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Good evening, everyone. Good evening, Mayor and council. Welcome to members of the public who are joining us in City Hall for our meeting and online tonight. Before we begin here are a few important reminders. If you are attending in person and wish to speak during one of our question and comment periods, please take a moment to add your name to the list in the for you indicate whether you'd like to speak during the first or second comment period and which agenda item you will be addressing. All questions and comments must relate to an item on council's agenda that they are considering.

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this evening. If you're watching online, you may submit written comments by following

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the instructions on the Council Meeting webpage at pitmetos.ca forward slash council meetings.

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Guester, welcome to stay for the entire meeting. However, if you need to leave early, please do so

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quietly to avoid disrupting tonight's meeting. The meeting is being livestreamed and recorded.

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The video will be posted on the city's website after tonight and any personal information

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shared during the meeting does become part of that public record. And just to note for council that

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that CAO Roberts has joined us this evening remotely.

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He's in the Zoom meeting in case you have any questions for him.

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Thank you.

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Great.

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Thanks so much, Ms. Barchard.

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I'd like to call to order the public meeting

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of Pett Meadow City Council here on Tuesday, July, or part, July.

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September 1st at 7 p.m.

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Council acknowledges with tremendous respect

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and gratitude that the city of Pett Meadow

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is located on the unceded and traditional territory

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of the Katie First Nation, who are stewards of this land

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since time immemorial.

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any late items. We have no late items this evening. I look to my colleagues for approval of the agenda.

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It's been moved and seconded. Call the question all those in favor. Any opposed and that carries.

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We are going to start this evening off with a couple of announcements. First we're going to start under D1.

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This is in honor of Fire Fighter's National Memorial Day.

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Fire Fighter's National Memorial Day is observed annually on the second Sunday in September.

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to honor firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.

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This year's firefighters' national memorial day

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will be recognized on Sunday, September 13th.

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It is time to remember the courage, self-nessness,

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and unwavering commitment of firefighters

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who have made the ultimate sacrifice

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while serving their communities.

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More than ever, we must recognize the efforts

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of firefighters, particularly in the province

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of British Columbia as we see what they have been facing.

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We also recognize the dedication of all firefighters

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who continue to protect the safety and well-being

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of residents each and every day.

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In recognition of firefighters' national memorial day,

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the city's flags will be lowered to half-mass,

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beginning Friday, September 11th.

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Flags will remain at half-mass

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until the morning of Monday, September 14th.

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Thank you.

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We will now move on to D2.

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this is just an announcement in terms of our Community Service Awards. So the

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2026 Community Service Award nomination period runs starting yesterday

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August 31st through to October 4th. This year marks the 7th anniversary of the

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city's awards program that highlights the contributions of individuals,

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organization, and businesses that have made a meaningful impact to our

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community. Nomination criterion forms can be found at pitmetos.ca-slash-awards and there

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are six categories. The spirit of pitmetos, against the odds achievement, the Community

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Service Award, the Community Service Youth under 25, the Business of the Year and the Good

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Neighbor Award. I encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize the incredible work

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of those who make a difference in our community. This may be your neighbor. This may be the

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greeter at one of the associations or facilities you go to. It may be a coach or a manager of an

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association. We have local heroes everywhere throughout Pit Meadows. So please submit your

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nominations at pitmeadows.ca backslash awards before October 4th. Nominees are recognized in the

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local paper and are invited to celebrate their achievement during a private

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ceremony in the new year. With that we'll now move on to our question and

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comment period. Thank you Ms. Costa if you could take us through the list please.

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We have one speaker signed up Marine Robertson on the North Lowheed area plan.

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Marine Robertson, Pit Meadows, Mayor and Council. I am wondering how the current

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plan for the north low heat area includes the current and past network of

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slews and wetlands. I am wondering what types of reports will be needed

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to determine how these slews will be incorporated into the final plan. I'm

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wondering if there are old reports that indicate where the slews are and how

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can a resident get a hold of these reports? And also, what does rewatering of the historic

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slew networks and wetlands mean? So that's a quote from the report. And I'm wondering

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because this is happening before the election, if there's a specific timeline that council

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is under to give this plan approved.

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Thank you.

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Great.

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Thank you.

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I will pass it over to our Director Ward, and I'm sure he can speak specifically regarding

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the slews and networks.

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Yes, thank you very much, Your Worship.

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I'm not aware of any specific reports with respect to historic slew networks, but we certainly

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understand that the lowlands of pit meadows were encompassed by a number of different water

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ways and slews that provided access to those lowlands for the KC First Nation who primarily

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had their villages and habitations on the upper lands, the higher lands, and use that

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slew network to access all parts of the lower lands. So a lot of that information is based

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on work that the KC First Nation has done to better understand their traditional territories,

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and that's been incorporated into the plan through that recognition. We do have some more recent

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environmental reports that do indicate the location of water

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courses within the area, and those are conceptually shown on

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the concept plan with green bands throughout the concept

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plan. And in terms of moving forward, there are some

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implementation items that lie in the area plan under section

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nine of the area plan that do speak to additional collaboration

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and work on it with Catesy First Nation on those habitat

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enhancement plans. Certainly the servicing concepts that

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will be required as part of the implementation would also

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identify storm water management and future slew networks. And in speaking specifically

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about rewatering, those are those opportunities to replicate those historic slew networks

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through different storm water management features. So they could take the form of naturalized

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water courses within green space areas, or they could be roadside rain gardens, those types

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of elements, or the items that we would be looking at through implementation.

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Great. Thank you very much, Director. And just in terms of your secondary question, there's

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There's no set timeline.

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This has been a project identified for a number of years.

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If we go back, I think it's 41.

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It was initially brought forward last term, and then has been worked on by our staff and

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council this term as well.

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My only comment would be it would have to hear to any legislative requirements.

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The corporate office would advise us of as well as the planning department.

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Thank you.

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We have no further speakers.

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Great. We will now move on to adoption of the minutes.

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So I've got three sets, F1 through F3,

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the move seconded, any errors or omissions.

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But that'll call the question all those in favor.

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Those carry.

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Thank you.

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We do have one delegation this evening.

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It is the opportunity to hear from Christy Mayor,

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the CEO of the Chamber and Michael Morris,

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part of me, the Community Engagement and Membership

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Coordinator for an update of the Chamber activities

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and accomplishments.

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Welcome.

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Good

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evening, Mayor, Council, staff and attendees.

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Thank you for having us here tonight.

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Most of you know me, but for those joining us online

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or attending this evening, who I may not know,

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my name is Christi Meyer and I am proud to serve

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as the CEO of the Richmondos Chamber of Commerce.

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Next month we'll mark four years in this role.

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Joining me tonight is Michael Morris,

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our community engagement and membership lead

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who has been with the chamber for 14 months.

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Before we begin, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Council and City staff for

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the collaborative relationship we have built together.

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As we move towards the second year of our current three-year fee-for-service agreement and

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look ahead to the next term beginning in 2027, we want to thank you for your continued

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confidence in the chamber and the work we do to support the business community of Pit Meadows.

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I'd also like to recognize Councillor O'Connell. For nearly four years, Gwen has served as our

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Councillor liaison. Gwen, we have been so fortunate to have you your voice around the table.

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Thank you for your time, your support, and your commitment to the businesses and residents of Pit Meadows.

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We are now eight months into the current agreement, and together we have already

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accomplish so much. Because of your support provided through our fee for service

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agreement, both the City of Pemetos and Maple Ridge, we were able to bring Mike onto

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our team. His role allows us to engage directly with the local businesses,

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listening to their successes, their challenges, and advocate effectively on their

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behalf. This has been a game changer for our organization and I want to thank

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Mike for his dedication to our organization and the business community.

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I should have passed it to that one, there we go, all right.

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The Chamber has undergone several changes over the past year.

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One of the most significant was the transition of our new CRM platform and the launch of

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our completely redesigned website.

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The new website features an enhanced member directory that provides businesses with greater

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visibility. For some chamber members it even serves as a web page for their business. For others it

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complements their existing marketing efforts with more robust profile. As part of this process we

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also integrated the Pit Meadows business directory into the new platform creating a cleaner more user

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friendly experience for both residents and visitors searching for local businesses. At this point I will

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I'll turn it over to Mike to share more about the business outreach efforts.

