[10:35] Mr. Mayor, you are now life. All right, coraming president,
[10:38] I'd like to call this meeting order, our first site
[10:40] of my business as a resolution to close meeting the
[10:42] public at 3 p. m. The recommendations that we close
[10:45] a meeting on the basis of alling sections of the
[10:48] Community Charter, Section 91A, 91B, 91C, 91E, 91F, 91J, 91K,
[10:56] 92B2, and 92B3 with some like booth of recommendation by
[11:00] Councillor Stash, second to buy Councillor Finley, any discussion. I'll
[11:04] call the question all in favor. And oppose and oppose
[11:07] motion carried. We'll now move into close.
[2:10:50] Mr. Mayor, you're now live. I'd like to begin by
[2:10:53] acknowledging or gather here today on the traditional lands, the
[2:10:56] quotes and people with a quorum being present. I'd like
[2:10:58] to resume our council meeting. Before we get started, I'm
[2:11:02] just going to pass on regrets from Councillor Mike Calio,
[2:11:05] who's going to be joining us for the September 2nd
[2:11:08] meeting. So we'll start with the approval of the consent
[2:11:12] agenda. Are there any items, any members of Council would
[2:11:15] like move to new business for discussion. Councillor Stache? I
[2:11:20] guess any of them would work, but I'll just pick
[2:11:23] 4. 2. 5 because the three of three letters are
[2:11:27] all the same. All right, any other items? I'd like
[2:11:34] to pull item 4. 2. 9 and 4. 2. 11.
[2:11:43] All right, with someone then like to move the recommendation,
[2:11:47] the Council approved the consent agenda and the recommendations contain
[2:11:50] therein. Moved by Councillor Family, Second of my Council Justice,
[2:11:53] any discussion. All in favor. And oppose, not opposed motion
[2:11:57] carries. We will now move on to approval of the
[2:12:03] meeting agenda. We have a recommendation. The agenda be adopted
[2:12:06] as circulated with something like to move that. Move by
[2:12:10] Councillor Stache, second to buy Council Manhouse. Any discussion? Called
[2:12:13] a question all in favor. And opposed, not opposed motion
[2:12:17] carries. We'll now move on to the Mayor's report. And
[2:12:24] I'll keep this brief, because we got a lot of
[2:12:25] business ahead of us. So over the course of August,
[2:12:30] there's been many community events. I've had an opportunity to
[2:12:33] attend, and I've been joined by many of you around
[2:12:35] this Council table. Earlier this month, the Penelope tribe held
[2:12:40] the march for the children in Chemanus, which was meant
[2:12:44] to honour those who attended the residential schools throughout this
[2:12:50] province and the injustices committed through that system. Want to
[2:12:55] acknowledge the work from the Palica tribe and organising that
[2:12:59] event and all the folks from the community who came
[2:13:02] out in support. As well as the residential school survivors
[2:13:06] and their families who were able to step forward and
[2:13:08] share their stories earlier this month. I also joined, and
[2:13:12] sorry, also who also attended that meeting was Councillor Estach.
[2:13:17] Earlier this month, I also joined Councillor's Finley and Manhouse
[2:13:21] for Crofton Day. This was a family - friendly event
[2:13:25] organised by the Croft and Community Centre Society in the
[2:13:28] Warmland Church. Many volunteers throughout the community. It was intended
[2:13:32] to bring young families together, but also celebrate this hidden
[2:13:36] gem here in our municipality. And then finally, over the
[2:13:39] weekend, I joined Councillor's Finley and Estash for the Couch
[2:13:43] and Craft Beard Food Festival, which is held in Chemanus.
[2:13:46] This is organised by the Shimanus Business Approvement Association. It
[2:13:50] brought together 30 breweries from right across BC, including some
[2:13:54] local ones here, whole wide range of food vendors, as
[2:13:57] well as live music, and it was a great event
[2:13:59] for bringing tourism money into our community. Also wanted to
[2:14:05] provide Council members of the public with an update on
[2:14:08] the mill closure response working group, as you'll recall earlier
[2:14:11] this year, established this in response to the developments of
[2:14:15] the Croft and Mills site, as well as the ongoing
[2:14:17] retailment at the Shimane Assawmill. It includes Residents from our,
[2:14:22] includs our member of Parliament, our MLA industry, labour representatives
[2:14:26] as well, and a big focus of that group has
[2:14:28] been on advocacy. There has been some recent developments. They
[2:14:32] want to make sure Council is aware of. So if
[2:14:34] you recall, this spring, the province and federal government announced
[2:14:39] a tariff response agreement. It was a 70 million dollar
[2:14:43] agreement over three years that they negotiated with the federal
[2:14:46] government to provide supports to workers and industry impacted by
[2:14:50] the terrorists and disruptions in the forestry sector. The province
[2:14:57] just recently announced a new program called the Forestry Training
[2:15:00] Grant. So that's being administered by an outfit called the
[2:15:05] Northern Development Initiative Trust based in Prince George. It's coordinating
[2:15:09] this program right across the province. But basically what happens
[2:15:12] is a company in the forestry sector and related industries
[2:15:18] that can include mining and manufacturing companies as well. They
[2:15:21] can access funding through the provincial government to subsidize the
[2:15:26] wages and training costs. If they hire impacted forestry workers,
[2:15:30] it's not just forestry workers, they've included workers and other
[2:15:33] tariff impacted industries as well. But obviously the big folks
[2:15:36] is on those who've been impacted by the mill closures,
[2:15:40] making a lot of headway with this group. Do want
[2:15:42] to acknowledge the leadership provided by the working group members,
[2:15:45] including Brian Bull, one of the workers from the Shimanus
[2:15:48] Samil, who's brought forward some great ideas serving on this
[2:15:52] committee. One of these is looking at ways we can
[2:15:54] try to get some of the mining companies in northern
[2:15:57] BC involved in this initiative. Obviously, a lot of these
[2:15:59] workers, they got families and roots here in the community
[2:16:02] and don't want to leave, but there could be some
[2:16:06] good paying employment in that region of the province. We're
[2:16:08] trying to find different ways to facilitate that. And yeah,
[2:16:12] the workers who have been impacted by these milk closures
[2:16:15] through their participation on the working group has shown a
[2:16:18] tremendous amount of leadership and moving this forward and really
[2:16:20] trying to create opportunities for their co - workers from
[2:16:24] these sites. Also had a chance recently to meet with
[2:16:27] some of the residents in the King's View area along
[2:16:31] the, in the Kwamechin Lake Watershed. So they raise concerns.
[2:16:34] And these have been going on for about over a
[2:16:36] year now with speeding, partying, and the area, which for
[2:16:41] obvious reasons tends to get a lot worse than that
[2:16:43] the summer when a lot of younger folks throw out
[2:16:46] a school. It's gotten a lot worse. Uh, this summer,
[2:16:49] and they've also expressed concern around some of the plan
[2:16:53] development in that area. So I did have a chance
[2:16:56] to meet with about 40 of these residents RCP were
[2:16:59] there as well. Um, so that information has been shared
[2:17:02] with staff to see what options we have to address
[2:17:05] some of these concerns. I did convey to the residents
[2:17:07] though in terms of the development planned in the area
[2:17:10] that we do have a process here at the municipality
[2:17:13] where, um, the applicant would have to come before Council
[2:17:16] would be seeking first and second reading. And there would
[2:17:18] be a public hearing process for that as well. But
[2:17:20] I have encouraged residents reach out to individual members accounts.
[2:17:25] So if you'd like to share your feedback, um, have
[2:17:27] also advised something that they can apply as a delegation
[2:17:29] to present to us. So if you hear from some
[2:17:31] of the folks in that area, just, yeah, giving you,
[2:17:34] uh, warning that I've encouraged them to reach out to
[2:17:37] individually. And then finally, uh, last week I had a
[2:17:41] chance to join the, uh, team at the Salmonas Marsh
[2:17:44] Wildlife Society. So as Council's aware, um, for the past
[2:17:47] decade, they've had a problem with parrots feather. So this
[2:17:50] is a plant originally from the Amazon that people often
[2:17:53] use in their aquariums. And we assume at some point
[2:17:56] somebody must have dumped what was in their aquarium into
[2:17:59] Salmano's Creek. And it's created a major infestation. The length
[2:18:04] of the creek all the way down to Lake Stroh
[2:18:07] Bridge to Zahalum Bridge. And then from there to the
[2:18:09] couch and river. Um, it's become like it was getting
[2:18:14] worse and worse every year. Um, going back, I believe
[2:18:16] it was in 2023. The Salmonos Marsh Society really put
[2:18:19] a lot of effort into cleaning that up. And so
[2:18:22] they, um, they basically cut about a two metre channel,
[2:18:26] the length of most of Sominus Creek from the Zohalim
[2:18:29] Road Bridge all the way to the Son of those
[2:18:31] lake itself, which is important for the fish population. It's
[2:18:34] very labour intensive, but has been effective. And, um, yeah,
[2:18:38] I managed to join them that morning. We got about
[2:18:40] 12 totes of parrots feather out of the creek. And
[2:18:43] if any members, the counts are interested in getting out
[2:18:45] there one morning and volunteering, it's, um, it's worthwhile, uh,
[2:18:50] and they'd love to have you out there. So I
[2:18:52] concluded my mayor's report. If we can now move on
[2:18:56] to public input. So as Council is aware we allow
[2:19:00] a maximum of five speakers or three minutes each, but
[2:19:05] we've always been quite flexible around that row. We do
[2:19:07] have eight people who have signed up. And I like
[2:19:09] to give them all a chance to address counsel if
[2:19:12] that's okay with everyone around this table. We did have
[2:19:14] another individual who missed the cutoff by five minutes and
[2:19:18] is asked if he could speak as well. So if
[2:19:20] that's okay with counts, I'm going to allow him as
[2:19:22] well. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Okay. So we've got nine
[2:19:27] speakers then. Start from the top here. Casey Brandt could
[2:19:31] come up to the podium. State your address. And it's
[2:19:35] three minutes. You're going to have. Just right there. And
[2:19:42] you're going to want to hit the button to turn
[2:19:44] the mic on. Hello. So I'm Casey Brandt. I live
[2:19:51] at 1458 Adelaide Street. And I'm here to talk a
[2:19:55] bit the zoning amendment bylaw that's up for adoption this
[2:19:59] evening, uh, 407 one. So that's for a rezoning on
[2:20:03] Adelaide Street. And I got a notification about this rezoning
[2:20:09] on about June 3rd. And it was mentioning dividing it
[2:20:13] to 18 lots. But digging a little further, which wasn't
[2:20:17] actually on that first piece of paper was that the
[2:20:20] intention is to build up to 57 or approximately 57
[2:20:24] townhouses. So that's a significantly higher density. That then is
[2:20:28] in the region currently in this area. And I understand
[2:20:33] from Bill 44 that there isn't a requirement for a
[2:20:37] public hearing on this development. However, it does need to
[2:20:41] comply with the official community plan. Um, and also fit
[2:20:45] with what the community desires, uh, staff had identified in
[2:20:49] the report that it doesn't meet all of the, uh,
[2:20:51] criteria for the local area of plan. And in speaking
[2:20:56] with some neighbours, um, the people that I've had the
[2:21:00] chance to talk to, um, the concerns. Chiefly, we don't
[2:21:04] really have an idea of what this looks like. There's
[2:21:06] no, you know, the drawings. There's no details on what
[2:21:09] the final thing will look like. They're also concerns around
[2:21:12] the impact on traffic on Adelaide Street. The amount of
[2:21:16] parking availability school capacity. Impact on people's taxes.
[2:21:25] So, um, I've been away for five the last 10
[2:21:29] weeks. I haven't had a lot of time to talk
[2:21:30] to people, but I feel like there's not broad support.
[2:21:36] Maybe that's overstating it. I've only really talked to you
[2:21:38] about 12 people representing 12 households. So it's not a
[2:21:41] lot. But I think if I had the chance to
[2:21:43] talk to more people, if more people were aware of
[2:21:46] the density being proposed here, um, there might be more
[2:21:49] concerns about it. That's all. Right. Thank you. When did
[2:21:58] I move on to the next speaker? Charlene Chuai from
[2:22:01] Sweeney Road. You can come up the podium. You see
[2:22:05] your dress.
[2:22:35] I forget it's really in chewy. I live next door
[2:22:39] to eight six four one. Um, who is trying to
[2:22:43] change some amendments of the two acres that we live
[2:22:47] on. And, uh, I was told it was going to
[2:22:51] be like a cottage size home. And I just found
[2:22:55] out that's going to be like 940 square foot plus
[2:22:58] a garage or a carport or something like that. So
[2:23:02] I think my concerns are, um, on the size location
[2:23:06] and water. Um, we're very limited to water where we
[2:23:10] live right now because we're all on wells. And will
[2:23:15] this set up a president's for our quiet neighbourhood. This
[2:23:19] is why we've moved here for the room and space
[2:23:21] without a neighbour nearby. For less dense neighbourhood. This would
[2:23:27] take away all of this that we have up here.
[2:23:30] That's the reason we've moved up here. I don't know
[2:23:33] what the specs are for house sizes, what we're allowed.
[2:23:37] Or, you know, the location he's trying to move. And,
[2:23:41] um, I would just like to know more about it.
[2:23:45] Okay. Thank you. Thank you. And we don't, uh, normally
[2:23:52] answer questions during public input, but we will get to
[2:23:54] the site em later on in the agenda. And we
[2:23:57] can always ask staff provide a bit of an overview.
[2:23:59] All right, and next I'd like to welcome up Brian
[2:24:01] Bowl. Mr. Bull, if you come up with the podium,
[2:24:03] state your address. Good evening.
[2:24:13] Brian Bull 5877 Jane's Road. I'm here to speak on
[2:24:17] the motion 12. 2. The letter to be sent or
[2:24:22] asked to be sent to the minister of forest regarding
[2:24:24] manufacturing in the valley. Um, like I said, we've watched
[2:24:28] jobs erode from the valley. You know, she may have
[2:24:31] sawmill temporarily curtailed since June. Crofting go down, you know,
[2:24:37] 400 plus jobs. Now Couching Bay is down temporarily curtailed
[2:24:41] until the end of the year. So as far as
[2:24:44] supports from any of federal or provincial governments, it's been
[2:24:49] nil. Lots of talk, no problem, you know, no problems
[2:24:53] as, um, through working with the mill response group. We've
[2:24:56] had, you know, a little bit of traction. But I
[2:25:00] think, you know, listening to what the representative from Western
[2:25:03] forest products and Dom Turbo said that mayors and councils
[2:25:07] in all, you know, towns have a lot of power.
[2:25:10] And right now, I think if we can find a
[2:25:12] way to find support for some form of manufacturing throughout,
[2:25:17] you know, and this motion is just a stepping stone
[2:25:19] towards that would be helpful for the people in the
[2:25:22] valley. Because, you know, like I said, with all these
[2:25:26] jobs that are gone, they're all high paying jobs. They
[2:25:28] all pay taxes and people are having to leave. You
[2:25:31] know, the lots of young guys that are moving to
[2:25:33] Alberta, they have no choice. Um, the mining sector with
[2:25:37] what Mayor Douglas mentioned earlier is an option, but still
[2:25:41] families are going to have to be disrupted with that.
[2:25:43] So, you know, writing a letter to, you know, the
[2:25:47] forest minister and asking to have, you know, have local
[2:25:50] governments having input. I think would be, you know, very
[2:25:53] easy. Um, it's a letter. But we as a, as
[2:25:58] a town, you know, and all the towns up and
[2:26:00] down the island in the interior. We have to start
[2:26:02] doing something. Because right now nothing is being done. You
[2:26:06] know, like I said, the disruption of what's happened in
[2:26:09] the last year in this valley is, you know, is
[2:26:11] quite immense and it's, but it's everywhere in the interior,
[2:26:15] a hundred mile house terrace. It goes on and on
[2:26:17] and on. And, you know, I think as Mayor and
[2:26:20] Council, we, you know, again, sending a letter to the,
[2:26:24] to the ministry is a simple way. But, you know,
[2:26:27] trying to get some support for the workers that are
[2:26:29] here. Because like I said earlier, there has been no
[2:26:32] support. Through federal supports or provincial support. So anything that,
[2:26:37] you know, the local group can do would be very
[2:26:38] helpful. So. Uh, but, uh, yeah, that's all I got.
[2:26:43] Great. Thank you. Then move on to the next speaker,
[2:26:48] uh, Cepan Bupari. I'm going to come at the podium
[2:26:51] state your address. Good afternoon Mayor Council. Thank you. My
[2:26:59] name is Hop and Bopry. And I'm born and raised
[2:27:02] on the island. And I've watched too many of my
[2:27:04] friends have to leave. Good people who wanted to stay,
[2:27:07] but couldn't afford to buy a home here. So they
[2:27:10] had to move away, a place with they grew up,
[2:27:12] away from their families. And lost. That's a loss for
[2:27:14] this community feels, even we don't name it. I've been
[2:27:19] fortunate. I have found a partner who's been developing on
[2:27:20] this island from 40 years who gently wants to give
[2:27:23] back to the community. And that gave him so much.
[2:27:27] There isn't one single development that he can't walk through
[2:27:29] with his head held high. Places where people come out
[2:27:33] still to say hello to him. Some of the projects
[2:27:35] are held up as a standard right next door in
[2:27:37] the CVRD. That's the caliber of the builder standing behind
[2:27:40] this project. He builds quality. He stands behind what he
[2:27:45] does. And that's exactly the standard we're building and bringing
[2:27:48] to North Country. I think it is very easy to
[2:27:51] speak and say the other people upset about this development.
