[0:29] There is so many of us.
[0:35] » Okay, we're good.
>> You are.
[0:37] » Okay, thank you very much.
Uh, welcome to the July 27, 2026 regular
[0:44] council meeting for the Village of
Belcarra.
[0:47] We wish to acknowledge that this meeting
took place on the unceded territory of
[0:51] the Coast Salish peoples. Um, to me,
Wayburn or Belcarra is home to an
[0:56] ancestral village of the Squamish First
Nation. Thankful I can do my work within
[1:02] their territory.
So, I'm going to call the meeting to
[1:05] order at
7:02.
[1:11] In terms of the, uh, approval of the
agenda, we're going to ask the question
[1:15] of Amanda, please.
>> Uh,
[1:19] » we have, uh,
>> I'll put this on
[1:22] the agenda.
The agenda has a second.
[1:25] » Oh, okay. Okay. So, um,
that the agenda for the regular council
[1:30] meeting July 27, 2026 be approved as
circulated.
[1:35] » So moved.
>> Thank you, Carolyn.
[1:37] » I second.
>> Uh, Joe, thank you. I'll get back to you
[1:40] later. Uh,
All right.
[1:44] Yeah.
So, we'll call, uh,
[1:48] So, take this through the business.
>> Ask the good question from the public
[1:51] and council.
>> Okay. Are there any questions or
[1:54] comments from council?
[1:59] » I am.
>> It's a big conflict.
[2:01] » Oh, it's a um yes, um through the chair
um
[2:05] with respect to 10.5
>> I believe it's 10.5.
[2:10] » And uh speaking or voting on the item as
I'm a director of Crab, so it's a
[2:15] conflict of interest for me.
[2:19] » Thank you.
>> Thank you. Could you repeat that at the
[2:21] time of the item? Okay.
>> Okay, that's good. Thanks very much.
[2:26] Thank you both for giving.
Okay, so um it's been moved and
[2:32] seconded. Are there any questions or
comments comments from council?
[2:37] Seeing none, I'll look to have called
the question. All those in favor say
[2:41] aye.
Okay.
[2:44] We'll go to
adoption of the minutes to regular
[2:47] council meeting July 13th, 2026. And I'm
going to read out the motion that the
[2:52] minutes from the regular council meeting
held on July 13th, 2026 be adopted. And
[3:00] I'll get a mover and a seconder, please.
[3:05] Janet.
>> Mhm.
[3:06] » Okay. And second.
Thank you, Joe.
[3:11] Okay, so
um are there questions or comments from
[3:14] council on this?
[3:18] Seeing none, I'll look to call the
question. All those in favor say aye.
[3:21] And I note that it carries.
So, the public hearing July 13th, 2026
[3:27] going to uh the motion is that the
record of the public hearing held on
[3:32] July 13th, 2026 be adopted. That's the
motion. I'm going to get a mover and a
[3:38] seconder. Moving it, please.
>> Moved.
[3:42] » Second.
>> Joe and Gerald.
[3:48] Okay, so are there questions or comments
from council on this?
[3:52] Seeing none, I'll look to call the
question. All those in favor say I, and
[3:56] I know that it carries.
Uh public input, um I'll ask Amanda to
[4:01] speak to this item, please.
[4:05] » Uh protocol for public input is outlined
in the agenda.
[4:09] A period of 15 minutes will be available
on each regular council meeting agenda
[4:13] for members of the public to submit to
council.
[4:17] Public input period is a venue for
submissions in the form of statements.
[4:21] Questions can be directed to question
period at the end of the agenda.
[4:26] Each person is provided 2 minutes to
comment on items presented on the
[4:29] agenda.
A second opportunity to speak is
[4:33] permitted when others have had an
opportunity to provide their comments.
[4:37] Comments must be directed to the chair
of the meeting and not to individual
[4:40] [clears throat] members of council.
[4:44] » Okay.
[4:48] Do we have anybody that would like to um
speak?
[4:55] » [laughter]
>> Going once, going twice,
[4:59] and going three times.
Right. Okay.
[5:03] Thank you. Um
we will delegations and presentations.
[5:07] Uh
items on the consent agenda, there are
[5:11] no items on the consent agenda. So,
we'll go to uh staff reports.
[5:16] And the zoning bylaw number 510-2018
amendment bylaw number 643-2026.
[5:25] I'm going to ask Melanie to speak to
this item if she could, please.
[5:31] » Staff are pleased to bring forward the
first three readings of the zoning
[5:35] amendment bylaw for 3641 Kelly Avenue.
It is the village's first rezoning. It
[5:40] follows a thorough process of review and
consultation to ensure and support our
[5:45] housing objectives in the village while
also being an appropriate fit.
[5:49] On that note, staff have completed work
to address council comments from the
[5:53] regular meeting on June 8th, 2026 when
the information came forward on this
[5:58] rezoning.
Uh Chichi Kai from Punico Group is
[6:02] joining the meeting virtually and has
offered to provide some additional
[6:05] details about that. Over to you, Chichi.
>> Hi. It's Melanie.
[6:11] Uh good evening, Mayor and Council. It's
nice to see you all again virtually this
[6:15] time.
Um so as Melanie mentioned, rezoning for
[6:18] 3641 Kelly Avenue was introduced first
to you on June 8th, 2026.
[6:24] Following Council's endorsement that
evening, public notification was sent to
[6:28] residents via email and mail to homes
within 100 m of the subject site. The
[6:35] notification was also posted at Village
Hall and on the Village's website. So as
[6:40] a quick refresher, the proposal for 3641
Kelly Avenue was for the consolidation
[6:44] of two parcels along Kelly Avenue and
rezoning to CD to build three duplexes
[6:50] for a total of six residential units.
So following the June 8th Council
[6:55] meeting, staff developed a site-specific
development permit guidelines
[6:59] to uh for forming character,
which is applicable for an
[7:03] if an applicant pursues redevelopment of
the site with three duplexes. The
[7:08] guidelines do not apply to the
development of a single-family home or
[7:12] one or one or two duplexes since these
forms are already permitted in the
[7:17] village without a DP.
So the intent of the guidelines is to
[7:22] enable achievement of a high standard of
building design, site aesthetics, and
[7:27] neighborhood compatibility for a
three-duplex project. The guidelines are
[7:31] designed to be flexible enough to
accommodate a range of architectural
[7:35] solutions while capturing the intent
necessary to ensure a quality outcome
[7:39] for the village.
So accompanying the DP guidelines a
[7:43] checklist that outlines the required
submission materials, including
[7:47] architectural plans, geotechnical
reports, and application fee.
[7:52] So, staff recommendation is for council
to grant first, second, and third
[7:55] readings of the zoning bylaw number 510
2018 amendment bylaw number 643 2026,
[8:03] and approve the development permit
guidelines with 3641 Kelly Avenue. Thank
[8:08] you.
[8:10] » Okay.
Thank you very much, and um
[8:15] Put it on the floor.
[8:18] Okay.
Okay. Yeah. Okay.
[8:25] Okay, so the motion is that zoning bylaw
number 510 2018 amendment bylaw number
[8:31] 643 2026 be read a first, second, and
third time.
[8:38] That development permit guidelines be
approved to support the potential future
[8:42] development of three duplexes on the
site, and that the following conditions
[8:47] be met. Consolidation of the two
existing lots into one with registration
[8:52] of the subdivision plan as land titles
office prior to adoption.
[8:57] Submission of a development permit
application and meeting involved
[9:01] development permit condition prior to
the issuance of a development permit for
[9:06] three duplexes. Submission of the design
as well as fees and securities for
[9:12] off-site services prior to the issuance
of a development permit for the three
[9:18] duplexes. So, I will
look for someone
[9:22] » Moved.
>> Thank you, Council Clark.
[9:25] Thank you.
>> Can I have a question?
[9:30] » Okay. You have a question, go ahead,
please.