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Thank you, Mayor Council and staff.

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So just touching based on our business outreach, I know we've had some discussions whenever

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we get the chance to meet up, but I wanted to kind of summarize a lot of it.

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What we've found by visiting dozens and dozens of not hundreds of businesses throughout

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Pit Meadows, is there kind of two layers of both successes and challenges that our businesses

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are facing.

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On a sort of a macro or large scale, there's certainly issues that we're all very aware

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of.

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Tariffs are a very significant issue that a lot of businesses are feeling, whether directly

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or indirectly, taxation rates, commercial rents, and renewals of those commercial rents.

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The labor market has been completely indescribable, frankly, since COVID, and it seems to be constantly

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evolving with many different challenges that appear with that.

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I'm on the micro level.

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It has this unique successes, and also some challenges. So to start off with the Osprey Village is a gorgeous space. It's idyllic. It's set right on the river. A lot of people love to go there to just spend a day or spend some time with family and friends and enjoy having some chicken and coffee and all that. But some of the challenges are the parking. Every business I spoke to said that they have challenges with parking, not only for their clients and customers but for staff.

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And in the back of a bathroom after three o'clock when the community center shuts down

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Every restaurant mentions that they have significant challenges at times with customers. We're looking for a bathroom

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And it's tough, especially if they have little kids that really need to use a bathroom

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And then finally just the film

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Filming when it is there a lot of businesses express challenges with filming

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There's you know taking over the the thorough ways and the parking spaces

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But an opportunity that we see as a potential is, you know, potentially a Christmas village having a beautiful spot right on the river.

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You could even have a little train that goes down the Trans Canada pathway over to the airport where there's lots more parking.

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So that was something that we thought about when we kind of fantasized a little bit about that kind of idea.

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Airport and airport way.

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It's fantastic for transit, sorry for transportation.

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The access to Highway 7, Golnir's bridge and airport way, trucks have tons of space to get to all the different spots that are in there.

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So a lot of great, and it's quite quiet. I've heard a lot of businesses say I've had a couple that have moved from Port Kells

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and they say how nice and quiet and peaceful it is in that area versus where they were on 96th Avenue and Langley.

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However, some of the weaknesses or challenges, frankly, it really comes down to the rent.

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The rent increases, the renewals of leases, I've heard upwards of 66, 75% increases in rent.

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And these are mostly on places that have significant machinery, and the cost of moving is just

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not possible for them.

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Lack of transit for few businesses, the lack of transit is a challenge to get more so for

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the workers to come out for businesses that have low entry level jobs or low paying jobs.

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Those workers tend to rely on transit and so that can be a bit of a challenge.

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But some have gotten around it by supplying bicycles or scooters for folks to take from

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the last bus stop on Harris.

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And then the train, for a few of them, luckily you can bypass the train going over to the golden

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way, a golden year's way, but for some like dominoes which has delivery, they have to

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go up Harris and so the train is of course a challenge for a few of them but not too many.

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Metal Towns, again significant, well significant access to traffic from Highway 7 and Golden

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years away, tons of parking, proximity to transit hub was just fantastic. And again, though,

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the rent increases. Harris Road, access to Harris Road, the traffic on Harris Road is a

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boon to many of the businesses. They really enjoy having signage on Harris Road in order to attract

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clients. Safety and security has risen up, especially in the quote-unquote 7-11 development,

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There has been an uptick that almost all the businesses in there have reported about last

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year or so.

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There's been an uptick in folks sleeping there, starting fires, causing issues.

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And then, of course, the train.

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Middlevale.

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Again, great access to traffic.

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They have really strong anchor businesses, safe on food, shoppers, drug market, McDonald's,

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Starbucks.

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So it's a really great shopping area.

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Challenges of the left turn coming off low heat.

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If you're going westbound towards POCO.

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If you're taking that left turn lane,

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it can take five, six, seven circuits of lights to get through.

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And I've had multiple businesses say that that's challenging

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for if they have clients on a schedule,

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like if they have an appointment with a client,

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the clients are often late and staff as well.

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So that is a challenge.

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And then parking on McMinnon Road can be a challenge for those businesses that are

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along there.

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It's kind of a quarter of many medical businesses, doctors and eye doctor and wellness centers

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and such.

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But the parking there is a challenge and there is no handicap parking spots there.

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So that was reported as a bit of a challenge.

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And then finally the farmlands, some beautiful, beautiful farms out there, multi-generational

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farm's fantastic to about see many of those and they of course have proximity to the highways

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again for their trucking needs and then one of their main challenges though is the lack of

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transit for their farm workers especially in seasons where they're all depending on folks to come

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out and work during the season. So that's the summary of the business outreach and I'll get back

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to Christy.

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Thanks Mike. I'm letting him do most the talking because he is the one out there

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Uh, pounding the pavement all the time, talking to businesses.

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Uh, another, uh, on our fee, fee for service agreement is a new business package.

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Uh, one initiative that continues to receive positive feedback, um, for sure.

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This resource is provided to entrepreneurs and business owners who are looking to establish operations in pitnettos.

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Uh, we've worked with many prospective business owners over the past year and the package has proven to be a valuable tool.

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in helping them understand the process of opening a business, navigating resources and

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connecting with the supports they need to succeed. I will now pass it back to Mike.

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So I'm also here just to talk about the job fair that we held. Thanks to Colin who partnered

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with us in spearheading this as well as the library who were a very gracious host. It was a big success.

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we had 14 employers there. I know the slides show a couple more, but a few of them unfortunately couldn't make it day off.

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We're really, really happy to have, for instance, Fraser Health come out. That's actually a bit of a coup in the employment world where I used to work.

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They don't really do job fairs anymore, but they were quite interested in happy to come out to this one.

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So I think that was a nice, speaks well for pit meadows.

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We even had the airport come and they were hiring and it was great they were able to fulfill

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their job right there at that event and as did many of the other employers they were able

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to hire folks so we did see a lot of economic activity from this event and it was just great

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to see we estimate upwards of 300 people that were there. They came from all over the lower mainland.

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Council Evans, you were great gracious enough to stop by and you were near the end and

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there were still a fair amount of people there so it was really nice to see and a lot of

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people were very grateful to have the opportunity to look for local jobs here in Pit Meadows.

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So we were grateful to be able to partner with the city and we thank you for that.

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We look forward to doing another job fair in 2027.

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Over the past year, we've hosted several grand openings and ribbon cutting ceremonies

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through Pit Meadows.

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The photo on the screen is from one of our larger celebrations, welcoming stacked restaurant

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to this community.

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These events bring together business owners, council members, staff, and community members

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to recognize the investment and commitment that new businesses bring to Pit Meadows and

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celebrate and promote the newest addition to our community.

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We believe these celebrations are important because they demonstrate the strong partnership

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it between the city and the chamber while creating a welcoming environment for businesses

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choosing to invest in our community.

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Another key service we provide is connecting businesses with one another and helping them

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access resources, funding opportunities, and support programs.

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Recently, we hosted a tour at E1 Molly Energy bringing together chamber board members,

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city council, and staff for an inside look at their operations.

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We also organized a tour of Can Cable in the industrial park.

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These visits provide valuable opportunities for businesses to showcase the work that they do.

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These events demonstrate what is possible when the chamber and the city work together with a shared commitment to supporting local business.

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I like to finish by saying that the chamber believes strongly in collaboration.

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When organizations work together towards common goals, we create stability, strengthen relationships, and achieve more for our community.

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Our partnership with the City of Pit Meadows allows us to advocate for local businesses in a constructive way and respectful way, bringing forward their voices.

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Over the past four years, we have accomplished far more through collaboration than we ever could have working independently.

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and we are proud of the momentum we have built together.

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It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside council and staff

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and we look forward to continuing this partnership and building on the success of the fee for service agreement in the years ahead.

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Thank you for your time, your support and the opportunity to speak today.

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We appreciate it.

