July Council in Focus

Council tackles a busy agenda before summer break

Council members faced a jam-packed agenda this week as they sat down to the final meeting before the summer break.

Public Participation

Kambiz Azgordegan spoke of his concerns regarding possible disruptions caused by the upcoming filming event scheduled to take place in a home in Lower Kelvin Grove. He said he was not asked for his approval, and noted the last time filming took place nearby, he and his family were temporarily relocated to a hotel.

In response, Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell confirmed that all filming will take place indoors and therefore not be disruptive to the community, and said all the protocols were followed prior to agreeing to the shoot. Mayor Ken Berry suggested Azgordegan direct any remaining questions to staff.

Long-term resident David Shore appeared online to express his support for the proposed reduction of parking fines. (This was one of the discussion topics tabled to a later date.)

Delegations

36-year Village resident Ruth Simons from the Átl'ka7tsem / Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region Society appeared before Council to request the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Village of Lions Bay and the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society, to commit to co-hosting the Howe Sound Community Forum in 2026, and to cover the $2,250 cost.

Simons' presentation offered some background into the history of the Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region and the pivotal actions of both Lions Bay residents and Council in bringing the Sound back into vibrant good health.

She noted that in 2021, UNESCO designated the Átl'ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound Biosphere Region, which comprises over 2,000 square kilometres – from the top of every mountain peak down to the ocean floor – as the 19th biosphere region in Canada, and only the third in British Columbia. This designation was "in recognition of the global ecological significance of the area, along with an appreciation of its remarkable rejuvenation following almost a century of degradation from colonial, industrial harm."

Simons said that the community shows its strong ecological support through organizations such as Bearsmart, Bird Friendly, the local Indigenous Gardens and Butterflyway, and as a gateway to hiking trails through the local mountains and the newly registered lands in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

Council approved her request.

Staff Reports

A Tree Application was made by resident David Udow with respect to a grove of trees (page 35 of the agenda) at the entrance to Lions Bay Beach Park (LBBP) on Lions Bay Avenue. After discussion, the final decision was to support the applicants' initial request without the additional tree removal recommended by the Tree Committee.

Deputy Corporate Officer Kristal Kenna presented a report on Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Conference costs and important registration dates for the September 2025 UBCM in Victoria BC. During discussion it became apparent that the sole attendee on behalf of Lions Bay would be Councillor Neville Abbott, who suggested ways to cut costs and moved that a meeting with one of the provincial Ministers be requested.

Committee Reports

Climate Action Committee (CAC) submitted minutes from their April 22 meeting.

Tress, Views and Landscapes Committee submitted minutes from their February 12 meeting.

Mayor and Council

Mayor Berry asked staff to present Council with recommendations for options to address LBBP wildlife and water quality management in light of the extensive beach closures this year and in preparation for the 2026 summer season. The motion carried.

Councillor Abbott presented on behalf of the Bear Smart Committee for revisions of the Garbage and Recycling Bylaw to address the following considerations:

• Waste and recycling receptacles must be placed for collection no more than 10 feet from the roadway in front of the householder’s premises.

• Receptacles must not be placed for collection earlier than the time specified in the area’s collection schedule on the scheduled collection day.

• All receptacles must be removed from the collection point no later than 8 p.m. on the same day as collection.

• Clean, non-attractant recyclable materials may be placed curbside outside of the prescribed area collection schedule, provided they do not create a wildlife attractant and are not set out before 7:30 a.m.

• For residents unable to meet the area collection schedule, the Village will provide for the drop-off of food waste and garbage at the Public Works Yard on the day of collection and on the following Saturday.

• Where a resident is unable to comply with the area collection schedule and also unable to access the drop-off option, curbside placement of food waste and garbage may be permitted after 7:30 a.m. on collection day, provided the materials are stored in a Village-approved wildlife-resistant container (e.g., Rollins clip-lock style or other approved container) and a permit has been issued by the Village for such use.

  
  

Councillor McLaughlin's request for the CAO to provide a detailed report to Council on the status of the Lions Bay Beach Park grant and the Translink grant at the next Regular Meeting of Council was approved.

Resolutions

A request by longtime resident and House Concert planner Tamara Leger for relaxation of the Noise Bylaw for events on August 3 and November 15 was approved.

Emergency Services

Fire Rescue Dispatch Report (included with correspondence on page 130):

In June, Lions Bay Fire Rescue (LBFR) attended 10 incidents, with 17 uses of apparatus and 54 members attending. Average turn-out time for the month was 24:29, average travel time was 32:02 and the average time on scene was 73:54.

March and April Sea to Sky RCMP Report (page 127):

This reporting period resulted in 74 calls for service, 50 of which took place on the Sea to Sky Highway within the boundaries of the Village. Of these, 33 were moving violations, one non-moving violation and two abandoned vehicles. There were four collisions, one of which was valued at over $10,000 damage and one under. There was one case of a suspicious person or vehicle, one cancelled file and one well-being check. There were two instances of debris, broken-down vehicles or pedestrians removed from the highway.

The remaining 24 calls for service within the village included three reports of harassing communications, one impaired investigations and three cases of fraud. There were two reports of mischief, one report of theft over $5,000 and one collision valued at under $10,000. In addition, there were three false alarms, investigations were made of three suspicious persons or vehicles, one abandoned vehicle and a single item reported lost. Police conducted four well-being checks, investigated a case of uttering threats, rescued one stranded person and attended two unspecified assists.

Correspondence

• Public correspondence (beginning on page 125) included a letter regarding the Long Service Recognition Award for Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell for 10 years of service from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators.

• A letter was sent by the District of Coldstream Seeking support for a UBCM Resolution regarding Municipal Wastewater and Sewerage System Regulation.

• A letter from Amanda Bates addressed the BC Hydro updated Distribution Extension policy (page 134).

• The Director of Operations requested support for the 2025 GrandFondo. (page 135)

• In response to a letter from CN Rail, Council voted in support of declaring Rail Safety Week, September 15 to 21, 2025. (page 136).

• Tracy Saxby of My Sea to Sky wrote to inform Council of an Amendment to Woodfibre LNG"s Environmental Assessment Certificate to accommodate a second worker accommodation "floatel". (page 137).

• The lone letter from a resident was from Penny Nelson thanking Council for improving 'No Dogs' beach signage.

Other Matters:

• With a few minor corrections, Council approved both the minutes of the regular Council meeting on June 17 and those of the Special Meeting of Council on July 8.

• After discussion, Blackwell's proposal for the procurement of a Chain of Office for the Mayor of Lions Bay was not put forward. It was decided to pass on the Historical Society for further investigation, or as a candidate for a future donation.

• Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff presented a budgetary timeline for 2026 for Council's consideration, with a goal to improving the process for next year. It was agreed a list of priorities would be passed along to staff.

• A proposal by Councillor McLaughlin to eliminate the remainder of the Committee of the Whole Meetings and replace them with Regular Meetings of Council was supported by Council. McLaughlin's request that the specific timing of in-camera and open sessions for Council Meetings appear in the Village Update was also approved.

• Councillor Broughton's suggested show of support for MLA Jeremy Valeriote in his quest to improve rail transportation through the Sea to Sky was approved.

  
  

In the absence of public comments, Council adjourned the meeting to return to a closed session. The next meeting of Council for 2025 is scheduled for September 2, with the open part of the meeting beginning at 7 p.m.

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