[9:31] » Yeah, thank you. So, I'll I already made
all my comments about the design and
[9:36] what I thought about this in the
previous meeting so I won't repeat
[9:39] myself. I like to thank GG for putting
the guidelines together. That's very
[9:44] helpful. I think that was that's a way
to
[9:47] to guarantee that
the feedback from the community at that
[9:51] public meeting because we're not going
to have a public hearing on this.
[9:55] It's met so it's met with the
guidelines. The only thing I do not see
[9:59] here
but first I'll say that I really like
[10:03] the dark sky policy here by the
It's not something we do like obviously
[10:08] in every new construction but because
this is a zoning change like we can put
[10:13] this guidelines based on the community
feedback on the public meeting that that
[10:18] the applicant had for the residents
on the information meeting. Sorry.
[10:23] So yes, so I
I really like what I see here but the
[10:25] only thing I do not see is height. I
don't know if I'm missing because I know
[10:29] they reduced the height after the
meeting. Is that my understanding?
[10:34] But I don't see the height
on the guideline.
[10:39] So to the chair.
[10:42] » I can take the first
and then I'll
[10:46] over to GG. So there's actually a few
pieces that go with the zoning amendment
[10:50] bylaw.
The first DLC is attachment one which is
[10:54] the actual bylaw and has a schedule A
which is all of the requirements for the
[11:00] CD1 zone and that's where you're going
to see all of the height restrictions
[11:04] and that's about it.
In addition to that there's also the
[11:07] development permit guidelines and the
checklist.
[11:11] » Okay, thank you. So yes, so I I missed
that. I read the whole thing but somehow
[11:15] I managed to miss it.
So no, so I'm good then. Yeah, I thought
[11:19] we would have to have something on the
guidelines as well but as long as it's
[11:22] covered tomorrow I'm happy. Thank you
and thanks again for the very detailed
[11:27] guideline and
and report to GG.
[11:30] it.
>> No no problem. Happy to be a part of the
[11:33] village's uh first rezoning.
>> Awesome. I know, first. Wow, after so
[11:38] many years being incorporated, that's
that's crazy.
[11:41] Yeah.
>> Or have switched.
[11:43] » Yeah, so just a couple of um just
comments and thoughts. First off, um
[11:47] yeah, I I'm super excited about this
development. I think that hopefully it
[11:51] goes really, really well because we need
it, too. Um I had a few things that
[11:56] seemed in conflict to me in terms of the
guidelines. Um and again, I still
[12:00] struggle with, you know, um
what is
[12:05] sort of the our identity in the village
in terms of semi-rural as far as
[12:09] development because uh we have
everything. We've got a mix match of
[12:12] everything, so I don't really get that.
Um but, you know, the current draft
[12:16] talks about respecting the West Coast
residential character, which to me
[12:21] is supposed to being natural wood, big
windows, you know,
[12:25] stone, that kind of thing. And then,
which is kind of in conflict with the
[12:30] FireSmart requirements, yeah, which are
really metal roof, hardy board, stone,
[12:35] you know, brick, whatever. And so, I
don't know how we reconcile those two
[12:39] things, but it just seemed to me that
you know, one is a little bit at odds
[12:43] with the other. Um so, anyway, just a
comment on that. I think that the
[12:48] FireSmart should to me would be the
priority in terms of developing going
[12:51] forward in our village.
And so, um so, I don't know if we need
[12:56] to modify that a little bit, but just a
thought. The other thing is um
[13:00] you know, I read the thing about the
landscape plan and the landscape
[13:03] architect, and my question was why?
And and really because, you know, um
[13:09] we did our own landscaping. I think it
looks fantastic myself, but um and so, I
[13:15] don't know
you know, I I worry about the
[13:17] incremental costs to people trying to do
these things when you have to bring
[13:21] those sorts of resources in, and a
landscape architect to me sounds
[13:26] expensive. I could be wrong.
Um but I mean I could use AI and take a
[13:30] picture of a dirt spot and have a
beautiful landscape like that.
[13:34] So, I don't and I don't know if I I
guess my question is really is there
[13:37] some flexibility in these guidelines as
we move forward where things like that
[13:42] might be you know there might be a
better alternative to forcing that
[13:46] issue. And so, anyway, just a thought on
that.
[13:50] And then the only other comment I had
overall was um
[13:54] thank you for doing the FAQ, like the
frequently asked questions,
[13:58] um because this is super helpful and you
know looking through here I think this
[14:02] is really good in terms of again
communicating with the community what's
[14:06] going on, what's happening. So, I was
really happy to see this without even
[14:10] asking for it. So, so thanks for doing
that. Um but anyway, those those were my
[14:14] comments. Um
you know, Westcoast, I love Westcoast,
[14:18] but you know, it's not always aligns
with FireSmart. So,
[14:21] Oh, and also I was just curious, how
is the combined property and how big is
[14:27] it? Well, is it half an acre?
Is that what it is?
[14:35] The two lots combined, what is the size
of the two lots combined?
[14:38] » 18,500
square feet.
[14:41] » Yeah, does that equal half an acre?
>> Not quite.
[14:44] » So, then they're little
>> Okay, perfect. Okay, thanks. Anyway, I'm
[14:48] really happy to see this coming forward.
So, thank you.
[14:51] » Okay, thanks very much, Jen.
Go ahead and Lisa.
[14:54] » Thank you. Um
thank you so much Kiki for this report
[14:57] and it's nice to see you again.
I as well I'm excited to see this moving
[15:02] forward for the future of our village.
Not just today's standards, but for the
[15:07] future.
Uh with respect to Counselor
[15:12] Resnicky's comment
about FireSmart, in fact the in here
[15:17] or it's uh
[15:19] Yeah.
So, on page, um,
[15:24] I think it's four, but anyways, just
before the frequently asked questions of
[15:28] that. And it it does say fire smart
smart requirements drawings submitted
[15:32] with fire smart building standards. It's
right in there. So, even though it talks
[15:35] about West Coast design, it also talks
about fire smart. But my question, uh,
[15:39] through the chair to Chichi,
and
[15:42] I probably read this thoroughly, but I I
can't seem to find it. How does a fee
[15:46] simple title work if there are two or
more duplexes built on one consolidated
[15:52] lot? So, you've got your homes there,
but you've only got one fee simple
[15:56] title. So, how does that work? Do you
have Let's just say you've got two
[16:00] duplexes.
Um, are the owners of both duplexes or
[16:05] three duplexes all going to be on the
title very similar to how we handle
[16:08] parent home or Can you answer that for
me through the check?
[16:12] Thank you.
>> Uh, yeah, through the chair to
[16:13] Councillor Lauder. I think that's
something that, uh, Melanie, we've
[16:16] talked about this before. Um,
so, we'll have to kind of take a little
[16:20] closer look at that when that happens
because right now, you know,
[16:24] typically, if it's one lot, then you
kind of have a bit of a strata situation
[16:29] unless cuz we're consolidating into one
parcel. So, we Right now, how we're
[16:34] thinking about it, it's more of a
strata, um,
[16:37] strata kind of situation where you own
your duplex, but not necessarily the
[16:41] entire
lot.
[16:44] property. Yeah. So, I think we'll have a
chat about this a little bit more, uh,
[16:47] Melanie and I to kind of work out work
out the details.
[16:51] » Okay. Wonderful. Thank you for that
answer.
[16:56] » Okay. Do we have any others?
>> Oh. I guess just a comment. So, um, so
[17:00] we're doing all this, the rezoning, but
that doesn't also stop someone from
[17:04] coming in, buying the property, and
leave leaving as it is, right? And just
[17:09] building one house.
I just like to make that clear.
[17:12] » [laughter]
>> Or, uh, yeah, for whoever has a lot of
[17:16] concerns this plan. So, cheers.
>> It's not dictating what's going to
[17:21] happen because the village is not buying
and neither is Billy, so.
[17:25] It'll be up to the person who buys and
builds.
[17:30] » Okay. So, I mean, I think
people have talked about this. This is a
[17:35] very good thing for our village and
in terms of the fine points, that's I
[17:41] think it's good to bring them up and but
in the end, it's going to be a very,
[17:45] very good piece and it will only be
specific to this, but it may also offer
[17:51] things in other parts of the village.