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Thank you both, Christine and Mike. I will open up just if council has any comments.

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going to start with Quayne. Thank you both for coming tonight. It's been absolutely

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a pleasure to be the liaison to your group. It's fun. I look forward to it because it's

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exciting to see the business owners actually excited about getting involved with the chamber.

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And I'll tell you, for years, I didn't see that as a Councillor, it was completely different.

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So all I can say is kudos to all of you that have made the Chamber such a great place

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to belong to in this community.

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The one thing I always tell people when they talk about the Chamber to them is how good it

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is to be able to get a benefit plan through your benefit suppliers for small businesses.

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That's a huge, huge, huge, because it's expensive for businesses to offer benefits.

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So I think that that's one thing, and that's my message, I always say, to small businesses.

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This is an opportunity for you to have medical or extra extended.

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So thank you.

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And a special thank you to Christy for bringing this organization the way you have.

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Thank you.

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Okay,

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thank you for the opportunity, Madam Mayor, and I bid you so many of the events

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and the one thing that strikes me every time is how much it's appreciated by the business

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business owners because today networking is essential, especially at a time when every

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business owner in Canada is facing unheard-of tariff levels, unnecessary tariff levels.

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And so we're going to go through a tough period, at least for a couple of months, I'm sure.

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And I think that the chamber being there between the businesses, local government, provincial

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and federal government because your voices heard nationally, I think, is critical right

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now.

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Everything Mike said, each of us has heard that as we've been visiting the businesses

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with you, in particular, the fact that there's little in the way of public transport on

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Harris Road south of Hammond.

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So everybody's on their electric scooters, which are illegal, and yet they've got no other

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choice.

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And so it's something we were aware of and been pushing with Translink for the longest

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time to try and add a route there.

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So everything resonated with us.

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And some of it is not in our lane, we can't control it.

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But I know that our mayor's been strongly advocating about the uncontrolled rent increases that

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we're seeing for businesses in the city, and some of it is just so wrong.

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and you're quite right, trying to move a business with millions of dollars worth of machinery,

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you just can't do it unless you go out of business.

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There was a comment made this morning, though, and I'll pick you up on one thing and

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talk about people think it's quieter here.

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It's very much quieter here.

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Comment earlier today from our own mayor was try traveling through New Westminster.

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Try traveling through Burnaby on a busy day.

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This is a cakewalk, really, it is.

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And staff, City Council staff have done remarkably well trying to improve the transit around

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our city and through our city, especially for people that are walking and bicycles and

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so forth.

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I really appreciate our partnership with Chamber of Commerce.

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I also look forward to continued business relationship with the Chamber for years to come.

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Thanks for the presentation.

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Thank you, Councillor Evans.

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I did have a couple questions, I was curious since in the last four years or since I guess

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actually maybe it's been a year of our agreement, how many businesses are there in total,

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who are members?

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Do we know?

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Sorry, sorry.

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How many businesses in total with the chamber and how many of them are in pit meadows, like

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is there a breakdown of statistics of?

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How many members we have in pit meadows?

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Yeah.

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So we've got currently 72 members in pit Meadows, and we are sitting at 560 members.

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So when you look at the breakdown of how many businesses compared to Maple Ridge at par.

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Yeah, that's a big question.

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And yeah, then I also, like you said, the commercial rent increases.

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We know for those who aren't necessarily familiar, maybe listening home, residential leases

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have restrictions on them.

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Preventually, there's a time frame in which they have to renew.

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Those aren't on commercial leases, and so what we're seeing are these predatory things where people come in, and in short term, they won't negotiate to the last second, and it can be astronomical increases. And we're seeing businesses unable to keep up with that. So I know that something we're alive to, I know that something we've gone to the province about, we've written letters, we've met with the time it was Minister Kaylon, and I would encourage you guys to also reach out to the province. I think that we know other cities and things, but when they hear them from

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more, it would be great if we could amplify our voices and really hit that.

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That's something that will hit meadows especially hard.

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We're hit on, we're built on small businesses here.

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And so every time we lose one of those businesses, it's a hit to our community.

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I'd like to note that, provincially actually at the BC Chamber,

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AGM, it passed at a 99% where so it made it into the policy book,

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hitting the provincial government.

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So we're really proud to have our name on that one. So it is a huge advocacy piece at the provincial level for the chamber.

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Yeah, thank you for that. Councillor, okay.

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Thank you for the mayor. Thank you both for the work you do and for coming tonight to inform us of what you're doing for businesses and

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Michael just you know boots on the ground is listening and finding out what's important to the businesses and where the where the rub might be.

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I thought that was really informative and so great to have you out there.

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Now, more than ever, we know it's important to support local, right, and to lift up those

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businesses.

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And when they do well, we all do well, right?

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That's jobs in our community, that service is close to home.

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Nothing, okay, I have like a brain fog, but nothing sucks more.

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How about that?

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But when you walk by and there's some things closed, right, or there's vacancies.

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So all we can do to lift up is so important at this time, right?

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So thank you so much, and let's keep it going.

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It's great.

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Yeah, thank you so much, just echo what my colleague said, some really great comments.

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Thank you, Michael, that boots on the ground.

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Many of them, yes, we're alive too and are trying to do from our seat as well, but if we can

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partner and advocate together. I just want to show out to the job fair to hear that too

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and the success it has seems to have really gotten some traction over the last couple

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years. And thank you for having us in hosting with a number of the local businesses to have

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that connection with the Chamber Council and City staff. Showed out to the Chamber and

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to our City staff. The feedback we got from a ton of businesses is how awesome Shontel,

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call-in, Patrick, specifically are really to deal with as they're dealing with a number

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of things when they're opening up or remodeling or permitting or things like that, so to have

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that direct connection is really good. So with that, thank you for coming and have a good

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evening. We appreciate it. With that, we will now move on to our consent agenda. So we have

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three items. Why don't we just move those to get on the table? It's moved and seconded

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I don't want anybody like to pull an item.

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What item would you like to pull?

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H-3, any other items to pull?

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That will start with H-3.

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Thank you to Acting Director Harding for this presentation.

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What stands out to me in this tax disparity, it creates pressure on agricultural municipalities.

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When the cost of servicing farmland exceeds the tax revenue received, councils can face

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pressure to support more residential, commercial, or industrial development simply to reduce

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the overall tax burden on taxpayers.

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That is why the Agricultural Municipality Initiative is so important.

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If senior governments want communities to protect farmland and support food security, they

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We need to recognize the financial impact agricultural municipalities carry on behalf of the province.

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I fully support reduced taxes for farmers.

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Agriculture operates on tight margins, and we need strong local food production.

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However, we also need to ensure that properties receiving these significant tax benefits

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are making a meaningful contribution to agriculture and food security.

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consistent with the intent of the ALR and firm classification system.

401
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Thank you.

402
00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:46,500
Thank you for your comments.

403
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Thank you to our favorite Somerlan Mayor Doug Holmes, who's been through it the last

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while.

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We are connected to meet in September with Mayor Holmes and the Minister Poppom and further

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talk about the AMI here.

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So thank you for your comments, Councillor Manu.

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With that, we'll call the question all those in favor, and those items carry.

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We'll now move on to reports, and this is I-1 feedback on potential changes to food

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processing in the ALR, and I'll go over to Director Ward.

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Thank you very much, Your Worship.

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On July 23rd of this year, the province released a discussion paper outlining potential regulatory

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changes related to food processing on ALR land.

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and inviting feedback until September 18th,

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that's been updated initially,

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it was September 3rd, now it's September 18th.

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The discussion guide that was released by the province

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is included in Council's agenda package

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as attachment A to the staff report.

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The proposed changes would permit food processing facilities

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on ALR land with an unimproved soil capability

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of class five to class seven,

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or on class four land that is serviced

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by road, electricity, and municipal water and sewer,

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were provided that at least 5% of the primary product used in the processing is grown or raised

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in the province of BC. Currently, food processing is permitted on ALR land if at least 50% of

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the farm product is processed or produced on the farm or by an association that the owner

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belongs to. This is generally referred to as the 50% rule.

