. Uh we currently have approximately 450 members, 350 are kids"},{"t":4175,"text":"and about 100 are adults. Um the only field that we have access to is owned by the suit community association and managed by the Fred Mill Group. Uh a few"},{"t":4183,"text":"months ago, Fred Milan Group unexpectedly raised our rent from $16,64 to $52,000, a 214% increase. Um this new"},{"t":4193,"text":"fee is due in January, less than a year from now. The dramatic increase in one year is unsustainable for our membership and would make from going one of the"},{"t":4201,"text":"from being one of the cheapest registration rates to being one of the most expensive based on the research we have done compared with other clubs. Um it is difficult to get research from"},{"t":4209,"text":"other clubs because they don't want to be transparent with their financials."},{"t":4211,"text":"It's also none of our business, but from what we've gathered um the couch and soccer club paid approximately $32,000 last year for field rentals and will pay"},{"t":4219,"text":"42,000 this year for their fields. Uh their club is four times the size of ours. Uh, Komox get their youth field access for free and their adult rates"},{"t":4227,"text":"are a third of the rate that FredMone Group wants to charge us. Um, another unnamed club that uh asked me to keep it private pays less than $1,000 a year for"},{"t":4235,"text":"their registration. Their club is of comparable size to ours. Um, increasing registration rates so dramatically is unaffordable for many families in Souk and would result in a decrease in"},{"t":4243,"text":"membership. Is likely that the members that we lose will not play soccer again in the future. Uh, we've already got rid of a $50 early bird discount on registration in order to help with this."},{"t":4254,"text":"uh and our current registration as of today sits at 68 people. Typically, we would have about 200 people registered by now. Um the Fred Group has said that"},{"t":4263,"text":"the increase is needed to help defay future costs associated with management of the field, replacing lights, eventually replacing the turf. To date,"},{"t":4270,"text":"the Souk soccer club has paid for many of the required upgrades. Last year, we paid $50,000 to help replace the lights."},{"t":4278,"text":"That again was an unexpected cost and we feel like as a user group we should not necessarily be on the hook for that kind of stuff. Um we worry that even if we"},{"t":4285,"text":"were to pay the $52,000 for access to the pitch, a cost we could only cover one time based on our financial situation. Um it would entirely consume"},{"t":4295,"text":"the existing funds and we may still be called called upon in the future to contribute to future infrastructural upgrades unexpectedly."},{"t":4302,"text":"Uh we have also no guarantee that the increase in field rentals will actually go to Fredmill Park. The community suit community association and the Fredmill group have declined our request to"},{"t":4309,"text":"create a written agreement that lays out roles, responsibilities, and user fees related to Fredmill Park. This makes it very hard, almost impossible to plan for"},{"t":4318,"text":"the future of the club, putting the future of souk soccer in jeopardy."},{"t":4322,"text":"I've played souk soccer and souk since 1990. I've been a volunteer coach with the club for over 20 years. I know firsthand the importance of this sport"},{"t":4330,"text":"in our community, socially for our players and their families, for their mental and physical well-being of the Suki youth, and for the development of leadership and teamwork skills. This is"},{"t":4339,"text":"a sport that gets kids outside off their phones working together towards a common goal. The popularity of the sport is only increasing with Canada's hosting of"},{"t":4347,"text":"the Men's World Cup, and it would be such a shame for the souk soccer to lose its club now just as it stands to grow."},{"t":4354,"text":"We are asking the municipality to step in and help us navigate our effective loss of access to Fredone Park. As of right now, the only turf field in town."},{"t":4362,"text":"I see three options and I'm open to your suggestions as well and would really appreciate your leadership. Um, first option is to create a community services"},{"t":4370,"text":"agreement with the Felman Group and the Souk Community Association in order to maintain fair access for souk Soccer at an affordable rate similar to the agreement signed with the district to"},{"t":4378,"text":"manage access to the community hall. Uh, another option is an annual grant to souk soccer of $36,03"},{"t":4385,"text":"to cover this increased rental cost. Um, a third option that I propose is that the district explores the option of building a district of souk and sea park"},{"t":4393,"text":"owned facility, uh, which they operate. Um, local governments across the island own and operate many of the sports fields that"},{"t":4401,"text":"teams use and clubs use. And we think that, uh, Souk should also explore this."},{"t":4406,"text":"Um, our current financial situation is that we have $40,000 in our bank account. $25,000 of that is in a GIC."},{"t":4413,"text":"Um, obviously we need a buffer to operate the club and we feel like this would devastate our savings. Thank you."},{"t":4422,"text":"Okay. Thank you very much for your delegation today. We have the information here. So, what we'll do is"},{"t":4430,"text":"uh when we get to new business, that'll be an opportunity for a member of council to put a motion forward. Just that's sort of the process that we have."},{"t":4439,"text":"Um, do you have any questions for me while I'm here?"},{"t":4442,"text":"Anything while our delegation is here, councelor Betos?"},{"t":4446,"text":"Yeah, you given us a couple of uh some information here. I just want to clarify when you um I don't know where you have"},{"t":4453,"text":"it in front of you. Uh I do. We don't have it here, but uh you've got your age groups U6 for instance and U8 and all that sort of"},{"t":4462,"text":"stuff. And uh the red on the right is that what with the new increase that what you would have to charge right from"},{"t":4468,"text":"you went from 250 say U7 you went from 250 to 300. So yeah. So so that is what we have are"},{"t":4476,"text":"currently will be charging for this upcoming season. Um and that still leaves us $36,000 short. Um we plan there would be another bump after this."},{"t":4484,"text":"I wasn't sure whether that 300 is included with that that bump for the we've I would say like ballpark we've raised registration $50 per person."},{"t":4493,"text":"We've also eliminated the $50 early bud registration. So basically $100 per person and if we were to meet this $36,000 we would have to raise it another $100 in addition to that."},{"t":4503,"text":"So you would have to so in U7 uh you would have to go to $400. Yeah."},{"t":4508,"text":"And I see Wuki charges $450 for their fields."},{"t":4512,"text":"Yeah. And then uh uh Sanage is 375. So it's pretty close to it. Okay. I just"},{"t":4519,"text":"wanted to make I wasn't quite sure what the red numbers meant that but that's what you're going to and it's 2728 is when you have to make a"},{"t":4527,"text":"2627 will be what that red registration number but 2728 you have to account for the extra 30,000 in the field."},{"t":4535,"text":"No it that is based on this current season. However, we don't pay them until January. The season coming up 2627."},{"t":4544,"text":"Okay. Then, uh 2728."},{"t":4548,"text":"Uh what do you anticipate that be?"},{"t":4552,"text":"We're asking for financial help from you guys. Um we've been told to apply for grants and uh look for sponsorship, which of course is unreliable and"},{"t":4561,"text":"unpredictable. Um, but if we, like I said, with our registration numbers being at 68 when we usually are at 200,"},{"t":4568,"text":"um, if we [snorts] have a decrease in membership, then we would have to raise registration rates to $300 per person, I"},{"t":4574,"text":"suppose. Um, but at some point, people don't play in suit, they go play somewhere else because it's ridiculous."},{"t":4580,"text":"Yeah, [snorts] it's it's a tough one. I just, you know, I spoke to somebody from the community association and uh it's kind of an odd reply. I won't mention"},{"t":4588,"text":"names of course uh but they said that uh you know you've had a very good ride over the years at a very subsidized rate"},{"t":4595,"text":"and it's just coming back to reality. Uh so I didn't get a good feeling that they were about to move on anything."},{"t":4602,"text":"Yeah, I guess I would say to that that um what we have been charged in the past was not our decision and if we were undercharged it was not our fault. Okay."},{"t":4612,"text":"Um I would also say that to compare us with Wanda FCA which seems to be the comparison uh the highest comparison that the community association in Fred"},{"t":4620,"text":"Group has used um when the lights burn out on those fields they're not paid for by the soccer club. So for us to be shelling out $50,000 to fix the lights and then an unexpected increase of 27%."},{"t":4631,"text":"I can understand your concern. Yeah."},{"t":4634,"text":"So and and also there's been turnover every two years there's a new president in our club. I'm an acting because nobody else will step into the position."},{"t":4642,"text":"So it's not like you have a consistency in leadership and council that has made decisions to plan for 10 years from now."},{"t":4648,"text":"Right. So Okay. I just want to make sure I understood the the figures in front of me. Yeah. If you explain that. Thank you very much."},{"t":4654,"text":"Okay. Thank you very much."},{"t":4658,"text":"Yeah. I I have a a question. Uh thank you for coming tonight. Um I'm curious about the Fred Mill Group. Now you say"},{"t":4664,"text":"it's a an organization run by the community association. how what how does that group uh operate and"},{"t":4672,"text":"um I don't have their much experience with the the group as I understand the community association owns the fields"},{"t":4680,"text":"and the film group is a society that operates the fields um they have a executive suk Soccer gets two spots on"},{"t":4687,"text":"the executive um when this field rental increase was approved our representatives were not at that meeting"},{"t":4695,"text":"um we I guess notified them the day before that we would be unable to be there. However, the group still decided"},{"t":4701,"text":"to um go forward with the $50,000. So, um I would say it's very challenging to"},{"t":4708,"text":"be involved in this sort of thing. Um it's very unpredictable for us. Um it's frustrating. We lose a lot of volunteers."},{"t":4717,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. Thank you for presenting today. Thank you."},{"t":4723,"text":"Okay, council. So we'll move on to the consent agenda which is item nine. So there's 9.1 and that is that the"},{"t":4732,"text":"following items on the consent agenda be adopted by consent. 9.2 correspondence."},{"t":4737,"text":"9.3 This is the report of the chief administrative officer. 9.4 draft land use and development committee minutes."},{"t":4745,"text":"9.5 short-term rental accommodation modernization zoning amendment bylaw number 947 600-12026"},{"t":4754,"text":"9.6 wastewater bylaw move consent by councelor St. Pierre seconded by councelor Betos"},{"t":4763,"text":"any discussion seeing none all in favor then any opposed and that's carried unanimously so we'll move on to item 10"},{"t":4771,"text":"which is our report section starting with 10.1 which is the third road Philips road connection project over to"},{"t":4778,"text":"staff please burning bad habits apparently"},{"t":4790,"text":"Uh this report was uh created because there was additional"},{"t":4798,"text":"information required um on CP5 specifically at looking at different"},{"t":4805,"text":"rightaway links and what possible impacts that could have on savings and also future costs as we go along."},{"t":4820,"text":"So this is CP5."},{"t":4822,"text":"Um, and this is a design at 25 meters right away. Uh, so that's the full"},{"t":4829,"text":"cross-section and it shows the roundabout as well because that is part of CP5. Uh,"},{"t":4837,"text":"information though wasn't asked for in the original recommendation from May was included just for discussion purposes."},{"t":4845,"text":"if council wishes to see that. Um, it is the only part of the potential connector"},{"t":4852,"text":"all the way from the west side of Souk, uh, that doesn't have any infrastructure built on it. We're looking at a"},{"t":4861,"text":"diversion of about 30% off of Highway 14 going up"},{"t":4867,"text":"Phillips and across. So based off of uh numbers from 2018, that would be a"},{"t":4874,"text":"roughly around 6,000 vehicles uh per day and remembering that there is also a supply coming from the north from Sun"},{"t":4883,"text":"River as well that also feeds into that"},{"t":4891,"text":"and 25 was chosen because the of the TRA master transportation plan. There was two"},{"t":4899,"text":"um collector or sorry arterial arter"},{"t":4906,"text":"yes that word uh cross-sections created in there one of 25 one of 20 and the"},{"t":4913,"text":"main difference is when you look at the 25 there's a green stretch down the middle that could be a medium or it could be a lefthand turn light."},{"t":4926,"text":"Um as we're proceeding with the 25 meter rideway when we did wood wat um and as"},{"t":4935,"text":"we go further towards the west there's sufficient space to have a 25 meter rightway. The center lane depending on"},{"t":4944,"text":"what's built there also provides another access for emergency vehicles to travel that road corridor."},{"t":4955,"text":"So this is um the 25 meter rideaway with all the sur full surface works. So that was the cost that you saw that in May."},{"t":4966,"text":"Um so two lanes, sidewalks, multi-use trails, uh urban forest, uh storm water management."},{"t":4976,"text":"So this design will provide you with the highest level of capacity and minimize the needs for future construction and"},{"t":4983,"text":"again provides locations for all forms of multimodal transportation."},{"t":4992,"text":"Uh we then looked at a 25 meter rideway but with reduced surface work. So, essentially going down to just two"},{"t":4999,"text":"travel lanes and a multi-use bike trail um or walking trail. Uh the trick here"},{"t":5007,"text":"would be to make sure we put one of the curbs where it needs to be for future expansion. So, we wouldn't have we could"},{"t":5017,"text":"save the cost of ripping up that curb and gutter um as we go to expand it."},{"t":5025,"text":"they start to look very similar, but again you get the idea with a 20 meter right away again it is um with the"},{"t":5034,"text":"reduced surface works it is one of the um types we consider for arterial."},{"t":5044,"text":"Uh but again, as you look into the future and you start to think you might want to expand this road out to its full"},{"t":5053,"text":"extent, um you would then have to go purchase that right away and do whatever construction is required along the way."},{"t":5062,"text":"Depending on where it is, you may or may not have to close the road, which if we"},{"t":5069,"text":"have trained people to use it and 30% is being diverted onto it, could cause quite uh change in our traffic patterns."},{"t":5080,"text":"The 15 meter rideway is more a rideway that we would designate for a local road either in an urban or a rural setting."},{"t":5090,"text":"It's not really a standard for this type of road. Um,"},{"t":5096,"text":"it will it we're still teasing it out to see if there would be any uh conflicts"},{"t":5103,"text":"with any underground infrastructure we have to put in there. We are looking at at least a water man uh possibly BC"},{"t":5111,"text":"Hydro and Foris as well. So, and the storm and the water have to be separated by at least 3 mters. And if we ever"},{"t":5120,"text":"think of putting in sanitary, it may there may or may not be space within that right away. And again, to go"},{"t":5129,"text":"from 15 to 25, if you wanted to go to full buildout, there's a cost associated with that in future dollars."},{"t":5141,"text":"This is this is the engineer deciding to kind of show some of the difficulty"},{"t":5149,"text":"we're going to face in CP5. It unlike Grant Road East which is fairly flat. Um"},{"t":5156,"text":"this is a ravine. It does have slopes on it. So we will have to do a cut and fill scenario."},{"t":5165,"text":"Normally you try to get a balance between your cuts and your fills so you don't have to import material. Uh"},{"t":5172,"text":"unfortunately that is not the case here because we are also allowing for approximately 30%"},{"t":5179,"text":"uh spoilage because it possible contamination or arc um potential."},{"t":5187,"text":"But that is basically what we're facing when we do a road profile."},{"t":5199,"text":"uh included the roundabout um just because it is part of CP5 and it is to do with the purchase of land."},{"t":5207,"text":"Um this is the design we're going for that traffic circle the ashalt part is"},{"t":5215,"text":"approximately 18 m diameter which is basically comparable to church and our"},{"t":5222,"text":"downtown roundabout. The extra area is more for other forms of"},{"t":5229,"text":"transportation whether it be walking, crosswalks and such. That's what increases it. Uh we did look at three other scenarios."},{"t":5240,"text":"Um they all involve either a very simple T uh T intersection or a modified T intersection."