So, each one is individual and doesn't
[17:56] affect others. So.
Okay.
[17:58] » I just want to make sure that our
counselor received his question was
[18:01] answered, I guess.
Cuz he had a few comments and Oh, just
[18:05] wanted to make sure you got what you
needed if you did.
[18:07] » Yeah, I I mean, I I guess at the end of
the day, it's really um
[18:11] is there some flexibility in terms of
those guidelines at all because I think
[18:15] that, you know, if if you're the person
coming forward, you wanting to do this
[18:20] and you have all these things laid out
and it's like, okay, well, what about
[18:22] this? Like, is there some flexibility
was really the main question. The other
[18:26] one was just the conflict between um
Westcoast Design and Firesmart and I
[18:31] think, you know, obviously, that will
that will develop as we go along. Um
[18:37] it just seemed kind of funny that
that two that those two things. So, I'm
[18:42] good.
>> Yeah, go ahead.
[18:44] » Um
>> Thank you.
[18:46] » Through the chair,
uh I think your point about Firesmart
[18:49] taking precedence over Westcoast was a
good one and noted. And they are
[18:54] guidelines, so yes, there is some
flexibility.
[18:56] » Yeah, good.
That's good.
[18:59] » Okay. So, we've got
any other comments from council? Seeing
[19:04] none, follow up to uh call the question.
All those in favor, say I. And a no for
[19:09] the chair is
Thank you very much, GG for your work.
[19:13] Much appreciate it.
>> No problem. Thank you, counselor.
[19:17] Have a good night.
>> Bye.
[19:19] » Yes.
We'll see you again. Um so, the budget
[19:23] 10.2 is the budget variance report.
Due diligence results to June 30th,
[19:30] 2026. I'm going to ask Melanie to speak
for the item, please.
[19:35] » Staff are pleased to bring forward
another favorable quarterly report.
[19:40] I've continued to work closely with
staff as well as the village's financial
[19:44] consultant and Bjorgard to identify
opportunities, cost savings, and
[19:48] efficiencies, which in turn support our
revenue generation. They minimize our
[19:52] expenses and increase our reserves.
Building on the good foundational work
[19:58] done by Ken in earlier years, this has
put the village in a great financial
[20:01] position.
Ken's joining the meeting virtually
[20:05] tonight as Mike provides some additional
details about the Q2 2026 budget
[20:09] variance report.
>> Welcome, Ken.
[20:13] » Ken, do you need to
Do you need to co-host, Ken?
[20:17] » Uh yes, that would be helpful, Amanda.
>> Okay, give me 2 seconds, Ken.
[20:32] Goodbye.
>> Take care.
[20:41] » Okay, you've got the wheel.
>> [laughter]
[20:45] » Thank you. I'm going to share my screen,
then.
[20:53] Can everyone see that?
>> Thank you.
[20:56] » [laughter]
[21:00] » I'm just going to walk you through that.
[21:04] 10.2
[21:08] » It's good then?
>> Yeah, very on trend.
[21:13] » Okay, so
as council knows from prior years,
[21:18] the village does a variance report.
The first one of the year being for the
[21:24] six months ending June 30th of 2026,
where we
[21:30] show the year-to-date
revenues and expenses,
[21:35] and then we project where we think we're
going to end up at the end of the year
[21:39] based on year-to-date results,
and then we compare that to the budget.
[21:44] So, this is of course part of a council
policy
[21:49] to do this and it's a very worthwhile
thing to do because uh
[21:53] you can find out a lot of things when
you're doing these interim financing
[21:57] reports and it prepares you for year-end
as well.
[22:01] Um so, looking at each of the operating
funds, general,
[22:07] water and ward, and capital, I will go
through highlights of those
[22:13] in terms of where we are at year-to-date
and where we expect to be at year-end at
[22:18] this point in time
with the caveat that of course things
[22:22] could change between now and the end of
the year when unknown things happen.
[22:28] The details of the variances are kept
within the appendices that are attached
[22:33] to the report.
So, in terms of the general operating
[22:38] fund,
you can see here where um
[22:42] the revenues are expected to be
approximately $20,000
[22:47] over budget based on higher tax penalty
revenue
[22:52] and funds from sale of assets and cost
recovery for legal and planning costs.
[22:58] In terms of operating expenses, we're
expected to be uh under
[23:03] uh budget by about $21,000.
And that's related to lower legal and
[23:09] consulting costs and more work done
in-house.
[23:13] In terms of the uh centralized support,
it's going to be uh recovered at a lower
[23:19] rate because of lower expenses by about
$2,800.
[23:24] So, you can see here in terms of the
bottom line that we're expecting to
[23:28] transfer
uh $670,000
[23:32] to reserves and surplus
uh for the year, which is $38,000,
[23:38] $39,000 over the budget.
So, uh as council knows, you know, over
[23:43] the past years we've tried to build that
up and it's a significant amount that is
[23:48] being
uh set aside for the future for the
[23:51] village.
And once you add the community works
[23:55] funds to that, which is not included in
this,
[23:58] um of course, the village
is
[24:01] uh
transferring approximately 600 730
[24:07] to 740,000 dollars a year from the
general fund
[24:12] for capital and other needs
um that are
[24:16] basically securing the future of the
village.
[24:23] In terms of the water operating fund, um
the water operating fund has gotten a
[24:28] lot healthier.
And uh we are expecting to be about
[24:33] $5,300
over in terms of operating revenue,
[24:38] which is the additional revenue from
Metro Vancouver based on billings for
[24:42] actual water usage.
We're expected to be about $9,000 in
[24:47] lower expenses
for uh lower repair and maintenance and
[24:51] contracted costs.
And so, you can see that we're expecting
[24:55] to transfer roughly 116, 117,000 dollars
to
[25:00] the reserve and surplus versus a budget
of 104,000,
[25:04] which is approximately 12,000 over the
budget, which is a positive thing
[25:10] as well. And if we look at the ward
operating funds, you can see here that
[25:15] uh revenues are more or less on budget,
but we're expected to be approximately
[25:20] 2,000 dollars
uh lower in expenses due to lower waste
[25:25] and centralized support costs.
And therefore, our transfer to surplus
[25:30] is about 2,000 expected to be about
2,000
[25:34] dollars higher than budget.
Um as council will recollect, uh
[25:40] couple years ago, we did an internal
borrowing
[25:43] because the ward surplus was
insufficient. So, uh the funds that are
[25:49] going to surplus will firstly be used to
pay pay off the internal loan,
[25:54] which was uh set up in a prior year.
So, when we look at capital overall, um
[26:03] as I said, there's more detail in the
appendix and uh it goes through each of
[26:07] the capital projects, but you can see
here that more or less general water and
[26:12] ward capital are expected to be very
close to budget,
[26:15] and that uh projects are proceeding as
planned.
[26:20] So, uh this is the first uh budget
variance report
[26:24] of the year, and of course, uh we will
be doing another one at the end of
[26:29] September.
And I think that these reports are are
[26:34] very helpful for staff and council um to
make sure things are on track.
[26:40] So, there's a a um
a recommended motion for council to
[26:44] consider.
[26:47] » Okay.
Great. So, um
[26:51] the motion is that the report dated July
27th, 2026 titled budget variance report
[26:58] Q2 results to June 30th, 2026 be
received into the record for information
[27:04] and I'll look to get a mover and a
seconder.
[27:07] » Second.
>> Janet.
[27:09] » [clears throat]
>> Wildish.
[27:10] » Yes.
[27:13] Okay.
So, it's on the table for discussion.
[27:17] » Just a couple of comments. Very happy to
see
[27:21] you know, positive variance on the
transfer to general reserves and surplus
[27:25] on all three of these major categories.
So, I'd say we're trending in the right
[27:31] direction. No concerns.
>> Yeah.
[27:36] » Okay, anybody else?
[27:40] » Yeah. Yeah.
