September 2 Council In Focus

Councillors face jaw-dropping 310-page agenda

Council members returning to their first post-summer break meeting faced an engorged 310-page agenda this week as they sat down to the final meeting before the summer break.

All Council members were present in person, and the audience topped out at 20 both in person and on line.

The massive agenda was adopted with several deletions and additions, as noted below.

Public Participation

Village resident and architect Russ Meiklejohn voiced his concerns about the ambiguity in the wording of the Zoning and Development bylaw. Meiklejohn was assured by Council that the topic would be discussed later in the agenda.

Long-time resident Norma Rodgers addressed Council on a number of topics. She began by thanking the Climate Action committee (CAC) for facilitating the new neighbourhood recycling depot, and noted that as a result, her household now accumulates about a sandwich-bag of garbage each month. 

Rodgers stated her objection to taxpayers funding a washroom facility on commercial property, as proposed in the agenda, adding that the cafe is required to provide a washroom since they serve food, and that taxpayers should not have to fund facilities for passing motorists.

She offered thanks to Bylaw Enforcement Officer Taj Bindra for his comprehensive report regarding the garbage bylaw compliance audit, spoke in support of a resident satisfaction survey, and echoed other resident concerns about fire danger and the carelessness of some hikers who leave cigarette butts on local roadways. Rogers also responded to the people complaining about the cost of parking violation fines, noting that as the signage is plentiful and very clear, that they park legally and avoid a ticket.

Delegations

Councillor Michael Broughton introduced Canada Post representative Mike Lee, who appeared online to offer his personal apology on behalf of Canada Post for "the confusion we caused the community." regarding local postal oversight. Lee confirmed that renewal and maintenance of post boxes will now be handled by the Bellevue Ave Post Office in West Vancouver.

"I'm not someone who lives in Ottawa in an echo chamber," he said. "I live here, in your time zone. Please reach out if there is anything further I can do for you." Lee's phone number is 604-353-8312, and he can be reached by email at:

Mike.Lee@canadapost.postescanada.ca

In response to a question from Councillor Neville Abbott as to whether it would be possible for residents to choose between Garibaldi Highlands and West Vancouver branches, Lee said that he was informed that the entire Village data base had to be assigned to a single office. He agreed to look into it further.

Recently appointed Emergency Program Coordinator (EPC) Mary Brown, spoke in support of an upcoming cultural education workshop in October. (The EPC oversees Emergency Support Services, Search and Rescue and Lions Bay Fire Rescue). Brown noted that the workshop will be financed by the Community Emergency Preparedness fund, and is intended to offer cultural safety and cultural humility training, which is mandated through the province for emergency workers and is led by Squamish elders.

Brown encouraged all staff to take the program, noting that the funding covers staff salaries. "It's a different way to look at cooperation, communication and working together," she said.

Staff Reports

• Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff introduced Cory Vanderhorst, a representative from MNP, the firm hired to do the Village audit. Vanderhorst appeared online to report the 2024 audit is complete, apart from a final legal check. He said the company is satisfied the 2024 financial statements are up to standard and that the information presented is correct. He acknowledged the excellent cooperation of Village Council and staff, and said that he expected the process to meet assigned deadlines next year. The provincial deadline for filing the Annual Report has been missed in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

In response to a question from Councillor Ron McLaughlin, Vanderhorst said the management letter is now available for Council to read, and that MNP is willing to meet with Council at their discretion.

• Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell introduced a Development Variance Permit for 405 Bayview Road (page 22). Abbott asked how long the sign indicating an opportunity to ask questions or object had been up. The public sign allows the community overall to be aware that these changes are being requested. Blackwell said the sign had been up for the time required, plus all neighbours within 100 metres were also notified. He said no comments had been received and all provisions have been met for comments. He noted that there would be no change of use for the space, as the applicant had changed his initial plans to make the renovation an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), and has instead decide to use the space for an office. After discussion, the motion to approve the permit carried.

After the motion to approve was complete, long-term resident Dennis Welch, whose own property is across the street from the construction site, rose to voice his vehement objections to the design. It appeared that Welch believed he would be allowed time to speak before the decision was made, however he was told by Blackwell that none of the approved changes contravened the bylaw, and that the decision had been made.

• Director of Operations Karl Buhr introduced the establishment of a Snow and Ice Management Policy (page 36). Blackwell explained that the existence of such policies help shield municipalities from litigation by establishing they have a standard practice to follow. The motion passed.

• In a similar vein, Blackwell introduced a new Tree Management Policy (page 42). McLaughlin asked about trees that were removed during nesting season, which contravenes existing policy.. Blackwell said that the potential for litigation and the need for public safety trump the bird nesting season provisions. Citing Welch's earlier concerns, McLaughlin asked how the public, when they are unhappy with these decisions, can be heard. Blackwell said that once bylaws are in place, staff are required to execute them as written. After more discussion about the wording of the bylaw, the question was called and the motion to approve the policy was approved, with Abbott opposed.

