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start by respectfully acknowledging, um, the land 
on which we're gathered is the unseated territory  

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of the Komox First Nation, the traditional keepers 
of this land. Um, we do have a proclamation today.  

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Um, and I'll just start by uh stating that I'm 
very pleased to proclaim August 5th, 2026 as RCMP  

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Musical Ride Day in the city of Courtney. The RCMP 
musical ride is one of Canada's most recognized  

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traditions, showcasing the skill, precision, 
and professionalism of RCMP riders and horses.  

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For more than 150 years, the Musical Ride has 
brought communities together while representing  

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the values of service, integrity, and excellence. 
We're honored to welcome the Musical Ride to our  

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community and recognize the important contribution 
of RCMP members who serve Canadians every single  

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day. I encourage residents and visitors alike to 
take part in the special event which is one week  

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from today uh next Wednesday, uh at the exhibition 
grounds. So uh and you can get tickets online  

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for that. Um uh next uh we're going to make a 
presentation. Um we uh had been given a um uh  

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token of appreciation from the Alurnie uh Clayquat 
Regional District in recognition of the support  

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provided by um Averly Howie, Kirk McDonald, and 
the city of Courtney and uh during the Mount  

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Underwood wildfire that was in August of 2025. And 
I think this is really again one of those great  

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uh inspiring moments when communities are really 
supporting each other in their times of need. And  

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so with that um uh we'll do a photo with Avery. So 
where would we like to stand for this said photo?

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That sounds fantastic. We 
have a round of applause. Yes.

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Oh, great. We ain't block.

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right, thanks everybody uh for uh for 
that part of it and um we are going to do  

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uh some late items. Uh so first I have 3.1 
delegation request councelor Cole Hamilton.  

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Yeah, thanks mayor. I'd like to uh ask that 
we allow Komox uh center queer center Komox  

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Valley to um speak today as a late request for 
delegation or ask council to endorse that. Okay,  

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it's been first and seconded. 
Any comments? Seeing none,  

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all those in favor? Any opposed? And 
motion carries. So that'll come back under  

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uh uh 7.3 I believe. Oh. Oh, the correspondence 
is 7.3. Yeah. So, 3.1. Perfect. Um, and

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yeah, late motion item. Okay. And so, do we 
want to do first do the delegation? We should  

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add it to the agenda if you're going to add it 
to the agenda. Okay. So um this one's already

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Sure. So we have 3.2 the late notice a motion for  

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Komox First Nation Treaty of 
Support from Councelor Helian.

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Thanks Mayor. I'll move that item 3.2 be added to 
the agenda. Right. It's been moved and seconded.  

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Any questions or comments? Seeing none. All those 
in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Excellent.

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And

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um and that's going to come back. So I think 
at this point we'll do our adoption of regular  

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minutes. All right. Excellent. Any errors or 
omissions? Seeing none, we'll accept those  

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unanimously by council. All right. I feel like 
I'm getting into a rhythm here now. Okay. Uh  

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and we'll move into delegations. So our first uh 
delegation is uh uh Daria uh Kavalotski. Pretty  

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close. Hi. Oh, you could just call me Dasha. Thank 
you. Dasha. Perfect. Uh the floor is yours. Thank  

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you so much for um adding me to your agenda 
today. Um I had a little bit of communication  

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with the city. Um, so I'm just bringing up the 
concern that I have around Tintown and parking  

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and not specifically general parking, which I 
know is an issue there anyways, but specifically  

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accessibility parking. Um, I drove around and I 
think for businesses it's have over a 100 parking  

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spots and only one of them is accessible at the 
medical clinic. There are about maybe 35 street  

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parking spots and none of them are accessible and 
um very often I see the same vehicles so they're  

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probably like employees parking on the street 
parking. There is a roundabout that I think has  

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been causing some um issues because the roundabout 
um you're not supposed to park there, but of  

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course there's a big dance school and there's lots 
of clients going to the medical clinic. So often  

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that spot is still filled with cars and and um and 
people get parking tickets. And my specific issue  

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why it came up for me is because I can't walk very 
far, but I also have a neurody divergent child  

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that I can't just drop off at another part of 
Tintown and let her go to our dance studio. And um  

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and literally there's and and the one accessible 
parking spot at the medical clinic is obviously  

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for their clients. So for a big um very busy 
section almost like I would say like it's a mix I  

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think commercial. There's like a yoga studio, some 
businesses, a cafe. Um it seems like there weren't  

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enough accessible parking spots. So when I reached 
out um I don't recall, I think it's in my emails  

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um about whether the area meets accessibility 
requirements. Um, I was told that it was it  

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did [clears throat] meet the requirements, 
but I I kind of feel like is it was it  

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because it was grandfathered in maybe for the old 
businesses? It just seems like very inaccessible.

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So, I wasn't sure what you guys can 
think about it do, but I was kind of  

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hoping like I noticed the city of Cumberland 
um they utilize street parking and provide  

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lots of accessible spots um around their 
busy areas. So, I was hoping that maybe  

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um the council can consider making a few 
of those street parking spots accessible.

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Uh, excellent. Thanks very much. And um and I 
I should have given a little bit of a preamble  

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that normally we don't make uh decisions on the 
day of a delegation. We sort of listen and then  

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uh it comes back to us to uh give us time to have 
some uh uh thought into it and and possibly even  

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a a staff report. Uh but that being said, if if 
you're uh done speaking, uh I'll pass it over  

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to Councelor Hill. And there are counselors that 
have questions, so I'll pass it over to Councelor  

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Helen. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. Thanks, Dasha, for 
bringing this concern forward. Um, coincidentally,  

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we've just had correspondence from five of the 
businesses that provide services in Tintown uh  

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raising concerns about the adequacy of the parking 
there. And uh I don't know if we've had the  

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opportunity to respond yet, but um um I think it 
is something that uh we can query our staff about  

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and um hopefully come up with some plans. I I I 
think in general that uh Tintown has uh um become  

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a victim of its own success. Um you know, for 
years um it didn't have that problem and now it  

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does because there's so much happening there and 
uh it's a bit of a good news story in some ways,  

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but I appreciate the challenge you're having 
and hopefully uh we can look into it. Thanks.  

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Thank you. Thanks, Councelor Helen for that and 
councelor Cole Hamilton. Yeah, thanks very much  

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and thanks for bringing this to our attention. One 
out of 100 seems like a remarkable low ratio and  

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I can absolutely understand. I can picture what 
you're talking about the difficulty of not being  

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able to drop a child who can't be left alone. So, 
um we don't usually make motions on the evening,  

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but I I certainly heard councelor Hillian say and 
certainly I'm taking on board this is something  

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we want to ask our staff about. There must be 
ways of improving access. and I just appreciate  

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you coming directly to us and making this 
this incredibly clear request and we'll  

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uh we'll deal with this uh at our next meeting. 
So anyway, thanks again. Yeah, thanks so much,  

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Dasha. And just so you know, uh myself and I 
believe other counselors have actually walked  

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that specific area. Uh I I've actually walked all 
the Tintown, but there's definitely those those  

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businesses uh by by the dance studio, etc. I know 
um other counselors have also gone down there,  

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so we can actually see it for ourselves. So, 
um it is uh uh uh uh top of mind, so to speak,  

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just so you know, and we'll be looking forward to 
getting um some information back from staff. Thank  

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you. Uh and with that, uh you can stay watching 
uh on the live stream if you would like and we'll  

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move on to um our second uh delegation, which is 
the Indigenous Women's Sharing Society request  

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for funding. And it says that Kim's going 
to be chatting with us. And there's Kim.

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Hello. Thank you very much. Thank you so 
much for the opportunity to present today,  

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Mayor Wells and Council members. My name is 
Kim Hall and I am representing the Indigenous  

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Women Sharing Society and the Comox Valley 
Substance Use Strategy Coalition today.  

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Um, I hope you've all had a chance to at least 
do a quick view of the Komox Valley substance  

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use strategy report we submitted for this 
delegation. Today, I'll just hit the highlights  

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of our achievements, the key outcomes, and our 
priorities for 26 and 207. Next slide, please.  

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So we um respectfully acknowledge that the work 
of the substance use collaborative occurs on  

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the traditional territory of the Pentlatch, 
Eekan, Satzilla and and Salt Luth people,  

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now collectively known as the Komox First 
Nation. All those involved in this work  

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acknowledge the truth about ongoing harms caused 
by colonization to the health and wellness of  

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First Nation, Matei and Inuit people and commit 
to continuing the journey towards reconciliation.  

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00:12:21,586 --> 00:12:28,546
Next slide. So we'd like to thank the peers 
who collaboratively lead this work and as Dr.  

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Charmaine Ends shared, the Komox Valley Community 
Substance Use Strategy has been instrumental in  

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bringing together community partners to discuss 
and act upon 21 recommendations from both the  

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walking together report, walk with me, and 
the substance use strategy. This work has  

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been and will be invaluable in providing the 
community with a solid foundation to move  

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forward with actions from the recommendations. 
Next slide. The Indigenous Women Sharing Society  

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continues to lead the collaboration of 
uh the coordination of the collaborate  

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collaborative. Next slide. Since assuming 
the role as the lead organization in 2024,  

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IWSS has embedded an indigenous and decolonizing 
lens across all initiatives, fostering inclusive,  

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equitable decision-making and expanding regional 
partnerships. The collaborative balances immediate  

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lifesaving public health action and long-term 
foundation work to create system change. Despite  

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the limited funding, we have had to date achieved 
significant outcomes. Next slide. And just as a  

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reminder of the process and how everything is laid 
out, in phase three of the strategy development,  

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all of the recommendations from both reports were 
grouped amongst six collaborative tables and then  

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one central coordinating table that supports all 
and ensures tables are implementing anti-stigma,  

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cultural safety and resilience and well-being into 
their work, their planning and in execution of  

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actions. and events. Next slide. And now for the 
highlights. So with table one initiative focuses  

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on business engagement, municipal policy change 
and transportation. The collaborative has bridged  

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the gap between downtown businesses and substance 
use strategies. Syringe disposal containers  

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are now available to businesses via Courtney, 
addressing significant safety concerns. Ongoing  

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dialogue has also led to adjusted pharmacy hours 
to mitigate traffic concerns, demonstrating the  

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power of collaborative problem solving between 
service providers and the business community.  

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The initiative was made possible by the 
collaborative work of the indigenous women sharing  

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society's harm reduction program called unbroken 
chain. Peer-led interventions help coordinate  

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these actions while extensive relationship 
building with downtown Courtney businesses  

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over the past year laid the foundation for this 
work. Table 2 initiative focuses on safer supply.  

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Significant strides were made in drugchecking 
expansion with all services including at the  

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new safe inh inhalation site now offering testing. 
Nasal nlloxxone distribution has uh transitioned  

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from a pilot to a a provincial standard thanks to 
the indigenous women sharing society's advocacy  

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and other service providers who participated in 
a successful um nasal nlloxxone pilot throughout  

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the province. the central coordinating table that 
supports all tables and ensures cultural safety,  

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resiliency and well-being and training for all 
events. Um, a peer advisory council has been  

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established. This peer-led model addresses power 
imbalances and ensures that lived experience is  

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embedded in all decision-making, action delivery, 
and coordination. So now people with lived and  

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living experience support all action tables. 
Their feedback and contributions have resulted  

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in momentum and direct outcomes. At the same 
time, peers are developing leadership skills in  

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organizing advocacy and facilitating meetings. 
And in partnership with the Canadian Alcohol  

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Use Disorder Society, also known as CODs, the 
collaborative hosted several rethinking drinking  

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events across the valley. These events address 
the fact that alcohol remains the most important,  

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the most harmful substance in the region regarding 
mortality rates. We reached over a thousand people  

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at these events alone. The peer advisory 
committee played a pivotal role in sharing  

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information and engaging the community. This work 
was further strengthened by the support of our  

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00:17:11,746 --> 00:17:18,306
member organizations, the First Nation Health 
Authority and the Sesame Society. This year,  

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our membership grew with new members, new 
organizations, and increased participation  

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from our peer advisory committee on all tables. 
We are highlighting new participation from KFN  

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00:17:30,946 --> 00:17:37,186
Health with regular engagement from their harm 
reduction coordinator and regular committed  

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facilitation support from AVI's positive 
wellness worker among others. Next slide.

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So just to recap, the collaborative has 
achieve a achieved the safer safer syringe  

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disposal for businesses, adjusted pharmacy 
hours through collaboration. We've launched  

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00:17:59,186 --> 00:18:04,706
a monthly newsletter for members, created 
a resource guide, planning for community  

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health hub, and growing cross- sector 
membership and leadership. Next slide.

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And now for the 2026 2027 priorities, we're 
f we're establishing a youthled advisory  

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table to guide prevention and early intervention 
initiatives and develop a youth strategy. We're  

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addressing substance use and social isolation 
among the region's growing senior population.  

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We are strengthening indigenous lent advocacy 
for those accessing hospital and healthcare  

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00:18:41,346 --> 00:18:48,706
facilities. We are ensuring culturally safe and 
informed care for all actions and initiatives.  

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Continued and ongoing development of all six 
tables. We're continued to support ongoing  

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uh education and awareness events and the 
implementation and further development of the  

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Orian package training to promote inclusivity, 
equity, and anti-racism action development.  

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00:19:10,066 --> 00:19:16,386
We are we continue to work collaboratively to 
address the evolving toxic drug supply including  

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the emergence of new substances and develop 
coordinated community responses. We continue to  

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work towards a decolonized framework to address 
substance use and action planning. Next slide.

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So to move beyond a reliance on 
inkind and precarious grants,  

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the Komox Valley Substance Use Collaborative 
requires a stable funding model. An estimated  

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$150,000 annually is needed to support 
strategic leadership action table facilitation,  

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peer coordination, and communications. To protect 
current gains and ensure the strategy's long-term  

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impact on community health and resilience, 
the collaborative is seeking a three-year  

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commitment of $30,000 per year starting in 2026 
from the city of Courtney. We are inviting each  

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municipality and the CBRD to join us in a shared 
commitment to this lifesaving regional initiative,  

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ensuring the collaborative has the stable 
funding needed to continue improving health,  

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safety, and quality quality of life for all 
residents of the Comox Valley. Last slide.

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So on behalf of the collaborative, we greatly 
acknowledge the city's continued funding and  

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partnership, which has been instrumental in 
enabling the collaborative to achieve its current  

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milestones. With the city's continued support, it 
will help strengthen our capacity to deliver these  

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life-saving initiatives, develop cross- sector 
partnerships, and advance meaningful systems  

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00:20:55,986 --> 00:21:03,106
um system change across the region. So, I want 
to thank you for this opportunity to present and  

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open to any questions. If I can't answer them, I 
will get back to you um as soon as possible. Thank  

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00:21:11,746 --> 00:21:20,306
you. Excellent. Thank Thanks so much. And uh um I 
I think the the first thing is just to thank you  

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for all the great work that you've done on behalf 
of the community is extremely appreciated. Um,  

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I I for one and and I believe uh my council is uh 
quite happy with um uh with the very challenging  

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work that that you guys are are uh are doing. Um 
I don't see any Yeah. Uh I was going to say I'll  

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pass it over to Councelor Fish. Yes. Thanks. U 
just curious where um like how you would describe  

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where the money goes, the $150,000 a year. I 
imagine some of us administrative. um are there  

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any paid employees and is it going to programming 
and such? Okay. Um that's a detailed question  

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which I will hand over to um the Indigenous Women 
Sharing Society and I will respond with a detailed  

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response to your question. Thank you. As to where 
money goes. Yeah. And just in general is fine with  

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me. I don't need to know where every dollar goes 
sort of thing. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Um I don't  

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I don't know all the specifics because I am on 
contract with IWSS um and I don't know the whole  

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insight and I would rather relay um a proper 
answer. So let me get back to you in writing  

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if that's okay. That's great. Thank you very 
much. Okay. Great question. Thank you. Yeah.  

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Thanks councelor F. Maybe as a subsequent uh to 
to that one um uh when you talk about the 150 and  

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then you know the request to the city for 30 uh 
I think it would be good to see where the other  

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funds are coming from if that's from regional 
district uh town of Komox village of Cumberland  

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um CBRD provincial federal you know where where 
kind of the it gets sort of cobbled together from  

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because I assume it's from different sources so it 
is And I can speak a little bit about that. Um the  

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uh the town of Komox contributes uh village 
of Cumberland. We did um approach CVRD last  

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year but they suggested that we try the community 
foundation and we are going to be writing a grant.  

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Um they open August 10th. We'll see if that was a 
that is a fit. We are not always successful with  

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the grant writing as you can appreciate. It is 
a long hard struggle and there's a lot of people  

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lining up for funds as well. So, um yeah, so it's 
it's a challenge, but we have a lot of grants  

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out this year. We're hoping that some of them 
come through. Um but I will give you a detailed  

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um explanation of where, you know, in that 
$150,000, how how the money will be spent.  

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Excellent. Really appreciate that. And um and then 
just from a sort of logistical standpoint cuz the  

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request does sort of have some times in there uh 
with October uh 2026 um and in October there's  

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this interesting thing that's going to happen 
uh with elections. So um I would say uh usually  

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for something like this it would have to go uh 
often through the budget process. Um, so just to  

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um let you know that there if it is part of the 
budget process, uh then that's something that will  

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come out in the new year. Uh but like I said, uh 
this is likely going to come back to council and  

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then uh uh and we'll see what we can do. But it's 
it's uh we have one meeting in August and then  

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um a couple of meetings in September. So we're 
getting close to um the um the end of this term.  

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So uh but with that um thanks again uh for 
your presentation today and for all the work  

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the society does. It's much appreciated. Thank 
you so much. Okay. And I think I'm prepared for  

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this. Uh so we have the um uh the late delegation 
that's going to come today. Uh and I think I see  

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Jojo back there. Um, so if you'd like to approach 
the podium and just push the button on there and  

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I'll turn on the microphone there. And this is a 
presentation uh or delegation from Queer Center  

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Comox Valley. So perfect. And there's a button 
right at the bottom of it. Actually, I might be  

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able to turn it on from here. Let's see. Okay. 
Okay. Is this the thing? That is the thing. So  

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that's the clicker. Okay. Is the technical term, 
I think. And there's a right arrow that'll go  

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forward and a left arrow will take back. Yeah, 
perfect. Thanks. Um, yeah, thank you so much for  

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your time. I am Cherry Muela. I'm of the Dakta 
First Nation and my pronouns are he, him. Um,  

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and this is our presentation. Our mission is to 
create an accessible, safe, and inclusive space  

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where queer youth, adults, and allies can come 
together. We fac facilitate mutual aid, provide  

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resources, and host educational opportunities and 
events that strengthen our community, uniting and  

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empowering individuals across the Komox Valley 
and beyond. By offering a space for organizing,  

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learning, and connection, we aim to foster 
a resilient, supportive queer network. Queer  

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Center is a registered nonprofit since February 
2025. Fully volunteerrun, queer center currently  

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functions from mult multiple spaces. Fundraising 
complete and we have an ongoing hunt for queer  

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community center building. Uh we're looking 
towards a physical space opening in 2027. Uh  

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we work in partnership with many other businesses 
and nonprofits such as CV Pride Society, CBTS,  

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Weird Church, Catch, CV Arts, Elevate, DCVIA, 
and many more. As you can see on the screen,  

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we have um many different core programming that 
happens consistently such as queer coffee where we  

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tend to feed brunch to more than two dozen weekly 
attendees with additional food provided to those  

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in need. Uh usually provided from the food bank. 
We uh have volunteers who come and cook at the  

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foundry. Trans night is on a bi-weekly rotating 
venue. art socials monthly at the art gallery. Um,  

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and we have holiday and special event gatherings. 
Um, we also provide many different uh community  

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support resources such as a calendar that lists 
all of the different notable queer inclusive  

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events across the Komox Valley and beyond. We 
promote these events uh on our calendar and on  

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our social media. We provide many different 
volunteer positions. There's asset lending,  

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connection, mutual aid. [snorts] Quer center team 
provides answers to questions like where's the  

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pride party? How do I connect with the organizers 
of this event? Is that venue safe for me to  

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host my event? These are two examples of the 
posters for our regularly scheduled events. Um,  

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Queer Coffee is a great one and has been going 
on for a long time. Uh we often meet new people  

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through queer coffee and trans night. We we host 
many free public events such as the pride parade  

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which happens in August and was hosted by Queer 
Center starting in 2025. Um we have the pride  

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parade coming up August 29th uh which we hope to 
be much bigger and more successful and bring more  

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people together. We have opportunities for dozens 
of local businesses and performance performers  

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and thousands of community attendees. Trans Day of 
Visibility is March 31st every year. Celebration,  

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education, connection. Trans Day of Remembrance 
um is every November um and is a more somber  

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event to commemorate people who did not 
make it and celebrate our own survival.  

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And these are the previous posters for those 
events. Um, yeah, we have these every year. We  

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hope to continue doing it. Courtney already 
benefits greatly from these events. Uh,  

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we have created a positive reputation of the 
city of Courtney for being so inclusive um,  

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and bringing people together in this way. People 
have chosen to live in Courtney due to the level  

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of connection that they could make here. We 
promote tourism. It increases downtown activity  

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uh and tends to help with supporting small local 
businesses. We envision that Pride will become  

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a festival that will draw people in from across 
the island. Advocacy means increased safety and  

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understanding from marginalized to us LGBTQIA 
plus community members. and we have many free  

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and public community events. The 4-day festival 
in 2025 brought together members of the queer  

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community across the valley. Events focused 
on youth, parents, and the general community.  

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Dozens of local residents came out to watch the 
parade and learn about the queer community. Queer  

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Center volunteers are here because this community 
is vital for their connection and survival. I can  

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speak on this quite a bit myself. Um, I have 
been at risk of homelessness many times in my  

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life. I am disabled and visibly transgender 
and that has led it to be very difficult to  

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find employment. The support that I've received 
through being able to volunteer with Queer Center  

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has been life-changing. Members of the queer 
community face higher barriers to housing, jobs,  

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and other necessary services. Our volunteers 
make time to participate despite that. Paying  

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us to do this work is poverty reduction. We 
are training young leaders to go and do their  

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own projects in the community. Um I had notes 
here. Oh god. [laughter] Um I also wanted to  

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speak on the the level of leadership skills 
that have been taught to people especially  

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younger indigenous people. Um I have watched 
many people's lives change for the better. Uh,  

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it's truly admirable. With increased advertising 
and word of mouth, attendance will continue to  

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grow and we need to take safety more seriously. 
Pride parade has thousands of attendees and  

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requires more formal safety infrastructure. 
Trans-Pacific events are all the more needed.  

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While public anti-trans discussion creates 
fear within the community, 2026 Trans Day of  

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Visibility was the first publicly posted event in 
the newspaper. Moving forward from what used to  

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be word of mouth only events. This is a first for 
Komox Valley. Public access increases risk. The  

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Lapu Lapu tragedy in Vancouver last year has made 
everyone more aware of risks at public events.

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Um, and these are the speakers and I would like 
to invite Rumor to come up here. Thank you, Rumor.

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Hello, my name is Rumor Blunt. My pronouns 
are he, him, and they, them. I was one of the  

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organizers for a trans day of visibility this 
year. Um, and I'm here to kind of speak as a  

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member of youth in the queer community and what 
being a part of Queer Center has done for me.  

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Um, Quee Center always aims to give individuals 
[clears throat] the powers to seek out to create  

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the community they envision. And so your level 
of involvement is really up to you. And that  

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can be anywhere from you're just helping close 
up an event to you want to plan a whole event  

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on your own, just like go out there, or you want 
to plan an event, but you're not too sure how to  

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do that. And there's lots of people to help you 
cuz there's a lot of queer elders that have been  

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around and they they know what grants to write, 
what grants to apply for. They know the lists and  

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names of all the publicities that you want to 
contact so that people know about your event,  

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00:33:35,986 --> 00:33:44,866
how to book a facility, so you have a venue. 
Um, this year I wanted to be more involved in  

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my community because I've seen career center do a 
lot for many people and do a lot for me and I just  

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00:33:52,226 --> 00:33:59,746
wanted more leadership experience before I go off 
to university. Um, and so I decided that I would  

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help plan trans day of visibility and I ended 
up doing a lot more than I thought I would. Um,  

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I did a lot of I wrote a lot of emails to speakers 
and the DJs organizing. I helped organize our  

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speakers and our DJs. I wrote emails to reach 
out to the people that we wanted for press and  

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00:34:24,066 --> 00:34:31,106
publicity. I even went on the record, the local 
newspaper to advertise and explain the importance  

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00:34:31,106 --> 00:34:40,626
of trans day of visibility. Um, I helped organize 
a bit of the catering and I was involved in  

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00:34:40,626 --> 00:34:48,946
helping making decisions around the catering, 
which I wasn't expecting cuz I'm just 19. Um,  

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Chris Center really cares about making sure that 
youth is put in leadership roles when they want  

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to step up to it. And this is really important 
and carries on because this applies to real life.  

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This carries on forever. Whenever you feel your 
community is missing something, we now have the  

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skills to bring that forth. We know the process 
of writing grants, writing letters to our city  

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council, showing up to meetings like this. Um, and 
that can apply for anything, not just like pride,  

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of course, for pride, but for other issues. Um, 
and it's really huge. I used to be a very timid  

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person and I've always wanted to be involved in 
my community and now I I just am involved in my  

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00:35:39,906 --> 00:35:47,106
community and I feel pretty confident leading 
uh in different areas. Actually being a part  

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00:35:47,106 --> 00:35:55,826
of Queer Center has helped me personally land a 
full ride scholarship university. uh I wouldn't  

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00:35:55,826 --> 00:36:01,666
have gotten that without career center. I uh 
had a lot of health struggles in high school,  

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so I didn't get to do many extracurriculars and I 
thought time was kind of running out for me. But  

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uh just being a part of Queer Center helped 
give me an opportunity to learn leadership and  

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learn how to be a better member of society 
and make change that I want to see happen.

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and funding this would be huge because people 
deserve to be compensated for the labor they  

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do. Um, we're learning this is like a place 
to learn entry-level skills and to be able to  

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be compensated for that means that you don't 
you have more time to put into learning these  

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skills that eventually later in life leads 
you into manager positions, event organizing,  

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and just so many other possibilities. Thank you. 
Excellent. Thanks so much for for that. Yeah,  

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00:36:57,586 --> 00:37:05,506
Jojo, now the 10 minutes has uh expired, councelor 
Fr. Yeah. Well, I was thinking the same thing.  

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00:37:05,506 --> 00:37:09,906
It looks like um Jojo's up to speak as well. 
Maybe we could afford them two more minutes to  

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00:37:09,906 --> 00:37:15,266
to finish off. Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate that. 
Yeah. Yeah. Um I uh mostly let you speak for me  

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for the most part and I think they did a fantastic 
job of that. I'm so proud of both of you. That was  

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awesome and incredible. Um this is radical. 
um elevation of young leaders. Um it's also  

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uh we're much more concerned about safety. A 
couple of days ago, something um horrible also  

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happened in Berlin. Um we need funding to go into 
uh training our volunteers to be able to continue  

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expanding these absolutely vital events. Um we're 
requesting $5,000 total in support of vital and  

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free community events. Um we have two budgets. 
One is for the Pride Parade and one is for a  

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trans day of visibility coming up to 5,000 total. 
Um I'm here for questions. I can also flip back  

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00:37:51,906 --> 00:37:56,306
and forth between these two. Um I'll go through it 
quickly. Um medical services, we want a paramedic  

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00:37:56,306 --> 00:38:01,586
um on ground for the pride parade. Uh we want 
organizer on our area. Um we have young uh we  

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have youth that are planning these events that we 
are training to go and plan their own later on. Um  

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00:38:06,226 --> 00:38:11,426
and we want to pay them for their work. Um we want 
to uh hire security guards from our own community.  

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Um we want uh we need insurance obviously um photo 
photographer flags and decorations. And then trans  

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day of visibility which is an annual event. 
Weird church started in 2020 2021 I believe  

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00:38:22,466 --> 00:38:27,746
um and we've continued we've carried it on um and 
it's another um people are coming to Komox Valley  

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uh all across Vancouver Island for these events 
because we are one of very few places all across  

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Vancouver Island that is putting on trans-pacific 
public events um venue rental sound system rental  

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00:38:38,546 --> 00:38:43,986
DJs land acknowledgement MC speakers um again we 
want to pay people that go up and give their voice  

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00:38:43,986 --> 00:38:48,706
to these sorts of things and catering um these 
budgets is not all of it uh it does not account  

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for unpaid volunteer labor. Um again, we're very 
motivated to do this, but this is just a small  

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00:38:54,066 --> 00:39:00,786
part uh to cover partially what we're doing. I'm 
here for questions. That was a quick two minutes.  

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00:39:00,786 --> 00:39:05,826
Thanks. Thanks so much. And again, uh a huge 
thanks for for the presentation today. It was very  

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heartfelt uh and much much appreciated, I think, 
by our council. So, so thank you so much for uh  

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00:39:10,866 --> 00:39:17,666
coming to present to us. And I'll pass it over to 
uh councelor Jiller or sorry, councelor will call  

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00:39:17,666 --> 00:39:23,266
Hamilton. Council Jer doesn't have his hand up. I 
don't believe so. Um, first of all, thank you so  

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00:39:23,266 --> 00:39:27,746
much all three of you and Luther, I didn't realize 
the role you had in the trans day of visibility. I  

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was at the event at the curling center and it was 
joyful and it was the food was really good and it  

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00:39:33,426 --> 00:39:39,906
was just um it just um gave me an idea of how 
capable you you guys are in terms of putting on  

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00:39:39,906 --> 00:39:44,786
events. When I see this very carefully itemized 
list, I can tell that you're putting a lot of  

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00:39:44,786 --> 00:39:49,986
thought into the planning of it. And uh I know 
that we don't usually make motions on the evening  

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00:39:49,986 --> 00:39:56,786
of a delegation, but the next meeting is after 
these events. And so at some point I'd be happy  

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00:39:56,786 --> 00:40:03,106
to make a motion to wave that and then uh make 
a motion to support the uh the work been doing.  

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But again, thank you and uh thank you for putting 
on an amazing event back in March. I look forward  

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to attending in future. Thanks Councelor Cole 
Hamilton. Appreciate that. And councelor Morren,  

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great. Thank you, mayor. I just want to say thank 
you to all of you for speaking. Um, it was quite  

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emotional for me. I was a youth worker for many 
years. I often worked with uh uh folks who yeah  

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just were looking for a a sense of belonging and a 
a place to fit. And um it sounds like queer cent's  

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00:40:34,226 --> 00:40:39,906
really done that for many people. Um I also did 
a program around leadership skills for youth. We  

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often um say where are all the volunteers? Oh, 
they're all gay-haired. that this shows that  

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there's a whole there's a whole group of young 
people who are putting in tons of volunteering  

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00:40:50,866 --> 00:40:57,106
in the community and that's something to to 
celebrate. Um I [snorts] think and uh yeah, I'm  

359
00:40:57,106 --> 00:41:02,466
hoping that if a motion goes forward, we can take 
a look at that. But I just commend you all for uh  

360
00:41:02,466 --> 00:41:10,946
for coming out um at a public event and um being 
confident up there. It's not easy to do. Um and uh  

361
00:41:10,946 --> 00:41:18,226
yeah, thanks for for all you do in the community. 
Thanks, Councelor MREN and Councelor Jeliker.  

362
00:41:18,226 --> 00:41:25,986
Yeah, and just echo my colleagues comments. Um 
really happy to see the growth of queer culture  

363
00:41:25,986 --> 00:41:32,306
and the responsibilities um and place that you're 
taking in community both to support members of the  

364
00:41:32,306 --> 00:41:40,706
queer community but also to support the broader um 
uh community and understanding uh how to be allies  

365
00:41:40,706 --> 00:41:46,706
to the queer community in a a hyperpolarized 
world. And um similar to councelor Cole Hamilton,  

366
00:41:46,706 --> 00:41:52,386
happy to support the request tonight, given the 
the logistics of our next council meeting, I think  

367
00:41:52,386 --> 00:42:01,026
uh you named um uh I think important contexts uh 
over in Europe, in Berlin, and I think uh we don't  

368
00:42:01,026 --> 00:42:08,546
have to look far even in British Columbia to know 
that um security at um large gatherings is really  

369
00:42:08,546 --> 00:42:13,826
crucial. Um, and that is both security guards, but 
it's also taking care of your volunteers. And I  

370
00:42:13,826 --> 00:42:18,866
think Jojo, you've articulated that tonight, the 
importance and the care that queer culture takes  

371
00:42:18,866 --> 00:42:25,186
in um, looking after their own volunteers and 
organizers. I think that is part of safety as  

372
00:42:25,186 --> 00:42:31,906
well. And so I'm happy to to support that motion 
as well. Thanks for being here, everyone. Thanks,  

373
00:42:31,906 --> 00:42:37,106
Councelor Jiller. And back to councelor Cole 
Hamilton. Yeah, thanks. It fits. Uh I think I  

374
00:42:37,106 --> 00:42:41,426
first have to seek the approval of councel to 
put a motion forward because we don't usually  

375
00:42:41,426 --> 00:42:48,466
um Adriana perhaps you can tell me do I second. 
Okay. Great. Thank you. All right. Should we ask  

376
00:42:48,466 --> 00:42:53,186
anyone oppose just to Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. We 
happy. A vote has to take place. So all those in  

377
00:42:53,186 --> 00:42:59,586
favor? Any opposed? And that carries unanimously. 
Okay. Can I read the resolution? Yeah. Thank you.  

378
00:42:59,586 --> 00:43:04,146
Uh so I'd like to uh put forward the council 
approve a grant in the amount of 5,000 to the  

379
00:43:04,146 --> 00:43:09,666
queer center Komox Valley to support a portion 
of costs associated with the 2026 Pride Parade  

380
00:43:09,666 --> 00:43:16,706
and 2026 Trans Day of Visibility events including 
but not limited to event safety, accessibility,  

381
00:43:16,706 --> 00:43:22,226
venue production and programming expenses with 
funding to be allocated from the gaming funds  

382
00:43:22,226 --> 00:43:30,226
council initiatives budget. Okay, it's been moved 
and seconded. Uh and uh thanks for crafting that  

383
00:43:30,226 --> 00:43:35,346
uh for today. That's much appreciated. Uh I think 
by all of council, are there any further comments  

384
00:43:35,346 --> 00:43:42,706
before we take the vote? Seeing none, all those 
in favor? Any opposed? Uh congratulations. Uh we  

385
00:43:42,706 --> 00:43:47,746
did take some some action here today. Again, a 
great presentation. And maybe I'll give Jojo the  

386
00:43:47,746 --> 00:43:53,666
last word. Thank you. I think this is historical. 
I I truly like um this is incredible. Thank you  

387
00:43:53,666 --> 00:43:59,666
so much. You're welcome. And uh again, I think 
uh you have some great supporters here. Many of  

388
00:43:59,666 --> 00:44:04,226
us have attended many of the events that you guys 
do and I and I for one definitely look forward to  

389
00:44:04,226 --> 00:44:09,586
attending many more. So uh uh really appreciate 
you taking all the time and effort to make sure  

390
00:44:09,586 --> 00:44:14,946
that the events that you're doing are done as not 
just as good as possible, but as safe as possible  

391
00:44:14,946 --> 00:44:28,546
as well. Much appreciated. Thank you. Okay. 
All right. Um uh getting back to all right we  

392
00:44:28,546 --> 00:44:38,866
are now on to item 6.1. Oh and we have uh staff 
Sergeant Troy Lorard to give us a presentation  

393
00:44:38,866 --> 00:44:47,506
and I'll pass it over to you. All right. Thank 
you. So I just wanted to take a short time to  

394
00:44:47,506 --> 00:44:54,546
talk about the strategic priorities for 26 and 
27. Um after consultation with municipal leaders  

395
00:44:54,546 --> 00:45:01,426
uh Komox first nation regional district and other 
stakeholders we identified and carried forward um  

396
00:45:01,426 --> 00:45:07,746
five strategic priorities uh in the upcoming year. 
So first uh road safety these are no particular  

397
00:45:07,746 --> 00:45:14,706
order of course no area of order of uh importance 
uh road safety crime reduction specifically  

398
00:45:14,706 --> 00:45:23,186
prolific offenders uh police vis visibility and um 
community engagement mental health and community  

399
00:45:23,186 --> 00:45:29,186
wellness as well as indigenous relations and 
reconciliation. So, I'm just going to walk  

400
00:45:29,186 --> 00:45:35,586
through each of them as well as their objectives, 
initiatives, and how we're going to measure  

401
00:45:35,586 --> 00:45:41,906
success. So for road safety, the objective is to 
enhance road safety throughout the Comox Valley  

402
00:45:41,906 --> 00:45:46,226
and through initiatives such as increasing 
traffic enforcement and police contacts,  

403
00:45:46,226 --> 00:45:51,266
uh regular vehicle check stops, joint pair driving 
enforcement with the BC highway patrol located out  

404
00:45:51,266 --> 00:45:56,226
of Campbell River and Oceanside and education 
and enforcement regarding unlawful recreational  

405
00:45:56,226 --> 00:46:02,146
vehicles and e-mobility devices, which has become 
quite the issue. Um, we're going to measure our  

406
00:46:02,146 --> 00:46:08,546
successes in these regards with uh at least 120 
impaired driving enforcement actions, 480 unlawful  

407
00:46:08,546 --> 00:46:16,706
driving enforcement actions as well and documented 
traffic and safety projects and initiatives

408
00:46:16,706 --> 00:46:22,626
through crime reduction. Uh, so we're going to to 
um help reduce crime through folks management and  

409
00:46:22,626 --> 00:46:27,106
prolific offenders. Some of the key initiatives 
will be the monthly identification and publication  

410
00:46:27,106 --> 00:46:32,066
of priority offenders. This in association 
with many other um agencies and partners  

411
00:46:32,066 --> 00:46:37,986
um specifically the Revoy program uh which is um 
been very effective over the last year that's been  

412
00:46:37,986 --> 00:46:45,026
in existence. Uh curfew and compliance probation 
compliance checks for um offenders that are in  

413
00:46:45,026 --> 00:46:49,426
community regular meetings and ongoing meetings 
with crown probation parole and other partner  

414
00:46:49,426 --> 00:46:56,386
agencies and other community crime prevention 
presentations. And we're going to measure these  

415
00:46:56,386 --> 00:47:02,546
through uh at least 72 offender awareness 
products, uh offender management enforcement  

416
00:47:02,546 --> 00:47:10,946
actions, external partner meetings, and 
uh community prevention presentations.

417
00:47:10,946 --> 00:47:15,106
Comes time for uh police invisible, community 
relations, uh visibility and community  

418
00:47:15,106 --> 00:47:19,906
relations. Uh we so we are looking to be clear and 
accountable and transparent while increasing our  

419
00:47:19,906 --> 00:47:26,066
police presence. So that will include downtown 
foot patrols as well as the bike patrols. There  

420
00:47:26,066 --> 00:47:30,626
have been some uh challenges of course with that 
over the preceding year with uh staffing levels.  

421
00:47:30,626 --> 00:47:36,146
So we're looking we're trending in the right 
direction anyhow. Um some incoming bodies and  

422
00:47:36,146 --> 00:47:42,546
uh people returning um to full duties um with our 
seasonal policing that will include enhanced rural  

423
00:47:42,546 --> 00:47:47,666
and recreational area patrols and again our 
participation in community events, ceremonies  

424
00:47:47,666 --> 00:47:55,106
and parades. Um, and this again is despite our 
staffing pressures at the current moment. So,  

425
00:47:55,106 --> 00:48:00,306
we're looking to have at least 100 documented 
downtown business visits, at least 480 rural  

426
00:48:00,306 --> 00:48:06,226
recreational patrols, and 64 community engagement 
activities. Of course, you know, we do that all  

427
00:48:06,226 --> 00:48:13,586
the time, but um just add some measures to 
that with health and community wellness. So,  

428
00:48:13,586 --> 00:48:17,906
our objective of course to improve public safety 
through collaborative mental health responses.  

429
00:48:17,906 --> 00:48:22,066
Some of the initiatives are referrals 
to mental health and wellness services,  

430
00:48:22,066 --> 00:48:26,626
ongoing collaboration with the island health 
and community partners and formalization and  

431
00:48:26,626 --> 00:48:30,386
long-term sustainability of the micro 
program that you guys are familiar  

432
00:48:30,386 --> 00:48:34,866
with through various presentations. So we're 
looking to measure that through at least 240  

433
00:48:34,866 --> 00:48:45,906
referrals to support services and engagement uh 
number of engagements with our partner agencies

434
00:48:45,906 --> 00:48:51,506
and under um priority of indigenous relations 
and reconciliation looking to strengthen that  

435
00:48:51,506 --> 00:48:55,906
relationship with Komox's first nations and 
indigenous communities. we're doing through  

436
00:48:55,906 --> 00:49:02,306
this are ongoing engagement monthly with chief 
and councils participation in community events  

437
00:49:02,306 --> 00:49:08,226
uh youth outreach and education and elder 
engagement with reconciliation activities.  

438
00:49:08,226 --> 00:49:12,306
Again our measure measures will be through 
attendance of those council meetings and  

439
00:49:12,306 --> 00:49:21,106
various uh community participation, youth 
projects and elders focused initiatives.