>> Okay. So,
[27:43] we will
do then I'll look to call the question
[27:47] on the motion. All those in favor say I.
I'll put it carried.
[27:51] » Thanks, Dan.
>> Thank you, Dan.
[27:53] » Yes.
>> We really appreciate that.
[27:57] » He's not done yet.
>> Yeah.
[28:00] Okay, so 10.3 strategic plan and key
infrastructure projects Q2 2026 status
[28:08] report I'm going to get that this week
to the night of the 20th.
[28:12] » The village continues to make
exceptional progress on an ambitious
[28:16] strategic plan and council and staff
have worked diligently to move things
[28:20] ahead as noted by the complete and in
progress status of several items.
[28:25] Some notable highlights from the Q2 2026
quarter include the following.
[28:31] In the water system improvements,
amendments to the water supply and
[28:34] distribution bylaw were approved to
support the water service extension to
[28:38] the bull house in Belcarra Regional
Park.
[28:41] Amendments to the water works bylaw as
well as the fees and charges bylaw were
[28:45] also approved to renew these park water
user pays based on the what people
[28:49] operation and maintenance of the system
plus actual water consumption based on
[28:53] meter usage.
With the Roden and fire halls,
[28:59] a report in Q4 2025 provided information
on the development sale of Rodens as a
[29:04] source of revenue. It also confirmed
that the formal sale of the lots would
[29:08] be pursued with proceeds from the sale
of the first lot funding development
[29:11] work of the others.
A road closure bylaw for Roden 13 was
[29:16] brought forward for three readings,
public notification and adoption in Q1
[29:20] 2026.
Since then, staff have been undergoing
[29:24] registration with the land titles office
and also [clears throat] engaged land
[29:28] consultants to assist with the land sale
negotiation which are also now currently
[29:33] underway.
Regarding the fire halls, Metro
[29:37] Vancouver, Belcarra, and Anmore staff
worked in collaboration to prepare and
[29:41] submit an application to the Build
Community Strong Fund
[29:45] to request funding of
40% or $8.4 million towards the fire
[29:49] hall replacement costs. And that request
is also being supported by MP Zoe Roy.
[29:58] In Q2, we also first three readings of
the official community plan amendment
[30:02] bylaw number 42 2026 regarding changes
to provincial housing legislation also
[30:08] brought forward.
Consultation referrals were also issued
[30:12] to parties that may be affected and the
work is now underway to incorporate the
[30:16] comments received before bringing those
amendments back to council.
[30:21] And the fire safety and wildlife
wildfire management review was carried
[30:27] out by staff earlier in the year to
identify grant funding options for the
[30:30] fire fuel reduction activities.
Provincial FireSmart Community Funding
[30:35] and Supports Program no longer funds
fuel management activities and they've
[30:39] shifted more towards more planning based
initiatives.
[30:43] I did some digging to find out the
rationale for this. Why has fuel
[30:48] management funding been removed?
And the response was that fuel
[30:52] treatments have high per hectare costs
that vary significantly throughout the
[30:56] province, and those challenges make it
difficult to make fuel treatment
[31:00] activities equitably and then ensure the
timely distribution of the remaining
[31:04] funding for that period over a closed
intake.
[31:08] It was noted that Ministry of Forests
supports fuel management activities and
[31:12] that funding in other areas to mitigate
risk to communities including the Crown
[31:16] Land Wildfire Risk Reduction Program and
the Forest Enhancement Society ABC.
[31:22] So, with that news, staff have been
reviewing other options and are also
[31:26] working on the development of a phased
approach to fire fuel reduction based on
[31:30] the priority mapping and assessments,
which we can complete it, which we can
[31:33] then put from budgeting to.
And in turn, we're also looking at
[31:37] exploring the use of unallocated and
emergency management operational funds
[31:41] to retain a contractor for the
prescribed fire fuel reduction measures
[31:45] on public land around the village hall,
the public works yard, board, and fire
[31:50] hall. So, we'll bring that to council as
an information only item on that.
[31:55] And with that, I will close my remarks
and turn it over to the mayor.
[31:58] » Okay, thank you very much, Ron. Um
So, the motion is that the report dated
[32:03] July 27, 2026 titled Strategic Plan and
Key Infrastructure Project Q2 2026
[32:11] Status Report be received into the
record for information, and I'll get a
[32:16] mover and a seconder.
>> So moved.
[32:18] » Second.
>> Did you second?
[32:20] » Thank you, Councillor. Thank you.
Okay, it's on the table for discussion.
[32:29] » Uh
>> Well, I just want to call I mean, it's
[32:32] it's amazing
and wonderful to see so many projects
[32:35] completed, and kudos to staff for the
work they did down there.
[32:40] Some some still pending there, but
they're things seem to be moving along
[32:45] on schedule from what I can see. So,
it's been good work by everybody.
[32:51] » Can I ask this question? Because I know
you reported it at the last meeting and
[32:56] it was very interesting on the grant for
the fire halls that you know that were
[33:01] mutually
Metro Vancouver and I don't know it's
[33:06] amazing how we get along so well
sometimes you know when it comes to that
[33:09] but that's
of course a reminder
[33:13] of the 50/50 share so any grants that
would come through would be
[33:19] 50/50 would be in our favor for a change
I would say
[33:24] as I judge that but
that remains to be seen.
[33:28] I would say how does
two questions right? First and foremost
[33:32] is how does this proceed if you can tell
me that? How long will it take? How does
[33:36] this look like? It's great to see
a liberal you know MLA I'm not here to
[33:41] call the halls of any MLAs or any party
but it's great to see our liberal MLA on
[33:47] side and working cooperatively with the
mayors and with the CAOs and that so
[33:53] great work and that's encouraging to
have that support.
[33:58] And I didn't my other question would be
just like you can clear the other
[34:02] question but I noticed no provincial
grants have been applied for here and
[34:07] and my understanding was under that
federal grant that
[34:12] Premier Horgan is touting so much and
giving out to so many people here.
[34:17] One of it was contingent on perhaps
getting some provincial grants. Now, I
[34:23] just read that somewhere along the way
so
[34:26] will we be applying? Will we be
contacting our local MLA Mr. Grewal, and
[34:34] to also seek some money. I know
there's not much money. We hear that all
[34:39] the time,
particularly in some areas that someone
[34:42] is working in. No money for anything,
apparently. But, nonetheless, if we
[34:46] don't try,
you don't know. So, there are my
[34:48] questions, and I thank you for a great
report again. It's always great to have
[34:52] good things.
Okay. Did you want to respond to that?
[34:56] » Uh so, through the chair, on your first
question, there is no timeline currently
[35:01] on the grant. We did an expression of
interest. So, it's an open-ended
[35:05] application process. So, I'll just keep
council up-to-date on any proceedings
[35:09] with that.
>> Thank you.
[35:11] » And with respect to provincial funding,
uh we also have a joint meeting with
[35:15] Metro Vancouver staff and provincial
staff at the UBCM uh convention this
[35:21] fall. And we have booked a meeting or
put in a request for a meeting with the
[35:24] minister in that regard, specifically
with funding.
[35:28] » Yes, answers to my questions. So, thank
you very much. No further questions for
[35:31] me. And thank you for the work done on
the turf for all parties involved and
[35:36] all municipalities and Metro Vancouver,
[clears throat]
[35:39] who are doing an amazing number of
things recently
[35:42] that I can sort of say even
>> [clears throat]
[35:45] » my council thought my feet.
>> [laughter]
[35:51] » Okay.
Go ahead, please.
[35:53] » Yeah, this
Yeah, thank you for the report. This is
[35:56] great and great to see the progress
you're making. I had one question, and
[35:59] that's on the um so, the correlation
system, if I remember correctly, and and
[36:04] I might not, um
what was the role of Fraser Health in
[36:09] this?
[36:13] » Um for the chair, I'm going to relay the
question to Stuart Novak to provide some
[36:18] more details on that.
>> I I recalled something.