},{"t":5252,"text":"Um the difficulty we have here is normally your major or your through"},{"t":5259,"text":"roads that forms the top of the tea and the minor road is the stem. In this case"},{"t":5266,"text":"that's not it's the stem and one of the t tea tops. While there's a lot of people coming out of Sun River, it would"},{"t":5274,"text":"still be considered the minor road. So you would go from uh an intersection"},{"t":5281,"text":"basically as a simple T with stop signs to uh starting to be a little more complex"},{"t":5289,"text":"intersection with turning lanes uh but with lights and then you would end up with something to deal with trying to"},{"t":5298,"text":"get that traffic to flow better on the connector. Uh the nearest example I could find if you reach back to Wales"},{"t":5306,"text":"and Goldfream that's would be a similar type of intersection. Um"},{"t":5314,"text":"the problem with all those within 5 to 10 years we're going to start to see a drop in the level of service of trying"},{"t":5322,"text":"to move vehicles through that. Um, just as a point of interest, Colewood is now starting to look at putting a roundabout"},{"t":5330,"text":"at Wales and Gold Stream because they had the opportunity when they first built it and chose not to do it and now"},{"t":5338,"text":"they're facing far higher costs, especially now that the area is being developed out."},{"t":5345,"text":"Um the one interesting thing about while the roundabout looks like it takes a lot"},{"t":5353,"text":"of space, once you start adding turning lanes, uh controlled uh intersections and such, our land requirement uses become very similar to each other."},{"t":5368,"text":"Now, the good news is we do own a bit of land within CP5. We have a 20 m rightway"},{"t":5375,"text":"in front of a certain number of properties that ends up being about 9,910 square meters. We need about 7,000 from"},{"t":5385,"text":"CRD and about 1,500 from private. So we need a total of about 9,270."},{"t":5393,"text":"Um, based off of discussions and looking at what land costs, this would translate into roughly $700,000."},{"t":5405,"text":"And that's more of an order of magnitude than an actual me telling you it's going to cost 700,000 because there will be some"},{"t":5414,"text":"negotiation and land assessment as we move forward with it. And again, timing would be part of the issue as well."},{"t":5424,"text":"So this is this table is trying to give you an understanding of as you you reduce that cross-section how much"},{"t":5433,"text":"savings do you have um first for the surface works and then for the earth works. So if you look at"},{"t":5443,"text":"uh the difference from S1 to S2, it's approximately $2.3 million you save by"},{"t":5450,"text":"not building the full surface cross-section out. Um that $2.3 million"},{"t":5457,"text":"is translated into S3 and S4. And the difference now is you're not putting as much imported fill back in to create the rightway."},{"t":5469,"text":"Uh the [sighs] the part that kind of throws the numbers off as we start to decrease the volumes,"},{"t":5478,"text":"we start to lose any advantages we might have had for order of magnitude for moving that amount of dirt. So I take"},{"t":5486,"text":"those with a grain of salt. Um, and I did give you an idea of what if"},{"t":5493,"text":"you wanted to increase this roundabout back up to 25."},{"t":5497,"text":"Uh, to go from 20 would be in again order of magnitude of 13.5 million to go"},{"t":5505,"text":"up to 25 2.2 million. And please keep in mind those are 2026."},{"t":5514,"text":"So five years from now with the way the construction indexes for Vancouver and"},{"t":5523,"text":"Victoria continue to go up, uh they have not slowed down yet. So those numbers might be a little on the low side by the time we get back there to fix it."},{"t":5535,"text":"And I guess the other part too is this council would then handcuff another council to make that decision whether or not they"},{"t":5544,"text":"would like to do that and if the costs are significant might not go forward with the project."},{"t":5553,"text":"And our last table here just gives uh a rough look at uh what our annual payment will be. So,"},{"t":5563,"text":"it's all floating in around 1.3 to 1.8 million."},{"t":5569,"text":"Um, and you see the tax increases that was based off uh 2026 tax increase. Uh,"},{"t":5577,"text":"so that that number might change as we move into future budget items. And again, the annual tax increase and the"},{"t":5584,"text":"monthly one is again based off of 2026 because those otherwise I'd be making up numbers."},{"t":5593,"text":"And with that, I am available for questions."},{"t":5600,"text":"Okay. Thank you. So, what I will do is put forward the motion first off to start this, which would be that council"},{"t":5608,"text":"receive the third road, Phillips Road connection project report for information by councelor St. Pierre and seconded by councelor Helding."},{"t":5618,"text":"And uh so questions go ahead councelor St. Pierre and then just as we are sitting at council at any time anyone"},{"t":5625,"text":"can put an amendment forward or wait to do a separate motion. Go ahead councelor St. Pierre."},{"t":5631,"text":"Okay I'll start through through your worship. Just a quick question in terms of the right of way. Uh I'm just curious about uh the electric lines. Uh are we"},{"t":5640,"text":"looking eventually putting some conduits there because I know that you've got the p you know polls just a little further down the line. I'm assuming we're getting set to put stuff underground. Is"},{"t":5648,"text":"that some of what's being considered in the costs? through your worship to the counselor."},{"t":5653,"text":"Yes, the underground costs were part of this project. Okay, councelor Helane."},{"t":5662,"text":"Yeah, I got a couple things. So, uh, it talks about roundabout intersections and they're in our souks roundabout first"},{"t":5669,"text":"policy or whatever, but in the policy, it also says, uh, the elevation should consider traffic operations,"},{"t":5676,"text":"intersection geometry, drainage, and rightaway identification. There's a 10 m drop or better between the arena and"},{"t":5684,"text":"where the neighbors property is where we're going to want to have the roundabout go out to. That's 33 feet plus in topography difference. So I"},{"t":5693,"text":"think in this case here, I I get that a roundabout is our preferred way to go, but most of the times a roundabout's not being built on such a steep slope hill."},{"t":5701,"text":"So retention is going to be expected for that. And just asking some engineering people that I have access to, I mean, we're talking about huge amounts of"},{"t":5709,"text":"money. We're talking about about a million dollar wall there. Plus, if we put the roundabout in there and put this wall up, we also have to put a new"},{"t":5717,"text":"driveway in for the people that own the property down below. that would be requiring an acre and a half or or whatever from them. So, if we do that,"},{"t":5726,"text":"that's going to be another huge expense because you got a 10 m wall and then you've got a driveway that has to come down across through their property. So, there'll be another wall on on the"},{"t":5734,"text":"bottom side. So, these are things I don't believe that we've really taken into consideration yet because we're looking at just a very generic general"},{"t":5742,"text":"plan. So, the costs are going to get I mean crazy as far as I can see. um the"},{"t":5749,"text":"that uh the staff report states that 1.2 million for walls and property acquisition and that was last time we"},{"t":5757,"text":"were here and that was the staff report and I don't believe again and I I mentioned it at that time that it's possible for doing it within those"},{"t":5764,"text":"parameters. So I mean I appreciate these tax increases and stuff which I still don't think are you know palpable for s"},{"t":5772,"text":"people. I mean the lowest one's almost 10% and it goes up from there. So, we're running into more issues with with more"},{"t":5779,"text":"and more cost. Um, we got here the the whole road network from Phillips to West Coast Road along Grant Road shows an"},{"t":5787,"text":"ultimate design, but then Grant Road, which is the biggest component of it, is not an ultimate design. It's a interim design at best because we all we have is"},{"t":5796,"text":"a couple lanes of traffic and so on. But yet we're talking here that we where our expectations are only to do the the the"},{"t":5804,"text":"ultimate buildout because it's going to save money down the road or whatever."},{"t":5807,"text":"Well, Randro is not being considered in any kind of a buildout and it's the biggest portion of the whole thing. Um"},{"t":5814,"text":"lastly, I got the cross-section today in the report and in the report and this"},{"t":5822,"text":"comes from last summer. So it says the main difference between an arterial 20 meter and and 25 meter cross-section is"},{"t":5830,"text":"the arterial 25 meter allows for a center turning lane. This additional lane is essential for keeping vehicle movement at its highest level. With the"},{"t":5838,"text":"turning lane, left hand turns can be executed when entering exiting from the road corridor with minimal backup in the main travel lanes. We don't have any"},{"t":5848,"text":"middle lane on any of these crosssections, but this was in the last one. So, I don't understand why we"},{"t":5854,"text":"wouldn't have a a third option here that chose the middle lane for turning because once you start getting people on that road and they want to go to one way"},{"t":5863,"text":"or the other and or the people that are going to want to come down the road and turn up to Sun River going to need somewhere else without blocking all that traffic from continuing through."},{"t":5872,"text":"This is if we go to a an intersection with a a stop sign, of course, because I don't believe we're going to ever come up with the money to afford a roundabout"},{"t":5880,"text":"there. But the point is we were given a third cross-section of in the 25 meter in our first report and that's this"},{"t":5888,"text":"report right here. But we didn't put one in the report that we have today. So I'm just wondering through the chair if if"},{"t":5897,"text":"there's an option for that or if you're going to add one or where we're at with that. Okay."},{"t":5905,"text":"Worship through the counselor. I'd have to go back to refresh my memory on the May 22nd"},{"t":5911,"text":"uh what I presented to council um because I'm not it's not coming to my"},{"t":5918,"text":"knowledge right off the bat. Just for some clarification, uh this design was done at the 60% mark."},{"t":5927,"text":"So we had done fairly substantial engineering. So the costs for the retaining walls and moving the earth"},{"t":5934,"text":"have are fairly accurate. Um so those are not it wasn't just a line drawn on the piece of paper with an"},{"t":5943,"text":"estimate that came from it. There was some thought put behind where it was and I would have to get back to or sorry"},{"t":5952,"text":"the turning lane when you look at the drawings as it is now it shows it as a full medium. Um,"},{"t":5962,"text":"I'm not sure why my predecessor had decided that was the way to go. My preference would be to take that lane"},{"t":5970,"text":"out and just maybe put islands in where it is appropriate and have that center lane either as uh cross-hatches or small"},{"t":5980,"text":"islands along the way. Something uh I'm trying to think of an example."},{"t":5985,"text":"say like on what you see on a Squaml road or Craig Flower Road. Um so fire trucks and police could ambulance do"},{"t":5994,"text":"have an opening to get around buses or other traffic that stopped and I think in my report there's a"},{"t":6003,"text":"number of approximately half a million dollars that if you got rid of the continuous island and went down to intermediate islands you would save that"},{"t":6011,"text":"amount of money. And again, you could save even more money if you decided not to put vegetation on because vegetation requires irrigation."},{"t":6021,"text":"Uh if they were hard surfaces, then their maintenance costs go way down."},{"t":6028,"text":"And one last one for intersections. This would be their first uh if we went with a signalized intersection, that would be"},{"t":6036,"text":"the first one we have in Souk, but there are maintenance costs that go along with that and replacement of that"},{"t":6044,"text":"infrastructure within 10 or 20 years, depending on how it goes. So, there would be a further long-term cost to go"},{"t":6053,"text":"along with a singleized intersection that we don't have now."},{"t":6059,"text":"And and in your report here, because you were just saying how accurate it is, this says this cost estimate is considered a class D cost estimate due"},{"t":6066,"text":"to the time restraints to model the cut and fill amounts so on. Well, class D isn't isn't as accurate as a class A"},{"t":6074,"text":"obviously. So where's where what goes after class D? Is there an E or F? through your worship to the counselor."},{"t":6082,"text":"Uh the reason why I said it was a class D is was because we could not model it uh within the time frame we had"},{"t":6089,"text":"available to come back to this council with that number. So I had to come up with an estimate that tried to"},{"t":6097,"text":"approximate the cut and fill amounts for the reduced scenarios. If I had more time, I could have gone back to our"},{"t":6105,"text":"consultant and they could have modeled it and come back with a even better number than what I came back with, but time was against me and I couldn't do that."},{"t":6115,"text":"Absolutely. Yeah. Correct."},{"t":6118,"text":"Okay, I'm good. Thank you, Councelor Baitman."},{"t":6122,"text":"Okay, thanks. Thanks for the report. Um, a few questions. Uh, so a class D estimate is plus or minus 20 to 30%. Is"},{"t":6131,"text":"that correct in in the guesstimate your worship to the counselor. Normally it's a a class D is about 50% give or take them."},{"t":6140,"text":"Uh again I called it a class D because of the uncertainty that went along with"},{"t":6147,"text":"it. This is probably closer to a C but I didn't want to give a false illusion of what those that cost would be."},{"t":6156,"text":"That's good. Okay. So we're looking at this uh very daunting slide here. Costs."},{"t":6161,"text":"Now, the I think a key factor here is this is over 30 years, right? It's a 30-year repayment at 4 2% or whatever that percentage was."},{"t":6171,"text":"4.71%. Yes. So, that's that's not a question."},{"t":6177,"text":"Um the qu it's interesting to me. So, I I did some calculations and it would seem if we went with S1 over 30 years,"},{"t":6186,"text":"that's $7,560 per average assessed household. And option four at the 15.2 would be 5,659."},{"t":6196,"text":"However, those 30 years from now think things may well have once the project's complete, we're locked in at those those numbers."},{"t":6208,"text":"You worship through the counselor. Way borrowing works with MFA is five years, 10 years renewal. Uh no,"},{"t":6216,"text":"it's basically you you five is it five?"},{"t":6223,"text":"Yeah, you were you you would get the opportunity to renew that interest rate."},{"t":6228,"text":"Um and the 4.71 was what it was on the day that the director of finance and I"},{"t":6235,"text":"looked at it. It could be something higher, it could be something lower, right? Um, and that's just that's a chance you take"},{"t":6244,"text":"from borrowing long-term with MFA. It, you know, there's a 50% chance that it could be lower, too."},{"t":6251,"text":"Yes. Yes. So, fingers are crossed. Um, average daily traffic. Can you go back to that slide for me?"},{"t":6284,"text":"Okay. Well, okay, that's fine. So, I'm just curious. These are numbers from 2018."},{"t":6294,"text":"Do we not have anything more more up to date?"},{"t":6299,"text":"Uh, we haven't at that point. Um again that is an exercise that will involve a fair amount of cost."},{"t":6310,"text":"Uh for the purposes of looking at what is the potential diversion um and we felt that we should use the"},{"t":6319,"text":"2018 numbers that would make the 2020 uh trap mitation."},{"t":6326,"text":"It might be higher. It might be a little less. Again, um and you got to remember if that is the number base coming into"},{"t":6335,"text":"suit if once you start adding Sun River on to the Highway 14 traffic, it"},{"t":6341,"text":"increases by 100 that might not go to the highway until"},{"t":6351,"text":"Okay. So these 17 17,400 I do note in the transportation master plan it states highway 14 experiences traffic volumes"},{"t":6359,"text":"up to 20,000 vehicles per day and so yeah again it would be great to to have"},{"t":6368,"text":"that actual clarity. Um I know at today's CRD meeting the workshop uh the new"},{"t":6376,"text":"transportation service will be very data centric and it will uh be able to provide us with much more accurate in"},{"t":6383,"text":"the- moment data. Um difficult to make a as a as a taxpaying"},{"t":6391,"text":"voter in on [clears throat] October 17th."},{"t":6394,"text":"Um it'd be great to know know exactly what kind of so 30%"},{"t":6401,"text":"of the ADT um"},{"t":6409,"text":"okay do in the master plan would you ideally we would be acquiring the the"},{"t":6417,"text":"remaining land at the for future generations at that 25 meter width with"},{"t":6426,"text":"you you are recommending that as option one among the four that you presented tonight through your worship to the counselor."},{"t":6436,"text":"Um my preference would be option one but I haven't made a recommendation to council that was going to be a discussion that council was going to"},{"t":6444,"text":"give direction of course um to what size of rightway they wanted to have but as the director of"},{"t":6451,"text":"operations my preference would be to have 25 to kind of futureproof it as we go forward and not have to deal with the"},{"t":6460,"text":"problem later on. Yeah, the d as you've cited the danger of not"},{"t":6467,"text":"doing the full width now is that um again 13 or 20 million more would be"},{"t":6474,"text":"required to build out to the full. If in 2050 this community of of uh 28,000"},{"t":6481,"text":"people um requires a full 25 meter cross-section, that would"},{"t":6488,"text":"you're saying $20 million if we were to go from 15.2 to 25."},{"t":6494,"text":"Your worship through the counselor. That is my estimate. Yes. Again, it's in 2026."},{"t":6501,"text":"as to when you do it. Um more it will be fairly expensive because"},{"t":6508,"text":"you will still have to gain access down to the toe of the uh embankment. Yeah."