440
00:49:21,106 --> 00:49:28,066
So I can report um Idaho council was interested 
in uh how things have been going in relation to  

441
00:49:28,066 --> 00:49:33,506
these. So just starting off in Q1 we are at 
the end so we run off of the uh fiscal year.  

442
00:49:33,506 --> 00:49:40,706
So quarter one um has just ended at uh in 
June. So road safety there's been very good  

443
00:49:40,706 --> 00:49:48,386
uh strong enforcement uh activity. We did add a 
third uh municipal traffic member. So the addition  

444
00:49:48,386 --> 00:49:54,546
of that person to our team has been has been good. 
Uh we had some joint impaired driving initiatives  

445
00:49:54,546 --> 00:49:59,426
with the BC highway patrol and they have spent 
some time in some problem areas in the community.  

446
00:49:59,426 --> 00:50:06,546
I think you're aware of as well back road and some 
other um some other areas. In the crime reduction  

447
00:50:06,546 --> 00:50:11,346
front uh we've had multiple intelligence 
products developed on priority offenders.  

448
00:50:11,346 --> 00:50:16,866
Uh we've also added we've become the hub with 
community corrections with something called so  

449
00:50:16,866 --> 00:50:23,026
you might be familiar with Revoy repeat uh violent 
offender initiative that's in conjunction with  

450
00:50:23,026 --> 00:50:28,706
um crown probation all these other partners well 
we've introduced another one that's the chronic  

451
00:50:28,706 --> 00:50:37,906
property offender initiative so very similar to 
revoy but just focusing on uh property offenders

452
00:50:37,906 --> 00:50:42,386
and we've had 29 over the last quarter 29 
offenders that were arrested or charged for  

453
00:50:42,386 --> 00:50:46,546
non-compliance. Those are people that are 
actually in the community uh where through  

454
00:50:46,546 --> 00:50:53,106
our proactive efforts and and just checking uh 
resulted in 29 additional charges against those  

455
00:50:53,106 --> 00:50:59,026
offenders. On the mental [clears throat] health 
side, um our mobile integrated crisis response has  

456
00:50:59,026 --> 00:51:03,106
generated over 90 referrals during the first 
quarter and we've had extensive stakeholder  

457
00:51:03,106 --> 00:51:09,506
engagement with municipalities and island health 
and other um agencies in regards to that program.  

458
00:51:09,506 --> 00:51:16,466
um just trying to solidify and ensure that 
it's going going to be running forward. In  

459
00:51:16,466 --> 00:51:21,506
regards to indigenous reconciliation, uh we have 
continued representation and participation at the  

460
00:51:21,506 --> 00:51:27,106
uh KFM council. uh significant engagement with 
elders, cultural program and youth initiatives.  

461
00:51:27,106 --> 00:51:32,466
And we have a newly unen engaged constable 
straight off out of depo. And one of his  

462
00:51:32,466 --> 00:51:42,866
um projects as part of that program is going 
to be with some um some youth initiatives.

463
00:51:42,866 --> 00:51:49,586
That is yours. [laughter] There any questions? 
I answer that very quickly, but yeah. No,  

464
00:51:49,586 --> 00:51:54,626
that that's that's fine. Uh thanks very much 
for the the presentation. uh much appreciated  

465
00:51:54,626 --> 00:52:00,386
articulating what those uh suggested um uh 
priorities are and then going through the  

466
00:52:00,386 --> 00:52:08,626
uh the actual um numbers there. I do see a number 
of uh uh uh hands have gone up and lights have  

467
00:52:08,626 --> 00:52:14,626
been put on. So maybe I'll start with uh councelor 
online and then I'll go to the members of council  

468
00:52:14,626 --> 00:52:21,586
in Yeah, thanks mayor and thanks um staff sergeant 
for being here. Um, I've got a few questions,  

469
00:52:21,586 --> 00:52:27,026
but I'll just start with one just into the last 
slide. Um, really happy that um, you highlighted  

470
00:52:27,026 --> 00:52:32,466
that Courtney was selected as uh, a hub for 
the chronic property offending intervention  

471
00:52:32,466 --> 00:52:36,786
initiative. Um, I'm wondering if you can kind of 
give us a little bit more detail. I think this  

472
00:52:36,786 --> 00:52:43,266
is probably the first time um, we've mentioned it 
in a public meeting at the city of Courtney. Um,  

473
00:52:43,266 --> 00:52:48,226
specifically, I'm kind of curious to know how 
the coordinator I understand that um, there's  

474
00:52:48,226 --> 00:52:54,546
meant to be a coordinator uh, that's assigned or 
added resource to the detachment. Um, and we've  

475
00:52:54,546 --> 00:53:00,706
had lots of conversations around the resources 
required at the detachment to support um, the work  

476
00:53:00,706 --> 00:53:04,866
the good work that you do in the community. So, 
I'm wondering if you can maybe um, speak to uh,  

477
00:53:04,866 --> 00:53:12,786
how that is uh, playing out here locally. Thanks. 
Yeah, in regards to SEO, so it's much along the  

478
00:53:12,786 --> 00:53:19,346
line of the REO V Revoy program where it's clearly 
established that a small number of people commit  

479
00:53:19,346 --> 00:53:28,626
a majority of offenses. So, this focusing on 
those individuals um the an additional resource  

480
00:53:28,626 --> 00:53:34,066
is not required for this. there is an additional 
resource. Um, Komox Valley has become the the hub  

481
00:53:34,066 --> 00:53:40,066
sort of for the North Island and the coordinator 
for SEO is through community corrections. Um,  

482
00:53:40,066 --> 00:53:47,906
so we will have a liaison um assigned from our 
office that we do in in conjunction with our for  

483
00:53:47,906 --> 00:53:54,466
um crime an analyst. Um so they'll be 
working together to identify those offenders  

484
00:53:54,466 --> 00:53:59,666
uh strategies and ensure that the uh appropriate 
reporting and all those things are done when  

485
00:53:59,666 --> 00:54:06,066
those offenders are identified and hopefully you 
know uh arrested and charged and brought before  

486
00:54:06,066 --> 00:54:16,226
the courts. So there's not an additional 
person to our compliment for that program.

487
00:54:16,226 --> 00:54:20,466
Excellent. Uh, thanks for that. And and I think, 
you know, one of the things about that program  

488
00:54:20,466 --> 00:54:26,306
when I was talking to the the minister um when 
it was first announced is that also dubtales.  

489
00:54:26,306 --> 00:54:33,746
I know our our council and many others uh have 
have lobbied for uh bail reform. Uh and so that  

490
00:54:33,746 --> 00:54:37,906
has also come into play. And so those are going 
to kind of dubtail into each other as far as I  

491
00:54:37,906 --> 00:54:43,106
know. Um you'd probably have a better idea, but 
uh so it looks like there's a few things coming  

492
00:54:43,106 --> 00:54:48,946
together all at once. So yeah, that's correct. So 
there will be as before um community corrections  

493
00:54:48,946 --> 00:54:54,786
involved, probation, um crown all involved. 
So speaking the same language when it comes to  

494
00:54:54,786 --> 00:55:00,946
these particular offenders so everybody's aware of 
what's required and uh to make sure that product  

495
00:55:00,946 --> 00:55:05,186
is before the court. Excellent. Uh appreciate 
that answer and I'll pass it over to councelor  

496
00:55:05,186 --> 00:55:12,706
Hillian. Thanks Mayor and um thanks very much uh 
staff sergeant for uh you and your members service  

497
00:55:12,706 --> 00:55:21,426
to the community. Um I'm going to ask you a bit of 
a philosophical question here. Um incidentally I'm  

498
00:55:21,426 --> 00:55:28,306
pleased to see the priorities and uh road safety 
being uh the first uh people might be surprised to  

499
00:55:28,306 --> 00:55:33,826
know that uh it's over many years it's it's the 
issue that comes up most frequently when people  

500
00:55:33,826 --> 00:55:39,986
contact us about concerns. It's about basically 
traffic safety in their neighborhoods. But um  

501
00:55:39,986 --> 00:55:45,586
what's your assessment of how safe our community 
is? Um, I worked in community corrections for many  

502
00:55:45,586 --> 00:55:50,946
years and when I hear people talking about uh it's 
not safe to go downtown and things like that, I'm  

503
00:55:50,946 --> 00:55:56,546
I'm thinking I know a lot of people over many many 
years who have done some horrible things in this  

504
00:55:56,546 --> 00:56:04,626
community [snorts] and um in my view the community 
is is potentially as safe as it's ever been. Um  

505
00:56:04,626 --> 00:56:10,146
you're an experienced police officer. Uh how safe 
is is the community of Courtney particularly? We  

506
00:56:10,146 --> 00:56:14,866
just had a presentation from some young people 
that are involved in putting in on events and  

507
00:56:14,866 --> 00:56:22,626
uh I have a grand uh niece visiting from Germany 
right now. So obviously the the events in Berlin  

508
00:56:22,626 --> 00:56:28,386
were foremost in my thinking. But uh how safe is 
uh is Courtney in general compared to other places  

509
00:56:28,386 --> 00:56:34,706
that you've worked and and uh your assessment 
of uh our ability to keep people safe at these  

510
00:56:34,706 --> 00:56:40,706
types of events and in general? Yes, thank you. 
nothing like putting me on the spot. But no,  

511
00:56:40,706 --> 00:56:46,306
I I would agree with that. You know, Courtney is 
is a is a very safe community. Um that being said,  

512
00:56:46,306 --> 00:56:52,786
you know, always saying that perception of of 
crime is almost as bad as a crime itself, right?  

513
00:56:52,786 --> 00:56:58,946
Because it perpetuates and people [clears throat] 
um you know, they become alarmed. But I I think  

514
00:56:58,946 --> 00:57:05,746
that anybody can walk the streets uh most most 
time anywhere, day or night, without real fear.  

515
00:57:05,746 --> 00:57:11,986
Um, so there's kind of two parts to that question. 
So, um, yeah, time times have changed, right? Um,  

516
00:57:11,986 --> 00:57:19,106
since I began policing 30 years ago in the late 
1900s, I'll put it that way just to alarm anybody  

517
00:57:19,106 --> 00:57:27,346
in the room. Um yeah, times have changed and 
we've reached out um since last year uh and and  

518
00:57:27,346 --> 00:57:33,586
with people organized conducting events um after 
the Lapu Lapu tragedy and reached out with sort  

519
00:57:33,586 --> 00:57:39,826
of planning documents and um we've done some 
with with you know Canada Day and the upcoming  

520
00:57:39,826 --> 00:57:46,146
nautical days and and various events about how to 
safely plan and myself and Sergeant Brock Brennan  

521
00:57:46,146 --> 00:57:50,386
usually spend a lot of time with organizers making 
sure that those those things are looked after,  

522
00:57:50,386 --> 00:57:54,306
things that maybe over the years that typical 
organizers wouldn't have thought of doing,  

523
00:57:54,306 --> 00:57:59,026
but now it just becomes common place, right? So, 
we want to make sure all those things are covered  

524
00:57:59,026 --> 00:58:04,626
off and and we spend a lot of time ensuring 
with with through the organizers that maybe  

525
00:58:04,626 --> 00:58:09,906
some things they haven't thought of are covered 
off. And with the change to the sort of bylaws  

526
00:58:09,906 --> 00:58:14,226
about special events, that's really helped us 
get in contact with these organizers and make  

527
00:58:14,226 --> 00:58:18,786
sure those things are are in place. And every 
year I know we reach out with the with the pride  

528
00:58:18,786 --> 00:58:25,746
organizers and let them know that um you know 
we're there for to for safety reasons of course.  

529
00:58:25,746 --> 00:58:32,946
Yeah. Thanks very much and and again thanks to 
union members for your ongoing work. [snorts]

530
00:58:32,946 --> 00:58:37,426
Thanks very much councelor Hillian and councelor 
Warren. Great. Thank you mayor. Thanks so much  

531
00:58:37,426 --> 00:58:43,266
for the presentation. I won't give you a tricky 
question like councelor Hillian. Um but I was  

532
00:58:43,266 --> 00:58:49,666
wondering around this um kind of increased um 
attention to the prolific offenders and the 29  

533
00:58:49,666 --> 00:58:56,306
offenders you mentioned. Um I know you your role 
can only go so far. So you can make the charges.  

534
00:58:56,306 --> 00:59:03,106
Um you can have increased charges. You can be more 
kind of I don't like the word vigilant but more  

535
00:59:03,106 --> 00:59:09,026
vigilant I guess in terms of um addressing these 
issues but then people do complain. It's kind of  

536
00:59:09,026 --> 00:59:14,946
a revolving door. They get charged. People come 
out. I guess I'm just curious whether um you're  

537
00:59:14,946 --> 00:59:22,306
feeling like there's been any positive outcomes 
for those folks that are you know and often they  

538
00:59:22,306 --> 00:59:29,106
are folks who are have a mult you know a multitude 
of of issues. We certainly have people coming  

539
00:59:29,106 --> 00:59:36,066
um and you know sort of the more organized people 
who are praying on vulnerable etc. But some of  

540
00:59:36,066 --> 00:59:42,306
the people committing crimes like that are doing 
it out of desperation. So, I guess I'm curious,  

541
00:59:42,306 --> 00:59:48,066
you can you can do the charges, but what are the 
outcomes after that you've seen? Yeah, you know,  

542
00:59:48,066 --> 00:59:52,786
if you're speaking specifically about the Revoy 
program, we've seen really good success in it. Um,  

543
00:59:52,786 --> 00:59:58,706
maybe that slide was a little bit misleading. It 
wasn't 29 offenders. We identified 12. It was 29  

544
00:59:58,706 --> 01:00:04,066
just additional charges, okay, on offenders over 
the last quarter, right, that were under current  

545
01:00:04,066 --> 01:00:09,106
charge. So that's goes through like if somebody 
for example is on a curfew, a lot of members will  

546
01:00:09,106 --> 01:00:12,706
go at 2 in the morning and knock on the door and 
make sure that they're home, right? So that might  

547
01:00:12,706 --> 01:00:18,226
you making sure people are abiding by conditions 
that are imposed by the courts. Um so like I I  

548
01:00:18,226 --> 01:00:23,986
mentioned that again not telling any secrets here 
but it's a usually small number of people that dis  

549
01:00:23,986 --> 01:00:31,666
disproportionately responsible for offenses and 
um and that's includes everything from violence  

550
01:00:31,666 --> 01:00:41,346
to thefts to nuisances and this these programs 
um f try to focus those resource those resources  

551
01:00:41,346 --> 01:00:49,266
not just ours but crown probation other community 
agencies on on those offenders. Right. Right. Um  

552
01:00:49,266 --> 01:00:58,146
so it means that we've uh reduced the offending by 
those repeat offenders. Um increasing compliance  

553
01:00:58,146 --> 01:01:04,466
with court order conditions um information 
sharing with crown counsel, probation, parole,  

554
01:01:04,466 --> 01:01:11,026
uh social services, and I hopefully to bring up 
fewer victims. Right? That's that's the whole  

555
01:01:11,026 --> 01:01:16,466
goal behind it. And I think it has been working 
well. there is good engagement from all sides. Um  

556
01:01:16,466 --> 01:01:21,186
we said what makes a a wheel strong it's multiple 
spokes right so we have to bring all those people  

557
01:01:21,186 --> 01:01:26,146
together to uh to make sure that the program goes 
forward but I think we are seeing success with  

558
01:01:26,146 --> 01:01:33,906
them. Did I have a followup there? I see nobody 
else waiting yet. And I guess I am curious about  

559
01:01:33,906 --> 01:01:41,586
those more sort of predatory um folks who are, 
you know, frankly coming and or may already be  

560
01:01:41,586 --> 01:01:48,626
here in terms of finding desperate people to 
do the do the deeds for them. And I mean I I  

561
01:01:48,626 --> 01:01:56,466
also have a bit of a background in with working in 
youth justice as well. Um and yeah, I I would see  

562
01:01:56,466 --> 01:02:03,426
vulnerable folks really being kind of prayed on. 
Has there been any action around kind of tackling,  

563
01:02:03,426 --> 01:02:09,186
you know, the the sort of higherups that take 
advantage and and get people frankly to do their  

564
01:02:09,186 --> 01:02:14,706
dirty work and a word? Yes. [laughter] So that 
that's what we're always looking for and I think  

565
01:02:14,706 --> 01:02:20,546
we've had that discussion in council before. We're 
not if you're talking about saying substance use  

566
01:02:20,546 --> 01:02:24,146
um we're not looking for the end user. 
We're looking for those supplying,  

567
01:02:24,146 --> 01:02:32,226
right? Um that that's the endgame to take 
away that. Um, yeah, and I mean sometimes  

568
01:02:32,226 --> 01:02:37,106
those people are are getting people to work 
off their debts by theft and things like that.  

569
01:02:37,106 --> 01:02:43,986
So that's sort of what I was getting at. Okay. 
Thanks so much. Excellent. Thanks very much, uh,  

570
01:02:43,986 --> 01:02:50,306
Councelor Fish. Yeah, thanks Mayor and and thanks 
for coming in and sharing the the path ahead. Um,  

571
01:02:50,306 --> 01:02:54,306
I'm just happy to move the recommendation or 
it's not really a recommendation. I'll move this  

572
01:02:54,306 --> 01:02:59,346
motion that council identify the following top 
five areas of concern regarding police services  

573
01:02:59,346 --> 01:03:07,986
in the city of Kourtney for 2627 as road safety, 
crime reduction, police visibility and comm uh and  

574
01:03:07,986 --> 01:03:18,466
community mental health and um community wellness 
and indigenous relations and reconciliation.

575
01:03:18,466 --> 01:03:22,786
All right, it's been moved and seconded. Uh 
councelor Jelker. Yeah, thanks Merritt. I'd  

576
01:03:22,786 --> 01:03:29,186
still had some clarifying questions actually. 
Um, so this is the first time we've seen  

577
01:03:29,186 --> 01:03:38,146
um the presented like this where there was um I 
guess the RCMP coming with the five. Um so I'm  

578
01:03:38,146 --> 01:03:45,186
just kind of processing that. Um uh but I do have 
a question as it relates to cuz I was looking at  

579
01:03:45,186 --> 01:03:52,066
uh our community priorities um over the last few 
years and one of the ones uh that we had included  

580
01:03:52,066 --> 01:03:57,986
previously was violent crime specifically drug 
trafficking violence and relationships and sexual  

581
01:03:57,986 --> 01:04:05,186
assaults. And so I guess my first uh clarifying 
question um for you staff sergeant is how do we  

582
01:04:05,186 --> 01:04:12,546
feel we are doing relative to um that previous 
community priority. Um I think we spent a fair  

583
01:04:12,546 --> 01:04:17,746
bit of time talking about um our concerns around 
violence and relationships and drug trafficking  

584
01:04:17,746 --> 01:04:23,026
specifically. So love to hear your uh insights 
on where you think we've come over the last  

585
01:04:23,026 --> 01:04:29,746
uh two years on that file. Yeah. And you 
know those are always priorities. Um for us  

586
01:04:29,746 --> 01:04:36,946
um intimate partner violence um is always at 
the forefront. We have the dedicated resources  

587
01:04:36,946 --> 01:04:45,426
um ensuring that um you know we're taking the 
proper steps that we're plugging uh victims  

588
01:04:45,426 --> 01:04:55,106
into the proper resources working with community 
partners to um ensure safety um and planning and  

589
01:04:55,106 --> 01:05:01,506
um sort of that integrated case and and threat 
assessment um for you know problem again  

590
01:05:01,506 --> 01:05:06,866
offenders. So that's something that never drops 
off the table from my perspective. Uh intimate  

591
01:05:06,866 --> 01:05:13,186
partner violence is is is always in the forefront. 
It's those um priorities and again this was a very  

592
01:05:13,186 --> 01:05:20,546
quick overview of sort of the top priorities a 
very sort of high level. Um they are we're always  

593
01:05:20,546 --> 01:05:28,626
dealing with those. Um second part of the question 
was for which part uh drug trafficking. Yeah. And  

594
01:05:28,626 --> 01:05:35,266
also that's something we have a you know dedicated 
resources as well that is their their almost their  

595
01:05:35,266 --> 01:05:43,186
primary mandate is to identify and and to target 
um trafficking uh in the in the in the community.  

596
01:05:43,186 --> 01:05:49,586
So um I don't have any specific numbers in front 
of you but uh as been requested by council we will  

597
01:05:49,586 --> 01:05:54,386
be reporting on those. I mean, typically it's 
reported on quarterly, but you're looking for  

598
01:05:54,386 --> 01:06:02,306
um and we've heard the request uh quarterly 
reports on how we're doing. That's why I laid this  

599
01:06:02,306 --> 01:06:05,266
um the objectives out to you so you're fully 
[snorts] aware of what the objectives are and  

600
01:06:05,266 --> 01:06:11,586
we'll report back on the key successes uh of 
those objectives and initiatives. Yeah. Thanks,  

601
01:06:11,586 --> 01:06:17,746
Staff Sergeant. My my last question mayor is um 
in the slide it speaks to key initiatives under  

602
01:06:17,746 --> 01:06:24,386
um [snorts] crime reduction uh publication 
of priority offenders and I think the success  

603
01:06:24,386 --> 01:06:29,506
measure that you've identified that goes along 
with that is offender awareness products. So I  

604
01:06:29,506 --> 01:06:35,106
think that's the first time that we've also seen 
that languaging. Um and so can you break down what  

605
01:06:35,106 --> 01:06:40,466
that is? What does that look like? And what does 
um the publication of priority offenders is that  

606
01:06:40,466 --> 01:06:48,626
publication to the public? Um and what what's the 
utility of that? How does that reduce crime? Yeah,  

607
01:06:48,626 --> 01:06:53,666
I mean occasionally there will be publications 
on it. Uh typically that's more of an in-house  

608
01:06:53,666 --> 01:07:01,106
publication. U so all our members partner agencies 
are aware of who has been identified as one of  

609
01:07:01,106 --> 01:07:07,906
these REO we're speaking specifically to Revoy 
uh a Revoy candidate. Um, so we will let that  

610
01:07:07,906 --> 01:07:14,226
offender know that you have been designated 
as this by the hub, the community, and that's  

611
01:07:14,226 --> 01:07:19,666
not just the police, but that is, you know, crown, 
parole, probation to let them know that, you know,  

612
01:07:19,666 --> 01:07:25,506
basically they're under the microscope. 
Um, you know, could that be an education,  

613
01:07:25,506 --> 01:07:33,426
awareness, proactive measure? Sure. But, 
um, I think the, uh, yeah, the 72 is more.  

614
01:07:33,426 --> 01:07:38,546
So, we're going to every month we will have 
designated offenders and that is going to be  

615
01:07:38,546 --> 01:07:44,226
um broadcast out to our membership and as well 
to the to the hub um about those candidate those  

616
01:07:44,226 --> 01:07:51,106
people that are included in the program. Thanks. 
Excellent. Yeah. Thanks, Council Zeler. And I  

617
01:07:51,106 --> 01:07:55,586
think you know one one of the there's a couple 
things that that have come kind of to to light.  

618
01:07:55,586 --> 01:08:02,626
One uh the request came a little bit later than it 
normally does. This is the first time where um uh  

619
01:08:02,626 --> 01:08:10,706
I think in the past there have been um suggested 
priorities. Uh but this time it came kind a little  

620
01:08:10,706 --> 01:08:15,586
bit more canned in the sense that it was for the 
whole Komox Valley. So it's sort of each council  

621
01:08:15,586 --> 01:08:22,386
um adding to it. So, uh, in sort of debriefing 
with, uh, the officer in charge, Inspector Mercer,  

622
01:08:22,386 --> 01:08:26,626
um, you know, getting this a little 
bit earlier would be great. And then,  

623
01:08:26,626 --> 01:08:34,386
uh, having, um, we've been talking for a long time 
now about having elected officials, RCMP, uh, uh,  

624
01:08:34,386 --> 01:08:42,226
meeting. And so all elected officials could come 
together, Komox First Nation as well. Um and  

625
01:08:42,226 --> 01:08:48,626
uh and actually have uh a larger discussion where 
we can talk about this and other sort of community  

626
01:08:48,626 --> 01:08:55,906
art uh policing needs and challenges and topics uh 
in whether it's a half a day or a full day um once  

627
01:08:55,906 --> 01:09:00,706
a year, twice a year, but getting that happening 
on a much more regular basis so that we're a  

628
01:09:00,706 --> 01:09:06,146
little bit ahead of things. And uh and I would 
concur. I I would say since I've been on council,  

629
01:09:06,146 --> 01:09:12,466
um intimate partner violence has definitely always 
been one of the top uh priorities for council. Um  

630
01:09:12,466 --> 01:09:19,026
and uh and so um yeah, so it's really about trying 
to see what we can do or you know, does it make  

631
01:09:19,026 --> 01:09:26,786
sense that five is the is the maximum? Uh when 
we know the RCMP uh when you pick up the phone,  

632
01:09:26,786 --> 01:09:33,586
they answer and they respond. And so, um, I think 
has been mentioned earlier before, I think our our  

633
01:09:33,586 --> 01:09:39,106
community is quite well served. Um, and so on 
these types of talk topics, there's maybe a bit  

634
01:09:39,106 --> 01:09:43,826
of massaging that we have to do kind of going 
forward to make sure we're we're all kind of,  

635
01:09:43,826 --> 01:09:48,946
uh, speaking the same language and and on the 
same timelines, uh, getting things going. So,  

636
01:09:48,946 --> 01:09:54,946
but I think we're Q2 right now and we're giving 
the priorities for the year. So, we're we're  

637
01:09:54,946 --> 01:10:02,626
already a bit behind, I think, this year. Um yeah. 
Uh with that, we do have a motion based on the  

638
01:10:02,626 --> 01:10:09,106
um priorities that were set forward that's been 
moved and seconded. Uh so all those in favor? Any  

639
01:10:09,106 --> 01:10:14,226
opposed? And motion carries. And thanks again for 
your presentation today. And I would say there's a  

640
01:10:14,226 --> 01:10:19,746
lot of information that was quite helpful. So just 
a bit of a a bit of a thumbs up to say it looks  

641
01:10:19,746 --> 01:10:24,626
like every time there's an iteration and things 
get better. So you can pass that on to whoever  

642
01:10:24,626 --> 01:10:30,386
assisted you with it or if it was just you. uh in 
the basement uh but also pass that on to Inspector  

643
01:10:30,386 --> 01:10:36,786
Curver. Inspector Kerver Whoa, where did that 
come from? Inspector Mercer having a flashback  

644
01:10:36,786 --> 01:10:43,906
flashback there of some sort. But uh again, um 
your comment on getting out into the community uh  

645
01:10:43,906 --> 01:10:49,906
has been uh something that I've been observing and 
have had the opportunity to meet uh with you guys  

646
01:10:49,906 --> 01:10:55,826
uh on a variety of topics uh and just really 
thank you for your service to the community.  

647
01:10:56,706 --> 01:11:00,786
All right, with that, uh, have a great evening. 
You don't have to stay for the rest of the meeting  

648
01:11:00,786 --> 01:11:07,026
unless you really want to. Um, and, uh, we'll 
move on to external reports and correspondence.  

649
01:11:07,026 --> 01:11:16,786
And we do have an Idian's way traffic calming, um, 
letter and councelor Cole Hamilton. Yeah, thanks,  

650
01:11:16,786 --> 01:11:22,866
Mayor. I wrote to staff earlier with a a proposal 
for a resolution on this and I um knocked on doors  

651
01:11:22,866 --> 01:11:29,026
in 2018 and 2022 on this stretch of the street and 
I heard about it from pretty much every person I  

652
01:11:29,026 --> 01:11:35,106
spoke to along there. So, this is not new to me at 
all and having gone through the materials that Mr.  

653
01:11:35,106 --> 01:11:40,946
Buukich, pronouncing that correctly, um, forwarded 
to us. It looks like there's been a back and forth  

654
01:11:40,946 --> 01:11:49,746
going on since, um, last December on this. And 
uh I think it would be good for us to um review  

655
01:11:49,746 --> 01:11:55,586
the concerns that were raised and perhaps also 
um to be doing something in the meantime given  

656
01:11:55,586 --> 01:12:01,666
this has been uh ongoing for quite some time, 
many years depending on how you're counting,  

657
01:12:01,666 --> 01:12:07,746
but certainly since December, many months uh since 
the request was made. So if it's okay, maybe I'll  

658
01:12:07,746 --> 01:12:15,266
uh just uh make a motion. And that is uh the 
council and I pass this on to Miss Proton who  

659
01:12:15,266 --> 01:12:20,546
has that. The council directs staff to immediately 
implement short-term operational safety measures  

660
01:12:20,546 --> 01:12:25,586
on Idian's way such as temporary speed 
reader boards, enhanced enforcement requests,  

661
01:12:25,586 --> 01:12:33,746
or rapid rectangular flashing beacons or RFBS 
uh at the Crown Isle South Trail crosswalk to  

662
01:12:33,746 --> 01:12:40,866
mitigate speeding risks and uh the council direct 
staff to reassess the Idian's Way traffic calming  

663
01:12:40,866 --> 01:12:50,786
application taking into account the concerns 
raised by Mr. Vukich and report back to council.

664
01:12:50,786 --> 01:12:57,026
Hopefully, there's a seconder for that. It's been 
seconded. Uh I think it was a wholesome motion,  

665
01:12:57,026 --> 01:13:01,186
so I don't know that you necessarily need to 
speak to it or I I do see other questions and  

666
01:13:01,186 --> 01:13:08,946
comments. And we'll start with council more. I 
absolutely support the intent of of the motion. I  

667
01:13:08,946 --> 01:13:17,426
just feel like maybe we should get um some kind of 
uh response back from staff and entertain a motion  

668
01:13:17,426 --> 01:13:23,426
um potentially at the next meeting. Um but 
I absolutely think that there needs to be  

669
01:13:23,426 --> 01:13:30,786
some response, but I'm just not sure whether the 
detail of the motion is appropriate for tonight,  

670
01:13:30,786 --> 01:13:37,106
but other people can weigh in. Thanks. Thanks, 
Councelor Morren and Councelor Hillian. Well,  

671
01:13:37,106 --> 01:13:42,626
thanks Mary. Um, so in our council package, we 
have what looks like a presentation and I wasn't  

672
01:13:42,626 --> 01:13:49,106
sure what the intent was. We was the intent that 
uh we simply look at it or was there some intent  

673
01:13:49,106 --> 01:13:56,226
around anyone speaking to it whether staff or 
uh the residents who sent it in? Thank you. This  

674
01:13:56,226 --> 01:14:03,026
originally came in as a delegation request and um 
due to various logistical reasons um was not added  

675
01:14:03,026 --> 01:14:08,146
to the agenda as a delegation, but I understand 
um that there are people here tonight and I don't  

676
01:14:08,146 --> 01:14:12,626
know if they would be prepared to speak to it or 
if they're just here to answer questions. Right  

677
01:14:12,626 --> 01:14:19,986
now it is not scheduled as a delegation. Okay, 
fair enough. Um yeah, I mean I I'm I'm fine with  

678
01:14:19,986 --> 01:14:26,146
the motion that's been proposed. I just think it's 
important that our staff have an opportunity to uh  

679
01:14:26,146 --> 01:14:33,026
respond. There's suggestion in the presentation 
material that uh people are not happy with the  

680
01:14:33,026 --> 01:14:37,826
engagement they've had uh with city staff and 
and I think it's important that there be an  

681
01:14:37,826 --> 01:14:46,146
opportunity for us to hear the staff perspective 
on that as well. So but um no no quarrel with the  

682
01:14:46,146 --> 01:14:51,426
concerns. As I acknowledge to our staff sergeant, 
it's the number one concern in every neighborhood  

683
01:14:51,426 --> 01:14:56,626
in the community, which is why we've uh done 
what we've done to lower speed limits and bring  

684
01:14:56,626 --> 01:15:02,706
in other measures. And so, anything that we can 
do to help in this area as well. Thanks. Thanks,  

685
01:15:02,706 --> 01:15:07,666
Councelor Halen. Mr. Garvin, do you want Yeah, 
we'll go to councelor Fr and then councelor  

686
01:15:07,666 --> 01:15:12,946
Joliker and then Mr. Okay. Yeah, I was just going 
to ask for maybe staff's thoughts. Obviously, we  

687
01:15:12,946 --> 01:15:20,546
have that um process now to for for neighborhoods 
to come forward and present their traffic issues.  

688
01:15:20,546 --> 01:15:27,106
Um and I remember seeing this one on the on the 
list. And so maybe if staff want to give a just  

689
01:15:27,106 --> 01:15:36,306
a quick a recap of what they found. It looks like 
it maybe didn't um meet the I guess it was the the  

690
01:15:36,306 --> 01:15:41,426
mark that we had set for immediate action. But um 
I don't know if our staff have any more comment on  

691
01:15:41,426 --> 01:15:46,146
that. Okay. And maybe I'll pass over to councelor 
Joler and then let staff speak after that if  

692
01:15:46,146 --> 01:15:51,426
that's right. Uh councelor Joler. Yeah, thanks. Uh 
similar question to councelor FR. How um I would  

693
01:15:51,426 --> 01:15:59,906
just add if I can we can also hear from staff. Um 
I'm happy to support the reassessment process. Um  

694
01:15:59,906 --> 01:16:07,266
which I think is a second part of the resolution. 
Um but I am curious given that we have um a  

695
01:16:07,266 --> 01:16:15,506
transportation master plan, the safe and active 
school program um and other transportation safety  

696
01:16:15,506 --> 01:16:22,786
measures in place right now and planned for. I I 
I do get curious like these speed reader boards  

697
01:16:22,786 --> 01:16:30,626
and enhanced enforcement requests like the RRFBs 
like do we even have enough to go around? Is it  

698
01:16:30,626 --> 01:16:36,466
like if we give this direction, is there going to 
be an operational impact? Like are these already  

699
01:16:36,466 --> 01:16:42,786
assigned elsewhere in the community? Like do we 
have enough to just put out to Idian's way? Um  

700
01:16:42,786 --> 01:16:47,106
that's my I guess my question around operational 
impacts. Otherwise, everything else I'm fine  

701
01:16:47,106 --> 01:16:52,306
with. It's just curious if there's if um we're 
taking something away from another neighborhood  

702
01:16:52,306 --> 01:16:58,626
to help way at the moment. Thank thanks for that 
clarification and I'll pass it to Mr. Garp. Yeah,  

703
01:16:58,626 --> 01:17:05,186
thank you. Thank you. the mayor to council. Um I 
can take it in two parts. The operational response  

704
01:17:05,186 --> 01:17:10,546
uh with localized enforcement and we we do 
have a program to have the speed readers  

705
01:17:10,546 --> 01:17:15,506
out and that's been very effective. Uh I did 
have a chance to connect with staff around the  

706
01:17:15,506 --> 01:17:22,866
um flashing uh safety work there and I've been 
advised that's not a significant issue. Uh and  

707
01:17:22,866 --> 01:17:29,826
that can be deployed. It it is a this has been a 
long-term uh the edge between the rural area and  

708
01:17:29,826 --> 01:17:34,946
the municipality has been a long-standing 
conversation. This Indians way connection  

709
01:17:34,946 --> 01:17:39,426
was opened and developed in accordance with 
transportation plans that were developed many many  

710
01:17:39,426 --> 01:17:45,186
many years ago and the it's a vital link. So it's 
appropriate staff can come back with information  

711
01:17:45,186 --> 01:17:52,146
based on what's been raised. Uh that's totally 
appropriate. Had it been a delegation, I likely  

712
01:17:52,146 --> 01:17:57,426
I would assume that would be the the direction 
from council and unfortunately Mr. Shaw is on  

713
01:17:57,426 --> 01:18:04,146
a a well-deserved vacation day today. Although 
Matt Brown is here able able in his place, but  

714
01:18:04,146 --> 01:18:09,586
I I can speak to that. I don't believe it would 
injure any other initiatives that we have and we  

715
01:18:09,586 --> 01:18:14,786
council is aware and has supported the utilization 
of this type of infrastructure because it's very  

716
01:18:14,786 --> 01:18:22,706
effective and uh it's an important uh pedestrian 
crossing at the edge of our municipal boundary.

717
01:18:22,706 --> 01:18:26,786
All right, thank thanks for that feedback 
councelor Jaliker. Yeah, so I just want to be  

718
01:18:26,786 --> 01:18:32,786
abundantly clear like we have the back to school 
program starting. Um I and I know that we're using  

719
01:18:32,786 --> 01:18:41,106
these these two traffic enforcements. So can we we 
know for certain we're not going to be lacking for  

720
01:18:41,106 --> 01:18:48,690
that program? Matt's going to answer just one 
second. Mr. Brown, thank you mayor to council  

721
01:18:48,690 --> 01:18:52,466
[clears throat] JCore. It's a great question. Um 
some of these infrastructure pieces that you're  

722
01:18:52,466 --> 01:18:57,746
asking for do take at least 6 to 8 weeks to to 
receive. Uh we do have a current program but um if  

723
01:18:57,746 --> 01:19:05,186
directed I could order those and we can implement 
them in the next two three months if asked.

724
01:19:05,186 --> 01:19:10,946
Okay. Uh thanks that gives us a good sense of that 
that timeline as well. So much appreciate it. Uh  

725
01:19:10,946 --> 01:19:17,026
councelor P. Yeah thanks. Just to clarify the um 
flashing beacons at the crossing is that a is that  

726
01:19:17,026 --> 01:19:24,546
a temporary thing that you would order or is it 
permanent? Oh you're you so close. Just leave it  

727
01:19:24,546 --> 01:19:30,786
on now. Thank you, mayor. Um uh my the response 
to that is to be a permanent measure be put in  

728
01:19:30,786 --> 01:19:35,346
if if we did add it. Yeah. Do you have a actually 
I think we asked the cost a while back and it was  

729
01:19:35,346 --> 01:19:40,706
fairly low number. Yeah. It' be approximately 
there's two tiers. So if it was just a a rapid  

730
01:19:40,706 --> 01:19:46,626
flasher just that the technology temp simply the 
rapid flasher technology uh or the lumi walk it's  

731
01:19:46,626 --> 01:19:52,466
called additional lighting. So that the base 
level the rapid flasher be about 15,000 this  

732
01:19:52,466 --> 01:19:59,186
the let me walk be about 25 right and is there 
also ICBC or somebody puts money into that as  

733
01:19:59,186 --> 01:20:05,186
well or is it just from the city? Oh Mr. Gar yeah 
in terms of the standard it is the rural edge of  

734
01:20:05,186 --> 01:20:09,826
the community and there is no street lighting 
opposite so we've often had some challenges  

735
01:20:09,826 --> 01:20:15,186
with rural areas supportive and not supportive of 
street lighting. So the appropriate uh engineering  

736
01:20:15,186 --> 01:20:20,066
technology based on the standard would be 
what would be utilized in that area. Um but  

737
01:20:20,066 --> 01:20:26,306
it's doable and uh we've deployed it throughout 
the municipality. Uh and this is a permanent  

738
01:20:26,306 --> 01:20:31,266
uh pedestrian connection that's very important 
inside that neighborhood. So it's not like this is  

739
01:20:31,266 --> 01:20:36,626
um emerging that that pedestrian crossing at the 
edge of the school boundary. Yeah. Well, I'm I'm  

740
01:20:36,626 --> 01:20:42,226
not an engineer, but I don't see any harm. in fact 
a lot of benefit to putting flashers at pedestrian  

741
01:20:42,226 --> 01:20:46,066
crossings and I find that they can use them if 
they need to and obviously if there's nothing  

742
01:20:46,066 --> 01:20:53,346
going on they don't have to. So yeah, thanks 
thanks Councelor Fr and Councelor Hillian. Yeah,  

743
01:20:53,346 --> 01:20:59,906
thanks Mayor. I just wanted to add a comment that 
um in um discussions with residents in other parts  

744
01:20:59,906 --> 01:21:06,066
of the city about uh the challenges of enforcing 
speed limits um we've acknowledged that it's  

745
01:21:06,066 --> 01:21:13,106
impossible for the police to be everywhere. Um the 
uh even down in an area like Puntlage Park where  

746
01:21:13,106 --> 01:21:19,106
there's a 30 kilometer speed limit through the 
park and you have children and families and pets  

747
01:21:19,106 --> 01:21:24,546
uh walking over to go swimming and such. We 
regularly hear reports of people racing through  

748
01:21:24,546 --> 01:21:30,786
there. And I've advocated that uh we should 
in fact be using photo radar enforcement.  

749
01:21:30,786 --> 01:21:36,626
we hear from uh people at higher levels that 
it's not politically popular and it's unlikely  

750
01:21:36,626 --> 01:21:42,786
that any government will bring it in again. And 
to me that that just seems counter u intuitive  

751
01:21:42,786 --> 01:21:48,946
because uh we know that that that in fact is an 
effective way of getting people to slow down if  

752
01:21:48,946 --> 01:21:53,906
you can hit them in the pocketbook. So, I would 
just encourage residents to consider uh getting  

753
01:21:53,906 --> 01:22:00,226
in touch with their member of the legislature to 
uh um encourage the provincial government in that  

754
01:22:00,226 --> 01:22:05,746
direction. Uh we're having the opportunity to have 
some discussions with officials from the ministry  

755
01:22:05,746 --> 01:22:10,866
of the solicitor general as we have in the past 
about uh what they're doing to expand red light  

756
01:22:10,866 --> 01:22:18,386
cameras and possibly p piloting such enforcement 
measures. And uh I think pressure from communities  

757
01:22:18,386 --> 01:22:24,786
uh would help. Um I don't know who's out there 
who's saying that this is not a good idea and  

758
01:22:24,786 --> 01:22:31,106
why it's so politically unpopular because uh it's 
it's the biggest issue for people in their in in  

759
01:22:31,106 --> 01:22:35,346
their [clears throat] their neighborhoods uh 
being able to walk safely on their streets,  

760
01:22:35,346 --> 01:22:43,026
cross the roads, and not have to worry about their 
kids being uh injured by speeders. Thanks. Thanks,  

761
01:22:43,026 --> 01:22:48,786
Councelor Hill. Appreciate that. And looking 
around, I see no further questions or comments.  