[2:27:55] But I think we need to look at the options
[2:27:56] for young people to be able to step in and
[2:27:58] have a chance at ownership. What we're building on out
[2:28:02] of lane street is a real opportunity for space for
[2:28:04] young families to put down roots and a real chance
[2:28:06] for ownership. Who thought that doorhead closed. It's not only
[2:28:11] young people. We've designed this development deliberately for older couples
[2:28:15] looking to downsize as well. To stay in the community,
[2:28:17] they lived in for decades close to their families and
[2:28:20] in homes that fits the stage of their life. We
[2:28:22] did this by staying true to the local area plan.
[2:28:24] And that's what we talk about the middle missing. Housing
[2:28:28] housing. It also creates a new tax base that helps
[2:28:30] to spread the loan and the ease pressure against the
[2:28:35] existing taxpayers across North Couchen. This is the kind of
[2:28:39] project I want my name on and I'm grateful for
[2:28:41] the support in adopting this tonight. Thank you. Thank you.
[2:28:48] I move on to the next speaker, Stephen Volker. I
[2:28:50] believe it's participating online. If you want to state your
[2:28:52] address.
[2:29:02] Mr. Volker. Oh. I'm on. That's okay.
[2:29:21] Mr. Volker. Can you hear me now. Yeah. We can
[2:29:27] hear you now if you want to state your address.
[2:29:29] And jump right into it. Oh yes, excuse me. Yes.
[2:29:32] I was having difficulty figuring out the control system here.
[2:29:35] Uh, good evening Mayor Douglas and councillors. My name is
[2:29:38] Steven Volcker and I live at 2217 Tarn Place. I'd
[2:29:42] first like to address agenda item 9. 1 concerning developer
[2:29:47] donations and disclosure of developer meetings. Public trusting government is
[2:29:53] critical in a democracy. It can be lost very quickly.
[2:29:57] And takes years to rebuild. Over the past number of
[2:30:01] years. There's been a growing perception that Special Interests have
[2:30:05] the inside track. That their needs weigh more heavily than
[2:30:09] the publics. Transparency helped to combat that perception. Echoing this,
[2:30:16] we find that on this year's municipal satisfaction survey, residents
[2:30:22] highest need for information from the municipality. Was for transparency
[2:30:27] and accountability. The two highest needs for information after that
[2:30:35] were regarding building projects and new developments. And finally municipal
[2:30:40] planning. Given the many millions of dollars in profits that
[2:30:45] new buildings and new developments represent two developers and the
[2:30:49] real estate industry, it's important that the municipality set a
[2:30:54] high standard of reporting and disclosures from Council members. Item
[2:30:59] 9. 1 does just that. I hope all of you
[2:31:03] will vote for it tonight. The second item I wish
[2:31:07] to address concerns item 12. 2 support for a Vancouver
[2:31:13] Island value added wood manufacturing strategy. Councillor Justice makes admirable
[2:31:21] suggestions to protect our local workers in the wood manufacturing
[2:31:25] industry. In North Cowlican, we have seen several hundred mail
[2:31:31] workers lose their jobs due to closure of the crafted
[2:31:35] mill. We need to bring more innovation to this sector.
[2:31:39] To save and add jobs. Through time and by banding
[2:31:44] together, laid off workers and others may find the job
[2:31:49] opportunities of the future. This is critical. For our municipality.
[2:31:55] Please approve this worthy motion. Thank you. Thank you. We'll
[2:32:01] now move on to the next speaker, Dexter Williams. If
[2:32:03] you want to come up the podium, stay your dress.
[2:32:12] Good evening. You're Douglas and members of Council. Dexter Williams.
[2:32:19] Six, seven, seven two, leakfront drive. I'm here on behalf
[2:32:23] of the ownership group of Adalil Street Project. We've worked
[2:32:27] hard with North Couch and staff to bring forward a
[2:32:30] well - planned residential development that will believe that we
[2:32:34] have a positive addition to Crofton. Crofton needs new housing.
[2:32:39] And different housing. Choices for families, working people and people
[2:32:44] who want to remain in the community. The project represents
[2:32:47] a significant private investment in Crofton. And will create a
[2:32:51] construction activity. Most importantly. Much needed new homes. Understanding the
[2:33:00] changes can create concerns in the neighbourhood. We are respectful
[2:33:05] for those concerns. We work through the municipalities process with
[2:33:09] continuous work with North Couch into address requirements associated with
[2:33:12] development. We believe this is a good project for Crofton.
[2:33:16] I respectfully ask the Council to be support of this.
[2:33:19] Thank you. Thank you. When I move on to the
[2:33:23] next speaker, Joyce Benson. If you want to come out
[2:33:25] for the podium, stay your address. Yes, good afternoon, Mayor
[2:33:33] and Council, Joyce Benson, drinkwater Road, North Collegean. And I'm
[2:33:37] referring to items, agenda items 4. 2. 4. 5 and.
[2:33:42] 6. And, uh, what these are is, um, they are
[2:33:47] requests for support letters from other local governments in British
[2:33:51] Columbia, Central District of Central Okanagan, the village of Slocan,
[2:33:56] and City of Salmon Arm in one refers to the
[2:34:01] Part of Municipality of Senate as well. So the request
[2:34:04] that they put forward is that the province of BC
[2:34:08] confirm for the consistent, continuous funding for the LG CAP,
[2:34:13] which is the local government climate action program. This is
[2:34:18] taxpayers money. And I'm going to bring up the fact
[2:34:21] that with that, the municipality of North Couchn has been
[2:34:25] charging tax to us taxpayers, same people, uh, for 14
[2:34:31] years, 13 and a half years now since 2014, calling
[2:34:35] at the Climate Action Energy Plan. The Reserve Fund in
[2:34:38] 2025 for the CAPE. So this isn't a question. It's
[2:34:42] putting it forward. This seems to be a double whammy,
[2:34:47] and I'm not sure. Anyway, North Cowlicks Reserve Fund for
[2:34:52] the Climate Action Energy Planet, the start of 2025 was
[2:34:55] almost, well, it's three quarters of a million dollars, 721,
[2:34:59] 000 plus, and they spent about 570, 000 last year.
[2:35:05] To do with climate action. And now this year, the
[2:35:08] 2026 Climate Action Reserve Fund starts at, part of me,
[2:35:13] will end at 320, 000 gathering about 170, 000. Lots
[2:35:17] of money is going through this. And my question is,
[2:35:21] are, it's not a question, I'm sorry. My point is,
[2:35:25] really, are we being taxed locally as well as provincially.
[2:35:30] And now both, I read the same day that I
[2:35:32] read this agenda. Item, that North Couch and is putting
[2:35:36] out for local community grant applications for funding. With our
[2:35:43] tax dollars. And anyway, I'm just saying, this seems to
[2:35:47] be double whammy, double all over the place. And I'm
[2:35:50] just addressing it as a very strong concern. Thank you.
[2:35:54] Thank you. Now move on to the next speaker, Karen
[2:36:00] Ungrin. If you want to come up with podium, state
[2:36:01] your address. Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is
[2:36:10] Kieran Ungrund. I'm speaking in support of the Transparency Motion
[2:36:14] tonight, item 9. 1. I want to start with the
[2:36:18] number. In the 2025 Edelman Tress Barometers, Canada Report, 62
[2:36:23] percent of Canadians said they hold a moderate or high
[2:36:26] sense of grievance toward government and business. A belief that
[2:36:29] both serve narrow interests over the publics. To illustrate that,
[2:36:37] I'm not sure that the crowd here tonight is necessarily
[2:36:40] Representative of the General Population that comes. They're evenings at
[2:36:43] Council meetings, but that would mean like roughly this half
[2:36:46] of the room. As the Edelman CO Bianca Friedman put
[2:36:52] it, trust is not a passive asset. It's earned through
[2:36:55] both ethical leadership and demonstratable competence at every level. Sustainational
[2:37:01] number, but it lands close to home. This Council referred
[2:37:04] this donation's meetings disclosure policy staff last September, and it's
[2:37:09] only coming back for review now. A separate gift in
[2:37:12] Hospitality question was raised in relation to the use of
[2:37:15] a vehicle by Council, which was noted by the CAO,
[2:37:19] as noted and under review, but no result has ever
[2:37:21] been made public. I'm not alleging wrongdoing, but what I
[2:37:25] am saying is that these are exactly the gaps that
[2:37:28] a road confidence and this motion can start to close
[2:37:31] them. Concerns about donations by developers with live applications coming
[2:37:36] before Council have been noted by others in previous meetings
[2:37:40] and questioned. So tonight I'm asking you to support the
[2:37:44] disclosure policy. Public disclosure of developer donations, a public meeting
[2:37:50] slog, and real consideration of Recusil. Are the basics of
[2:37:55] restoring trust. I'm also asking you to go one step
[2:37:58] further tonight. Shine the same lens on the gifts policy
[2:38:03] in the standards of conduct. As those caps mean very
[2:38:07] little without a matching public disclosure requirement. Pair this motion
[2:38:12] with a companions gift disclosure policies so the two can
[2:38:15] work together. This won't fix trust overnight. Nothing will, but
[2:38:20] it is a real and concrete step and it's one
[2:38:22] that you have the power to make tonight. Thank you.
[2:38:26] Thank you. We'll now move on to the last speaker,
[2:38:29] Peter Russland. If you want to come up with a
[2:38:31] podium, state your address.
[2:38:48] Thanks for your patience and slipping me in at the
[2:38:52] last minute. Uh, your worship. Hence my disheveled appearance. I
[2:38:58] usually shave before I come to the Council. Um. I'm
[2:39:03] going to, I just want to say a couple things
[2:39:05] about 13. 1 and 13 and 9. 1. 13. 14,
[2:39:11] sorry. I am Peter Russland at 5807 banks Road North
[2:39:15] Cowching. Um, regarding 13. 1, I would wholeheartedly, uh, support
[2:39:24] our staff, uh, yourself and Council Aristh to look at
[2:39:30] the folly and the risks of allowing AI centres and
[2:39:38] other data centres into North Cowlican for severe, uh, environmental
[2:39:43] problems, noise, water, uh, power use. Uh, loss of farmland,
[2:39:49] et cetera, that, uh, will not, as far as I
[2:39:53] know, fed into ROCP anywhere. Hence a honing bylaw amendment.
[2:39:57] So I would urge Council to support that. And I
[2:40:01] know you do have to collect all information. Uh, and
[2:40:04] consider all information. We make a decisions. Um, moving on
[2:40:08] to night point one, your worship, uh, again, uh, strongly
[2:40:13] support the concerns of Mr. Volcker. And Corrine about, um,
[2:40:21] policy 9. 1 about, um, campaign donations, which as we
[2:40:27] all know, are also covered under elections BC. And the,
[2:40:32] uh, the Recus in voting, if the, uh, quote, a
[2:40:40] real or perceived bias in decision making, uh, many folks
[2:40:45] in this valley, including myself, have, uh, have ascertained a
[2:40:50] real or perceived bias in some decision making around this
[2:40:53] table. Um, by, uh, councillors Finley Hogg, Madhouse and Calio.
[2:41:00] Um, particularly, uh, so I would urge Council to definitely
[2:41:06] all of Council to boost, trust in our, our government,
[2:41:12] uh, and pass this policy that, as Karen just said,
[2:41:15] uh, was tabled a year ago, uh, when, um, part
[2:41:20] of it was at staff had to look into a
[2:41:22] few things. I remember Councillor Finley, one thing he wanted
[2:41:27] was staff to look into the definition of developer. Um,
[2:41:31] even though he is one. So I would, uh, again,
[2:41:34] urge Council to unannisfully unanimously. Past 9. 1. Thanks for
[2:41:41] worship. Thank you. That concludes public input. We're now going
[2:41:46] to move on to delegations. We've got, uh, first, a
[2:41:49] delegation from the Couch Valley Cooperative Marketplace. I'd like to
[2:41:53] welcome up Lauren Bosch and John Morton with the podium.
[2:42:02] Welcome. Uh, hi, thank you for having us, Council. It's
[2:42:06] a pleasure to be here, especially, um, myself being a
[2:42:10] new farmer in this valley, North Couch has been nothing
[2:42:14] but supportive of us since we got here. Uh, but
[2:42:17] I am here today to talk about the Couch and
[2:42:21] Valley online cooperative marketplace, uh, which is a organisation that
[2:42:28] many of you may know. We'll go to the next
[2:42:33] slide here. Here we go. Yeah. Um, so the, the
[2:42:40] co - op, uh, is, is basically the food hub
[2:42:44] of the Cowwichon Valley. It's a nonprofit cooperative that runs
[2:42:50] a weekly online farmers market, uh, it connects 70 plus
[2:42:54] local farmers and food producers directly with customers across the
[2:42:58] Couch and Valley, uh, our mission is to strengthen local
[2:43:01] food resilience by helping farmers reach more customers, grow sales
[2:43:05] and keep local food producing and producing and thriving in
[2:43:09] our valley. Since 2015, uh, we've fulfilled over 30,
[2:43:19] 000 orders, um, and we support an estimated 180 jobs,
[2:43:25] uh, through co - op sales on the producer side,
[2:43:29] the farming side, uh, the logistic side, uh, we have
[2:43:34] over 70 farmers and food producers currently selling on co
[2:43:38] - op, uh, and distributing their food and products all
[2:43:42] across the valley. And we roughly have a blended sales
[2:43:46] margin of about 32 percent as of 2024. I'd like
[2:43:55] to talk a little bit about why food security matters
[2:43:59] now and how we have been contributing it since opening
[2:44:03] our doors in 2015. We believe that, uh, a resilient
[2:44:09] local food system is essential infrastructure. We're all aware of
[2:44:15] global food systems becoming increasingly disrupted, destabilized. We're all aware
[2:44:23] of rising costs, supply chain disruptions and how they affect
[2:44:28] everyone. Um, and we believe supporting local farms and producers
[2:44:32] strengthens our regional food resilience. And cow up also makes
[2:44:38] sure that local dollars stay within our regional economy. Just
[2:44:47] a quick note on the problem we're solving and helping
[2:44:50] local farms access modern markets. It might not come to
[2:44:59] a surprise to people that, uh, some of the most
[2:45:02] excellent farmers, uh, are not always the best marketers or
[2:45:07] tech people, um, as we know, uh, markets sales are
[2:45:13] increasingly going online the forms in which people are, uh,
[2:45:19] buying and selling is, is changing at a rapid pace,
[2:45:23] uh, but cow - op has them covered with online
[2:45:26] sales marketing product photography, customer communication, uh, weekly delivery logistics
[2:45:33] and inventory management. Quick overview of our sales, our
[2:45:43] revenues since, uh, 2018. Cow - up was here for
[2:45:49] the community, uh, during the COVID - 19 pandemic, uh,
[2:45:54] our salespeak. justunder half a million. And we've slowly over
[2:46:00] time been stabilizing ourselves in the market, uh, with, uh,
[2:46:05] just over a quarter million dollars in sales as of
[2:46:10] 2025. We did a survey, um, that included, uh,
[2:46:20] producers and how CAOP was supporting their businesses.
[2:46:30] Would have a significant impact on their business. And 66
[2:46:35] percent said permanent closure would have a significant impact on
[2:46:39] their business. It's worth noting here that co - op
[2:46:42] has been making meaningful differences for farmers and local food
[2:46:44] producers for over a decade. And the Cowwich and Valley.
[2:46:52] 2026 is a new growth phase for us. This year
[2:46:58] we have new board leadership renewed energy, added sales, uh,
[2:47:04] with marketing and promotional expertise. We've launched direct producer outreach,
[2:47:10] uh, called Coop Source, which I'll touch on on the
[2:47:13] following slides. We're undergoing customer reactivation, calls and emails or
[2:47:20] organising, um, major sales. We'll have a presence at the
[2:47:24] Cobble Hill Fair this weekend. Um, we've launched producer photography
[2:47:30] and storytelling sessions. We've planned radio content and event -
[2:47:35] based promotion and strengthened partnerships with local agricultural organisations like
[2:47:40] the Cowwich and Agricultural Society. I want to talk to
[2:47:46] everyone a little bit about Cow - op - sourced.
[2:47:50] So traditionally the way Cow - Up works is producers
[2:47:56] will come online and use our platform called local food
[2:48:02] marketplace to list their products and what they have available
[2:48:07] on a weekly basis. Uh, it does take a little
[2:48:11] bit of understanding on, you know, how platforms and sales
[2:48:17] databases work. Co - op source is a program where
[2:48:22] really trying to, uh, bolster this year, which is just
[2:48:26] direct outreach and purchasing of local produce local food to
[2:48:33] farmers and producers who just don't have the time or
[2:48:37] the means or the knowledge to navigate an online, um,
[2:48:43] marketplace or inventory themselves. And it's been very successful this
[2:48:47] year so far. So this would mean that, you know,
[2:48:52] for example, our neighbour, Tommy Evans, who some of us
[2:48:56] are probably familiar with. If he's going to grow, you
[2:48:59] know, 30 acres of corn, uh, cow up would be
[2:49:02] there for him to help move all that corn. And,
[2:49:06] uh, that guy knows how to grow corn. Municipal support.
[2:49:14] Will help CowP continue building momentum and scale regional impact.
[2:49:22] In 2026, uh, we are seeking support toward producer onboarding.
[2:49:27] So finding new farmers, new producers that we can help,
[2:49:32] uh, distribute and purchase, uh, produce their products, what they're
[2:49:37] growing. Uh, continued customer reactivation to remind people in the
[2:49:43] Cowwich and Valley region that we exist. We are available
[2:49:47] and we have the capacity and availability to deliver fresh
[2:49:51] locally grown food to them every week. We're seeking support
[2:49:56] to expand our cow op sourced program. Uh, expand our
[2:50:00] regional food distribution and logistics. Um, expanding our ability to
[2:50:07] support farmers and producers with marketing content, photography, uh, and
[2:50:12] producer promotion. And, uh, just general marketplace growth and customer
[2:50:17] acquisition. There's a lot of, uh, people in the Cowwich
[2:50:21] and Valley who I'm always surprised are not aware of
[2:50:25] CoWP. And I love talking about it. Um, quick kind
[2:50:31] of overview of financial challenges. So since 2024, we have
[2:50:37] seen a 30 percent decrease in sales, which we've bolstered
[2:50:42] with.