• Blackwell proposed changes to the existing Garbage and Recycling Collection bylaw (page 49), with a goal to tighten the wording, and establish a year-round standard rather than staggered time schedule. During discussion Buhr and Bylaw Officer Taj Bindra joined the table, and suggested that approved bear-resistant bins be made available to those residents who need to leave their garbage out before their time slot. Council members dropped the level of the fine to $500 with an eye to reassessing it in future, and gave the amendment first and second reading,

• Bindra then provided an overview of the findings of a recent audit conducted to assess resident compliance with the garbage and recycling collection schedule. (Page 59). He noted that residents in the 10 o'clock timeslot were having the toughest time with compliance. The audit and this summary were used as tools to help put together the previous amendment to the Garbage and Recycling bylaw.

• Staff's request to update the authority on banking signatures to current staff members (as present authority rests with those no longer employed by the Village), was swiftly approved. New signing authority will now be granted to include Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff, Municipal Accountant Karen Jeffery and Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell.

• Blackwell introduced a change to Zoning and Development Bylaw (page 63). The current wording of the bylaw is ambiguous regarding the front and rear yards of waterfront properties. The current zoning bylaw uses the term "front yard" to refer to both the side facing the road and the side facing the ocean. Blackwell suggested that this is an administrative change, and only the wording needed to be corrected. There will be two readings, then a mandated public hearing and Committee of the Whole meeting before the third reading can take place.

• Buhr offered a staff report on the provision of Public Toilets, which he clarified are not intended for use of Lions Bay store customers, are instead to deal with the facility needs of motorists travelling past on the highway (page 191). After a great deal of defecation discussion, a decision was made that while port-a-potties are indeed needed, staff will investigate options as to where they will be sited, and return with options at the next Council Meeting.

• Chirkoff presented a Beach Park Financials report to Council (page 211). McLaughlin asked for the final cost of building the washroom, and also for a detailed disclosure on the scope of the Translink grant. Chirkoff said this information would be available at the next meeting on September 16.

Resolutions

• McLaughlin made a resolution that staff return to work full-time in the Village office, effective January 1, 2026. "We are a small community and our staff are integral to its successful operations," he said. "Full time physical attendance at the office is important as an image and for practical business purposes."

After discussion that mostly centred around the daily commute taken by CAO Blackwell between the Village office and his home in Duncan, it was decided that the issue would be addressed at the upcoming CAO performance review.

• Abbott spoke on behalf of the Climate Action Committee (CAC), notifying Council that the CAC is considering applying for a Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant, which is intended to helping municipalities develop comprehensive climate adaptation strategies, and pay for risk assessments. They are hoping the Stewardship Council of BC (SCBC) will assist with the application. More information will be forthcoming at the next CAC meeting, scheduled for September 4 at 6 p.m.

Emergency Services

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

In July, Lions Bay Fire Rescue (LBFR) attended nine incidents, with 15 uses of apparatus and 20 members attending. Average turn-out time for the month was 9:09, average travel time was 4:41 and the average time on scene was 42:38.

Correspondence

Public correspondence (beginning on page 241) began with a letter from Ivan Michael Scott regarding Judicial Responsibility and accountability. Others included:

• Two letters were sent by Mike Hurley of Metro Vancouver regarding Historic Regional Demographics (page 249), and a Regional Parking Study (page 251).

• Two letters were sent from Rogan Steacy (page 254) and from Sally (page 253) regarding the high cost of Village parking fines.

• A letter from Metro Vancouver's Jerry Dobrovolny (page 256) addressed Trends in Emissions from Transportation and Buildings.

• A letter from Wil Erb of Blink 149 spoke to an endowment to the Village (page 258).

Resident Correspondence began with two letters from Jim Cannell regarding bylaw enforcement (pages 259 and 304). Others included:

• A letter from David Shore on the subject of the size of bylaw fines and the perception of fairness (beginning on page 260).

• Glen Dennison wrote about improving water quality at local beaches (page 305).

• A letter from Ute Philips of the Lions Bay Arts Council (page 309) offered to price out the cost of artwork on the new public washroom at the Beach Park. McLaughlin said he would reach out to Philips to accept this offer.

• Ashlee Davidson wrote about her concern for the safety of the Village in fire season (page 303).

• Letters from Marilyn Blusson (page 306), Jocelyn Horb (page 307) and Dawn Hope (page 308) addressed garbage collection,

Other Matters

• With a few minor corrections, Council approved the minutes of the regular Council meeting of Council on July 22, as found on page 9 of the agenda.

• On the Action Log list of unfinished items (page 21), it was noted that a long-awaited Emergency Planning Committee meeting has been called for October.

  
  
  
  

Public Questions & Comments

Long-time resident Deirdre Bain asked, with regard to McLaughlin's 'return to work' resolution, what the conditions of employment were when CAO Blackwell was hired.

No response was offered.

The decision was made for Council members to return to a closed session and the open part of the meeting adjourned. The next regular meeting of Council is scheduled for September 16, with the open portion of the meeting beginning at 7 p.m.

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