[36:20] » Mr. Chair, uh they are actually approved
the permitting for that project. So,
[36:26] they reviewed the plans and they
approved the project. And as a matter of
[36:30] fact, uh we'll be having an on-site
meeting with them uh within the next
[36:34] month.
>> Yep.
[36:38] » Thank you.
>> Good. Can I have a follow-up on that uh
[36:42] chlorination just quick quick quick
quick quick? I just happened to see the
[36:47] Drake company working up there and I was
struck by the complexity. I thought this
[36:54] was a fairly simple kind of system that
we would put in a shack and you know,
[36:59] we'd have something but there is a lot
of complex work, you know, concrete
[37:04] platforms laid, uh proof quake, you
know, the right storage capacity and uh
[37:11] they seem to be doing very good work uh
from what I can see up there. So, again,
[37:16] kudos. I I was a bit, you know,
reticent, I would say, on this at one
[37:21] point because I was a bit concerned that
it really wouldn't get us to where we
[37:26] need to be on the FUS on on the fuse
thing and but I I believe that this will
[37:32] certainly stand to making a secure water
as we go into that tank. And what will
[37:39] we be holding the capacity at? 95%?
Would that be or we're going up to
[37:44] through the chair?
>> And through the chair, yes, it it there
[37:46] will need to be some sort of circulation
because we still have the altitude valve
[37:50] which will have to be adjusted but it
will it will be staying topped up
[37:56] uh permanently at approximately 95%.
>> And sorry, is there is there an
[38:00] agitation to keep it to keep that
chlorine moving or is it just depending
[38:05] on the pumping of the water?
>> Uh
[38:07] and through the chair, um just to
actually give council an update on where
[38:11] we are on that project. Of course, we've
completed the trenching and laying the
[38:16] conduit. Uh
we've uh completed the
[38:20] pouring the concrete, making the
foundation. We've installed the kiosk
[38:24] and we're currently doing the wiring
right now.
[38:28] Um and speak to your question, uh
tomorrow I believe, tomorrow or sometime
[38:33] this week, we will be entering into the
reservoir and uh or
[38:39] uh from the top and laying down the um
the actual mixer, uh which will be
[38:47] continually going to keep that water
circulating.
[38:51] » Which is
>> That's correct.
[38:52] » Thank you for the update.
[38:56] » Thank you.
>> That's great update. Thank you.
[38:59] » Good. So, any any other questions?
When you say entering into the tank,
[39:06] » Um to clarify, they won't be won't be
actually inside the [clears throat] tank
[39:10] or entering into the tank. They will be
on top of the tank and they will be
[39:14] literally dropping
uh a tripod-like structure, which has
[39:19] the mixture mixer uh in the
uh you know, in the center of it.
[39:24] » Yeah. Good. Good. That makes sense.
Thank you for your reporting.
[39:27] » Sure.
>> Okay, any other questions?
[39:30] Seeing none, I'll look to call the
question. All those in favor, say I. And
[39:33] may note that it carries.
And that moves us on to 10.4, 2027
[39:38] financial planning schedule. And I'm
going to ask Melanie to speak about it.
[39:43] Please.
>> All right. The staff report brings
[39:46] forward information on the 2027
financial planning process and
[39:49] recommends that the 2027 to 2031
financial plan budget schedule be
[39:54] approved.
The schedule has been structured to
[39:58] leverage the knowledge and experience of
the existing council to establish the
[40:01] draft budget and to carry out public
consultation prior to the election.
[40:07] We are fortunate to be in a stable and
favorable financial position with plans
[40:11] to fund our operational capital
operations, as well as was replacements.
[40:17] As such, the recommendation is to stay
the course and to build on the success
[40:21] we created together.
Following the election, any new council
[40:25] members will get to vote on the budget
and they'll also have an opportunity to
[40:28] complete their orientation
and get exposed to and familiar with the
[40:33] village budget and financial position
before next year's budget process.
[40:37] They'll also have an opportunity to
provide their input on priorities and
[40:40] expenditures for the development of a
new four-year strategic plan just after
[40:44] the election.
And with that, I'll turn it back to the
[40:47] chair.
>> Okay. Thanks very much.
[40:50] We have a motion here that for 2027
financial planning process and 2027
[40:57] to 2031 financial plan/budget
schedule be approved and I'll look for
[41:03] » So moved.
>> Councilor Clark.
[41:05] » Thank you. Second.
>> Thank you, too.
[41:07] » Second.
>> Okay. Good. It's on the floor for
[41:12] discussion. Do you have a question?
>> Yeah, no, it's more like a comment, but
[41:16] but um I guess
the CEO answered my question before I
[41:20] got to it. And issue is that Yeah, I was
I was just a bit concerned here um
[41:25] because there's an election this year
and will the new council that sits in
[41:29] will have an opportunity to give their
say and make any amendments to the
[41:33] budget. So, from what I heard
from our CEO right now, from her
[41:36] comments introducing um this item, it it
they will have because, you know, it's
[41:41] just have to
hand hand it in in May, right? So, um so
[41:46] they'll have quite a few months. So, I'm
okay with that.
[41:50] » Great. Good.
Any other um comments on that?
[41:55] » Nope.
>> Okay. Seeing none, I'll look to call the
[41:58] question. All those in favor, say I and
I note none of the chairs.
[42:03] And we're now on 10.5, Brown Land Sign
at this point.
[42:09] » Um I'll just ask the corporate officer
for
[42:13] to be counselor Wilder.
Counselor Wilder, if you'd like to
[42:16] excuse yourself in the discussion of
this item.
[42:18] » Yes, I would. If conflict of interest
really, do I need to leave the room or
[42:22] do I sit here and listen?
>> You need to leave the room.
[42:25] » Yeah, bye-bye.
>> Bye.
[42:27] » So, we'll call you back after
>> Well, we won't miss you. We'll miss you,
[42:31] but we don't want to miss you. And we'll
come and get you.
[42:33] I mean, I mean, I ask you this straight
to the CAO or the CEO.
[42:38] There's There are those of us who
believe this. This whole conflict of
[42:41] interest thing can become very
convoluted, as you know, I'm sure. I'm
[42:45] not unfamiliar. But, as members of
crowd, which we probably all are,
[42:50] um you know, we will be voting on an
organization that we are members of as
[42:55] well. We're okay to vote, or you don't
You're not in the corporate sector. You
[42:58] don't see any
conflict in a matter that would make us
[43:02] all have to leave the room for just to
you?
[43:04] » I think
>> But, it's up to the lower of the report.
[43:07] I didn't think about that at that ahead
of time, but I think because Lisa's more
[43:10] is closer to it, each counselor it's up
to each counselor to decide whether or
[43:15] not they're in conflict. It isn't up to
We can recommend that you leave, but it
[43:20] is up to the mayor. Is it It is up to
you. If you feel you're going to be in
[43:24] conflict, you can excuse yourself from
it. But, if everyone here leaves, that
[43:28] that uh
>> Nobody in the immediate
[43:30] » Makes it challenging.
>> It was That's right.
[43:33] » It was [laughter]
>> Lisa says, "Let's go."
[43:35] » No, I I can't I don't feel myself. Thank
you very much. I don't feel I'm in any
[43:38] conflict. I'm quite comfortable coming
to the situation. Thank you.
[43:41] I'll let the others speak for
themselves.
[43:43] » Counselor Rushton,
no, I didn't know you were twiddling
[43:46] your pen or letting me speak.
>> No, no.
[43:49] » Okay, that puts us in a good spot. Thank
you. So, I'm going to get Stuart to
[43:54] speak to the item, if you could, please.
>> Yes, thank you, Mayor Ross.
[43:58] Uh this report is brought forward on
behalf of the Community Recreation
[44:03] Association of Bel Air,
commonly known as the crowd Committee.
[44:08] Uh the Crab Committee would like to
replace the existing billboard sign uh
[44:13] which is located on Ben Ewell Bay Road
at the bus stop just east of Sanctuary
[44:18] Road. Uh they would like to install a
new LED signboard which is more visible
[44:24] and will allow Crab Committee members to
update the sign through Wi-Fi so they
[44:29] won't need to uh climb a ladder and uh
change the signage manually.