[2:51:00] We've also seen a 14, 000 dollar average loss, but
[2:51:05] we've, we've been seeing increase in net profit. Um, since
[2:51:12] 2024. Uh, this year, co - ops working to raise
[2:51:19] 20, 000, 20, 000 dollars to support this next phase
[2:51:23] of regional, uh, growth in our food system. Any investment
[2:51:30] is vital to local farmers, um, giving them access to
[2:51:34] direct markets for their products. Um, investments don't just support
[2:51:39] farmers. They strengthen our local food system. And by choosing
[2:51:43] local, we ensure more dollars stay within our community. Supporting
[2:51:48] small skill farmers and producers and fortifying supply chains contributes
[2:51:52] to food resilience and reduces reliance on distant food sources,
[2:51:57] especially during crisis, both local and abroad. We believe in
[2:52:06] building a stronger local food future together. We see farmers
[2:52:14] stepping up. We're just at time to lost counts of
[2:52:17] the week, extend another minute. Is that okay? Yeah. You
[2:52:21] just wrap up in the next minute. Oh my God.
[2:52:23] I'm on the second last slide. Thank you so much.
[2:52:29] Sorry, I skipped ahead. Um, just the last part is
[2:52:33] to say that, uh, farmers are stepping up. Our producers
[2:52:36] are stepping up. Customers are returning. The board is stepping
[2:52:39] up and we, we really feel the momentum. And we're
[2:52:43] asking local municipalities to partner with us to support cow
[2:52:46] up as a shared regional food infrastructure. That strengthens local
[2:52:51] farms food security and community resilience. Thank you so much.
[2:52:55] Great. Thank you. I'll turn to Council any questions or
[2:52:59] comments. Council justice. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thank you
[2:53:04] for your presentation. Um, as you probably know, we're in
[2:53:08] the midst of North Cowching of developing an agriculture and
[2:53:12] food security strategic plan with the assistance of our agriculture
[2:53:17] and advisory committee. Two of whom happened to be here
[2:53:20] in the audience. Mr. Derek Maslink and Mr. Don Allelingham.
[2:53:26] But anyways, part of that processors will be a community
[2:53:28] engagement starting in the fall after the elections. Um, I
[2:53:35] would hope and encourage your organisation to fully participate in
[2:53:39] that engagement and to contribute your knowledge and perspective to
[2:53:43] the development of the plan. Also, the committee meets four
[2:53:49] times a year. I think the next one will be
[2:53:51] in November and I would suggest that you maybe consider
[2:53:56] attending those meetings as an observer just to get a
[2:53:59] perspective on, on what's going on. Absolutely. Thank you. That's,
[2:54:04] that's fantastic. Councillor Stache. Thank you Mayor. Thanks for the
[2:54:10] presentation, John Lauren. Uh, just trying to remember from our,
[2:54:14] uh, tours we've had with the support we've done for
[2:54:18] Couch and Green Community. Just one other saying that there's
[2:54:21] some partnerships working there for our, our support of Couch
[2:54:24] and Green Community. Is it supporting COP. No. So, uh,
[2:54:30] the Cow - up was born out of Couching Green
[2:54:34] Communities back in 2015. But since then, they've become two
[2:54:38] completely separate organisations. We do hope to one day move
[2:54:45] into the space that they're working to develop. But we're
[2:54:50] just not sure of the future of that. Um, we
[2:54:53] also are collaborating on using the, uh, CGC van for
[2:54:57] deliveries every Thursday because they've got a van that's able
[2:55:02] to cool produce as we're delivering it. So there's lots
[2:55:05] of collaborations between the two. But as of now, we're,
[2:55:10] we're two separate organisations. Okay. Thanks for that. The reason
[2:55:14] I ask, and it's, it's great seeing that after you
[2:55:17] is Cowwich and Valley Basket Society, because they had a
[2:55:20] letter or a previous council meeting. And I asked what
[2:55:24] synergies are there. Like they're expanding their facility while we
[2:55:27] just supported a Coyote and Green Community expand their facility.
[2:55:30] And now the co - op is asking for help
[2:55:32] and it's be great to help everybody. Is there some
[2:55:35] way we can collectively bring everybody together? That's maybe a
[2:55:38] pie in the sky discussion, but that's kind of where
[2:55:41] I was thinking as you were presenting. And I've gone
[2:55:44] through the website previously on the CVRD. I've gotten the
[2:55:47] book and everything. And it's pretty amazing. It's not just
[2:55:49] food on there. So well done to everybody involved. Yeah.
[2:55:52] Thank you so much. I fully agree with you. There's,
[2:55:56] there's a lot of people that understand the nuance of
[2:55:59] the two organisations more than I do. But I fully
[2:56:05] agree. There needs to be more synergy between these organisations
[2:56:09] because we're so much stronger together than separately. Council Manass.
[2:56:17] Thank you, Ms. Mayor. Thank you for your presentation. Um.
[2:56:21] As I see a you're a broker between the farmer
[2:56:23] and the end user. That's right. That's right. Yeah. We
[2:56:26] have a market manager. Zach, he does all the, uh,
[2:56:31] he receives all the deliveries that farmers come to drop
[2:56:35] off at our head office at Providence Valley Farm every
[2:56:38] Wednesday. And he coordinates the deliveries. So what is your
[2:56:42] markup in order to operate your organisation? Yeah. So, so
[2:56:48] for local farms, it's as low as 15 percent. That's
[2:56:56] local food. That is produced within the Cowwich and Valley
[2:56:59] is our lowest markup. Um, and then as we kind
[2:57:03] of move outside, we have some products that we feature
[2:57:06] on cow - up that are outside of the Cow
[2:57:08] - and - Valley region. Um, the markup could be
[2:57:11] as high as 25 percent. Um, have different parameters
[2:57:22] as high up as 32 percent But we try to
[2:57:25] keep the margins as low as possible Uh, and the
[2:57:29] margins are really just there to maintain the operational costs
[2:57:34] of the cooperative. What are your rich margins 32 percent.
[2:57:42] Yeah. Thank you both for the the presentation. Z pointed
[2:57:50] out You've got a lot of farmers here in the
[2:57:52] couch and region who depend on this service and is
[2:57:57] clearly a lot of potential to grow is more and
[2:57:59] more folks doing their shopping online Um, we do I
[2:58:03] met with miss Bosch earlier this year and did mention
[2:58:06] we have a grant and aid program that we award
[2:58:09] grants to different community organisations every year They're modest amounts
[2:58:13] of funding, but, um, would encourage you to apply for
[2:58:15] that So that this counts or that the next Council
[2:58:18] is going to have a close look at it We
[2:58:19] have in the past supported different agriculture focused initiatives Um,
[2:58:25] as councillor justice noted he chairs the agricultural advisor Committee
[2:58:28] and it'd be great to see you deliver the same
[2:58:30] presentation of those folks most of whom are local farmers
[2:58:34] and are going to be playing a big role in
[2:58:35] the development of our new strategic Uh, cultural and food
[2:58:39] security plan So I'm going to turn to our corporate
[2:58:41] officer and just ask what is the best way to
[2:58:44] make sure that the team from CoWP here gets to
[2:58:46] present to that committee Would that be referral from Council.
[2:58:51] Um, we can just reach I mean I have your
[2:58:54] contact information We can just coordinate that if that's Council's
[2:58:57] wish. Alright CNeding. All right. Thank Council Rustache Just real
[2:59:04] quick mayor of staff could just being that the opportunity
[2:59:06] there you said When's the submissions for grant nades start.
[2:59:10] Because it's in the fall typically Yeah, I think October
[2:59:12] 15th, but we can confirm that. Yeah I believe it's
[2:59:18] October 15th I believe I sent Ms. Bosch the link
[2:59:21] for it So they're going to have the information. Alright,
[2:59:23] great Well, thanks again Thank you so much for the
[2:59:26] time to let us talk to you guys about Cow
[2:59:29] - up. I appreciate it. Alright, we're now going to
[2:59:34] move on to our next Delegation from the Couch and
[2:59:37] Valley Basket Society I'd like to welcome up Henry Wickrink
[2:59:40] and Alan Brakefield to the podium. Mayor Douglas and Councillor
[2:59:49] Malenbreakfield on the board chair at the Basket Society. Thank
[2:59:53] you for receiving our letter last month and your many
[2:59:55] kind words that you said during the Council meeting It
[2:59:58] was really a positive experience And thank you for this
[3:00:02] time that you've given us to talk about a practical
[3:00:06] investment in food security that will serve our community with
[3:00:09] greater Uh, greater dignity and capacity both today and well
[3:00:12] into the future. Um, you can see up on the
[3:00:15] screen a picture of our proposed building. Um. The next
[3:00:20] slide. Went past.
[3:00:32] Okay, there we go. Alright. We began as a small
[3:00:36] volunteer driven community initiative and the late 80s and became
[3:00:39] a non - profit society in 1997. Over the years
[3:00:42] we've grown into the one of valleys Ki food security
[3:00:45] organisation And we continue to adapt as a knees arise.
[3:00:49] This is only possible because of our community our volunteers,
[3:00:54] our staff, our donors, our grocery stores, farms and many
[3:00:57] community partners who've stepped up over the years. We started
[3:01:00] on Evan Street, moved to Garden Street in later purchased
[3:01:04] that property. Uh, and then acquired the building next door
[3:01:07] so we now have two properties that we've joined into
[3:01:09] one on garden street. Two years ago the board announced
[3:01:13] a multi - phase Uh, redevelopment of the site Phase
[3:01:16] one was completed last year. Where we connected the two
[3:01:19] buildings together creating new lobby and bringing all of our
[3:01:23] services onto the main level. Now we're moving on to
[3:01:26] phase two A new food sorting in storage facility with
[3:01:29] construction Hopefully beginning next year. Our approach is simple at
[3:01:35] Country Valley Basket Society, people come first. Our hope is
[3:01:39] that every person coming through our doors will feel welcomed
[3:01:41] as they be treated with dignity and respect Our goal
[3:01:44] is to provide a safe non - judgmental Environment for
[3:01:47] both our guest involunteers We do more than handout food
[3:01:51] hampers serve hot lunches and daily meals We've created a
[3:01:56] place to be where people can find comfort Connection and
[3:01:59] care Every month we recover thousands of pounds of food
[3:02:04] That's... that might otherwise have become waste partnering with local
[3:02:08] grocery stores farms and donors But doing all of that
[3:02:11] requires space. And that's why we're here tonight So I'm
[3:02:14] going to turn it over to Henry Uh... And he'll
[3:02:16] give you some more details about what we're doing. Thank
[3:02:20] you for allowing us to come here tonight. The next
[3:02:23] slide here really shows you some of the things that
[3:02:26] have been happening in the last number of years I
[3:02:28] mean across the country we've hear the increase in food
[3:02:31] insecurity, the number of families that are struggling And we're
[3:02:34] no different here in the College of Valley You can
[3:02:36] see in 2023 or 2700, 19 families who served out
[3:02:40] of the Food Ampers were distributed during that 12 -
[3:02:43] month period from September 1st October 31st And you can
[3:02:46] see the growth on that to this year, at the
[3:02:48] end of this month of predicting Closed in 880. 800
[3:02:52] hampers Which at the rate it is that's probably going
[3:02:56] to be about where we're going to end up at
[3:02:57] the end of this month That is significant year over
[3:03:00] year, like over last year we're seeing 20 percent growth
[3:03:03] And every month it's been that again Um... You know
[3:03:06] over year over year Last month was a record month
[3:03:08] for us Writing that range 787 hampers were given out
[3:03:12] to Community representing 1, 600 in the vigils in that
[3:03:17] particular month We're proceeding, giving families of 18. Which is
[3:03:26] significant some for us to remember is that, you know
[3:03:29] It's not only Middle - age, it's all ages of
[3:03:34] 55 that are struggling We're seeing in continuing increase in
[3:03:39] that Continuing increase in families And then the other side
[3:03:42] of our organisation, and part of our plan with the
[3:03:46] redevelopment phase one was to divide the programs that we
[3:03:50] do We have our lunch kitchen over on the north
[3:03:52] side of the building with our hamper program On the
[3:03:55] south side, in order to make it much more comfortable
[3:03:58] for families Because over time that was one of the
[3:04:00] things that I noticed when I got there is The
[3:04:03] uncomfortness of a family coming in as... See other segments
[3:04:10] of the people that we deal with, on house that
[3:04:11] we help out in the other people that are You
[3:04:14] know struggling in their living conditions And so that's, you
[3:04:18] know, has made the plan of what we are artist
[3:04:20] As we look to the future 218 lunches on averages
[3:04:25] served each day Which means just over 5, 000 bunches
[3:04:29] a month or giving out the community And that's based
[3:04:31] on food recovery We could only do that Because of
[3:04:35] the food recover we do Basically Every meal, most of
[3:04:39] the food in every meal is done because we pick
[3:04:41] up food from grocery stores Donated to us in order
[3:04:45] to do that. And so just the man continues to
[3:04:48] grow. Just some real stats that indicate that. We value
[3:04:54] where a software works, oh Back one slide. Or if
[3:04:59] we do full choice hamper shopping And with that we're
[3:05:01] able to actually value each amper as they go Because
[3:05:04] we do a generic pricing on the pricing that we
[3:05:08] get We will figure at least the stuff that we
[3:05:12] can measure about 120, 000 dollars is giving out in
[3:05:15] food to families in the Valley every month And at
[3:05:19] 20 doors a meal, we give about another 100, 000
[3:05:21] dollars in our lunch program. We a year ago County
[3:05:26] Green Community decided we were no longer doing food security
[3:05:28] We were kind of sharing that before We were probably
[3:05:31] doing the larger amount of food recovery. Our growth has
[3:05:35] seen 5, 300 pounds a month We're picking up from
[3:05:37] local grocers given to Community And our wastage on that
[3:05:41] is less than 10 percent So tamper Cent And that's
[3:05:43] not even wasted, that's going to farmers And so it's
[3:05:46] significant among what's happening there. So an amount of food
[3:05:51] that we give out to communities well over 2. 6
[3:05:53] million dollars And the space we have, it's just limited.
[3:05:57] As many of you have been our site over time
[3:05:58] You've seen the containers that we work out of, which
[3:06:02] we really want to clean this side up and get
[3:06:03] rid of, and that's part of this plan To have
[3:06:05] one building. On the sell side of our property, and
[3:06:10] this apply on here with the blue area at the
[3:06:12] back is really where that new building's going to be
[3:06:14] We're going to move all our hamper program into there
[3:06:17] Our goal is to do self - shopping so that
[3:06:20] Uh... Family can come in and actually walk the shelves
[3:06:23] and pick whether they want corn flakes or special Know
[3:06:27] They get to choose healthy cereal, but we decide what
[3:06:31] variety it is Our ultimate goal is that they can
[3:06:33] go to the shelves and pick up what they want
[3:06:36] Chicken Doodle soup, and we have it there They can
[3:06:40] pick those things And that's really our 4900 square foot
[3:06:44] building Um, two floors, 3100 on the bottom And really
[3:06:49] the rest of it's warehousing space So that as food
[3:06:52] recovery comes in We can do better sorting and process
[3:06:57] it so that it can go back either into our
[3:06:59] programs, whether we're doing it Lane Pampers, or we're giving
[3:07:02] it away to grocery store, or pardon me in our
[3:07:05] kitchen So when anything comes in, we make first of
[3:07:07] all decide You know how much life is it going?