},{"t":6514,"text":"Uh you're working in a confined space and again there's the possibility in order to do this um that the road might"},{"t":6522,"text":"have to be closed which then pushes the traffic back to Highway 14."},{"t":6526,"text":"And we don't like road closures in this community. Yeah. Okay, that's it."},{"t":6535,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Other questions or comments from members of council were on receiving for info?"},{"t":6543,"text":"Councelor Pearson."},{"t":6546,"text":"Thank you through the chair. Um some of my questions actually have been answered I think by councelorne."},{"t":6553,"text":"So, I think we talked in May about that the center lane was essential and and I think I think you've covered that that"},{"t":6560,"text":"it that we that that seemed like that was a no, we weren't going to deter from that because that was the best case scenario was that center lane. So, and I"},{"t":6568,"text":"didn't see that in the crosssections today. The um is that price does that include the roundabout?"},{"t":6581,"text":"through your worship to the counselor. Yes, it does include the roundabout. Okay."},{"t":6586,"text":"You also talked briefly about a T intersection. Um, also I I have come"},{"t":6593,"text":"into a report from somebody that did a report somewhere around 2008 about a a"},{"t":6599,"text":"lane from u from west or from uh Sucro flowing through and stopping at there"},{"t":6607,"text":"either by a traffic light or a stop sign. probably a traffic light coming out of Sun River so that it would continually flow. That was talked about"},{"t":6614,"text":"by I'm trying to think of the engineering company that that did that first time. Watt I think watt engineering I think is or what traffic"},{"t":6621,"text":"site. So, is it still possible that we could build a safe"},{"t":6631,"text":"good road with a teike intersection with, you know, with a bike lane, a"},{"t":6638,"text":"travel lane in the middle or a turning lane and a travel lane in each way as well as a sidewalk on a 20 m right of"},{"t":6646,"text":"way and exclude this roundabout at this time. And and and I you know I'm asking"},{"t":6653,"text":"that the the hypo is is that possible that we could do that because I mean I mean we've been talking about this since 2008."},{"t":6661,"text":"It got turned down in 2008 I think is actually 2004."},{"t":6666,"text":"Yes. But again it came back up and it's come up. We you know here we are. It's it it was designed. It was ready to go"},{"t":6675,"text":"in 2005. I think there was shovel ready project and here we are. You know, we've spent at last hundreds thousands of"},{"t":6683,"text":"dollars in design. Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars in design. And yet feels like we're not getting any closer."},{"t":6692,"text":"Um, and we're selecting, I think, the ultimate road buildout. Is there a way"},{"t":6700,"text":"for us to get traffic flowing safely, people walking safely, using a T intersection without that roundabout?"},{"t":6707,"text":"because I think that's giving me a lot of heartburn. Can we can we do it on a 20 m rightway? Like I I I I've heard"},{"t":6714,"text":"what you said and I think I I I agree we should try and get everything we can, but can with with 20 meters, can we build it safely,"},{"t":6722,"text":"effectively, and for a reduced price? I know that's a loaded question, but I have to ask it."},{"t":6729,"text":"Worship through the counselor. I think I remember the intersection you described."},{"t":6734,"text":"Uh what was unique about that one, if you were coming traveling east, you had no way to turn into Sun River. So that"},{"t":6743,"text":"would be one of the issues. The problem with Ta intersections is you get your worst type of accidents happening on"},{"t":6752,"text":"them. So if you if you had uh a T intersection controlled by stop signs"},{"t":6760,"text":"because people are impatient, your accidents go to more head-ons and T-bones as they go along. As you go for"},{"t":6769,"text":"a sweep or intersection type look at, you get more rear ending because people are not paying attention and the light changes."},{"t":6780,"text":"With the roundabout, it provides uh traffic an avenue to flow. Uh when two"},{"t":6789,"text":"cars do collide with each other, they're more glancing. They're then direct on because of how they feed in. So from a"},{"t":6797,"text":"safety standpoint, this this roundabout provides a greater flexibility. As we go into a singleized intersection, that"},{"t":6806,"text":"timing does not change. So, if it's set up to go this way, that way, this way"},{"t":6813,"text":"every five minutes, that's what it's going to happen. If you all of a sudden have a large amount of traffic diverted"},{"t":6820,"text":"into that intersection, it doesn't care that there's no one coming out of Sun River, it's still going to stop the"},{"t":6828,"text":"other two lanes of traffic, so they can do their traffic movement. Whereas with a traffic circle, there's always"},{"t":6834,"text":"continuous mo movement. Um, I think I would have a problem getting"},{"t":6841,"text":"an engineer to authenticate an inter uh T intersection, a simple T intersection with stop signs."},{"t":6849,"text":"Um, because one of the rules engineers have to face is"},{"t":6856,"text":"protection of the public. And we're creating an intersection that could be"},{"t":6864,"text":"fairly dangerous. I'm sure ICBC would not be happy with us. As we go up into intersections, it reduce they probably"},{"t":6874,"text":"would design an intersection because they're very common place. They do work."},{"t":6879,"text":"Again, ICBC probably would prefer to see the roundabout because again they're what they're going to see in accidents"},{"t":6887,"text":"are the less severe type of accidents um and injuries that happen to drivers."},{"t":6894,"text":"the the intersection area will always be a little bigger than 20 or 25 because we're now adding"},{"t":6903,"text":"most likely we would need to have turning lanes on all the legs. So now there's at least three lanes each direction"},{"t":6912,"text":"and depending on whether or not you sweep it in order to get traffic to go from Phillips to thro um that might take"},{"t":6920,"text":"space. So that's why uh in the report it talks about basically having the same land"},{"t":6927,"text":"requirements as both of them. Um and again elevation wise we're still going to have"},{"t":6935,"text":"to build retaining walls to match that even with the traffic. Uh same as what we would have to do with a circle."},{"t":6946,"text":"Okay. So you're you're you're not quite recommending, but it sounds pretty pretty hard that you're that you're"},{"t":6954,"text":"saying. So my you know and and as a counselor sitting here listening, is there is there a way that we can reduce"},{"t":6962,"text":"this cost because though you know I mean what is it starts at 9.41 to 12.58% including that roundabout. Is there is"},{"t":6971,"text":"there a safe way? That's, you know, I think my question asks, is there a safe way to create that intersection? And and I'm not suggesting a stop sign. I'm"},{"t":6979,"text":"thinking that it has to be traffic controlled by a light or something like is is there a safe way to do that and"},{"t":6986,"text":"cut that cost significantly like and and and I get the degree of safety and and and I appreciate that just because"},{"t":6995,"text":"because a a traffic light probably cost 350 or $400,000. I think we've been told that in the past. and that this"},{"t":7003,"text":"roundabout's going to be 3 million probably, right? Or 4 million."},{"t":7009,"text":"Sure. Your worship to the counselor. I'd have to go back and confirm what the price is, but it wasn't in the 3 million"},{"t":7015,"text":"range. Um, you have to remember that is just basically concrete and ashvalt. Um,"},{"t":7022,"text":"the controller and the traffic lights become a maintenance concern. They might be initially cheaper, they might not."},{"t":7031,"text":"Um, controllers are in the $100,000 range, give or take some, and have to be replaced every 25 to 30 years, depending"},{"t":7041,"text":"on how they're used and abused. Uh, the poles again, [snorts] because we do salt"},{"t":7047,"text":"the roads, um, they do at some point experience salt fatigue and failure and"},{"t":7055,"text":"we might have to replace them. And uh speaking of accidents, uh the first thing that's hidden in an intersection"},{"t":7063,"text":"when someone loses control is the traffic lights."},{"t":7068,"text":"So there probably would be some savings maybe in the capital side, but on the other side um as we move forward into"},{"t":7077,"text":"maintenance uh over the life of this road, I think you would see an increased maintenance cost that we don't have right now."},{"t":7090,"text":"Okay, I'm going to move on to Councelor Bettos, then myself, and then we'll start round two. Uh yeah, through your"},{"t":7097,"text":"uh chair to Mr. Miller. Um thank you for for all that wealth of information. Lots to think about. I just wanted to go over"},{"t":7104,"text":"very quickly that uh when it came to the uh 25 meter rightway, you talked about"},{"t":7112,"text":"the district owning uh 99 square meters. uh CRD 7 and uh private"},{"t":7121,"text":"is 1,5 and the ex the cost about what we'd have to buy would be $700,000. Did I hear that correct?"},{"t":7132,"text":"Through your worship to the counselor that that is my estimate based off of uh what I understand of Latin prices right now."},{"t":7140,"text":"Okay, that that's that's excellent."},{"t":7141,"text":"That's what I wanted to hear. I wasn't quite sure with the case. you know, I understand it could change slightly. Um, now the other thing, of course, is that,"},{"t":7150,"text":"uh, you know, we're looking, if you look at S2, the 25 m, and I think it'd be silly for us not to go for the 25 m"},{"t":7157,"text":"because it cost us $700,000 more. Um, the is $25 million."},{"t":7166,"text":"And uh if we had this drawn out and applied for grants, but you need to have it drawn out at that at that 25 million"},{"t":7172,"text":"and then apply for grants. Um because I don't see us going anywhere"},{"t":7180,"text":"unless we get some grants on that. But uh in the world today, I know we lost the big one, but is there still grants available from the feds?"},{"t":7189,"text":"Nothing. You worship through the counselor."},{"t":7191,"text":"There's always bids coming out uh or grants coming out. Um in fact, we just received some possible ones. Um we"},{"t":7201,"text":"haven't given up hope on the grants we have already put in. There's money still potentially coming towards us, but every"},{"t":7209,"text":"day we don't hear something, it becomes less and less probable. Um, again"},{"t":7218,"text":"from our discussions uh say with the CRD this morning,"},{"t":7224,"text":"no one's really seen a grant um that doesn't involve active transportation."},{"t":7230,"text":"So where we would have to include some form of active transportation to even be eligible for the grant. These drawings"},{"t":7239,"text":"under there these these drawings are at 60% design which was sufficient to tell the the uh"},{"t":7249,"text":"funders that we are serious about this project. We're moving forward. This is something that's a high priority to the"},{"t":7256,"text":"community. So, if another one does come up and I have the drawings ready to go"},{"t":7262,"text":"at 25 or 20, whatever council directs, um we would be in that shovel ready category."},{"t":7271,"text":"Okay, that's that's where I was leading to with if if the fact that um let's say we did do uh S2 reduced uh $25 million"},{"t":7282,"text":"uh and then you had that shovel ready, then we're eligible for grants. But we we can't go with our present uh"},{"t":7291,"text":"estimates because it's for the whole buildout at $50 million. So we would have to reapply. Is that correct?"},{"t":7298,"text":"You worship through the counselor. Uh the grants we have already applied for."},{"t":7302,"text":"If we do get them, uh we'll have to go back and renegotiate with the funders and show them that we have a reduced scope. They may or may not Okay."},{"t":7311,"text":"Uh allow that. But as we go forward um and we have these shovel ready projects, that was what we would apply for."},{"t":7321,"text":"Okay."},{"t":7321,"text":"And depending on what the cost share is um would be how much we would have to come up with as the district."},{"t":7329,"text":"Okay. I I appreciate that. Thanks very much."},{"t":7332,"text":"Okay. Thank you everyone. I'm just looking at the grant that opened build community strong fund."},{"t":7341,"text":"Um, shovel ready and able to begin before the end of 2026."},{"t":7347,"text":"Preference given to projects that are ready to start construction during the upcoming summer construction season."},{"t":7354,"text":"Local infrastructure like community buildings and spaces, recreation, sport and park facilities,"},{"t":7361,"text":"natural water assets, wastewater assets, storm water management assets, climate adaptation projects, regionally significant projects."},{"t":7373,"text":"So, I don't know. I guess you would always try and see if it fits the criteria."},{"t":7380,"text":"I'll save my opinion on that. Sure. Do your worship. I'm not done yet. Tony, welcome to you."},{"t":7388,"text":"Mr. Bill, um I believe uh your predecessor had [snorts] designed a uh third uh lane going from the bridge up"},{"t":7397,"text":"to Charters Road. We've got some money from the MOT to to do that. Is that correct? Am I remembering that right? Do we have a a design of that?"},{"t":7408,"text":"Worship through the counselor. We are working with MOOTT for the construction of an intersection at Highway 14 and"},{"t":7416,"text":"Charters. There was some funding available for the last section of charters that wasn't done because you need the intersection to be built before you can build that last section."},{"t":7428,"text":"Okay? Because I was uh under the impression that uh there was a design uh for uh third lane. They called it a bus"},{"t":7436,"text":"lane, but would come up from uh Phillips Road up to Charters. So, you would have the traffic would split into two lanes, go up to Charters and over that way."},{"t":7446,"text":"That hasn't been done."},{"t":7448,"text":"Uh that one I would have to go back and check. I have not seen any plans for a bus lane on Highway 14."},{"t":7456,"text":"I believe we we can I'm I'm taking the floor back."},{"t":7460,"text":"That's something to uh look into. Uh, no, thank you for the report on this."},{"t":7465,"text":"Um, I don't feel that we're ready to we're we're just on receiving for information, but there's still a lot of unknowns in terms of gearing up for a"},{"t":7474,"text":"borrowing on this year's ballot. My only concern with applying for grants is we're not the only community applying"},{"t":7481,"text":"for grants and we don't have our share and we don't know what we're doing. So, it doesn't I don't want to not have us"},{"t":7488,"text":"receive a fund, but given there's other things that we are likely shovel ready on and could go, those should be the"},{"t":7496,"text":"priority at this stage because we're not organized at this point."},{"t":7500,"text":"Um, when we talk a little like just going back to a previous road design, I did a walk through history as I always"},{"t":7509,"text":"do. Sun River was approved in 2003 and 2004."},{"t":7515,"text":"The first residents maybe moving in in 2004 five somewhere in there. Uh 2006 was at phase two of a 715 unit buildout."},{"t":7528,"text":"Uh and I'm raising this because those residents today would have had no input into a into the road. would not have"},{"t":7536,"text":"been eligible to even vote at the time of 2005 on a road and certainly would not have been able to provide any input"},{"t":7543,"text":"because they weren't living in in that area. The houses were not built at that time. The subdivision from what was"},{"t":7550,"text":"proposed to what it is today changed. Uh at that point 715 units always remain"},{"t":7557,"text":"the same but suites were only permitted on units or lots that were 550 m square"},{"t":7563,"text":"meters or more and had approval. Now all lots can have suites. So the population is greater than it was originally forecasted."},{"t":7573,"text":"There's also a high density zone and a small odd zone. I'm just sharing that because when this road design was built with a T"},{"t":7582,"text":"intersection being okay, it did not account for the future of anyone living up in Sun River and beyond. And nor did"},{"t":7589,"text":"it account for the other subdivisions that are past Sun River that exists there today. Also probably didn't think about an aotment garden uh or a Ravens Park or anything else."},{"t":7601,"text":"Just simply didn't happen because it didn't exist. So, when I hear of a potential T intersection here, being"},{"t":7609,"text":"that I live in that particular area, it just sort of makes me shudder a bit because it'll be a downright fail. I I just"},{"t":7617,"text":"don't see that working at all. And if it's going to be a choice between a T intersection and a stoplight, many"},{"t":7625,"text":"residents have commented on how wonderful the stop light at Phillips and Souk Road is, cuz sometimes it just doesn't work at all. Just doesn't work."},{"t":7633,"text":"it blinks on and off or it shuts down and nobody seems to remember the rules of an intersection when it doesn't work."},{"t":7640,"text":"You have to do a complete four-way stop and so then you sit there and turn right and go up to the roundabout and loop around to try to turn left because it would be impossible otherwise."},{"t":7650,"text":"Sea Park is also extremely busy. Um there is no programmable time left except for maybe during school hours"},{"t":7659,"text":"when the ice is in. Otherwise, every space of that facility is completely booked. There's now a gym. It's a high"},{"t":7667,"text":"user site doing a tremendous job. So, you just have all this commuting traffic"},{"t":7675,"text":"like I don't know like you would just be sitting there stuck and then it would back up. All the traffic if it's 30% and"},{"t":7683,"text":"the light is stopped or someone doesn't know if it's their turn or not is going to back all the way down the highway."