[44:35] The Crab Committee will uh pay for the
purchase and installation of the
[44:39] signboard but
uh they're hoping that the municipality
[44:43] will
pay the ongoing hydro costs which are
[44:47] expected to be less than $40 per month.
I know on the report it says 40 to 75
[44:53] but we were playing it very safe because
we didn't have all of the information.
[44:58] Well, we still haven't confirmed the
price but um what they have confirmed is
[45:04] that we won't need a meter for that. Uh
so it's expected to be uh similar to our
[45:09] street lights which is $38 a month or
even cheaper.
[45:14] Uh anyways, uh the sign is a positive
contribution for the village as it is
[45:19] used to share the community information
and announcements
[45:23] and uh pending council's consideration
and approval, staff work with the Crab
[45:28] Committee members to support the
permitting and installation of the
[45:33] signage. Back to the chair, please.
>> Thank you very much for that report,
[45:36] sir. And the motion is that the
installation of the new LED sign to
[45:41] replace the existing Crab sign be
approved and that the village assume
[45:46] monthly hydro costs for the sign. We
need a mover and a seconder, please.
[45:51] » Second.
>> Okay. Councillor Park, Councillor
[45:54] Woodhouse.
>> No.
[45:56] » Okay, it's on the floor now.
>> Um if I may, yeah.
[45:59] » Yeah, go ahead, please.
>> So fancy. Oh, yay. You gave what you're
[46:03] doing from your from your phone. I have
to say I do like the letters, but I I
[46:07] can understand why they want to make
this easier on themselves. Um yeah, I'm
[46:12] more than happy to vote this
recommendation more than how happy to
[46:16] vote in favor of.
Um and I I do appreciate staff um um
[46:22] citing on their report about um you
know, signs that distract drivers and
[46:27] impact dark sky objectives. I think it
would be my
[46:33] um
uh objectives and also the distraction
[46:37] when you're coming in. So uh and as long
as not shining on any of those buddies'
[46:41] window cuz I know people would get
pretty upset about that. Then um then
[46:44] yeah, I'm excited for Crab and
I'll miss the old sign. You could just
[46:49] leave it there. I just like
Yeah.
[46:55] » [laughter]
>> Um so yeah, it's uh yeah, it's not good
[46:59] for you guys.
>> Go ahead. Thank you. Thank you.
[47:01] » I just want to say that
>> I I like this just because I think it's
[47:04] a lower liability risk.
>> Yeah, stepping on ladders in
[47:08] » [clears throat]
>> in inclement weather trying to change
[47:10] out letters on a sign. And so and and I
think this is good. I think a lot of
[47:13] people do reference that sign on the way
in for a variety of reasons.
[47:18] So I like it. I think it's good.
>> Yeah, go ahead.
[47:22] » Yeah,
I I I I like the idea for all those
[47:25] reasons. I'm just thinking now that you
know, it's a the idea of of course neon
[47:30] is gone. Nobody uses neon
[clears throat] anymore. So
[47:33] I'm happy to see that. There there was a
neon sign at my garden gate when I first
[47:38] moved here, right? So I can attest to
that. I spoke about going to LED, but I
[47:43] like the character of the village, you
know, we talk about the rural character
[47:47] and everything. I just feel a little bit
concerned that our the character of this
[47:50] village that you know, with with this
modernization into LED technology,
[47:56] cheaper as it is, more efficient than
anything, but more costly when anything
[48:00] goes wrong. But the the current
generator that we have is covered here.
[48:03] It's a
It would be nice to see
[48:06] picture of what it might look like. You
know, like just to to get an idea
[48:11] because there'd be nothing worse than to
turn around and put it in there and
[48:15] somebody say, "Well,
this doesn't fit right." Like I'm home
[48:20] running.
>> Somebody will say that.
[48:22] » Yeah.
>> And it will be me, okay?
[48:25] » That is definitely you.
>> Yes.
[48:26] » [laughter]
>> Now that you've heard my comment, so but
[48:30] I do support the motion.
>> And I I would support this motion for a
[48:34] couple of reasons and I think some of
you have touched upon it. It's very
[48:38] important to have
>> [clears throat]
[48:40] » structures that are safe for people that
are doing it and in many cases
[48:45] volunteering. So I think as a
municipality and working with Stewart
[48:50] and stuff, it's important to make sure
we keep people safe and over the years
[48:55] I've seen some wonderful
ones, but I've also seen like in the
[48:59] winter people struggling to get things
up and I've always worried about it and
[49:04] I think actually it's the outcome that
will really help all all of us.
[49:09] Okay. So we're good with that. I'll look
to um
[49:15] I'll look to call the question. All
those in favor say I and then we'll
[49:19] vote. It carries.
And number 11, bylaws, number 12,
[49:25] release of items from closed council
meetings
[49:28] and mayor and council reports.
Um
[49:32] Oh, I'll go to poll for
>> Chief Ghazi.
[49:36] » Yeah. Ghazi.
[49:39] You want to make sure he
treats people.
[49:42] » The meeting
>> 11:00 London.
[50:02] » So, um in terms of the mayor and council
reports, I have one item to uh
[50:08] uh talk about on Friday, July 24th, I
went to the Metro Vancouver
[50:13] board meeting and
very interesting now because you do the
[50:19] from home next one.
Say that uh
[50:29] » You're doing from Zoom?
>> Yeah. Yeah, Zoom. Yeah.
[50:32] » The board meetings?
>> Yes, yeah.
[50:34] » Is that going forward a thing or
>> it's going forward right now.
[50:37] » Oh.
>> Yeah.
[50:41] Okay, does anybody else have Okay, I'll
do Janet and then Lisa.
[50:46] » Yeah, just wanted a quick update. So,
July 14th, I attended the UBCM small
[50:50] community meeting.
Um and basically the gist of it the the
[50:55] overall discussion was really around
preparation for UBCM
[50:59] » [clears throat]
>> and, you know, what are the resolutions
[51:01] that were top priority and, you know, is
there an opportunity for the small
[51:05] community members to connect there in in
a a less formal way because, you know,
[51:11] there's always I mean, you always meet
people at the meeting in the different
[51:15] sessions or whatnot. So, they were they
were working on that. But anyway, it was
[51:19] interesting and it's always, you know,
we do have a lot of commonality with
[51:22] these small communities in terms of
their issues, so it's always interesting
[51:26] to listen in on that one.
That's it for me.
[51:28] » Good. Thank you for doing that. And
>> And the other thing I wanted to uh just
[51:33] comment on was just a reminder
to the residents to if they if you've
[51:38] not already done so, to complete the
Admiralty Heights subarea survey
[51:43] um
on or before the July 31st, which is
[51:47] Friday deadline.
Um, I know that there was a notice
[51:51] in addition to putting it on the
the Crab sign.
[51:55] Um, it was also posted on Facebook
together um, the Facebook Bel Car
[52:01] Together site as well as Crab sent a an
email out to all the residents that like
[52:06] it's email. So, just a reminder if you
haven't already done it, please do so
[52:11] and if you can't get the link,
contact the office or
[52:16] um, just reply to the Crab email and
they'll send you another link.
[52:20] That might be a little bit more helpful.
>> Thank you very much.
[52:22] » That's right.
Very important for the
[52:26] » And anybody else have any items to
share? So, I have got
[52:29] Councilor Worthy, do you have anything
to share at all?
[52:32] » Uh, no, just a reminder.