[3:07:11] It's very little life in it We go to our
[3:07:12] kitchen If it's got lots of life in it goes
[3:07:15] to either our hamper program or to other community organisations
[3:07:19] that were supporting Um... All around the Valley. What The
[3:07:24] Community Benefits that we have, you mean it's really the
[3:07:27] building, we're looking at. It's really just an increased capacity
[3:07:35] so that we see Like they're touching, you know Mike
[3:07:39] Sorry I think somebody needs to hit Mute's invasion of
[3:07:43] privacy. So anyo, we want to increase our capacity on
[3:07:50] site So that right, you know We were doing some
[3:07:53] of our sorting in the basement of the one Building,
[3:07:55] we really want to have a space Where we can
[3:07:57] use the staff and volunteers that we have to do
[3:07:59] that We have a staff of 16 that's supporting over
[3:08:02] 100 volunteers a month Helping to give food and community
[3:08:06] in there And we want to, you know with that
[3:08:09] increased space We'll be able to ask stuff becomes available
[3:08:12] Because we really don't want to say no to any
[3:08:14] donations that come along I mean if, you know The
[3:08:18] farmers that co - op have extra food that they
[3:08:21] are saying they can't sell We would like to be
[3:08:22] able to take it and be able to either process
[3:08:25] it into something or give it to somebody else So
[3:08:28] that it's helping people who are experiencing food security. In
[3:08:33] the last year 3600 individuals family units came and visited
[3:08:38] the food bank Um... You know Not everyone comes every
[3:08:41] month, but there's 3600 individual families that, you know that
[3:08:46] have come to the food bank for different needs And
[3:08:48] so, and the other part of that is Preparedness, part
[3:08:52] of Funks BC as a member of that Infobanks Canada
[3:08:56] is we're also part of that Preparedness So if we
[3:08:59] had a Fire Lake in Somerlain recently With the food
[3:09:02] Bwink, we can go for call to Food Banks BC,
[3:09:05] and they would support us to be able to help
[3:09:07] You know with food recovery I mean when the Apartment
[3:09:09] Building, burnt down recently on Coronation Street, one of my
[3:09:12] first calls was the CBRD, and said, hey Those guys
[3:09:14] need any hampers, we'll help them out right away And
[3:09:17] that's what we do. Our finding, basically most of our
[3:09:21] finding comes from individual donations Um... Our budget, our operational
[3:09:27] budget, about 1. 1 million dollars Majority of that is
[3:09:30] coming from just straight donations from Community. Above that we
[3:09:34] do stuff the truck, and we give that back out
[3:09:35] to Community. Thank you. And so that... So, and then
[3:09:41] we get some grants, and we're applying to corporate And
[3:09:44] then, you know, with this building, we've raised about 600,
[3:09:47] 000 dollars We figure our cost is gonna be about
[3:09:50] a 1. 2 million, and we're, you know, we're seeking
[3:09:54] support from North College and to help us, you know
[3:09:58] Waves, you know, help us with costs You know anything
[3:09:59] that they can... Mr. Red Time, but RECKINES EU VAD
[3:10:02] SIM IT issues, I'm wondering if we can extend another
[3:10:04] minute Yeah, thank you Really, it's, you know, we're coming,
[3:10:09] we're about a week or two away from applying for
[3:10:11] our development Permit, we've been working with architects, and all
[3:10:14] the specialists that we gotta have along the way to
[3:10:16] address all the different issues Phenomenal monocoste We got invested
[3:10:19] in this building Even before we apply And so we're
[3:10:23] about a week or two away from that application to
[3:10:25] give that started... And working with the staff to get
[3:10:28] that through, and that type of thing We have some
[3:10:31] grants that... If we're successful anime, is to have the
[3:10:36] building shovel ready is really what we want to do
[3:10:38] so that ASM money becomes available We can move ahead.
[3:10:41] The need is huge, we need... We really need the
[3:10:45] building to be able to serve the community I mean
[3:10:47] Some of the questions of how we work with other
[3:10:49] organisations Our organisation is really about... Giving food away, not
[3:10:54] a single item is soul And that's one of our
[3:10:56] things, is everything, that's how we do food recovery, it's
[3:10:59] how we... You know, we buy lots in the community
[3:11:02] of food to our budget for food purchases, it's over
[3:11:05] 2, 000 dollars to supplement the Delegations It's a real
[3:11:09] change, and all the grocery stores are working with us
[3:11:12] and giving us good buys and that type of thing
[3:11:14] So I just thank you for the time here, and
[3:11:18] as North Cowgen, if they can help us move this
[3:11:20] process through the development, permitting, and building permanent when we
[3:11:24] get to that point. So. Great, thank you both for
[3:11:27] the presentation. Um... Yeah I think many of us have
[3:11:31] a certain... View of, you know, who uses the services
[3:11:35] of the basket Society, obviously many people experiencing homelessness are
[3:11:40] in a tough spot and rely on these services just
[3:11:43] to survive But as you've pointed on your presentation, and
[3:11:46] some of our previous discussions, high percentage your clients, or
[3:11:50] children in Youth, working families, seniors who have, you know,
[3:11:54] work hard on their lives, but just cannot get by
[3:11:56] with their pensions with the high cost of living So
[3:11:59] I think our whole Council Municipality is Grateful for this
[3:12:02] Critical Service to provide in our community, and if the
[3:12:06] week new to help Um, yeah We're gonna be there,
[3:12:08] and as you've discussed in our previous meetings, this new
[3:12:12] Federal Infrastructure Funding, and there is a stream under that
[3:12:14] that does target food security, and I'm hoping that might
[3:12:17] be the right for your organisation And based on the
[3:12:20] resolution we passed, one of our previous Council meetings, our
[3:12:23] staff are ready to support you, and identifying and applying
[3:12:26] for some of those grants Perfect, thank you. Council Man
[3:12:29] House. Thank you Mr. Mayor, and thank you Mr. Wayne
[3:12:33] Crank for that presentation. You should have mentioned the gala,
[3:12:37] you guys are coming up with, the fun base, right?
[3:12:39] I went to the original one when you guys had,
[3:12:41] that he didn't have one last year And I think
[3:12:44] a few dollars are raced, and I think we're played
[3:12:46] by another table with my group anyways For that, but
[3:12:49] you should mention the date And so, for the rest
[3:12:51] of Councilbert Tony 3rd, we have a gallet, the Vine
[3:12:54] and Cowgen Bay They graciously offered us their venue to
[3:12:58] serve there. And so I think 5 o'clock on the
[3:13:00] 23rd to a couple hours, are they gonna have a
[3:13:02] gallo there? Just to continue to funds for the building,
[3:13:06] for operations, so. Thank you And also Just mentioned the
[3:13:11] relationship, we have with the Duncan Rotary We did a
[3:13:13] couple of... Um... Successful food drives for you, and the
[3:13:18] Community was awesome for that, and the rotary itself is
[3:13:23] phenomenal, the sport, that... That we gave to your organisation
[3:13:28] And we said book also, thank you Yeah, the community
[3:13:30] is awesome, amount of donations, and support that they have...
[3:13:35] 6, 000 with rotary, so I appreciate it, everyone O'Council
[3:13:41] Finley. Thanks for Samair, thanks to the presentation gentleman I'm
[3:13:49] one of the people that is very supportive stuff the
[3:13:52] truck, I love buying pallets every single Christmas to support
[3:13:57] the Society, and I do challenge my fellow Councillors and
[3:14:00] directors in the Valley, and a few have always stepped
[3:14:03] up and accepted that Challenge Which is great, and I'm
[3:14:06] gonna do that again this year If I'm sitting at
[3:14:08] this table. But if I'm not, I'm still gonna challenge
[3:14:12] all the councillors anyway. The... When you said 20 percent
[3:14:16] growth, if I hear 20 percent growth in the private
[3:14:18] sector, I'm extremely happy, but in your case This is
[3:14:20] not good news And that's a horrible number. And I
[3:14:25] think here in this publicly for a lot of people
[3:14:29] is Hopefully that'll help more people step up and support
[3:14:32] you guys. So The one question I have is, are
[3:14:36] you able to accept donations from restaurants and pubs and
[3:14:39] coffee shops? Is that something you can do? Yes, we
[3:14:41] can, because they're running a food - safe kitchen, right?
[3:14:44] Longs It hasn't been served out into the dining area
[3:14:47] Um, we can accept them Because we know we're both
[3:14:50] registered as a food safe We have our safe kitchen
[3:14:53] and stuff like that Awesome, because I know some of
[3:14:55] us were pretty good at utilising every piece of food
[3:14:57] that we have coming through Our doors, but sometimes we
[3:15:00] can't utilise it So if we have an outlet to
[3:15:03] utilise it in the community Then that's something that I
[3:15:06] can support for sure Thanks. Any further discussion. Alright, well
[3:15:11] thank you both for the presentation. Thank you. Alright, we're
[3:15:17] now going to move on to Unfinished and post -
[3:15:19] bone business Uh, we have here item 9. 1, the
[3:15:22] Developer Donations, and Disclosure of Developer Meetings So since I
[3:15:25] introduced this last year. I kick off the... Discussion... As
[3:15:29] Council Recall is policy around... Uh, campaign contributions from developers,
[3:15:37] outline a process Where... Counts members who had received those
[3:15:40] donations would recuse themselves when a Development Application from one
[3:15:45] of those individuals was brought forward to this table for
[3:15:49] a decision And it also proposed that... Report on meetings
[3:15:54] with... Developers, lobbyists, and consultants regarding their applications Are we
[3:16:00] going to come before Council for Decision? Um... Before we
[3:16:03] get into a big debate on that, I just would...
[3:16:06] Highlight a couple points for Council One is Councillor Justice
[3:16:10] did reach out to me before this meeting, and has
[3:16:12] suggested an alternative motion for your consideration Which he's shared
[3:16:17] with the corporate officer, and I'll let him speak to
[3:16:20] it, but I understand his intent is to provide something
[3:16:23] a bit more simple, straightforward, and... And looking at it
[3:16:27] seems like something that we could maybe all get behind
[3:16:29] Um, I'd much rather have a policy in place that
[3:16:33] we can be united on rather than something that's going
[3:16:36] to leave us divided Coming out of this meeting... But
[3:16:39] before I turn to Councillor Justice, I would notice Well,
[3:16:42] that... Councillor Calio is away for this meeting He did
[3:16:46] have... Quite a bit of feedback when it was presented
[3:16:50] last year, so I'm just gonna... I'll turn to Council
[3:16:53] and ask Do we want to make a decision on
[3:16:56] this now, or do we want to put the saw
[3:16:58] for a couple weeks? And have Councillor Caleo here to
[3:17:01] be part of that discussion Hey, we could just discuss
[3:17:03] that real quick, and then I'll turn it over to
[3:17:06] Councillor Justice Councillor Finley. Thanks, Ms. Mayor, I don't have
[3:17:10] a problem with that I would have liked to have
[3:17:12] seen the motion ahead of time Um... You know, we
[3:17:14] had a meeting a few months ago where I presented
[3:17:16] A motion that was kind of poo - pooed because
[3:17:18] it got put on the table at the meeting, so
[3:17:21] I'm a little upset that we haven't seen this ahead
[3:17:23] of time, but... I wouldn't mind having a chance to
[3:17:25] read it tonight But I think Councillor Calio's input would
[3:17:29] be important. Alright, so do we... Yeah, do we want
[3:17:33] to hear what Council Justice has suggested, or do we
[3:17:36] just want to refer the straight? I mean, he could
[3:17:38] read it out, to the next meeting? Because I don't
[3:17:40] know, what does everyone else think? I'm seeing nodding. Listen
[3:17:43] Yeah Alright So Council Jeff, did you just want to
[3:17:45] read it out? Maybe I can briefly explain the rationalen
[3:17:48] We could send this over to... Sure referred us to
[3:17:50] the next meeting, and we'll have a full counsel to
[3:17:52] make a decision on it Yeah, thank you Mr. Ray
[3:17:55] I did actually send it to the corporate officer. So...
[3:17:59] Do you want to put it up? And I'll show
[3:18:01] how bad a reader I am.
[3:18:21] So the motion would be that Council adopt the following
[3:18:24] policy. Um... We're a Member of Council has received a
[3:18:28] campaign Contribution Gift, or other financial support from A Person,
[3:18:32] or entity with a direct financial interest in... A discretionary
[3:18:36] land use application before Council. The Council Member will publicly
[3:18:40] disclose the relationship... And will consider whether Recusil is necessary
[3:18:44] to avoid a reasonable apprehension of BIOS. If the Councillor
[3:18:49] participates, they will briefly explain why they believe Participation is
[3:18:53] consistent with the public interest... And this policy. So that's
[3:19:00] the suggested motion. And I would just say that...
[3:19:12] Without defending it fully here, I would just say... The
[3:19:15] idea of this is that it's a sort of. Compromise,
[3:19:20] recognising some of the things that we've been thinking about
[3:19:23] subsequent to when it was first... Proposed... And that I
[3:19:28] think this will lead to... A greater public perception of
[3:19:32] fairness... But it doesn't require mandatory Recusal, nor does it
[3:19:37] single - out developers... Nor deal with meetings with developers.
[3:19:42] So... I guess the bottom line is... I've been thinking
[3:19:46] about... What I believe to be the key issue here
[3:19:49] Which is maintaining the public trust, and I would suggest
[3:19:53] or believe that this motion could achieve that without... Without
[3:19:59] doing some of the things that were objected to last
[3:20:02] time. But I won't go any further if we're gonna
[3:20:05] postpone - Thanks for that. I'm just gonna turn the
[3:20:07] corporate officer and ask if we wanted to refer the
[3:20:10] site - in - for - discussion at the September
[3:20:12] 2nd meeting when we've got a full council here. Should
[3:20:15] we re - referring item 9. 1? Or does it
[3:20:18] make more sense to move in Second Council Justice's alternative,
[3:20:22] refer that? Or does it matter? Whatever... Whatever Council desires
[3:20:28] to move... Whatever you want to bring forward. I mean
[3:20:33] I think Refer 9. 1 is the cleanest. I know,
[3:20:36] does that... Yeah, and I'm... Yeah, then it councils got
[3:20:39] a heads up beforehand's, you got time to think about
[3:20:41] it Councillor Sash. And how would you add that as
[3:20:45] an attachment then? Can that be additive... That's what I'm
[3:20:49] thinking now. So, I think that because they're both in
[3:20:54] front of Council, now that they should both be brought
[3:20:56] forward, and that you decide which one you want to
[3:20:58] go with, or something different, right? Does that work for
[3:21:01] everyone? Yeah. Is someone I want to move the referral
[3:21:04] motion then? Move by Councillor Hogg, second to buy Councillor
[3:21:07] Staff, so referring it to the September's Second meeting for
[3:21:09] discussion. We've got a full Council there. I'll call the
[3:21:12] Question All In Favor. An opposed, not opposed motion carries.
[3:21:17] Alright, we're now going to move on to ByLAws. I'll
[3:21:20] turn to the corporate officer. Okay, thank you
[3:21:30] Mayor. So, item 10. 1 Council and Committee Procedure Amendment
[3:21:34] bylaw 4065 is before Council for Adoption. Once adopted, several
[3:21:39] procedural administrative, and housekeeping updates will be incorporated into Council's
[3:21:43] meeting procedures. Notice was given in accordance with Section 124
[3:21:47] of the Community Charter and posted to North Cowching's Public
[3:21:51] Notice Board and website on the 27th of July. Uh...
[3:21:55] It was posted to social media, on July the 28th,
[3:21:59] and the Cow - and - Valley Citizen On August
[3:22:02] 5th, and the Shimane's Courier on August 6th. Legislative Services
[3:22:06] has not received any correspondence at all on this bylaws.
[3:22:12] So, Council is free to adopt Council and Committee Procedures
[3:22:16] Amendment, bylaw number 4065 - 2026. Alright, with some like
[3:22:19] - moved recommendation. We've got Councilman Ass. Second by Councillor
[3:22:22] Estash, new discussion. I'll call the question all a favor.
[3:22:25] And opposed, and opposed motion carries, item 10. 2. Zoning
[3:22:29] Amendment Bylaw 4070, 2026 is before Council for Adoption, once
[3:22:34] adopted 82. 91 Bonsawl Road will be rezoned from commercial
[3:22:39] Recreational Zone to Rural Zone to facilitate a single -
[3:22:42] family dwelling, and a detached Second Dwelling with a maximum
[3:22:45] floor area of 90 square metres. All the pre -
[3:22:49] adoption conditions have been satisfied, so Council may proceed with
[3:22:52] adoption today. The recommendation is that Council adopts Zoning Amendment
[3:22:57] by Law 4070 - 2026. Some of the moved the
[3:23:00] recommendation, but by Councillor Finley, seconded by Council or Manass,
[3:23:04] any discussion. All the question, all of a favor. And
[3:23:08] a pose, non - opposed motion carries, item 10. 3.
[3:23:11] Zoning Amendment bylaw 4071 is before Council for Adoption. If
[3:23:15] adopted, the Adelaide Street Comprehensive Zone will be established. The
[3:23:20] Bylaw received three readings on June 17th, and the required
[3:23:23] Covenant was subsequently registered on July the 20th. All pre
[3:23:28] - adoption conditions have been satisfied, so Council may now
[3:23:31] proceed with adoption. The recommendation is that Council adopts zoning
[3:23:36] amendment, bylaw number 4071 - 2026. Alright, with someone like
[3:23:41] to move the recommendation. We'll by Council Manasse, Second Abby
[3:23:44] Councillor Finley, any discussion. Council of Justice. Thank you, Mr.
[3:23:48] Mayor. Just in reference to what we heard in public
[3:23:51] input. Um, I just wanted to say that... I raised
[3:23:57] many of the concerns that were raised in public at
[3:24:00] the time that we gave first, second, and third reading,
[3:24:03] and I thought it was a real mistake to go
[3:24:05] straight to. Third reading, given that there was no public
[3:24:08] hearing due to the odious Bill 44. And no chance
[3:24:12] for residents in the area to become familiar with the
[3:24:16] project, nor to voice concerns. I was also really uncomfortable.
[3:24:22] And actually remain uncomfortable with the amount of information available
[3:24:25] to Council, lack thereof, including even the ownership structure of
[3:24:32] the development. Um, having said that, I would also say
[3:24:36] that my concerns with the process and rushing it through.
[3:24:40] Um, do not go so far that I would oppose.
[3:24:43] The adoption of this, um, the project does ultimately comply
[3:24:47] to the OCP. And the local area plan, not fully.
[3:24:51] Um, but I guess sufficiently. Alright any further discussion. Called
[3:24:58] the question, I'll in favor. And opposed. Pose motion carries,
[3:25:02] and then move on item 10. 4. Road naming bylaw
[3:25:07] 4084 is before Council for Adoption. If adopted, a new
[3:25:11] Road, see away will be established. The recommendation is that
[3:25:15] Council adopts Road Naming Bylaw, CWA number 4084 - 2026.
[3:25:22] I'd like to move the recommendation, move by Councillor Hoggs.
[3:25:24] I come by Councillor Finley, any discussion. I'll call the
[3:25:26] question all in favor. In opposed, non - opposed, motion
[3:25:29] carries. I'm going to the next bylaw. Thank you. So
[3:25:33] 10. 5 Road Closure, and Removal of Highway Dedication Bylaw
[3:25:37] 4069 for Esplanade Lane in Chemanus is before Council for
[3:25:42] Third Reading. If third reading is provided, the bylaw will
[3:25:46] be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit for
[3:25:48] their approval prior to adoption. Notice was given in accordance
[3:25:52] with Section 40 of the Community Charter and posted to
[3:25:55] North Cowching's Public Notice Board and website on July 27th.