},{"t":7690,"text":"And then that'll just continue to build with the casino's traffic and it's just another bogdown because it won't move."},{"t":7697,"text":"It'll just be stuck. Um there was a a lot of people using different modes to travel in and out and around our town."},{"t":7707,"text":"Uh I just I see that as being a complete fail. So I won't support anything other"},{"t":7714,"text":"than building it right the first time or not at all. Just don't bother doing it at all. Um, I think that's an option."},{"t":7723,"text":"30 years of debt to offload 30% of traffic."},{"t":7730,"text":"What about other things that our community needs? Is it is it worth it? I don't know. I'm not sure. We've heard from a delegation today about the cost of taxes."},{"t":7741,"text":"Uh, you can reduce that, but if you sign up for this, you're still going to pay 30 years of debt. There's no way of reducing that. you'll just have to"},{"t":7749,"text":"service it till it's paid out uh and nothing else will happen. I hear from Grant Road residents like when are we going to find money to fix the situation"},{"t":7758,"text":"on Grant Road West? What about Whiff and Spit?"},{"t":7762,"text":"What about Ella Road? Other points that are that are failing. Um Sea Park has growing needs. It's long overdue for a"},{"t":7771,"text":"second seat of ice there as well as significant uh replacements to the floor. We're hearing how strapped our"},{"t":7777,"text":"soccer field is. So, I think it's just uh a question of again another road to offset 30% of traffic and building out a"},{"t":7786,"text":"complete failure point. The example of the T intersections that exist are on Bottoms Road."},{"t":7794,"text":"Uh when you are traveling out of the library and you want to make a lefthand turn on Otter Point when all"},{"t":7801,"text":"the commuting traffic is coming home, how easy and safe is that? Is it?"},{"t":7810,"text":"What about when you turn on to let's say you're going down Watams and you want to turn left onto Church Road and all the"},{"t":7816,"text":"traffic is flowing up. The traffic all backlogs all the time or when school is out and"},{"t":7824,"text":"all the traffic is flowing down, you just sit there and you wait. Or what people do is they turn right, they go down a good mirror, and they turn around and loop back rather than trying to make"},{"t":7832,"text":"the sketchy left turn because it doesn't work or invoid it completely like many of us do. Another T intersection coming up Grant Road onto Otterpoint Road."},{"t":7841,"text":"That's got to be everyone's favorite T intersection."},{"t":7845,"text":"Isn't that just a great intersection right there? Turning from Grant to make a left on Otter Point. It's terrible."},{"t":7852,"text":"Nobody likes to do it, so you don't do it."},{"t":7857,"text":"So now we're going to build a road that no one's going to use given the state of all the other roads. I think there's other traffic improvements that require"},{"t":7866,"text":"attention and unfortunately this is very expensive and it'll just push everything down the road and will be another 20"},{"t":7874,"text":"years and council sitting there wondering why Grant Road has never been fixed."},{"t":7878,"text":"Or you can shortcut it and make it super sketchy. yet in the volumes of school age children, all the users of Sea Park,"},{"t":7885,"text":"everyone that visits on an ebike uh coming into our visitor center and um"},{"t":7893,"text":"yeah, I'll leave it at that. I uh don't have any questions. I think um there's a lot of unanswered questions in terms of today and where we move forward from"},{"t":7901,"text":"this is uh you know, we're receiving for information that's fine. So we'll move that and then I think the next point is"},{"t":7910,"text":"a discussion around what do you want to direct staff to focus on and then leave it from there. But uh I'm just a bit"},{"t":7919,"text":"concerned and I think we're just reacting from given everything I've heard in the"},{"t":7925,"text":"community about safety on our roads and to actually do something to make a safe improvement. It it's like we're just ignoring all of that feedback."},{"t":7936,"text":"Everything I've heard just doesn't matter. Well, to me it does matter a great deal. Okay, starting off round"},{"t":7944,"text":"two. Uh, councelor St. Pierre, you have the floor. Thank you."},{"t":7951,"text":"U, my first question actually is with regards to the motions that are in front of us. And we got one here that council direct staff to negotiate with the"},{"t":7958,"text":"necessary private property owners for the acquisition of various land parcel [clears throat] segments. need to compl"},{"t":7966,"text":"the through road phips road connector based on the approved cross-section of however many meters let's say 25 for now"},{"t":7972,"text":"um what does this actually mean in terms of accountability? Are we locked into"},{"t":7979,"text":"anything? Um are we locked into agreements with potential land owners?"},{"t":7984,"text":"uh uh do we are we locked into a position where we have to pay the money or is this simply giving staff the ability to start negotiating these"},{"t":7991,"text":"things so that we have a little more certainty. What are we looking at here?"},{"t":7997,"text":"Your worship through the counselor giving direction to negotiate is just that it allows me to start the"},{"t":8004,"text":"negotiation process and come to some conclusion to what land would possibly"},{"t":8010,"text":"cost. So with respect to the CRD, it would be a series of discussions to find"},{"t":8016,"text":"out what that uh value would be and then that would come back to council and say this is the best deal I can get from"},{"t":8025,"text":"them. Um and then it would have to go into whatever year's budget that would made"},{"t":8033,"text":"sense to do. Um, so right now because of the election,"},{"t":8039,"text":"the CRD will not even discuss uh land disposition at this point. So the sooner I could the soonest I could possibly"},{"t":8048,"text":"start those serious discussions is in 2027."},{"t":8052,"text":"Um, whether or not it would be ready for the uh 20 2027 budget depends on how"},{"t":8059,"text":"hard of negotiations uh it might be. So council might not see that number until 2028, but there would"},{"t":8068,"text":"be at least an understanding between the CRD and the district that we are looking"},{"t":8075,"text":"kind of kind of a right of first refusal. Um, right now from my take from"},{"t":8082,"text":"it, uh, the CRD acknowledges that this is a we want this land for a rightaway,"},{"t":8090,"text":"but as is has also been stated, they're also strapped for uh, space. If they feel that we're not going forward, it's"},{"t":8099,"text":"fully within their scope of work uh, purview to decide not to sell us the land. And as they are a senior level of"},{"t":8108,"text":"government, there's no way we can force them to to sell the land to us. So that is just something to keep in mind with"},{"t":8116,"text":"the private land owners. Uh it would start off with negotiation."},{"t":8122,"text":"um if they shot for the moon, the stars, and the sun, which were totally out of uh reach of the district, like a million"},{"t":8131,"text":"dollars a square foot, um then I would be coming back to council and saying,"},{"t":8137,"text":"\"Here's far fair market uh value for this land, and we have to go through the expropriation process.\""},{"t":8146,"text":"Thank you for that. So, it sounds like uh it wouldn't hold this council at this point in time to any financial risks because that would actually come down to"},{"t":8154,"text":"the referendum, but would allow you to just begin negotiations and get better ideas of what the costs might be. Is that correct? Yes."},{"t":8161,"text":"Okay. So, following up on that, um I agree with uh our mayor. I think the"},{"t":8169,"text":"difference between 20 and 27 million, it's huge sticker shock no matter what."},{"t":8174,"text":"And it basically ties down almost an entire boring capacity no matter what. Uh and I think it's up to our residents who have said they would"},{"t":8182,"text":"like something done about the traffic to decide if they actually want to spend that kind of money or want us to spend that kind of money. Meanwhile, using the"},{"t":8190,"text":"um the cheaper options basically seems to lock us down in terms of first of all, if you don't get the turning lane in the middle, you're slowing down"},{"t":8198,"text":"traffic. If you don't get the roundabout, you're slowing down traffic."},{"t":8201,"text":"If you put in signalized intersections, you're increasing the cost over time and slowing down traffic. And what we've been asked to do is to speed traffic up."},{"t":8209,"text":"Uh not only that, but my feeling is that because we have good weather, I don't know how 800,000 ever became low real"},{"t":8216,"text":"estate prices, but it seems to it is. Uh many disagree, but some of the lower property taxes and because we also have"},{"t":8223,"text":"limited services, retail, and jobs locally available, our roads are going to get more and more crowded. So if we cheap out on this, I don't know how"},{"t":8231,"text":"quickly it's going to fail and then it's extremely expensive to redo as I understand it. So I think it's pennywise"},{"t":8238,"text":"pound foolish. You present the public with the information, let them make a decision. And if they decide they don't want it, that's cool. But meanwhile, we"},{"t":8246,"text":"also have more ammunition to go to the province and say, \"We've done everything we could. We've got a referendum. We've done everything we can. And guess what?"},{"t":8254,"text":"It's your highway and it's getting choked. So do something.\" Sorry, just just saying."},{"t":8260,"text":"I guess that's all I have to say for now. Thank you."},{"t":8263,"text":"Okay, there's been a request for a break, so I'm going it's 8:00, so I'm going to start after the recess after 10 minutes and start with counselor Helane."},{"t":8274,"text":"So, it's currently, what time is it? 8:09. So, we'll reconvene at 8:20."},{"t":8280,"text":"Perfect. Thank you."},{"t":8925,"text":"Okay, welcome back everyone. It's 8:20, so we'll continue on with our meeting tonight and we will go over to councelor Haldane, please."},{"t":8936,"text":"Thank you very much. Um, just to cover a couple of things that came up there with the key intersections and I understand it, but Watam's Way has"},{"t":8945,"text":"two of them. There's no big accidents going on in Watam's Way at either end."},{"t":8949,"text":"And if you could talk to the police, get them to put out a report on it and I'll bet you find out that and and those roads are as busy or busier than what"},{"t":8957,"text":"we're going to run into on the Phillips Road component in in my mind. So um the"},{"t":8964,"text":"other underlying issue is that we don't have the land. So this 9700"},{"t":8971,"text":"or n yeah 9900 or whatever square meters that we're still missing. The whole idea is we need that land in order to be able"},{"t":8980,"text":"to qualify for these grants from what I understand because shovel ready means you need to own the land I'm pretty sure. So that's shovel ready. So, the"},{"t":8987,"text":"fact that we don't own the land and more importantly the fact that we haven't negotiated for that land in 20 years of putting this road together, I'm I'm"},{"t":8995,"text":"almost blown away. So, here we're at a stage now at the last minute, the last"},{"t":9002,"text":"day and the meeting we had recently in May here, that's the first meeting we've had to negotiate this land. Is that what I'm guessing?"},{"t":9012,"text":"So when it comes down to it, if you think of the sheer fact that we haven't acquired the land component in over 20 years and the cart before the"},{"t":9021,"text":"horse with all this spending and we spent almost a million dollars now putting together designs and all this criteria for a road that we're not in"},{"t":9029,"text":"any position to do because as as it was pointed out the CRD could say no and then we're stuck. So I guess my biggest"},{"t":9037,"text":"thing would be in the end is that I'm not comfortable spending any more money on any part of it for any reason and"},{"t":9044,"text":"especially not directing anybody to do any more work until after the election because that's the first time CRD is willing to meet with us again about that component and that's probably the most"},{"t":9052,"text":"important important part of this whole process is having the land. So that was where I will leave it and I mean I"},{"t":9061,"text":"wouldn't support spending another nickel on this whole process. So okay I'm going to go through staff and then back through our speaking order."},{"t":9071,"text":"your worship. Just as a clarifications, my predecessor had started negotiations and the CRD is well aware of the plan"},{"t":9080,"text":"for this connector and have not turn their attention to that land for their"},{"t":9087,"text":"own use. Um, but again, if we hesitate too long and"},{"t":9094,"text":"there's a change at the CRD board, maybe that might not be their attitude. But right now they are supportive of the"},{"t":9101,"text":"idea of the connector. Um and just to clarify, generally with shovel ready projects,"},{"t":9108,"text":"grant funders will give you uh a window of five years to actually spend the money. So we could get the grant,"},{"t":9117,"text":"acquire the land, and build it in the last two or three years."},{"t":9122,"text":"So, we don't necessarily have to have the money right off the bat, but we do have to have plans to acquire it."},{"t":9134,"text":"Okay. Councelor Baitman."},{"t":9139,"text":"Yeah. So, I I'd like to move uh the option number one."},{"t":9144,"text":"We do have a motion on the floor. It's just to receive information so you can make an amendment to it."},{"t":9152,"text":"or I can come back to give a new motion. I'll just discuss this further then. Okay."},{"t":9158,"text":"Um, so it see it seems like we we have to do something practical here and now. And as councelor Haldane says, it's high time"},{"t":9167,"text":"we uh negotiated and acquired this land along the route of from church to uh to"},{"t":9174,"text":"Sea Park. And yes, Mr. Carter did tell us of a"},{"t":9181,"text":"strategy, right? This was a strategy um to to acquire that land and I think some preliminary discussions have have taken"},{"t":9190,"text":"place, but this would be a good strong first step. Um, I also very much like option number"},{"t":9199,"text":"four, which is to bring forward a report on a non-binding plebicite to really"},{"t":9205,"text":"test the temperature of our community in terms of a their desire for this uh new piece of of road and their ability to"},{"t":9215,"text":"pay for it. Um, because that's $7,000 if if I have my numbers right there over 30 years. That's that's significant. I"},{"t":9224,"text":"might want to take the bus more often with that [laughter] kind of kind of money. So, those are"},{"t":9231,"text":"comments and I don't have any other questions at this point. Oh, yeah. No."},{"t":9238,"text":"Okay. I will come back to you once we've uh cleared this. I'll come back to you for a motion then. Uh anything further"},{"t":9246,"text":"on receiving fur information from councelor Pearson?"},{"t":9253,"text":"Yeah. Um, I think the motion that we have is valid. I think there's a whole"},{"t":9260,"text":"ton more of information that is not available to us at our fingertips. I think I think ongoing discussions um"},{"t":9268,"text":"have to take place. I'm, you know, I echo my uh colleague councelor's statement. you know, here we are 18 years later and we haven't secured all"},{"t":9276,"text":"the right away and and and another level of government and it probably will go good, probably will go okay, you know,"},{"t":9283,"text":"like we're guessing probably this is going to um I'm comfortable moving the the motion ahead um voting on it right"},{"t":9291,"text":"now just to say that's all we need to do for now. I I I don't think that I don't understand what question we would ask on"},{"t":9298,"text":"a plebite that's non-binding. We're too late for a borrowing one on this time."},{"t":9303,"text":"So, what there's not much to be gained by delving into it any deeper at this time. For me personally, I think there's just too many unanswered questions."},{"t":9313,"text":"Okay. There's a few things to clarify."},{"t":9314,"text":"If council did want to do borrowing, we could schedule a series of special meetings and still do that. So, I could just I'm just putting that out there"},{"t":9323,"text":"that you could do that. Uh secondly, when there's been comments of 20 years and nothing's been done, just remind members of council that the work pivoted"},{"t":9332,"text":"to do the uh roundabout at Highway 14 and Evergreen Mall like that happened."},{"t":9340,"text":"Then it was the case of trying to connect uh Goodmir to Brownsy or to um Murray Road. All of that planning work"},{"t":9348,"text":"was done, but then that got put on the shelf and instead the pivot was to build out Watum's Way instead. So then that"},{"t":9356,"text":"work happened. Then the sidewalks on Church and Otter Point happened and then Charters Road happened. And then the"},{"t":9363,"text":"highways, this work paused cuz then the ministry did their full assessment of Highway 14 and did the new four lanes,"},{"t":9371,"text":"the Souk River roundabout. That was just a that was a traffic that wasn't even a traffic light. It was a Tjunction at one"},{"t":9378,"text":"point. Uh and then so those other things did happen that take time and capacity and political will and all of that. And"},{"t":9386,"text":"then there's bi-elections and elections and staff turnover and everything else."},{"t":9391,"text":"So to suggest that nothing happened in 20 years, well, a lot did happen. It's just not on this particular one because other priorities came forward instead."