>> Well, I'm I'm I'm actually jumping ahead
[52:37] of um, because you know, my next meeting
with the Tri-Cities Food Council is
[52:41] coming up on Thursday and I have seen
the agenda, so I I know it's it's almost
[52:46] unusual to report an event before it
even happens, but
[52:50] these are important events and
nonetheless and we won't be back
[52:53] together till September, so
I would just like my fellow councilors
[52:58] to be assured that they will be
represented. I will be attending the
[53:01] meeting on Thursday and [clears throat]
to hold the banner. There are some
[53:06] changes
There are some There are some changes
[53:09] coming in group formations and
a lot of things happening, but hopefully
[53:15] um, hopefully we get this
organization a little bit more out
[53:19] there. The The work is good. It really
is well intended
[53:24] » [clears throat]
>> well intended and when it gets going,
[53:26] it's hugely important. Food security,
we're reading about it more and more all
[53:31] the time and I think this council going
into its next council meeting will have
[53:35] to start to become more active and more
involved in food security. Although we
[53:40] don't have businesses and industries
here, we need to be out there
[53:45] holding our banners up and helping out
on that issue and reminding the
[53:49] residents here of the importance of food
security going forward. And I'll be
[53:53] doing that on Thursday. Thank you.
>> We do have our veggie garden.
[53:57] » Oh, I didn't know that.
>> [laughter]
[53:58] » I knew it was a worm garden, not a
veggie garden.
[54:01] » There's a new gardens.
>> Yeah. Um I I I just have
[54:04] » Thank you, Councillor O'Leary.
>> Yeah. I just have a reminder. So, um so,
[54:07] our next council meeting won't be until
the end of towards the end of September.
[54:11] But before that, there will be a
uh Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department
[54:15] Board of Trustees regular meeting. So,
uh watch for that. That will be on For
[54:20] now, it's scheduled for September 10th.
Um that's a Thursday.
[54:25] Um and hopefully then we'll have a
design in hands. I also wanted to uh let
[54:29] the community know I do have some
concerns about because uh
[54:32] the land that the halls are being built
in
[54:35] on the Belcarra side, it's not owned by
the village. So, I I I will bring that
[54:40] on next Trustees meeting, but I have
some concerns about uh what's going on
[54:44] in the province and federal level as far
as um
[54:48] um
municipal and and federal lands go are
[54:52] going uh with the disputes on the court.
So, I'll be bringing that up
[54:57] um on the next Trustees meeting
um to Metro Vancouver staff just to get
[55:02] some clarity on that before we put a lot
of money into a piece of land that we do
[55:07] not own.
So, I just wanted to put that out there.
[55:12] » Okay.
>> That's all.
[55:13] » Thank you.
Any Anyone else want to comment? Okay.
[55:16] If not, turn the page, and tell me,
please.
[55:21] » All right. For operational updates
coming from our fine public works team,
[55:26] they've been continuing with lawn mowing
and trail maintenance throughout the
[55:29] village.
Uh also maintenance at Midden Station.
[55:33] At Tatlow, they're supporting the
chlorine system installation work, which
[55:37] you heard earlier.
At the Dutchman reservoir maintenance
[55:41] and vegetation removal.
More vegetation removal at the fire
[55:45] hall.
Also water valve exercising and water
[55:48] sampling and some flushing of the dead
ends in the water system.
[55:52] Uh a few catch basin clean outs and up
at the yard doing truck and small
[55:58] equipment maintenance and also repairing
uh repair of the garage door
[56:03] was completed as well.
Administrative updates, uh we have a
[56:08] election web page now up and running for
2026 if you haven't seen it already.
[56:13] That's on the village website. Uh we all
information about the upcoming
[56:17] [clears throat] election will be posted
there.
[56:19] Any questions from uh residents or
counselors alike can be sent to
[56:23] elections@belcarra.ca.
[56:27] Uh we also have a candidate information
session. So, we will be hosting virtual
[56:32] candidate information session on
Wednesday, August 12th at 7:00 p.m. And
[56:36] that's with the village's chief election
officer, Lisa Zorn.
[56:40] This is a great opportunity to find out
about becoming a candidate, learn about
[56:44] the role of being a council member, and
to ask questions.
[56:48] We do have information about that posted
on the Village of Belcarra website
[56:52] election web page as well.
And lastly, just a reminder that stage
[56:57] two water restrictions uh went into
effect on July 16th. Uh and those are
[57:03] remaining in effect until further
notice.
[57:07] I'm finished. Okay.
>> Any Any questions for Melina?
[57:12] » Just have a question and it's a bit I
don't know if staff can help me out on
[57:15] this but I do get some questions
sometimes from residents about um
[57:20] » [clears throat]
>> why are the lids on the ward that the
[57:23] the lid for the green waste bin, why are
some of them locked and some are not?
[57:29] Like I I residents asking me,
"Can we just unlock them all so when one
[57:34] side is full the person can go and throw
it on the other side and I'm talking
[57:38] about the bigger lid. Uh because they're
all bear proof, right? So um so I just
[57:43] wanted to understand
why some of them are locked sometimes.
[57:47] » Who is the chair of this?
>> I can confirm our manager of municipal
[57:49] services.
>> Thank you and thank you Kelly.
[57:52] » And as a reminder
uh the one side there's the two sides of
[57:56] the one side of the bin has the 4-ft
hatches and it has the two 2-ft x 2-ft
[58:02] hatches that are have the bear proof
lids in them which are accessible all
[58:06] the time.
>> Okay.
[58:07] » On the uh the opposite side that only
has the 4-ft x 4-ft lids and yes they
[58:14] are they have a mechanism that's
supposed to be bear proof. However um it
[58:19] has caused problems and the bears have
been able to get in and people have been
[58:24] you know uh not closing them all the
time. So we had to control it a little
[58:29] bit more um
just because the problems that is
[58:33] attracting the bears. So we try to
monitor it.
[58:36] » Yes.
>> When the one uh hatch becomes full then
[58:40] we'll move up to the other and the
other. So
[58:43] um that's what we're trying to do. In
the meantime we are actually
[58:48] uh going to be installing
uh smaller 2-ft x 2-ft hatches in those
[58:55] lids on the other side as well. So those
will always be open on that side when
[58:59] those lids are installed.
>> Okay. I think the concern would be not
[59:02] so much for green waste from the kitchen
it would be green waste from the yard.
[59:06] That's why people were wondering why the
bigger lids aren't open so you can
[59:11] uh so yeah so in other words it's to
keep the bear safer because the system
[59:15] right now they were getting in.
>> That's true.
[59:18] » So you just have the one lid.
Okay.
[59:21] » So
thanks for your question. So when you
[59:25] approach it there's a right side and a
left side, right? And on the right side
[59:30] are the larger ones.
>> Yes, that's correct.
[59:33] » And what what's being done uh the
bear-proofing around that?
[59:37] » Um so uh right now as as as the council
has said that you're locking three and
[59:43] keeping one open. When that uh when that
gets full or close to full, then we'll
[59:48] lock that and we'll near the
>> In the meantime,
[59:51] similar to the opposite side, and we
will be installing smaller bear-proof
[59:55] hatches
>> uh on the right-hand side as well.
[59:58] » Yeah. Okay. [snorts]
So, yeah, not an immediate task with the
[1:00:02] bears around.
I was only advised some of the people in
[1:00:06] the community that are concerned about
what's happening, right?
[1:00:09] » Yeah, I would I would say that, you
know, if we're installing the the
[1:00:13] smaller lids, I just worry people will
start leaving like, you know how it
[1:00:17] happens with the garbage bin. The
garbage bin's full, people leave it
[1:00:21] outside uh of the garbage bin. So, I
don't want to see the same thing happen.
[1:00:24] And I I would prefer to see at some
point a mechanism that allows you to
[1:00:29] keep the bigger doors all the bigger
doors open without locking. Uh but also
[1:00:35] uh a mechanism that works that the bears
won't get in.
[1:00:39] So, I guess that would be a long-term
vision on that. I think it's it's not
[1:00:43] limiting residents to just one big bin
open so we can put the green waste, but
[1:00:48] also make it more bear-proof
if they're getting into the big lids.
[1:00:53] That's what I would say.
>> And if I may to the chair, just one last
[1:00:57] comment on that.
Just just a reminder that we do have our
[1:01:02] April um tree chipping event.
>> Yeah.