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Land is classified into seven soil capability categories with class one being prime agricultural land suitable for a wide range of crops and class seven generally considered to be non arable land for soil bound agriculture.

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This map shows the soil capability across the city of pit meadows. This is based on provincial data and I'll note that the soil capability would need to be confirmed by a professional agrologist as it relates to the proposed food processing regulations.

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This

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map shows the class 5 through 7 soils as well as the class 4 land that is serviced,

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noting again that it is conceptual and it would be unlikely that food processing could

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be accommodated in all of these lands such as environmentally sensitive areas and parkland.

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An important note is that based on the ministry's current proposal, local governments would

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not be able to prohibit the processing use.

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Under this proposed change, food processing would be considered a farm use in the ALR that

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could not be prohibited by local government through land use regulations.

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Food processing facilities certainly have the opportunity to strengthen resilience in

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the regional food system, encourage investment in the provincial agri-food sector, and benefit

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local farmers providing nearby opportunities to process their products.

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The city's agricultural viability strategy did identify the need for additional processing,

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00:38:04,330 --> 00:38:07,210
seeing storage and distribution facilities within pit meadows.

444
00:38:08,050 --> 00:38:12,290
That being said, priority was placed on these facilities being located within business

445
00:38:12,290 --> 00:38:17,130
parks and mixed employment areas or otherwise permitted under the current 50% rule.

446
00:38:18,250 --> 00:38:22,230
Based on the fairly limited information in the discussion paper and the limited time to

447
00:38:22,230 --> 00:38:29,410
provide feedback and consider these changes, staff have identified the preliminary considerations

448
00:38:29,410 --> 00:38:32,850
on this slide for submission to the province for council's consideration.

449
00:38:32,850 --> 00:38:35,370
These items are detailed in the staff report,

450
00:38:35,570 --> 00:38:36,650
I'll just touch on a few here.

451
00:38:37,690 --> 00:38:40,490
The first is around the benefit to BC agriculture,

452
00:38:41,510 --> 00:38:44,170
requiring that only 5% of the primary product

453
00:38:44,170 --> 00:38:46,370
being processed to be grown or raised in BC

454
00:38:46,370 --> 00:38:49,950
may provide a limited benefit to BC farmers and producers.

455
00:38:50,790 --> 00:38:51,890
In terms of enforcement,

456
00:38:52,610 --> 00:38:54,230
we already know that enforcement staffing

457
00:38:54,230 --> 00:38:55,630
at the Agriculture Land Commission

458
00:38:55,630 --> 00:38:57,470
is challenged due to limited resources.

459
00:38:58,050 --> 00:39:00,110
Will local governments be tasked

460
00:39:00,110 --> 00:39:03,830
with additional enforcement of this new regulation. Presumably yes.

461
00:39:05,030 --> 00:39:10,190
Servicing and transportation, food processing facilities often place heavier demands

462
00:39:10,190 --> 00:39:15,230
on servicing and transportation infrastructure, and many ALR properties do not have the

463
00:39:15,230 --> 00:39:17,970
level of servicing required to support these types of facilities.

464
00:39:18,990 --> 00:39:23,030
The conclusion section of the staff report includes summarized comments that are recommended to

465
00:39:23,030 --> 00:39:26,710
be forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in response to these proposed changes

466
00:39:26,710 --> 00:39:28,990
members, along with the complete staff report.

467
00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:33,660
As such, staff recommend that Council direct

468
00:39:33,660 --> 00:39:37,500
staff to advise the Ministry of Agriculture of the comments contained in the staff report,

469
00:39:37,860 --> 00:39:39,980
as presented at this meeting. Thank you, Your Worship.

470
00:39:42,170 --> 00:39:46,790
Great. Thank you very much, Director Ward. I'll open up for any questions through the staff.

471
00:39:48,210 --> 00:39:52,010
I don't see any questions at this time, so why don't we get the motion on the floor and

472
00:39:52,010 --> 00:39:55,750
if there's any additional comments? Question? Go ahead with the question.

473
00:39:55,750 --> 00:40:11,870
Yeah, through the Director Ward is that we will be hosting a roundtable related to this issue later this week, and I am thinking that this feedback will be provided after that meeting. Is that correct?

474
00:40:13,330 --> 00:40:25,030
Thank you very much. So through the Mayor, the recommendation and the staff report is to forward the staff report as written with the comments included to the Ministry at this point in time.

475
00:40:25,030 --> 00:40:29,350
I'm, yes, certainly acknowledging that the city of Pitmoto is hosting a discussion with

476
00:40:29,350 --> 00:40:34,350
other lower mainland municipalities that have an agricultural sector, and that additional

477
00:40:34,350 --> 00:40:38,250
concerns and comments could certainly be raised and generated through that process.

478
00:40:38,770 --> 00:40:43,870
My understanding is that a representative from the BC Agricultural Council will be an attendance

479
00:40:43,870 --> 00:40:48,330
to that roundtable who will be able to also convey that feedback, that general consensus

480
00:40:48,330 --> 00:40:51,010
from the roundtable directly to the province through other avenues.

481
00:40:51,010 --> 00:41:03,010
So certainly if council wanted to hold off on this particular recommendation or make an amendment that further comments be included following the roundtable council could make that motion or that amendment to this motion this evening.

482
00:41:03,310 --> 00:41:08,550
Otherwise the motion that is on the floor is that to forward the comments in the staff report on the staff report has written today.

483
00:41:09,070 --> 00:41:15,070
I do apologize for the timing with the roundtable as you can appreciate with the September 3 deadline that was initially provided.

484
00:41:15,310 --> 00:41:18,750
We did work very hard over the summer months to get this report to council as it is.

485
00:41:18,750 --> 00:41:24,210
And I'll just add some comments on that because originally with the early September date,

486
00:41:24,690 --> 00:41:29,150
so then we were sliding in the agriculture round table and just, pitmeadows was hosted

487
00:41:29,150 --> 00:41:34,450
a number of those basically from communities, Richmond through to Kent and local government

488
00:41:34,450 --> 00:41:40,530
and then we've got BCAC, apparently obviously their executive director but also potentially

489
00:41:40,530 --> 00:41:41,310
some board members.

490
00:41:41,970 --> 00:41:47,870
I am cautious, I think there's a way we can get feedback from that but I'm cautious with

491
00:41:47,870 --> 00:41:52,710
the dates, because again, the deadline is the 18th, and our next council meeting due

492
00:41:52,710 --> 00:42:01,390
to UBCM in the long weekend is the 22nd. And I am conscious of City of Pit Meadows Council

493
00:42:02,090 --> 00:42:08,170
sending information, because all of council does not sit at that round table. But it doesn't

494
00:42:08,170 --> 00:42:13,250
mean I don't think that we could as a round table, or through BCACC's and supplementary

495
00:42:13,250 --> 00:42:19,110
feedback as well. So I'll go back to you, but I think there's a little nuance of difference

496
00:42:19,110 --> 00:42:24,550
there and we won't be able to bring back information before that extended deadline to see

497
00:42:24,550 --> 00:42:27,510
in front of council. But I'll go back to Councillor Manu.

498
00:42:27,550 --> 00:42:33,410
I guess I could accept the fact that we don't have to make an amendment given the time constraints

499
00:42:33,410 --> 00:42:39,430
that you're dealing with. However, I want to ensure that we stress when we're meeting

500
00:42:39,430 --> 00:42:46,190
with B-CAC that anything that is substantially different from what our feedback has been

501
00:42:46,190 --> 00:42:55,090
in this letter is conveyed to the minister in a timely manner so that the before the

502
00:42:55,090 --> 00:43:01,330
18th is when the submissions have to be correct so as long as we can do that I can

503
00:43:01,330 --> 00:43:04,170
for moving this particular motion.

504
00:43:05,010 --> 00:43:05,150
Okay.

505
00:43:05,850 --> 00:43:06,730
I'd like to go with that.

506
00:43:06,790 --> 00:43:07,250
I'll speak to it.

507
00:43:07,290 --> 00:43:07,690
Yeah.

508
00:43:07,890 --> 00:43:08,650
Why don't we move the...

509
00:43:08,650 --> 00:43:09,810
Was there an additional question?