},{"t":9400,"text":"So I'll leave it at that. Okay. I'm just going to call the question then. We're receiving for information. All those in favor of receiving. Anyone opposed? No"},{"t":9408,"text":"one's opposed. It's unanimous. Councelor Baitman, your motion, please. Yeah. In the microphone. Well, this is direct verbatim from Mr."},{"t":9417,"text":"Miller. Um that council directs staff to negotiate with the necessary private property owners for the acquisition of"},{"t":9425,"text":"various land parcel segments needed to complete the through road Philips Road connector based on the approved cross-section of 25 m."},{"t":9436,"text":"Okay. So that's a motion that's been seconded by councelor St. Pierre. So go ahead please on the motion. Well, as I"},{"t":9444,"text":"said earlier, it seems seems a practical next step uh towards this much larger um"},{"t":9451,"text":"vision and and uh a relatively if the order of magnitude, which I understand to mean a a very a rough guesstimate is"},{"t":9459,"text":"an order of magnitude. So, $700,000 and um there is a new zoning bylaw"},{"t":9467,"text":"coming and its potential to to work with land owners and offer, you know, look at reszoning along that stretch. Um"},{"t":9476,"text":"so, yeah, this seems like a very pract I I think the 25 meter cross-section is critical if we do look ahead to um for"},{"t":9486,"text":"future generations. We do have Yeah, they're still sitting there. Our future generations are still sitting in the empty seat over there. So, I think it's"},{"t":9495,"text":"rather critical that we uh we we we have the the required width for a uh a safe"},{"t":9504,"text":"active transportation corridor."},{"t":9508,"text":"Okay. Councelor, can I see the motion on the screen, please?"},{"t":9512,"text":"Yep. Staff are going to put it on the screen. I'll go to councelor St. Pierre is a seconder."},{"t":9519,"text":"Uh I agree with councelor Baitman. I think the 25 m uh among other things it doesn't we're not tied to 25 m. Future"},{"t":9526,"text":"council which might not be us can decide otherwise and we're not tied to it. But meanwhile if we negotiate for the 25 m and that's what we need. We've got it"},{"t":9534,"text":"and we've got that that costing in place. So it just makes sense to go for the full buildout at this point in time."},{"t":9540,"text":"If that's not what happens, that's not what happens. that again it's going to be up to the elector to decide whether they want to actually potentially spend this kind of money. Uh but meanwhile"},{"t":9548,"text":"let's get them some actual accurate numbers on the full buildout. Councelor Betos."},{"t":9556,"text":"Yeah, I I certainly believe in in doing the 25 meters. No matter what we built along there, sooner or later we're going to need it and you might as well buy it"},{"t":9564,"text":"now. We're we're here sitting around this table to plan for 10 20 years down the road. It's not just here and now. I"},{"t":9571,"text":"know that's a lot of people's mind. Uh, the only thing I need to know is negotiate the necessary private owners"},{"t":9579,"text":"or acquisition. So, where did the money come from the 700,000 come from to buy that land? Because that's what this says."},{"t":9588,"text":"So, uh, I would need to have that answered before I could continue on. Okay. Over to staff."},{"t":9595,"text":"Your worship to the counselor. That would be a budget line item in the appropriate budget year for purchasing that land."},{"t":9613,"text":"Yeah. Okay. So, uh I guess I could ask staff if we had to budget 700,000, what"},{"t":9621,"text":"would that be in a tax increase for next year roughly, please? 5% at least. If 1%"},{"t":9629,"text":"is 130,000, 144,000."},{"t":9640,"text":"It's nearly 5%. Okay. 4.8%. Uh, thank you."},{"t":9648,"text":"Follow up. I'll go to Miss Gray first and then to Councelor St. Pierre as a followup on that."},{"t":9654,"text":"Okay. Maybe just to confirm the because staff have like the purpose of this motion was mostly to confirm the width."},{"t":9662,"text":"Staff have been as council's aware talking to all the property owners along this strip for a couple of years now."},{"t":9668,"text":"So, we've had numerous informal conversations um and at the end of the day once um council received an update"},{"t":9675,"text":"on that uh a few months ago now. Um and if more conversations uh occurred at the confirmed 25 meter width because that"},{"t":9683,"text":"was the latest uh change um potential change that council has suggested um going to either 20 or the 15.2."},{"t":9692,"text":"um decisions will still come back to council before anything is made and as well if grants become available grant funding could be used as a funding"},{"t":9700,"text":"source for some of this because depending on you know so it's not a guarantee it has to be taxes per se depending on the timing of when this"},{"t":9708,"text":"happens it could be you know we secure the right away and you know versus owning it if they want to buy it"},{"t":9715,"text":"outright like it there's different scenarios it's not necessarily that we have to purchase I guess all of this land and if did have to purchase it. I wouldn't say that all the money has to"},{"t":9724,"text":"be paid initially. It could be subject to grants or subject to the project starting. Um and yeah, so just to kind"},{"t":9732,"text":"of clarify, it might not be next year council has to pay $700,000 to acquire land approximately and all of those decisions would be put forward to"},{"t":9740,"text":"council before any funds would change hands."},{"t":9746,"text":"That helps me greatly. Thank you. Others on the motion. Councelor Haldane."},{"t":9752,"text":"Sure. So negotiations were done. You're correct on that. And they were done with little success so far. And I know a"},{"t":9759,"text":"bunch of the land owners. So I know where how they feel. I think everybody's still in the same position, even the land owners, about all the taxes they have to pay on the land they own and so"},{"t":9767,"text":"on. But the the other big one is is what we got today in a letter uh from the"},{"t":9773,"text":"CRD. Uh the 2021 um parcel is out the the the number they"},{"t":9780,"text":"got for it is outdated and Melanie indicated after that is complete they would be able to bring the request to the CRD board after the municipal"},{"t":9788,"text":"election. So the whole idea here is there is nothing to negotiate till after the election. So, we're even at a part and and I can appreciate us wanting to"},{"t":9797,"text":"try and get a handle on what's going forward and all this other stuff, but the biggest chunk that we need is CRD land and it's the underlying component"},{"t":9806,"text":"to make this through connector work for any reason. So, I don't know. I I would hate to think we're going to waste a bunch of staff time and money again"},{"t":9815,"text":"going to something that could change after election just by the people who may or may not get elected. and the fact"},{"t":9822,"text":"that CRD is not going to negotiate it anyway. So that leaves us in a kind of a tight spot here. But well, the board is out of time. I'm just"},{"t":9830,"text":"going to interject with the CRD board is the board meets once a month. All of the uh committee meetings that meet funnel"},{"t":9838,"text":"up to the board. Uh and there is board business. Um but anything that is not in"},{"t":9846,"text":"the queue simply like the cuto off has happened. The board meets in July. It does not meet in August. It'll meet in September and then there's an election."},{"t":9855,"text":"And so similarly, you know, it's it's the board has marked the landing and marked the finish. So"},{"t":9864,"text":"whatever has not been started like there's other stuff that's in Q, but it's done. It's out of term, it's out of time. It's similar to us. We are out of"},{"t":9871,"text":"term. We're out of time. Um, I'm just going to and I think what staff"},{"t":9878,"text":"is looking on is uh in order to ask anyone now is like, okay, do you how much land do you need? Do you need this this like how much are we talking about?"},{"t":9889,"text":"Um, and that's simply what we're doing here. However, for myself, it's the case of we are in this case out of term, out"},{"t":9898,"text":"of time. we are setting something up that the next council will have to pick up whether they like it or not. Uh you could argue and say, well, they would"},{"t":9907,"text":"have to start all over again. Well, it depends. Um they could scrap the whole thing. Uh they could carry on. They could do something entirely different."},{"t":9917,"text":"Um and then we're running into summer. I guess where I'm at with this is I would"},{"t":9925,"text":"favor a plebite question and gauge whether the community feels this is something we should spend any further rent money on and then that next council can take that and go forward from there."},{"t":9938,"text":"uh as opposed to we would spend whatever is left in the budget now staff would initiate that"},{"t":9946,"text":"present it and like no we don't want to do it and then it'll it'll just I don't know I don't know what's going to happen I can't say every council picked up"},{"t":9955,"text":"every single piece that every other council was working on sometimes yes many times no I don't know does anyone else want to"},{"t":9964,"text":"speak on this Not at all. No. Okay. Anything? No."},{"t":9972,"text":"Councelor Baitman would like to speak."},{"t":9973,"text":"Well, you've made some very points there and um if if we did go we had a good clear"},{"t":9981,"text":"plebside question that I know that, but you you addressed that point that option four"},{"t":9989,"text":"uh cart before horse. Option four would give us community um opinion on on"},{"t":9997,"text":"moving forward and then uh it would be time to for the new council to direct staff to begin that process. I'm looking"},{"t":10005,"text":"to our two future our mayoralty candidates here. Um I' I'd like to hear what you have to say."},{"t":10013,"text":"There may be others as well emerging."},{"t":10016,"text":"Uh, I've been asked councelor Betos would like to speak on the on the motion and let's not do that, okay? Because it"},{"t":10024,"text":"would be it's unfair. Nobody is this. Yeah, it's out of order."},{"t":10030,"text":"I'm just going to speak to this. Uh, I I like the idea of the 25 meters. Uh, but I have to uh if the CRD can't even give us an answer, then why are we bothering?"},{"t":10042,"text":"I'm afraid we're going to have to leave it to the youth council and the other part because everybody speak spoke to it and I will speak to it too. I'm not in"},{"t":10051,"text":"favor going to uh some sort of a plebite vote on something that we cannot give accurate figures to. I mean what are we"},{"t":10058,"text":"going to ask them to do? 25 million and we might get a grant for 12 uh 20 million we might get a grant for six or"},{"t":10066,"text":"the whole shot. I mean, you know, when you ask a question, you have to make it clear and concise of what you're asking for. And I don't think we're at that"},{"t":10074,"text":"point in time. Um, we might be uh by next year and that's the new council can pick up the ball if"},{"t":10082,"text":"they want. I know it's a different set of people. There are going to be different people here and then give a"},{"t":10089,"text":"question to the public that is accurate because what I have here is not accurate. I appreciate what staff has done. A lot of work's gone into it. I've"},{"t":10098,"text":"got a pretty good idea of the ballpark figures, but I was just on a a Zoom teams meeting with the the CRD uh parks"},{"t":10108,"text":"cap park and uh they say, you know, for any big project today, you cannot do it is whether it's arena or whatever it is"},{"t":10116,"text":"without government help. And we're in the same boat. We're not going to build this road without some sort of provincial or federal government help."},{"t":10126,"text":"it's just going to be far too expensive."},{"t":10128,"text":"So, we need to get that message across and uh we need to get on to our MLAs and"},{"t":10134,"text":"her MP wherever she is. And uh they are Yeah. Anyway, uh we need help on this"},{"t":10142,"text":"one. Uh I think it's very very very unfair uh to stick it to uh the people of Souk."},{"t":10150,"text":"Um you know, this thing is even a regional thing. It's not just the Souk's problem. A lot of that traffic goes through to Otter Point and uh off the"},{"t":10158,"text":"Jordan River and everything else. It is the province needs to step up and be part of this conversation. And uh I"},{"t":10166,"text":"think that's where if uh I was around next year, that's where I'd be going. I say, \"Look, we need to sit down and have"},{"t":10174,"text":"a talk about this because what we hit with before uh with, oh, you're not we're not going to do anything until you solve the problem.\" It's not just our"},{"t":10183,"text":"problem. It's all of our problems. It's the provinces and the feds and we need everybody on this. So, we we can't proceed with this at this point in time."},{"t":10192,"text":"I just want to uh just pass it as it is and we'll see what the next council does. Okay. Anything further on the motion?"},{"t":10199,"text":"I'm going to call a question. All those in favor? Yes."},{"t":10205,"text":"Councelor St. Pierre is in favor. Anyone opposed?"},{"t":10210,"text":"Uh, councelor Pearson, councelor Bettos, councelor Haldane, councelor Baitman, myself, we're all opposed, so that is defeated."},{"t":10219,"text":"Um, is there any other motion?"},{"t":10224,"text":"Councelor Baitman wanted to move this one, [clears throat] so I'm going to read it out and see if anyone seconds moves it at all. that council directs"},{"t":10232,"text":"staff to bring forward a report on a non-binding plebicite regarding continuation of the th road Philips Road connector project for community opinion"},{"t":10241,"text":"to be expressed on October 17, 2026. Would someone like to move that?"},{"t":10250,"text":"I'm going to move it. Is anyone going to second it? Okay."},{"t":10255,"text":"I'm just putting it out there. We've heard around the room and around the table for many times now about the"},{"t":10262,"text":"amount of time, the amount of resources, consulting fees, property taxes, conversations and work that has gone"},{"t":10270,"text":"into this p particular connection. So the idea here would be is this something"},{"t":10277,"text":"that the community feels should be a priority of council and let's ask the community if they feel that this road is"},{"t":10285,"text":"where this effort should be going. It doesn't mean that it's a borrowing to borrow at this point. It's just when you"},{"t":10293,"text":"hear about all the amount of time and energy that has gone into this."},{"t":10299,"text":"Is this what you want your council to continue doing? at all."},{"t":10306,"text":"I don't know. Do you think this road, this one road is going to solve everything? To me, the backup starts at"},{"t":10313,"text":"Cino School, maybe during school hours, and there is no appetite at all for anything to happen with that school. It"},{"t":10321,"text":"uh slows down when all the students of Edward Mil try to drive home and backs up. It backs up when the bus is stopped"},{"t":10328,"text":"in the middle of the road cuz there is nowhere for it to pull off to. And then again at Church Road, uh when there's no"},{"t":10336,"text":"right-hand turn lane at all, all Highway 14, uh when Halloween is underway, every"},{"t":10342,"text":"crosswalk in Souk is full and busy, starting with the roundabout, which is great to see, but it goes on speaking on"},{"t":10350,"text":"this motion, and I am allowed to. So why not ask the community what their if they feel this is this is something that is"},{"t":10358,"text":"going to address the needs of the community and solve traffic and ask them. We have that opportunity this month put it on the ballot and you can"},{"t":10366,"text":"ask every candidate at that point what they think. I'll leave it at that. Councelor Baitton is a seconder."},{"t":10372,"text":"Okay. Well I I voted against my own earlier motion because I listened and learned and I do respect uh the points"},{"t":10380,"text":"raised. Um, councelor Betos made some good points about the fact that we are not going to be providing a uh cut and"},{"t":10388,"text":"dried here here's the cost over 30 years um given the the lack of uh uh grant"},{"t":10395,"text":"results at this point in time. Um it's it's critical to me. Well, a as you've just stated, this is a rare opportunity."},{"t":10403,"text":"Here we go. They're going to the polls."},{"t":10406,"text":"There's going to be uh seven tick marks plus hopefully a plebite on the community center gathering place. And here's a possibility. Let's find out."},{"t":10416,"text":"So, I would be very curious to know. And I think also the Ministry of Transportation and and Transit, they"},{"t":10424,"text":"really need to to know that we are doing our very best to meet their their request, right? They they want us to um"},{"t":10433,"text":"to upgrade our municipal road network to ensure that they continue with their uh"},{"t":10440,"text":"highway 14 corridor improvements which include those right turn lanes going up the hill on on Phillips uh charters and"},{"t":10448,"text":"church. So I I I don't know what question will be recommended in the in in a staff report."},{"t":10457,"text":"May maybe you'll give us a couple of options and make it it uh vague but direct enough that that people can say"},{"t":10466,"text":"yeah I'm prepared to pay um significant more money over the 30 years to ensure"},{"t":10472,"text":"that um my my commuting experience is is uh improve over time. Yes."},{"t":10484,"text":"Others counselor Pearson then St. Pierre than Bettos."},{"t":10490,"text":"While I appreciate the idea of asking a plebite question, it's kind of like to me it's like asking if you like your mom."},{"t":10500,"text":"And you know who wants a better road? Everybody wants a better road. The percentage of people that turn out I don't think it sends the"},{"t":10507,"text":"right message to the province. And I'm in opposition to your thoughts, councelor Bayman. I think when the rubber hits the road, we have a plan."