762
01:22:48,786 --> 01:22:58,146
There is a motion on the table. Uh all those 
in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries. Um  

763
01:22:58,146 --> 01:23:03,346
and so that will get get things happening. So 
again, thank thanks for uh providing the input  

764
01:23:03,346 --> 01:23:10,146
to the the community and uh and to council. And 
we'll move on to the letter from the honorable  

765
01:23:10,146 --> 01:23:20,546
Mr. Christine Bole, uh our housing minister. And 
um excellent. And uh for those watching online,  

766
01:23:20,546 --> 01:23:24,306
if you don't want to read the letter, 
it's just basically letting us know that  

767
01:23:24,306 --> 01:23:30,946
uh we're well on our way to our housing targets 
that they imposed upon us last year. And  

768
01:23:30,946 --> 01:23:36,786
uh and so thanking us for our efforts. 
Uh and so again, at the end of the day,  

769
01:23:36,786 --> 01:23:41,746
uh big thanks to staff and obviously the people 
who build houses because uh that's they're the  

770
01:23:41,746 --> 01:23:48,306
ones that are getting that done. So, um, that's 
been received unanimously. We move into staff  

771
01:23:48,306 --> 01:23:54,946
reports and we have the city manager strategic 
priorities update and I'll pass that over to Mr.  

772
01:23:54,946 --> 01:24:01,666
Garve. Thank you through the mayor council. I'm 
really happy to bring forward our uh July update  

773
01:24:01,666 --> 01:24:07,906
on the strategic priorities. Um the this is uh 
the uh term of this council is approaching its  

774
01:24:07,906 --> 01:24:15,266
conclusion and it is uh a vast amount of work 
that's happened over the last three uh and uh  

775
01:24:15,266 --> 01:24:21,106
half years. Maybe we're a little farther through 
there. Um in March of 26, we were brought forward  

776
01:24:21,106 --> 01:24:27,106
a status update from the last quarter of 25 and 
we were directed to um reflect new items that are  

777
01:24:27,106 --> 01:24:33,026
added, adjust timelines and report back in July 
and September of 2026. Um, this report is our 26  

778
01:24:33,026 --> 01:24:39,666
progress. We're really excited to look at how much 
is being accomplished. Um, and much of this is  

779
01:24:39,666 --> 01:24:45,346
reported in the city's annual report that was uh 
recently published. Um, I really want to highlight  

780
01:24:45,346 --> 01:24:51,666
a few items though. Uh, the completed initiatives 
uh section. So, the Six Street Bridge construction  

781
01:24:51,666 --> 01:24:56,786
of the mo multimmoal link has been completed. 
We've updated and adopted in the new development  

782
01:24:56,786 --> 01:25:02,386
cost charge bylaw. We've adopted our first ever 
amenity cost charge bylaw and we have adopted  

783
01:25:02,386 --> 01:25:08,946
our new and updated official community plan that 
addresses excuse me the uh legislative direction  

784
01:25:08,946 --> 01:25:14,866
from the province. Um our new zoning bylaw has 
been updated to implement the OCP as well as the  

785
01:25:14,866 --> 01:25:22,306
uh smallcale multi-unit uh housing regulations. We 
are seeing the implications of these um planning  

786
01:25:22,306 --> 01:25:27,506
documents every day. We continue to lead the way 
on housing development and with council support,  

787
01:25:27,506 --> 01:25:33,986
developers are continuing to um implement our 
community plan in accordance with the province's  

788
01:25:33,986 --> 01:25:40,786
priorities. Uh so this is something that uh is 
something to be really proud of. Uh this council  

789
01:25:40,786 --> 01:25:47,586
um was committed to uh increasing available 
development, increasing the variety uh of uh units  

790
01:25:47,586 --> 01:25:52,146
in our community to respond to both our emerging 
demographics and the provincial direction. And  

791
01:25:52,146 --> 01:25:59,266
it's something uh I think we should re really be 
celebrating. Um the mayor referenced our uh first  

792
01:25:59,266 --> 01:26:05,186
quarter or sorry our initial housing response and 
uh when we were identified as a housing targets  

793
01:26:05,186 --> 01:26:10,466
community uh it came with praise not concern 
and uh that continues to be reflected in the  

794
01:26:10,466 --> 01:26:15,506
work that's happening. Um we wouldn't be able to 
do that without entrepreneurs who are uh seeing  

795
01:26:15,506 --> 01:26:20,146
great comfort in the development policy as well 
as council's activities in the uh when the rubber  

796
01:26:20,146 --> 01:26:26,546
meets the road which is yes to a reasonzoning. Um 
I want to also identify a really important change  

797
01:26:26,546 --> 01:26:31,666
uh upgrading the fifth and cliff intersection uh 
to implement that new pedestrian crosswalk and we  

798
01:26:31,666 --> 01:26:39,106
saw it uh in action uh on market days and uh so um 
with lots of ice cream sold on either corner. So  

799
01:26:39,106 --> 01:26:44,706
uh and then we have uh implemented a tracking 
system for our council public inquiries as well as  

800
01:26:44,706 --> 01:26:49,746
the east side fireh hall design and construction 
management. Uh we're very excited that uh the  

801
01:26:49,746 --> 01:26:56,466
firewall construction has commenced. Um table um 
the table attached in attachment one provides a  

802
01:26:56,466 --> 01:27:02,066
detailed overview of each section of our strategic 
priorities. And uh I members of our senior staff  

803
01:27:02,066 --> 01:27:07,106
are here to answer any questions that council may 
have. But I I just want to thank council for their  

804
01:27:07,106 --> 01:27:12,386
clear direction and staying on our strategic 
priorities as well as our staff for following  

805
01:27:12,386 --> 01:27:17,666
through. I get the pleasure of reporting back. 
They do all the heavy lifting. So, um, with that,  

806
01:27:17,666 --> 01:27:23,026
we're available for questions. All right. Thanks 
so much for that overview and I'll look to council  

807
01:27:23,026 --> 01:27:31,666
if there's any questions or comments regarding 
the strategic priorities. And councelor Hillian.  

808
01:27:31,666 --> 01:27:38,386
Thanks, Mayor. Um, you know, I I think that the 
business of the city, which um is certainly being  

809
01:27:38,386 --> 01:27:46,146
discussed a lot in our social media feeds these 
days with an election approaching, is um is a lot  

810
01:27:46,146 --> 01:27:50,946
easier to do when you're on the outside looking 
in than when you're actually there making the  

811
01:27:50,946 --> 01:27:57,666
decisions and sorting out the resources that are 
required. Um I think that the uh the strategic  

812
01:27:57,666 --> 01:28:06,226
plan that uh Mr. Garbert's uh presenting on um 
has [snorts] been largely uh successful in in many  

813
01:28:06,226 --> 01:28:13,826
many ways. I did want to comment on one aspect 
and that's the um u the increased density that  

814
01:28:13,826 --> 01:28:20,626
uh that we're seeing partly as a result of um uh 
provincial legislation but also as a result of  

815
01:28:20,626 --> 01:28:25,346
decisions that the larger Komox Valley made when 
it adopted the regional growth strategy a number  

816
01:28:25,346 --> 01:28:32,866
of years ago and determined that um it made more 
sense to infill and uh and build a more compact  

817
01:28:32,866 --> 01:28:40,066
city than to sprawl out into the rural areas. 
Um many people don't like that because um uh  

818
01:28:40,066 --> 01:28:46,066
it involves uh larger buildings in certain parts 
of the community. It involves a certain change in  

819
01:28:46,066 --> 01:28:51,746
the charact characteristic of neighborhoods and 
it obviously involves more traffic congestion.  

820
01:28:51,746 --> 01:28:57,346
Um those are all things that uh are inevitable 
with a growing community and that um hopefully  

821
01:28:57,346 --> 01:29:03,186
some of the traffic control measures that we've 
implemented will help with as time goes by. But  

822
01:29:03,186 --> 01:29:11,586
um um I I don't think we can under uh rate uh 
the significant progress that um the community  

823
01:29:11,586 --> 01:29:19,346
has made in um building uh housing for the people 
who want to live here and and make this community  

824
01:29:19,346 --> 01:29:24,866
a part of their lives. It's always a challenge to 
try and retain the qualities that brought here in  

825
01:29:24,866 --> 01:29:31,906
the first place. Um, but I I I personally want to 
uh say thank you to our staff for how incredibly  

826
01:29:31,906 --> 01:29:38,946
hard they've worked over the last several years 
to uh um um to realize the achievements in this  

827
01:29:38,946 --> 01:29:44,306
strategic plan and I think that uh by and large 
the community is is better off for that work  

828
01:29:44,306 --> 01:29:50,626
that's been done. Thanks. Thank you very much 
uh councelor Helen for those comments. Much  

829
01:29:50,626 --> 01:29:57,746
appreciated. And uh councelor Jeler. Yeah, I 
councelor Hillian stole my thunder. That's what  

830
01:29:57,746 --> 01:30:03,026
I was going to say. I I I just uh have to add 
that I'm really proud of the work um you know,  

831
01:30:03,026 --> 01:30:09,826
in an election year. I think this document really 
highlights uh to folks the complexity of the work  

832
01:30:09,826 --> 01:30:19,746
um and also how um outside influences uh can also 
delay things. um we had a quite a large ask for  

833
01:30:19,746 --> 01:30:26,866
our staff uh or at the beginning of our term and 
we also had a major shifts proincially and so  

834
01:30:26,866 --> 01:30:32,706
you'll see that under the buildings and landscapes 
section a lot of that work was as a result of the  

835
01:30:32,706 --> 01:30:39,986
provincial mandate. So um and I did want to just 
highlight there's two areas that um aren't colored  

836
01:30:39,986 --> 01:30:46,706
in green but I really genuinely feel like maybe 
we could color it a shade of green. Um and that  

837
01:30:46,706 --> 01:30:52,786
is in part because I feel like we're almost 
there. Uh number 23 under affordable housing,  

838
01:30:52,786 --> 01:30:59,506
the homelessness initiatives. This has been 
a huge priority for council and for staff and  

839
01:30:59,506 --> 01:31:07,746
um we had the opportunity to attend the Braidwood 
uh blessing ceremony last week. Um and we've moved  

840
01:31:07,746 --> 01:31:13,186
quite a long way with the winter shelter on 
the agenda today. I know that we have the  

841
01:31:13,186 --> 01:31:20,306
winter shelter strategy upcoming, but I think 
there's huge pieces in that number alone that  

842
01:31:20,306 --> 01:31:27,666
uh have completed uh at least the city's 
uh role to to initiate things as well as  

843
01:31:27,666 --> 01:31:34,386
um some of the work um I think um related to 
the Courtney and uh district memorial pool as  

844
01:31:34,386 --> 01:31:39,026
it's read here is around the needs assessment and 
the options analysis. I think we we've completed  

845
01:31:39,026 --> 01:31:45,426
that work and it was a huge body of work. So, just 
some comments. I do have two questions, mayor. Um,  

846
01:31:45,426 --> 01:31:53,266
I think quite quick. Um, one being the um, uh, 
bike parking. Um, I think it's the first time  

847
01:31:53,266 --> 01:32:00,306
I've noticed this sentence. So, it's action number 
20. Um, further direction is required to confirm  

848
01:32:00,306 --> 01:32:06,306
scope, timing, and implementation. So, I I don't 
know if I just missed that in the last updates,  

849
01:32:06,306 --> 01:32:15,986
but um I'm wondering if staff can speak to um what 
they need as direction to um to to initiate that  

850
01:32:15,986 --> 01:32:22,626
work or to move that work forward and from whom? 
Yeah, thank you. Uh thank you for the question.  

851
01:32:22,626 --> 01:32:30,626
Um, councelor the uh related to the downtown 
transit exchange was the request by council  

852
01:32:30,626 --> 01:32:37,026
to include bike parking. Uh my recollection of 
the conversation about that is that it is not a  

853
01:32:37,026 --> 01:32:44,306
significant component of that and so we will need 
to do some more work uh on that. Uh a challenge is  

854
01:32:44,306 --> 01:32:55,186
that um the built form downtown uh we have uh over 
10 uh bike uh uh parking areas uh ranging from  

855
01:32:55,186 --> 01:33:02,066
uh secure uh sorry but we are we do not have 
any municipal secure storage at this point. So  

856
01:33:02,066 --> 01:33:07,906
uh it could potentially require the removal of 
some parking and some other items like that.  

857
01:33:07,906 --> 01:33:13,506
So that'll be uh some dialogue that we would 
have um potentially through the down downtown  

858
01:33:13,506 --> 01:33:20,466
uh local area plan work that's going to be 
happening. So hopefully that clarifies that.

859
01:33:20,466 --> 01:33:24,066
Does that answer it or did you need 
further clarification? Yeah. Well,  

860
01:33:24,066 --> 01:33:28,946
I guess yeah, thanks mayor. uh because it's 
identified as partially resourced in that  

861
01:33:28,946 --> 01:33:35,346
um that row and so I was kind of curious if 
we needed to you know and not for today but  

862
01:33:35,346 --> 01:33:39,506
I'm happy to speak with my colleagues to 
see if there's support and bring something  

863
01:33:39,506 --> 01:33:46,546
forward around actually resourcing this 
conversation beyond the DVLAP process. Yeah,  

864
01:33:46,546 --> 01:33:51,666
thank you for the clarification counselor. Uh we 
need to go through the planning process identify  

865
01:33:51,666 --> 01:33:55,106
opportunities to undertake that and then 
see if we need those funds. So that would  

866
01:33:55,106 --> 01:33:59,746
be included in a future financial planning. 
Uh like I said, there was a hope that the  

867
01:33:59,746 --> 01:34:05,986
transit transit exchange would include that. 
Uh that's not part of it. Uh and so we'll work  

868
01:34:05,986 --> 01:34:12,386
uh together and we can maybe it depends on the 
nature of redevelopment of some of the properties  

869
01:34:12,386 --> 01:34:17,666
downtown that would be supported for the DAP if 
there was secure storage that could be component  

870
01:34:17,666 --> 01:34:22,226
of that. But look, I'm really looking forward to 
that conversation. Thank you for the question.

871
01:34:23,746 --> 01:34:30,066
Excellent. I don't see Oh, councelor Fr. Yeah, 
thanks. Well, maybe just a quick last word if  

872
01:34:30,066 --> 01:34:35,106
that's okay. Um, I just quickly looked up 
what the population growth estimated was in  

873
01:34:35,106 --> 01:34:41,186
Courtney in the last four years and it was 
2500 people and in that context, you know,  

874
01:34:41,186 --> 01:34:46,786
our rents have stabilized in the valley and 
it's still an amazing place to live. It's  

875
01:34:46,786 --> 01:34:52,786
we still function on a transportation level 
and um and everyone's generally really happy  

876
01:34:52,786 --> 01:34:58,066
with the services that are available, parks, 
recreation, um all our community events. So,  

877
01:34:58,066 --> 01:35:04,786
I just want to say thanks for all the hard 
work that was done and move the recommendation.

878
01:35:04,786 --> 01:35:09,586
Excellent. It's been moved and seconded. 
uh and and one of the stats that always  

879
01:35:09,586 --> 01:35:15,426
uh I find quite interesting when you when you look 
at so we had those many people uh you know sort of  

880
01:35:15,426 --> 01:35:19,586
increase the population but if you actually look 
at the people who moved to Courtney over the last  

881
01:35:19,586 --> 01:35:27,906
5 years it's like 50% of the population which is 
just baffles my mind uh on one sense and yeah some  

882
01:35:27,906 --> 01:35:33,186
of those people might just be moving across the 
street from Komox to Courtney or Cumberland or  

883
01:35:33,186 --> 01:35:39,426
those kinds of things but that's a lot of people 
coming to the to uh to Courtney uh proper. So  

884
01:35:39,426 --> 01:35:45,906
um and again I think we've managed it quite well. 
So kudos to to staff. Uh Mr. Garbin. Yeah. Thank  

885
01:35:45,906 --> 01:35:49,986
you, Mayor. Uh just with the council's direction, 
I want to let uh council know just like we did at  

886
01:35:49,986 --> 01:35:55,506
the end of the last uh strategic planning process, 
we actually have kind of a summary graphically  

887
01:35:55,506 --> 01:35:59,746
intensive document that's going to come out 
in August. Until you were good with what I  

888
01:35:59,746 --> 01:36:05,026
presented today, I couldn't prepare that, but that 
is all underway. So, it's a good way to wrap it up  

889
01:36:05,026 --> 01:36:08,706
especially so then to some of the counselor's 
comments so the community is really aware of  

890
01:36:08,706 --> 01:36:16,146
all the great things that have happened um with 
their tax dollars. Thanks. Excellent. Uh thanks  

891
01:36:16,146 --> 01:36:24,386
again for that and I'll call the question. All 
those in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries.  

892
01:36:24,386 --> 01:36:32,386
All right. Uh fantastic. All right. So, next on 
the agenda is a temporary winter shelter season  

893
01:36:32,386 --> 01:36:38,306
review and I'll pass that back to Mr. Garbbert. 
Yeah, thank you. Um through the merit council,  

894
01:36:38,306 --> 01:36:44,386
um beginning on uh page 73 of the agenda, we have 
an overview of the uh outcomes from the temporary  

895
01:36:44,386 --> 01:36:51,106
winter shelter at um 971 Cumberland Road. Um 
our colleague uh Isha Matus Gibbs prepared this  

896
01:36:51,106 --> 01:36:57,266
uh presentation and uh in our transition uh I 
just wanted to acknowledge our colleagues with  

897
01:36:57,266 --> 01:37:01,906
recreation culture and community services 
uh and our facilities department as well as  

898
01:37:01,906 --> 01:37:07,586
our operational services staff who've helped uh 
with this transition to provide this much needed  

899
01:37:07,586 --> 01:37:13,186
uh response in our community uh given the gap 
with the uh Braidwood facility. Now that the  

900
01:37:13,186 --> 01:37:18,546
Braidwood facility is under construction, we're 
uh more clear on the uh work that's happening on  

901
01:37:18,546 --> 01:37:25,666
the winter shelter. And I just wanted to let uh 
acknowledge that uh that the uh incoming facility  

902
01:37:25,666 --> 01:37:33,106
that's a few probably 18 to 24 months out will um 
address significant need in the community, but we  

903
01:37:33,106 --> 01:37:39,026
will still need temporary winter shelter services 
in the interim. This report provides an overview  

904
01:37:39,026 --> 01:37:47,186
of a number of areas including the statistics 
um during the operation. Uh highlights um client  

905
01:37:47,186 --> 01:37:54,226
outreach activities, our peer program and really 
important our community integration table. Um the  

906
01:37:54,226 --> 01:37:58,626
report is got significant information in there. 
But what I wanted to highlight for council is that  

907
01:37:58,626 --> 01:38:05,266
um we have um with great intent uh and 
good partnerships with service providers,  

908
01:38:05,266 --> 01:38:13,746
we've had excellent outcomes. Uh the we recognize 
that um hosting uh these types of uses uh are uh  

909
01:38:13,746 --> 01:38:20,226
have can have challenges. Um and since the city's 
become directly involved in this, we've had very  

910
01:38:20,226 --> 01:38:27,986
good outcomes and that's for two reasons. one is 
intentional um approach to approvals, requirements  

911
01:38:27,986 --> 01:38:35,826
and operations and the second is having a good 
partnership. And so uh with um the opening of  

912
01:38:35,826 --> 01:38:41,266
971 Cumberland Road, we have a new partner in 
the Lookout Society who has been very very good  

913
01:38:41,266 --> 01:38:49,186
uh both to uh residents, the neighborhood and um 
community members who utilize that and as well as  

914
01:38:49,186 --> 01:38:56,866
uh surrounding businesses, the city itself. Uh 
we're we're a significant neighbor. Um ultimately,  

915
01:38:56,866 --> 01:39:02,946
uh the program has been very successful again 
because of the attention to details and council  

916
01:39:02,946 --> 01:39:10,626
gave authorization to um move from um day uh 
daytime or dawn to dusk type of accommodation  

917
01:39:10,626 --> 01:39:16,306
there. I'm sorry, the reverse evening 
accommodation to 24-hour operations. And uh that  

918
01:39:16,306 --> 01:39:26,306
pilot meant very well. Um just wanted to highlight 
our recommendation is that um that we receive this  

919
01:39:26,306 --> 01:39:33,106
review and update um and uh direct staff to renew 
the license to occupy to allow 247 use of the  

920
01:39:33,106 --> 01:39:38,866
space for sheltering services with a code health 
and housing society for the 2026 and 27 winter  

921
01:39:38,866 --> 01:39:44,466
sheltering season. the council authorizes the city 
manager to execute the license to occupy and any  

922
01:39:44,466 --> 01:39:49,506
ancillary service agreements necessary and that 
recognizing the positive impact that additional  

923
01:39:49,506 --> 01:39:55,266
supports for guests in the community had with the 
2526 winter season the city approved funding to  

924
01:39:55,266 --> 01:40:02,226
renew the community integration table peer program 
and shelter outreach programs for 2526 I'm sorry  

925
01:40:02,226 --> 01:40:09,106
2627 and direct staff to request financial 
contributions from the CVRD's HSS function and  

926
01:40:09,106 --> 01:40:18,786
the town of Koma works for these programs. Just 
wanted to clarify that [clears throat] the three

927
01:40:18,786 --> 01:40:25,186
the three programs referenced uh uh are 
approximately $90,000 and those funds were  

928
01:40:25,186 --> 01:40:32,386
supported through uh ask to the region as well 
as the town of Komach. So uh we intend to proceed  

929
01:40:32,386 --> 01:40:38,146
and um given the success of the program and the 
support provided we anticipate there would be the  

930
01:40:38,146 --> 01:40:42,386
same level of support previously although uh we 
cannot guarantee that. So that's why we're asking  

931
01:40:42,386 --> 01:40:47,746
for that direction from council. I had a question 
uh what the financial program was and it's in  

932
01:40:47,746 --> 01:40:55,426
approximately $90,000 with that if we're here for 
questions. All right. Thanks very much for that.  

933
01:40:55,426 --> 01:41:01,506
Uh any questions from council starting with 
councelor Morren? Yeah, it's more of a comment I  

934
01:41:01,506 --> 01:41:08,306
guess. I really appreciated the inclusion of the 
um the testimonials journeys towards treatment  

935
01:41:08,306 --> 01:41:14,146
um the outcomes that came out of uh people who 
spent time at the at the shelter. And I think just  

936
01:41:14,146 --> 01:41:20,386
to emphasize that, you know, this is a temporary 
situation and to have those kind of outcomes  

937
01:41:20,386 --> 01:41:28,466
um from a temporary situation bodess really well 
when we have a permanent purpose-built shelter and  

938
01:41:28,466 --> 01:41:34,866
facility coming up. Um if we can have these kind 
of outcomes in a temporary situation with uh the  

939
01:41:34,866 --> 01:41:42,626
wraparound services that helped get several people 
to treatment and are having lasting success.  

940
01:41:42,626 --> 01:41:50,546
um uh and the you know just the stories that 
they've shared um folks with brain injuries,  

941
01:41:50,546 --> 01:41:57,106
folks who's had serious car accidents and um you 
know there's so many different circumstances for  

942
01:41:57,106 --> 01:42:06,066
people and um just yeah I appreciated that. I 
I think you know um people want numbers. They  

943
01:42:06,066 --> 01:42:10,786
want to know how many people came through, how 
many people got housed or went into treatment.  

944
01:42:10,786 --> 01:42:17,426
Um but those qualitative um that qualitative 
information is super important. Um those of us  

945
01:42:17,426 --> 01:42:25,026
who who worked in in fields where um often it was 
only qualitative um information. You you didn't  

946
01:42:25,026 --> 01:42:30,066
know how successful something was until you saw 
someone on the street, you know, 10 years later  

947
01:42:30,066 --> 01:42:36,146
doing well or 5 years later or whatever. So um 
I'm just appreciative of that inclusion in the  

948
01:42:36,146 --> 01:42:43,586
report. Thank you. Excellent. Thanks so much, uh, 
Council Warren, and I don't see any further, uh,  

949
01:42:43,586 --> 01:42:53,666
questions or comments. Um, so with that, okay, uh, 
it's been moved and seconded. All those in favor?  

950
01:42:53,666 --> 01:43:01,106
Any opposed? And motion carries. Mr. Garvin, 
thank you. Uh, just for council's reference,  

951
01:43:01,106 --> 01:43:06,626
um, uh, as outlined and identified by council 
Joliker, there's a second component. we've  

952
01:43:06,626 --> 01:43:11,506
been retained by the region to bring forward 
a winter shelter strategy document and we'll  

953
01:43:11,506 --> 01:43:19,746
be bringing that back to council in August. Um 
it's uh again we'll likely bu it builds on the  

954
01:43:19,746 --> 01:43:26,226
our experience and we'll make recommendations on 
coordination and uh as I said paying attention  

955
01:43:26,226 --> 01:43:31,026
to the details which has proved very very 
supportive or very important. So thanks for  

956
01:43:31,026 --> 01:43:42,786
that. Thanks. All right. Um, next on the agenda 
8.2.1 is liquor license application number 2602,  

957
01:43:42,786 --> 01:43:52,306
good neighbor agreements 244 street and uh, Pat is 
going to miss Molly. Oh, Andrew. Okay, Andrew. It  

958
01:43:52,306 --> 01:43:58,226
is through the mayor to council. So, this report 
is for council to consider a resolution to the  

959
01:43:58,226 --> 01:44:05,106
liquor light liquor and cannabis regulation branch 
or LCRB in response to liquor license application  

960
01:44:05,106 --> 01:44:11,666
number 2602. This liquor license is to request a 
change in liquor service hours from 9:00 a.m. to  

961
01:44:11,666 --> 01:44:21,186
2:00 a.m. 7 days a week for Gladstone Brewing Co. 
located at 244th Street. A quick background. Um,  

962
01:44:21,186 --> 01:44:27,746
at the May 13th, 2026 council meeting, council 
considered a staff report detailing liquor license  

963
01:44:27,746 --> 01:44:35,186
application number 2602. At this meeting, council 
passed a resolution enabling staff to one, request  

964
01:44:35,186 --> 01:44:41,666
an extension from the uh, liquor and cannabis 
regulation branch for their referral response,  

965
01:44:41,666 --> 01:44:47,346
and two, for staff to work with the applicant 
to address outstanding bylaw issues as well as  

966
01:44:47,346 --> 01:44:55,026
the finalization of a good neighbor agreement. Um, 
following this, staff were granted an an extension  

967
01:44:55,026 --> 01:45:03,186
to the referral response from the LCRB until July 
2nd, 2026. Staff met with the applicant on June  

968
01:45:03,186 --> 01:45:08,626
10th, 2026 to work on the good neighbor agreement. 
No good neighbor agreement was signed by the  

969
01:45:08,626 --> 01:45:14,626
applicant following this meeting. Staff brought 
a report to council on June 24th, 2026, which  

970
01:45:14,626 --> 01:45:20,226
recommended against supporting the application 
due to no good neighbor agreement being signed. At  

971
01:45:20,226 --> 01:45:27,026
this June 24th meeting, council opted to postpone 
the decision on this application as the applicant  

972
01:45:27,026 --> 01:45:33,986
could not attend due to p personal conflicts. 
Um, since the June 24th council meeting, the  

973
01:45:33,986 --> 01:45:43,026
following has taken place. Staff have obtained an 
extension from the LCRB until August 2nd of 2026.  

974
01:45:43,826 --> 01:45:48,946
No good neighbor agreement has been signed and 
staff and the staff report and recommendations  

975
01:45:48,946 --> 01:45:55,826
remain the same from the June 24th meeting and 
one letter was received from a neighbor on July  

976
01:45:55,826 --> 01:46:01,826
uh 26. This letter was not in support of 
the application. Um so the applicant is  

977
01:46:01,826 --> 01:46:06,706
attending tonight's council meeting and will be 
available to answer questions. Thank thank you  

978
01:46:06,706 --> 01:46:12,226
for your time and staff will also be available to 
answer any questions regarding the application.  

979
01:46:14,146 --> 01:46:18,866
Excellent. Thanks very much uh for that 
and I'll look to council if there's any  

980
01:46:18,866 --> 01:46:23,986
questions or comments. Councelor Fresh. Yeah. 
Thanks, Mayor. I was wondering if the applicant  

981
01:46:23,986 --> 01:46:29,746
wanted to take a minute to explain um 
their application for the extension and  

982
01:46:29,746 --> 01:46:35,106
uh their thoughts on the process. Okay. Yeah. 
Uh so yeah, if you guys want have somebody like  

983
01:46:35,106 --> 01:46:44,546
to approachate the podium. I don't see any 
council members not in favor of that. So,

984
01:46:44,546 --> 01:46:49,186
and your microphone's on now. So, uh yeah, feel 
free. And then we you may get some questions.  

985
01:46:49,186 --> 01:46:55,026
Yeah, any questions are fine. Um uh just 
regarding the good neighbor agreement,  

986
01:46:55,026 --> 01:47:01,586
uh I just try to work on it with the city staff. 
Um some of the terms in it I didn't find to be  

987
01:47:01,586 --> 01:47:08,786
relevant to the actual issue, which was uh 
all of our complaints were noise complaints.  

988
01:47:08,786 --> 01:47:15,506
uh they all happened after 10 p.m. and we already 
have a bylaw mechanism in place with the city  

989
01:47:15,506 --> 01:47:21,426
where if amplified music is played after 10 p.m. 
uh you're in violation of bylaw and subject to a  

990
01:47:21,426 --> 01:47:29,346
potential fine. Um, over the course of 12 years of 
business, we have had, I believe, 10 complaints,  

991
01:47:29,346 --> 01:47:37,026
uh, almost all of them from one individual 
and all after 10 p.m. amplified music. And  

992
01:47:37,026 --> 01:47:43,506
uh suppose just with the good neighbor agreement 
uh the big thing that the main reason I didn't  

993
01:47:43,506 --> 01:47:51,186
want to sign it was because it had a clause 
in there that tied my business license to  

994
01:47:51,186 --> 01:47:58,226
complying with the good neighbor agreement 
um when we already have a mechanism in place  

995
01:47:58,226 --> 01:48:06,066
uh through the bylaw system for the noise um 
and I didn't want my business license tied

996
01:48:09,426 --> 01:48:15,026
uh to a good neighbor agreement if that makes 
sense to everyone have questions. So that's  

997
01:48:15,026 --> 01:48:22,226
why I didn't sign it. I tried to get that clause 
removed. Uh that didn't happen so I didn't sign  

998
01:48:22,226 --> 01:48:26,706
it. I met with the city staff about it. There 
was a few other things in there that I that  

999
01:48:26,706 --> 01:48:32,866
I thought weren't relevant either because uh 
for the majority of the like for 100% of the  

1000
01:48:32,866 --> 01:48:39,426
complaints it's all been noise complaints. If we 
extend our license to, you know, two hours later,  

1001
01:48:39,426 --> 01:48:42,946
we would still be in violation if we were making 
noise after that hour. Nothing's really changing  

1002
01:48:42,946 --> 01:48:48,946
with the way we operate our business except if we 
have an event, an indoor event or something. Um,  

1003
01:48:48,946 --> 01:48:53,746
we know we have to shut down the outdoor amplified 
music at 10. If we don't, we're in violation of  

1004
01:48:53,746 --> 01:48:58,946
the bylaw, but it doesn't mean patrons have to 
leave. They can still hang out outside, have,  

1005
01:48:58,946 --> 01:49:05,506
you know, uh, a good time with their friends. 
Um, and if we do a show, say we do a show inside  

1006
01:49:05,506 --> 01:49:09,426
our indoor space and people want to hang out a 
bit longer and this does happen all the time,  

1007
01:49:09,426 --> 01:49:15,586
people can still hang out later. What we see right 
now are uh midnight rolls around, we have to shut  

1008
01:49:15,586 --> 01:49:21,186
our doors, maybe the place is, you know, we got 
40 or 50 people and they end up going to one  

1009
01:49:21,186 --> 01:49:30,626
of our competitors establishments doing the same 
thing they'd be doing at Gladstones. Anyways, um,

1010
01:49:30,626 --> 01:49:34,226
I don't know. That's kind of why I 
didn't sign. Well, why I didn't sign it,  

1011
01:49:34,226 --> 01:49:40,386
but if anyone has questions regarding the 
application. Okay, thanks for that. Um,  

1012
01:49:40,386 --> 01:49:48,146
looking to council members, councelor Hillian. 
Yeah, thanks M. I'm just wondering if uh staff uh  

1013
01:49:48,146 --> 01:49:55,106
can comment on uh the relationship uh between the 
good neighbor potential good neighbor agreement  

1014
01:49:55,106 --> 01:50:05,746
and the business license and and uh um the 
importance of that particular clause. Um

1015
01:50:05,746 --> 01:50:12,066
hang on one second. uh through the chair 
I'll note uh at the onset you'll see under  

1016
01:50:12,066 --> 01:50:17,026
enforcement and res remedies under the uh good 
neighbor agreement it says this good neighbor  

1017
01:50:17,026 --> 01:50:22,306
agreement is a non-legally binding except for 
any specific obligations the parties choose as  

1018
01:50:22,306 --> 01:50:27,186
a framework for mutual commitments. Uh the 
authority for the municipality to revoke a  

1019
01:50:27,186 --> 01:50:32,466
business license does not exist in a good neighbor 
agreement. It exists in the community charter.  

1020
01:50:32,466 --> 01:50:37,586
at any point in time uh a municipality can 
revoke a business license for reasonable  

1021
01:50:37,586 --> 01:50:44,946
grounds. Um so primarily that clause uh 
as well as most of the other clauses in  

1022
01:50:44,946 --> 01:50:49,906
the draft good neighbor agreement 
are simply an acknowledgment that  

1023
01:50:49,906 --> 01:50:55,506
um there are bylaws and there are consequences 
of breaking bylaws. And so it's simply an  

1024
01:50:55,506 --> 01:51:06,386
acknowledgement on the part of the proprietor 
that uh um that they will abide by those rules.

1025
01:51:06,386 --> 01:51:13,266
Okay. So it's really just to make it aware that 
both parties know that there are rules outside of  

1026
01:51:13,266 --> 01:51:18,626
this good neighbor agreement rather than the good 
neighbor agreement itself having any authority  

1027
01:51:18,626 --> 01:51:26,946
uh or powers within itself. uh through the mayor. 
Uh that's more or less correct. Uh like I said,  

1028
01:51:26,946 --> 01:51:33,506
the power to revoke a business license does come 
from the community charter. So um it is not the  

1029
01:51:33,506 --> 01:51:40,146
good neighbor agreement that introduces that power 
to the municipality or or creates a legal ability  

1030
01:51:40,146 --> 01:51:45,346
for the municipality to do that. That already 
exists. Okay. Yeah. because I I think from from  

1031
01:51:45,346 --> 01:51:49,666
my perspective that was one of the questions 
I had around like, you know, is there a number  

1032
01:51:49,666 --> 01:51:53,586
of complaints or something that was in the good 
neighbor agreement, but there really isn't. It's  

1033
01:51:53,586 --> 01:51:59,266
it's really just working back and forth. Okay. 
Uh thanks for that clarification. Uh councelor  

1034
01:51:59,266 --> 01:52:05,346
M. Great. Thank you. This is also um a couple 
questions for staff, but they should both both  

1035
01:52:05,346 --> 01:52:11,746
should be quick. Um so bylaw enforcement right now 
is seven days a week, but probably is finished at  

1036
01:52:11,746 --> 01:52:16,706
7 or something at night. I guess I'm curious 
when the complaints come in. I'm assuming they  

1037
01:52:16,706 --> 01:52:25,106
come in the following day. Is there anyone that's 
able to clarify that? Hang on one sec. Thank you.  

1038
01:52:25,106 --> 01:52:32,386
Through the chair. Uh by law enforcement have um 
informed us that they uh are basing any of their  

1039
01:52:32,386 --> 01:52:39,426
investigations on complaint. Uh they are not out 
there at 10 or 10:30 at night and so they base it  

1040
01:52:39,426 --> 01:52:47,026
on complaint. There have been 12 complaints since 
September of 2023 of the most recent June 20th  

1041
01:52:47,026 --> 01:52:56,786
uh 26 uh which was issued a ticket which has been 
paid. Um and and so it's it's based on complaint  

1042
01:52:56,786 --> 01:53:05,506
um residents, neighbors, businessmen. Uh it is 
true that uh one complaintant has made multiple  

1043
01:53:05,506 --> 01:53:12,546
complaints. Uh the last complaint that we had 
had a a video that was very very clear that the  

1044
01:53:12,546 --> 01:53:19,346
music was loud and carrying on after 10 and 10 
p.m. But that is by law and not related to the  

1045
01:53:19,346 --> 01:53:27,506
liquor license extension. And while not legally 
binding in a good neighbor agreement, it is part  

1046
01:53:27,506 --> 01:53:35,986
of the conversation to make sure that the noise 
is stopped or shut down at 1000 p.m. Right. just  

1047
01:53:35,986 --> 01:53:44,706
took my quick one. Um, so yeah, in the report it 
says there were six different complaintants. Um,  

1048
01:53:44,706 --> 01:53:53,986
so that was since 2023. So would that be excuse 
me when you say that um we heard that the majority  

1049
01:53:53,986 --> 01:53:58,946
came from one person. Would th would those be 
more recent or were those six complaintants  

1050
01:53:58,946 --> 01:54:04,546
spread spread over time or were most of the 
complaints by one person recently? I guess  

1051
01:54:04,546 --> 01:54:11,026
I'm just trying to see if if there's been multiple 
complaintants in the last little while and through  

1052
01:54:11,026 --> 01:54:22,146
the chair the the the dates run from primarily 
September 16 2023 uh June 24, July 25, August 25,  

1053
01:54:22,146 --> 01:54:34,146
September 25, October 25, January 26, um uh 
March 11th 26, May 27 26, and then June 20th 26.  

1054
01:54:34,146 --> 01:54:41,026
So, it's it's I'm sure when the weather's good and 
people are outside and the events are happening,  

1055
01:54:41,026 --> 01:54:47,426
um that's that's when the music is is playing and 
where there would be more of the complaints. It's  

1056
01:54:47,426 --> 01:54:52,866
not on a daily basis and it's not clumped. It's 
pretty spread out. Yeah. Sorry, I I should be  

1057
01:54:52,866 --> 01:54:59,266
more clarifying, I guess. So, but recently, I 
guess I'm wondering about the one complainant.  