510
00:43:10,790 --> 00:43:11,430
So why don't we...

511
00:43:11,430 --> 00:43:12,510
Would you like to move the motion?

512
00:43:13,030 --> 00:43:13,310
I'll move.

513
00:43:13,410 --> 00:43:13,670
Move.

514
00:43:13,970 --> 00:43:14,410
Second.

515
00:43:14,830 --> 00:43:15,130
Okay.

516
00:43:15,290 --> 00:43:17,730
I'll start with Councillor Manion and then if there's additional comments.

517
00:43:18,930 --> 00:43:19,250
Yeah.

518
00:43:19,470 --> 00:43:24,350
Thank you, Director Ward, for preparing this and I'll be at a hurried amount of time.

519
00:43:26,210 --> 00:43:31,070
And as I mentioned, we were talking about being part of a roundtable discussion.

520
00:43:31,070 --> 00:43:34,090
on these proposed changes later this week.

521
00:43:34,890 --> 00:43:36,510
There's a great deal to consider,

522
00:43:37,150 --> 00:43:39,130
and it will be important to ensure

523
00:43:39,610 --> 00:43:42,390
that any policy chains are supported by strong

524
00:43:42,670 --> 00:43:44,330
and enforceable guardrails.

525
00:43:45,510 --> 00:43:47,510
While there may be opportunities to support

526
00:43:47,510 --> 00:43:51,990
on farm processing on class five to nine agricultural lands,

527
00:43:52,310 --> 00:43:56,010
we must be careful not to create unintended pathways

528
00:43:56,510 --> 00:43:59,270
for commercial or industrial-style developments

529
00:43:59,270 --> 00:44:01,970
that are not genuinely connected to agriculture.

530
00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:05,120
Thank you.

531
00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:05,900
Any additional comments?

532
00:44:06,040 --> 00:44:06,420
Councillor Evans.

533
00:44:07,360 --> 00:44:08,640
Yeah, he's still on my keywords.

534
00:44:09,240 --> 00:44:12,680
I was looking at guardrails because what I'm concerned about

535
00:44:12,680 --> 00:44:15,980
and what we have heard from other municipalities in B-CAC

536
00:44:15,980 --> 00:44:18,420
is that if we don't have the guardrails in place,

537
00:44:18,740 --> 00:44:20,260
this will lead to speculation,

538
00:44:20,260 --> 00:44:22,440
which is something that we've seen here in Pit Meadows

539
00:44:22,440 --> 00:44:25,920
and we know it's a problem driving the price of farmland up.

540
00:44:26,480 --> 00:44:28,260
And then you stole my unintended consequences,

541
00:44:29,040 --> 00:44:30,900
which with every good change,

542
00:44:30,900 --> 00:44:36,820
we tend to see these unintended consequences. So I would like to see us really look the long

543
00:44:36,820 --> 00:44:42,480
term and try and think ahead of what could be the unintended consequences because once that

544
00:44:42,480 --> 00:44:50,520
farmland's gone, it's gone. So, appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, I, too, want to extend my

545
00:44:50,520 --> 00:44:56,660
I thank you, Director Ward and your staff, Ms. Domenelli and

546
00:45:02,120 --> 00:45:29,980
We know that there's concerns with the 50% rule, and things aren't working, and one of the biggest things we see and hear and feel in pitmeadows is having this ALR land and the land that's not being farmed or utilized. And that's what we want to see and encourage. So it's good to see this being dove into, however, seems a bit rushed. And seems quite extreme in some ways.

547
00:45:29,980 --> 00:45:39,020
areas. What really drew me again is the only 5% in BC. The benefit, we're hearing so

548
00:45:39,020 --> 00:45:45,980
much by BC, you know, local food supply, food sovereignty, and that's what we want

549
00:45:45,980 --> 00:45:53,740
to ensure. So we don't want any workarounds with that. And I really, basically, if a community

550
00:45:53,740 --> 00:45:59,240
need you want to take a look, page 31 through to 35, really gives those considerations.

551
00:45:59,480 --> 00:46:03,240
And there's a ton taxation rates, impact.

552
00:46:03,540 --> 00:46:09,520
We already saw earlier with the AMI piece, when you take in approximately 1.8 million

553
00:46:09,520 --> 00:46:13,660
in tax revenue, but it costs you 3.2 to support that land.

554
00:46:14,160 --> 00:46:17,320
What are we going to get into in the future if it's not tax properly?

555
00:46:17,900 --> 00:46:20,840
And that increased wear and tear with industrial use.

556
00:46:20,840 --> 00:46:28,760
I also do, I have red flags in terms of local government would not be able to prohibit

557
00:46:28,760 --> 00:46:33,880
this processing. And not that we need to prohibit, but this just seems a little bit of another

558
00:46:33,880 --> 00:46:41,280
example of local government autonomy waning. And we saw that with the BC housing legislation.

559
00:46:41,680 --> 00:46:48,820
And that's a concern. We're impacted significantly with 78% in our agriculture, which already prohibits

560
00:46:48,820 --> 00:46:53,480
our ability to make land use and densification and taxation decisions.

561
00:46:54,440 --> 00:46:58,180
This worries me a little bit, so I appreciate staff's work.

562
00:46:58,280 --> 00:47:00,540
I'm eager for this roundtable conversation.

563
00:47:02,200 --> 00:47:06,340
I just think more work needs to be done as we move forward on this.

564
00:47:06,660 --> 00:47:12,340
So thank you, I don't see any additional comments, so we will call the question all those in favor,

565
00:47:12,840 --> 00:47:13,320
and that carries.

566
00:47:14,200 --> 00:47:17,020
Thank you. We'll now move on to a very different topic,

567
00:47:17,020 --> 00:47:19,560
but still a direct award, clothing donation bins.

568
00:47:19,960 --> 00:47:24,440
Yes, thank you,orship. No slides with this one, but the purpose of this report is to provide council

569
00:47:24,440 --> 00:47:29,100
with an update on clothing donation bins and seek direction regarding the temporary ban that was

570
00:47:29,100 --> 00:47:35,660
established by council resolution in 2019. So on January 15th of 2019, council adopted a resolution

571
00:47:35,660 --> 00:47:41,060
directing staff to seek the removal of clothing donation bins within the city and place a temporary

572
00:47:41,060 --> 00:47:45,380
ban on such bins until they're determined to no longer pose a threat to public safety.

573
00:47:45,380 --> 00:47:57,480
The resolution was a pass following reports of safety incidents involving these bins, including incidents with individuals becoming entrapped while attempting to retrieve items from inside the bins.

574
00:47:58,240 --> 00:48:06,720
Earlier this year, the Pit Meadows Firefighter's Charitable Society expressed an interest in locating a clothing bin at the Pit Meadows Fire Hall as a fundraising initiative.

575
00:48:07,040 --> 00:48:14,680
The proposed bin would be operated by a third-party textile recycling company that advises its donation bins are designed and

576
00:48:14,680 --> 00:48:16,720
and certified to meet current safety standards.

577
00:48:17,580 --> 00:48:25,180
As noted, Council's 2019 resolution established a temporary ban until such time as the bins are determined to be no longer posing a threat to public safety.

578
00:48:25,620 --> 00:48:31,100
While the intent of the resolution is clear, it is not identified who specifically is responsible for making that determination.

579
00:48:31,980 --> 00:48:42,900
Based on improvements in clothing, donation, and been designed in the availability of models, incorporating anti-entrapment safety feature staffer of the opinion that the continuation of the prohibition is no longer warranted.

580
00:48:42,900 --> 00:48:48,560
So, accordingly, it is recommended that Council rescind the January 15th, 2019 resolution.

581
00:48:49,140 --> 00:48:49,960
Thank you, Your Worship.

582
00:48:50,800 --> 00:48:51,080
Great.

583
00:48:51,240 --> 00:48:53,160
Any questions through to staff?

584
00:48:53,440 --> 00:48:54,140
Councillor Hayes.

585
00:48:54,880 --> 00:48:55,720
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

586
00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:58,980
Through the Mayor to a direct award.