},{"t":10516,"text":"We're ready to go with a shovel ready project. I think that's when the province sits up and takes notice and then they'll give grants. We're asking"},{"t":10524,"text":"another question. It just kicking it down the road. Again, we haven't made up our mind. We want to ask another council if it and and so I'm not going to"},{"t":10532,"text":"support the motion. Um just asking a question. I I would actually rather ask a referendum question back to, you know,"},{"t":10541,"text":"my colleague uh Mr. Betos uh or councelor Bettos because then you have numbers and you have things people"},{"t":10548,"text":"understand. What are you asking me right now? We're going to ask do you want a better road? Well, of course we do, but no, I I don't think it sends the right"},{"t":10557,"text":"message to the province. Anyway, we don't have the question yet. This is just a staff report. Councelor St. here."},{"t":10565,"text":"Uh, based on what I'm seeing here, I'm the same opinion as councelor Pearson. I think that unless we're actually asking the public to spend money, we don't actually know anything except they like"},{"t":10574,"text":"good roads and they would like better roads. And who doesn't? Uh, unless they have a price tag attached and they know what they're getting involved with. It's"},{"t":10581,"text":"just a feel-good question and it gives us no real direction and a false mandate as far as I'm concerned. So, I would avoid that if that possible."},{"t":10590,"text":"Councelor Betos. Yeah, I could give you my speech again, but I won't bother. Um, yeah. No,"},{"t":10597,"text":"I uh I understand what what we're doing here, but again, uh one of these rare occasions where uh I agree with some of"},{"t":10606,"text":"my fellow counselors about Yeah, I know. Anyways, the u again even when we go up for the for the uh"},{"t":10614,"text":"gathering place, we at least set a number on it, 5 million, then they have something tangible. uh you know if if we"},{"t":10622,"text":"did something like that maybe but then again I think that's disingenuous as well because I don't know whether you could do it for whatever x number of"},{"t":10630,"text":"dollars because we haven't we haven't checked it out further enough and unfortunately I would like to get on with it but un the thing is that uh time"},{"t":10638,"text":"is ticking here and it's left it a bit too late not to any fault of us I mean the feds have pulled the money out and"},{"t":10647,"text":"we would have had if if that everything had come through we would have had a question for them a certain amount and then they say yes or no but I think you"},{"t":10655,"text":"need something a little bit more uh to go to the public with uh in regards to this and if it comes a hot button issue"},{"t":10662,"text":"uh issue through the election I'm prepared to speak to it uh I I know enough about it uh but I I can't support"},{"t":10671,"text":"it as it is because there's just not enough information so I won't be voting for it councelor Helane yes similar to that I mean there's not"},{"t":10679,"text":"enough information here to do a proper plebicide or expectation. It should say is it farther to th road or by bus and"},{"t":10687,"text":"then it' be clear as mud too. The whole idea here is we're just trying to get some people interested in fixing up roads and soup but we're not telling"},{"t":10695,"text":"them how much it's going to cost or how much tax they're going up and has everything that's gone on for the last 6 months. Taxes have been the important"},{"t":10702,"text":"issue here. Traffic's an important issue, but I don't think people are willing to spend their life savings to try and get this through at this time."},{"t":10709,"text":"So, I I think this [clears throat] it it means well, but I don't think it's going to do what we need done. So, I'm not going to support it either."},{"t":10720,"text":"Okay. We'll call the question no community ask on this one, but I'll just say for the record, I don't see it"},{"t":10728,"text":"solving traffic. I just see another headache if it's not done right. All right. Call a question. All in favor?"},{"t":10739,"text":"In favor of the motion."},{"t":10743,"text":"Opposed. All right. Councelor Pearson, St. Pierre, Bettos, and Helane are opposed. Is defeated. That was a close one there."},{"t":10754,"text":"I still would have been defeated, but I saw like a halfhand over here, so I thought someone changed their mind."},{"t":10762,"text":"All right. Uh, okay. Well, that concludes that for now. Good luck to the next council."},{"t":10771,"text":"Where are we? We are on item 10.2, 2025 annual report."},{"t":10778,"text":"Anything from staff on the annual report? Got some great feedback earlier today or all kinds of feedback I should"},{"t":10784,"text":"say. Uh yes, I did have a brief presentation about five minutes maybe."},{"t":10801,"text":"Okay. Uh the 2025 annual report. Uh tonight I'm presenting the districts of Zuk's 2025 annual annual report."},{"t":10811,"text":"Um the report rep provides a high level overview of municipal operations achievements financial performance and"},{"t":10819,"text":"plan priorities for the years ahead for the year ahead recognizing there's lots of content in the report uh the intent of this presentation is just to"},{"t":10827,"text":"highlight a few uh key items and themes of progress made in 2025."},{"t":10834,"text":"Uh just for uh reference, anyone watching online or or uh reading this or watching this after the fact, uh the"},{"t":10841,"text":"annual report is uh legislative required um every year. It's prepared in accordance with section 98 and 99 of the community charter. It provides an"},{"t":10850,"text":"overview of district operations, achievements, and financial stewardship for the 2025 fiscal year. And it also includes the audited financial"},{"t":10857,"text":"statements of December uh the year end December 31st, 2025."},{"t":10862,"text":"Uh it provides uh connects our annual activity back to our strategic priorities, helps residents understand what services are delivered and what"},{"t":10871,"text":"progress was made and what work is planned next. Um as been highlighted before, I'm pleased to highlight uh that the district was recognized uh by the"},{"t":10879,"text":"government financial uh officers association with the Canadian award for financial reporting for the 2024 report."},{"t":10887,"text":"Uh that recognition reflects the district's commitment to clear, organized, and transparent financial reporting."},{"t":10894,"text":"Uh just a bit of uh information on community feedback snapshot. Um as you council's aware, we do an annual survey"},{"t":10902,"text":"and um ask you know the community how satisfied you are you with services. Um overall satisfaction was 75% and 74% of"},{"t":10911,"text":"respondents rated quality of life in SUK as good or excellent."},{"t":10915,"text":"[clears throat]"},{"t":10915,"text":"Uh again as um identified by the residents uh Souk's natural beauty, parks and trails and community spirit"},{"t":10922,"text":"are the key strengths and as um through connection uh uh report highlighted uh"},{"t":10930,"text":"at the same time roads, transportation and traffic congestion remain visible areas of concern."},{"t":10937,"text":"Um this slide here uh just summarizes the major accomplishments across several of our strategic priority areas."},{"t":10944,"text":"uh under sustainable growth and environmental stewardship. Uh the updated zoning bylaw to align with provincial housing legislation and the"},{"t":10953,"text":"adoption of the official community plan were key deliverables for community economic development. As council's aware, the um approval to start"},{"t":10961,"text":"collecting the municipal re and regional district tax um will be a gamecher for the district uh for years and years to"},{"t":10968,"text":"come. uh on infrastructure and transportation. The district continued to implement the asset management plan uh sustainability or substantially"},{"t":10978,"text":"completed the little little river pedestrian crossing and multi-use trail and conducted midpoint reviews of the transportation master plan and the parks"},{"t":10986,"text":"and trails master plan. Uh organizationally the district advanced internal process improvements including tempest redevelopment and training. uh"},{"t":10994,"text":"the council code of conduct review occurred and reestablished committees and enhanced our website."},{"t":11001,"text":"Uh community safety and well-being remained a significant focus for 2025."},{"t":11007,"text":"Um just some of the quick highlights for because I believe a couple of these questions came up. Uh Sue Fire Rescue responded to 1,580 calls with medical"},{"t":11016,"text":"calls accounting for approximately 62% of those call volumes. Uh police and service volumes also remained um higher"},{"t":11024,"text":"with uh 5259 district calls for service in 2025, which is an 18% increase over 2024."},{"t":11032,"text":"Uh bylaw call volumes remained elevated as well. While calls decrease slightly compared to 2024, they remain"},{"t":11039,"text":"significantly higher than in 2023, showing continued demand for education enforcement and compliance support. Uh"},{"t":11047,"text":"notably as proactive patrols have increased um from by from bylaw officers uh complaints have declined demonstrating a more efficient use of limited resources."},{"t":11058,"text":"Uh and on the prevention side fires smart program exceeded its target completing 70 assessments and uh which is an important example of"},{"t":11067,"text":"proactive uh community risk reduction and the value of supporting residents."},{"t":11071,"text":"Uh planned work includes uh strengthening partnerships with local and regional emergency services and fireh hall 2 fires smart upgrades as part of a grant-f funed project."},{"t":11082,"text":"And uh looking to the year ahead um this highlight this slide highlights several planned activities for the year ahead uh"},{"t":11091,"text":"including the 2026 local government election in case you weren't aware. Um the district is also advancing our long-term asset management planning"},{"t":11099,"text":"including uh short-term projects to address a couple of sinkholes uh that have uh materialized over the last few months here. Um implementing the m"},{"t":11108,"text":"municipal regional district tax program um which includes forming a committee um"},{"t":11114,"text":"to uh handle the distribution eventually and management of those funds. Um applications for committee members are"},{"t":11123,"text":"currently open. So, if you're listening and interested, please visit soup.ca/committees to learn more. Um, obviously tonight um"},{"t":11131,"text":"got some direction from council on priorities for uh staff time and um so through broke connector, thank you for"},{"t":11138,"text":"council for the uh direction um to you know down tools I guess at least for now on on this project and um save this"},{"t":11147,"text":"information to present to new council on what the future direction of this will be. Uh as council heard at the last meeting, uh we are also establishing a"},{"t":11155,"text":"sewer utility billing mechanism following the expiry of the sewer partial tax later this year."},{"t":11162,"text":"And we as [clears throat] well are launching um new uh internal HR software systems to uh find some efficiencies and keep up with service demand."},{"t":11175,"text":"uh couple two more slides here uh is uh leadership advocacy advocacy and reconciliation as council's highlighted"},{"t":11183,"text":"this is a major focus for council uh at at pretty much every conference that has gone on with UBCM and and even uh over"},{"t":11190,"text":"in the past years with FCM council takes the opportunity to engage with uh representatives there from federal and provincial bodies from crown"},{"t":11198,"text":"corporations and other organizations like BC hydro uh etc foris BC um and to advocate for the needs of the community."},{"t":11208,"text":"Um these efforts uh are focused mostly on infrastructure uh investment uh community safety, emergency preparedness, housing and"},{"t":11216,"text":"economic development. Um as council may recall, uh Souk was uh finally allowed to be included in the Island Coastal"},{"t":11225,"text":"Economic Trust area, which will hopefully help improve our funding eligibility for future grants. Um, and"},{"t":11232,"text":"the district also continued to advocate on issues that affected residents across the region, including transportation, healthcare access, infrastructure"},{"t":11240,"text":"funding, and community services. Um, and [clears throat] this is shown by council's commitment to an urgent and primary care center, which has also remained steadfast."},{"t":11249,"text":"Uh, reconciliation remains a key commitment. The district is continuing to work on several joint uh initiatives uh including uh notweed eradication in"},{"t":11259,"text":"the Souk River as well as a couple other joint initiatives with our neighbors um with the South Nation uh to improve that relationship."},{"t":11267,"text":"Overall, the annual report reflects the district's continued commitment to respectful relationship, shared learning, cultural understanding, and collaboration with municipal partners across sectors and agency."},{"t":11279,"text":"And in closing, the 2025 annual report demonstrates meaningful progress across council strategic priorities. It also"},{"t":11287,"text":"recognizes the reality of a growing community rise in service demand, the need for resilient infrastructure, and the importance of organizational capacity and financial sustainability."},{"t":11296,"text":"Uh the recommended next steps are included in the motion, which is for council to uh receive this report uh for information and direct staff to submit"},{"t":11304,"text":"it for the 2025 uh GFOA financial award consideration."},{"t":11309,"text":"And um last but not least, I want to speak to the connection um the connection this report makes to our operations and and that's that it's"},{"t":11318,"text":"continuous improvement. Uh we are listening every year through um PL strategic plan setting through budget"},{"t":11325,"text":"setting and ensuring we are following through and reporting on the results of that um of those deliverables divi uh"},{"t":11333,"text":"assigned by council in the budget. And when we hear feedback from the community, we can, you know, we'll"},{"t":11340,"text":"rework that into future versions of the reports when necessary. Um, but we're always striving for continuous improvement and progress uh not"},{"t":11348,"text":"perfection and welcome any feedback from the community uh for pro uh improvements to future reports. And with that, that"},{"t":11357,"text":"is the end of my presentation and I'm happy to answer any questions."},{"t":11361,"text":"Perfect. Okay, we'll put the motion on the floor and that is that council received the district of Seuss 2025 annual report for information and that"},{"t":11369,"text":"council direct staff to submit the 2025 annual report to the government finance officers association for financial reporting consideration."},{"t":11378,"text":"Moved by councelor Haldane, seconded by St. Pierre. Any comments or question? Councelor Heldane. Councelor St. Pierre."},{"t":11387,"text":"Councelor any others? Councelor Baitman, you know, thank you. The the"},{"t":11396,"text":"Yeah, thank you. Um I feel like standing up and applauding it been a it's a remark, as Mr. Mcatti said, it's not"},{"t":11404,"text":"here anymore. He said he said it all very well. Um I mean, it's this context setting depth"},{"t":11413,"text":"of content within this document. So I' I've looked at maybe 10 years worth of annual reports and I think last year set"},{"t":11421,"text":"a new bar and you've been duly awarded for for that and um yeah there's an"},{"t":11429,"text":"awful lot of content in there. So the next time we want to know about who is paying the most commercial taxes, let's"},{"t":11436,"text":"go have a look at and who are we who are we giving our u channeling district funding to. it it's all in there and uh"},{"t":11444,"text":"it's it's quite a remarkable document that we should all keep close under our pillows perhaps."},{"t":11452,"text":"Okay."},{"t":11455,"text":"Well, it gives some of us a nightmare but uh yes. No, but thank you very much for the work and also every year uh"},{"t":11462,"text":"staff has sought some feedback from councils on what we would like to see within the report and uh you've certainly listened to that and included and responded. So, thank you very much."},{"t":11472,"text":"I'll call a question. All in favor?"},{"t":11475,"text":"And that's unanimous. Thank you. We'll move on to the next one, which is 10.3, the 2025 statement of finan financial information."},{"t":11487,"text":"This also is a statutory requirement to submit. Is there any staff report to go with this? No."},{"t":11494,"text":"Sorry, uh, no, there's no staff report to go with this. We're happy to answer any questions. Okay. I just saw that your mic was on."},{"t":11500,"text":"So, okay. So, I'll put the motion forward and that is that council receive the 2025 statement of financial information report for information and"},{"t":11509,"text":"that council approve submission of the district of of souk 2025 statement of financial information to the ministry of municipal affairs and that council"},{"t":11519,"text":"authorize the mayor and the dis director the mayor and director of financial services to sign the statement of financial information approval form"},{"t":11528,"text":"moved by councelor Aldain seconded by councelor St. here. Any questions, comments? It's kind of vote was spent"},{"t":11536,"text":"and where all those in favor and that's unanimous."},{"t":11540,"text":"Thank you. 10.4 UBCM annual convention."