1058
01:54:59,266 --> 01:55:05,346
Have they has that been over time or I guess 
I'm wondering whether those are those have been  

1059
01:55:05,346 --> 01:55:11,826
more recent or like have there been multiple 
complaintants in the in there have recently  

1060
01:55:11,826 --> 01:55:17,986
through through the chair there have been multiple 
complaints over the last two years from different  

1061
01:55:17,986 --> 01:55:25,586
people. Yeah. Okay. Thanks. Thanks for clarifying 
that councelor Fr. Yeah. Maybe maybe I can help  

1062
01:55:25,586 --> 01:55:30,466
shed some light on that question because I was 
kind of wondering if same thing. Do we have six  

1063
01:55:30,466 --> 01:55:35,986
complainants complaining twice or do we have 
you know one complainant complaining five times  

1064
01:55:35,986 --> 01:55:40,946
and the other five complaining? You know what I 
mean? Through through the chair there is uh one  

1065
01:55:40,946 --> 01:55:47,666
complaintant who has complained six times. Thank 
you. Um, and so a followup to the idea of having  

1066
01:55:47,666 --> 01:55:53,906
this uh clause in the good neighborhood agreement 
um that it sounds like formalizes the fact that  

1067
01:55:53,906 --> 01:56:00,386
staff can come anytime to council and ask to 
revoke someone's business license. Is that is  

1068
01:56:00,386 --> 01:56:06,386
that a fact? I don't think it was formalized. 
I think it was acknowledged was the word,  

1069
01:56:06,386 --> 01:56:12,626
but I'll let Jake uh through the chair. Uh, no, 
I would not use the word formalized because that  

1070
01:56:12,626 --> 01:56:18,546
power comes from the community charter. Um, and 
notwithstanding the language of the agreement,  

1071
01:56:18,546 --> 01:56:24,066
staff would have to bring forward a report to 
council. Um, council can only revoke the business  

1072
01:56:24,066 --> 01:56:32,226
license on reasonable grounds. Um, so staff 
would have to provide evidence um of of bylaw  

1073
01:56:32,226 --> 01:56:37,666
infractions or other grounds to revoke a business 
license. I would also add that the charter lays  

1074
01:56:37,666 --> 01:56:45,826
out an explicit appeal process where the business 
owner can come and appeal to council. Um so but  

1075
01:56:45,826 --> 01:56:51,906
again to be clear none of that is established by 
the good neighbor agreement. Um that is core to  

1076
01:56:51,906 --> 01:56:56,066
council's uh powers. Thank you. Well that that 
is kind of what I understand. I think you put  

1077
01:56:56,066 --> 01:57:04,226
it best. It acknowledges that that process and 
those powers do exist. Um and and so to be frank,  

1078
01:57:04,226 --> 01:57:08,866
it sounds like a sticking point on, you know, like 
it already exists. Do do we want to say it or do  

1079
01:57:08,866 --> 01:57:17,346
we not want to say it in the agreement? Um and I 
I really enjoy having this business downtown. Um  

1080
01:57:17,346 --> 01:57:22,546
and and I'd like to support businesses like this 
that create vital talent in our downtown. And so  

1081
01:57:22,546 --> 01:57:28,226
I would really hope that we could find some 
way for this business and um and our process  

1082
01:57:28,226 --> 01:57:36,466
at the city to come together and um not not turn 
down uh basically turn down this application. So  

1083
01:57:36,466 --> 01:57:40,466
um I I would actually just appeal to the business 
that they accept that this is something that we  

1084
01:57:40,466 --> 01:57:46,866
can already do and um stick it in there, 
not stick it in there. Um, it doesn't seem  

1085
01:57:46,866 --> 01:57:50,466
important to me either way, but um, it seems 
like at this point you could just acknowledge  

1086
01:57:50,466 --> 01:57:55,026
that we can take away your business license 
if we find that you're operating outside of  

1087
01:57:55,026 --> 01:58:02,546
u, you know, uh, reasonable terms. So, um, I' 
I'd love to not move this recommendation. And it  

1088
01:58:02,546 --> 01:58:08,306
looks like there's a statement there from Yeah. 
And and and and I think part of it because we  

1089
01:58:08,306 --> 01:58:12,386
haven't had this discussion since I've been on 
council for 12 years of taking away somebody's  

1090
01:58:12,386 --> 01:58:18,226
license. So that policy and procedure. Yep. 
councelor or council regardless doing too much  

1091
01:58:18,226 --> 01:58:25,986
talking today. I just want to stress that these 
processes pursuant to the charter are legislative  

1092
01:58:25,986 --> 01:58:35,026
and there is a significant body of work that 
sets precedent to unpack and go through an  

1093
01:58:35,026 --> 01:58:42,866
enforcement process. It's very rigorous. Um, in 
fact, you could probably search through any media  

1094
01:58:42,866 --> 01:58:50,466
relations around this. When a business license is 
revoked, it's a serious issue and it is not easily  

1095
01:58:50,466 --> 01:58:57,186
uh done and nor is it from a local government 
perspective taken lightly. Um, as is the case  

1096
01:58:57,186 --> 01:59:04,786
with any enforcement and council's aware of our 
bylaw enforcement policy, we our very first step  

1097
01:59:04,786 --> 01:59:10,866
is to try to seek compliance. And my understanding 
of the engagement on this issue is that we've also  

1098
01:59:10,866 --> 01:59:17,346
been trying to engage with complaintants. And so 
in my over 20 years history in local government,  

1099
01:59:17,346 --> 01:59:24,626
many much of it with by law enforcement um 
that the munal often facilitates this dialogue  

1100
01:59:24,626 --> 01:59:31,746
especially in areas where the nature of the use 
and the uses around have some conflict. So it's  

1101
01:59:31,746 --> 01:59:39,826
um it's it's a challenge and balancing um the 
needs of a business as well as preferences or  

1102
01:59:39,826 --> 01:59:44,706
the experience of adjacent land uses are 
there. I just want to I want to be clear  

1103
01:59:44,706 --> 01:59:53,586
that the exercise of this kind of legislative 
authority to revoke uh is extremely rigorous.

1104
01:59:53,586 --> 01:59:58,066
Excellent. Yeah. And and I think just to finish 
my thought on that policy and procedure that which  

1105
01:59:58,066 --> 02:00:04,466
our council hasn't gone through to me the most 
the closest adjacent idea is when we had nuisance  

1106
02:00:04,466 --> 02:00:10,226
properties and again a large amount of work was 
done. it came to council. Like there was a lot of  

1107
02:00:10,226 --> 02:00:16,626
stuff to get to the point of even identifying a 
nuisance house which the neighbors obviously for  

1108
02:00:16,626 --> 02:00:22,226
decades have, you know, were aware of. So I do 
see uh we have some more lights on over on this  

1109
02:00:22,226 --> 02:00:29,026
side. So I'm going to um Oh, did you would you 
did you have a followup? Yes. Yes, please. I I  

1110
02:00:29,026 --> 02:00:37,186
I just wanted to clarify that at no point was the 
um good neighbor agreement anticipated to tie into  

1111
02:00:37,186 --> 02:00:43,746
the business license. This application is for an 
extension of the liquor license from midnight to  

1112
02:00:43,746 --> 02:00:51,746
2 p 2 2:00 a.m. That's what that's what this is 
for. The music is a subset. It's the music isn't  

1113
02:00:51,746 --> 02:00:58,866
directly tied to the liquor license. The music 
is supposed to stop at 10:00. That is a municipal  

1114
02:00:58,866 --> 02:01:06,546
bylaw regulation. The liquor license extension 
from midnight to 2 am is a provincial regulation.  

1115
02:01:06,546 --> 02:01:12,066
Um, and so I wanted to make sure that we're clear 
that at no point have we talked about anything to  

1116
02:01:12,066 --> 02:01:17,346
do with the business license or revoking it. That 
that that conversation was never on the table. Uh,  

1117
02:01:17,346 --> 02:01:22,626
and if there was something in there that implied 
that, then we have no problem removing that. the  

1118
02:01:22,626 --> 02:01:30,306
the um also the concept of the good neighbor 
agreement came from the RCMP. It was the RCMP  

1119
02:01:30,306 --> 02:01:34,066
that recommended the good neighbor agreement. 
It was not the city and it was not staff. It  

1120
02:01:34,066 --> 02:01:38,786
was the RCMP. We're following up on that and it 
was council who said they didn't want to proceed  

1121
02:01:38,786 --> 02:01:43,186
without the good neighbor agreement which we've 
tried to accommodate. But I think the important  

1122
02:01:43,186 --> 02:01:50,146
thing is we need to separate the complaints from 
the noise to the liquor license extension. They're  

1123
02:01:50,146 --> 02:01:55,426
they're two separate things. Okay. Um, and 
and I just because I'm looking under that nine  

1124
02:01:55,426 --> 02:02:01,266
enforcement remedies uh that that we're kind of 
focused on here. And the second bullet when I'm  

1125
02:02:01,266 --> 02:02:05,906
reading it, it says obtaining a business license 
is contingent upon accepting and signing this  

1126
02:02:05,906 --> 02:02:13,906
agreement, which makes it sound so that's based on 
what you just said. That sounds very much you. So,  

1127
02:02:13,906 --> 02:02:20,626
I'm just just making maybe this wording might need 
to be massaged based on what I'm hearing. But I'll  

1128
02:02:20,626 --> 02:02:28,146
I'll let staff digest that for a second. Maybe 
uh if you Oh, uh or or you can respond now. Oh,  

1129
02:02:28,146 --> 02:02:33,826
hang on. I've turned on all the mics now. Through 
the mayor. It's possible it's a typo. That might  

1130
02:02:33,826 --> 02:02:39,106
me might have meant to say obtaining a liquor 
license is contingent. Um because the business  

1131
02:02:39,106 --> 02:02:46,786
already has a business license. Um, so, uh, yeah, 
it's it's a bit of an anomaly there, but Okay.  

1132
02:02:46,786 --> 02:02:51,586
And and I know we're doing this in real time, so 
uh, like I said, I just when I read that and I'm  

1133
02:02:51,586 --> 02:03:00,306
hearing what I'm hearing, it just, uh, Oh, yeah. 
Yeah. No, no. I I I I'm I'm on it. Uh, I I will,  

1134
02:03:00,306 --> 02:03:03,826
if you don't mind just turning the mics off and 
back on again, just because, and that was my that  

1135
02:03:03,826 --> 02:03:09,666
was all me. My apologies. You You'll push it again 
and that way you're back in the queue. Um, thanks  

1136
02:03:09,666 --> 02:03:15,106
guys. I appreciate that. Uh, and then I'm going 
to, uh, pass it back over to the applicants. I was  

1137
02:03:15,106 --> 02:03:22,466
just wondering, uh, how many other liquor licenses 
in the area are tied to good neighbor agreements?

1138
02:03:22,466 --> 02:03:29,906
And, and I think what we're articulating here 
is, yeah, I I'll let them Oh, just press it  

1139
02:03:29,906 --> 02:03:35,826
once. Stand by. Otherwise, I'll end up turning on 
everybody's mics again. Uh, uh, through the chair,  

1140
02:03:35,826 --> 02:03:41,666
we don't have that information available. 
uh we know that it is common place in many  

1141
02:03:41,666 --> 02:03:50,946
municipalities to have good neighbor agreements 
which would be why the RCMP uh recommended this to

1142
02:03:50,946 --> 02:03:57,186
so and and and I think with many of the things 
that that are done if it's new then sometimes uh  

1143
02:03:57,186 --> 02:04:03,906
well maybe there's typos and things and stuff so 
um uh but uh I want to continue the conversation  

1144
02:04:03,906 --> 02:04:10,786
I'm going to pass it over to councelor Hill yeah 
mayor I just want to reiterate uh the the point  

1145
02:04:10,786 --> 02:04:18,226
you made because um that was what I wanted to 
speak about. It says obtaining a business license  

1146
02:04:18,226 --> 02:04:23,666
is contingent upon accepting and signing this 
agreement. That makes no sense. And and so I think  

1147
02:04:23,666 --> 02:04:31,506
we're hearing an acknowledgement that that's a 
mistake. Um and um I don't actually see any point  

1148
02:04:31,506 --> 02:04:38,866
in that line being in there. Um, I think the the 
the sentence or that particular bullet point could  

1149
02:04:38,866 --> 02:04:43,826
start with the parties recognize that the success 
in reaching the objectives of the good neighbor  

1150
02:04:43,826 --> 02:04:58,466
agreement. Um, that Yeah. Well, I mean it it's um 
I think it's that clause is just poorly written.  

1151
02:04:58,466 --> 02:05:03,746
But anyway, um the other point I wanted to make 
is that the reason we're here tonight is because  

1152
02:05:03,746 --> 02:05:10,946
uh there's an application to extend the RS and uh 
council gets a report uh that acknowledges that  

1153
02:05:10,946 --> 02:05:16,626
there have been, you know, complaints about noise. 
And so the worry is though if it's open later,  

1154
02:05:16,626 --> 02:05:21,666
are there going to be more complaints about noise? 
And and so council recommends a good neighbor  

1155
02:05:21,666 --> 02:05:27,026
agreement. I I actually was in favor of approving 
this application going forward to the liquid  

1156
02:05:27,026 --> 02:05:33,826
control branch at the first instance because at 
that point it sounded like staff were going to be  

1157
02:05:33,826 --> 02:05:41,266
able to work out some sort of uh uh satisfactory 
agreement with the business and uh unfortunately  

1158
02:05:41,266 --> 02:05:47,666
that hasn't happened. If it's as simple as as 
removing or changing this word business to liquor  

1159
02:05:47,666 --> 02:05:56,946
or removing that half of the line, um then my 
suggestion would be that uh we punt this over to  

1160
02:05:56,946 --> 02:06:03,106
the next meeting and and give the parties another 
chance to work it out. Um, you know, I think if  

1161
02:06:03,106 --> 02:06:09,746
the if the business operators feel that uh uh this 
is unfair that they're being asked to do this when  

1162
02:06:09,746 --> 02:06:17,106
other part uh businesses perhaps aren't, well, we 
don't actually know if we're if we're getting any,  

1163
02:06:17,106 --> 02:06:22,946
you know, concerns expressed about the operation 
of other liquor establishments in town. I remember  

1164
02:06:22,946 --> 02:06:29,426
when the Aces pub went in, we had lots of people 
in the apartments next door who didn't want it to  

1165
02:06:29,426 --> 02:06:35,106
be there because they believed that there would 
be noise and uh it would interfere with their  

1166
02:06:35,106 --> 02:06:40,786
lifestyle and their enjoyment of their property. 
Um I'm not aware of whether we've had complaints  

1167
02:06:40,786 --> 02:06:48,226
uh in that neighborhood or not. Um but um I 
agree with Councelor Fr. I think the business  

1168
02:06:48,226 --> 02:06:54,466
that we're talking about here tonight is uh a 
key part of our downtown. It's uh I never go  

1169
02:06:54,466 --> 02:07:02,466
by there that it isn't approaching full. Um I'm 
sometimes there myself. Um, so you know, I mean,  

1170
02:07:02,466 --> 02:07:08,306
I think in general, council wants to see this 
business succeed and, uh, continue to offer the  

1171
02:07:08,306 --> 02:07:14,066
services it does and the enjoyment to the people 
in our community and and, uh, so, um, you know,  

1172
02:07:14,066 --> 02:07:19,266
subject to further discussion, I'd be willing 
to move that, uh, we give another opportunity  

1173
02:07:19,266 --> 02:07:25,106
for the parties to resolve it. Yeah. Thanks 
so much for that. And and and I think again,  

1174
02:07:25,106 --> 02:07:29,106
you know, and this might just be an anomaly 
that like we look at it and the wording is  

1175
02:07:29,106 --> 02:07:35,426
potentially just wrong. Um and and the applicant 
did say that this was the the most glaring issue,  

1176
02:07:35,426 --> 02:07:39,586
but there might be some other issues as well. 
So um and again, I don't want to prolong this  

1177
02:07:39,586 --> 02:07:44,786
conversation necessarily too particularly long, 
but I do see staff are also willing to speak.  

1178
02:07:44,786 --> 02:07:51,666
So I'll maybe let staff speak for a second and 
then um and then go back. Um, normally applicants  

1179
02:07:51,666 --> 02:07:56,306
aren't part of the ongoing conversation. So, uh, 
maybe if there's some more statements, so think  

1180
02:07:56,306 --> 02:08:03,666
about that while staff are responding right now as 
well. Uh, yeah, through the mayor to council. So,  

1181
02:08:03,666 --> 02:08:10,146
um, just to be clear, we've we did have a meeting 
on June 10th with the applicant and based off of,  

1182
02:08:10,146 --> 02:08:14,706
uh, verbal communication with the applicant 
at the meeting, we made some minor changes to  

1183
02:08:14,706 --> 02:08:20,946
the good neighbor agreement. Um, I just 
want to highlight that since May 13th,  

1184
02:08:20,946 --> 02:08:26,786
uh, since the first report on May 13th, we haven't 
had any, uh, the applicant has not supplied us  

1185
02:08:26,786 --> 02:08:33,906
with a good neighbor agreement with their edits 
to it. Um, so we're happy to move forward and  

1186
02:08:33,906 --> 02:08:39,106
the city does want to work with the applicant. We 
just need to understand the applicant just needs  

1187
02:08:39,106 --> 02:08:46,306
to understand that they have to um provide their 
own edits and respond to the city so that we can  

1188
02:08:46,306 --> 02:08:51,586
create the good neighbor agreement. Um and if that 
doesn't happen, it makes it really it makes it a  

1189
02:08:51,586 --> 02:08:57,906
bit more challenging for us to to resolve this and 
move forward. And um I think some of my previous  

1190
02:08:57,906 --> 02:09:04,146
reports did outline some of the communications 
that staff have been trying to uh engage with  

1191
02:09:04,146 --> 02:09:09,746
the applicant on. Right. No, much appreciate that. 
Uh, Miss Maloney, did you have a comment as well  

1192
02:09:09,746 --> 02:09:15,026
or through the chair? I just wanted to say that in 
our initial conversations that the actual issue of  

1193
02:09:15,026 --> 02:09:20,386
the business license wasn't raised. There were 
several other issues that the applicant raised  

1194
02:09:20,386 --> 02:09:26,146
um that we're not addressing here. So, this is 
not a take out one line, fix it all. And that's  

1195
02:09:26,146 --> 02:09:32,466
what I'm feeling. Yeah. Yeah. And and we only 
have an extension to August the 3. Um, and so  

1196
02:09:32,466 --> 02:09:39,906
if if we if if if if if council wishes to have a 
signed agreement before they make a recommendation  

1197
02:09:39,906 --> 02:09:44,946
to the liquor board, this is not an approval, 
it's a recommendation to the liquor board. Um,  

1198
02:09:44,946 --> 02:09:51,906
uh, it's very unlikely we'll have that by August 
the 3. So, I just want you to be aware that if  

1199
02:09:51,906 --> 02:09:57,826
it moves forward, we will not have a signed good 
neighbor agreement. Right. Because August 3rd is  

1200
02:09:57,826 --> 02:10:04,546
like less than a week away. Yeah. Yeah. So, and 
and and that's also uh top of mind for me. Um uh  

1201
02:10:04,546 --> 02:10:11,266
councelor Fr. Yeah, thanks. Mayor, I haven't gone 
yet. I had my hand. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks for  

1202
02:10:11,266 --> 02:10:17,666
jumping in there. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. Um yeah, I 
do have one question and then uh maybe a question  

1203
02:10:17,666 --> 02:10:23,906
for the proponent and then some comments. Um 
you know, we we did spend a fair bit of time  

1204
02:10:23,906 --> 02:10:28,466
and just would like to remind council there was 
a whole package that went with this application.  

1205
02:10:28,466 --> 02:10:33,266
We heard clearly from the RCMP, the inspector 
himself, good things don't happen when you serve  

1206
02:10:33,266 --> 02:10:39,186
alcohol after midnight. I wouldn't recommend this. 
If I did, I would say we needed the good neighbor  

1207
02:10:39,186 --> 02:10:45,266
agreement. We heard that clearly from the people 
who will be enforcing the issues that occur with  

1208
02:10:45,266 --> 02:10:53,186
alcohol being served after a certain point. 
um to staff uh because there is reference to  

1209
02:10:53,186 --> 02:10:58,786
um other establishments who are serving 
alcohol in Courtney after midnight. And  

1210
02:10:58,786 --> 02:11:04,786
I believe I asked this question at one point. I 
would like just if staff can reclarify that we in  

1211
02:11:04,786 --> 02:11:14,226
fact don't have any liquor licenses for um the 
serving of alcohol in Courtney after midnight.

1212
02:11:21,906 --> 02:11:27,266
uh through the mayor. Uh that data would 
have to be obtained from the liquor branch.  

1213
02:11:27,266 --> 02:11:35,026
Um each license has its own parameters. Uh liquor 
licenser, liquor licenses are merely referred to  

1214
02:11:35,026 --> 02:11:40,866
municipalities over long periods of time. So we 
wouldn't have that information readily available  

1215
02:11:40,866 --> 02:11:47,666
other than anecdotal knowledge. Yeah, I seem to 
recall mayor as a followup that I asked maybe at  

1216
02:11:47,666 --> 02:11:53,346
the first meeting this question and I remember 
staff had indicated to their knowledge we hadn't  

1217
02:11:53,346 --> 02:11:59,106
seen anything. I know that in our this term we 
haven't seen any applications coming for the  

1218
02:11:59,106 --> 02:12:05,265
serving of alcohol past midnight. Um and we also 
have our um Komox Valley substance use strategy  

1219
02:12:05,265 --> 02:12:10,385
work that is ongoing that specifically speaks to 
the harms related to the sale of alcohol beyond  

1220
02:12:10,386 --> 02:12:15,426
certain hours. Um, and so the last question 
I had because the proponents are there, which  

1221
02:12:15,426 --> 02:12:20,386
I appreciate and apologies for not being able to 
be there in person. Some of the correspondents we  

1222
02:12:20,386 --> 02:12:28,626
received was related to the importance of creating 
an environment for um, entertainment and vitality  

1223
02:12:28,626 --> 02:12:34,946
in the downtown core. And I guess I'm just trying 
I'm having a really hard time understanding how  

1224
02:12:34,946 --> 02:12:40,546
um your thriving business, which I also 
can appreciate and see on a regular basis,  

1225
02:12:40,546 --> 02:12:48,466
is doing quite well um and is a really valuable 
community asset. Um how um the proponent might  

1226
02:12:48,466 --> 02:12:57,987
uh kind of tie those two things together, serving 
alcohol after midnight and downtown vitality. So  

1227
02:12:57,986 --> 02:13:03,425
that's a question for you guys. Yeah. Uh there 
are establishments in Courtney and in the Komox  

1228
02:13:03,426 --> 02:13:09,266
Valley that serve alcohol after midnight and have 
licenses after midnight. I know that for a fact.  

1229
02:13:09,265 --> 02:13:15,106
And I do know that the patrons at Gladstones 
that leave when we have to close our doors do  

1230
02:13:15,106 --> 02:13:24,305
go to these establishments later. I can name three 
that have them, but I don't know if it's relevant.  

1231
02:13:24,305 --> 02:13:33,505
Kelly O'Brien's Whistle Stop and Max Pub for 
starters. Yeah. Um and it's not Yeah. Like I  

1232
02:13:33,506 --> 02:13:40,147
think our business is doing well and we are you 
know helping downtown uh have that vitality and  

1233
02:13:40,146 --> 02:13:47,106
uh but we we do know like I I I hang out 
at Gladston a lot. Uh I know all my a lot  

1234
02:13:47,106 --> 02:13:53,185
of my patrons and when uh you know midnight 
rolls around and it's been like this forever,  

1235
02:13:53,185 --> 02:13:57,746
they just go to another establishment. It's not 
like they're choosing to go home after Gladstones.  

1236
02:13:57,746 --> 02:14:02,146
If they want to continue enjoying their 
night, they will go to, you know, essentially  

1237
02:14:02,146 --> 02:14:10,545
my competition. It hinders our business because 
we try to get entertainment in or groups in and  

1238
02:14:10,546 --> 02:14:16,147
uh they don't want to come because they don't want 
they want to stay later. do a comedy show inside  

1239
02:14:16,146 --> 02:14:21,986
for example. Um you know people like comedy shows 
like you know they'll be later at night because  

1240
02:14:21,986 --> 02:14:26,385
of the content but then we got to kick everyone 
out at midnight while everyone's you know just  

1241
02:14:26,386 --> 02:14:31,107
starting to to enjoy their evening and they want 
to well they end up going to our competition and  

1242
02:14:31,106 --> 02:14:37,185
and I'm pretty sure there are no another neighbor 
good neighbor agreements in the com and at the  

1243
02:14:37,185 --> 02:14:42,946
last meeting I was assured that this was the first 
one ever in our valley so it's a bit unprecedented  

1244
02:14:42,946 --> 02:14:47,265
we'd be setting a precedent. I didn't like the way 
it was written. I did bring up all my complaints.  

1245
02:14:47,265 --> 02:14:53,585
Well, I brought up a lot of my complaints about 
it. Um, one of them being quarterly reviews. Um,  

1246
02:14:53,586 --> 02:14:59,666
which I didn't like. I I I brought it up several 
times to make changes. So, I think might not be  

1247
02:14:59,666 --> 02:15:09,026
uh characterized accurately, uh, because I did try 
to reward it with the staff. Um, but the push back  

1248
02:15:09,026 --> 02:15:13,746
was always this is the agreement. Sign it if you 
want your liquor license extended. I think it's  

1249
02:15:13,746 --> 02:15:18,946
mostly a redundant process anyways because the 
only complaints we've had have been noise. They've  

1250
02:15:18,946 --> 02:15:24,786
already said noise is a completely separate issue. 
So I don't really understand why my business needs  

1251
02:15:24,786 --> 02:15:31,026
a good neighbor agreement when no other business 
that that I compete with or is in the same  

1252
02:15:31,026 --> 02:15:36,946
industry requires this. Yeah. And and I think part 
part of it comes to to the grandfathering it. But,  

1253
02:15:36,946 --> 02:15:41,185
you know, I I think as as was mentioned, it 
is something that was recommended to us and,  

1254
02:15:41,185 --> 02:15:45,986
you know, from people that are actually going to 
be on the front lines where we're we're not. So, I  

1255
02:15:45,986 --> 02:15:53,345
think that's where, you know, council uh obviously 
didn't anticipate probably uh this being as big of  

1256
02:15:53,345 --> 02:15:58,866
a challenge, but uh uh councelor Fr, I'll let 
him speak and then councelor Joler, uh your is  

1257
02:15:58,866 --> 02:16:04,546
your is that a new hand up? I just was uh wanting 
clarity from the Yeah, just wanting clarity from  

1258
02:16:04,546 --> 02:16:10,786
the proponent. Um, so you're saying if um you you 
close your establishment at midnight if you don't  

1259
02:16:10,786 --> 02:16:17,506
get the liquor license extension? Well, right now 
our liquor license ends at midnight 7 days a week.  

1260
02:16:17,506 --> 02:16:24,386
Yep. So last call last call is 15 minutes before 
and at at midnight we're not allowed to sell on  

1261
02:16:24,386 --> 02:16:30,626
call and we don't but you're still open. Our 
patrons just go to other businesses. The liquor  

1262
02:16:30,626 --> 02:16:37,426
license allows us to if to for patrons to stay 30 
minutes after the liquor license ends uh to to to  

1263
02:16:37,426 --> 02:16:45,027
finish their beverage and and leave, but they're 
not allowed to order alcohol after midnight.

1264
02:16:45,026 --> 02:16:49,746
Okay. Does that answer councelor Jiker or 
do you have more questions afterwards? I  

1265
02:16:49,746 --> 02:16:53,666
just see your hands still up. Yeah, I just I 
don't think I got an answer to the trying to  

1266
02:16:53,666 --> 02:16:58,946
connect the dots between downtown vitality and 
serving alcohol after midnight. I'm not sure.  

1267
02:16:58,946 --> 02:17:03,986
I I I heard the business case for it and 
I appreciate that as as business owners,  

1268
02:17:03,986 --> 02:17:09,826
but uh some of the correspondence we received 
was related to how this could support downtown  

1269
02:17:09,826 --> 02:17:16,466
vitality. And that piece I'm having a real hard 
time understanding given what we know happens um  

1270
02:17:16,466 --> 02:17:24,866
when people are inebriated um late at night. So uh 
I might be able to address that a little bit. Um,  

1271
02:17:24,866 --> 02:17:31,265
I recently attended a uh placemaking event put 
on by the town and we're doing Duncan Avenue  

1272
02:17:31,265 --> 02:17:38,066
bridges. We're doing a lot of work to bring people 
downtown. We're trying to make this a cool city.  

1273
02:17:38,066 --> 02:17:46,465
Uh so if you look at a place like Austin, 
Texas for example, it's grown uh phenomenally  

1274
02:17:46,466 --> 02:17:51,346
in the last few years and it has a vibrant art 
scene and music scene that actually brings in  

1275
02:17:51,345 --> 02:17:56,146
more money than having the state government of 
Texas centered in Austin. Then you ask yourself,  

1276
02:17:56,146 --> 02:18:01,826
would Elon Musk build a mega plant? Would would 
uh Texas Instruments be there if there wasn't  

1277
02:18:01,826 --> 02:18:07,346
somewhere cool for these people to go uh after 
work? And that vibrance is what I'm talking  

1278
02:18:07,345 --> 02:18:11,825
about. It's not only going to bring new people 
to town or tourists. It's actually going to give  

1279
02:18:11,826 --> 02:18:17,026
uh businesses somewhere for their high functioning 
employees to go to. So it's it's it's a big part  

1280
02:18:17,026 --> 02:18:21,746
of what drives that economy, which is about a 
third of the US. So it's it can be significant.  

1281
02:18:21,746 --> 02:18:30,225
And Gladston has a a very familyfriendly kind of 
environment there. And we don't have a lot of the  

1282
02:18:30,225 --> 02:18:35,826
troubles that, you know, a dance club or nightclub 
would have. We're a we're a little different than  

1283
02:18:35,826 --> 02:18:41,506
than some. So, all right. Thanks for that. I'll 
pass it over to councelor first. Yeah. Well,  

1284
02:18:41,506 --> 02:18:45,986
I I have I have a thought on that actually. Um 
you know, if I'm going to go out at night at,  

1285
02:18:45,986 --> 02:18:52,385
you know, 9 or 10:00, it it's a significant factor 
if I can't get a drink at at a certain point. Um  

1286
02:18:52,386 --> 02:18:58,067
and I can go to the Waverly up in Cumberland 
and and get a drink at 12:30 at night. So,  

1287
02:18:58,066 --> 02:19:04,626
um it it does affect um the vitality of downtown. 
Um, I can also go to those other places that were  

1288
02:19:04,626 --> 02:19:09,906
mentioned, you know, the Max Pub, Kelly O'Brien's, 
which happen to not be downtown. Um, they're  

1289
02:19:09,906 --> 02:19:16,706
good businesses, too. But, um, to to the the um 
counselor's question, that's how I think of it.  

1290
02:19:16,706 --> 02:19:25,906
But what I really wanted to ask was more from the 
applicant. Is the re is the issue here um that you  

1291
02:19:25,906 --> 02:19:34,706
feel like your that the good neighbor agreement 
is going to be tied to your business license  

1292
02:19:34,706 --> 02:19:41,426
in a way that it isn't already. I I think that's 
part of it. It's unprecedented. Uh we don't know  

1293
02:19:41,426 --> 02:19:46,546
what the repercussions are going to be because 
this hasn't been tested on any business before.  

1294
02:19:46,546 --> 02:19:53,826
It's it hasn't been used or know is there do do I 
hear anything saying all new future businesses in  

1295
02:19:53,826 --> 02:19:59,746
my industry will be required to sign this. It 
seems to be directed solely at my I'll just be  

1296
02:19:59,746 --> 02:20:07,106
I'll just be frank. It's it's it sounds to me like 
um you're more worried about it than it than like  

1297
02:20:07,106 --> 02:20:12,545
where it sounds like it already exists. It sounds 
like council can deliberate on your business lace  

1298
02:20:12,546 --> 02:20:17,186
since anytime it wants anyways. And this good 
neighborhood if if you can get to the point  

1299
02:20:17,185 --> 02:20:22,146
where you can acknowledge that a good neighborhood 
agreement isn't going to change that fact. Uh it  

1300
02:20:22,146 --> 02:20:26,866
might be a moot point and we might be able to just 
settle this whole thing and move forward and get  

1301
02:20:26,866 --> 02:20:32,786
you guys the extension. That's that's how I feel 
about it. Um and we only have a few days left  

1302
02:20:32,786 --> 02:20:38,466
before we have to ask for another extension. So, 
um, I' I'd put the ball in that court right there.  

1303
02:20:38,466 --> 02:20:43,266
I think I think we just want to move forward 
and even even tonight. It's it's a lot of time,  

1304
02:20:43,265 --> 02:20:50,146
but it's good that we all understand how the 
liquor license works. And yeah, and and again,  

1305
02:20:50,146 --> 02:20:56,946
you know, the the council coming up with new 
policy and procedures is basically what we do,  

1306
02:20:56,946 --> 02:21:02,786
land use, those kinds of things. And and things 
change over time. And so this um again we're  

1307
02:21:02,786 --> 02:21:09,265
looking what the best practices are from uh the 
experts that that we get our input from who who  

1308
02:21:09,265 --> 02:21:14,946
were here earlier [snorts] tonight um at the 
RCMP. And so um and you know when we talk to  

1309
02:21:14,946 --> 02:21:22,146
other municipalities to see how things work and 
um and it's it's quite interesting uh something  

1310
02:21:22,146 --> 02:21:27,425
like a good neighbor agreement when it was first 
brought up finding out how it works in other  

1311
02:21:27,426 --> 02:21:35,586
communities. The strange thing is it is literally 
as was described an acknowledgment so that when  

1312
02:21:35,586 --> 02:21:39,746
people ask us why we did something we can say 
well we made sure everybody acknowledges kind  

1313
02:21:39,746 --> 02:21:45,746
of their role in this and their responsibilities 
it it doesn't create those responsibilities and  

1314
02:21:45,746 --> 02:21:51,666
and I guess that that I to kind of speak to what 
councelor first is talking about it doesn't sound  

1315
02:21:51,666 --> 02:22:00,226
like to me the good neighbor is necessarily 
creating uh situation, do things. You talked  

1316
02:22:00,225 --> 02:22:06,305
about a quarterly thing because again, we have two 
choices here. From what I'm understanding, we got  

1317
02:22:06,305 --> 02:22:13,425
till August second. So, we got to figure this out 
today or not. And and so I I think we worked past  

1318
02:22:13,426 --> 02:22:20,947
the business license thing. It sounds like it's a 
typo or something. The quarterly report or check.  

1319
02:22:20,946 --> 02:22:25,746
I couldn't I I wrote it down, but I I wrote it 
really fast now. I can't read my handwriting.  

1320
02:22:25,746 --> 02:22:34,546
Yeah, it would be quarterly meetings with the city 
staff, so four times a year, which can I make one  

1321
02:22:34,546 --> 02:22:41,426
more comment before that speak to that particular 
um part of the agreement? Um I remember a few  

1322
02:22:41,426 --> 02:22:45,826
years back and I don't know if you remember this 
mayor or councelor Helian, but the curling club  

1323
02:22:45,826 --> 02:22:50,305
came to council and they wanted their license 
extended. I believe they can drink till 6:00  

1324
02:22:50,305 --> 02:22:56,625
in the morning and they can and they can start at 
9 in the morning. Um and and so we're not really  

1325
02:22:56,626 --> 02:23:02,866
trying to vilify um alcohol use at we weren't 
historically anyways and I'm I'm not at this  

1326
02:23:02,866 --> 02:23:12,066
table. So that's where I stand on on this and I 
really hope we can sort this out and move forward.

1327
02:23:12,066 --> 02:23:19,986
Uh Mr. Garvet, thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Uh 
I think political lights are off. I just wanted  

1328
02:23:19,986 --> 02:23:29,345
to si maybe potentially um suggest or provide 
an option to council. They could council could  

1329
02:23:29,345 --> 02:23:35,425
ultimately if you want to move forward with 
this with a recommendation to the U liquor  

1330
02:23:35,426 --> 02:23:40,626
control license cannabis licensing branch. Uh 
you could dictate the terms of the good neighbor  

1331
02:23:40,626 --> 02:23:45,586
agreement and have support conditional on that 
agreement. I I I don't want to sound there's a  

1332
02:23:45,586 --> 02:23:53,107
lot of conversation here about timing etc. So 
that that that's an approach. Um sounds like  

1333
02:23:53,106 --> 02:23:59,345
there's edits to be made related to business 
licensing and that's really if if this is a  

1334
02:23:59,345 --> 02:24:03,345
council priority which they identified as a 
good name bear agreement that's a that is a  

1335
02:24:03,345 --> 02:24:14,146
path forward. So okay appreciate that. Um and just 
before you speak uh did you guys still want Mr. uh  

1336
02:24:14,146 --> 02:24:21,026
uh through the chair. I just wanted to uh make a 
point of clarity. Uh the there the requirement for  

1337
02:24:21,026 --> 02:24:27,906
quarterly meetings is only for the first year uh 
and then at least annually to review operations,  

1338
02:24:27,906 --> 02:24:34,066
noise data if collected, complaints and update 
this agreement as needed. So it is not quarterly  

1339
02:24:34,066 --> 02:24:40,786
meetings on an for every year. It is for the 
first year and then annual meetings. Um just  

1340
02:24:40,786 --> 02:24:46,306
as a just as a point of uh making sure council's 
aware of what the agreement says and and sorry  

1341
02:24:46,305 --> 02:24:55,425
you had said something in there and and maybe Pat 
Pat will be clarifying this but does um uh if so  

1342
02:24:55,426 --> 02:25:01,506
let's say there's no complaints. Does that mean 
the meetings can just like not even happen? Sorry  

1343
02:25:01,506 --> 02:25:07,186
Mr. mayor at and to council. That's exactly what 
was expressed on June the 10th is is that if the  

1344
02:25:07,185 --> 02:25:11,986
meeting is not necessary, if there have been no 
issues, if the RCMP hasn't been called anything,  

1345
02:25:11,986 --> 02:25:19,106
if there have been no bylaw issues, then that the 
meeting is cancelled and and we so when we say  

1346
02:25:19,106 --> 02:25:24,385
quarterly for the first year, it was only to sort 
of get things going and then annually after that.  

1347
02:25:24,386 --> 02:25:29,266
And it didn't have to be a physical meeting. Could 
have been a Zoom. Could have been a a a phone  

1348
02:25:29,265 --> 02:25:34,465
call. Could have been any number of ways of doing 
it, but it was a check-in to just make sure things  

1349
02:25:34,466 --> 02:25:40,946
were going well. And and RCMP were very clear that 
if no meeting was necessary, then no meeting would  

1350
02:25:40,946 --> 02:25:48,626
be held. Okay. Appreciate that clarity. Sorry. Uh 
you had your hand up. I guess I just wanted to um  

1351
02:25:48,626 --> 02:25:53,506
say that this is inhibiting us from having events. 
I mean specifically there were some African events  

1352
02:25:53,506 --> 02:25:56,866
where they really wanted to go later and I wasn't 
able to do that and I was really calling on the  

1353
02:25:56,866 --> 02:26:00,866
African community to do and and other lots of 
lots of community event. I always trying to throw  

1354
02:26:00,866 --> 02:26:09,106
community events and and this is unquestionably 
inhibiting that and we as a business all of you  

1355
02:26:09,106 --> 02:26:14,225
who live in this community can see that all we 
do is reinvest into the downtown and reinvest and  

1356
02:26:14,225 --> 02:26:22,545
reinvest um a and do charitable things. Last year 
we gave over $45,000 to Yana. We This is a good  

1357
02:26:22,546 --> 02:26:29,666
business that uses our money for this community. 
And I also think that these six people, I'm not  

1358
02:26:29,666 --> 02:26:34,386
sure why they get such a loud voice compared 
to all the people that are enjoying what we are  

1359
02:26:34,386 --> 02:26:40,147
doing. It just doesn't seem proportionate and it 
just doesn't feel fair. So, so there are specific  

1360
02:26:40,146 --> 02:26:49,106
clauses in the good neighbor agreement that will 
mitigate or reduce your ability to do business.

1361
02:26:49,106 --> 02:26:55,425
Well, the quarterly meetings, how it's worded 
in there, like nobody else has to do that and  

1362
02:26:55,426 --> 02:26:59,506
then making amendments based on on like 
what I don't even know what that means.  

1363
02:26:59,506 --> 02:27:06,226
It's such an ambiguous agreement and I don't know 
there wasn't any real examples of these agreements  

1364
02:27:06,225 --> 02:27:11,665
being used successfully in other cities and it's 
going to set a huge precedent and right now it's  

1365
02:27:11,666 --> 02:27:17,106
just Gladston that's getting that's that's on the 
hook for this curling club being a prime example  

1366
02:27:17,106 --> 02:27:23,585
not that long ago gets to 6:00 a.m. without anyone 
saying anything but Gladston asks till 2 a.m.  

1367
02:27:23,586 --> 02:27:29,826
And then all of a sudden it's it's all based on 
this good neighbor agreement that uh you know  

1368
02:27:29,826 --> 02:27:36,786
the like I've read it many times and it just we 
already have bylaw. The only complaints were noise  

1369
02:27:36,786 --> 02:27:40,786
complaints and I know they're trying to separate 
the two but it really our whole meeting was really  

1370
02:27:40,786 --> 02:27:45,185
about the noise complaints and we already have a 
mechanism in place for that and we already have  

1371
02:27:45,185 --> 02:27:50,066
a bylaw system in place for some of these other 
issues. So what the good neighbor agreement just  

1372
02:27:50,066 --> 02:27:54,946
seems completely redundant to me. Yeah. And and 
I guess that that's the challenge is that we're  

1373
02:27:54,946 --> 02:28:00,305
seeing this uh you know council's direction was 
this might be a path forward for future things. So  

1374
02:28:00,305 --> 02:28:06,785
yes, you're the first one. My question though was 
based on the comment was this this agreement will  

1375
02:28:06,786 --> 02:28:12,066
mitigate or reduce your ability to do business. 
And so what I'm hearing is not that it'll reduce  

1376
02:28:12,066 --> 02:28:17,746
your ability to do business that you're aware of, 
but you're not sure. There might be some Well,  

1377
02:28:17,746 --> 02:28:24,386
it's it's the 2 a.m., right? If we don't sign 
this agreement, we don't get to be open later.  

1378
02:28:24,386 --> 02:28:29,826
That reduces our business confounding business. It 
restricts our growth. Okay. So, if you signed it,  

1379
02:28:29,826 --> 02:28:36,466
you would be able to stay open. But if you 
don't, then you can't and therefore that's  

1380
02:28:36,466 --> 02:28:42,546
causing it. Okay. Yeah, that that's clarified. 
Uh counselor. Yeah. And council occurs online  

1381
02:28:42,546 --> 02:28:48,866
as well. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. I think the other 
important context here um just in response to  

1382
02:28:48,866 --> 02:28:54,386
councelor Fr's's comment around alcohol, the city 
has endorsed the substance use strategy, there's  

1383
02:28:54,386 --> 02:29:00,386
clear policies in there around municipal alcohol 
policy that our staff uh have on their work plan.  