587
00:49:00,380 --> 00:49:07,500
A couple of questions come to mind, and one is, is there a number, a maximum number of

588
00:49:07,500 --> 00:49:11,900
been allowed within the means of the city of Pettinados.

589
00:49:13,540 --> 00:49:14,900
Through the mayor, there's not.

590
00:49:15,620 --> 00:49:16,140
There is not.

591
00:49:16,680 --> 00:49:24,700
And does staff have the authority to designate which location may receive a clothing bin?

592
00:49:25,600 --> 00:49:29,920
Through the mayor, we would rely on our zoning bylaw in that regard.

593
00:49:30,180 --> 00:49:34,920
So these types of clothing bins would typically be associated with commercial or institutional properties, for example.

594
00:49:34,920 --> 00:49:38,020
So that would be the guidance in terms of the location of those.

595
00:49:38,440 --> 00:49:41,460
But there isn't a specific this property here, that property there, more specific.

596
00:49:42,080 --> 00:49:42,400
Okay.

597
00:49:43,040 --> 00:49:43,440
Thank you.

598
00:49:45,060 --> 00:49:46,520
There is a recommended motion.

599
00:49:48,020 --> 00:49:48,480
Moved.

600
00:49:48,540 --> 00:49:48,900
Second.

601
00:49:49,640 --> 00:49:51,260
I'll call to question all those in favour.

602
00:49:51,780 --> 00:49:52,160
Any opposed?

603
00:49:52,400 --> 00:49:52,720
That carries.

604
00:49:53,600 --> 00:49:53,920
Thank you.

605
00:49:54,180 --> 00:49:55,840
We will now move on to I3.

606
00:49:55,940 --> 00:50:01,700
This is Councilor Paulus, CC113, airport board appointments, and we're going to go over to

607
00:50:01,700 --> 00:50:02,620
CAO Mark Roberts.

608
00:50:04,080 --> 00:50:06,080
Great, thank you Madam Mayor. Can you hear me okay?

609
00:50:06,920 --> 00:50:08,040
We can, thank you Mark.

610
00:50:08,680 --> 00:50:14,260
Perfect. So the purpose of this report is to predict Council and policy meant to guide future

611
00:50:14,740 --> 00:50:18,180
appointments to the Pitnettos Airport Society board and directories.

612
00:50:19,060 --> 00:50:25,440
The Pitnettos Airport Society governs the airport with the cities of Pitnettos and Maple Ridge serving as its two members.

613
00:50:25,440 --> 00:50:32,380
on it is decided by which is included as an attachment B, a six-director board

614
00:50:32,380 --> 00:50:36,740
governs the organization with each city appointing three directors to show

615
00:50:36,740 --> 00:50:44,340
equal representation. Each director serves a four-year term that expires on January 31st

616
00:50:44,340 --> 00:50:48,420
of the year following a local government election, appointing cities may

617
00:50:48,420 --> 00:50:53,340
remove replace or reappoint a director of their discretion given council the

618
00:50:53,340 --> 00:50:56,260
ability to conduct a mid-term recruitment process.

619
00:50:57,780 --> 00:51:03,000
Attacking an A is a draft policy for council's consideration that establishes a form of

620
00:51:03,000 --> 00:51:07,760
recruitment process for the airport board, creating a clear, transparent and

621
00:51:07,760 --> 00:51:10,600
competency-based framework for future members.

622
00:51:12,890 --> 00:51:14,630
The retinent policy does the following.

623
00:51:14,950 --> 00:51:17,770
It conforms to the existing society by law.

624
00:51:18,730 --> 00:51:23,390
The establishes a transparent, merit-based, and competency-based appointment process.

625
00:51:23,390 --> 00:51:26,810
It confirms that council may appoint council members,

626
00:51:27,430 --> 00:51:29,350
C staff, or members in the public.

627
00:51:30,590 --> 00:51:33,250
Reserves one city appointment for the chief

628
00:51:33,250 --> 00:51:35,850
administrative officer role to support continuity

629
00:51:35,850 --> 00:51:37,690
and the city's decided relationship.

630
00:51:38,730 --> 00:51:41,250
It identifies the desired core competencies,

631
00:51:41,990 --> 00:51:44,530
provides for open or targeted recruitment process,

632
00:51:45,650 --> 00:51:47,470
promotes board of governance continuity

633
00:51:47,470 --> 00:51:49,110
but offering the opportunity to stagger

634
00:51:49,110 --> 00:51:50,250
or point and expire a date.

635
00:51:50,250 --> 00:51:57,090
mandates, mandates a midterm recruitment process during each council in turn, and a science

636
00:51:57,090 --> 00:51:59,910
policy administration to the courtroom officer.

637
00:52:01,090 --> 00:52:06,990
If council approves this policy tonight, legislative services and communication staff recording

638
00:52:06,990 --> 00:52:13,230
a recruitment process every four years beginning at the midpoint next council term in 2020.

639
00:52:13,230 --> 00:52:19,950
So that's a quick overview of the draft policy for council's consideration and we have the two answer any questions.

640
00:52:20,810 --> 00:52:25,350
Great. I'll open it up for any questions first. Councillor Elkie.

641
00:52:27,150 --> 00:52:40,750
I have a good question. I do recognize that this is a regional airport and that's why Maple Ridge has equal interest in this for representation.

642
00:52:40,750 --> 00:52:46,550
However, this airport is in our community and impacts our residents.

643
00:52:47,150 --> 00:52:49,550
Do you see that changing in the future?

644
00:52:50,190 --> 00:52:52,710
Or is this the way it is?

645
00:52:52,830 --> 00:52:55,010
You know, I'm just wondering about that from your opinion.

646
00:52:56,170 --> 00:52:56,850
Thank you.

647
00:52:56,950 --> 00:52:57,330
Through the Americans.

648
00:52:57,690 --> 00:52:59,110
It's a question.

649
00:53:00,410 --> 00:53:01,250
No, I'm not sure.

650
00:53:01,430 --> 00:53:02,510
I don't see that changing.

651
00:53:02,890 --> 00:53:07,050
I know through my conversations with CAO Hartman in the past.

652
00:53:07,050 --> 00:53:12,510
Mayper Bridge definitely sees the airport as an economic driver for the entire region,

653
00:53:12,570 --> 00:53:14,090
including Mayper Bridge.

654
00:53:14,890 --> 00:53:21,910
So I believe through those conversations that there's likely or unlikely to be any movement

655
00:53:21,910 --> 00:53:24,190
from the member bridge being part of the airport society.

656
00:53:27,580 --> 00:53:29,420
I don't see any further questions.

657
00:53:30,160 --> 00:53:32,200
So we do have a recommended motion.

658
00:53:33,240 --> 00:53:33,840
It's been moved.

659
00:53:34,440 --> 00:53:35,740
Has it been seconded?

660
00:53:35,900 --> 00:53:36,620
Any comments?

661
00:53:37,600 --> 00:53:38,360
Councillor Elkie.

662
00:53:38,940 --> 00:53:44,740
I have a lot to say about the airport and Mr. Roberts disappeared but I think he's still

663
00:53:44,740 --> 00:53:44,980
there.

664
00:53:45,960 --> 00:53:46,340
Okay, great.

665
00:53:47,660 --> 00:53:53,200
You know, I thought a lot about this today and then had a conversation with my son about

666
00:53:53,200 --> 00:53:54,020
this very topic.

667
00:53:54,340 --> 00:54:01,540
He got his training at YPK and other airports and so it was great to wake him up, he's got

668
00:54:01,540 --> 00:54:06,500
his first job flying in Ontario and I will come up for a conversation about Council tonight

669
00:54:06,500 --> 00:54:15,360
So it's part of his job as my son and I'm wondering if I can make an amendment on this tonight or send it back to staff

670
00:54:15,360 --> 00:54:23,740
or whatever makes sense, but I was thinking as we grow as the airport really changes from what it was many years ago,

671
00:54:24,180 --> 00:54:31,880
we really need that aviation expertise and I was thinking that not all originally I was thinking

672
00:54:31,880 --> 00:54:35,760
You all, everybody needs to have an aviation background for this board.