[3:25:59] It was posted to social media on July the 28th
[3:26:03] and published in the Shimanez Courier on the 6th of
[3:26:05] August. Notice was also given on July the 24th to
[3:26:09] operators of Utilities who will be affected by the closure.
[3:26:14] And tell us B. C. H. Hydro, and Fortis BC
[3:26:17] responded and indicated that they had no issue with the
[3:26:20] road closure. Uh, legislative services has received no correspondence from
[3:26:24] the public. On this bylaw, but I would ask that
[3:26:27] you please invite anyone in attendants today who believes that
[3:26:31] they'll be affected by the bylaw to make representation to
[3:26:34] Council before you consider third reading. Alright, is there any
[3:26:38] members of the public in attendance here in the gallery?
[3:26:41] You're online who would like to step forward to speak
[3:26:43] to this proposed BYLA. Don't see anyone here in the
[3:26:51] gallery? Anyone online? Alright, so we can now consider the
[3:26:55] recommendation to give third reading to the BYLA with some
[3:26:57] like to move that. But by Councillor Finley, seconded by
[3:27:01] Councillor Manhouse, any discussion. Call the question all in favor.
[3:27:06] In opposed, on opposed motion carries. When I move on
[3:27:08] to item 10. 6. 10. 6 intercommunity business license bylaw
[3:27:14] 4075, is before Council for Third Reading. Notice was given
[3:27:18] in accordance with Section 59 of the Community Charter and
[3:27:21] posted to North Couch's Notice Board and website on August
[3:27:25] the 6th and advertised on social media on August the
[3:27:27] 7th, published to the Couch in Ballet Citizen and Shimanez
[3:27:31] Courier on the 13th of August. Legislative Services has received
[3:27:35] no correspondence from the public on this bylaw, but I
[3:27:39] would ask again that you please invite anyone who believes
[3:27:42] they'll be affected by it to give them an opportunity
[3:27:45] to speak to Council before 3rd, considering third reading. Alright,
[3:27:49] would anyone in the gallery online like to speak on
[3:27:51] this matter? See, no one in person, anyone online with
[3:27:55] their hand raise. Alright, okay, with someone like to move
[3:28:03] the recommendation for third reading, move about Councillor Finley, seconded
[3:28:06] by Councillor Hog. Any discussion, call the question all in
[3:28:10] favor. And oppose. Non - opposed motion carries. I'm going
[3:28:15] to move on to item 10. 7. 10. 7 amendment
[3:28:19] bylaw 4078 was initially presented to Council at the July
[3:28:24] 15th meeting and is now before Council for First Three
[3:28:28] readings. The proposed bylaw would correct errors identified in earlier
[3:28:32] zoning amendment bylaws related to the CD25 and CD26 Comprehensive
[3:28:39] Development Zones, ensuring that the zoning regulations accurately reflect council's
[3:28:44] previous intentions. Notice was given in accordance with Section 467
[3:28:48] of the Local Government Acted, a public hearing is not
[3:28:51] being held for this bylaw. It was posted to North
[3:28:54] Couch's Notice Board, and on the website on July 13th,
[3:28:59] advertised in social media. On the 4th of August and
[3:29:02] published to the Citizen on August the 12th. The recommendation
[3:29:06] is that Council gives first, second, and 3rd reading to
[3:29:09] zoning amendment, bylaw number 4078 - 2026. Someone like to
[3:29:13] move the recommendation. We move by Councillor Finley, seconded by
[3:29:16] Councillor Stash, any discussion, called the question all in favor.
[3:29:20] And opposed, not opposed motion carries. When I move on
[3:29:22] item 10. 8. So 10. 8. So a hard copy
[3:29:27] of the road closure and removal of Highway Dedication BYLA,
[3:29:31] 408. 2 for Stony Hill Road was circulated to Council
[3:29:34] today because it was inadvertently not added to the agenda.
[3:29:39] Um, so today you'll be considering third reading of this
[3:29:42] bylaw. If third reading is provided, it will be forwarded
[3:29:45] to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit for their approval
[3:29:49] prior prior to adoption. Uh, notice was also given in
[3:29:53] accordance with Section 40 of the Community Charter, posted to
[3:29:56] North Cowching's public notice board and website on the 27th
[3:29:59] of July. Advertised on social media on the 28th of
[3:30:03] July and published in the Shimane's Courier on the 5th
[3:30:05] of August. Uh, notice was also given on July the
[3:30:10] 24th to the operators of Utilities, who will be affected
[3:30:13] by the closure and tell us BC Hydro and Fortis
[3:30:17] BC responded and indicated that they had no issue with
[3:30:20] the road closure. Ledge services has received no correspondence from
[3:30:25] the public on this bylaw. And again, I'd ask that
[3:30:27] you please invite anyone who believes they have an, they
[3:30:31] will be affected by the road closure to make presentation
[3:30:33] before considering third reading. Alright, would anyone like to speak
[3:30:38] on this matter, whether in person or online. Alright, okay,
[3:30:45] doesn't look like anyone. Uh, someone want to move the
[3:30:47] recommendations. Blue by Councillor Finley. Second to buy Councillor Manhouse,
[3:30:52] any discussion. Call the question all in favor. And opposed.
[3:30:56] Then oppose motion carries, and then move on item 10.
[3:30:59] 9. Uh, so this bylaws being introduced, owning amendment by
[3:31:05] life Warzone 8. 3 for the property at 86. 41
[3:31:09] Sweeney Road. Uh, the proposed amendment would permit up to
[3:31:13] two residential buildings containing a maximum of two dwelling units
[3:31:17] in total with the smaller unit limited to 90 square
[3:31:20] metres. Notice was given in accordance with Section 467 of
[3:31:25] the local government Act that a public hearing is not
[3:31:27] being held for this bylaw. It was posted to North
[3:31:30] Couch since Public Notice Board and website on July 31st,
[3:31:34] advertised on social media in August 4th, and published in
[3:31:37] the citizen on August 12th. And the Shimane's Curry on
[3:31:41] the 13th. The recommendation is that Council Gifts first, second,
[3:31:44] and third readings to zoning amendment bylaw 4083 - 2026.
[3:31:50] Move by Councillor Finley, second of a bike Council or
[3:31:54] Menas. Uh, before we, so Councillor Justice, you may be
[3:31:58] asking what I was going to ask, but we did
[3:31:59] hear in public input, one of the nearby residents did
[3:32:02] have some questions. And just wondering if staff could provide
[3:32:05] just a very brief overview of the proposal and the
[3:32:09] second one on Roland's policy. Council Justice, is that what
[3:32:11] you're going to ask as well? I have some comments
[3:32:16] as well. Okay, well, how about I let. Staff comment
[3:32:26] on it, and then I'll go to you Council Justice.
[3:32:33] The proposal is to allow a detached accessory dwelling unit
[3:32:38] on the property at 8641 Sweeney Road. This would be
[3:32:43] instead of having a second unit within the same building.
[3:32:46] So it doesn't allow additional units, but it does allow
[3:32:48] them to be in separate buildings. Uh, the property is
[3:32:55] largely, it is, the proposal is compliant with the OCP.
[3:32:59] It's largely compliant with the rural, um, with the Second
[3:33:02] Dwelling Royal Lands policy with the exception of the separate,
[3:33:09] I believe, Septic Fields, and the size of the parcel
[3:33:13] being. 13 Hectars below the one Hectar, uh, guideline that
[3:33:18] is in that policy. Um, they do have a report
[3:33:26] from a licensed wastewater practitioner that indicates that the parcel
[3:33:31] is capable of having on - site servicing for this.
[3:33:36] The parcel is not connected to municipal water or sewer.
[3:33:40] So it is entirely on - site servicing. Um, and
[3:33:45] I believe it is a shared well with two separate
[3:33:50] septic fields. Um, the applicants of indicated in their letter
[3:33:56] of rationale that the separate dwelling is for a family
[3:34:01] member who, um, through some health challenges requires, um, and
[3:34:08] at grades, um. Uh, dwelling that is easier for them
[3:34:12] to access. Great. Thanks for that. Councillor Justice, you had
[3:34:16] a comment. Yeah, to that, um, I do have a
[3:34:19] sort of a thought question that is to say a
[3:34:22] thought slash question. About the, uh, I guess continuing relevance
[3:34:29] of our Second Dwing and rural lands policy. And, um.
[3:34:36] I guess it starts with the observation that we're making
[3:34:42] regular exceptions to the parameters. Um, especially the minimum parcel
[3:34:48] size. Um, I personally. Think that the policy has some
[3:34:54] positive outcomes. With respect to limiting size of. The second
[3:35:01] dwelling and with respect to the covenant that's put onto
[3:35:04] the property to prevent subdivision. But I do wonder about,
[3:35:10] um, whether we need to adjust the policy to fit
[3:35:17] the, I guess the principle or vision underneath the policy.
[3:35:23] And I think in policy world, there's a phenomenon called
[3:35:28] normalization of Deviance. Whereby exceptions gradually become normalized. And I
[3:35:38] guess given how frequent these exceptions are. What's the best
[3:35:43] practice approach? I guess, cause on the one hand, you
[3:35:47] think, okay, if we're always making exceptions, why don't we
[3:35:50] adjust it to where the exceptions point us to. But
[3:35:54] on the other hand, um, according to this normalization of
[3:35:58] deviant's idea, if you adjust to where the exceptions go,
[3:36:05] then the exceptions go even further. And I would just
[3:36:08] point as in a sort of a simple example of
[3:36:09] that, the way traffic is. Like if you set the
[3:36:12] traffic, speed limit at 50, everybody's going to go 60,
[3:36:16] you know that. But if you say, okay, everybody's going
[3:36:18] 60 and adjust the speed limit to 60. Then all
[3:36:20] of a sudden everybody's going 70. So what's best practice
[3:36:24] in terms of these sorts of land use policies dealing
[3:36:28] with imperfect policy. Trying to achieve a particular sort of
[3:36:35] a vision goal or principle. Thank you. Um, so this
[3:36:45] policy was originally my understanding is implemented, um, as a
[3:36:50] stopgap measure prior to the adoption of the new OCP.
[3:36:53] Um, and it does make reference to old land you
[3:36:58] designations from the old OCP and some of those, those
[3:37:02] types of things. So I, I would tend to agree
[3:37:05] that if we want to continue to use it or
[3:37:09] if Council wishes to continue to use it, it probably
[3:37:11] should receive some updating. Um, to bring it into line
[3:37:15] with our new OCP. There's also the tact that we
[3:37:21] could take of one of the modules of the, um,
[3:37:26] zoning bylaw review project is to look at, um, these
[3:37:31] issues in respect to agricultural and rural lands. And these,
[3:37:36] these residences. So that's another way we could deal with
[3:37:38] it is updating the regulations within the zoning bylaw. And
[3:37:42] that is because that's a regulation that tends to be
[3:37:45] more strictly adhered to. They would need to come in
[3:37:49] for, well, I guess not the same thing as they
[3:37:53] do now. They'd have to come in for a site
[3:37:54] specific rezoning in order to do that. Um, so those
[3:38:01] are kind of a couple of options for dealing with
[3:38:04] the fact that the policy is a little bit out
[3:38:07] of date. The, the original intent of that one hectar,
[3:38:12] um, parcel size was kind of twofold. One is to
[3:38:17] try and protect the rural character in these areas. Um,
[3:38:21] minor deviance is from it. It really depends on the
[3:38:24] context of the site. But it, it can be argued
[3:38:28] on a case - by - case basis that it
[3:38:30] doesn't and stops opinion in this case was that it
[3:38:33] doesn't particularly impact in a meaningful way, the rural character
[3:38:40] of the area. Um, the second reason was more practical.
[3:38:45] And that's for the approximate size of onsite servicing for
[3:38:48] these rural parcels to have a separate second dwelling. Um,
[3:38:52] now of course there is similar demands, uh, as far
[3:38:57] as water and septic go well in septic go for
[3:39:00] a secondary suite. So it isn't as, as significant, but
[3:39:08] they do, in this case, they have given us, um,
[3:39:13] letters indicating from qualified professionals indicating that this site can
[3:39:19] do can maintain adequate servicing for the two separate dwellings.
[3:39:23] Um, now that isn't always the case. Um, kind of
[3:39:28] one hectare is sort of a general rule, but sometimes
[3:39:31] it can be less. Sometimes it can be more, um,
[3:39:34] that's required to, to do that. Um, so it's a,
[3:39:41] it is a, um, it is kind of a guideline
[3:39:47] and the meaning, the reasoning behind it is largely those
[3:39:51] two things. So staff, when we receive one of these
[3:39:55] applications, obviously looks at it in respect to the OCP
[3:40:01] and to the zoning. But we look at it, we
[3:40:04] still do use this policy, um, and kind of measure
[3:40:08] it against that. But with those things in mind, is
[3:40:11] it possible? The servicing possible. And is it, you know,
[3:40:14] appropriate in that particular area. Yep. Thank you. It's been
[3:40:20] moving sector. Are we ready for the question? All in
[3:40:22] favor and opposed on opposed motion carries. We'll now move
[3:40:25] on to the next BYLA. Item 10. 10. So this
[3:40:28] report introduces road naming Bylaw 4086 for bull rush. And
[3:40:34] salution streets. The proposed bylaw would establish names for two
[3:40:38] new roads being developed adjacent to the Coetzen Valley Hospital.
[3:40:43] The recommendation is that Council gives first, second and third
[3:40:46] readings to road naming byla Bull Rush and Salishan Streets.
[3:40:51] Number 4086 2026. Move by Councillor Justice, seconded by Councillor
[3:40:57] Finley. Any discussion? Call the question all in favor. And
[3:41:01] oppose, not oppose motion carries. Got one more Bylaw. It's
[3:41:04] 10. 11. Yes. Last one. So the report, this report
[3:41:07] introduces fire safety amendment bylaw number 4088, the proposed BYLA
[3:41:13] would amend the fire protection, highway use and traffic bylaws
[3:41:16] to strengthen fire safety administration, enhance emergency response authority, improve
[3:41:22] enforcement capabilities and support, uh, some cost recovery measures. The
[3:41:28] recommendation is that Council gives first, second, and third readings
[3:41:30] to fire safety amendment bylaw number 4088 2026. What someone
[3:41:35] like to move the recommendation? Move by Councillor Manhouse, seconded
[3:41:38] by someone, Councillor Hog. Any discussion, all in favor. And
[3:41:43] a pose and a pose motion carries. Mr. Swayby.
[3:41:54] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item 11. 1 is the York
[3:41:56] Avenue Traffic Safety and Crofton. And the purpose is to
[3:42:00] respond to the March 4th, 2026 Council Direction to Prepare
[3:42:03] Report Outlining Traffic Safety Improvements. Uh, that could be done
[3:42:06] to York Avenue, including traffic comming measures, signage upgrades, and
[3:42:10] roadway improvements as requested by the Croft and Residence. And
[3:42:14] align this with the Crofton Local Area Plan and the
[3:42:17] Master Transportation plan. The recommendation from staff after reviewing this
[3:42:22] is that one install electronic Speed Reader board facing northbound
[3:42:27] traffic on York Avenue near the school. To finalise the
[3:42:31] plans for and implement interim measures that include narrowing of
[3:42:35] the existing wide travel lanes on York Avenue to deter
[3:42:39] speeding by means of painted median with interim islands. Three,
[3:42:43] install pedestrian activated flashing beacons at the existing unsignalized crosswalk
[3:42:49] at the Jones Avenue York Avenue Intersection. For consult with
[3:42:53] the adjacent businesses and install an interim curb bulge that
[3:42:57] removes any unsafe perpendicular parking on the west side of
[3:43:01] York Avenue at Jonah Avenue to improve crosswalk and intersection
[3:43:05] safety in accordance with the Crofton Local Area plan. And
[3:43:09] finally five arranged necessary warning signs for the sharp bend
[3:43:14] at the south end of York Avenue. Councillor Stache, would
[3:43:18] you like to move the recommendation? Absolutely wouldn't and then
[3:43:21] speak to it. Someone want to second that Council of
[3:43:23] Justice. Back to you, yeah, before. Thank you Mayor. Um,
[3:43:29] really a plod staff on finding something that isn't permanent,
[3:43:33] but it's practical and meaningful. Uh, and it'll be a
[3:43:36] good, uh, I see a secondary outcome as it's going
[3:43:40] to be a good, uh, initial change that it's going
[3:43:42] to allow us to see what are going to be
[3:43:45] the best permanent investments on your road. Like we saw
[3:43:49] on Chemanus Road. We've seen extremely significant speed reductions on
[3:43:55] shamaneous road once the road was narrowed. Uh, landscaping, wider
[3:43:59] sidewalks pass - throughs, uh, boulevards, bump outs. So, um,
[3:44:04] that was meaningful there. And so for this that we
[3:44:06] can put some interim infrastructure in that's going to increase
[3:44:11] safety as always a win. And I do appreciate how
[3:44:15] staffed it in such a fiscally responsible way. Um, very
[3:44:18] pragmatic of meeting the goals within our existing budget. Um,
[3:44:23] I just, uh, my only commentary is, uh, someone who
[3:44:27] walks or rise away by quite regularly through this section.