[1:01:05] » Um
we
[1:01:07] There's opportunity for us to to move
twice a year if council wish. I mean,
[1:01:12] that's
it's you know, there's certain costs
[1:01:15] attached to that. However, our primary
objective is to make sure that we always
[1:01:20] have room for the household, kitchen, uh
waste. Yeah.
[1:01:24] » Yeah, and I I totally understand that
and I appreciate that. I guess that the
[1:01:28] idea is the main our main concern is the
is the kitchen waste. Um
[1:01:32] but you know, but I do like when people
use as well. Although you can always go
[1:01:35] to to the dump equal and which I do have
to go often [laughter]
[1:01:39] to get rid of things. Um but um
but you know, at the end of the day it's
[1:01:44] the easiest that we can make for people
to clear
[1:01:47] things and to make their properties more
fire safe because when it comes to
[1:01:51] fires, more clearing bushes and trimming
things and making sure they're thrown
[1:01:56] um in the proper disposal versus just in
the forest. So, I would argue that if we
[1:02:00] need to uh look at a
longer term um
[1:02:05] um
uh solution for that would be make those
[1:02:09] those bears a bit more um make those
lids a bit more bear-proof so they can
[1:02:13] stay open so people can throw more. And
if that means that we're going to be
[1:02:16] dumping it a little bit sooner a few
days sooner than we do in order to keep
[1:02:21] those brushes off the the forest and
people's property. I I I do think that's
[1:02:25] worth it. And adding another day because
before when we came to council in 2018,
[1:02:30] there was 2 days a year. We should go
back to that if not more. And if we do
[1:02:34] have a a a machine now that trims,
that's another reason um to do that.
[1:02:41] I was sorry, Stuart. We're we're But um
but yeah, I think everything we can do
[1:02:45] um
to maintain this more fire safe our
[1:02:49] properties and all I think is really
worth it even if that means putting a
[1:02:53] little bit more money in it. I really
think it's worth it. Thank you.
[1:02:58] » Okay. Thanks so much. All right. So,
some of that stuff may happen just more
[1:03:03] long term, correct?
Okay. In in terms of the vision about uh
[1:03:09] not that we're there now, but twice a
year and the 2018 reference and some
[1:03:15] pieces around Like I I think some when I
go up there, it looks like things are
[1:03:20] getting better. They're not Sometimes
I'm
[1:03:24] not sure why something's happened, but I
just figure
[1:03:28] I get it in and if it's not good, go
home.
[1:03:32] So, but so anyway, thank you for your
questions and thank you for your work on
[1:03:36] this too. Easy work. And um
Everybody good with that? And we are at
[1:03:44] public question period.
[1:03:49] » Yay!
>> Hey, can you read that?
[1:03:51] » Good.
>> Read out my protocol.
[1:03:54] » Oh, yes.
>> Yep.
[1:03:56] » Thank you.
>> [laughter]
[1:03:58] » You're welcome.
[1:04:01] » The protocol for the [clears throat]
public question period is outlined in
[1:04:03] the 20 minutes allocated for this
session and it will end at 11:00 p.m.
[1:04:08] unless extended by council.
Question period provides an opportunity
[1:04:12] for residents to ask questions in a
formal quick setting that are not a
[1:04:15] council back and forth conversation
between residents, council, and or
[1:04:19] staff. Submissions must be in the form
of the question and each question should
[1:04:23] must be directed to the chair.
The chair can ask staff to respond and
[1:04:27] staff responses will be provided to the
chair. There is a time limit of 2
[1:04:31] minutes per turn. Each requestor may ask
one question addressed to the chair. A
[1:04:36] second turn to submit a follow-up or new
question is permitted if no one else is
[1:04:40] waiting to participate. Council may
defer responding to a question to obtain
[1:04:45] any information required to provide a
complete and accurate response.
[1:04:53] » That.
>> I'm 14.
[1:04:56] » Ian Melbourne, 3552 Main Avenue. My
question is on behalf of my little
[1:05:03] nursing bat colony
and also the owls that are present in
[1:05:10] the forest behind my property.
They we heard two times where the dark
[1:05:18] sky
policy is being referenced, you know.
[1:05:23] And
currently that's policy that's impacting
[1:05:28] quite significantly
on
[1:05:32] the owls and the bat colony.
And
[1:05:37] I'm just [clears throat] wondering
what's the procedure?
[1:05:42] Cuz I don't know everybody's aware
that there is a dark sky policy that uh
[1:05:50] the village is pursuing.
And so how is this being implemented? I
[1:05:57] mean you
you're not your staff are not around at
[1:06:02] night to see
what's being done within the village cuz
[1:06:08] I assume they're not.
So you're probably relying on
[1:06:14] somebody telling on their neighbor or
something. I don't know what
[1:06:18] what's how is this being implemented?
[1:06:23] » What I uh
I have a call.
[1:06:25] » Ed must want to speak first. I don't
know. Wait, Google I'll speak second.
[1:06:29] » All right. To the
chair.
[1:06:32] Um a couple of the ways the policy's
being implemented is how you see tonight
[1:06:36] which is that we take it into account in
our decision making and in our planning
[1:06:40] of our capital projects moving forward.
Uh with respect to individual
[1:06:46] complaints I would suggest we connect
after the council meeting.
[1:06:50] And if there's concerns with that that
you bring those to staff's attention and
[1:06:54] we'll have this opportunity to follow up
on that.
[1:06:57] » Okay.
>> Okay. Yeah. And I I I have the same
[1:07:01] piece that you know, if it's happening
at night staff aren't seeing it but they
[1:07:06] could be you know, communicating and
saying here's a peaceful tone there and
[1:07:11] I'm sure that we could make some form of
that.
[1:07:15] » Can I ask a question on that?
>> Yeah, go ahead.
[1:07:17] » What is it that's happening?
Like I'm not sure what it is. You know,
[1:07:22] I appreciate dark sky and but but what
actually is happening that we're seeing
[1:07:26] that we're concerned about?
>> Floodlights.
[1:07:29] » Floodlights?
From from a property?
[1:07:31] » Mhm.
>> Oh, okay. I guess the LEDs are getting
[1:07:35] brighter and brighter. Yes.
>> The light pollution is getting worse and
[1:07:39] worse.
>> So floodlights that are on constantly,
[1:07:41] is that what you're seeing in there?
>> Yes.
[1:07:42] » Okay.
Okay. Thank you.
[1:07:44] » Timers are a wonderful thing. Just
remind
[1:07:47] » I mean
>> I [laughter] have everything on timers
[1:07:49] on my property.
>> that when you walk through they come on
[1:07:51] because it's dark.
>> Yeah, yeah.
[1:07:53] » Yeah, yeah. The motion lights, yeah.
>> But yeah, that's okay. Good, thank you.
[1:07:59] » Um yeah, just want to make a follow-up
comment similar to our other bylaws and
[1:08:02] policies in the village. Uh we use do
take a compliance-based approach. So our
[1:08:06] first approach in that case is to reach
out to homeowners and see if we can't
[1:08:10] get compliance and just make them aware
of of what we have in place.
[1:08:16] » I think it's doable. It's a new neighbor
that doesn't isn't aware, I think. But
[1:08:22] that's what I was trying to figure out.
>> There you go.
[1:08:24] » Awesome. Thanks for bringing it forward.
>> You know, like welcome to the
[1:08:27] neighborhood. By the way, I want to
turn off your lights.
[1:08:32] Good welcome.
>> [laughter]
[1:08:34] » Okay. So
Do you have a second question?
[1:08:38] » No, thank you very much.
>> Okay. Thank you very much. Okay, so we
[1:08:43] are at that time. Uh the motion is that
the July 27th, 2026 regular council
[1:08:50] meeting be adjourned and counselor
Flounder. Thank you and counselor
[1:08:55] » Murphy Dean.
>> Thank you.
[1:08:59] And I would like to call the question.
All those in favor? Aye. Motion carries.
[1:09:04] And the meeting adjourned at 8:10.
[1:09:08] Thank you, everyone.
>> Second.
[1:09:18] » So, you backed it, Skip?
>> Yeah.
[1:09:20] » What was the motion?