673
00:54:35,920 --> 00:54:42,680
But perhaps we put something in there that 75% of the board have that aviation background.

674
00:54:42,700 --> 00:54:45,420
And there's so many sectors we could include as well.

675
00:54:45,620 --> 00:54:52,260
There's, you know, the training schools, there's the private, there's military, there's, you know,

676
00:54:52,540 --> 00:54:58,140
floats and aviation related businesses to be represented at the board level.

677
00:54:58,140 --> 00:55:03,700
And then those remaining positions can, we can draw upon the finance sector, the business sector,

678
00:55:04,380 --> 00:55:12,420
that are listed in this report. But for me, I really feel that importance of that aviation

679
00:55:12,420 --> 00:55:20,980
lens as we grow that, you know, sometimes that's just not transferable. Like all of those issues that,

680
00:55:21,420 --> 00:55:26,740
those with that aviation experience would understand, I think that's really important to take us to

681
00:55:26,740 --> 00:55:27,280
next level.

682
00:55:29,670 --> 00:55:37,770
Thank you. I'm going to go to CAO Roberts. As we do see in nine desired

683
00:55:37,770 --> 00:55:44,130
competencies, I think that's where Councilor Elkie is sort of addressing or alluding to,

684
00:55:44,510 --> 00:55:54,210
is that aviation or airport operations skill set or focus or experience. I'll say I'm a little

685
00:55:54,210 --> 00:55:58,410
We're still apprehensive of getting a percentage, or however, because it's dependent on applicants.

686
00:56:00,070 --> 00:56:08,710
So could this be handled in the process, or let me go over to a CO Robert, if there's something, and then we can go open to Council.

687
00:56:10,210 --> 00:56:13,770
Thank you Madam Mayor, and to Councillor Elkie.

688
00:56:14,510 --> 00:56:23,250
My suggestion is similar to the mayor's, that we don't establish a specific percentage, because we never know exactly who might apply for the positions.

689
00:56:23,250 --> 00:56:33,510
I think what might satisfy that comment is under Section 9.1, where it says Council will consider the following competencies when evaluating candidates.

690
00:56:33,510 --> 00:56:37,150
We could add with the preference given to aviation expertise.

691
00:56:38,250 --> 00:56:43,390
And then that would be an easy amendment to the policy of Council thought that was appropriate.

692
00:56:43,390 --> 00:56:48,510
And then as I form selection committees in the future,

693
00:56:48,990 --> 00:56:53,870
the selection committee can certainly look for that expertise

694
00:56:53,870 --> 00:56:58,410
to be a predominant expertise within the airport board

695
00:56:58,410 --> 00:57:01,310
if that works through council and council.

696
00:57:03,350 --> 00:57:07,970
So I can go over, I believe you were the original, maybe not.

697
00:57:08,470 --> 00:57:11,830
We'll look for amendment, a friendly amendment.

698
00:57:11,830 --> 00:57:15,630
I'll go over to our corporate officer in terms of how to address that.

699
00:57:15,810 --> 00:57:23,870
If Council's interested, they could move a motion, I would suggest A, to amend 9.1 to add

700
00:57:23,870 --> 00:57:28,390
those words to the end of that opening sentence and then to approve the policy as amended.

701
00:57:28,930 --> 00:57:29,890
Okay, would you like to move that?

702
00:57:30,830 --> 00:57:31,510
Yeah, I would.

703
00:57:32,070 --> 00:57:33,230
Would anybody like to second that?

704
00:57:33,570 --> 00:57:34,330
It's been seconded.

705
00:57:34,970 --> 00:57:38,090
Okay, so we have that amendment added to the recommended policy.

706
00:57:38,090 --> 00:57:44,030
Okay, so that amended policy or the recommended policy with the amendment is currently on the table.

707
00:57:44,370 --> 00:57:45,450
Any additional comments?

708
00:57:47,630 --> 00:57:49,490
With that, I'll call the question, all those in favor.

709
00:57:50,070 --> 00:57:50,570
Any opposed?

710
00:57:50,790 --> 00:57:51,210
That carries.

711
00:57:51,810 --> 00:57:52,090
Thank you.

712
00:57:52,170 --> 00:57:52,790
Thank you, Sierra Roberts.

713
00:57:53,670 --> 00:57:56,390
We will now move on to bylaws and permits.

714
00:57:56,830 --> 00:57:59,630
We are over to manager Gamperl.

715
00:57:59,950 --> 00:58:00,030
Welcome.

716
00:58:03,970 --> 00:58:05,150
Good evening, Mayor and Council.

717
00:58:06,030 --> 00:58:11,530
I'm here to present the fireworks and pyrotechnics bylaw, which clarifies regulatory framework for

718
00:58:11,530 --> 00:58:16,690
fireworks and pyrotechnics. The current bylaw was adopted in 2015 and has since been

719
00:58:16,690 --> 00:58:22,710
amended. A review of the bylaw particularly its regulatory clarity and enforcement provisions

720
00:58:23,030 --> 00:58:28,190
was included as an initiative in the building and bylaw services division 2026 business

721
00:58:28,190 --> 00:58:35,810
plan. The proposed bylaw updates terminology, definitions, legislative references, and administrative

722
00:58:35,810 --> 00:58:41,350
provisions to better align with the current provincial and federal legislation and current

723
00:58:41,350 --> 00:58:43,090
industry practices.

724
00:58:43,670 --> 00:58:50,870
It maintains the city's longstanding prohibition on consumer fireworks, while continuing to allow

725
00:58:50,870 --> 00:58:55,590
proficiently supervised displays and pyrotechnic events by special permit.

726
00:58:56,230 --> 00:59:02,710
It modernizes the regulatory framework, improves clarity, aligns with current legislation and industry

727
00:59:02,710 --> 00:59:06,290
standards, and strengthens administration and enforcement.

728
00:59:07,310 --> 00:59:13,870
The proposed revisions include clarifying the prohibition on consumer and prohibited fireworks

729
00:59:13,870 --> 00:59:19,870
including sales, possession, storage, and discharge, providing a limited exception for

730
00:59:19,870 --> 00:59:25,230
people lawfully transporting consumer fireworks through pitmattos, provided the fireworks

731
00:59:25,230 --> 00:59:29,650
are securely stored and are not sold, stored or used within the city.

732
00:59:30,630 --> 00:59:35,870
At clear restrictions on preparing or discharging fireworks and sky lanterns on highways

733
00:59:35,870 --> 00:59:37,170
and in public areas.

734
00:59:39,650 --> 00:59:42,850
Strengths enforcement by requiring a person and law-falling,

735
00:59:43,050 --> 00:59:48,670
stirring, or discharging fireworks to surrender them while maintaining authority to cease fireworks

736
00:59:48,670 --> 00:59:55,350
in certain circumstances, like on a highway or in a public place. Updating the special event process

737
00:59:55,350 --> 00:59:57,090
for this Play Fireworks and Pirates.

738
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:29,660
Authorities authority to impose permit conditions and to suspend or revoke permits when there are public safety or compliance concerns, and updates operational requirements for permitted events to reflect current certification requirements and industry standards. The Bible notice enforcement amendment by law updates the offense descriptions and section references references so it aligns with the new firework and pyrotechnics by law. It also updates

739
01:00:29,660 --> 01:00:36,900
It's associated by, I know, this penalties to $500, which is the maximum permitted under provincial legislation.

740
01:00:37,840 --> 01:00:43,560
This includes contraventions, such as possession or use of fireworks or sky lanterns,

741
01:00:43,900 --> 01:00:48,040
operating a display firework or fire technique event without a permit,

742
01:00:48,660 --> 01:00:51,020
failing to surrender fireworks when directed,

743
01:00:51,500 --> 01:00:54,120
failing to comply with a special permit, and

744
01:00:54,120 --> 01:00:56,460
failing to comply with a fire chief order.

745
01:00:57,660 --> 01:01:03,600
The city's approach remains education and voluntary compliance, consistent with the city's

746
01:01:03,600 --> 01:01:05,560
complaints and by law enforcement policy.