1384
02:29:00,386 --> 02:29:05,107
We haven't resourced it yet, but it's on the 
work plan to do. And in the absence of that,  

1385
02:29:05,106 --> 02:29:13,585
this is a mitigating measure provided by the 
experts, the RCMP, um, to mitigate the harms  

1386
02:29:13,586 --> 02:29:17,266
related to alcohol that the city acknowledges 
through the substance use strategy. So,  

1387
02:29:17,265 --> 02:29:22,465
I do want to just bring that larger piece in. 
And this is one of those unfortunate situations  

1388
02:29:22,466 --> 02:29:27,906
where we do have competing priorities. we have uh 
thriving businesses, businesses that want to grow,  

1389
02:29:27,906 --> 02:29:33,185
and we have um the city taking action to 
reducing harms related to substance use. So,  

1390
02:29:33,185 --> 02:29:38,385
I just wanted to add that context because I think 
it's important um and that we do have these two  

1391
02:29:38,386 --> 02:29:46,626
things happening at the same time. Thanks. Right. 
Thanks for that clarity. And councelor F. Yeah.  

1392
02:29:46,626 --> 02:29:55,506
So, I have a question for staff. Um, this idea 
of having quarterly meetings in the agreement,  

1393
02:29:55,506 --> 02:30:00,546
is that necessarily any different than what you 
would already do if there were complaints? Like,  

1394
02:30:00,546 --> 02:30:06,147
would you not maybe already have meetings if there 
were a bunch of complaints about a business? Uh,  

1395
02:30:06,146 --> 02:30:12,545
through the chair, our bylaw enforcement powers 
would allow um bylaw enforcement officers to  

1396
02:30:12,546 --> 02:30:18,626
attend a business and speak with the owner. Um 
the meetings would just be an opportunity to  

1397
02:30:18,626 --> 02:30:25,586
do it in maybe a more casual uh I don't want 
to say casual but uh without dur with Yeah.  

1398
02:30:25,586 --> 02:30:30,386
without someone showing up randomly at the at 
the doorstep. So I think it's maybe more of a  

1399
02:30:30,386 --> 02:30:36,147
more proactive approach um less magisterial. 
Sure. It it sounds to me like we're really  

1400
02:30:36,146 --> 02:30:41,265
just acknowledging and making it simple to 
do the things that the city can already do.  

1401
02:30:41,265 --> 02:30:47,505
Like if you do have a noise complaint complaint 
then um instead of like you say bylaw coming in  

1402
02:30:47,506 --> 02:30:52,067
and um being a bit adversarial you've 
already got a meeting set up and try  

1403
02:30:52,066 --> 02:30:59,906
to try and sort things out. Is that the 
concept or you know saying no? Oh hang on

1404
02:30:59,906 --> 02:31:05,185
uh through the mayor. Yes, it it uh it's an 
opportunity for us to to discuss. I would  

1405
02:31:05,185 --> 02:31:13,425
also point out um that uh the city uh has a much 
smaller hammer than the liquor branch and a lot  

1406
02:31:13,426 --> 02:31:20,786
of these clauses in the good neighbor agreement 
actually um speak to barkeeping practices that  

1407
02:31:20,786 --> 02:31:26,386
are expected by the liquor branch. Um the the the 
wording is very much similar about for example  

1408
02:31:26,386 --> 02:31:33,586
encouraging patrons to not disturb the neighbors 
and things like that. So um although they may  

1409
02:31:33,586 --> 02:31:40,226
have to have a meeting with uh you know the city 
every uh you know quarterly for the first year  

1410
02:31:40,225 --> 02:31:45,826
uh the liquor branch can send inspectors into 
the business at any time um without disclosing  

1411
02:31:45,826 --> 02:31:50,786
their presence and so on um to look for liquor 
infractions and the liquor branch can revoke a  

1412
02:31:50,786 --> 02:31:56,786
license a liquor license immediately almost if 
they see serious infractions. So, um, we're not  

1413
02:31:56,786 --> 02:32:06,066
necessarily asking for anything, uh, hours beyond 
what the, uh, the liquor branch can already do.  

1414
02:32:06,066 --> 02:32:12,305
Um, and certainly no more extensive one than what 
the liquor branch can do. Well, thanks for that.  

1415
02:32:12,305 --> 02:32:17,425
It it does sound like we're merely acknowledging 
the things we already can do in this neighborhood  

1416
02:32:17,426 --> 02:32:23,266
agreement. So, um, and and I I also want to 
point out that we u we have safe ventilation  

1417
02:32:23,265 --> 02:32:31,585
sites. I'm sure those go very late at night. Um, 
no, they're closed. Yeah. Um, but we push to have  

1418
02:32:31,586 --> 02:32:38,866
safe inhalation sites put in and um, yeah, I think 
I think there's a difference between encouraging  

1419
02:32:38,866 --> 02:32:44,546
people to use less drugs and alcohol and um, 
and vilifying it and and saying it's absolutely  

1420
02:32:44,546 --> 02:32:49,986
prohibited. So, I'll leave it at that there. 
Thanks. Okay. Yeah. and and and you know casting  

1421
02:32:49,986 --> 02:32:57,506
back to I think when Matches opened up their 
outdoor patio um there was similar uh concerns  

1422
02:32:57,506 --> 02:33:03,266
uh especially around the sound and I think if the 
idea of a good neighbor agreement had if that had  

1423
02:33:03,265 --> 02:33:08,385
been recommended to us at that time it like we 
likely would have done it I I and I I'm correct  

1424
02:33:08,386 --> 02:33:13,666
I think we may have good neighbor agreements for 
other things other than liquor things so it's not  

1425
02:33:13,666 --> 02:33:19,986
like this is just for liquor this is for things 
that um when we're looking at at our community  

1426
02:33:19,986 --> 02:33:25,185
and where there's a potential conflict uh to have 
these good neighbor agreements just though that  

1427
02:33:25,185 --> 02:33:30,465
it's all articulated and and I look at it like a 
and and I think council I don't want to speak for  

1428
02:33:30,466 --> 02:33:35,266
council necessarily totally they can shake their 
heads if they don't think uh believe or agree  

1429
02:33:35,265 --> 02:33:40,946
with me but it's really like a comfort letter that 
just says these are the things that we agree upon  

1430
02:33:40,946 --> 02:33:47,506
through other mechanisms but we're just putting 
it in one place so we can easily refer to it uh  

1431
02:33:47,506 --> 02:33:52,866
Councelor Cole Hamilton, I do apologize. You're 
you had your light on or um did you want to speak  

1432
02:33:52,866 --> 02:34:01,106
still? Yeah, I was going to say I was Yeah. Yeah. 
Thanks very much. I was going to ask um something  

1433
02:34:01,106 --> 02:34:05,746
along the lines of what councelor Rush was 
asking about whether the other um portions of the  

1434
02:34:05,746 --> 02:34:13,746
agreement require something more than is required 
by um by the province. And um I guess I I haven't  

1435
02:34:13,746 --> 02:34:20,306
spoken because I my colleagues ablely make the 
sort of the the point that uh this isn't legally  

1436
02:34:20,305 --> 02:34:26,545
binding. It doesn't ask any more than would be 
otherwise asked. It doesn't give the city any  

1437
02:34:26,546 --> 02:34:35,107
particular powers. Um it uh it uh it's a set of 
agreements of shared understandings. And I think  

1438
02:34:35,106 --> 02:34:48,146
that's all we've been trying to achieve here. Um 
and uh I think it's um I I would maybe ask I think  

1439
02:34:48,146 --> 02:34:51,906
again I think councelor Fish has been making 
many of the same points. So it's why I haven't  

1440
02:34:51,906 --> 02:34:58,066
been speaking is that if one can acknowledge that 
this doesn't have an a legal impact on you. It's  

1441
02:34:58,066 --> 02:35:05,345
not legally binding. Um it's a set of common yeah 
common understandings of how we all want to move  

1442
02:35:05,345 --> 02:35:14,225
forward. um if we can't reach that that's you know 
after having advice from the people from the RCMP  

1443
02:35:14,225 --> 02:35:19,185
um that that would be a good way to move forward 
and this may be the first time we're doing it and  

1444
02:35:19,185 --> 02:35:24,305
likely I'm guessing for similar applications 
it'll be the way we move forward going uh from  

1445
02:35:24,305 --> 02:35:30,465
now on but uh yeah so I'm guess I believe I'm not 
probably adding anything new to the comments that  

1446
02:35:30,466 --> 02:35:35,346
are already been made but just wanted to to share 
that for now thanks I appreciate that councelor  

1447
02:35:35,345 --> 02:35:42,066
Cole Hamilton Hamilton and Council Moore. Great. 
Thanks, Mayor. Um, yeah, I think part of part of  

1448
02:35:42,066 --> 02:35:51,666
the issue is that um the other businesses I think 
they do operate after midnight. Is that what I  

1449
02:35:51,666 --> 02:35:59,906
heard? Yeah. Um, but we haven't necessarily heard 
from neighbors in those areas or whatever. Um,  

1450
02:35:59,906 --> 02:36:07,106
but I guess my question is regarding kind of the 
fairness of the good neighbor agreement. If there  

1451
02:36:07,106 --> 02:36:15,425
were issues happening at the other establishments 
and there were RCP complaints, I would assume,  

1452
02:36:15,426 --> 02:36:21,027
but this is what I'd like clarification on that 
that someone would come to us and say just like  

1453
02:36:21,026 --> 02:36:27,106
a nuisance house, which is what happened with the 
nuisance house. um multiple complaints, multiple  

1454
02:36:27,106 --> 02:36:38,545
issues, people came um and then we came up with 
this nuisance bylaw in response to that. Um so  

1455
02:36:38,546 --> 02:36:43,746
would that be accurate that if there were issues 
happening in other establishments like we would  

1456
02:36:43,746 --> 02:36:51,346
we would want to have a good neighbor agreement 
with those establishments as well, would we not?

1457
02:36:51,345 --> 02:36:57,825
uh through the uh mayor. Uh we would it would 
certainly be beneficial to have good neighbor  

1458
02:36:57,826 --> 02:37:02,225
agreements with those establishments and the 
opportunity to do so may actually present itself.  

1459
02:37:02,225 --> 02:37:08,545
They have to renew uh their liquor licenses. They 
may seek to change their liquor license as the  

1460
02:37:08,546 --> 02:37:16,147
applicant has. Um, in terms of enforcement, 
um, if something were to occur at those,  

1461
02:37:16,146 --> 02:37:22,545
uh, businesses that was substantial 
enough, um, the municipality could, um,  

1462
02:37:22,546 --> 02:37:28,226
go through the rigorous process of of revoking 
the business license. Um, you know, again,  

1463
02:37:28,225 --> 02:37:35,026
on reasonable grounds and and that's obviously 
proving that is dependent on the circumstances,  

1464
02:37:35,026 --> 02:37:41,265
but yes, it it very much uh can uh happen. You can 
you could revoke a business license or declare it  

1465
02:37:41,265 --> 02:37:47,986
a nuisance um depending on the nature of the 
infraction infraction and the proof available.  

1466
02:37:47,986 --> 02:37:54,066
Well, I think this is illuminating that, you know, 
there is a gap like maybe it is something I don't  

1467
02:37:54,066 --> 02:38:01,826
think it's going to happen this term necessarily, 
but in terms of um that ability to to monitor  

1468
02:38:01,826 --> 02:38:12,146
um you know these to um to take a look at 
all the establishments and whether or not  

1469
02:38:12,146 --> 02:38:19,026
um there's a way to you know create good neighbor 
agreements with other establishments. based on on  

1470
02:38:19,026 --> 02:38:28,225
uh things that are happening. But I guess um yeah, 
I I I guess I'm yeah, I'm hopeful that if there's  

1471
02:38:28,225 --> 02:38:36,625
just a couple things that need to be changed that 
we can do that. I mean, I think that having even,  

1472
02:38:36,626 --> 02:38:42,306
you know, an an annual check-in, unless there 
are other issues that come in is reasonable. I  

1473
02:38:42,305 --> 02:38:52,465
think changing that language around the uh the 
um liquor/ business license. Um but I I guess I  

1474
02:38:52,466 --> 02:38:59,826
I do think that we will see more of these and 
this was a recommendation from the RCMP and I  

1475
02:38:59,826 --> 02:39:06,146
think that if we had another establishment that 
was um what that there were issues we we would  

1476
02:39:06,146 --> 02:39:12,545
be doing we wouldn't be just you know not doing 
anything. Um, but I do appreciate that it does  

1477
02:39:12,546 --> 02:39:20,786
seem like a small number of complaints and, you 
know, half of them were from one person. Um, so,  

1478
02:39:20,786 --> 02:39:27,746
you know, I I understand that that's um that's a 
challenge for sure, but I think that we have not  

1479
02:39:27,746 --> 02:39:33,426
been having any bylaw complaints about the other 
establishments to my knowledge, but that might  

1480
02:39:33,426 --> 02:39:40,067
be something that staff can look into. Thanks. 
Thanks, Councelor Warren. And I'm going to jump  

1481
02:39:40,066 --> 02:39:45,345
to councelor Halen just because he hasn't spoken 
a whole lot this evening on this topic. Yeah. And  

1482
02:39:45,345 --> 02:39:51,825
and I will acknowledge that um I originally 
voted against uh um requiring this process,  

1483
02:39:51,826 --> 02:39:59,666
but um that notwithstanding that it's a resolution 
of council um that a good neighbor agreement be  

1484
02:39:59,666 --> 02:40:06,386
enforced. I think I've heard you say that you're 
not going to sign one. So So I mean that would  

1485
02:40:06,386 --> 02:40:12,067
leave us at an impass. I don't hear anybody at 
council proposing that we take away the uh the  

1486
02:40:12,066 --> 02:40:18,225
requirement. Um we've been we've spent nearly 
an hour on this. My suggestion is we adjourn  

1487
02:40:18,225 --> 02:40:25,906
um for our supper break and uh give the business 
the opportunity to consider their position and and  

1488
02:40:25,906 --> 02:40:32,706
uh um and then um you know spend five minutes 
on it after that and and then move on. Um,  

1489
02:40:32,706 --> 02:40:38,626
I think we're at an impass here where we're 
simply exchanging uh the same arguments. If if  

1490
02:40:38,626 --> 02:40:43,826
it's a council resolution that uh if we're going 
to recommend this action to the liquor control  

1491
02:40:43,826 --> 02:40:48,225
branch, there needs to be a good neighboring 
agreement, then that that is in fact the position  

1492
02:40:48,225 --> 02:40:55,185
that you're in. Um, unless the council changes 
its mind, which has not been indicated. All  

1493
02:40:55,185 --> 02:41:00,145
right. Appreciate that, Council Helian. And I'm 
going to let councelor Fr make a comment and we  

1494
02:41:00,145 --> 02:41:06,866
may take you up on your suggestion. Well, just 
just quickly, I I would um I I would reiterate  

1495
02:41:06,866 --> 02:41:12,225
that this good neighborhood agreement really 
changes nothing and we can do all the things in  

1496
02:41:12,225 --> 02:41:18,305
the good neighborhood agreement. I'm sure even 
right now. So, I implore you to reconsider and  

1497
02:41:18,305 --> 02:41:23,665
um I'm happy to move that we table this item till 
after our meal. Give you time to think about that.  

1498
02:41:24,626 --> 02:41:29,746
I move that we table this item. Is that 
Yeah, it's been seconded. Councelor Joler,  

1499
02:41:29,746 --> 02:41:36,066
do you have any comments uh before I take the 
Oh, yeah. Sorry, non debatable. All those in  

1500
02:41:36,066 --> 02:41:43,345
favor? Any opposed? And uh so what we're going 
to do is we're going to adjourn our recess right  

1501
02:41:43,345 --> 02:42:07,745
now for our dinner break and then we'll be 
back uh and we'll come back at 7:00 p.m.

1502
02:42:07,746 --> 02:42:40,386
I like the sticker. I'll send That work.

1503
02:59:41,746 --> 02:59:46,066
Yeah.

1504
02:59:46,066 --> 02:59:59,826
Okay. Thanks a lot. All right. Byebye.

1505
03:00:04,145 --> 03:00:26,625
Oh, you 7

1506
03:00:37,345 --> 03:00:44,785
All right, thanks everybody. Uh we're now back 
uh from our recess and continuing on uh item  

1507
03:00:44,786 --> 03:00:56,225
8.2.1 liquor license application uh and the good 
neighbor agreement for 244th street. And I will um  

1508
03:00:56,225 --> 03:01:05,026
uh we recess. I'll maybe look to council at this 
point. Um I believe the applicant has left. Uh  

1509
03:01:05,026 --> 03:01:15,586
so councelor. Yeah, just a question mayor. Um is 
the liquor uh control or the liquor and cannabis  

1510
03:01:15,586 --> 03:01:22,786
regulation branch aware of all the permutations of 
the process that we're going through? And I mean,  

1511
03:01:22,786 --> 03:01:28,546
I think we've asked them for for an extension 
and and uh I'm just wondering to what extent  

1512
03:01:28,546 --> 03:01:33,586
this process, regardless of what resolution we 
pass, might influence their decision one way  

1513
03:01:33,586 --> 03:01:38,786
or the other. Those might be two questions, but 
I'll pass it over to staff. Uh through the chair,  

1514
03:01:38,786 --> 03:01:43,426
um we've asked them for the extension so they 
are aware that there is some kind of a dialogue  

1515
03:01:43,426 --> 03:01:50,226
going on. Two extensions. Um, in terms of what 
they'll be aware of, um, generally speaking, um,  

1516
03:01:50,225 --> 03:01:57,505
all paperwork associated with a municipality's 
referral process is sent to them, um, with their  

1517
03:01:57,506 --> 03:02:03,426
response. So, emails from the applicant and so 
on would be going to the branch. So, they would,  

1518
03:02:03,426 --> 03:02:09,586
I guess, be aware of the conversation that's 
occurred. Thanks, Councelor Hillian and Councelor  

1519
03:02:09,586 --> 03:02:20,146
Moore. Thanks, Mayor. Um so basically if um well 
first of all if something happened and the parties  

1520
03:02:20,145 --> 03:02:25,585
came back and did want to do something then 
another extension would have to be applied for and  

1521
03:02:25,586 --> 03:02:33,746
is that a usual thing to have a third extension 
granted or oh hang on sorry I got to find the  

1522
03:02:33,746 --> 03:02:44,706
right one uh through the mayor. Uh probably not. 
um not for these reasons. Uh it's tough to say,  

1523
03:02:44,706 --> 03:02:50,946
but uh yeah, I'd say our situation is pretty 
unique. Yeah. Yeah. And I guess just a quick quick  

1524
03:02:50,946 --> 03:02:59,425
follow up around um so obviously this um involves 
other parties, the RCMP, etc. And so I mean we're  

1525
03:02:59,426 --> 03:03:06,226
not the only ones that have to provide feedback. 
So, I mean, regardless of what happens here, the  

1526
03:03:06,225 --> 03:03:16,225
RCMP could decide to um yeah, if there's no good 
neighbor agreement, then that was that was part  

1527
03:03:16,225 --> 03:03:21,665
of their feedback that they would that they wanted 
that. So, I mean, I guess I guess the bottom line  

1528
03:03:21,666 --> 03:03:28,466
is it's not just um it's not just council that's 
weighing in on this um process, but I guess if  

1529
03:03:28,466 --> 03:03:37,107
there's no agreement signed um before in the next 
couple days, then uh it's all kind of a phenito.  

1530
03:03:37,106 --> 03:03:42,545
Thanks. Thanks, Council Warren. And Mr. Garbbert, 
you had a comment. Yeah, thank you to the mayor.  

1531
03:03:42,546 --> 03:03:49,107
uh just we've we spent quite a bit of time on this 
and uh councelor Kian identified so our staff are  

1532
03:03:49,106 --> 03:03:55,746
acting on council's direction the requirement for 
a good neighbor agreement is there uh so unless  

1533
03:03:55,746 --> 03:04:02,706
that changes uh uh then the recommendations in 
front of you is the policy direction from council  

1534
03:04:02,706 --> 03:04:07,266
um as I had said previously there are a number 
of options to council council could consider  

1535
03:04:07,265 --> 03:04:13,265
their previous requirements I'm not trying to 
engage in the political debate here, but we also  

1536
03:04:13,265 --> 03:04:18,066
uh council could provide their support contingent 
on a good neighbor agreement as well. That is the  

1537
03:04:18,066 --> 03:04:21,586
feedback. That's the requirement of council. 
So, I'm just trying to provide some options  

1538
03:04:21,586 --> 03:04:27,586
because I think everyone [clears throat] pardon 
me, everyone is uh struggling a little bit with  

1539
03:04:27,586 --> 03:04:36,626
uh with the matter at hand. So, I just want to be 
clear. the polic as it is is because of council's  

1540
03:04:36,626 --> 03:04:42,466
direction for the good neighbor agreement and that 
there is an option for conditional consideration  

1541
03:04:42,466 --> 03:04:47,826
of this if we have the same direction from 
council all right thanks for that council call  

1542
03:04:47,826 --> 03:04:52,866
Hamilton yeah thanks mayor I I just wanted to ask 
a question just to maybe clarify something that  

1543
03:04:52,866 --> 03:04:59,826
was raised in previous conversation that there 
are other u places that stay open past midnight  

1544
03:05:00,786 --> 03:05:06,466
um and that they apparently do not have good 
neighbor agreements. I just wanted to maybe  

1545
03:05:06,466 --> 03:05:13,666
ask if staff could confirm that uh we've never 
had the opportunity to weigh in on that with  

1546
03:05:13,666 --> 03:05:18,786
those entities because they've not requested a 
change of this type. There's never been a point  

1547
03:05:18,786 --> 03:05:24,066
at which we could have requested a good neighbor 
agreement. So, this is not a matter of being  

1548
03:05:24,066 --> 03:05:33,906
treated differently. It's a matter of um of this 
coming before us and um us following the advice of  

1549
03:05:33,906 --> 03:05:42,706
the RCMP and I would assume that the advice if if 
other um entities came extending wanting similar  

1550
03:05:42,706 --> 03:05:47,346
extensions that we would get similar advice 
from the RCMP and we would take similar action.  

1551
03:05:47,345 --> 03:05:52,946
It's [snorts] just uh you know this is a matter of 
first instance we have not had had this happen and  

1552
03:05:52,946 --> 03:05:57,506
there was some reference to the curling club. I 
don't know. I wasn't at that board. I don't know  

1553
03:05:57,506 --> 03:06:02,706
who made that decision or how that came to be. But 
in the 8 years I've been here, we've never had the  

1554
03:06:02,706 --> 03:06:10,866
opportunity to to uh be in a situation where an 
extension um was asked for that a good neighbor  

1555
03:06:10,866 --> 03:06:15,746
agreement might be the right solution to. Um so 
this is I just want to clarify the other places  

1556
03:06:15,746 --> 03:06:23,106
that stay open within town, they listed a few of 
them. um those are not opportunity circumstances  

1557
03:06:23,106 --> 03:06:26,706
where we've had the opportunity to make to go 
through this kind of process and this kind of  

1558
03:06:26,706 --> 03:06:32,466
analysis. Thank you through the mayor. I would 
just say uh to the best of my knowledge the issue  

1559
03:06:32,466 --> 03:06:37,586
of the requirement of a good neighbor agreement 
has not come up in the referrals. So this was a  

1560
03:06:37,586 --> 03:06:45,506
specific response to a referral. The previous 
consideration of um liquor either a new liquor  

1561
03:06:45,506 --> 03:06:51,266
license or an extended nick liquor license. So, I 
point council, we just had a a new liquor license  

1562
03:06:51,265 --> 03:06:59,026
for another business downtown. Um, and it was not 
it did not come out as a as a recommendation. Uh,  

1563
03:06:59,026 --> 03:07:02,465
it was not for the same timeline, but it 
did not come out as a recommendation. So,  

1564
03:07:02,466 --> 03:07:10,386
this is we are acting on the advice of um of uh 
specialists in the area as a condition uh to move  

1565
03:07:10,386 --> 03:07:18,226
forward and council accepted that. Um uh we had 
a reference to the substance use strategy and  

1566
03:07:18,225 --> 03:07:24,305
some work related to the consideration of um the 
licensing of intoxicants. That is work that will  

1567
03:07:24,305 --> 03:07:30,066
happen. So it may be that our recommendation when 
considering liquid licenses that good neighbor  

1568
03:07:30,066 --> 03:07:36,385
agreements be be incorporated but that work has 
not yet happened. [clears throat] So in this case,  

1569
03:07:36,386 --> 03:07:43,666
I believe this is twofold response to 
circumstances and advice as well as um  

1570
03:07:43,666 --> 03:07:50,626
the previous uh considerations were were different 
and they didn't have the same circumstances that  

1571
03:07:50,626 --> 03:07:55,026
resulted in that referral. If we had received 
that same level of referral for the two more  

1572
03:07:55,026 --> 03:08:00,465
recent liquor license applications, we would 
have provided that to council. So I I believe  

1573
03:08:00,466 --> 03:08:08,306
that would likely have been a condition had the 
uh referrals um highlighted that need. Thanks Mr.  

1574
03:08:08,305 --> 03:08:14,465
Grabbit. I appreciate that. And and another bit of 
information that I I've received recently uh just  

1575
03:08:14,466 --> 03:08:22,786
in the la last 20 minutes or so is looking um at 
other opportunities when we look at you know the  

1576
03:08:22,786 --> 03:08:26,946
uh you know one of the comments was around 
they're the only one. Uh if we look to the  

1577
03:08:26,946 --> 03:08:33,826
resort municipality of uh Whistler, they actually 
have the exact same thing as a requirement uh for  

1578
03:08:33,826 --> 03:08:38,386
all business licenses for liquor establishments 
and cannabis stores. So, you know, we're not  

1579
03:08:38,386 --> 03:08:43,266
blazing a trail here or anything like that, but 
there are other opportunities to look at things,  

1580
03:08:43,265 --> 03:08:48,145
but I think as Mr. Garbett said, those things are 
being reviewed right now to see what's the best  

1581
03:08:48,145 --> 03:08:55,666
fit. Um but we are at this point following the 
advice of um uh the RCMP at this point. With that,  

1582
03:08:55,666 --> 03:08:59,026
I'll pass over to councelor. Thanks, 
Mayor. I just wanted clarification  

1583
03:08:59,026 --> 03:09:10,866
on um what the RCMP uh was was wanting in the 
good neighborhood agreement and if we knew why

1584
03:09:10,866 --> 03:09:19,826
uh through the mayor uh they they weren't 
specific uh but they accepted the um uh good  

1585
03:09:19,826 --> 03:09:24,225
neighbor agreement that was prepared by us. 
It was part of the conversation. They had no  

1586
03:09:24,225 --> 03:09:32,465
changes or edits to it. Uh they and and uh while 
the mayor provided the example of Whistler, Naimo  

1587
03:09:32,466 --> 03:09:40,626
has these uh agreements with with um uh liquor 
establishments as well, bars, pubs. So it's this a  

1588
03:09:40,626 --> 03:09:47,506
standard thing for the RCMP now to have these good 
neighbor agreements. I can't speak for them, but  

1589
03:09:47,506 --> 03:09:52,546
they never came up with any suggestions, changes, 
or edits to the Good Neighbor draft. Okay. Well,  

1590
03:09:52,546 --> 03:09:58,626
I'm just going to make a quick comment. Um, 
it's completely political. I I actually think  

1591
03:09:58,626 --> 03:10:04,546
that there's just too much red tape and if we 
already have all the things available to us to  

1592
03:10:04,546 --> 03:10:12,306
deal with bylaw problems and and so on. Um, yeah, 
I think good neighborhood agreements is just a way  

1593
03:10:12,305 --> 03:10:17,265
to smile at each other and say we're going to do 
what we're going to do. But, um, I I can see why  

1594
03:10:17,265 --> 03:10:21,826
businesses wouldn't like it. That's for sure. I 
mean, to be asked to to spend time to come in and  

1595
03:10:21,826 --> 03:10:27,666
see staff four times and have it written down and 
signed, um I I totally get it. At the same time,  

1596
03:10:27,666 --> 03:10:33,906
um it doesn't sound like anything that you're not 
already able to do. So, I don't I don't think,  

1597
03:10:33,906 --> 03:10:39,265
you know, obviously they're not coming back to 
sign an agreement tonight. So, um yeah, it's  

1598
03:10:39,265 --> 03:10:46,465
I think it's really unfortunate that we haven't 
been able to bring the two perspectives together.

1599
03:10:46,466 --> 03:10:54,146
Thanks, Councelor Rich. Sir Warren. Great. Thanks, 
Mayor. Just um related to the the comment that  

1600
03:10:54,145 --> 03:11:03,026
our city manager made about um contingent 
on um if there's if we don't have time to  

1601
03:11:03,026 --> 03:11:08,946
um have them sign before an extension 
though, how can we approve something  

1602
03:11:08,946 --> 03:11:17,986
contingent on because yeah, I mean I don't 
see how we could do that within the timeline.  

1603
03:11:17,986 --> 03:11:23,026
So I I I just I don't know if there was 
something else that you were getting at,  

1604
03:11:23,026 --> 03:11:28,866
Mr. Garet. Through the through the mayor, just 
in speaking with our director of services,  

1605
03:11:28,866 --> 03:11:37,986
it it could say that the city supports the 
liquor license extension provided there's a  

1606
03:11:37,986 --> 03:11:41,265
um good neighbor agreement in place. Not 
not that it has to be in place there,  

1607
03:11:41,265 --> 03:11:46,866
but it could be considered in their deliberations 
on the liquor license approval at the at the  

1608
03:11:46,866 --> 03:11:52,946
liquor license cannabis board uh approver. But 
again, it's not an ideal situation. It doesn't  

1609
03:11:52,946 --> 03:11:59,826
actually go to council's direction. Yeah. I 
mean, I I just think I mean, what does that  

1610
03:11:59,826 --> 03:12:07,426
mean exactly? Because the the the timeline I don't 
know. Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm thrilled with  

1611
03:12:07,426 --> 03:12:14,546
that idea either. Thank you. Thanks, Council 
Warren. Councelor Hill. Thanks, Mayor. I I'm  

1612
03:12:14,546 --> 03:12:21,826
prepared to move that council recommend support 
to the liquor and cannabis regulation branch  

1613
03:12:21,826 --> 03:12:32,546
for the application in question subject to the 
completion of a good neighbor agreement. Period.

1614
03:12:32,546 --> 03:12:36,626
Okay. So, it's not the one that's on the 
screen. So, that's slightly different.  

1615
03:12:36,626 --> 03:12:41,986
So rather than not recommending it move forward, 
it's recommending it moves forward contingent on  

1616
03:12:41,986 --> 03:12:46,946
the good neighbor agreement, which technically 
could still happen within the next few days.  

1617
03:12:46,946 --> 03:12:55,746
Councelor Haleen, I'll I'll give you the mic back 
for subsequent Well, you my point would be that it  

1618
03:12:55,746 --> 03:13:01,426
would then be in the hands of the liquor control 
branch who will go through their process. We'll  

1619
03:13:01,426 --> 03:13:09,027
see this recommendation and we'll either um say, 
well, where's your good neighbor agreement or not  

1620
03:13:09,026 --> 03:13:13,425
if they think it's important and then it'll be 
the liquor control bunch making the decision,  

1621
03:13:13,426 --> 03:13:19,106
which is what it's making. it's it's their 
job anyway and essentially we will have  

1622
03:13:19,105 --> 03:13:27,185
done our part um following through on the council 
resolution. um and you know doing what I think is  

1623
03:13:27,185 --> 03:13:32,145
uh what the majority of council feels is that that 
we don't necessarily want to stand in the way of  

1624
03:13:32,145 --> 03:13:38,066
this business continuing with their business model 
but we do want them to follow through with the  

1625
03:13:38,066 --> 03:13:44,786
council resolution that was made but by doing this 
without putting a timeline on it we we essentially  

1626
03:13:44,786 --> 03:13:51,426
send our recommendation off to the liquor control 
branch and then it's up to them and you know the  

1627
03:13:51,426 --> 03:13:57,666
the good neighbor agreement happens in that time 
frame rather than us spending another two hours on  

1628
03:13:57,666 --> 03:14:03,026
it and getting our staff to spend more hours on 
it here tonight or in the days to come. Thanks,  

1629
03:14:03,026 --> 03:14:09,185
Councelor Helen. Uh, councelor M. I thought 
that councelor Cole Hamilton was in front of me,  

1630
03:14:09,185 --> 03:14:16,545
but he turned his light off. Um, I guess I just 
wanted to ask staff, is that um is that a a doable  

1631
03:14:16,546 --> 03:14:25,506
process? Um, like will that work? uh through 
the chair. I'm just trying to look up the act,  

1632
03:14:25,506 --> 03:14:30,626
but I do believe it is possible for a 
municipality to recommend approval with  

1633
03:14:30,626 --> 03:14:38,546
conditions. Uh it certainly is possible for the 
liquor control branch to impose conditions. Um so,  

1634
03:14:38,546 --> 03:14:44,306
uh and worst case scenario, the liquor 
branch probably just refer it back to us.

1635
03:14:46,386 --> 03:14:55,186
Yeah, I guess I'm just I don't know how if the if 
this is expiring in a couple days, how? Well, no,  

1636
03:14:55,185 --> 03:15:03,345
the the liquor the liquor branch has granted an 
except for a a couple days, two two extensions,  

1637
03:15:03,345 --> 03:15:11,505
I believe, to get us to August 2nd. Uh to August 
2nd. I'd just like to also say that August 1 is  

1638
03:15:11,506 --> 03:15:17,506
the holiday. Mhm. Um so that would give two 
days to have a conversation and and I Yeah.  

1639
03:15:17,506 --> 03:15:27,506
I just [clears throat] to to add to that to to 
councor um if the if if the condition that we  

1640
03:15:27,506 --> 03:15:34,386
place on it is that there be a good neighbor 
agreement which is what we recommended in May  

1641
03:15:34,386 --> 03:15:38,626
and and it was council said no we want the 
good neighbor agreement. This is why we're  

1642
03:15:38,626 --> 03:15:46,786
here now. And and so if we if we say that, oh, a 
condition that we have a good neighbor agreement,  

1643
03:15:46,786 --> 03:15:55,666
I think I can pretty much guarantee we're 
going to go through this cycle for a long time.

1644
03:15:55,666 --> 03:16:02,466
Thanks, Council Moore and Councelor Helian. 
Yeah, the the uh the delay is to give time for  

1645
03:16:02,466 --> 03:16:11,027
council to consider its recommendation. Um and 
uh I if we send the recommendation along along  

1646
03:16:11,026 --> 03:16:16,305
with the copy of the good neighbor agreement 
with whatever amendments uh have been discussed  

1647
03:16:16,305 --> 03:16:20,946
here tonight that are considered appropriate, 
then it's in the I think it's in the hands of  

1648
03:16:20,946 --> 03:16:28,066
the liquor control branch. And if they punt it 
back, well, fair enough. Um maybe at that point,  

1649
03:16:28,066 --> 03:16:34,465
uh we take a harder line and and say no, we 
don't support it. But uh um I I'm just going  

1650
03:16:34,466 --> 03:16:41,506
by what my sense is of what uh the majority of 
council here tonight appears to want to do. And  

1651
03:16:41,506 --> 03:16:48,866
uh you know that would be consistent with uh not 
standing in the way of this business but also  

1652
03:16:48,866 --> 03:16:58,466
uh honoring the previous resolution of council. We 
could in fact as Mr. Garbbert has said rescend the  

1653
03:16:58,466 --> 03:17:06,386
requirement. Um, but as I said before, I haven't 
heard anybody propose that here tonight. So,  

1654
03:17:06,386 --> 03:17:11,586
I'm proposing a way for us to move forward with 
this. And if it gets sent back, so be it. But,  

1655
03:17:11,586 --> 03:17:17,506
um, um, I don't know whether it will or not. Maybe 
the liquor control branch will just decide, oh,  

1656
03:17:17,506 --> 03:17:20,706
well, they didn't want to sign 
the good neighbor agreement.  

1657
03:17:20,706 --> 03:17:25,266
We're not going to give them their 
license. Then it's their decision.

1658
03:17:27,506 --> 03:17:32,626
All right, councelor.

1659
03:17:32,626 --> 03:17:42,466
Oh. Uh, I should I let councelor co 
go first? Uh, if that's all right.

1660
03:17:42,466 --> 03:17:46,226
Councelor Cole Hamilton. Okay. I was going to 
say I'm always happy to have more information  

1661
03:17:46,225 --> 03:17:55,906
before asking. Um, so if we were to do 
this, then it would be the the the the  

1662
03:17:55,906 --> 03:18:03,265
province that would negotiate the good neighbor 
agreement under this uh and the province is the  

1663
03:18:03,265 --> 03:18:09,585
province then free to say, you know what, it 
doesn't really matter to us. We're good. So,  

1664
03:18:09,586 --> 03:18:16,146
but but you're nodding, but but I'm just 
curious to know with staff if we if we  

1665
03:18:16,145 --> 03:18:24,066
have this this qualified support. Um, and 
then the qualification is never met. Um,  

1666
03:18:24,066 --> 03:18:28,305
does the province have the discretion to just 
do what they please at that point or does that  

1667
03:18:28,305 --> 03:18:32,785
stop the process? I I feel like in some ways 
we're just handing this off to someone else  

1668
03:18:32,786 --> 03:18:39,426
who might decide to [clears throat] just ignore 
our um [snorts] you know reasoned request. Yeah,  

1669
03:18:39,426 --> 03:18:44,386
I think historically yeah it's referred to us 
but we don't we just make a recommendation but  

1670
03:18:44,386 --> 03:18:49,586
I think it's up to the liquor control board for 
the actual answer but Mr. Thanks. I think staff  

1671
03:18:49,586 --> 03:18:55,026
might be responding but ultimately uh through 
the mayor to counselor. Um the reason why we  

1672
03:18:55,026 --> 03:19:00,626
have chosen because we are not required actually 
the municipality has chosen to involve ourselves  

1673
03:19:00,626 --> 03:19:06,386
in liquor licensing approvals. Uh and we have 
done that historically. Um they are looking for  

1674
03:19:06,386 --> 03:19:16,706
our direction. Um so if we have a take on this it 
have some suggested conditions per Mr. Belaba's uh  

1675
03:19:16,706 --> 03:19:24,866
commentary then that that is a position we can 
take but I'll I'll I'll defer to my colleague.

1676
03:19:24,866 --> 03:19:31,986
Sorry through the mayor. Just reading the act. 
So um just to be clear uh if council were to  

1677
03:19:31,986 --> 03:19:38,946
recommend uh that the license not be issued 
the liquor branch must refuse the license.  

1678
03:19:38,946 --> 03:19:45,265
That's in section 38 subsection 4 of the act. 
If council recommends approval and I would  

1679
03:19:45,265 --> 03:19:53,425
group approval with a condition in that the liquor 
and cannabis regula uh regulatory branch uh must  

1680
03:19:53,426 --> 03:19:58,866
take the recommendation into account in deciding 
whether or not to issue or amend the license. So  

1681
03:19:58,866 --> 03:20:03,666
I would extend that to taking into account the 
recommendation for the condition. They would  

1682
03:20:03,666 --> 03:20:08,626
consider whether the condition is reasonable 
or not. They could decide whether to impose  

1683
03:20:08,626 --> 03:20:15,026
that same condition. um whether or not they would 
actually negotiate with the applicant the terms  

1684
03:20:15,026 --> 03:20:20,786
of the good neighbor agreement, probably not. 
Um but they could theoretically say, you know,  

1685
03:20:20,786 --> 03:20:26,546
we'd like to see a signed good neighbor agreement 
before we issue this license. Thank thanks for  

1686
03:20:26,546 --> 03:20:31,666
that clarity and the nuances of whether it's 
approved or recommended or not recommended  

1687
03:20:31,666 --> 03:20:36,786
by council and how that that affects them. 
Councelor Joeler, you've been patient. Thanks.  

1688
03:20:36,786 --> 03:20:43,185
uh just a comment that uh the the parties of 
the agreement um are the city of Courtney,  

1689
03:20:43,185 --> 03:20:49,345
the proponent and the RCMP. And so the 
negotiation and the finalization of agreement  

1690
03:20:49,345 --> 03:20:55,345
ultimately will have to lie with those parties as 
they're addressed now. And I think those are the  

1691
03:20:55,345 --> 03:21:01,185
parties that are well positioned to address the 
issues that have come up through this process.  

1692
03:21:01,185 --> 03:21:08,145
Um, and so for that, I'll be supporting a process 
that is city-led rather than asking a regulatory  

1693
03:21:08,145 --> 03:21:14,625
body that's really simply speaking to one part 
of the the process um to do that work for us. I  

1694
03:21:14,626 --> 03:21:18,626
don't think it actually addresses the issues and 
the concerns that have been raised throughout the  

1695
03:21:18,626 --> 03:21:26,946
process by our staff, by bylaw, by the RCMP, and 
by neighbors and the bylaw complaintants. Thanks.

1696
03:21:28,466 --> 03:21:39,987
Okay. So, we do have a motion on the floor.