[3:44:31] Uh, and through other areas is just anytime we have,
[3:44:33] uh, I see we're going to use the temporary curve
[3:44:35] bump outs. The old way was putting the bump outs
[3:44:38] without a pass - through in them. So if we
[3:44:40] do intend and I'm sure engineering, because we're looking at
[3:44:43] the ways we do them now as such, we've done
[3:44:45] on, uh, the new river road roundabout or the new
[3:44:48] herd road Roundabout people on bikes have the ability to
[3:44:52] flow through bump outs and curbs and any islands. And
[3:44:57] especially in this case, even more so is that the
[3:44:59] kids riding, uh, on the shoulder can flow in through
[3:45:03] the medians and then enter the crosswalk safely to cross
[3:45:06] into school. Cause I'd love to see more encouragement and
[3:45:09] a safe environment kids to be able to ride their
[3:45:12] bikes again and make that the norm of getting to
[3:45:14] school. Um, all the other changes are sound. And I
[3:45:19] look forward to them. Thanks Council Stash. Councillor Finley. Thanks
[3:45:25] Mr. Mayor. As you know, I lived on York Avenue
[3:45:28] for 17 years. I built our house there and 10
[3:45:31] years ago almost to the day my car got destroyed
[3:45:34] right in front of my house because of a Speeder
[3:45:37] and what I believe is a drunk driver. Although unfortunately
[3:45:40] never got confirmed. I agree with a lot of this.
[3:45:43] I don't think the Speed Reader is going to help,
[3:45:46] but I think there might be some other alternatives that
[3:45:48] would be inexpensive as well. So one of the biggest
[3:45:51] issues I've heard from residents in talking about this is,
[3:45:55] um, the school zone signage itself. Is a bit inadequate
[3:45:59] because it sits at Adelaide and York rather than being
[3:46:02] a little further south up the hill of Osborne Bay.
[3:46:06] So as you're coming down Osborne Bay and it becomes
[3:46:07] York Avenue, you can't even see the school zone until
[3:46:11] you pass Adelaide. It's right there. But if you're coming
[3:46:12] from Adelaide and turning north on to York, you don't
[3:46:15] even know that it's a school zone because there's no
[3:46:17] signage. So I think if we could move that sign
[3:46:20] up a little bit south on Osborne Bay and have
[3:46:24] one on Adelaide as well, that might help as well
[3:46:26] potentially just painting school zone. On the road. On the
[3:46:31] north side and the south side of the school itself.
[3:46:33] I think that would be critical for people because then,
[3:46:35] you know, coming off those roads, you can actually know
[3:46:37] that at the school zone. Those are the big things.
[3:46:42] I mean, I'm very happy with the idea of, of
[3:46:45] the, uh, the crosswalk beacon at, at the post office
[3:46:49] and the bump out there as well. I've almost been
[3:46:51] hit there two or three times myself. Um, so as,
[3:46:55] as someone who lives in Crofton, I'm very happy with
[3:46:57] the, with, uh, what staff has brought forward, uh, I
[3:47:00] don't know if the Speed Raiders is the right money
[3:47:03] to spend in this location. I think everything else is
[3:47:05] fantastic. And if we could do a couple other little
[3:47:07] tweaks, I'd be a hundred percent in favor, but I'm
[3:47:10] not really in favor of dropping 20 grand on a
[3:47:12] Speed Raider that I don't know will help. Councillor Justice.
[3:47:19] Thank you just very briefly to the process. I just
[3:47:23] thought this was a great example. Of the way governance
[3:47:28] should work in a municipality. There was a concerned raised
[3:47:32] by some locals who observed something that was really, uh,
[3:47:37] problematic and dangerous and brought it to Council in a
[3:47:41] convincing way. And Council responded. And then we got a
[3:47:44] really great staff response and a really fabulous analysis. And
[3:47:51] we've got, we've got to fix on the go. So
[3:47:54] I think it's just really good example of a good
[3:47:57] government's process. Councillor Stache Councillor Finley helped remind me there
[3:48:05] was just one last thing I was going to bring
[3:48:06] up. And it's more of a municipality - wide thing.
[3:48:09] Um, especially for the crosswalk that goes across there or
[3:48:13] the crosswork we're putting down, uh, closer down to the
[3:48:16] post office. One thing North Couch and doesn't do on
[3:48:19] any of our crosswalk signs where they're not signalized, but
[3:48:22] Duncan does it on every intersection. And so does Lady
[3:48:25] Smith. So they have the vertical running along the signpost.
[3:48:30] It is a reflective post and it says crosswalk on
[3:48:33] it. Running vertically the length of the crosswalk sign and
[3:48:38] it reflects at night extremely brightly. I've noticed that on
[3:48:42] every crosswalk and Lady Smith and every crosswalk in Duncan,
[3:48:46] North Couch and doesn't do it at even at any
[3:48:48] of our schools. So, uh, something to plant the seed
[3:48:50] with staff on. I had brought it up two years
[3:48:52] ago when I had a meeting with Mr. Rightsma and
[3:48:55] Mr. Dahoup. But hopefully now we've actually made the investment
[3:48:59] in having expanded our traffic engineering team. So that's something
[3:49:03] they could look at. And this could be one of
[3:49:04] the first places where we add that small secondary edition.
[3:49:09] All right. Thanks. Thanks, Councillor Stache. Um, yeah, before we,
[3:49:13] uh, we vote on this, I just want to take
[3:49:14] a moment to acknowledge. And Councillor Justice brought this up,
[3:49:18] but the, um, the efforts from residents in the area
[3:49:21] to draw attention on this issue, particularly miss Loonzie Lowen,
[3:49:24] who I know is in the gallery this evening who
[3:49:26] wrote Council and then took the time to gather signatures
[3:49:30] from folks in the surrounding area over 340 people, which,
[3:49:34] um, I think made clear to Council. This was a
[3:49:37] priority for, for Coffner residents. Over the longterm, I hope
[3:49:40] we are able to realise the vision, um, as I
[3:49:44] outlined in the Crofton local area plan, the new master
[3:49:47] transportation plan, which envisions major streetscape improvements for the, uh,
[3:49:52] the length of York Avenue with street trees, uh, landscape
[3:49:57] boulevard, um, infrastructure for active transportation. Um, a staff outline
[3:50:02] in the report. Um, a project like that would be
[3:50:05] very costly. If you go back 10 years ago, the
[3:50:08] municipality did undertake major improvements on, on Joan Avenue, which
[3:50:11] turned out great, um, for, for Crofton. I mean, whole
[3:50:14] municipality is able to enjoy a lot of that. Those
[3:50:17] upgrades that were done there. And at the time we
[3:50:18] thought we were going to do something like that on
[3:50:20] York Avenue shortly afterwards. As Council is well aware in
[3:50:24] many of the members of the public are, um, as
[3:50:25] well. We've got some major constraints with our capital program.
[3:50:29] But hopefully over time, um, we're able to, uh, secure
[3:50:32] some grant funding from the senior levels of government to
[3:50:34] make these, uh, improvements on York Avenue, which would, um,
[3:50:38] it'll be great for Croft and residents. Is that's really
[3:50:40] the main arterial road that runs through the community. However,
[3:50:45] what staff have proposed here is a cost effective solution
[3:50:49] or a set of solutions that are going to help
[3:50:51] reduce speeds in the area and improve safety for the
[3:50:54] kids that go to the Croft Elementary School. So I'm
[3:50:56] going to be supporting the motion in front of us.
[3:50:59] And if the new to add, I'm going to call
[3:51:01] the question Councillor Fenley. Thanks Mr. Mayor. I don't really
[3:51:05] want to sever all this, but I just can't be
[3:51:07] in favor of the Speed Reader. So perhaps we could
[3:51:10] sever number one and then do the rest of them
[3:51:12] collectively. Sure. Let's do that. All right. Let's sever number
[3:51:15] one. We'll call the question then on number one installing.
[3:51:19] Yeah. Councillor Stash. I ask a question on that before
[3:51:21] we call the question then to maybe support Councillor Finley's
[3:51:24] confidence. Speed readers, I guess the only permanent costs would
[3:51:28] be the base. Are they sold, I guess, to staff?
[3:51:31] Are they, um, self - powered and solar power so
[3:51:34] that the only permanent installation is the concrete pylon base.
[3:51:37] And the reader itself could be moved throughout the municipality.
[3:51:40] I think that was the case. We had one on
[3:51:42] Tatlow Road that moved a couple of times up on
[3:51:44] Osburn Bayrol. Alternative staff, maybe you also speak just to
[3:51:47] the effectiveness of the Speed Reader Boards. Mr. Fargus, Mr.
[3:51:51] Assange. Mr. Si. Good afternoon, Mayor and Council.
[3:52:01] The first question is Speeder Boards. Yes, they are solar.
[3:52:05] And they are portable. Uh, but, uh, for them to,
[3:52:10] um, uh, installed, we need a metal pole and a
[3:52:14] concrete base underground. So those are permanent, uh, but the
[3:52:19] Speedy Road itself can be rotated. Now, um, what we've
[3:52:23] been seeing is that once we move the Speederwood away,
[3:52:27] uh, we do get, uh, a lot of, uh, requests,
[3:52:30] uh, to bring it back. So in fact, like just
[3:52:33] the next season or the year after we just have
[3:52:37] to put it back in place or have to buy
[3:52:40] a new one to replace it, uh, so it's, it's
[3:52:43] just based on our experience is that, uh, we're kind
[3:52:47] of moving away from that rotation, uh, because we're seeing
[3:52:50] the need from, um, like the community to have them
[3:52:54] permanently remain there. So I hope that answers the question.
[3:52:59] So it is doable, but it's just, uh, it's not
[3:53:02] what the community expects us to do. Right. Great. So
[3:53:05] in the follow - up, I'm in support of it
[3:53:07] being put in this place just to again, maybe further,
[3:53:11] uh, make Councillor Finley feel a bit better. Is do
[3:53:14] we have an E anecdotal evidence in them municipality where
[3:53:17] we've installed and then done the and left it in
[3:53:20] a permanent position and done the follow up recording to
[3:53:23] see if we've seen the percentiles change. I like not
[3:53:32] in this municipality. I'm not aware of that. If that
[3:53:34] has been done, but in other municipalities in my previous
[3:53:38] jurisdiction, so it has been tested, uh, and how it
[3:53:42] was done is this period rewards can be put on
[3:53:45] stealth mode. So they still collect data, but they don't
[3:53:48] display anything. So, so then we can see before and
[3:53:52] after what happens, uh, and, uh, there is some effectiveness.
[3:53:57] It is not as great. It's the same with any
[3:54:00] traffic coming measure, like a defectiveness is always a question.
[3:54:04] Even with the Speed Humps, it may be argued that
[3:54:08] the effect is only localized. If you go 100 metres,
[3:54:11] uh, north and south of the location, it may again
[3:54:14] be the same speed. So effectiveness is always the. So
[3:54:17] whether it's the reduction is an average reduction is five
[3:54:20] kilometers, uh, in speed or 10 kilometers. It all depends.
[3:54:25] Uh, so, but there is effectiveness with this product. All
[3:54:30] right. Ready to call the question then on number one
[3:54:32] here. All in favor. And oppose Councillor Finley opposed motion
[3:54:37] carries. I'll now call the question then on items two
[3:54:40] to five. All in favor. And opposed and a pose.
[3:54:45] Motion carries. We'll now move on to the next report,
[3:54:47] Mr. Swaby. Thanks Mr. Mayor. The item 11. 2 is
[3:54:50] the pre - stressed concrete cylinder pipe, which is also
[3:54:54] known as the high press gun replacement. And this is
[3:54:57] the type of pipe that you saw break in Calgary
[3:55:01] several times and other communities. Uh, and we are, um,
[3:55:05] having to deal with a section of pipe in our
[3:55:07] infrastructure that is a high press gun nature, which needs
[3:55:10] to be replaced as soon as possible. We've taken every
[3:55:14] precaution, Mr. Mayor, to have replacement parts of available. It's
[3:55:19] a very difficult site to, uh, work in if it
[3:55:21] does fail before we get to it. Uh, but we're
[3:55:25] bringing this, um, report forward just as information, uh, to
[3:55:30] give an outline of when we'll be bringing this forward
[3:55:32] in 2027. Unfortunately, it's a large project that the new
[3:55:37] council will be dealing with immediately with about a 10
[3:55:40] million dollar price tag to it along with the new
[3:55:43] budget. So it's a very challenging time for the new
[3:55:46] council for sure to understand this project, which we're recommending
[3:55:49] to go to a counterpartition. Uh, and then we'll have
[3:55:52] to do our borrowing in time, uh, which is before
[3:55:57] July 31st is likely the date that we would have
[3:56:00] to meet for the borrowing. Uh, if the counter petition
[3:56:04] fails, we'll then have to look at raising taxes to
[3:56:06] pay for this. This is not a, uh, should we
[3:56:10] do this project? This is a, we must do the
[3:56:12] project. And it's a very difficult project and very expensive
[3:56:15] project. So Mr. Mayor, this is presented for information. Councillor
[3:56:19] Justice. Thank you. Yeah. Just a question to help me
[3:56:24] with my understanding. As I read the report, I got
[3:56:27] the sense that staff considered the prestress concrete cylinder pipe
[3:56:33] to present a very serious, um, failure risk. But at
[3:56:40] the same time, the proposed funding process, as I understood,
[3:56:45] could delay the project until 2027. So I'd like to
[3:56:49] more fully understand that. Trade - off. I guess, more
[3:56:55] fully. I mean, what are we risking and what could
[3:56:58] it cost us if we, if we wait till 2027,
[3:57:02] as why aren't we pushing ahead with as fast as
[3:57:05] possible. The risk is really for a failure in the
[3:57:10] interim of which we have to repair it. So it
[3:57:12] would be the repair costs associated with the failure before
[3:57:16] we go to. We're unable at this point given it's
[3:57:20] going to, we've been establishing the, uh, the lines for
[3:57:24] the, those that will pay in terms of users. Uh,
[3:57:28] and also we run into the election. So there was
[3:57:31] multiple of impacts of why this couldn't precede this term.
[3:57:38] Okay. Thanks. Councillor Sash. Just a question or maybe even
[3:57:44] an opportunity. I mean, not many people listen or maybe
[3:57:47] it's the radio on. I just fear of the risks
[3:57:51] we've seen in other communities of counter petitions no matter
[3:57:54] the urgency or the dire crisis of it, uh, undermining
[3:57:59] of the messaging of a municipality to get funding and
[3:58:04] be able to move forward through the local government act
[3:58:06] of a project of this nature. And I'm sure staff
[3:58:09] were already wrapping their heads around on the, uh, transparency
[3:58:13] and the educational component of it. Do we feel that,
[3:58:17] uh, from what you've seen in other places, this should
[3:58:19] be something that the next council has to worry about.
[3:58:22] It is touched on there a bit being that it's
[3:58:24] a petition process, but I'm still trying to reflect. And
[3:58:27] I think I've asked Council before just my two terms
[3:58:30] in Saskatchewan. I think this is, is this a unique
[3:58:33] process to BC? Uh, I know we are able to
[3:58:36] do projects of crisis without having to have the public
[3:58:39] vote us down on it without intimate lack of intimate
[3:58:43] knowledge or maybe misinformation. Biasing there. The petition process. I
[3:58:49] think Mr. Mayor, that's a good segue into we'll be
[3:58:53] bringing forward a report to the new Council. And we'll
[3:58:55] be providing those options and the REST associated with it.
[3:58:58] And how we move forward. Council Finley. Just from my
[3:59:04] understanding, Mr. Swaybe, um, this is a South End water.
[3:59:08] System. It'd be the local areas, uh, service for the
[3:59:10] south end. It wouldn't be municipal wide. That's correct. Well,
[3:59:19] that's part of the issue that we're resolving, as you
[3:59:21] know, the Croft and water supply. There's a mixing that's
[3:59:26] been going on and we're, we're trying to resolve who
[3:59:28] actually will be benefiting from this. Was someone like to
[3:59:33] move or receive this for information? By Council Justice, Second
[3:59:36] by Councillor Staff, I'll call the question all in favor.
[3:59:38] And opposed and opposed motion carries. All right. One more
[3:59:40] report. Item 11. 3, Mr. Swaby. Thank you, Mr. Mayor
[3:59:44] 11. 3 is a report on the King's View childcare
[3:59:47] construction Tender Part 2. The purpose is to award the
[3:59:50] contracts for framing labour architectural woodwork cemental electrical and landscaping
[3:59:58] for the construction of the King's View childcare centre. Uh,
[4:00:02] the recommendations are quite lengthy on page 14. Would you
[4:00:06] like me to read them all? I don't think it's
[4:00:08] necessary, but I'll turn to Council. No. Yeah. Okay. Now
[4:00:12] I don't think it's necessary, Mr. Swaby. So they're all
[4:00:14] as set owed on page 14. All right. So we've
[4:00:17] got six different contracts being awarded here. Um, for the
[4:00:21] work that Mr. Swabi reference with someone like to move
[4:00:23] the recommendation, the By Council Hogs, that come by Councillor
[4:00:26] Justice, any discussion. Councillor Stache. Just real quick, just on
[4:00:30] the one sentence in here. It's, it's speaking to the
[4:00:33] whole project that this is within budget just to clarify.
[4:00:38] We're falling in under budget on this currently. Great. Thanks.
[4:00:43] Call the question then. I'll. Be good. All right. I'll
[4:00:51] call the question all in favor. And opposed, not opposed
[4:00:54] motion carries. And then I move on to new business.
[4:00:56] We have two motions that we're introduced at the July
[4:01:00] Council meeting Council Justice. Item 12. 1. Just thank you
[4:01:09] Mr. Mayor. Item 12. 1 refers to sustainable archive space
[4:01:13] for the Couch and Valley Museum. And the motion that
[4:01:17] I would like to make is that Council direct staff
[4:01:20] to work with the couch and historical society to assist
[4:01:23] them in identifying options for suitable sufficient and sustainable space
[4:01:27] for the archives of the Couch and Valley Museum and
[4:01:29] Archives. As staff capacity permits and alongside other Council priorities
[4:01:35] and I speak very briefly to it if it's seconded.