},{"t":11548,"text":"Uh there is a report here just for an update on what we're seeking"},{"t":11556,"text":"meetings with. So that is here for information. this I think this is the last just to clarify"},{"t":11565,"text":"with council this is the last uh council opportunity to add any meeting requests so that's why this is just for one final time on the agenda if there's any"},{"t":11573,"text":"additional meetings council would like uh this is your last opportunity to request those okay so there was moved for information by Helane seconded by St. Pierre St."},{"t":11583,"text":"appear. Yes."},{"t":11586,"text":"Um given that we have a resolution going forward about the uh food waste and the expiry dates in grocery stores, what would the appropriate ministry and I"},{"t":11594,"text":"would appreciate a chance to present that to a minister as well and it has to pass on the floor first. No, it doesn't."},{"t":11602,"text":"All right. Well, I would suggest that you are putting the motion forward."},{"t":11608,"text":"It's basically it's an advocacy piece where we can take it to any amily that's or MP that's appropriate. uh and if they decide to champion it, it doesn't even matter what UBCM has to say about it."},{"t":11616,"text":"Okay. But if we're are we restricted with our requests from ministers, sometimes they restrict us to only three"},{"t":11625,"text":"and so we have to prioritize. So I just want to know that your worship we can make an unlimited number of requests um with a total of"},{"t":11633,"text":"three requests per ministry. So so far we have filed the requests um as were listed in the staff report. Okay. Uh so"},{"t":11642,"text":"if you wanted to add another ministry to to that then we certainly could submit that. There's another two days before the deadline. Um yeah."},{"t":11652,"text":"Okay. I don't know like that's part of the research right."},{"t":11655,"text":"Uh it would suggest the Ministry of Agriculture might be appropriate given that they deal with food. I'm not sure whether or not that's the appropriate ministry for retail grocery stores."},{"t":11664,"text":"That's all. That's the only real question for me. But I think the Ministry of A could be the appropriate ministry at least for some of it."},{"t":11674,"text":"I have no idea. Okay. Well, it's we're running out on time, so"},{"t":11681,"text":"I appreciate the enthusiasm, but it's just usually you would know that before."},{"t":11685,"text":"I made arrangements to meet with our Emily and discuss it and try and figure out more, but I haven't had a chance yet."},{"t":11692,"text":"Okay. Um, add some information. Sure."},{"t":11696,"text":"Yeah. So we can we can book ministry, agency, commission and corporation staff meetings which will be held virtually"},{"t":11704,"text":"between September 8th and September 11th and we can do so by August 5th at 6:00 p.m. So if not a minister, you could"},{"t":11713,"text":"speak to uh and do the re find out exactly where you want to to take your um that would be a good option."},{"t":11723,"text":"Could you have a bit more time for that?"},{"t":11726,"text":"It's just right now staff need to close this off and we need to have the discussion today unless you want to have a special meeting."},{"t":11733,"text":"No interest do that. So in this case I would say that um we'll go with what's here and then the alternative then is to"},{"t":11742,"text":"do that research and then make a request in an upcoming meeting to meet to bring it forward to the relevant staff or"},{"t":11749,"text":"other agency. To be clear, I have done research and the ministry back is appropriate. Even though further ministries would also be appropriate."},{"t":11756,"text":"Well, at this point, we can only add the ministry of agriculture."},{"t":11760,"text":"So, we can add that. So, we'll add then the uh uh an an amendment to include the Ministry of Agriculture."},{"t":11769,"text":"Thank you, someone. Are you moving that? Okay. And seconded by Baitman. Okay. So, we're adding that as an amendment."},{"t":11780,"text":"And anything else on the motion as I'll call the question on the amendment. All those in favor of adding this one. Any opposed? It's unanimous. Is there any"},{"t":11788,"text":"other items? So for members of council that have requested these, it is now up to you to also send some an email or"},{"t":11797,"text":"some information to staff as to why you want the meeting so that they're not sitting there asking me and I say I have"},{"t":11805,"text":"no idea because I'm a mind not a mind reader. So, I'm hoping that you can either send an email to staff and myself that would say, \"Minister so and so."},{"t":11814,"text":"This is what I think we need to do. Just a few bullets and then we can submit all of that so"},{"t":11821,"text":"that we're ready to go.\" And if you don't know how to type, you can use voice to text. It's a good function."},{"t":11830,"text":"I'm just saying. Otherwise, I have no clue. All right. Anything else? Well, I'm just uncertain of of I remember I I"},{"t":11839,"text":"recommended Ministry of Transportation and Transit at the outset and I'm sure Mr. Lois has enough information. Do you need further direction on that one?"},{"t":11849,"text":"We all might have picked up some pieces for today. So, this is homework for everybody. Okay. So that you feel what you feel."},{"t":11856,"text":"When the time comes, we have a meeting and we have a prepared document."},{"t":11861,"text":"Then we all know what we're advocating for because depending on when the virtual meetings are and the other meetings, we're not sure who's going to"},{"t":11869,"text":"be at what. So you need to have something in place and then we don't want any last you know that we all know"},{"t":11876,"text":"as opposed to we have the meeting and we have no idea what it's for or we're rejected because we didn't put in enough substance."},{"t":11885,"text":"Okay. All right. All in favor?"},{"t":11889,"text":"Unanimous. Thank you. Okay. Next item 11. We're here on bylaws 11.1. So this"},{"t":11898,"text":"is repeal of section 3.7 density bonus provisions zoning bylaw amendment number 944600-118"},{"t":11906,"text":"2026 and it is that council adopt the bylaw cited as zoning bylaw amendment number 944600-11826"},{"t":11914,"text":"moved by St. Pierre seconded by councelor Baitman all those in favor"},{"t":11921,"text":"it's unanimous thank you 11.2 two uh that is that council adopt the bylaw cited as zoning amendment bylaw number"},{"t":11929,"text":"939600-1162026 have adoption by St. Pierre seconded by Haldane all those in favor and any"},{"t":11939,"text":"opposed that's unanimous thank you 11.3 signs that is that council adopt the bylaw cited as signs amendment bylaw"},{"t":11947,"text":"number 948 2026 moved by councelor Haldane seconded by councelor St. here."},{"t":11953,"text":"All those in favor? Any opposed? That's unanimous. Thank you. New business. Uh I understand there could be some new"},{"t":11961,"text":"business following delegations or information earlier today. Are there any new business items?"},{"t":11966,"text":"Yes, councelor Baitman."},{"t":11968,"text":"Yeah, I I sent that through. I think should be able to go up on"},{"t":11978,"text":"Should"},{"t":12000,"text":"this maybe read as a notice of motion?"},{"t":12004,"text":"Perhaps so. Yeah. Okay, we'll read this in as a notice of motion."},{"t":12009,"text":"Okay, go ahead."},{"t":12010,"text":"That the district enter into discussions with the Souk Community Association regarding its January 17th, 2026 request"},{"t":12018,"text":"for new service agreements for Fred Mil Park and Art Morris Park with Proviso"},{"t":12027,"text":"that rate increases for user groups at these facilities be kept to a reasonable minimum. So we'll take fair out."},{"t":12037,"text":"Okay."},{"t":12038,"text":"A reason and so and that's Fred Milan Park in the third line."},{"t":12049,"text":"Oh, instead of mile it's mil. Yeah, there we are. Okay."},{"t":12053,"text":"Okay. That's the notice of motion for discussion next uh July 13th. Okay. Anything else from anyone?"},{"t":12063,"text":"Okay. Notice of motion. Uh we're Are there any other notice of motions?"},{"t":12070,"text":"Councelor Baitman."},{"t":12074,"text":"My last three months. I'm going to get as many of these on the table as possible. We're running out of term."},{"t":12079,"text":"So, here we go. Notice of motion for July 13th. This is You perhaps can screen share that."},{"t":12093,"text":"Okay. So whereas the gathering place intergenerational center was identified for a portion of the town center lot A"},{"t":12100,"text":"in the council approved souk lot A a future in planning 2019 report along with the library healthc care facilities"},{"t":12109,"text":"and a public plaza and whereas the souk region community's health network requires certainty as plans move forward"},{"t":12116,"text":"for the gathering place and the related plebite. Therefore, be it resolved that suit council direct that remaining land"},{"t":12123,"text":"on lot A be held in reserve for a public plaza and the gathering place with associated parking space for a period of no longer than 5 years."},{"t":12134,"text":"Okay. So, that's a notice of motion that will come to the next regular meeting."},{"t":12138,"text":"Are there other any other notice of motions?"},{"t":12144,"text":"No. Okay. Moving into correspondence. Uh first one is 14.1 referendum cost and"},{"t":12153,"text":"backup plan. So this here is to receive for information moved by councelor Haldane as you pulled"},{"t":12161,"text":"it. Seconded by anyone seconding it Pearson. Okay go ahead councelor Haldane you pulled this item."},{"t":12170,"text":"Yeah I mean I pulled this last time because I wasn't sure if we were going to get a chance to talk about a plebicide or referendum and so on. So"},{"t":12177,"text":"now that we've taken care of that uh earlier tonight, I have no issues and have nothing to talk about with this. So okay, anything from anyone else?"},{"t":12189,"text":"Call a question, receive and file. All in favor? And that's unanimous. Thank you. The next one is 14.2. The gathering place costs uh requested for discussion."},{"t":12200,"text":"So that'll be 14.2 two to receive by councelor Baitman as the mover who pulled it seconded by councelor Haldane."},{"t":12208,"text":"Go ahead, councelor Baitman."},{"t":12210,"text":"Well, I'm the kick it down the road specialist. So that the submission dated May 25th, 2026 from search and president"},{"t":12218,"text":"Nikki Loggins be added to the July 13th council agenda in association with the gathering place plebite staff report."},{"t":12226,"text":"Okay, so that's an amendment. Is there a seconder for the amendment by councelor Betos? Anything on the amendment?"},{"t":12235,"text":"No. I'll call the question on the amendment. All in favor? Any opposed?"},{"t":12239,"text":"The main motion is amended. Anything else? You'll see it next meeting. All those in favor, please. And that's unanimous. Thank you. 14.3. Thank you."},{"t":12248,"text":"Letter Kidsport. Uh this is move for received for information by councelor Pearson is the mover. Seconded by"},{"t":12256,"text":"councelor Haldane. Go ahead. Councelor Pearson. Yeah."},{"t":12261,"text":"No, I just think it's important when we get a letter that's that positive and that nice that we share it and it's it comes to a a formal council meeting."},{"t":12269,"text":"That's it. I just for information, it's it's a it's a really great letter. So, sometimes when we give out these grants, we we don't hear back from people. And"},{"t":12278,"text":"here's one that uh um says some really positive things for in our in our community. So, thank you."},{"t":12286,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Um, I'll just share that this program does have a far reach."},{"t":12291,"text":"Um, for folks that may be used to the SE park registration, the information on this is readily available. Uh, I'm not"},{"t":12299,"text":"sure how widespread this news is in the community though, so perhaps other users that are also with registration fees may be able to access this program as well."},{"t":12312,"text":"So, just sort of push that out there. Um whether or not families know about it, I'm not sure. Uh it may just depend on"},{"t":12319,"text":"where they're registering. So, okay, call a question. All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you. Uh next up is"},{"t":12328,"text":"14.4, the CRD 2025 annual report. So, that has been pulled by councelor Pearson is the mover and seconded by"},{"t":12335,"text":"councelor Baitman. Thank you. Go ahead, councelor Pearson. Yeah, I the point of me bringing this one forward is is that"},{"t":12343,"text":"I hope it's on it's hope hope it's on our website um that not not their annual report the annual report but there's a link to"},{"t":12351,"text":"it on our website because it's a really important it's it's the only place that the general public can actually get it I think they can go to CRD but I think"},{"t":12359,"text":"it's important that sometimes we share the work that the CRD is doing I mean we have a director on the CRD board it would be it would be nice if I could"},{"t":12366,"text":"just go into my soup link and then click on Okay. Maybe I'll ask Marcio if we can maybe share out the news release on it on our website."},{"t":12375,"text":"For sure. No problem. Okay. Did you need a motion for that? No, that's fine. Okay. Perfect. All right. Call Go ahead."},{"t":12382,"text":"As a seconder, I I'll just say, yeah, this too is a substantial annual report. It's not as good as ours."},{"t":12389,"text":"No, with just just hometown pride. Um but yeah, a lot has happened at the CRD as over this last"},{"t":12398,"text":"year, including the the launch of the regional transportation service, uh the purchase of the Kapor lands, um uh the"},{"t":12409,"text":"and particularly the the the bioolids project and well, yeah, we know how you voted on"},{"t":12416,"text":"that, [laughter] but yeah, so there's there's a lot in the in the works of the CRD, right? The mothership Excellent. Okay. So, I'll"},{"t":12425,"text":"call the question. All in favor? And that's opposed. None opposed. That's unanimous. Thank you. 14.5"},{"t":12432,"text":"uh is pulled by councelor Pearson, seconded by councelor Haldane. Go ahead, councelor Pearson. And the point of this"},{"t":12440,"text":"was uh and I and I wrote a a a motion and and it's to is it would it be possible to have staff give us a report"},{"t":12448,"text":"to develop potential savings on locallybased conferences?"},{"t":12453,"text":"Just a simple is there is there opportunity for savings? I got asked a lot of questions about sorry I I'm not clear on what your"},{"t":12461,"text":"amendment is like what is we have a motion to receive for information. So what is your amendment?"},{"t":12469,"text":"My amendment is can we take can we take the portion of the letter specifically"},{"t":12477,"text":"related to local conferences and ask staff to create a report for potential savings."},{"t":12484,"text":"I think for tenants I think um what you may want to do is it it comes down to the travel and"},{"t":12493,"text":"expense policy. So if you want if that is what you are looking at then it would be that that would be that that come"},{"t":12502,"text":"forward for discussion is that policy because that is what a report would point to right"},{"t":12509,"text":"we set a policy and then there's a budget associated with that. So if you want to make any refinements then you need to address it at that policy."},{"t":12519,"text":"Yeah. and and that is the intent is to get it to discussion and and maybe not change but get it to a public"},{"t":12527,"text":"discussion. That's all just because I think there's lots of good ideas that we could potentially have. I don't want to get into them here."},{"t":12532,"text":"So your amendment would be then that what that council direct staff to bring the travel and expense council travel"},{"t":12541,"text":"and expense policy to an upcoming meeting for discussion. Yes, exactly. Okay. Is there a seconder for that?"},{"t":12552,"text":"You're seconding it. Okay. Well, it puts it on the floor. Yeah."},{"t":12559,"text":"Um, so this is Okay, go ahead. You have an amendment. You and the only and the only the only uh caveat that I have right now or the only"},{"t":12568,"text":"change is we're running out of time. Uh, this council's going to come to an end and maybe we could just file it for information. and I'm fine with that if"},{"t":12576,"text":"if it gets voted down and be discussed on the next council. That's councelor Helane. Any comments?"},{"t":12584,"text":"No, it's election year. I'm going to keep my mouse."},{"t":12587,"text":"Okay. Um I'm not in support of this. I think that the next council, there's only one conference coming up. It's UBCM. It's in Vancouver."},{"t":12599,"text":"If council is concerned of the optics of their travel there, then I would suggest you notify staff immediately if you"},{"t":12607,"text":"don't want to attend so that they know that they can release your hotel room that has been booked and uh not register"},{"t":12616,"text":"you. So please let them know immediately."},{"t":12620,"text":"Uh I think that when a next the next council forms they can decide what they feel is value in participate and amend"},{"t":12629,"text":"the policy. I'm not going to now say okay I took advantage of this policy and I'm now going to restrict anyone future coming after of that."},{"t":12640,"text":"Um, so no, I I don't think I think just given where we're at, we need to mark the landing and finish this off and the"},{"t":12648,"text":"next council can determine if education and advocacy is a priority of theirs and then decide accordingly what they want"},{"t":12656,"text":"to attend and who's going to attend what and what they're going to do. But that'll be up to them and they can make that determination and leave it at that."},{"t":12667,"text":"I was hoping not I was hoping not to go down into the weeds on it. Um it was just a suggestion on clarity where"},{"t":12675,"text":"there's potential s we're out of time and term and I understand and I do understand the timing on that. I'm fully prepared to"},{"t":12683,"text":"just receive it for information at this point. It's okay. Well, I'm going to call the question on the amendment because that's already on the floor. Uh anything further on the amendment?"