1697
03:21:39,986 --> 03:21:44,546
Ah, yes. Uh, so highlighted in yellow 
on the screen. Uh, so, councelor Joel,  

1698
03:21:44,546 --> 03:21:51,186
you can see that. So, there's the original 
uh motion that was uh um moved by councelor  

1699
03:21:51,185 --> 03:21:56,706
Hillian and seconded, but then there is a 
potential amendment recommended by staff  

1700
03:21:56,706 --> 03:21:59,586
that the council authorized staff to 
finalize a good neighbor agreement,  

1701
03:21:59,586 --> 03:22:05,426
including approval of minor amendments. And maybe 
I'll pass it over to councelor Hillian. Yeah,  

1702
03:22:05,426 --> 03:22:12,786
I think that makes sense. I would suggest 
adding the word recommended in front of good

1703
03:22:12,786 --> 03:22:19,586
the recommended good neighbor agreement. And then 
that's staff makes those minor amendments and  

1704
03:22:19,586 --> 03:22:26,546
attaches it to this letter that goes to the the 
liquor branch. And to councelor Jelicker's point,  

1705
03:22:26,546 --> 03:22:34,146
uh it's it still ends up being an agreement 
as proposed as recommended between the city,  

1706
03:22:34,145 --> 03:22:42,385
the business, and the RCMP. Um it's up to the 
liquor licensing branch whether they want that to  

1707
03:22:42,386 --> 03:22:49,666
be part of it or not. And but if if they do, then 
it comes comes back to the city, the business,  

1708
03:22:49,666 --> 03:22:56,706
and the RCMP to actually sign the agreement. 
All right. Thanks for that. Um I don't see Oh,  

1709
03:22:56,706 --> 03:23:06,786
councelor M. Oh, don't apologize. So the Have we 
seen what the RCMP is submitting to the liquor  

1710
03:23:06,786 --> 03:23:17,265
branch? like are they saying something about 
um contingent on a good neighbor agreement

1711
03:23:17,265 --> 03:23:23,185
um through the mayor to council. 
So the the LCRB does reach out to  

1712
03:23:23,185 --> 03:23:28,385
uh the RCMP individually and then as a 
part of our process we do we also reach  

1713
03:23:28,386 --> 03:23:34,306
out to the RCMP. So we don't see what the 
RCMP's direct response to the LCB would be.  

1714
03:23:34,305 --> 03:23:39,745
um we only see what they send us and uh it 
was a short email and it did recommend the  

1715
03:23:39,746 --> 03:23:43,666
good neighbor agreement for for us but we 
don't see what what else they're sending.  

1716
03:23:43,666 --> 03:23:49,105
So that will go what if we pass this excuse me 
resolution all that correspondence about the  

1717
03:23:49,105 --> 03:24:01,265
RCMP recommending to us to have a good neighbor 
agreement will be part of that package. Okay.

1718
03:24:01,265 --> 03:24:09,026
Okay. Oh, I'm seeing nods, but maybe just 
say yes so that councelor Joliger can also  

1719
03:24:09,026 --> 03:24:14,706
uh through the mayor. Yes, we're going to include 
all the materials that we've received. All right.  

1720
03:24:14,706 --> 03:24:29,586
Thanks for that. You're taking a beat. Okay. All 
those in favor? Any opposed? I have three opposed.  

1721
03:24:29,586 --> 03:24:42,546
Um I think I'm gonna pull council just 
since we have online as well. I I have

1722
03:24:42,546 --> 03:24:49,586
opposed. Who is the third opposed? Councelor Mren

1723
03:24:49,586 --> 03:24:56,946
and I'm voting in the affirmative with 
councelor Hillian and councelor Fresh I believe.

1724
03:25:06,386 --> 03:25:12,146
So if CL staff could just clarify what that 
means for this application at this point in time,  

1725
03:25:12,145 --> 03:25:19,026
Mr. Garvin. So the resolution that was 
proposed failed and so we don't have any  

1726
03:25:19,026 --> 03:25:23,105
comment now uh on the application. So, 
it would be at council's discretion to  

1727
03:25:23,105 --> 03:25:35,906
either for the matter or make a subsequent 
resolution. Move the staff recommendation.

1728
03:25:35,906 --> 03:25:39,826
Okay, that's been moved and seconded. We've 
had lots of discussion, so I don't anticipate  

1729
03:25:39,826 --> 03:25:49,426
any more. All those in favor? Any opposed? 
Councelor Hilly and Councelor Fresh opposed.

1730
03:25:51,986 --> 03:26:04,066
and I'll I'll vote in favor.

1731
03:26:04,066 --> 03:26:13,425
Okay, moving on to item 8.3.1, permissive 
tax exemption policy update. And we'll  

1732
03:26:13,426 --> 03:26:18,626
um pass it over uh or we have the permissive tax 
exemption policy update. So, I'll pass it over to  

1733
03:26:18,626 --> 03:26:26,706
Mr. Langmire. Nice to be here once again, council. 
Before us is an updated permissive tax exemption  

1734
03:26:26,706 --> 03:26:32,626
policy as directed by council last fall. So, there 
are a number of changes that occurred within the  

1735
03:26:32,626 --> 03:26:37,986
policy as directed by council. I'm going to go 
over a a few of the important ones. So, a key one  

1736
03:26:37,986 --> 03:26:45,026
is exemption duration. The policy goes to a 4-year 
uh bylaw cycle and this is to align with council's  

1737
03:26:45,026 --> 03:26:51,105
term and to reduce the overall administration time 
and burden of the annual permissive tax exemption  

1738
03:26:51,105 --> 03:26:59,505
policy process. We'll likely still see an annual 
permissive tax exemption bylaw come to council,  

1739
03:26:59,506 --> 03:27:04,626
but it'll be much smaller because it'll be um only 
addressing the new applicants and any applicants  

1740
03:27:04,626 --> 03:27:11,746
that had some sort of change within the year or 
upcoming year. A major change is the exemption by  

1741
03:27:11,746 --> 03:27:16,626
activity. And within the policy, there's a table 
in the activity type and there's definitions the  

1742
03:27:16,626 --> 03:27:23,426
activities. Historically, the city's permissive 
tax exemption was either at 100% and that was  

1743
03:27:23,426 --> 03:27:31,506
typically for um grandfather or quite longstanding 
organizations within the community. Uh within a  

1744
03:27:31,506 --> 03:27:37,186
policy update that occurred several years 
ago, if an organization provided services  

1745
03:27:37,185 --> 03:27:42,066
to the entire region versus strictly city of 
Courtney residents, the exemption was based  

1746
03:27:42,066 --> 03:27:48,145
at 40% versus 100. By moving to an exemption by 
activity, it really allows the municipality and  

1747
03:27:48,145 --> 03:27:56,066
council to focus where they put this report uh 
into the different types of activities provided.

1748
03:27:56,066 --> 03:28:02,465
We're continuing on with the exemption cap of 2% 
of the prior year's municipal taxation. We've made  

1749
03:28:02,466 --> 03:28:07,666
the language clear that is based on just the 
municipal portion of taxation. In the past,  

1750
03:28:07,666 --> 03:28:11,346
there's been questions on well, is it the 
municipal plus the other taxing authorities  

1751
03:28:11,345 --> 03:28:17,585
or is it all together or just the one? So 
it's very much just the municipal portion.  

1752
03:28:17,586 --> 03:28:26,866
The 2% cap is what was used historically and 
it it is we have not exceeded the cap. We are  

1753
03:28:26,866 --> 03:28:32,305
nearing it but it's been a a pretty 
good gauge. Uh it is representative  

1754
03:28:32,305 --> 03:28:37,906
what other municipalities are doing. Some 
have a lower cap, some have a higher cap.

1755
03:28:39,426 --> 03:28:45,426
There are uh a few properties that are captured 
under an existing 10-year bylaw. There are no  

1756
03:28:45,426 --> 03:28:50,146
recommendations to change those bylaws. We'll 
let those run the course. And at the end of  

1757
03:28:50,145 --> 03:28:55,425
those permissive tax exemption bylaws, any 
changes that occurred under the new policy  

1758
03:28:55,426 --> 03:29:03,266
will take effect at that time. Recognizing that 
some organizations could see a change in the  

1759
03:29:03,265 --> 03:29:09,745
value of their permissive tax exemption policy 
or tax exemption value, the policies includes  

1760
03:29:09,746 --> 03:29:16,706
transitional pro provisions to smooth out uh the 
big taxation changes. So written into it is if  

1761
03:29:16,706 --> 03:29:23,666
the organization sees more than a $5,000 change 
in the exemption, that change will be phased  

1762
03:29:23,666 --> 03:29:35,906
in over a period of of five years. The financial 
impact of the policy change um okay the financial  

1763
03:29:35,906 --> 03:29:44,305
impact currently the permissive the total value 
of exemption is just over a million dollars.  

1764
03:29:45,026 --> 03:29:53,425
The proposed policy would see this exemption drop 
to 400 to $743,000. This represents a reduction of  

1765
03:29:53,426 --> 03:30:01,906
about 26%. 14 organizations will see an increase 
in the permissive tax exemption value while 31  

1766
03:30:01,906 --> 03:30:07,185
organizations will see a decrease. And I should 
say when I reference the current exemption total  

1767
03:30:07,185 --> 03:30:12,706
is 1 million. That includes the municipal 
portion and the other taxing authorities.

1768
03:30:14,066 --> 03:30:22,066
The policy would take effect for applications 
received through 2027 and the tax change would be  

1769
03:30:22,066 --> 03:30:29,986
in the 2028 year. This gives staff time to create 
a new application and allow the notification to  

1770
03:30:29,986 --> 03:30:35,345
organizations to apply under the new policy 
and to organizations that might not have ever  

1771
03:30:35,345 --> 03:30:42,465
applied in the past. Further, this timing actually 
aligns with the second year of a new council term.  

1772
03:30:42,466 --> 03:30:48,786
And with that, I'm open to questions. Excellent. 
Thanks for uh bringing this forward. I know it  

1773
03:30:48,786 --> 03:30:52,866
was much anticipated by council. I'll 
pass it over to councelor FR. Thanks,  

1774
03:30:52,866 --> 03:30:58,305
mayor. Uh can you remind me, do other levels 
of government pay municipal taxes? So,  

1775
03:30:58,305 --> 03:31:03,425
provincial government that 
owns a shelter for instance,

1776
03:31:03,426 --> 03:31:09,746
that is a very um I'll leave I'll leave 
specific question. Yeah. So if it's the  

1777
03:31:09,746 --> 03:31:17,426
the the provincial and federal governments do not 
pay property taxes as we levy them. They pay up  

1778
03:31:17,426 --> 03:31:25,346
uh uh grants in lie of taxes is a an amount that 
is very close to what we would tax but we do not  

1779
03:31:25,345 --> 03:31:31,425
send the provincial or federal government tax 
bills. The specific question about supportive  

1780
03:31:31,426 --> 03:31:39,426
housing if the province only one the approach 
is to assess the value of supportive housing at  

1781
03:31:39,426 --> 03:31:45,027
$1. So they technically pay tax but the value 
is only a dollar. So it is essentially non-t  

1782
03:31:45,026 --> 03:31:52,145
taxable for the entire property. That is 
correct. Okay. Thanks. Thanks councelor  

1783
03:31:52,145 --> 03:31:57,986
Fr and councelor. Okay. And I do, just so 
you know, I do see councelor Joler online,  

1784
03:31:57,986 --> 03:32:03,105
but it's not your turn. It's councelor. Yeah, 
thanks mayor. I just want to clarify in the  

1785
03:32:03,105 --> 03:32:09,185
past I've disqualified myself uh and then 
we had uh we amended the process so I didn't  

1786
03:32:09,185 --> 03:32:14,706
need to because I sit on the board of one of the 
organizations that's being considered. But this  

1787
03:32:14,706 --> 03:32:23,346
uh u proposal tonight is essentially establishing 
policy. We're not actually deciding on the  

1788
03:32:23,345 --> 03:32:31,105
uh the uh organizations involved and what the 
exemption they get or are we? Excellent question.  

1789
03:32:31,105 --> 03:32:35,666
Thanks. I'll start by saying I'm not a lawyer 
um but staff have discussed this and feel that  

1790
03:32:35,666 --> 03:32:40,706
this is similar to the OCP where you are making 
general changes but you're not making specific  

1791
03:32:40,706 --> 03:32:46,145
decisions about properties. So, for example, 
um the permissive tax bylaws will come back  

1792
03:32:46,145 --> 03:32:50,786
to council and at that point you'll be making 
specific decisions about properties. Of course,  

1793
03:32:50,786 --> 03:32:57,506
um council should always be aware of any um 
influences and participate in the discussion if  

1794
03:32:57,506 --> 03:33:05,106
they feel that it is appropriate for them. Thanks 
very much. Thanks, Councelor and Councelor Ziller.

1795
03:33:06,706 --> 03:33:11,586
Um, I do have a few questions, so I'm happy to 
get back in line, but first just really appreciate  

1796
03:33:11,586 --> 03:33:18,066
the the policy and us uh clarifying a lot here. 
There's obviously been a lot of thinking that's  

1797
03:33:18,066 --> 03:33:23,586
gone into this and appreciate um the attachment 
of the consultant report to refresh my memory on  

1798
03:33:23,586 --> 03:33:30,226
some of the comparables that was done and the the 
research around best practice across the province.  

1799
03:33:30,225 --> 03:33:36,385
Um I guess um what I didn't see in the consultant 
report and it's not necessarily explicitly  

1800
03:33:36,386 --> 03:33:45,027
mentioned in the staff report either is um and 
yeah maybe the consultant or the staff can speak  

1801
03:33:45,026 --> 03:33:51,826
to policies PTE policies across the province 
that address organizations that receive core  

1802
03:33:51,826 --> 03:33:59,105
operational funding from provincial bodies 
that those provincial bodies can fund taxes  

1803
03:33:59,105 --> 03:34:02,786
um specific Specifically, I guess I'm 
thinking about social service organizations  

1804
03:34:02,786 --> 03:34:09,586
or organizations that receive core funding for 
heritage or cultural services in our community.  

1805
03:34:09,586 --> 03:34:18,066
Um, and the reason I ask that is because we we do 
ask for financials as part of the new policy. Um,  

1806
03:34:18,066 --> 03:34:23,666
and I through that we'll be able to see revenue 
and where those organizations get a lot of their  

1807
03:34:23,666 --> 03:34:29,986
funding. And um I think it's kind of one of these 
things we often hear about in the community around  

1808
03:34:29,986 --> 03:34:37,265
um the role of municipal government in um 
overseeing or addressing or or having to  

1809
03:34:37,265 --> 03:34:44,625
front the bill for provincial related um spaces 
including the the things I listed social services  

1810
03:34:44,626 --> 03:34:49,826
come top of mind. Um, so I'm just kind of 
curious if in the research if anything like  

1811
03:34:49,826 --> 03:34:55,986
that came up or in any conversations with the 
consultant around the ways in which some of our  

1812
03:34:55,986 --> 03:35:01,906
partners in the community who apply for PTE 
might be able to uh successfully uh receive  

1813
03:35:01,906 --> 03:35:09,586
funding for taxes. So we do have Chris Payne 
on the line who has worked extensively on that  

1814
03:35:09,586 --> 03:35:15,026
original report for the permissive tax and did 
the background research. Uh I do want to say  

1815
03:35:15,026 --> 03:35:24,546
at the start though the policy as presented 
does not include looking at that and changing  

1816
03:35:24,546 --> 03:35:35,746
the exemption amount as it wasn't uh specific 
council direction uh given back in the fall.

1817
03:35:35,746 --> 03:35:42,626
But I would like Chris can speak to what 
he has seen across the other provincial  

1818
03:35:44,145 --> 03:35:52,225
research you did. Uh yeah, thank you. Uh how's my 
uh sound coming through? Perfect. Okay. Excellent.  

1819
03:35:52,225 --> 03:36:00,625
Um I will note that um I have not come across 
any policy that uh speaks specifically to um  

1820
03:36:00,626 --> 03:36:06,626
what is funding those organizations that are under 
consideration. Um however as the counselor points  

1821
03:36:06,626 --> 03:36:14,066
out there are several uh policies that uh allude 
to financial ability and whether or not that  

1822
03:36:14,066 --> 03:36:20,066
should be considered. Uh so no it doesn't really 
talk uh specifically about who is funding but  

1823
03:36:20,066 --> 03:36:26,305
um but uh it is common for policies to 
require financial disclosures so that  

1824
03:36:26,305 --> 03:36:32,465
um council and the public can ascertain where 
the funding is coming from if they so choose.

1825
03:36:35,026 --> 03:36:43,746
Excellent. Thanks for that. And uh councelor Fr. 
Yeah, I was just um I think one of the ones that's  

1826
03:36:43,746 --> 03:36:50,386
changing is um is the Sid Williams. Is that am I 
correct in that that that's their their exemption  

1827
03:36:50,386 --> 03:36:57,987
is dropping from 100% to 40%. Yes. uh based on 
the type of service provided. The organizations  

1828
03:36:57,986 --> 03:37:03,906
with service agreements with the city uh some of 
those agreements have specific language around  

1829
03:37:03,906 --> 03:37:08,866
u tax exemption and that would be something 
you would have to bring forward at the time  

1830
03:37:08,866 --> 03:37:18,386
of considering the permissive tax exemption. 
Okay. Thank you. And councelor Shel again.  

1831
03:37:18,386 --> 03:37:23,987
Um so just reviewing the policy really 
appreciate it's quite robust now. Uh I  

1832
03:37:23,986 --> 03:37:31,026
do have I think two questions from the draft 
policy. Um one being um the long list of of  

1833
03:37:31,026 --> 03:37:36,465
documentation we're requesting of applicants which 
I actually really support and appreciate. But I  

1834
03:37:36,466 --> 03:37:43,506
noted that we and maybe it's because it's covered 
elsewhere but we don't actually ask for proof of  

1835
03:37:43,506 --> 03:37:56,386
uh good standing with the BC societies act. Um, so 
wondering if if staff have any comments on that.

1836
03:37:56,386 --> 03:38:01,666
I don't have actually any comments on that one. 
Uh, we do ask for financial statements and you  

1837
03:38:01,666 --> 03:38:10,066
would typically have to be in good standing with 
society act. That is something been added though.  

1838
03:38:10,066 --> 03:38:16,946
Okay. Um, mayor, am I good to go with my second 
question? Yes. Okay. There's a section I'm just  

1839
03:38:16,946 --> 03:38:23,746
trying to pull it up that speaks to and I app I am 
in favor of the shift to the four-year um but in  

1840
03:38:23,746 --> 03:38:31,986
the policy um there's some language here around 
I think it's on page three of the draft policy  

1841
03:38:31,986 --> 03:38:37,345
second paragraph council may consider applications 
for exemptions exceeding one year to a maximum  

1842
03:38:37,345 --> 03:38:44,545
of 10 years. Um um and then it goes on to say 
that those organizations receiving multi-year  

1843
03:38:44,546 --> 03:38:51,586
exemptions may still be required to provide um 
annual reporting. And so the the the word may  

1844
03:38:51,586 --> 03:38:57,986
kind of spoke to me. And so I wanted clarity. You 
know, we're not requiring annual reporting for  

1845
03:38:57,986 --> 03:39:04,465
those who have, you know, that will be in these 
this new 4-year cycle that we have or is that  

1846
03:39:04,466 --> 03:39:11,027
just old language we haven't removed? The idea 
of not requiring annual reporting for the regular  

1847
03:39:11,026 --> 03:39:17,586
four-year cycle is to reduce the administrative 
burden. In the event that we have uh a tenure,  

1848
03:39:17,586 --> 03:39:24,146
which would be outside of the the normal uh PTE 
path, I wanted the language in there that we  

1849
03:39:24,145 --> 03:39:33,345
may ask for the specific type of documentation. 
what scenario that um may actually end up being,  

1850
03:39:33,345 --> 03:39:38,385
I'm not sure, but it leaves us the flexibility to, 
you know, the council to consider a 10ear bylaw,  

1851
03:39:38,386 --> 03:39:44,466
but still have a couple stipulations upon it. 
Right. And as a follow-up, mayor, to that,  

1852
03:39:44,466 --> 03:39:50,466
um, just really quickly, um, so we are covered 
in the policy though, if something changes for  

1853
03:39:50,466 --> 03:39:58,546
an organization, they are still required to 
inform us, um, as part of the even though  

1854
03:39:58,546 --> 03:40:02,946
we're not requiring them to send us annual 
reporting. If something changes, they move,  

1855
03:40:02,946 --> 03:40:07,506
they they they get a million dollar donation, 
I don't know, right? But they have to kind of  

1856
03:40:07,506 --> 03:40:13,266
inform us of that. That's part of the policy and 
part of the also the clause around removing them  

1857
03:40:13,265 --> 03:40:22,705
from PT if they don't inform us of any major 
changes. Yes, that is correct. Okay. Thanks.

1858
03:40:22,706 --> 03:40:31,586
Um Cole Hamilton. Yeah. Thanks, [clears throat] 
Mayor. My uh my thinking on this is that this is  

1859
03:40:31,586 --> 03:40:38,226
a fairly significant change. Um, and it's going 
to result in, I think, probably about a4 million  

1860
03:40:38,225 --> 03:40:43,585
dollars worth of tax burden being redistributed. 
And I noticed that, you know, given that we're  

1861
03:40:43,586 --> 03:40:51,106
now at the very end of July, we are now into the 
pre- campaign period of an election year. And my  

1862
03:40:51,105 --> 03:40:57,746
understanding is that because of various aspects 
of timing, any change that was made here wouldn't  

1863
03:40:57,746 --> 03:41:03,346
apply next year. would not it would it would be a 
um a further year into the future before it could  

1864
03:41:03,345 --> 03:41:11,026
be um before it could be actioned. And given that 
there is that amount of time and that this is a  

1865
03:41:11,026 --> 03:41:19,505
fun fundamental um change um and that we're sort 
of on the doorstep of an election, I um when we  

1866
03:41:19,506 --> 03:41:28,866
get past proceed, I think I I would be inclined 
to um to have a motion uh deferring it until  

1867
03:41:28,866 --> 03:41:35,345
uh early 2027 following the election when a new 
council is in place and able to express their  

1868
03:41:35,345 --> 03:41:41,825
priorities rather than us at sort of the 11th hour 
of this term uh making a fairly fundamental policy  

1869
03:41:41,826 --> 03:41:48,706
decision. Um and uh anyway, I'm happy to make a 
motion along those lines when we get to the point  

1870
03:41:48,706 --> 03:41:55,185
of uh of when once we get beyond receipt. Thanks, 
Councelor Cole Hamilton. Appreciate that. Uh  

1871
03:41:55,185 --> 03:42:01,986
councelor Fr. Yeah. Um I guess I just have a quick 
comment. I don't even know if it's a question,  

1872
03:42:01,986 --> 03:42:08,946
but I noticed that that the Quantis village 
would be reduced to 0% exemption for their senior  

1873
03:42:08,946 --> 03:42:14,866
housing. Um, it looks to be around $37,000 of 
extra taxes that we would collect from them. And  

1874
03:42:14,866 --> 03:42:20,386
u I guess just out loud, I'm just wondering what 
that means for their bottom line. And I guess the  

1875
03:42:20,386 --> 03:42:27,106
question would be then is um sort of what's the 
rationale around that that piece of taking it  

1876
03:42:27,105 --> 03:42:33,425
away from housing? And I know you mentioned in the 
report, but you could just say it out loud for me.  

1877
03:42:33,426 --> 03:42:39,826
Mr. Garrick. Yeah. Thanks. So I just this is Mr. 
Langmire and Mr. Payne's work, but I just say the  

1878
03:42:39,826 --> 03:42:45,265
I just want to remind council that the matters 
that we are providing uh information on is it's  

1879
03:42:45,265 --> 03:42:50,625
council's direction from our previous engagement 
that took a couple of reports to get here. So  

1880
03:42:50,626 --> 03:42:57,986
uh the reason why we're coming forward particular 
particularly wow that's a new word particularly  

1881
03:42:57,986 --> 03:43:05,105
in respect to housing uh was directly as a result 
of council's consideration. So the other category  

1882
03:43:05,105 --> 03:43:10,626
was where housing was landing and that's why 
that's in front. So ultimately if council  

1883
03:43:10,626 --> 03:43:16,706
uh doesn't want to clarify that then they could 
give some specific direction but the reason why  

1884
03:43:16,706 --> 03:43:22,706
we're talking about this is because council asked 
us to do that. Yeah. Thanks for reminding me then.  

1885
03:43:22,706 --> 03:43:27,346
I'll leave it at that for actually well I do 
have another question. Um if that's okay. Uh  

1886
03:43:27,345 --> 03:43:32,866
there's a stipulation in here about um and this 
is kind of what brought up the whole redoing our  

1887
03:43:32,866 --> 03:43:40,546
tax exemption bylaw is um not making disparaging 
remarks about uh other organizations. I believe is  

1888
03:43:40,546 --> 03:43:46,466
is did I say that correctly? Was close enough. 
And I'm just wondering what that process would  

1889
03:43:46,466 --> 03:43:53,027
look like then. Have you guys contemplated what 
what you know does someone just come up and say  

1890
03:43:53,026 --> 03:43:57,586
I heard someone making a disparaging remark 
or have you contemplated how that process  

1891
03:43:57,586 --> 03:44:03,826
might unfold if someone accuses one of these 
organizations from making such remarks? Again,  

1892
03:44:03,826 --> 03:44:09,265
this goes back to the discussion was had in the 
fall. Uh in that prior report, it talked about  

1893
03:44:09,265 --> 03:44:17,665
a number of different ways a council could uh 
provide input or judgment or provide direction  

1894
03:44:17,666 --> 03:44:25,186
on how that applies. What came out of that council 
direction was specifically adding that wording.  

1895
03:44:25,185 --> 03:44:32,465
What I foresee occurring is it it gives uh council 
the the policy background to make a decision at  

1896
03:44:32,466 --> 03:44:38,306
the time that a permissive tax exemption bylaw 
is put before them. And so it really becomes a  

1897
03:44:38,305 --> 03:44:47,585
decision of council because it is challenging for 
for staff to quantify or really determine what  

1898
03:44:47,586 --> 03:44:55,746
that is. Fair enough. Feel the same way. Thanks, 
Mr. P. Yeah, thank you. Through through the chair,  

1899
03:44:55,746 --> 03:45:01,746
sorry, through the mayor. Uh just to uh reinforce 
uh the statement from our staff, ultimately  

1900
03:45:01,746 --> 03:45:09,185
uh council was uh looking for a way to ensure that 
the permissive tax exemption was in alignment with  

1901
03:45:09,185 --> 03:45:15,105
the organization's objectives. And ultimately, 
if there was a a misalignment, that would have  

1902
03:45:15,105 --> 03:45:21,585
to have been documented. I I don't anticipate 
that it would be hearsay or we heard this.  

1903
03:45:21,586 --> 03:45:26,786
uh you know the the the universe is very uh 
there's a lot of information out there and  

1904
03:45:26,786 --> 03:45:32,065
so if there was a situation whereby we had a 
applicant or a current recipient that would  

1905
03:45:32,065 --> 03:45:37,666
be in for renewal then that would be a topic that 
would be raised and there was a reference to the  

1906
03:45:37,666 --> 03:45:45,266
uh cardinal direction from our community plan and 
there's there's a few ways to measure that. Uh so  

1907
03:45:45,265 --> 03:45:51,986
I I think it was council's intention to have um a 
frame of reference that that they that would would  

1908
03:45:51,986 --> 03:45:58,946
be pretty easy to understand. Uh and uh these 
are you know sort of public public standards  

1909
03:45:58,946 --> 03:46:07,906
related to uh the values of the organization 
that are pretty well articulated. Thanks for  

1910
03:46:07,906 --> 03:46:18,385
that and councelor. Thanks mayor. Um yeah two 
questions. First clarification on the child care  

1911
03:46:18,386 --> 03:46:27,907
um issue which has caused us grief for many years. 
um child care is specifically mentioned as being  

1912
03:46:27,906 --> 03:46:36,546
eligible childcare facility, but there's also um 
in I believe in the criteria a stipulation that  

1913
03:46:36,546 --> 03:46:43,346
uh we're not going to give an exemption 
to any organization that's competing with  

1914
03:46:43,345 --> 03:46:50,305
uh another organization in the community. That was 
our dilemma with child care all along. So how are  

1915
03:46:50,305 --> 03:46:56,866
we squaring that circle? Uh within the policy it 
identifies social programming is including child  

1916
03:46:56,866 --> 03:47:03,906
care and it being specifically identified would 
be how the recommendation to include a child care  

1917
03:47:03,906 --> 03:47:11,185
application versus something else that may be not 
considered right now that then would compete with  

1918
03:47:11,185 --> 03:47:15,746
uh for-profit enterprise. But I mean 
there are child care operators who are  

1919
03:47:15,746 --> 03:47:20,866
for-profit enterprises and there's others 
that are in nonprofit society. So is that  

1920
03:47:20,866 --> 03:47:27,506
the distinction that we would be making? The 
we cannot give a permissive tax exemption to  

1921
03:47:27,506 --> 03:47:34,466
the for-profit enterprises but we can to 
the not for-profit. So by specifically  

1922
03:47:34,466 --> 03:47:40,866
identifying that the child care falls into 
that social programming category of exemption,  

1923
03:47:40,866 --> 03:47:47,345
that's how we would provide the the specific child 
care exemption. All right. Um my other question is  

1924
03:47:47,345 --> 03:47:55,745
that um there's policy that clarifies if a um 
an eligible organization is doesn't own their  

1925
03:47:55,746 --> 03:48:02,065
property but is leasing it and how that works. Um, 
but I didn't notice the community justice center,  

1926
03:48:02,065 --> 03:48:09,746
which that applies to, um, in the list. Um, so 
I'm not sure if they're still on our list or if,  

1927
03:48:09,746 --> 03:48:17,826
uh, if they've been left out by mistake or if an 
organization is leasing, they are still welcome to  

1928
03:48:17,826 --> 03:48:26,065
apply. We want to document though that any tax 
savings are directly passed on to the NPO and  

1929
03:48:26,065 --> 03:48:31,105
is not just absorbed by the landlord, right? 
um if that organization is not on the list,  

1930
03:48:31,105 --> 03:48:37,746
they must not have applied say basis on prior 
year's information. Okay. Thanks. Yeah. And and I  

1931
03:48:37,746 --> 03:48:42,786
think over the years uh I've often been surprised 
by organizations that obviously should be getting  

1932
03:48:42,786 --> 03:48:48,786
a tax exemption and and they weren't. And so uh 
um it it's just one of those things that that  

1933
03:48:48,786 --> 03:48:55,986
can happen. Um so uh councelor Joel Lur. Yeah, 
thanks Mayor. Just a quick note, it is in the uh  

1934
03:48:55,986 --> 03:49:02,385
community justice is in the appendix in the Excel 
sheet uh for councelor Hillian. They're there. Um  

1935
03:49:02,386 --> 03:49:08,146
um and to the comment around disparaging, it's 
specific to identifiable groups within the context  

1936
03:49:08,145 --> 03:49:15,026
of the human rights framework and human rights 
legislation. So, it's a very specific group. Um I  

1937
03:49:15,026 --> 03:49:19,505
guess yeah, I'm happy to support this. It's been 
a long time coming. It was clear direction from  

1938
03:49:19,506 --> 03:49:27,186
council for us to work on this. Um I understand 
the concerns around um a election year. However,  

1939
03:49:27,185 --> 03:49:34,145
this has been on our on our strategic priorities 
list for a while. Um and I did note though that  

1940
03:49:34,145 --> 03:49:40,465
um given that this is a change a positive 
change for many organizations and more of  

1941
03:49:40,466 --> 03:49:46,626
a burden for others. So there's there's actually 
a mix of folks in this group for this new policy.  

1942
03:49:46,626 --> 03:49:51,586
But I'm wondering if staff can just speak to the 
approach and it's in the policy, but I think it's  

1943
03:49:51,586 --> 03:49:57,826
just good to name for those who are maybe watching 
and for council as well just the transition period  

1944
03:49:57,826 --> 03:50:03,105
um and the thinking that's gone into that. Um 
I believe it's uh over a period of five years,  

1945
03:50:03,105 --> 03:50:07,666
but I'm wondering if staff can just speak to 
how they're thinking that might roll out and  

1946
03:50:07,666 --> 03:50:17,906
the communication and the timing um for the 2028 
uh permissive tax year or 2027 for that matter.  

1947
03:50:17,906 --> 03:50:24,225
So, in the event council adopts this policy, staff 
will start creating the new application process  

1948
03:50:24,225 --> 03:50:32,946
and communicate out for existing applicants and 
to to new applicants to apply within that new  

1949
03:50:32,946 --> 03:50:40,946
application process. will see who applies, 
fit, slot them into the category that they  

1950
03:50:40,946 --> 03:50:45,105
should fit into, and then compare to what kind 
of change in exemption they would have received  

1951
03:50:45,105 --> 03:50:51,105
if they have already been in the program. At 
that point, if we see something over $5,000,  

1952
03:50:51,105 --> 03:50:57,505
we'll make the recommendation to phase 
that change in. And so you'd see one of  

1953
03:50:57,506 --> 03:51:07,426
the increase each year until they're at 
the uh appropriate amount per the policy.

1954
03:51:07,426 --> 03:51:16,626
All right. Thank thanks for articulating 
that and uh um I I yeah I I definitely  

1955
03:51:16,626 --> 03:51:22,306
relieved to see this coming forward but again 
I do understand the timing is is problematic.  

1956
03:51:22,305 --> 03:51:30,866
Um [clears throat] uh if I were to make a comment 
on, uh the tax exemption listing for the nonprofit  

1957
03:51:30,866 --> 03:51:35,746
organizations really becomes a formatting one. I 
think this kind of captures what we're thinking.  

1958
03:51:35,746 --> 03:51:40,466
Maybe there needs to be some tweaks here and 
there, but uh uh one of the big challenges because  

1959
03:51:40,466 --> 03:51:47,746
it is justified vertically uh fully justified 
vertically uh centered um when you're reading  

1960
03:51:47,746 --> 03:51:54,145
across if any one of the cells is bigger all of 
a sudden that you can't just follow it with your  

1961
03:51:54,145 --> 03:51:59,505
eye across. So given if it keeps that formatting I 
would definitely put the lines in across for those  

1962
03:51:59,506 --> 03:52:03,986
rows just so it makes it a little bit easier. 
For the ones that are just a single line it's  

1963
03:52:03,986 --> 03:52:08,465
fine. it's the ones with multiple lines, it gets 
a lot little bit harder to track. And then when  

1964
03:52:08,466 --> 03:52:14,546
you're trying to find something like I think the 
community justice uh center might be an example  

1965
03:52:14,546 --> 03:52:19,266
where one of the cells is like massive and the 
other ones are smaller and so it can just make it  

1966
03:52:19,265 --> 03:52:28,946
a little bit wobbly there. So um but uh with that 
uh councelor Cole Hamilton. Yeah, thanks Mayor. Um  

1967
03:52:28,946 --> 03:52:35,265
I see we're dispensing with receipt. I I think 
there's no more questions. Yep. All right. Um,  

1968
03:52:35,265 --> 03:52:44,545
so I would move we defer um this decision and this 
staff report until a meeting uh in early 2027 when  

1969
03:52:44,546 --> 03:52:51,986
the new council is elected and in a position to 
um express priorities for themselves. So that it  

1970
03:52:51,986 --> 03:52:59,185
be deferred until uh early 2027. Okay, it's 
been moved and seconded. Councelor F. Yeah,  

1971
03:52:59,185 --> 03:53:04,385
the only problem I see with that is that um you 
know, we won't be sending it out for feedback. I  

1972
03:53:04,386 --> 03:53:10,626
would assume like if we pass some readings of it, 
then it'll kind of be out in the ether and be a  

1973
03:53:10,626 --> 03:53:15,906
little more prevalent in people's minds. And if 
we don't do that, then we wouldn't maybe get the  

1974
03:53:15,906 --> 03:53:25,586
feedback back. But um you don't see a problem with 
pushing it off a few months? Oh, okay. But yep,  

1975
03:53:25,586 --> 03:53:31,586
I think given that it won't have impact uh until 
2028, I don't think there's anything necessarily  

1976
03:53:31,586 --> 03:53:37,506
lost on that. And um I think there may be opinions 
like it could be that future council looks at the  

1977
03:53:37,506 --> 03:53:43,506
other housing category of 0% and decides that 
perhaps not for-p profofit housing should be a  

1978
03:53:43,506 --> 03:53:48,226
something. And the more I look at it, uh we find 
ourselves forced to vote on that tonight. That's  

1979
03:53:48,225 --> 03:53:53,505
something I'm going to need to talk about as well. 
I I I think there's um there's a lot good here,  

1980
03:53:53,506 --> 03:54:01,186
but it's coming to us late in the game. Um 
and again has that that lag time that it's  

1981
03:54:01,185 --> 03:54:07,265
not going to take effect till 2028. So I think 
that perhaps allowing for um consideration in the  

1982
03:54:07,265 --> 03:54:12,465
in the new year makes makes sense to me. Sounds 
wise. [clears throat] Thanks. Yeah. And I mean,  

1983
03:54:12,466 --> 03:54:18,066
yeah, I I think anytime after the election 
and and again trying to get into the nuanced  

1984
03:54:18,065 --> 03:54:23,746
conversations that I think councelor Cole Hamilton 
is is alluding to there where it's like, you know,  

1985
03:54:23,746 --> 03:54:29,185
there may be organizations where they're funded 
from the province and so tax exemptions really  

1986
03:54:29,185 --> 03:54:35,906
don't affect them um or uh or otherwise, but it's 
it's for deferrals. So, we'll get back to that.  

1987
03:54:35,906 --> 03:54:46,065
Um all those in favor of deferral. Any 
opposed? Councelor Joler is opposition.

1988
03:54:46,065 --> 03:54:53,345
So this motion is now deferred. All 
right. Or motion is carried. Motion  

1989
03:54:53,345 --> 03:54:57,345
to defer is carried. My apologies for misspeaking  

1990
03:54:57,345 --> 03:55:04,866
there. Uh on to 8.4.1. The Courtney Wreck 
membership and admission fees for 2027.

1991
03:55:08,225 --> 03:55:15,345
and I'll pass it over to Miss Saunders. I'm just 
gonna buy Kathy some time. Uh [laughter] Kathy  

1992
03:55:15,345 --> 03:55:20,465
Collins, our manager of recreation programming, 
is going to introduce um the Courtney Recreation  

1993
03:55:20,466 --> 03:55:25,826
membership and admission fees for 2027. Uh and 
then she'll just pass it back to me at the end  

1994
03:55:25,826 --> 03:55:32,065
uh to provide an edit on the recommendation 
uh that's in the report. Fantastic. Uh,  

1995
03:55:32,065 --> 03:55:38,706
let me put on the podium mic there for you. 
All right. Thank you. Floor is yours. Uh,  

1996
03:55:38,706 --> 03:55:43,105
through the mayor to council, as Susie uh said, 
I'm here to present the report on Courtney  

1997
03:55:43,105 --> 03:55:49,345
Recreation's proposed admission and membership 
fee rates for 2027. Recreation admission fees  

1998
03:55:49,345 --> 03:55:54,305
and memberships have not been increased 
since 2023. Historically, fee adjustments  

1999
03:55:54,305 --> 03:55:59,185
have been based primarily on comparisons with 
surrounding municipalities and market rates.  

2000
03:55:59,185 --> 03:56:04,625
In 2022, council adopted the recreation fees 
and charges framework, which established that a  

2001
03:56:04,626 --> 03:56:10,546
benefits based approach to recreating recreation 
pricing. This framework provides clear direction  

2002
03:56:10,546 --> 03:56:16,546
that municipal subsidies should be applied where 
community benefits are the greatest. In addition,  

2003
03:56:16,546 --> 03:56:20,546
Cornney Recreation's emission age categories 
have not been comprehensively reviewed for  

2004
03:56:20,546 --> 03:56:25,426
many years and no longer reflect current 
industry standards or today's life stages.  

2005
03:56:26,145 --> 03:56:29,505
Staff are therefore recommending three 
key changes effective January 1st,  

2006
03:56:29,506 --> 03:56:36,786
2027. The first change is modernizing the 
age categories. The proposed age categories  

2007
03:56:36,786 --> 03:56:41,346
better reflect current industry standards in 
today's stages of life. The two key changes  

2008
03:56:41,345 --> 03:56:47,665
include expanding the youth and young adult age 
category from ages 13 to 24 which would replace  

2009
03:56:47,666 --> 03:56:53,266
the current youth student category of ages 
12 to 18 uh which also included post-secary  

2010
03:56:53,265 --> 03:56:59,665
students who were able to prove uh eligible 
enrollment. The proposed change uh would better  

2011
03:56:59,666 --> 03:57:04,386
support youth and young adults during important 
educational employment and life transitions.  