[4:01:39] Second, my counts for stash. Thank you. So excuse me,
[4:01:44] the Cowch and Valley Museum and archives does provide an
[4:01:48] important, um, public service by preserving the history and heritage
[4:01:52] of our community. Um, these, uh, archives are not simply
[4:01:57] a, uh, collection of stored materials. They're a very valuable
[4:02:02] resource. Um, they require appropriate conditions to ensure they're protected
[4:02:07] and accessible. And the current archival space, uh, inadequate and
[4:02:12] does not meet many of the essential, um, preservation standards
[4:02:16] and also does not provide a secure long - term
[4:02:20] solution. So supporting this motion would allow the municipality to
[4:02:25] work collaboratively with and assist the historic society to explore
[4:02:31] some practical options for, for finding or getting obtaining. Um,
[4:02:37] suitable and sustainable. Space. I think this is a reasonable
[4:02:43] constructive role for the municipality helping protect an important community
[4:02:48] asset. We'll also recognising that staff capacity and other council
[4:02:54] priorities are there and demanding. So I hope Council can
[4:02:58] support this motion. Councillor Stash. I'll happily support the motion.
[4:03:05] My own thought was is just making the Crofton Museum
[4:03:09] and the Shimanez Museum. I know Ximanez has extensive archives.
[4:03:12] And if there's any, as I spoke about with Cow
[4:03:15] - op of, you know, groups getting together and working
[4:03:18] collectively to achieve the goals that there might be a
[4:03:21] funding sources that Crofton and Chemaines have, it would be
[4:03:24] able to support this. As alongside the couch and value
[4:03:27] museum. So just making them aware of this would be
[4:03:30] my only addition. Thanks for smiling. Did he contrarian at
[4:03:36] the table? I'm curious why we would take this on
[4:03:38] and not maybe recommend it to CBRD or City of
[4:03:42] Duncan to participate in this since obviously it's for the
[4:03:46] entire Council Valley, not just North Cowching. I don't know
[4:03:53] if that's a question. The Council of Justice, maybe. Councillor
[4:03:55] Justice, you want to take that on. Um, all I
[4:03:58] would say to the Councillor on my right is you've
[4:04:02] seen this CVRD. Megas who would add to that is
[4:04:11] with the Shimanos Valley Historical Society, we do fund them
[4:04:16] annually and we have worked with them on their space
[4:04:19] where they house their, um, their exhibits, um, whereas I
[4:04:23] don't believe the CVRD is, uh, previously provided with any
[4:04:26] funding. With the Couch and Valley Historical Society, I don't
[4:04:29] believe the CBRD funds them. I believe it is just
[4:04:31] us and the City of Duncan, although, um, I haven't
[4:04:34] checked the grants and aid from the individual electoral areas
[4:04:37] and they have quite a bit of discretional word. Those,
[4:04:39] there could be some severity funding involved. But to my
[4:04:42] knowledge, it's never come before the board. Councilman ask. Mr.
[4:04:46] Mayor. This is a question for Councillor Justice. Um, Homer
[4:04:50] Space, are you looking for? Like what's do you know
[4:04:52] what they're looking for. Council of Justice? I don't have
[4:04:56] that information, Councilman S. Okay, so our staff can do
[4:05:00] that research. Yeah. Okay. All right, it's been moved in
[4:05:06] seconded. We've discussed it, ready for the question. All in
[4:05:09] favor. And opposed, not opposed motion carries. We'll move on
[4:05:13] to item 12. 2. Councillor Justice. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[4:05:20] Um, this is an item called support for Vancouver Island
[4:05:24] value added wood manufacturer strategy and the motion that I
[4:05:27] would like to make that I will make is that
[4:05:31] Council authorizes the mayor to write to the minister of
[4:05:34] forests requesting that the province of British Columbia work in
[4:05:37] partnership with local governments, First Nations, value - added wood
[4:05:40] manufacturers, workers, labour organisations, educational institutes, institutions and other stakeholders
[4:05:47] to develop a Vancouver Island value added wood manufacturing strategy
[4:05:52] focused on increasing local manufacturing investment innovation and employment opportunities.
[4:05:58] And as I read that, I believe that's not the
[4:06:05] latest version of the motion. I think this was. Could
[4:06:12] you help me with that? Can you go into the
[4:06:14] depth of. Cause it's slightly adjusted. And I think I've
[4:06:19] got. Like as the attachment and report of the correct
[4:06:29] motion in it. Yes. And I've got that here. And
[4:06:32] let me pull that up. Council again. We're all going
[4:06:36] to have that in our agendas. All right. It's slightly
[4:06:39] different. It's not much different, but it's that Council advocate
[4:06:43] for the development of a Vancouver value added wood manufacturing
[4:06:46] strategy and authorized the mayor to write the minister of
[4:06:49] force requesting that the province of British Columbia work with
[4:06:52] a local government's First Nations. Industry workers industry workers, labour
[4:06:56] organisations, educational institutes and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive
[4:06:59] regional strategy that creates greater economic value from timber harvested
[4:07:04] on Vancouver Island and through increased value added manufacturing investment,
[4:07:08] innovation, and employment. That's the one in the report. So
[4:07:14] the last page of our agenda, the record. So I
[4:07:17] would move that. Is there a seconder. Second by Councillor
[4:07:20] Stash. You want to speak to it first? Yes, I
[4:07:23] would like to. Speak to it first. Um, so I
[4:07:27] mean, the idea for this regional Vancouver value added wood
[4:07:32] manufacturing strategy. Um, this came out of discussions at the
[4:07:37] mill closure response working group. Um, it's pretty clear that
[4:07:42] the recent milk closures and curtailments affecting operations such as
[4:07:47] the craft and pop and paper mill, Western forest products,
[4:07:51] Chema's and Couch and Bay sawmills have demonstrated that the,
[4:07:56] uh, the vulnerability of resource dependent communities like ours and
[4:08:01] reinforced the importance of, of finding ways to have strengthening
[4:08:07] or long - term economic resilience. Um, one observation from
[4:08:12] the working group was that although timber harvesting is still
[4:08:15] occurring as we all see daily from the many loaded
[4:08:19] logging trucks passing through our communities too much of the
[4:08:23] Economic value created from our forests leave the island with
[4:08:28] the logs rather than generating, um, jobs and investment and
[4:08:34] long - term prosperity here. Um, at the same time,
[4:08:39] we know that there are value - added wood manufacturers
[4:08:43] on the island, including in North Cowching that are absolutely
[4:08:47] thriving. Um, creating good jobs, attracting investment and generating wealth
[4:08:53] within our community. So the question is the very simple
[4:08:56] question is, what can we do to create better conditions
[4:08:59] for more such businesses. To be born, to grow and
[4:09:07] to prosper. Um, I'm certainly no expert in the industry,
[4:09:13] but I do have great faith. In the knowledge and
[4:09:16] the creativity of our skilled workers, of our value added
[4:09:21] manufacturers of our labour organisations and of our educational institutions.
[4:09:26] And I believe that if brought together for this purpose,
[4:09:30] um, they could develop. A strategy. That would create better
[4:09:37] conditions for more wealth to be generated here from the
[4:09:41] timber. The timber being harvested here. So, you know, right?
[4:09:46] Like a log can become lumber, but lumber can also
[4:09:50] become engineered wood products, mass timber components, prefabricated buildings or
[4:09:57] other sorts of finished products. And that with each additional
[4:10:01] step, there's an opportunity for more jobs, for more investment,
[4:10:05] for more wealth to be created and to remain in
[4:10:08] our community. We can't, um, today know all of the
[4:10:16] opportunities that, uh, are possible for the future, but, um,
[4:10:22] I think that we can identify some of the barriers
[4:10:26] to, um, their creation and invention. Um, so I know
[4:10:33] some of you would worry about this, but this is
[4:10:35] certainly not about government picking winners or trying to overcome.
[4:10:39] Market forces. It's really about creating conditions that make it
[4:10:42] easier for value added wood. Businesses to succeed. And I
[4:10:50] would also say that the objective of this, um, is
[4:10:54] not necessarily to harvest more timber. It's really to create
[4:10:59] more economic value from the timber that is already being
[4:11:04] harvested. I say that we're not necessarily. It doesn't preclude
[4:11:08] that. But this is about creating more value from the
[4:11:12] timber already being harvested here. Given the deep forest history
[4:11:18] of communities across Vancouver Island, a regional strategy makes sense.
[4:11:23] North Cowch and also is a great position to provide
[4:11:26] leadership on such a strategy. We have workers, businesses, educational
[4:11:30] institutions and First Nations with lots of deep knowledge and
[4:11:34] experience that could contribute to a strategy like this. I
[4:11:42] guess, you know, for generations forestry has been the lifeblood
[4:11:47] of this community and many other Vancouver Island communities, but
[4:11:52] I think the challenge now is to imagine the next
[4:11:55] chapter of that industry one that's more diverse, innovative and
[4:12:00] resilient. So the other concern I would anticipate here is
[4:12:05] that this is well beyond the rule and capacity of
[4:12:08] a municipal government. But advocating for something like this to
[4:12:13] happen is certainly in alignment with North Cowching's strategic plan.
[4:12:18] So just in closing, I believe this is an idea
[4:12:21] with supporting. And worth encouraging the province to pursue. Thank
[4:12:27] you. Councillor Stache. Thanks Mayor. Just when you talk about
[4:12:36] subject matter like this just makes me think of my
[4:12:39] two decades in oil industry, the most successful companies were
[4:12:42] companies that were and still are and improving the most
[4:12:45] successful now are vertically iterated. They are in through the
[4:12:49] whole process and, uh, they're utilising that resource along a
[4:12:53] longer spectrum and more time. So if we look at
[4:12:54] that for the forestry industry here and we get more
[4:12:58] hands on every cubic metre of lumber rather than just
[4:13:03] initial touch of cutting it and leaving, if we can
[4:13:06] get more people touching it along the process and then
[4:13:08] that manufacturing side, it's an absolute success. And, uh, it
[4:13:13] could be the point where you're generating more jobs, more
[4:13:17] revenue and more value add within the community while not
[4:13:20] needing to harvest even more lumber. You might even be
[4:13:23] able to harvest less on the island, but yet be
[4:13:26] generating more revenue and more income. And then we would
[4:13:29] be also saving money on the hindsight of possibly we'd
[4:13:33] be looking at more intact watersheds. And we could look
[4:13:35] at areas that aren't so susceptible to, uh, environmental damage.
[4:13:41] So the wins in this, uh, as you said, we're
[4:13:44] not expert at this table. It's not for us to
[4:13:46] figure it out. So full support of it. But my
[4:13:48] question was, um, I'm trying to recall what our hopes
[4:13:52] were at UBCM, which ministers we were in and I
[4:13:54] was wondering if the minister force was one of the
[4:13:57] meetings we were hoping to get during the conference. Yeah.
[4:14:00] We have put in the request. Um, I don't believe
[4:14:03] staff have confirmation yet in terms of, uh, who are
[4:14:06] meeting with. I think there was about a half dozen
[4:14:07] requests. We submitted. So we should be getting word on
[4:14:10] that, uh, pretty soon. Hopefully we have had success in
[4:14:13] getting a meeting with the forest minister in the past.
[4:14:16] Hopefully we do this time as well. In light of
[4:14:19] this just to say this would be kind of front
[4:14:21] and centre in my thought would be the one to
[4:14:24] it. And, uh, definitely a lot of networking. It's good
[4:14:27] timing. If hopefully Council sees the Meriden supporting this unanimously.
[4:14:32] And that's UBCM would be a good networking opportunity with
[4:14:35] other island community officials and staff. Thanks Councillor Stash. Councillor
[4:14:43] Finley. Thanks Mr. Mayor. I'm one of the things about
[4:14:46] being at this seat for almost four years is I've
[4:14:49] learned so much about forestry that I never thought I
[4:14:51] would learn. And it's been, it's been fascinating and interesting.
[4:14:55] Um, the issue I have with this motion is that
[4:14:58] it treats more value added manufacturing and less log exports
[4:15:02] as almost synonymous with more prosperity, uh, and force your
[4:15:06] economics as we understand is considerably more complicated. The biggest
[4:15:11] issue I see with motion is that there's no distinction
[4:15:14] between economically viable logs in uneconomic fibre. Just because a
[4:15:19] log is processed locally does not make it automatically more
[4:15:21] valuable. It really comes down to species size grade and
[4:15:25] all the costs associated with harvesting with the harvesting location.
[4:15:29] Transportation to markets, local mill technology and availability. And the
[4:15:34] available market for that log. And implying the value added
[4:15:38] manufacturing is a solution to mill closures is a pretty
[4:15:41] casual leap. Part of the issue is that if a
[4:15:44] new secondary manufacturer receives fibre that would otherwise supply sawmill.
[4:15:48] And that sawmill loses the ability to operate economically. The
[4:15:51] region hasn't actually necessarily created more value at all. Biggest
[4:15:56] issue with our forestry sector is that our timber supply
[4:15:59] is constrained by deliberate provincial policy choices. And asking the
[4:16:03] province to then champion an island value add strategy flies
[4:16:06] in the face of current provincial policy. And the current
[4:16:09] supply issues are mills are facing. Ronald Reagan said it
[4:16:13] best. I'm quoting a president. This is fun. But an
[4:16:17] older president. The scariest nine words. Not the current president.
[4:16:20] Not the current president. The scariest nine words in English
[4:16:23] language are I'm from the government and I'm here to
[4:16:24] help. He used the phrase to express his view that
[4:16:27] government intervention often hinders rather than helps individual freedom and
[4:16:31] problem solving. If we truly wanted an economically viable forest
[4:16:35] industry here in North Couch, non Vancouver Island. We should
[4:16:37] allow me the province to fast track timber license permitting.
[4:16:41] Which obviously provides more supply to our mills. And then
[4:16:45] potentially evaluated manufacturing thereafter, uh, we should be lobbying the
[4:16:49] feds to cut the deal on tariffs. Hopefully that's going
[4:16:51] to happen this week. And then get out of the
[4:16:52] way and let this industry do what it's always done,
[4:16:55] which is providing great timber products locally into the world
[4:16:59] while creating and maintaining fantastic local hyping jobs. As muddying
[4:17:04] the waters will hinder that private sector drive. I support
[4:17:08] our forestry, I support our force shoe workers, all of
[4:17:10] them, including those who work at all the harvesting, trucking,
[4:17:14] milling, value ad and shipping jobs. And I support pressuring
[4:17:18] the province to speed up license permanents as fast as
[4:17:21] possible. But I don't think I can support this motion
[4:17:24] as it's written. Thanks. Thanks Councillor Hog. Thank you. Thank
[4:17:31] you for bringing this motion forward. We've seen these meals
[4:17:35] been shut down for a long time now. And, um,
[4:17:38] there hasn't been really much moving at all. And this
[4:17:41] motion here, it is bringing forward some kind of ideas.
[4:17:44] We're advocating four forests for workers, uh, it's not perfect.
[4:17:50] But it is at least giving a little bit of
[4:17:52] hope and, um, I think pressuring of any sort to
[4:17:56] the government for our sector is what we need to
[4:17:58] do at this time. And if that's what we can
[4:18:00] do sitting here at the table, then I'm in support
[4:18:02] of it. All right. I'm going to jump in now.
[4:18:08] I will add as well that our last, uh, Milk
[4:18:12] Clish Response word meeting in July. One of the assistant
[4:18:16] deputy ministers from the Ministry of Forest did attend that
[4:18:18] meeting. So was able to answer some of the questions
[4:18:21] and concerns. We raising over the previous months. And I
[4:18:25] could say we got all the answers we wanted in
[4:18:27] that discussion, but did appreciate the opportunity for that. Face
[4:18:31] - to - face interaction in terms of the concerns
[4:18:34] we've been raising it at this table and at that
[4:18:35] working group. However, um, the citizen epidemister from the Ministry
[4:18:41] of Forest, um, we did discuss this particular proposal as
[4:18:44] it had been, um, as Council Justice had given notice
[4:18:47] of it prior to that meeting. And there was interest
[4:18:50] from that, uh, ADM and in working with us on
[4:18:54] a island - wide forestry strategy. Obviously, that would, um,
[4:18:59] there'd be a forest ministry himself, probably have to, to
[4:19:02] make the ultimate decision on that. But it was good
[4:19:04] to see at the staff level that there was at
[4:19:06] least an interest with us, sorry, an interest in working
[4:19:09] with us to explore this further. So as Council Members,
[4:19:14] the public are well aware of the forest industry right
[4:19:16] across British Columbia right now is in rough shape and
[4:19:19] communities across the province, feeling the effects of mill closures
[4:19:23] and extended curtailments. And the clear example of that in
[4:19:26] here in North Couch. And the Croft and Paul Mill
[4:19:29] is closed. The Shimane Assamil has been under an extended
[4:19:33] retailment since last summer. And the Couch and Baymil is
[4:19:37] currently down and that'll continue into the fall. This has
[4:19:40] meant hundreds of jobs lost or in jeopardy, a significant
[4:19:43] impact on our industrial tax base and increasing pressure on
[4:19:45] the contractors, the small businesses that depend on the Economic
[4:19:49] Activity Generator from these sites. And the opinions out there
[4:19:53] on how we got there, ranging from the lack of
[4:19:55] a soft little lumber agreement to provincial fibre policies. For
[4:19:59] many Canadian producers, the combination of tariffs and trade duties,
[4:20:02] uh, thanks to President Donald Trump is now approaching an
[4:20:08] enormous cost on an industry already under immense pressure. And
[4:20:12] we could, we could spend our time right now debating
[4:20:14] who's responsible. My VR job is local leaders is to
[4:20:18] focus on constructive solutions and ask how we can actually
[4:20:22] do right now to strengthen our, our forestry sector, not
[4:20:26] just here in North Coucher, but across Vancouver Island. And
[4:20:29] we need to ask ourselves whether we're getting full economic
[4:20:31] benefit from the forests we harvest on Vancouver Island. It's
[4:20:35] difficult to reconcile having mills closed down because the fibre
[4:20:38] shortages will raw logs are still being exported from facilities
[4:20:42] right here in North Couch. And our focus right now,
[4:20:45] in my view, should be on finding ways that we
[4:20:47] can work together to create the right conditions where it
[4:20:50] makes more sense to manufacture our logs locally here on
[4:20:54] the island rather than exporting them to markets. And the
[4:20:57] United States Japan China, South Korea, our other overseas markets.