},{"t":12694,"text":"All right. All those in favor of the amendment."},{"t":12697,"text":"Councelor Pearson is anyone opposed to the amendment."},{"t":12701,"text":"Uh councelor St. Pierre Bettos Baitman"},{"t":12708,"text":"myself Heldane I don't know where you're at."},{"t":12715,"text":"Okay. He's in favor. So too. And that's defeated. Okay. So the main motion well I'm just going to remove because we we have to receive it for information."},{"t":12726,"text":"So that's weird because that's an amendment now. So the amendment has failed so I"},{"t":12733,"text":"don't have to worry about it. So now it's just uh receive for information. All those in favor and that's unanimous."},{"t":12740,"text":"Thank you. Uh okay let's see where are we in this agenda?"},{"t":12752,"text":"There's nothing removed from a consent."},{"t":12756,"text":"So that brings us to council verbal reports, councelor St. Pierre."},{"t":12763,"text":"Uh it's been a long day. I think those hi councelor Baitman and myself 9:00."},{"t":12768,"text":"Today we were at the CRD transportation uh megathon and uh actually to sum things up there's good"},{"t":12776,"text":"planning in the works that's going to get a lot of input from various stakeholders on a regional transportation plan that should allow"},{"t":12785,"text":"the new body that's been formed through the CRD to basically try and duplicate some of the successes of say Translink and Metro Van to go"},{"t":12792,"text":"looking at looking for big dollars for larger infrastructure projects that have a regional impact which in the past we haven't been able to do so well because"},{"t":12800,"text":"we've had a number of local governments none of which had the clout or the the voice to basically speak for those or to have shovel ready projects ready. So the"},{"t":12809,"text":"hope as I understand it if all this comes to fruition and there'll be a lot of engagement along the way before summer 2027 I believe when this is"},{"t":12817,"text":"supposed to come before the CRD board is to develop um priorities uh investment plans so on and so forth to allow that"},{"t":12824,"text":"sort of thing to happen and I'm sure councelor Baitman can add to that but that's what I got from it."},{"t":12832,"text":"Oh yeah, I I was just there for half a day because I I had to tackle this agenda."},{"t":12839,"text":"Um and yet that's exactly right. The there's CRD regional tra transportation"},{"t":12846,"text":"plan of 2014 is being updated and that will be finalized next year and will be guiding the new regional transportation"},{"t":12853,"text":"service. So there was about a hundred people in the room and uh went through a a really um interesting five."},{"t":12862,"text":"What's that? Exhaustive is the word. Exhaustive."},{"t":12866,"text":"Yeah. And um I think the interesting thing was discussions around regional equity at the table I was at and how you"},{"t":12874,"text":"know the a lot of the emphasis is going to go into those core communities where the volume of traffic is and uh transit."},{"t":12882,"text":"Um and yet we out here in suit need to be and the JDF need to get all due uh consideration no matter our relative"},{"t":12890,"text":"size and I think equity is very much at the the core of of this uh this plan"},{"t":12897,"text":"going forward. Um, and the other good thing is that the trans transportation service is positioned to join the"},{"t":12904,"text":"district in advocating for Highway 14 corridor improvements um and helping us with with"},{"t":12911,"text":"transportation related funding um applications and grants."},{"t":12919,"text":"Yeah. And I did councelor Haldane mention the HOV lanes during rush hours."},{"t":12924,"text":"you know, do those bus lanes um potentially uh be used to lessen the number of single"},{"t":12932,"text":"occupancy vehicles? So, that was one of the the post-it notes among the thousands of post-it notes that went up on those boards. So, they're all being"},{"t":12939,"text":"collected and we'll we'll get the report back. So, my other activities, I went to the celebration of the new Muga Court at"},{"t":12946,"text":"Ravens Ridge on Saturday. um walked there with a the group of people from the Friends of Souk Park Society, enjoyed a hot dog from the Lions, and"},{"t":12955,"text":"met several candidates for office as the the season of pressing the flesh has begun. And it was fascinating. You know,"},{"t":12963,"text":"it's really I find this season to be particularly invigorating because there's so much, you know, great thinking out there."},{"t":12973,"text":"There's all kinds of thinking and it's uh it's fascinating to me. Um, whatever."},{"t":12980,"text":"Okay. I'll just note I also went to the spectacular souk spectacular senior uh finals at at Murray Road uh part uh the"},{"t":12989,"text":"seed to tree property and Andy the pizza man is this year's spectacular senior."},{"t":12996,"text":"The finalists are all spectacular in their own ways. Phoebe Dunar, Janet Evans, Roger Temple and Frederri Phillip. and uh Koshen Moonfist was"},{"t":13005,"text":"there to crown Andy. And um yeah, and the key point is another $10,000 was raised for the gathering place, which"},{"t":13013,"text":"combined with uh a surprise $100,000 donation has taken the fundraising total to uh $410,000."},{"t":13022,"text":"So all pretty interesting. There we go."},{"t":13026,"text":"Other comments, councelor Pearson, Bentos."},{"t":13031,"text":"Yeah, just uh I I did attend Raven's Ridge. It was a great uh um event and a great opening. I went to the Souk Senior"},{"t":13039,"text":"Spectacular again with councelor Baitman and the mayor and uh and counselor St."},{"t":13045,"text":"Pierre. I know that councelor Haldane was ahead of me and councelor Meadows was also there. Um yeah, it was it was good to see the energy around that uh"},{"t":13054,"text":"those little booths that were there for from the seniors. It was uh it was it was extremely a positive event. Um on"},{"t":13061,"text":"June 17th I attended the regional water supply. Uh they're implementing the uh master plan, the master plan"},{"t":13069,"text":"implementation plan. So it's a 20 to 25 year buildout for the filtration etc. Um"},{"t":13078,"text":"tons of work. Uh what's interesting in there is that the um dcc funding portion"},{"t":13086,"text":"of it is still sitting with the province. that has to be approved by the by the municipal minister of mun"},{"t":13093,"text":"minister of municipal affairs. Um 2026 capital projects, there's 77 of them totaling $77 million."},{"t":13102,"text":"Um they seem to be able to do lots of projects in capital regional water. Uh we're currently at about 98%"},{"t":13111,"text":"slightly below stage one uh year-over-year and they expect us to be"},{"t":13118,"text":"in good shape as long as we stick to the water restrictions. We're not we're not in any danger zones yet. However, there's been some predicted droughts coming. So that's it."},{"t":13129,"text":"Councelor Betos, thank you worship. Uh yes. Uh a number of us attended that rainbow walk at the"},{"t":13136,"text":"school, the middle school. Uh most of us did there anyways. Um so that was interesting. Always uh fun to see the"},{"t":13144,"text":"energy of those kids. A lot of them had no idea what they were talking about, but damn it, they were they were happy and running around. So it was it's"},{"t":13151,"text":"wonderful to see our our kids with that state of mind. I also attended the Pride Picnic uh uh as deputy mayor. Gave a"},{"t":13160,"text":"little speech there. interesting to say the least, but yeah, nice little group."},{"t":13166,"text":"I went to the MCS awards uh again as deputy mayor gave out an award on"},{"t":13174,"text":"citizenship. Uh again, interesting to see our our youth are wonderful and some of the things that they do and to see"},{"t":13182,"text":"the awards go out and the traditions are changed. You get the the metalworking award goes to a girl, you know, a young"},{"t":13189,"text":"lady. Uh well in my day that was impossible. So it's just wonderful to see that today and I think the uh woodworking one was well uh interesting"},{"t":13199,"text":"at the dress these days I guess you know from a little bit older. Uh wow and even the teachers. Wow. But anyways that's"},{"t":13207,"text":"the way it is. And uh everybody was full of energy and that was just absolutely super to be there. Uh again I was at"},{"t":13214,"text":"Raven's Ridge. Uh, unfortunately I was there flogging the hot dogs and I must say that was thanks to our MLA who"},{"t":13223,"text":"funded that by the way and uh I purchased 300 and I think we gave out 150 hot dogs and candy bags. Uh, but it"},{"t":13231,"text":"was fun and uh I had more people come up and say I had no idea this place was here and uh what a wonderful location. I"},{"t":13238,"text":"said we're growing into it. It's not it's not all that well known if we could only get a lacrosse team going to to better use some of the facilities. But they're good. It's beautiful up there."},{"t":13248,"text":"It's nice. So, u Yeah. And uh what else did I go to? Uh huh. Can't remember."},{"t":13254,"text":"That's enough now. So, thank you, Councelor Pearson. Just No, sorry. I caught you."},{"t":13262,"text":"Sorry. Um Councelor St. Pierre, you went first. Happens all the time. Um I just want to mention Raven's Ridge. I"},{"t":13269,"text":"thought that the coverage from Sou Radio was really amazing. They did a fantastic job. Uh and I wanted to mention the EMCS"},{"t":13276,"text":"awards my daughter won and she she made this. Okay. So for uh"},{"t":13282,"text":"actually uh fabric for um councelor Heling."},{"t":13291,"text":"Uh no I have nothing to report."},{"t":13293,"text":"Okay. You've been out and about in the community though. Everyone's seen you."},{"t":13298,"text":"Councelor [laughter] Eldane was here. He was here, too. Uh, okay. Thank you. Um, I just want to"},{"t":13305,"text":"thank the deputy mayors for covering off. I've had uh an unfortunate few trips uh just dealing with uh family"},{"t":13314,"text":"loss and attended unfortunately four memorial/ceelebration of life events in the space of a week."},{"t":13322,"text":"So, it was a little bit busy. Uh I was proud though to speak at the service or the event to for to recognize the late"},{"t":13331,"text":"counselor Schwock uh and provided a tribute at that remark and then was off back to Alberta uh to support my family"},{"t":13338,"text":"there. Uh however, I did attend the rainbow event and really what that event is about kindness,"},{"t":13346,"text":"inclusivity and equity and it's just uh for kids to accept everyone and to be proud of who they are. Rainbows are rare"},{"t":13354,"text":"after all. So, it's quite beautiful to actually see one. Uh, I did attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities event in Edmonton."},{"t":13363,"text":"Um, the big push from smaller communities to FCM was around grants and"},{"t":13371,"text":"the need for sustained funding. So what is meant by that is we do very well when we receive community works funding and"},{"t":13380,"text":"we did very well when that money was doubled two years in a row. Uh and so we"},{"t":13386,"text":"are able to provide and very updated report back as every community is"},{"t":13393,"text":"required to do. But when we're always forced to gather information and hire consultants to be ready for a grant and"},{"t":13401,"text":"then wait wait wait wait then the costs go up and then you need to reapply then you need to modify and this and that is very tough on a small community small"},{"t":13408,"text":"midsize that is common theme across Canada. So there was a concerted effort that that whole process of being"},{"t":13415,"text":"capinand and waiting for two years it needs to change."},{"t":13419,"text":"uh the infrastructure and communities supports everyone where every community every home is in a community. So"},{"t":13426,"text":"investing uh in communities is investing in the backbone of Canada and Canadian economy. So that was the real push uh through joint efforts at FCM."},{"t":13439,"text":"On the aside, I did do a study tour of the CN Railard in Edmonton and it was fascinating. I could have spent days"},{"t":13446,"text":"there. Uh, I've always from Alberta loved seeing trains go by. Um, to stand"},{"t":13454,"text":"in front of a locomotive was quite intimidating."},{"t":13457,"text":"Won't see me on a bridge doing the whole standby me train dash for anyone that remembers that movie. Like it's so big."},{"t":13465,"text":"Um, but it was just interesting to see how the rail system works. Uh, we got a besign behind the scenes look at the"},{"t":13473,"text":"whole network of trains. Uh, the eyes on it. There's only two people on any one of these trains at any given time and"},{"t":13481,"text":"they stretch for kilometers in either direction. So I thought there was several crew members. No, there's really just two people, but there's a lot of um"},{"t":13490,"text":"monitoring that happens. So if something breaks down, obviously the whole system all the way from port to port is clogged"},{"t":13497,"text":"up. So it it's just interesting to see that uh particularly with a renewed interest on getting rail reestablished"},{"t":13504,"text":"here on the island. So there's a lot of interesting takeaways to learn from there. Largely this is moving freight."},{"t":13511,"text":"Uh not so much passenger rail, but it's still it's still trains on a on a rail."},{"t":13517,"text":"So it was interesting to see across the country though a lot of conversations around infrastructure"},{"t":13525,"text":"uh how to support the unhoused population. What does community safety look like? So that is in every community. Everyone that I talk to is facing extraordinary tax increases."},{"t":13537,"text":"Again, advocacy around an outdated system, a property tax framework that doesn't work for today and uh a lot of"},{"t":13546,"text":"renewed interest around that. So, there is a big push now from the FCM board."},{"t":13550,"text":"They're removing uh changing their board schedule to align more with the federal uh budget cycle and so forth um so that things align a little bit differently."},{"t":13560,"text":"So, that'll all happen going forward."},{"t":13562,"text":"The convention will always be at the same time. Next year it's in Halifax."},{"t":13567,"text":"Um and then the board and when the board meets to do advocacy will just shift depending on the federal schedule. So"},{"t":13574,"text":"more on that. Um other than that um a suggestion given that the spectacular seniors event again congratulations to"},{"t":13583,"text":"Andy and uh many thanks to all the finalists that participated."},{"t":13588,"text":"uh Cedar Tree kindly lent out that parcel, but eventually they may be putting a building there. So that could"},{"t":13594,"text":"turn into a development site is to maybe suggest that Raven's Ridge and the"},{"t":13601,"text":"seniors be held together because then you will have um a different demographics interacting with one"},{"t":13608,"text":"another and maybe learning about what each set offers. So, I'll just throw that out there to whoever's going to be planning this in the future is that we"},{"t":13616,"text":"talk a lot about intergenerational connections and this is a great one to do because largely families at one and"},{"t":13623,"text":"seniors at the other, but families will be supporting elders and this way they can share information on what they're doing. So, it's level, it's accessible,"},{"t":13631,"text":"and it's easy to get around. I was not at that event today, the transportation one, because it was my kids grade five"},{"t":13639,"text":"leaving ceremony. And uh it was the last speech that I gave at any school or will ever give at a school as the mayor. But"},{"t":13646,"text":"it was particularly emotional because my tiny baby is finishing elementary school now and has done school as many students"},{"t":13655,"text":"are this week. They're now in their final days. Uh, some might be finished completely. Uh, but they're moving into summer break, so just be mindful they're"},{"t":13664,"text":"all over town. And other than that, I've just been totally captured into the World Cup of soccer or football."},{"t":13672,"text":"Um, so go team Canada. Canada's doing very well. Uh, we're in because we're a host city, but also the team is playing"},{"t":13680,"text":"very well. It's in my house all the time now, and I'm particularly captivated by the fans."},{"t":13687,"text":"Um there's uh obviously Canada, the United States, and Mexico are receiving fans"},{"t":13694,"text":"from all over the world. Large cultural exchanges, lots of different cheering and chants. The Tartan Army drank all"},{"t":13702,"text":"the beer in Boston before the match even took place. Uh they're in Miami now, so good luck Miami. Uh but great fan base"},{"t":13710,"text":"cleaning up after themselves. You hear stories of significant donations to local charities, others that are walking"},{"t":13718,"text":"across uh the continent to raise money for awareness for mental health back at home. And uh just the various cultures"},{"t":13725,"text":"having this exchange. I um am captivated by it on social media. Like you can't get me off of it now because all I'm"},{"t":13732,"text":"watching are various fans trying different food and all this uh amazing culture. I think it's it's a great way"},{"t":13740,"text":"just with all the negativity around geopolitical events is just turn all that off and follow the World Cup fans because they are very positive. It's"},{"t":13749,"text":"very exciting and very optimistic. So I'll close on that note and go team Canada. Good luck Wednesday in your"},{"t":13756,"text":"match against Switzerland. On that note, motion to adjurnn, please. Moved by councelor St. Pierre, seconded by Betos."},{"t":13763,"text":"All in favor as unanimous. Thank you everyone for joining tonight for speaking and we'll see you in July"},{"t":13771,"text":"Canada Day and the museum barbecue to come"}],"words":33354,"fetchedAt":"2026-10-03T01:17:22.817Z"}