2012
03:57:04,386 --> 03:57:09,106
Secondly, we are proposing the introduction of a 
dedicated senior admission rate starting at age  

2013
03:57:09,105 --> 03:57:15,906
65 for the first time in Courtney Recreation's fee 
structure. Uh it should be noted that while many  

2014
03:57:15,906 --> 03:57:21,826
uh of our surrounding municipalities begin senior 
pricing at the age of 60, staff recommend age 65  

2015
03:57:21,826 --> 03:57:25,986
uh because it aligns with the province's 
definition of senior. And additionally,  

2016
03:57:25,986 --> 03:57:30,065
uh, staff recommend that the city continue 
to provide an additional benefit to Evergreen  

2017
03:57:30,065 --> 03:57:37,265
Club members by offering the senior rate to club 
members who are at the age of 55 and older. The  

2018
03:57:37,265 --> 03:57:42,305
second recommendation applies the count council's 
benefits based fees and charges framework by  

2019
03:57:42,305 --> 03:57:47,665
aligning subsidy levels where community benefit 
is the highest. This would impact our fees in  

2020
03:57:47,666 --> 03:57:53,986
the proposed age categories in the following ways. 
For adult emission fees, um we've noted that they  

2021
03:57:53,986 --> 03:57:58,305
haven't kept pace with the increasing operational 
costs and remain below comparable municipality  

2022
03:57:58,305 --> 03:58:03,986
recreation centers. Uh the adult emission rate 
serves as the foundation for cost recovery and  

2023
03:58:03,986 --> 03:58:08,225
is based on the direct daily operational costs 
associated to the service delivery of the  

2024
03:58:08,225 --> 03:58:14,545
wellness center. As the jump to full cost recovery 
would place the adult fee out of market value,  

2025
03:58:14,546 --> 03:58:19,506
uh we are recommending an increase of 75 cents 
at this time in recognition that fees have not  

2026
03:58:19,506 --> 03:58:25,266
changed in over 3 years and to align with current 
market rates. Staff are recommending increasing  

2027
03:58:25,265 --> 03:58:33,026
adult mission fee from 675 to 750 including tax. 
Uh I wanted to note one correction on page six  

2028
03:58:33,026 --> 03:58:40,145
of the report. Um the cost recovery rate pre-tax 
should have been noted at $1.37 rather than the  

2029
03:58:40,145 --> 03:58:45,425
amount shown of $1.69 uh which would have been 
above the current admission fee to get to the um  

2030
03:58:45,426 --> 03:58:53,906
rec cost recovery weight rate. Um staff are also 
recommending approval of an annual 2% increase  

2031
03:58:53,906 --> 03:59:01,105
rounded to the nearest 5 cents post tax until such 
time as staff can return with the multi-year fees  

2032
03:59:01,105 --> 03:59:07,505
and charges by law. It is anticipated a 2% annual 
increase from the proposed new fee uh that would  

2033
03:59:07,506 --> 03:59:14,706
take approximately 6 years to achieve the cost 
recovery rate of 780 pre-tax. This phased approach  

2034
03:59:14,706 --> 03:59:20,786
gradually improves cost recovery while reducing 
reliance on tax subsidy. Uh for youth young adult  

2035
03:59:20,786 --> 03:59:26,706
emissions, staff are recommending a consistent 
50% discount from the adult admission rate. As  

2036
03:59:26,706 --> 03:59:32,706
the youth fee is currently $4 including tax and 
therefore greater than 50% of the proposed adult  

2037
03:59:32,706 --> 03:59:39,266
rate, it's recommended that youth admission 
fees remain unchanged at $4 including tax. It  

2038
03:59:39,265 --> 03:59:43,906
is recommended that youth fees not increase 
until the fee reflects 50% subsidy rate and  

2039
03:59:43,906 --> 03:59:50,466
then would increase 2% annually in alignment with 
the adult fee. Maintaining the current youth rate  

2040
03:59:50,466 --> 03:59:54,866
improves affordability, encourages lifelong 
participation, recreation, and supports the  

2041
03:59:54,866 --> 04:00:00,145
city's commitment to investing in youth. For 
senior admission, staff are recommending a  

2042
04:00:00,145 --> 04:00:05,906
consistent 25% discount from the adult admission 
rate. This results in a proposed senior admission  

2043
04:00:05,906 --> 04:00:13,506
fee of $5.60 including tax. The senior's rate 
would also include an increase annually 2% to  

2044
04:00:13,506 --> 04:00:18,706
maintain the established 25% subsidy relative 
to the adult rate. This creates a consistent  

2045
04:00:18,706 --> 04:00:25,026
pricing approach while supporting healthy aging 
through affordable recreational opportunities.

2046
04:00:25,026 --> 04:00:28,786
Courtney Recreation remains committed to 
equitable access by reducing financial  

2047
04:00:28,786 --> 04:00:33,666
barriers to participation. Uh the recreation 
access program known as RAP and the regional  

2048
04:00:33,666 --> 04:00:38,145
leisure for everyone access program known 
as LEAP uses Statistics Canada's low income  

2049
04:00:38,145 --> 04:00:44,385
measure to determine ED eligibility. Um, RAP con 
currently provides eligible Courtney residents  

2050
04:00:44,386 --> 04:00:49,426
with an annual subsidy for memberships and 
registered programs and 52 complimentary  

2051
04:00:49,426 --> 04:00:56,706
drop-in visits each year. If council approves the 
new age categories, those same categories will be  

2052
04:00:56,706 --> 04:01:03,026
reflected in recreation access program eligibility 
to ensure consistency across recreation services.  

2053
04:01:03,746 --> 04:01:07,266
Staff are also recommending that council 
direct a review of the recreation access  

2054
04:01:07,265 --> 04:01:13,026
program scholarship amount so they align with the 
proposed benefits based pricing approach, ensuring  

2055
04:01:13,026 --> 04:01:19,666
subsidies continue to provide the greatest support 
where community benefit is the highest. The last  

2056
04:01:19,666 --> 04:01:24,626
key change for 2027 is that membership pricing 
has been updated using the same benefit-based  

2057
04:01:24,626 --> 04:01:30,226
philos philosophy as the admissions, creating a 
simple, transparent and consistent approach across  

2058
04:01:30,225 --> 04:01:35,345
fitness, the wellness center and squash. For 
fitness in the wellness center, membership options  

2059
04:01:35,345 --> 04:01:40,225
have been streamlined to 1, three, and 12-month 
terms, reflecting the options most frequently  

2060
04:01:40,225 --> 04:01:45,906
purchased by customers. Whereas for squash, it 
has been streamlined to a punch card option for  

2061
04:01:45,906 --> 04:01:51,826
a one-year option based and a one-year option 
based on usage. As a result, uh the six-month  

2062
04:01:51,826 --> 04:01:58,946
memberships will be discontinued due to low 
demand. Staff are also recommending a new exciting  

2063
04:01:58,946 --> 04:02:04,385
combination membership in response to customer 
feedback. Uh this membership provides access to  

2064
04:02:04,386 --> 04:02:09,346
the wellness center, drop in fitness classes 
and squash under one single membership. This  

2065
04:02:09,345 --> 04:02:14,545
would eliminate the need to purch for one person 
to purchase multiple memberships for part for all  

2066
04:02:14,546 --> 04:02:19,986
the participants who use multiple services. The 
combination membership will initially be offered  

2067
04:02:19,986 --> 04:02:26,946
as a one and three-month option uh while staff 
evaluate um the demand and the customer uptake.  

2068
04:02:26,946 --> 04:02:31,986
Overall, these recommendations modernize Courtney 
Recreation's pricing structure by aligning fees  

2069
04:02:31,986 --> 04:02:36,946
with council policy, current industry practices, 
and community needs. They maintain affordable  

2070
04:02:36,946 --> 04:02:41,586
access for youth and seniors, establish a 
transparent and equitable approach to recreation  

2071
04:02:41,586 --> 04:02:46,626
pricing, including modernizing age categories, 
and move adult emission fees towards sustainable  

2072
04:02:46,626 --> 04:02:51,826
cost recovery while continuing to provide the 
high quality recreation services that we like  

2073
04:02:51,826 --> 04:03:01,185
to do. Um, and that's [clears throat] it for me. 
I'm just going to pass it back to Susie quickly.

2074
04:03:01,185 --> 04:03:05,986
Thank you. Through the merit council, as you'll 
see on the screen, thank you to Miss Proton. We  

2075
04:03:05,986 --> 04:03:11,906
have an suggested edit to the recommendation in 
that uh last paragraph that council directs staff  

2076
04:03:11,906 --> 04:03:17,506
to increase adult emission membership and punch 
cards, sorry, annually by 2% rounded up to the  

2077
04:03:17,506 --> 04:03:23,346
nearest 5 cents including tax uh and adjustth and 
young adult and senior fees accordingly based on  

2078
04:03:23,345 --> 04:03:28,145
the benefits. based model. Uh this is specifically 
because we do have many people who still who do  

2079
04:03:28,145 --> 04:03:33,345
pay cash uh for their admissions and so when 
we have a fee, we want to make sure that it is  

2080
04:03:33,345 --> 04:03:39,185
rounded up to the nearest 5 cents to make that uh 
simple and easy um and that we're doing that post  

2081
04:03:39,185 --> 04:03:44,065
uh or inclusive of tax. Uh so we just wanted to 
make sure that was clear in the recommendation.  

2082
04:03:44,065 --> 04:03:50,786
If we do a 2% increase, we will end up with uh 
numbers that are harder to administer um with  

2083
04:03:50,786 --> 04:03:56,386
the public. And so this just clarifies uh how we 
practically apply that uh annual increase. And  

2084
04:03:56,386 --> 04:04:02,226
we're happy to take any questions. Excellent. 
Thanks so much for that. And we'll start with  

2085
04:04:02,225 --> 04:04:08,545
councelor Fr. And uh we do have coun uh councelor 
Morren on uh in the room and then councelor.  

2086
04:04:08,546 --> 04:04:14,546
Thanks Mayor. Um you mentioned that uh was it 
the adult drop in rate? You didn't feel like  

2087
04:04:14,546 --> 04:04:19,506
you could you were doing you were comparing it 
to market rate. I'm like what's market rate at  

2088
04:04:19,506 --> 04:04:24,946
$7? Are you talking about other municipalities as 
market rate? Yeah, good question. Yeah. Yeah. Um,  

2089
04:04:24,946 --> 04:04:30,305
so these rates are fabulously low, which I think 
is exactly what we want, we need. So, I love the  

2090
04:04:30,305 --> 04:04:37,665
work you did and uh happy to support it. Thanks. 
Thanks, Councelor Fish. Councelor Mo. Great.  

2091
04:04:37,666 --> 04:04:43,026
Thanks. Um, thank you. Thanks for um hanging 
in there. You've been here a long time tonight.  

2092
04:04:43,026 --> 04:04:53,345
Um, so in terms of uh just because this has come 
up a lot this week, um, Courtney residents don't  

2093
04:04:53,345 --> 04:05:01,825
get any perks by being a Courtney resident. 
No, [laughter] other than living in Courtney,  

2094
04:05:01,826 --> 04:05:09,185
um, and people have brought up, you know, the the 
idea about being able to use passes throughout  

2095
04:05:09,185 --> 04:05:14,225
um, the valley. So, I'm just wondering I know 
we've had that conversation, but I just wondered  

2096
04:05:14,225 --> 04:05:20,705
if there's been any update around those kind of 
discussions um and whether you have any knowledge  

2097
04:05:20,706 --> 04:05:29,906
of um yeah, you know, the the municipality having 
a preferred resident rate. That's better. I'll let  

2098
04:05:29,906 --> 04:05:33,666
Susie speak to the preferred resident rate, 
but I'm happy to respond about the regional  

2099
04:05:33,666 --> 04:05:37,506
membership. No. Okay. Thanks. Kathy, do you want 
to go first? I'm actually going to pull up some  

2100
04:05:37,506 --> 04:05:44,066
data for uh councelor Morin on the uh regional 
use, but if you want to go ahead. Okay. Um yeah,  

2101
04:05:44,065 --> 04:05:50,225
thank you for the question. So through uh mayor to 
council I actually sat on the joint intermunicipal  

2102
04:05:50,225 --> 04:05:56,145
committee when we did the review um about a 
regional pass and uh that's actually how leap  

2103
04:05:56,145 --> 04:06:02,385
originated because uh what we discovered at that 
time oh I cannot remember the year I think it was  

2104
04:06:02,386 --> 04:06:09,186
precoid just slightly precoid um lots of interest 
but not a willingness to pay so it kind of fell  

2105
04:06:09,185 --> 04:06:15,665
off at that point because that's typically what 
you know people what we we are seeing So, right.  

2106
04:06:15,666 --> 04:06:22,065
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks for refreshing my memory 
and what I haven't heard any uh requests for that  

2107
04:06:22,065 --> 04:06:27,666
lately in terms of all the other requests we've 
gotten. Yeah. Yeah. It hasn't stood out as a as a  

2108
04:06:27,666 --> 04:06:34,626
a key request. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you through 
the mayor to counselor Morren just to build on  

2109
04:06:34,626 --> 04:06:41,906
your uh question about sort of resident based 
pricing. Uh we haven't explored that at this time.  

2110
04:06:41,906 --> 04:06:46,706
We don't have direction from council to explore 
it at this time, but the last time as part of the  

2111
04:06:46,706 --> 04:06:53,746
regional pass um discussion, so that was in 2022. 
Uh the data that we pulled for Courtney recreation  

2112
04:06:53,746 --> 04:07:00,546
on usage uh showed that 86% of users were from 
the city of Courtney. So uh the percentage of  

2113
04:07:00,546 --> 04:07:07,746
folks who are accessing Courtney Recreation from 
outside of Courtney is uh less than 15%. So not  

2114
04:07:07,746 --> 04:07:13,826
would be worth it to date necessarily and that's 
reflective when we looked at Komox Cumberland  

2115
04:07:13,826 --> 04:07:20,145
uh their recreation um registrations it was 
all very similar. So we all have very similar  

2116
04:07:20,145 --> 04:07:26,866
um reflections of the residents using recreation 
within their communities and a little bit of folks  

2117
04:07:26,866 --> 04:07:33,746
accessing uh services outside their communities. 
Great. Thank you. Thanks Councelor Mourin and  

2118
04:07:33,746 --> 04:07:40,386
Councelor Jelker. Thanks, mayor. Really happy to 
see this report and support the the work around  

2119
04:07:40,386 --> 04:07:47,987
the the changing of the age uh categories uh 
and the new passes, the punch pass and the the  

2120
04:07:47,986 --> 04:07:55,105
wellness um the combined wellness membership. Um I 
did have two questions though. Um the staff report  

2121
04:07:55,105 --> 04:08:05,265
speaks to the 2% increase uh year-over-year for 
the adult rate um to get us to cost recovery. Um  

2122
04:08:05,265 --> 04:08:13,505
and so wondering if we've projected how long that 
will take us to get to and the staff report also  

2123
04:08:13,506 --> 04:08:21,506
articulates uh that it excludes um facility 
overhead and admin and so is the intent to  

2124
04:08:21,506 --> 04:08:29,506
uh consistently exclude those costs within the 
cost recovery framework that is being proposed.  

2125
04:08:30,786 --> 04:08:35,906
Thank you for the question through mayor 
to council. Um to your first question with  

2126
04:08:35,906 --> 04:08:42,866
regards to the 2%. Um Susie and I were doing some 
quick math. Um and we projected approximately six  

2127
04:08:42,866 --> 04:08:49,105
years if we were to continually do the 2%. Uh 
we chose the 2% because historically that's  

2128
04:08:49,105 --> 04:08:56,385
what we're seeing used as an inflation in 
inflationary cost. Thank you. Um, however,  

2129
04:08:56,386 --> 04:09:00,386
we do we do recognize that we'll be doing some 
work to come back with a bylaw. So, we could  

2130
04:09:00,386 --> 04:09:06,626
recommend different things at that time as well 
for a five-year fee fee plan. Um, with regards to  

2131
04:09:06,626 --> 04:09:12,386
the second question, I can you if you have extra, 
Susie, but um it's not typical in admission fees  

2132
04:09:12,386 --> 04:09:17,987
and programming fees where you're taking in all 
of the facility costs. Um, we did do some quick,  

2133
04:09:17,986 --> 04:09:24,546
um, math on that and it would put it would put our 
fees in the $20 range, which is is not something  

2134
04:09:24,546 --> 04:09:30,146
you traditionally see in munal recreation, which 
is why we chose the daily operating costs as our  

2135
04:09:30,145 --> 04:09:38,545
focus. Okay. Yeah. And my second question is 
about squash. Um, I see that uh, you did quite  

2136
04:09:38,546 --> 04:09:47,025
a bit of comparables for the wellness center um, 
in different regions. Um I'm just noticing squash  

2137
04:09:47,025 --> 04:09:54,305
um the rates um aren't increasing significantly in 
some of the categories and I'm just wondering did  

2138
04:09:54,305 --> 04:10:02,785
we also do that same exercise um around squash um 
rates and comparables. Thank you for the question.  

2139
04:10:02,786 --> 04:10:08,786
Yeah. Yeah. All the comparables were done. Um 
what we decided to do based on feedback based  

2140
04:10:08,786 --> 04:10:16,225
on administrative um resources is to streamline. 
So all the fees now align uh between wellness  

2141
04:10:16,225 --> 04:10:22,946
center squash and uh fitness. So they're all one 
fee regardless of which activity you take you're  

2142
04:10:22,946 --> 04:10:27,746
um participating in. That way that it allows us 
to streamline our punch cards, our memberships  

2143
04:10:27,746 --> 04:10:36,546
and everything at one rate. We're hoping it will 
increase usage is kind of the goal there. Yeah.  

2144
04:10:36,546 --> 04:10:45,426
Excellent. Uh sounds good. Looks like we might 
be nearing the end of our discussion. Uh so

2145
04:10:45,426 --> 04:10:49,666
okay so um recommendation one's 
been moved. Any questions or  

2146
04:10:49,666 --> 04:10:57,186
comments? Seeing none. All those in 
favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

2147
04:10:57,185 --> 04:11:02,545
Okay. Uh recommendation two has been moved and 
seconded. Any questions or comments? Seeing none.  

2148
04:11:02,546 --> 04:11:13,426
All those in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries 
and we will move into um the strate strategic  

2149
04:11:13,426 --> 04:11:22,226
transportation plan uh phase update at 9.1. And 
given that we're quarter after 8, I'm not sure if  

2150
04:11:22,225 --> 04:11:28,465
there's like a long version and a short version 
like Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin, but uh anyways,  

2151
04:11:28,466 --> 04:11:32,706
I'll pass you up as soon as you push the button. 
Uh thank you for having me today. I'll give you  

2152
04:11:32,706 --> 04:11:37,105
the Cole's notes version. Um I I am excited to 
talk about transportation and Courtney. It's a  

2153
04:11:37,105 --> 04:11:42,946
pretty exciting time. Um I appreciate council's 
support on moving towards the FA the planning  

2154
04:11:42,946 --> 04:11:47,506
phase. Um there's multiple phases that we're 
looking at right here right now. Um primarily  

2155
04:11:47,506 --> 04:11:52,706
under the the three pillars, the road safety piece 
that we looked at, improving efficiency on our  

2156
04:11:52,706 --> 04:11:59,346
corridor and the mode shift. Um in general the the 
two main streams that our team are working on and  

2157
04:11:59,345 --> 04:12:05,745
and give it put into context planning is typically 
your your heavy lifting of the phase of of a  

2158
04:12:05,746 --> 04:12:10,466
strategic transportation plan. Um we have two kind 
of streams that we're really primarily working on  

2159
04:12:10,466 --> 04:12:18,786
right now and our end goal is um for the planning 
phase as part of those three key key pillars is a  

2160
04:12:18,786 --> 04:12:24,145
report card that the council can see likely in 
this fall. Um and that's kind of focused around  

2161
04:12:24,145 --> 04:12:29,505
our modeling information, understanding what the 
current network is is is performing like um and  

2162
04:12:29,506 --> 04:12:34,386
that's reviewing kind of the planning information 
that's associated with that like our growth  

2163
04:12:34,386 --> 04:12:38,947
uh strategy for the OCP and also throughout the 
region what other communities are planning what  

2164
04:12:38,946 --> 04:12:44,866
the other communities like Cumberland planning 
or comwalks CVRD and the other stream is  

2165
04:12:44,866 --> 04:12:49,746
uh going down an engagement with our interest 
holders um and that's primarily through the  

2166
04:12:49,746 --> 04:12:58,145
major road network project um We're working with 
CFP Comox the regional district again u the the uh  

2167
04:12:58,145 --> 04:13:03,986
the airport BC ferry so multiple interest holders 
as part of that so those are the two main streams  

2168
04:13:03,986 --> 04:13:11,265
um and we look to make establish that report card 
and present that back to to council in the fall so  

2169
04:13:11,265 --> 04:13:16,625
excellent uh no I really really appreciate that 
and uh since we're probably not going to get to  

2170
04:13:16,626 --> 04:13:22,786
uh council events or activities uh might 
be a good time to give you kudos on the um  

2171
04:13:22,786 --> 04:13:30,546
uh finishing of the clip and uh fifth street 
intersection. That was great. Uh and just so  

2172
04:13:30,546 --> 04:13:35,986
many positive comments uh from downtown folks. So 
just thanks so much. Appreciate this. Uh councelor  

2173
04:13:35,986 --> 04:13:45,666
Helian. Thanks Mayor. appreciate this work and and 
particularly appreciate that uh highlighted as as  

2174
04:13:45,666 --> 04:13:52,866
a strategic priority is advocacy for Ministry of 
Transport and Infrastructure on both the bypass  

2175
04:13:52,866 --> 04:13:59,185
and the 17th Street intersection. Uh um I think 
it's really important that that continue and  

2176
04:13:59,185 --> 04:14:05,505
uh just pleased to see that it's top of the list 
here. Thanks. Thanks, Councelor Hill and Councelor  

2177
04:14:05,506 --> 04:14:11,746
Moore. Great. Thanks, Mayor. Thanks so much for 
this uh briefing note. Um you mentioned mode shift  

2178
04:14:11,746 --> 04:14:18,225
and I'm just wondering if we'll be getting any 
updated information around where we're at. I know  

2179
04:14:18,225 --> 04:14:24,866
as far as I understand transit is still pretty 
constant like there's not really a big shift  

2180
04:14:24,866 --> 04:14:31,426
but but uh different for cycling especially with 
ebikes. And I I think our goal when looking back  

2181
04:14:31,426 --> 04:14:42,306
at one of our plans was um anyway, we're we're 
creeping up there, but I if you could give a  

2182
04:14:42,305 --> 04:14:48,866
refresher on that, that would be great. I I think 
that that that is that that is shifting. Yeah. The  

2183
04:14:48,866 --> 04:14:53,105
positive direction through the mayor of council. 
I thank you for the comment. Um I guess there's  

2184
04:14:53,105 --> 04:14:58,385
in the immediate term um overseeing improvements. 
Um we talked about fifth cliff and fifth the mile  

2185
04:14:58,386 --> 04:15:03,666
vision technology we implemented there. So we what 
we implemented there is uh detection for transit  

2186
04:15:03,666 --> 04:15:08,145
or buses so they get preemption that way. So we're 
kind of in the immediate term we're looking at  

2187
04:15:08,145 --> 04:15:14,065
ways we can improve transit service or mode shift 
through that. Um also recently last week at sixth  

2188
04:15:14,065 --> 04:15:19,025
street we implemented mile vision in that that 
area um to support the active transportation  

2189
04:15:19,025 --> 04:15:24,305
corridor to the bridge. So as opposed to bikes 
getting off their off the bike and pushing the  

2190
04:15:24,305 --> 04:15:28,705
the button, right, the mile vision can detect 
those cyclists there and and activate for them.  

2191
04:15:28,706 --> 04:15:31,986
So right from that not that mode shift piece 
in the short term, we're looking at solutions  

2192
04:15:31,986 --> 04:15:37,265
like that with technology. Um, aside from that, 
when we look at the major road network project,  

2193
04:15:37,265 --> 04:15:44,065
um, we're working with all the interest holders 
like the CBRD, the um, the base, MOTT, um,  

2194
04:15:44,065 --> 04:15:49,906
we're reviewing all their long-term documents, um, 
and making sure, um, and BT transit, of course,  

2195
04:15:49,906 --> 04:15:54,385
their their long-term documents um, and how we can 
incorporate that into our major road network. And  

2196
04:15:54,386 --> 04:15:58,466
the way looking at the major road network and 
the scorecare we get from that, it's not just  

2197
04:15:58,466 --> 04:16:03,906
efficiency for cars. It's going to be the the to 
speak the the tide that lifts all boats. So if we  

2198
04:16:03,906 --> 04:16:08,786
improve one service, everyone kind of gets better. 
So that's the idea behind that. Could you refresh  

2199
04:16:08,786 --> 04:16:17,185
my memory on what the the target is for cycling uh 
in terms of [clears throat] 10% I don't know 10%  

2200
04:16:17,185 --> 04:16:21,425
or something from the street transportation. Yeah, 
that's what I meant. Yeah. uh from our we haven't  

2201
04:16:21,426 --> 04:16:25,746
established our key performance indicators from 
the STP that we'd like to see. So that's something  

2202
04:16:25,746 --> 04:16:31,266
I just was thinking of what what the past target 
was. I saw it somewhere, but okay. Thanks. Thank  

2203
04:16:31,265 --> 04:16:37,505
you. Excellent. Thanks for that. And uh yeah, I 
I can tell you 12 years of getting my bike out  

2204
04:16:37,506 --> 04:16:44,706
of city hall parking lot. Uh that light does not 
detect bicycles. I've seen many people wait a very  

2205
04:16:44,706 --> 04:16:49,506
long time before they realize they have to push 
the button. So uh with that, I'll pass over to Mr.  

2206
04:16:49,506 --> 04:16:54,546
Yeah, thank you through the mayor uh to council. 
I just I just want to highlight one uh emerging  

2207
04:16:54,546 --> 04:17:00,066
uh very positive note. Um and it would go back I 
think to the uh coordination of the conversation  

2208
04:17:00,065 --> 04:17:09,265
and the uh uh uh um sorry Ryan corridor related 
to the CFP com. So um Mr. Shaw and possibly Mr.  

2209
04:17:09,265 --> 04:17:16,465
Brown will be given an update to our CIO uh group 
because what's emerging is the horsepower related  

2210
04:17:16,466 --> 04:17:23,987
to support our strategic transportation plan 
is invaluable uh as a advisory group around the  

2211
04:17:23,986 --> 04:17:30,546
greater transportation question in all modes. And 
so uh we we don't yet have a a terms of reference  

2212
04:17:30,546 --> 04:17:37,346
or anything like that but we have reached out to 
the interest holders to provide um support and  

2213
04:17:37,345 --> 04:17:42,705
it has been phenomenal and I've been part of 
a couple of those meetings and so recognizing  

2214
04:17:42,706 --> 04:17:47,105
the opportunities that are in front of us and 
the development program that's going to happen  

2215
04:17:47,105 --> 04:17:53,425
over the next 25 to uh 50 years uh it's really 
important. So it's it's something that we'll be  

2216
04:17:53,426 --> 04:17:58,626
uh reporting back to council on and then seeking 
uh support from the other local governments  

2217
04:17:58,626 --> 04:18:03,906
and interest holders to formally participate in 
that. We've actually talked about how much time  

2218
04:18:03,906 --> 04:18:09,105
our staff is t taken up with the support of other 
organizations groups but it's really important for  

2219
04:18:09,105 --> 04:18:14,385
us to engage create a terms of reference and then 
be really clear to our partners about that. So,  

2220
04:18:14,386 --> 04:18:19,106
but u we've seen how important that that is uh 
in supporting discussions with the minister of  

2221
04:18:19,105 --> 04:18:23,585
transit or transportation and transit related 
to CFP Comox and we want to really build on  

2222
04:18:23,586 --> 04:18:28,946
that momentum. So, um I I know that there was some 
initiatives in the past as it relate to that that  

2223
04:18:28,946 --> 04:18:34,546
that maybe the city wasn't maybe as positive 
about participating in, but we are strongly  

2224
04:18:34,546 --> 04:18:42,066
supportive of uh this initiative and it's a good 
use of uh uh resources. So, stay tuned on that.  

2225
04:18:42,065 --> 04:18:47,105
Excellent. Thanks so much for that. Uh I don't see 
any further questions or comments at this point.  

2226
04:18:47,105 --> 04:18:56,385
So all right. Uh so it's been moved and seconded 
and we'll just receive that unanimously by council  

2227
04:18:56,386 --> 04:19:03,746
and we'll move on to a notice motion uh for future 
use of Cliff Avenue. And again, councelor Halen,  

2228
04:19:03,746 --> 04:19:11,105
you don't have to read the whole thing. Thanks, 
Mayor. This is uh for the August 26th council  

2229
04:19:11,105 --> 04:19:16,866
meeting and it's simply to go on record for 
the benefit of the community given uh some  

2230
04:19:16,866 --> 04:19:25,185
misinformation that may be out there that uh this 
council's intent is that uh once the Braidwood  

2231
04:19:25,185 --> 04:19:33,265
um uh project by BC Housing which is now commenced 
construction is completed and uh operational that  

2232
04:19:33,265 --> 04:19:38,625
the uh the property uh where the connect center 
is currently located will no longer be used for  

2233
04:19:38,626 --> 04:19:42,146
that purpose. I think it's important that we 
clarify for that for the community and that's  

2234
04:19:42,145 --> 04:19:48,706
the purpose of that motion for our next meeting. 
Thank you so much uh for bringing that forward and  

2235
04:19:48,706 --> 04:19:59,346
uh um and with that we'll move on to 10.2 which 
is the late item. Uh and this one yeah councelor  

2236
04:19:59,345 --> 04:20:06,065
Rich maybe I'm just a little confused. Were 
you going to speak to it? Probably not. Um,  

2237
04:20:06,065 --> 04:20:15,025
oh sorry, we are jumping to the next 
one, right? Oh, my apologies. Yeah.

2238
04:20:15,025 --> 04:20:24,465
Uh, I believe there's a 10.2 late 
item one which is on the screen.

2239
04:20:24,466 --> 04:20:33,666
Uh, councelor Halen. Thank you. Uh, thanks, Mayor. 
Um, I believe this is on the agenda for tonight.  

2240
04:20:33,666 --> 04:20:39,666
Um the in my capacity as an advisory role 
and liaison between the regional district  

2241
04:20:39,666 --> 04:20:46,386
board and ministry of indigenous relations 
and reconciliation I do sit on the um main  

2242
04:20:46,386 --> 04:20:53,346
table for the Komox treaty and u became aware 
of possible delays in the federal government's  

2243
04:20:53,345 --> 04:20:59,265
uh uh approval of that treaty uh due to 
difficulties related to availability of  

2244
04:20:59,265 --> 04:21:06,786
translation services and as a result um uh 
felt it appropriate for local governments to  

2245
04:21:06,786 --> 04:21:13,906
lend their voices uh to stress with the federal 
government how important this treaty is and thus  

2246
04:21:13,906 --> 04:21:19,185
um this motion has been passed by the regional 
district and it's brought to the city tonight  

2247
04:21:19,185 --> 04:21:23,906
um to land. Is it brought as a notice of motion 
or you hoping to wave that notice of motion and  

2248
04:21:23,906 --> 04:21:30,466
pass it tonight? No, my understanding is that 
it's on the agenda as an actual uh Sorry. Um,  

2249
04:21:30,466 --> 04:21:33,987
we had received this by email and I confirmed 
by email at the time that it was meant to be  

2250
04:21:33,986 --> 04:21:38,626
a notice of motion. Of course, council is able 
to suspend the rules and consider it tonight.  

2251
04:21:38,626 --> 04:21:46,065
All right. All right. It's been suspended. Uh, 
well, the motion to suspend has been made. Uh,  

2252
04:21:46,065 --> 04:21:52,545
moved and seconded. All those in favor? It's been 
suspended. Back to you, Councelor Hill. Thanks.  

2253
04:21:52,546 --> 04:21:59,826
And perhaps I'll let councelor Cole Hamilton um 
well he can second it. I'll move that the city  

2254
04:21:59,826 --> 04:22:04,786
of Courtney write a letter to the honorable 
Rebecca Alti, Minister of Crown Indigenous  

2255
04:22:04,786 --> 04:22:10,065
Relations with a copy to the Prime Minister 
affirming our support for the Komox Treaty,  

2256
04:22:10,065 --> 04:22:15,185
its importance in advancing collaborative work 
on local infrastructure and economic development,  

2257
04:22:15,185 --> 04:22:21,265
and urging that all measures be taken to ensure a 
smooth and expeditious path to federal approval.

2258
04:22:23,906 --> 04:22:29,986
Can somebody second? Thank you, councelor. A 
second. And there's probably no need to speak to  

2259
04:22:29,986 --> 04:22:34,145
this, but uh I know that the regional district 
passed this and I believe that Cumberland is  

2260
04:22:34,145 --> 04:22:38,946
passing this this week. It's just a think all 
hands on deck around the valley to try and make  

2261
04:22:38,946 --> 04:22:44,946
sure that the smoothest and most expeditious 
path after many decades uh is afforded to come  

2262
04:22:44,946 --> 04:22:51,746
first nation in Ottawa. So yeah, be absolutely 
supporting this. Thanks very much. Um, all right.  

2263
04:22:51,746 --> 04:22:59,426
Uh, having said that, uh, all those in favor? Any 
oppose? And that motion passes unanimously. Uh,  

2264
04:22:59,426 --> 04:23:04,626
thanks very much, uh, for bringing that forward. 
Now, we're going to go to bylaws, and we're going  

2265
04:23:04,626 --> 04:23:13,506
to start with 11.1.1 official community plan 
amendment bylaw 3233 2620. Yeah, I don't have  

2266
04:23:13,506 --> 04:23:19,506
to read it all. It's all good. It's been moved 
and seconded. any questions or or uh I'll pass it  

2267
04:23:19,506 --> 04:23:25,186
over to staff. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um 
Mr. Mayor and Council, I'd just like to introduce  

2268
04:23:25,185 --> 04:23:30,385
this item. Uh Andrew Stewart Jones is going to be 
describing this. I would I would like to say that  

2269
04:23:30,386 --> 04:23:37,346
um the applicant has been patiently waiting for 
four and a half hours and and is here to answer  

2270
04:23:37,345 --> 04:23:44,465
any questions. So um uh please take advantage of 
that and I will turn it over to Andrew. Thank you.

2271
04:23:46,626 --> 04:23:51,906
Uh, thank you, Pat. So, through mayor to 
council, um, the application before you is to  

2272
04:23:51,906 --> 04:23:57,025
consider first reading of an official community 
plan amendment and zoning amendment bylaw at  

2273
04:23:57,025 --> 04:24:05,265
2620 Sheraton Road to permit a green uh, burial 
cemetery. Green burial is defined as the interment  

2274
04:24:05,265 --> 04:24:11,025
of human remains in an intact non-created 
state without inbalming and using biodegradable  

2275
04:24:11,025 --> 04:24:17,185
materials such as a compostable shroud or coffin. 
Green burial is often viewed by proponents as  

2276
04:24:17,185 --> 04:24:21,345
a more environmentally friendly option to 
conventional burial. Although as noted in  

2277
04:24:21,345 --> 04:24:26,866
the staff report, it is not free of environmental 
impacts. Although the objective of the proposal  

2278
04:24:26,866 --> 04:24:33,586
is to provide for a green burial, the application 
achieves the secondary objective of environmental  

2279
04:24:33,586 --> 04:24:39,506
protection by preserving the property in its 
natural state in perpetuity. The subject property  

2280
04:24:39,506 --> 04:24:45,346
is located in East Courtney and is approximately 1 
hectare in size. The property is located directly  

2281
04:24:45,345 --> 04:24:52,785
off of Sherwood Road and is immediately south and 
adjacent to the city-owned Lurwick Nature Park.

2282
04:24:54,225 --> 04:25:00,866
So in the OCP the subject property is designated 
as urban residential which supports apartment  

2283
04:25:00,866 --> 04:25:06,706
buildings up to four stories in height. The 
proposed use would be considered an institutional  

2284
04:25:06,706 --> 04:25:13,586
use and would require an official community plan 
amendment. The subject property is currently zoned  

2285
04:25:13,586 --> 04:25:19,906
residential smallcale multi-unit housing which 
allows for up to four housing units on every lot.  

2286
04:25:19,906 --> 04:25:25,265
The proposed zoning amendment would change 
zoning from the residential small-cale  

2287
04:25:25,265 --> 04:25:32,786
multi-unit housing to public use in assembly one 
PA1 zone with an exception that restricts use to  

2288
04:25:32,786 --> 04:25:40,866
uh cemetery only on this lot. In terms of the 
proposed development, uh there is a concept plan  

2289
04:25:40,866 --> 04:25:47,506
that is for a 600 grave cemetery. The applicant 
has proposed minimal development on the site plan  

2290
04:25:47,506 --> 04:25:54,066
which includes an internal bark mulch pathway, a 
five-stall parking area and access throughout the  

2291
04:25:54,065 --> 04:25:59,505
site using a handdrawn cart for uh from a cart 
exchange as well as a compostable toilet for  

2292
04:25:59,506 --> 04:26:05,346
visitors. The proposed site plan rationale 
provided by the applicant can be found in  

2293
04:26:05,345 --> 04:26:13,265
attachment number one of this report. Um so 
staff have provided a brief Courtney context. Um,  

2294
04:26:13,265 --> 04:26:18,385
the city of Courtney currently owns and manages 
the Courtney Civic Cemetery. A staff report  

2295
04:26:18,386 --> 04:26:23,666
submitted to council in November of 2025 provided 
some context regarding the current state of the  

2296
04:26:23,666 --> 04:26:29,986
cemetery, outlining that it is estimated that 
the cemetery will run out of casket space by60.  

2297
04:26:29,986 --> 04:26:36,946
The report evaluated green burial as an option, 
noting that the remaining section of the city  

2298
04:26:36,946 --> 04:26:42,065
cemetery has a high water table and would not 
be able to accommodate this type of burial.  

2299
04:26:43,265 --> 04:26:47,986
Uh from a regional perspective, Cumberland 
and Kemell River own and manage cemeteries  

2300
04:26:47,986 --> 04:26:53,025
with a green burial option. Denman Island also 
has a cemetery with the green bur with green  

2301
04:26:53,025 --> 04:26:59,105
burial options, although it is only available 
to residents of Denman Island. Um so so far the  

2302
04:26:59,105 --> 04:27:03,906
applicant has completed a number of background 
studies for this application and we've kind of  

2303
04:27:03,906 --> 04:27:10,305
gone into some details in the report. Um there are 
still several outstanding requirements and staff  

2304
04:27:10,305 --> 04:27:15,185
have advised the applicant to postpone most 
of the outstanding requirements until after  

2305
04:27:15,185 --> 04:27:21,505
first reading to avoid uh that the applicant 
incur these expenses should council refuse  

2306
04:27:21,506 --> 04:27:27,506
the application. Um there's a there's a list of 
outstanding requirements, but some of the more  

2307
04:27:27,506 --> 04:27:35,106
uh some of the more um involved would be doing 
a hydro geotechnical report uh that includes  

2308
04:27:35,105 --> 04:27:40,065
like one year of groundwater monitoring and uh 
this was also a recommendation by the Vancouver  

2309
04:27:40,065 --> 04:27:47,666
Island Health Authority due to um proximity to 
existing wells. So in terms of uh public feedback,  

2310
04:27:47,666 --> 04:27:53,266
we did host a the applicant did host a community 
information meeting for the proposed development  

2311
04:27:53,265 --> 04:27:59,345
on June 11th, 2026. Approximately 52 members 
of the public attended the event in addition  

2312
04:27:59,345 --> 04:28:05,025
to two representatives of the applicant and two 
planners from the city. A total of 33 written  

2313
04:28:05,025 --> 04:28:11,025
comments were received during a during the event 
and within a week following the event. Those in  

2314
04:28:11,025 --> 04:28:16,465
support generally like the idea of a green burial, 
expressed that this type of burial option was  

2315
04:28:16,466 --> 04:28:21,106
needed, and thought the property was well suited 
to this use. During the community information  

2316
04:28:21,105 --> 04:28:28,385
meeting, a number of concerns were also raised, 
including um number one, land use compatibility  

2317
04:28:28,386 --> 04:28:35,107
and neighborhood impacts. Number two, concerns for 
environmental protection and ecological effects.  