[4:21:02] And whether it's through engineered wood products, mass timber, or
[4:21:05] prefabricated building components, we have a real opportunity to keep
[4:21:08] that value at home, securing skill jobs, more investment, and
[4:21:12] a resilient local economy right here on Vancouver Island. Obviously
[4:21:15] North Couch and Can't Create such a strategy on its
[4:21:18] own, but we can use our voice task. The problems
[4:21:20] to bring together local governments, First Nations, industry, workers, and
[4:21:25] educational institutions to develop one. Forestry has been part of
[4:21:28] identity for generations and will continue to be vital to
[4:21:32] our future. Moving this proposal forward is about building on
[4:21:35] that foundation to create more value from our resource before
[4:21:38] it leaves the island. There's a constructing step forward. It
[4:21:42] asks the province to work with the people who understand
[4:21:44] this industry and unlock more value, more investment, and more
[4:21:47] employment from the forests on Vancouver Island. So I hope
[4:21:51] Council will support the motion and ideally we could bring
[4:21:54] this up and our, if we can get a meeting
[4:21:56] with the forest minister at Union of East Municipalities Convention
[4:21:59] next month. There's nothing else to add all. Call the
[4:22:03] question then. All in favor. And oppose Councillor Finley opposed
[4:22:07] motion carries. All right, we've got to notice a motion
[4:22:10] from Councillor Stash. It's not going to be debated until
[4:22:12] the September 2nd meeting. Would you like to read it
[4:22:15] out Councillor Stache or wait for the September 2nd meeting.
[4:22:19] All right. Okay. We'll now move on to question period.
[4:22:23] I'll ask if they're, Oh, sorry. Of course. Yeah. Yeah.
[4:22:27] There's three items under new business. Thanks for catching that.
[4:22:29] So we'll go back to the, uh, consent agenda. We've
[4:22:34] got item 4. 2. 5 counts for stash. Thanks, Mayor.
[4:22:39] Um, my hope is that, uh, Councilwood support you writing
[4:22:45] a similar letter. Um, supporting and requesting the continuation of
[4:22:48] the local government climate action program funding. And the reason
[4:22:52] I say that is I look at, uh, as we'd
[4:22:54] heard from public input, uh, our climate action energy plan
[4:22:59] has been extremely successful for the last 14 years. And,
[4:23:03] uh, we see the benefits every day in that, uh,
[4:23:06] of all the programs that are in place. And part
[4:23:10] of the reason our cape is so successful is that
[4:23:14] it's a very clear, concise and results proven plan. That
[4:23:20] allows us to get, uh, this program funding from the
[4:23:24] provincial government easily because they see that we already have
[4:23:27] a plan and place to execute the funds from the
[4:23:29] higher level of government, an efficient manner. So what it
[4:23:32] helps us, uh, getting these grants. And then those grants
[4:23:35] are leveraged because we have the cape. I'd like to
[4:23:39] see our climate action energy plan continue to be as
[4:23:42] successful as possible. And I think utilising this provincial program
[4:23:46] funding source helps make that possible. And I think we
[4:23:48] should really urge the provincial government do that. Especially with
[4:23:53] light out of how we've looked at our terms of
[4:23:55] reference. And our utilising it this year, um, I don't
[4:24:00] think as a waste and I don't think it's a
[4:24:02] slush fund when we consider wildfire mitigation and a wildfire
[4:24:06] strategy in a wildfire specialist in North Cowching. I think
[4:24:09] that's sensible climate action work. And especially when one of
[4:24:14] the letters here, as I said, there was three of
[4:24:15] them, but, uh, when you look at a community like
[4:24:18] the Regional District of the Okanagan saying, please don't take
[4:24:21] this away as they're being, um, most impacted in the
[4:24:25] province continually year after year by wildfire, which is one
[4:24:28] of the things we see for, uh, result of us
[4:24:31] needing to take more, uh, extensive climate action. So I
[4:24:35] hope we have council support to support you writing a
[4:24:37] letter to the province to make sure that North Couch
[4:24:40] and comedic schools, uh, consistent, predictable funding. You want to
[4:24:44] move that authorized me to write the letter? Yes, I
[4:24:46] would. So it's moved. Is there a second or second
[4:24:48] by Council Justice? Any discussion? Are we want to call
[4:24:50] the question. Call the question then all in favor. And
[4:24:54] oppose. Now, a pose motion carries. We'll now move on
[4:24:58] to item 4. 2. 9. So I pulled this, uh,
[4:25:02] this is a request from Makola Housing Society to support
[4:25:06] the every child matters events scheduled for September 2026. Um,
[4:25:12] I don't believe there was a amount in their requests,
[4:25:16] but I would suggest we consider, um, authorizing staff to
[4:25:20] provide a grant, um, up to the amount that we
[4:25:22] provided in 2025. Yeah. You want to move that move
[4:25:26] by Councillor Stash. Yeah. I don't have the amount
[4:25:36] of. Money. I mean, we do have a budget for
[4:25:40] First Nations partnerships. It would have been drawn from there.
[4:25:42] Yeah. I was going to ask if you want Ms.
[4:25:44] Better to let you know how much money you have.
[4:25:47] Yeah. Ms. Vetter, are you aware of how much we
[4:25:49] provided in terms of a grant for the everchells child
[4:25:52] matters. Events, um, in 2025. Uh, I believe it was
[4:26:00] three. So how about we authorized a grant for up
[4:26:04] to three, 000 dollars. How much. Money is in the.
[4:26:11] I think it's the indigenous partnerships fun, which we continued
[4:26:15] for this year. Are you asking how much you have
[4:26:17] remaining? Yeah. How much we have remaining right now. Uh,
[4:26:21] roughly 16, 000 dollars. All right. There's enough in there.
[4:26:29] All right. So it's been moved in seconded, but, um,
[4:26:31] I'll turn the corporate officer. Can we take that as
[4:26:33] a friendly amendment just to include the 3000 figure in
[4:26:35] there? Okay. Mr. Mayor, just, just in case it's 3,
[4:26:40] 500, uh, I would say up to the amount that
[4:26:43] was provided last year. All right. Does that work for
[4:26:50] everyone? All right. I'll call the question then. Oh, sorry,
[4:26:52] Councillor Finley, jump in. One of the comments and the
[4:26:58] letter from, I believe it was Miss George. Yes, from
[4:27:02] Audrey George. Audrey George. Was that, uh, they hadn't heard
[4:27:04] back from any funders to date. And if they don't
[4:27:07] receive enough funding, can we ensure that they have other
[4:27:10] funders as well? If you understand what I mean. Do
[4:27:15] we want to cut the check. And then they don't
[4:27:17] get the rest of funding? Will we receive the funds
[4:27:19] back if it doesn't happen is the question. Yeah. I
[4:27:22] would assume if the event doesn't happen, we'll get the
[4:27:24] check back. I mean, that was what happened with the,
[4:27:26] uh, Duncan Day's parade. We provided the grant when it
[4:27:29] didn't move forward. Receive the money back. Yeah, I'm seeing
[4:27:33] nodding from staff. All right. Can I call the question
[4:27:35] then? All in favor. And opposed and opposed motion carries.
[4:27:40] We'll now move on to item 4. 2. 11. So
[4:27:43] I, uh, I pulled this, uh, this item. So we
[4:27:46] received correspondence from this group and view royal. And what
[4:27:51] they're suggesting is that, um, as the province is introduced,
[4:27:55] uh, Bill 44, um, the current building code. For many
[4:27:59] cases, it makes more sense for developers to tear down
[4:28:02] some of these existing structures rather than to renovate and
[4:28:05] repurpose them for additional density. So the, um, this group
[4:28:09] has, uh, made the case that the, the province should
[4:28:12] look at making changes to the, uh, the building code
[4:28:15] to make it, uh, easier to repurpose some of these
[4:28:18] existing buildings. And they've cited, um, affordability in terms of
[4:28:23] the construction costs, greater retention of tree coverage and some
[4:28:28] of these properties, uh, helpful and meeting are some of
[4:28:32] our climate objectives. You know, I don't have the expertise
[4:28:35] to endorse this, this proposal, but I think it is
[4:28:37] worth exploring. And I wondered if Councilwood would be interested
[4:28:40] in authorize immediately to write a letter to the province
[4:28:44] encouraging them to give a close look at this, uh,
[4:28:46] proposal and see if it could be viable. But it
[4:28:49] is, uh, topic that's come up several times recently. We
[4:28:52] just received a presentation at our last, um, last meeting
[4:28:55] from, uh, one of our local residents who is advocating
[4:28:59] for changes to the building code to make it easier
[4:29:01] to retrofit existing buildings. And then, uh, earlier this year,
[4:29:06] we did send the letter to the province and I
[4:29:09] in the house with regards to the purposing of the
[4:29:11] existing outros. We'll turn to Council. Thoughts. Councillor Stache. I
[4:29:20] think it's a great idea. And that's why I think
[4:29:23] I had asked you or was someone else on Council.
[4:29:25] And I, we got this email and we had the
[4:29:27] presentation at the same time when I was wondering how
[4:29:29] they're linked. But the stats show that it just really
[4:29:32] makes so much sense from if we're going to talk
[4:29:35] about, you know, the, you know, emissions and waste is
[4:29:41] already captured in the building and the energy savings. And
[4:29:43] of course absolutely cost savings. Um, so having special, uh,
[4:29:49] policies that support this, I see no problem with it.
[4:29:53] Councillor Finley. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. You know I'm all about
[4:29:57] repurposing. Um, that's what I've done for 30 years. This,
[4:30:01] this is a bit convoluted in my opinion because it
[4:30:04] really talks about, you know, three bedroom, four bedroom houses
[4:30:07] that's occupied by two people. That seems to be one
[4:30:11] of the core tenants in here. And, you know, I
[4:30:14] mean, if that's saying, Hey, we can convert this to
[4:30:16] a sweet insight to house. And I mean, we're all
[4:30:19] for that anyway, if it meets, you know, our needs
[4:30:22] locally. I have zero interest in dropping a building if
[4:30:25] we don't have to drop a building. All about repurposing.
[4:30:29] But it's just, it's just a convoluted letter in my,
[4:30:32] in my view. And I'm, you know, it's tying in
[4:30:36] circular economy to emissions to, you know, providing, uh, potentially
[4:30:42] obviously an option for maybe seniors to, to convert their
[4:30:45] houses. But I'm just. I'm wary on it. I just,
[4:30:48] I don't like how it's, it's worded in all these
[4:30:50] different things being jammed into one, one letter. So I'm
[4:30:53] a little, I'd say confused. It's not our word, but
[4:30:56] I just don't like how it's written. You know, I
[4:30:58] hear what you're saying. Councillor family and my thinking was
[4:31:00] to write something fairly straightforward and simple and just suggest
[4:31:03] the province. Hey, we received this proposal. We think it's
[4:31:06] worth exploring and the couragem to take a look at
[4:31:08] it without necessarily getting into the nuance of all the
[4:31:11] different arguments that are presented on. It. I'm in favor
[4:31:17] of that. Um, I'm in favor of also amending the
[4:31:20] Strata property Act to make it easier to convert all
[4:31:22] the buildings as well. So I think if we can,
[4:31:24] you know, utilising a skill set like Mr. Iverson has
[4:31:27] and talking about all the different ways to, uh, to
[4:31:29] repurpose buildings. What you're suggesting. Councillor Manasse and then do
[4:31:37] you have your hand up Council Justice? Oh, okay. Oh,
[4:31:41] look Councilman asked Wayne and I'll let you move it.
[4:31:43] I do support this. I'm not sure how receptive the
[4:31:47] Prince of government's going to be. Errors, you know, we
[4:31:49] got a 60 year old building here that they've got
[4:31:52] its past is useful life. So I'm not sure how
[4:31:53] far the government's going to go. You want to move
[4:31:57] it then? So authorize metre write a letter to the
[4:31:59] province, encourage them to explore changes the building code to
[4:32:02] support the concept as outline in this proposal. Moved. All
[4:32:06] right. Is there a second or second of my councillor
[4:32:08] stash? Can I call the question? All in favor. And
[4:32:11] oppose and oppose motion carries. All right. So that concludes
[4:32:16] new business. We can now move on to question period.
[4:32:19] Are there any members of the public would like to
[4:32:21] step forward to the podium with a question for Council.
[4:32:25] Yeah. Please, Sir Rustlin and Slawin. Mr. Rustin, we did
[4:32:35] just, um, pass an amendment to our procedure bylaws. So
[4:32:38] we had a, we had the 32nd cutoff requestions. It's
[4:32:41] now one minute. So you still got to be concise,
[4:32:45] but you're going to have a little bit more, uh,
[4:32:46] time to. Thank you worship. I'll be very brief. Uh,
[4:32:50] packaging this together, the value added, uh, would manufacturing the
[4:32:56] co - op and the density to demolition all X1
[4:33:00] ideas, all things that our economic development committee can help
[4:33:05] thinking ahead, not Frontier ideas like chopping down all the
[4:33:09] trees because most that's a dying industry to me. But
[4:33:14] we can move ahead with value edit. And that means
[4:33:17] banning the raw log exports because that ship's jobs over
[4:33:20] somewhere else. Um, archives, um, they're now, uh, it was
[4:33:26] not mentioned. Those archives are now in the third flora
[4:33:30] City Hall Duncan. And my three ideas I had is
[4:33:34] possibly space at the forest museum, uh, possibly, um, in
[4:33:40] a, one of the homes that is slated for demolition,
[4:33:44] uh, like over around York Road, you buy the house,
[4:33:47] you put the archives in. Or the round building. Duncan.
[4:33:50] Oh, Mr. Russian wrote a time. I'm done. Thank you.
[4:33:53] It's out of time. All right. Thank you. Just ideas.
[4:33:55] Thanks. Thank you. Hi, Ms. Law.
[4:34:06] Hello. I just want to say thank you for everything
[4:34:08] you guys have done and so quickly. It's been amazing.
[4:34:11] I do have one question. So the engineers report had
[4:34:13] a lot of different suggestions and things for the district
[4:34:17] or the school and the municipality for the future. Um,
[4:34:20] I'm wondering when those will be like looked at by
[4:34:24] you guys or implemented or is this like, I'm very
[4:34:28] happy with what happened tonight. Like that's, I just wanted
[4:34:30] some signs. So thanks. I'm personally good. Maybe I shouldn't
[4:34:34] say that. But, uh, like, where do we go from
[4:34:37] here now? Like do we come back in a year?
[4:34:39] Do we, cause there was a lot of different suggestions
[4:34:42] on, on that very lengthy, amazing report. So I'm just
[4:34:46] wondering. Yep. My understanding is the, um, the motions that
[4:34:51] we passed this evening, those going to be implemented likely
[4:34:55] towards the end of the year, early 2027. Um, for
[4:34:59] anything else, uh, the price tags obviously going to be
[4:35:02] a lot, uh, larger. So that would have to come
[4:35:05] to Council as part of our, um, capital expenditure program.
[4:35:08] We've got to make those tough choices in terms of
[4:35:10] where we're going to, um, direct our limited capital funding
[4:35:14] and not. We're also in the process now of updating
[4:35:16] our development cost charges by a law. So that's the
[4:35:19] funds we collect from developers to pay for growth related
[4:35:23] infrastructure and staff of determine that some of these improvements
[4:35:27] on your cabinet would fit within the criteria for the
[4:35:31] development cost charges bylaw. Our divine cost charges by a
[4:35:34] lot. We haven't updated it since 2012. So it's quite
[4:35:37] out of date. We're in the process doing that now.
[4:35:40] And, uh, once that is updated, um, it's going to
[4:35:42] take time, but we will be able to build up,
[4:35:44] um, healthier reserve balances and being a better position to
[4:35:48] move ahead with some of these improvements and places like
[4:35:51] Crofton or Shamanus and other parts of municipality. And, um,
[4:35:54] I don't know if everyone does know the report was
[4:35:56] long, but they're also putting fencing up at this school,
[4:35:58] which I guess you guys talked to the district and
[4:36:01] the district agreed to do that. And it's happening right
[4:36:03] now. And as a parent of a nerd, diverse child
[4:36:07] that ran away and got literally grabbed by the principal
[4:36:10] right before they hit the street. It was amazing to
[4:36:13] see today. So like, thank you guys so much for
[4:36:16] everything. I'm truly extremely like from above my heart very
[4:36:20] happy and very grateful that you guys looked into this.
[4:36:24] And the engineer did their report. So just thank you
[4:36:26] very much. Great. Thank you. And thanks for all your
[4:36:28] work bringing this, uh, to our attention and getting your,
[4:36:30] your neighbours involved in the process as well. All right.
[4:36:34] Anyone else with the, uh, question for Council or anyone
[4:36:36] online. All right. No one else has a question for
[4:36:42] Council. That concludes our business. I'll declare this meeting adjourned.