2318
04:28:35,106 --> 04:28:40,385
Three, long-term management and governance. 
four, concerns around accessibility and public  

2319
04:28:40,386 --> 04:28:47,267
use of the parcel. Five, economic viability and 
business considerations. And six, concerns about  

2320
04:28:47,266 --> 04:28:51,905
regulatory and technical feasibility. Um, the 
full community information summary report can be  

2321
04:28:51,905 --> 04:29:01,186
found in attachment number four of uh the staff 
report. Um so in terms of alternative options  

2322
04:29:01,186 --> 04:29:06,866
uh we included a section in the report that says 
that although the application um is for a green  

2323
04:29:06,866 --> 04:29:11,346
burial, further communication and discussion with 
the applicant revealed that a key intention of the  

2324
04:29:11,346 --> 04:29:16,705
applicant appears to be uh to preserve the land 
in a natural state. Alternative options for land  

2325
04:29:16,706 --> 04:29:21,106
preservation that were not discussed with the 
applicant include uh donation of land to the  

2326
04:29:21,106 --> 04:29:28,465
city as protected park or as a green burial site 
that would be managed by the city. Um so staff's  

2327
04:29:28,466 --> 04:29:33,267
recommendation uh as mentioned in this report 
the official community plan amendment and zoning  

2328
04:29:33,266 --> 04:29:39,106
amendment bylaw would change the land use from 
residential to institutional and would affect  

2329
04:29:39,106 --> 04:29:44,626
the city's ability to meet provincial housing 
uh targets. From staff's review of city policy,  

2330
04:29:44,626 --> 04:29:49,985
there is little support to develop land zone 
for housing as new internment sites with a clear  

2331
04:29:49,985 --> 04:29:55,665
mandate to meet provincial housing targets. In 
addition, there is policy that supports protecting  

2332
04:29:55,665 --> 04:30:01,106
water quality, which may also be affected by 
this proposal. Given the lack of policy backing,  

2333
04:30:01,106 --> 04:30:06,225
this application cannot be supported by staff 
at this time. Staff acknowledged that although  

2334
04:30:06,225 --> 04:30:11,504
public engagement demonstrated that there is some 
some support from the community for green burial,  

2335
04:30:11,505 --> 04:30:16,066
it is staff's opinion that the proposed site 
is best suited to housing development and that  

2336
04:30:16,065 --> 04:30:21,745
another site is likely better suited to the 
proposed use. There is some policy support for  

2337
04:30:21,745 --> 04:30:26,706
retaining natural areas and it may be an option 
for the applicant to preserve the property through  

2338
04:30:26,706 --> 04:30:31,665
means other than a green burial. Thank you for 
your time and staff will be available to answer  

2339
04:30:31,665 --> 04:30:37,825
any questions. All right. And the proponent 
as well uh based on the earlier comment. So,  

2340
04:30:37,825 --> 04:30:44,145
excellent. Uh councelor Fr. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. 
Well, I I just want to say thanks to the proponent  

2341
04:30:44,145 --> 04:30:50,786
because I think the idea of protecting this land 
is extremely important and um and laudable. I I  

2342
04:30:50,786 --> 04:30:55,106
wonder I don't know if you want to get up 
and and um or you can probably say it from  

2343
04:30:55,106 --> 04:30:59,585
there is or any of those other I guess there was 
only really one other option I think suggested  

2344
04:30:59,585 --> 04:31:04,786
by staff to maintain that and that would be to 
donate it to the city. Um, was there something  

2345
04:31:04,786 --> 04:31:09,427
else that if if the if you're going to ask her to 
uh to speak, we will ask her to go to the podium  

2346
04:31:09,427 --> 04:31:14,947
just so councelor can hear as well. That's okay. I 
mean, if she wants to get up and let us know what  

2347
04:31:14,946 --> 04:31:22,546
she thinks of that, she can. But, um, but maybe 
not too long because we're all extremely tired.

2348
04:31:22,546 --> 04:31:28,546
I'll just turn on that podium microphone 
for you and you're good to go. Thanks. Um,  

2349
04:31:28,546 --> 04:31:34,146
I spent four years looking at options to preserve 
the property in perpetuity and there are none.  

2350
04:31:34,145 --> 04:31:38,946
You can I've been to Victoria and talked to 
conservation lawyers. I've talked to different  

2351
04:31:38,946 --> 04:31:47,985
organizations. In 2006, I bequeath the land in my 
will to the Komox Valley Land Trust. Uh when my uh  

2352
04:31:47,985 --> 04:31:54,786
executive passed on, I had to redo my will and the 
Komox Valley Land Trust was no longer interested  

2353
04:31:54,786 --> 04:31:59,186
in the property because they said it was too 
small and it was of no ecological significance  

2354
04:31:59,186 --> 04:32:05,745
to them. So that let that out and there is to the 
best of my knowledge in four years of research no  

2355
04:32:05,745 --> 04:32:11,266
other option because conservation covenants can 
be broken. Um there is no way the only thing  

2356
04:32:11,266 --> 04:32:16,065
that would preserve that property in perpetuity 
is a natural green burial cemetery. Yeah. Well,  

2357
04:32:16,065 --> 04:32:21,026
thanks for bringing that perspective to council 
tonight. Thank you so much. That's good. Yeah,  

2358
04:32:21,026 --> 04:32:26,145
that's great. Um, I will highlight for council 
though that I know of a few properties that have  

2359
04:32:26,145 --> 04:32:30,385
covenants on them. One is really close to my 
house beside Northgate Square Church. You guys  

2360
04:32:30,386 --> 04:32:35,825
might be aware of it, a stand of tall trees right 
in the middle of development and it seems to be  

2361
04:32:35,825 --> 04:32:41,427
uh untouchable. And um yeah, there are other 
properties that have been given to the city  

2362
04:32:41,427 --> 04:32:47,986
by various people that are now parks. Um though 
nothing nothing really is forever. Um it's hard  

2363
04:32:47,985 --> 04:32:54,145
to hard to say anything's going to last forever. 
Um but with that um I I appreciate appreciate the  

2364
04:32:54,145 --> 04:33:03,825
intention. Thanks and councelor Jelker online. 
Thanks Mayor. Um yeah really thorough report and  

2365
04:33:03,825 --> 04:33:12,065
um verbal report from staff. appears like there's 
a fair bit of concerns from VIHA as well as  

2366
04:33:12,065 --> 04:33:18,545
um some quite extensive outstanding items 
and so I guess I'm just a little surprised  

2367
04:33:18,546 --> 04:33:25,505
um I guess I'd like to hear from staff but also 
from the proponent um why this is coming to us if  

2368
04:33:25,505 --> 04:33:31,745
there's still so much outstanding work that's 
required um maybe that piece was needs to be  

2369
04:33:31,745 --> 04:33:39,505
shared by the proponent but there is I think at 
least yeah one 2 3 4 5 seven items uh listed in  

2370
04:33:39,505 --> 04:33:48,146
the staff report uh on page nine um the big pieces 
of work that are required and so is it of the view  

2371
04:33:48,145 --> 04:33:54,946
of staff that that um can't be done or is the 
proponent unwilling to do that work and then we  

2372
04:33:54,946 --> 04:34:03,186
can um consider this matter once that outstanding 
work has been finalized. Miss Corn, thank you. Uh  

2373
04:34:03,186 --> 04:34:10,545
thank you for the question. uh and through the 
mayor and council. Um this this this applicant  

2374
04:34:10,546 --> 04:34:15,825
came to the city almost two years ago to to try 
and have this conversation and has been through um  

2375
04:34:15,825 --> 04:34:21,266
almost a dozen staff members at this point. Uh but 
one of the one of the concerns and considerations  

2376
04:34:21,266 --> 04:34:26,225
we had was there was obviously a lot of discussion 
debate about this and be there is a lot of work  

2377
04:34:26,225 --> 04:34:32,946
that needs to be done before it can be finalized 
and because it's a bylaw process it was staff's  

2378
04:34:32,946 --> 04:34:38,466
determination that the best way to do this is 
bring it forward to council. If council has any  

2379
04:34:38,466 --> 04:34:44,626
appetite to move forward with this and give first 
reading then the conditions would be applied to  

2380
04:34:44,626 --> 04:34:50,546
be met before second reading and public hearing. 
But there we didn't feel that it was appropriate  

2381
04:34:50,546 --> 04:34:56,546
at this point to have the applicant spend a 
significant amount of money on something that  

2382
04:34:56,546 --> 04:35:03,665
council has no appetite for. So that's that's why 
this this process has been been handled this way.  

2383
04:35:03,665 --> 04:35:11,905
So, so, um, Council Joff, this is, um, uh, looking 
at the issue, recognizing there are, uh, concerns  

2384
04:35:11,905 --> 04:35:17,825
and studies that need to be done, but making sure 
that we didn't send the applicant on a wild goose  

2385
04:35:17,825 --> 04:35:23,585
chase to spend tens of thousands of dollars on 
study if council did not think this was a good  

2386
04:35:23,585 --> 04:35:30,706
idea in the first place. And I got a followup, 
mayor, for the proponent. Is this are those  

2387
04:35:30,706 --> 04:35:38,626
um six items outstanding items um things that the 
proponent is willing to commit to completing? Is  

2388
04:35:38,626 --> 04:35:44,546
that something that's in their business plan that 
they're able to cover the costs and and do the  

2389
04:35:44,546 --> 04:35:51,585
work for that? Um I I guess I'm asking because I 
am interested in the alternative option that staff  

2390
04:35:51,585 --> 04:35:58,546
have offered around exploring council giving staff 
direction to explore the the assignment of the the  

2391
04:35:58,546 --> 04:36:06,546
land to the city. So u but happy to hear from the 
proponent. Thank you. I would be happy to discuss  

2392
04:36:06,546 --> 04:36:15,267
donating the land to the city as a green burial 
cemetery but from my research I don't think that  

2393
04:36:15,266 --> 04:36:24,225
there is sure nothing is forever but um this 
is the best and only way that I can find that  

2394
04:36:24,225 --> 04:36:30,065
will preserve it in perpetuity. So I would want 
reassurances obviously from the city if I was  

2395
04:36:30,065 --> 04:36:36,545
going to enter into something like that that that 
that it would be remain or be allowed to proceed  

2396
04:36:36,546 --> 04:36:46,146
as a green burial cemetery because if I give 
it as a park um we know that parks can change.

2397
04:36:46,145 --> 04:36:52,145
Sorry, is that answering your question? 
It it does. And so just to be clear,  

2398
04:36:52,145 --> 04:36:59,426
are you willing privately to do this work, these 
six large items of work? Yeah. Provided that  

2399
04:36:59,427 --> 04:37:04,386
I [clears throat] have have some understanding 
that it has a chance to go through. But I,  

2400
04:37:04,386 --> 04:37:10,466
as Miss Maloney says, I don't want to spend 
30 $40,000 to find out you guys originally  

2401
04:37:10,466 --> 04:37:15,505
thought that you didn't think it was a great 
idea. Okay. Yeah. and and and of course given  

2402
04:37:15,505 --> 04:37:21,665
the the timeline we're on right now regardless 
there's a new term starting uh in in the coming  

2403
04:37:21,665 --> 04:37:27,026
months as well. So and I'm not sure if councelor 
heard but it has been moved and seconded as well.  

2404
04:37:27,026 --> 04:37:35,665
So just so you know there's a motion on the floor 
in case in case you had missed that. Um councelor

2405
04:37:35,665 --> 04:37:43,347
um yeah thanks mayor. Um so I I don't 
understand the business model. Um, first of all,  

2406
04:37:43,346 --> 04:37:49,584
um, to staff, uh, is there much of a precedent 
for privatelyowned cemeteries in either British  

2407
04:37:49,585 --> 04:37:56,546
Columbia or the rest of Canada? In my experience, 
they're either on a church ground or they're run  

2408
04:37:56,546 --> 04:38:02,866
by a municipality. But, there is actually huge 
precedent through the chair for privately owned  

2409
04:38:02,866 --> 04:38:12,866
cemeteries. Uh, there's a huge one in Cedar. Um 
they they um uh u they they those are definitely  

2410
04:38:12,866 --> 04:38:20,386
run as a business and uh there there are 
quite a few of them and as municipalities  

2411
04:38:20,386 --> 04:38:28,466
uh start to have their cemeteries fill up 
um with maybe not opportunity to expand,  

2412
04:38:28,466 --> 04:38:36,626
private operators are are opening other uh 
cemeteries, right? Um we had the opportunity to um  

2413
04:38:36,626 --> 04:38:44,065
go through the uh uh the local cemetery recently 
when the windfall was u initiated and I thought  

2414
04:38:44,065 --> 04:38:50,385
that there was some discussion of the possibility 
that green burials could be incorporated there at  

2415
04:38:50,386 --> 04:38:57,187
some point. I'm wondering if staff can uh clarify 
that uh in terms of our future intent with our own  

2416
04:38:57,186 --> 04:39:05,346
cemetery. Before you talk, Miss Broant, it uh 
green burial is not currently contemplated as  

2417
04:39:05,346 --> 04:39:11,026
an imminent use. And if you look at the land 
in the cemetery, while there still is space,  

2418
04:39:11,026 --> 04:39:15,266
um natural burial, green burial often 
takes up a larger section of land and has  

2419
04:39:15,266 --> 04:39:22,385
a different type of landscape than um the type 
of burial we do there now. So it would require  

2420
04:39:22,386 --> 04:39:30,546
um planning ahead and establishing probably a 
fairly large section where we would do that. Um so  

2421
04:39:30,546 --> 04:39:35,665
I'd have to look at the cemetery master plan to be 
sure, but it is not uh currently contemplated in  

2422
04:39:35,665 --> 04:39:41,585
the next few years of capital planning. [clears 
throat] Okay. Yeah. So, well, in that case,  

2423
04:39:41,585 --> 04:39:51,585
um I um I think it would be awkward uh for a 
neighborhood to have land that uh reszoneed  

2424
04:39:51,585 --> 04:39:59,026
for cemetery purposes. Um I I you know, I 
I appreciate that uh it's maybe irrational,  

2425
04:39:59,026 --> 04:40:05,825
but I think for some people it's it creates 
discomfort. uh there were comments around uh  

2426
04:40:05,825 --> 04:40:14,706
post-traumatic stress uh of uh veterans and things 
like that. Um but um uh based on that and and and  

2427
04:40:14,706 --> 04:40:19,347
the various other issues highlighted in the staff 
report, I I would be much more interested in  

2428
04:40:19,346 --> 04:40:27,905
uh in us finding a way to uh um to give um Miss 
Waterton some assurance that uh a covenant to  

2429
04:40:27,905 --> 04:40:34,145
protect uh her land as as park space could 
in fact be honored and uh and maintained over  

2430
04:40:34,145 --> 04:40:42,706
time. Thanks in perpetuity. Yeah. Can I just note 
that and there's two um sites of on from the real  

2431
04:40:42,706 --> 04:40:51,825
estate board on how to break covenants and if we 
take an example locally mech lang was a covenant

2432
04:40:51,825 --> 04:41:00,786
and Mr. Yeah, thank you through the mayor uh to 
council. There are a a laundry list of ways to  

2433
04:41:00,786 --> 04:41:08,706
protect uh properties. Uh council's very aware of 
the MC Meadows property. Um there are a number of  

2434
04:41:08,706 --> 04:41:14,706
ways whether it's a combination of ownership. We 
have parks that we own that also have conservation  

2435
04:41:14,706 --> 04:41:22,145
covenants by third parties. So again, u what is in 
front of council right now is an application for  

2436
04:41:22,145 --> 04:41:28,545
uh Green Burial Cemetery. Uh questions about 
what may or may not be possible with other  

2437
04:41:28,546 --> 04:41:34,866
uh type of application um and assurances to the 
donator. Um that's a separate matter that we can  

2438
04:41:34,866 --> 04:41:41,346
address. But it is um uh through my time councils 
where I have a background in planning there's a  

2439
04:41:41,346 --> 04:41:49,985
number of methods a way to uh ensure uh that 
is uh in in the will of the uh the person who  

2440
04:41:49,985 --> 04:41:59,585
either bequeaths it or transfers it or sells 
it for a limited amount. Um yeah. Okay. Um,  

2441
04:41:59,585 --> 04:42:04,946
councelor going to say I know there's 
we're nearing the end of the conversation,  

2442
04:42:04,946 --> 04:42:11,026
but once the vote on this matter, mayor, I'm 
going to raise another motion um related to the  

2443
04:42:11,026 --> 04:42:18,145
alternate option listed in um the staff report. 
Okay. All right. Uh we do have a motion on the  

2444
04:42:18,145 --> 04:42:24,225
floor. I don't see any further questions or 
comments. All those in favor? Any opposed? And  

2445
04:42:24,225 --> 04:42:30,545
uh so motion carries. And councelor Zer, you 
have a follow-up. Yeah, just um related to the  

2446
04:42:30,546 --> 04:42:35,825
the I'm just pulling up the staff report that 
the the correct language in the staff report  

2447
04:42:35,825 --> 04:42:41,427
um related to um so that's uh council 
direct staff to work with the proponent  

2448
04:42:41,427 --> 04:42:51,585
to explore park or green burial options um 
in collaboration with the city of Courtney.

2449
04:42:51,585 --> 04:42:58,386
Okay, it's been seconded. 
uh our count uh sorry staff

2450
04:42:58,386 --> 04:43:04,466
councelor Rich. Yeah, I don't I don't know that 
I would support the motion with green burial  

2451
04:43:04,466 --> 04:43:11,187
in there considering that's what we just made a 
motion on and there may be a rule against actually  

2452
04:43:11,186 --> 04:43:16,065
contemplating something right after you've made 
I'm happy to remove the green burial then in that  

2453
04:43:16,065 --> 04:43:24,145
case. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, it's been amended. So 
maybe if you could just say it one more time and  

2454
04:43:24,145 --> 04:43:29,745
uh I and I think uh Miss Proton's going to try to 
bring it up on screen, but if you could just say  

2455
04:43:29,745 --> 04:43:36,386
it one more time. Yeah. That council direct 
staff to work with the proponent to explore  

2456
04:43:36,386 --> 04:43:47,347
uh park dedication for the property. 
And is that was that on page 14 of the

2457
04:43:51,905 --> 04:43:55,745
We're both right

2458
04:43:55,745 --> 04:44:10,145
and 8:45. You know, I don't 
know I could ask for much more.

2459
04:44:10,145 --> 04:44:14,786
Yeah, I think that that captures it.

2460
04:44:14,786 --> 04:44:32,386
Sure.

2461
04:44:32,386 --> 04:44:42,866
While we're waiting, Councelor M. just a uh 
I just wanted to um say thank you for saying  

2462
04:44:42,866 --> 04:44:48,065
so long tonight and also um reading through the 
comments even though many of your neighbors were  

2463
04:44:48,065 --> 04:44:55,665
not necessarily um in favor of this. They all 
spoke so highly of you and I actually know one  

2464
04:44:55,665 --> 04:45:01,026
of your neighbors who um just I happened to run 
into who said the same thing and that they really  

2465
04:45:01,026 --> 04:45:06,786
appreciate your your stewardship and your devotion 
and I just wanted to make sure to say that because  

2466
04:45:06,786 --> 04:45:12,866
you've been here so long and yeah the the fact 
that you've been working on this for years at  

2467
04:45:12,866 --> 04:45:22,626
this point and are still this positive and uh um 
yeah it it's great to see uh that optimism. um and  

2468
04:45:22,626 --> 04:45:29,505
really trying to take what you have to make the 
world a better place. So, it is much appreciated.

2469
04:45:29,505 --> 04:45:31,585
And councelor Jeliker, your hand is still up,  

2470
04:45:31,585 --> 04:45:41,267
but I'm not sure yet. Perfect. We are just about 
to. We just wanted to make sure we have the

2471
04:45:41,266 --> 04:45:47,985
have it up on the screen. 
Councelor Joeler, you can see that.

2472
04:45:47,985 --> 04:45:56,706
All right, that's the motion. Uh, all those 
in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries. So,  

2473
04:45:56,706 --> 04:46:03,106
the saga continues. There's a bit of a quest, 
but I think this gives you some some clarity. Um,  

2474
04:46:03,106 --> 04:46:08,305
thank you, Mr. R. Appreciate council direction. 
I just would let council know that this is not  

2475
04:46:08,305 --> 04:46:12,465
work that staff would be undertaking under 
this term and we'd have to figure out how  

2476
04:46:12,466 --> 04:46:17,986
to do that in our uh the work of our uh uh 
development services department, recreation,  

2477
04:46:17,985 --> 04:46:23,585
culture and community services to do our parks 
planning. Uh so uh respect council's direction  

2478
04:46:23,585 --> 04:46:31,745
but this would be work with the next council. 
Thanks. Okay. Yeah. And that's just timelines  

2479
04:46:31,745 --> 04:46:37,825
and sausage makers etc. Okay. Uh thanks 
everybody. Uh we are uh moving on to first,  

2480
04:46:37,825 --> 04:46:46,386
second, and third readings. Uh tempor 
temporary [clears throat] boring bylaws 3238.

2481
04:46:46,386 --> 04:46:49,986
Okay, it's been moved. Any 
questions or comments? Seeing none,  

2482
04:46:49,985 --> 04:46:57,745
all in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries.

2483
04:46:57,745 --> 04:47:00,706
Recommendation two has been moved and 
seconded. Any questions or comments?  

2484
04:47:00,706 --> 04:47:08,706
Seeing none. All those in favor? 
Any opposed? And motion carries.

2485
04:47:08,706 --> 04:47:12,946
Recommendation three has been moved 
and seconded. All those in favor?  

2486
04:47:12,946 --> 04:47:21,745
Any opposed? And motion carries. And now for 
adoption. Cemetery bylaw 3205. Okay, it's been  

2487
04:47:21,745 --> 04:47:26,946
moved and seconded. Any questions or comments? 
Seeing none. All those in favor? Any opposed?  

2488
04:47:26,946 --> 04:47:39,905
And motion carries. And finally, uh, business 
license bylaw 3212. Business license bylaw.

2489
04:47:39,905 --> 04:47:46,145
It's been moved and seconded. Any questions 
or comments? Councelor Fr. Yeah, I'm sorry. I  

2490
04:47:46,145 --> 04:47:53,905
know it's late, but um, so there we've had a lot 
of feedback on the license bylaw, the business  

2491
04:47:53,905 --> 04:47:58,466
license, basically the cost of the business 
licenses and the changes. And I just want to  

2492
04:47:58,466 --> 04:48:09,825
hear from staff um if getting a business license 
is in fact a way to gain revenue at the city or if  

2493
04:48:09,825 --> 04:48:19,745
there are some other really important things about 
having someone have a business license in general

2494
04:48:19,745 --> 04:48:24,065
uh through the mayor. Uh I'm not sure I understand 
the question. Could maybe just repeat it for me.  

2495
04:48:24,065 --> 04:48:31,905
I guess just like wondering at a high level 
why do we need business licenses at the city?  

2496
04:48:31,905 --> 04:48:39,985
What happens if we don't? Um yes uh uh business 
regulation is an optional provision under the  

2497
04:48:39,985 --> 04:48:48,065
community charter. Um uh if you don't regulate 
business, uh if a council were to choose not to  

2498
04:48:48,065 --> 04:48:55,266
regulate business, um you would you lose the 
ability to uh well essentially to regulate  

2499
04:48:55,266 --> 04:49:01,266
business, um we actually discussed it a bit 
earlier with the uh this evening and that um if  

2500
04:49:01,266 --> 04:49:08,065
you had a business that was engaging uh repeated 
contraventions of municipal bylaws, um you would  

2501
04:49:08,065 --> 04:49:12,626
not be able to revoke their business license if 
you didn't have a business regulation and big  

2502
04:49:12,626 --> 04:49:23,905
business licensing regime in place. Um so it is uh 
essentially an ability to uh vet that businesses  

2503
04:49:23,905 --> 04:49:29,346
comply with bylaws before they establish 
themselves in the community. And then there are  

2504
04:49:29,346 --> 04:49:35,744
powers under the charter to revoke their ability 
to do business if they are not in compliance with  

2505
04:49:35,745 --> 04:49:42,065
um municipal bylaws and and and good good 
faith uh processes. Right. And so the reason  

2506
04:49:42,065 --> 04:49:46,706
for raising the rates is to in fact pay for that 
program which allows all those things you just  

2507
04:49:46,706 --> 04:49:55,825
mentioned. Uh uh just before I'm sorry. Were you? 
Yeah. If I if I could very quickly uh long meeting  

2508
04:49:55,825 --> 04:50:01,026
uh just uh adding because I this unfortunately 
started uh I've been involved since the beginning  

2509
04:50:01,026 --> 04:50:09,266
of this uh there are a number of purposes uh in 
addition to Mr. Bellaba's commentary um there  

2510
04:50:09,266 --> 04:50:14,786
is a it is a source of information to help with 
economic development and business planning. Second  

2511
04:50:14,786 --> 04:50:19,745
um the awareness of those businesses helps 
us address emergency planning and our fire  

2512
04:50:19,745 --> 04:50:30,706
response. Um and it also is um a very important 
um tool that other uh organizations use related to  

2513
04:50:30,706 --> 04:50:38,145
um kind of the economy and the like. So it's it's 
a source of information and uh also um it's kind  

2514
04:50:38,145 --> 04:50:45,426
of the another component is it has the potential 
to be used to support economic development. Um  

2515
04:50:45,427 --> 04:50:50,066
and that's some conversations that we did have uh 
through council on our strategic planning on how  

2516
04:50:50,065 --> 04:50:54,786
to potentially look at economic development um how 
to support businesses, how to get that information  

2517
04:50:54,786 --> 04:51:01,745
and so business licensing is a a really important 
source of data uh within the uh our information  

2518
04:51:01,745 --> 04:51:06,466
requirements. So I just in in addition to that 
the need to regulate those businesses because of  

2519
04:51:06,466 --> 04:51:13,505
some of their externalities. Okay, sounds fair. 
I guess I my my line of thinking is uh you know,  

2520
04:51:13,505 --> 04:51:19,905
did do we really need to raise certain um 
businesses rates, you know, going from $100 to  

2521
04:51:19,905 --> 04:51:26,225
$150. Um especially if it's like a small homebased 
business, they might not be making a ton of money  

2522
04:51:26,225 --> 04:51:31,745
to begin with. But um that's my line of thinking 
that I just want to confirm that uh in fact  

2523
04:51:31,745 --> 04:51:38,065
collecting money from every single business to 
give them a license is in fact really important.

2524
04:51:39,585 --> 04:51:43,905
Okay, thanks for that. Uh, Council Warren. 
Yeah, thank you, Mayor. It's getting late,  

2525
04:51:43,905 --> 04:51:51,745
so I'll try to try to uh formulate my thoughts 
here. Um, we did, you know, make some changes  

2526
04:51:51,745 --> 04:52:01,585
to the original in terms of keeping those 
um larger uh size businesses, pubs, um uh  

2527
04:52:01,585 --> 04:52:09,905
whatever the other categories are. um at that 
at the the feed that was there before which was  

2528
04:52:09,905 --> 04:52:15,346
uh a big part of the feedback that we received. 
We felt that people felt it was very inequitable.  

2529
04:52:15,346 --> 04:52:22,225
Um the other piece of feedback though that we 
didn't consider was pretty much what councelor  

2530
04:52:22,225 --> 04:52:29,106
Fish just talked about and even though um going 
from $100 to $300 doesn't seem like a big jump,  

2531
04:52:29,106 --> 04:52:36,946
it's percentage- wise it is a big jump. and um I 
re reread the comments um that we've received and  

2532
04:52:36,946 --> 04:52:43,266
did some notes on them and [snorts] then we did 
receive a couple other pieces of feedback and I  

2533
04:52:43,266 --> 04:52:49,266
I know this is up for adoption tonight but I 
still don't feel that we've gone far enough.  

2534
04:52:49,266 --> 04:52:55,426
I think we've done some great stuff. The we've 
had positive comments about the pro-rated aspect.  

2535
04:52:55,427 --> 04:53:02,546
We've had positive comments about I think the 
late um uh you know the renewal times and also  

2536
04:53:02,546 --> 04:53:06,866
the the food having more food vendors and things 
like that. So, there's lots of positives in here,  

2537
04:53:06,866 --> 04:53:19,026
but I really kind of on principle, I don't think 
that 150% or whatever um increase um I don't agree  

2538
04:53:19,026 --> 04:53:27,426
with it and I would like to see us either phase 
in that increase over um a longer time period  

2539
04:53:27,427 --> 04:53:35,427
or reduce that increase to those other businesses. 
Um, and I did want to ask what the transition time  

2540
04:53:35,427 --> 04:53:41,665
was because I couldn't find it when I looked again 
when this would when those increases would come  

2541
04:53:41,665 --> 04:53:51,186
into play. And now my computer is uh through 
the chair. Uh I believe the bylaw would take  

2542
04:53:51,186 --> 04:53:58,866
effect the moment it is adopted and then the fees 
would apply uh basically if any businesses applied  

2543
04:53:58,866 --> 04:54:06,706
for a license afterwards and then you would have 
renewal fees which would be annual. Um. Mhm. So,  

2544
04:54:06,706 --> 04:54:14,866
I don't know if there's an appetite for um sending 
this back with that amendment to either phase in  

2545
04:54:14,866 --> 04:54:22,225
um phase in the increases or to reduce the 
increase. Um and I don't have the chart in  

2546
04:54:22,225 --> 04:54:26,385
front of me and I don't know if we can bring it up 
at all, but we don't have a motion on the floor,  

2547
04:54:26,386 --> 04:54:31,107
but you could at some point put a motion on 
the floor and that that's how Oh, sorry. Yeah,  

2548
04:54:31,106 --> 04:54:38,866
we do. Yeah. My apologies. Uh an amendment. You 
could uh move an amendment. Yeah, I'm trying to  

2549
04:54:38,866 --> 04:54:44,706
find the the chart, so I'll see if I can do that. 
But anyway, uh I don't know if there's anyone  

2550
04:54:44,706 --> 04:54:49,745
ready to speak, but I can look for that. Councelor 
Jer will I'll just try and find it then. Thanks,  

2551
04:54:49,745 --> 04:54:57,985
Brandon. Thanks, Mayor. I mean, I uh was quite 
critical of this from the get-go and uh addressed  

2552
04:54:57,985 --> 04:55:04,786
council with my concerns um initially. Uh did 
a ton of research around what other communities  

2553
04:55:04,786 --> 04:55:10,706
are doing. Um you know, I was hoping that 
we'd consider a hybrid approach. I I am in  

2554
04:55:10,706 --> 04:55:18,306
favor of cost recovery and I think that we can do 
a hybrid model where proportionality is considered  

2555
04:55:18,305 --> 04:55:25,186
uh where we consider some of the things that we've 
heard from business community the chamber um and  

2556
04:55:25,186 --> 04:55:31,825
I agree with councelor Mo there is some good 
things here um I had spoken at the time around  

2557
04:55:31,825 --> 04:55:38,305
uh startup rebates um and looking at proportional 
business scale and we we've made those some of  

2558
04:55:38,305 --> 04:55:46,866
those changes is um but I think within the context 
of small businesses uh one employee two employees  

2559
04:55:46,866 --> 04:55:53,026
at at home businesses I think that's something 
that we I agree that we can do some more work on  

2560
04:55:53,026 --> 04:55:59,825
um and there are other municipalities that we 
can look to in BC that are a hybrid model where  

2561
04:55:59,825 --> 04:56:05,745
uh there's cost recovery and proportionality is 
included that was not part of this policy nor  

2562
04:56:05,745 --> 04:56:11,026
the drafting of the bylaw. It does require more 
administrative work cuz there's more verification  

2563
04:56:11,026 --> 04:56:16,706
required. Um, but I think we have heard from 
the business community that they would like  

2564
04:56:16,706 --> 04:56:22,065
for us to consider other things in addition to 
cost recovery. Um, and so I'll just leave it at  

2565
04:56:22,065 --> 04:56:27,905
that. I do have some things that I had drafted 
months ago on this. So, um, that that's helpful,  

2566
04:56:27,905 --> 04:56:33,505
but I'll see the four for now. Thanks. Okay. I 
don't see anybody else ready to speak uh just  

2567
04:56:33,505 --> 04:56:38,546
yet. So, if somebody could extend our meeting and 
take into account that we do have an in camera  

2568
04:56:38,546 --> 04:56:47,745
as well. Okay, there's been an extension to 10 
o'clock. It's been seconded. [laughter] I'm going  

2569
04:56:47,745 --> 04:56:54,466
to call the question whether you like it or not. 
All those in favor? Any opposed? And no one has  

2570
04:56:54,466 --> 04:57:00,786
opposed it or at least has energy to raise their 
hands. So, uh, with that, I'm going to Mr. Garet,  

2571
04:57:00,786 --> 04:57:07,106
you had a comment. I'll pass it over to you. Um, 
thank you. Uh, if if I may. Um, this work was  

2572
04:57:07,106 --> 04:57:14,626
undertaken at council's direction. We have given 
we've been given direction to uh generate revenue.  

2573
04:57:14,626 --> 04:57:24,065
We responded to council's uh guidance. Uh, we have 
re-engaged. Um, and now what I'm I'm hearing is  

2574
04:57:24,065 --> 04:57:29,825
pretty significant changes to the delivery of 
this service. And uh we are very close to the  

2575
04:57:29,825 --> 04:57:35,427
release our time of business licensing. Ultimately 
if we have not presented what council would like,  

2576
04:57:35,427 --> 04:57:41,585
I think we need to go back to the drawing 
board uh in order and undertake uh and spend  

2577
04:57:41,585 --> 04:57:49,347
uh more uh engagement resources uh to to do this 
in the right way. But uh unless we have some  

2578
04:57:49,346 --> 04:57:56,225
runway uh for implementation, this is going to be 
quite challenging. Um and so um my my apologies  

2579
04:57:56,225 --> 04:58:04,145
uh you know if uh we we've gone down route but 
uh we are now receiving a different direction  

2580
04:58:04,145 --> 04:58:10,225
than we had in the previous consideration of 
the bylaw. Uh and we have not actually engaged  

2581
04:58:10,225 --> 04:58:16,946
uh on other aspects of this bylaw. If we undertake 
more changes we may need to uh provide additional  

2582
04:58:16,946 --> 04:58:25,985
notice over a period of time. And uh we do have 
a backs stop of um undertaking our notifica or  

2583
04:58:25,985 --> 04:58:33,426
sorry the um distribution of uh the license uh fee 
uh requisition on behalf of existing licenses. So  

2584
04:58:33,427 --> 04:58:39,825
if council is not really in a position uh then we 
we maybe should consider some direction to table  

2585
04:58:39,825 --> 04:58:46,626
this work um until the next license fee because 
uh we we we are definitely unable to um undertake  

2586
04:58:46,626 --> 04:58:55,745
the additional work uh with the time that remains. 
Thanks for that uh councelor Fr. Thanks mayor. Um,  

2587
04:58:55,745 --> 04:59:01,427
I think one of the the bigger increases of concern 
was around homebased businesses and I think it  

2588
04:59:01,427 --> 04:59:11,267
went and you can correct me if I'm wrong. I think 
it went from $100 to 150. But um, what I'm sensing  

2589
04:59:11,266 --> 04:59:15,186
or not what I'm sensing, what I'm feeling right 
now is we I think we do maybe just need to move  

2590
04:59:15,186 --> 04:59:21,665
ahead with this and um, and and I think businesses 
unfortunately will will have to absorb the extra  

2591
04:59:21,665 --> 04:59:28,546
$50 in that particular instance. So, I'm happy for 
to call the question whenever you're ready. Okay,  

2592
04:59:28,546 --> 04:59:35,665
councelor Morren. Yeah, thank you. I haven't been 
able to find the comparison chart. I have the the  

2593
04:59:35,665 --> 04:59:40,786
new chart or the the chart with the new fees, 
but not the comparison. So there were a couple  

2594
04:59:40,786 --> 04:59:49,985
of others other than the home occupation that 
um I there were 27 letters [clears throat] um  

2595
04:59:49,985 --> 04:59:58,946
and they were most of them were quite detailed 
and I I agree we provided direction but we I I  

2596
04:59:58,946 --> 05:00:03,665
believe when we even discussed this the first 
time there was a lot of discussion about this  

2597
05:00:03,665 --> 05:00:09,186
and we came back to the drawing board again. 
So, I would be more interested in actually  

2598
05:00:09,186 --> 05:00:17,504
um uh yeah pushing it pushing it on to the 
next term to to give time to to tweak it a  

2599
05:00:17,505 --> 05:00:23,585
little bit more if we don't have the time to do 
that now, but I don't know if um others um are in  

2600
05:00:23,585 --> 05:00:29,985
agreement with that. Thanks. I appreciate that. 
And I see councelor Joler had offered something  

2601
05:00:29,985 --> 05:00:34,065
previously. I'm not sure if you're going to speak 
to that now, but uh the floor is yours. Thanks,  

2602
05:00:34,065 --> 05:00:40,626
Mayor. I just emailed it to our corporate officer 
and to council. Um I recognize that we're in the  

2603
05:00:40,626 --> 05:00:48,065
middle of discussing adoption, but this could be 
something we can consider that captures um and I  

2604
05:00:48,065 --> 05:00:53,665
agree with the city manager that this is what 
I'm proposing in the email that just was sent.  

2605
05:00:53,665 --> 05:01:00,866
um is additional work that we did not direct 
staff to do uh as it relates to um thinking about  

2606
05:01:00,866 --> 05:01:07,505
proportionality for the things like homebased 
businesses and micro businesses. Um it speaks  

2607
05:01:07,505 --> 05:01:14,386
to in continuing to engage in a a cost recovery 
uh framework which is what staff have laid out  

2608
05:01:14,386 --> 05:01:19,986
in this bylaw and in the policy. Um and it it 
expands it. So, I don't know what the right  

2609
05:01:19,985 --> 05:01:25,186
um if I and I can't see head nods in the room. 
So, I don't know if it's just myself and counselor  

2610
05:01:25,186 --> 05:01:30,625
Morren that uh would be open to deferring this 
and um redirecting staff to do more work. And I  

2611
05:01:30,626 --> 05:01:37,505
I appreciate that that would mean that we would be 
looking to probably January 2028 implementation,  

2612
05:01:37,505 --> 05:01:44,866
but I think this is really important to get it 
right. So, all right. and Council Morn does have  

2613
05:01:44,866 --> 05:01:49,427
her light on and and I would say we'd also 
likely need to vote on the motion that is on  

2614
05:01:49,427 --> 05:01:56,466
the floor unless it's rescended. Uh and then 
uh then uh look what our options are at that  

2615
05:01:56,466 --> 05:02:04,946
point. But councelor Moore. Yeah, thanks Mayor. 
Um I actually what um councelor Jolliker sent I I  

2616
05:02:04,946 --> 05:02:11,266
really don't want to go that far. I think staff 
has done a ton of work already and I I just I  

2617
05:02:11,266 --> 05:02:18,385
actually feel like there's just a a a few um you 
know minor things that could happen, but I I'm not  

2618
05:02:18,386 --> 05:02:31,986
necessarily in agreement with this long list of 
um of uh ideas here um necessarily. So, thanks.

2619
05:02:31,985 --> 05:02:40,706
Okay. Um Councelor Hill. Thanks, Mayor. Just on 
a point of process, if uh if council doesn't like  

2620
05:02:40,706 --> 05:02:46,466
the the business bylaw as it is, I I would 
suggest that the the course of action is to  

2621
05:02:46,466 --> 05:02:52,146
defeat adoption and that would leave it up to 
staff to bring it back in within whatever time  

2622
05:02:52,145 --> 05:03:00,946
frame worked for them. Okay. And uh and so I guess 
I guess one of the questions it would come back  

2623
05:03:00,946 --> 05:03:09,585
uh but would a subsequent motion potentially 
provide uh some clarity or not? I guess that  

2624
05:03:09,585 --> 05:03:16,546
follow question uh through the chair. A subsequent 
motion providing direction on what council would  

2625
05:03:16,546 --> 05:03:23,585
like to see staff bring back would be helpful 
in in doing that and getting the bylaw adopted.  

2626
05:03:23,585 --> 05:03:33,427
Okay, we'll call the question as 
requested. All those in favor? Any opposed?

2627
05:03:33,427 --> 05:03:42,386
It's for the one that's up 
on the screen right now.

2628
05:03:42,386 --> 05:03:50,866
Okay. Warren and Jeros. Okay, 
then it is carried. Okay.

2629
05:03:50,866 --> 05:04:00,305
Um All right. And with that, uh, we're gonna in 
camera. Yes. Yep. So, if somebody would like to  

2630
05:04:00,305 --> 05:04:07,985
I'll move that. Councelor Hill. Um, I believe 
we have council uh reports on the agenda. We  

2631
05:04:07,985 --> 05:04:14,225
do. I did say we were going to dispense of it, 
but I know some Could I could I have one item?  

2632
05:04:14,225 --> 05:04:19,985
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah. Um, Mr. Mayor, 
at the uh at the last uh council meeting,  

2633
05:04:19,985 --> 05:04:24,946
uh we had a presentation related to a fee 
dispute between local businesses and the  

2634
05:04:24,946 --> 05:04:33,186
Allen Corridor Foundation. I made some comments 
at that uh time that um I later recognized as  

2635
05:04:33,186 --> 05:04:40,385
um inmperate and hyperbolic in nature. And um 
I want to say that I'm sorry for those comments  

2636
05:04:40,386 --> 05:04:47,027
uh which uh potentially impugn the integrity of 
uh people who both work and serve as directors  

2637
05:04:47,026 --> 05:04:54,225
on the Allen Corridor Foundation. It was not my 
intention to impugn their integrity and um it was  

2638
05:04:54,225 --> 05:05:00,225
thoughtless and inconsiderate of me to not have 
realized how those comments might be received.  

2639
05:05:00,225 --> 05:05:05,186
I also want to acknowledge that um there 
was likely more to the situation than was  

2640
05:05:05,186 --> 05:05:11,745
presented at that time. So it was also therefore 
wrong on my part and unfair to imply judgments  

2641
05:05:11,745 --> 05:05:17,665
without hearing and understanding the complete 
picture. So I I want to apologize for any harm  

2642
05:05:17,665 --> 05:05:25,665
or distress that I caused at that time and I thank 
you for your indulgence tonight. My pleasure and  

2643
05:05:25,665 --> 05:05:32,626
uh my apologies for having to wave the rest of 
it, but I I appreciate your words tonight. Uh  

2644
05:05:32,626 --> 05:05:40,466
getting on to 12.7 the inc camera resolution. 
It's been moved and second. All those in favor?