747
01:01:06,360 --> 01:01:12,100
Ahead of Halloween, staff use city communication channels to remind residents that the consumer

748
01:01:12,100 --> 01:01:13,420
fireworks are prohibited.

749
01:01:14,320 --> 01:01:20,320
On Halloween night, by law services and the RCMP conduct proactive patrols and respond to

750
01:01:20,320 --> 01:01:26,000
complaints as resources permit, while fire and rescue services remain available for fire

751
01:01:26,000 --> 01:01:27,640
and public safety incidents.

752
01:01:28,820 --> 01:01:36,660
For the 2026 Halloween season, vital services, fire, and the RCMP will review their operational

753
01:01:36,660 --> 01:01:41,700
coordination and identify opportunities to strengthen patrol and enforcement.

754
01:01:42,560 --> 01:01:46,260
With that, staff has the following recommendations, and I'm happy to answer any questions.

755
01:01:47,380 --> 01:01:48,140
Thank you very much.

756
01:01:48,240 --> 01:01:49,240
I'll open up for any questions.

757
01:01:51,500 --> 01:01:52,760
Question, Councilor Meachan.

758
01:01:52,760 --> 01:01:58,210
Thank you, Madam Mayor, through the Mayor to manage you, Gampry.

759
01:01:58,510 --> 01:02:07,290
I just wonder, in the past couple of years, we've had by-laws cellular wording, making

760
01:02:07,290 --> 01:02:10,290
it illegal to discharge fireworks in the city of Pit Meadows.

761
01:02:10,810 --> 01:02:15,630
Unfortunately, one of the single sources of fireworks sales in the city of Pit Meadows

762
01:02:15,630 --> 01:02:19,370
is not within our jurisdiction at San Bonson Road.

763
01:02:20,290 --> 01:02:21,750
So folks do go there.

764
01:02:21,750 --> 01:02:26,770
they do buy the fireworks, they put them in their vehicles, and they take them home, and most

765
01:02:26,770 --> 01:02:31,690
of us are aware that on two nights a year, at least, those fireworks are discharged within the

766
01:02:31,690 --> 01:02:38,090
city of Potematos, and I wouldn't want to be the by-law officer that tries to step into a group

767
01:02:38,090 --> 01:02:47,070
of 50 or 60 to confiscate said fireworks, but as a matter of interest, have you any numbers or statistics on

768
01:02:49,110 --> 01:02:55,670
the number, perhaps, or an average number of fines or fireworks that have been confiscated

769
01:02:55,670 --> 01:02:56,870
in previous years?

770
01:03:00,740 --> 01:03:02,720
Thank you very much for the question and through the merit.

771
01:03:02,860 --> 01:03:05,800
We don't have those specific statistics with us this evening, unfortunately.

772
01:03:06,360 --> 01:03:11,220
But I believe the number of fines have been quite low and the number of confiscations have

773
01:03:11,220 --> 01:03:11,900
even been lower.

774
01:03:12,340 --> 01:03:19,120
Again, it's been focused on those proactive patrols and education, generally speaking, on a

775
01:03:19,120 --> 01:03:23,380
Halloween night to your point, Councillor Meachan, when by-law services or even the RCMP

776
01:03:23,380 --> 01:03:28,420
for that matter attend and there's a large group of individuals that are discharging,

777
01:03:28,900 --> 01:03:32,700
they'll use their lights, their vehicle to flash and to disperse the crowd.

778
01:03:32,880 --> 01:03:37,580
So it's very, very difficult to issue fines in those circumstances and also very difficult

779
01:03:37,580 --> 01:03:38,440
to confiscate.

780
01:03:39,100 --> 01:03:44,820
All of that being said as manager, Jim Pearl noted, we are going to be reviewing those operational

781
01:03:44,820 --> 01:03:51,040
plans with the RCMP fire services and of course our by-law team coming into this Halloween season.

782
01:03:51,380 --> 01:03:57,580
We do recognize that there probably are ways and opportunities to strengthen the visible

783
01:03:57,580 --> 01:04:04,020
presence of public safety officers, protective services within the community on Halloween and that's

784
01:04:04,020 --> 01:04:08,780
what we'll be looking to do coming into this Halloween season. Thanks. I'm glad to hear that.

785
01:04:08,780 --> 01:04:10,900
I understand how difficult it is.

786
01:04:11,800 --> 01:04:16,700
Most people in pit metas with pets will thank you if they can control some of this.

787
01:04:17,480 --> 01:04:18,460
But good luck.

788
01:04:19,520 --> 01:04:23,600
I think the reality check is somebody's going to let fireworks off.

789
01:04:24,300 --> 01:04:35,360
But I'm glad to hear that there's a liaison going on and that perhaps some education and reinforcement will be a little bit greater this year.

790
01:04:35,700 --> 01:04:36,780
Good luck. Thank you.

791
01:04:38,940 --> 01:04:40,880
So there is a recommended motion.

792
01:04:42,220 --> 01:04:44,600
It's been moved, seconded, any additional comments?

793
01:04:48,070 --> 01:04:48,650
Just thank you.

794
01:04:49,010 --> 01:04:50,230
We know this is a tricky one.

795
01:04:50,990 --> 01:04:52,130
We know we're not alone.

796
01:04:52,890 --> 01:04:57,490
This is a common amongst all the communities I used to work.

797
01:04:58,170 --> 01:04:59,750
That was the worst shift is when you worked.

798
01:05:00,610 --> 01:05:01,110
Halloween night.

799
01:05:01,190 --> 01:05:03,270
I can see our fire chief nodding.

800
01:05:03,690 --> 01:05:06,250
Or you just hope for rain on Halloween night.

801
01:05:06,250 --> 01:05:14,050
maybe at about 8 p.m. or so let the little ones out. But thank you and I think the

802
01:05:14,050 --> 01:05:20,250
opportunity for coordinated presence and action will be great. With that I'll

803
01:05:20,250 --> 01:05:24,590
call the question all those in favor. Any opposed? That carries. Thank you. We'll

804
01:05:24,590 --> 01:05:29,850
now move on to J2. That's our tree management bylaw. I'm going to go over to our

805
01:05:29,850 --> 01:05:32,110
environmental planner Mike Pym. Welcome.

806
01:05:45,730 --> 01:05:46,410
Good evening.

807
01:05:47,550 --> 01:05:53,390
Mayor McDonnell and Council appreciate the opportunity to present tonight on the proposed

808
01:05:53,390 --> 01:05:54,570
pre-management by-law.

809
01:05:58,260 --> 01:06:04,680
Pre-outline to go over the background for the by-law interim tree management by-law implementation

810
01:06:04,680 --> 01:06:09,100
as well as the community engagement from earlier this year.

811
01:06:10,700 --> 01:06:16,220
Proposed key by-law revisions as well as those revisions that pertain to tree protection

812
01:06:16,220 --> 01:06:18,800
permission permitting replacement requirements.

813
01:06:20,040 --> 01:06:24,620
And then we'll talk about go over next steps if Council was to adopt the tree management

814
01:06:24,620 --> 01:06:26,380
by-law and then staff recommendations.

815
01:06:29,040 --> 01:06:33,740
So earlier this year, March 3rd, Council adopted the ancient tree management by-law.

816
01:06:34,100 --> 01:06:40,740
It allowed staff to provide the community the opportunity to protect trees during the community

817
01:06:40,740 --> 01:06:47,900
engagement period through general maintenance requirements as well as development practices

818
01:06:47,900 --> 01:06:52,620
This is, it provided the opportunity for a permit process and enforcement process.

819
01:06:53,480 --> 01:06:56,100
And again, allowed us to implement the by-law.

820
01:06:56,920 --> 01:07:02,480
And just gauge how, how well it was working and see where improvements could be, could

821
01:07:02,480 --> 01:07:02,780
be made.

822
01:07:03,740 --> 01:07:08,120
Community engagement included a variety of notices after the adoption of the by-law through

823
01:07:08,120 --> 01:07:12,660
newspaper media, online, sorry, social media.

824
01:07:13,920 --> 01:07:25,340
We had an open house April 8th where 16 attendees were able to discuss with us, you know, different aspects of the by-laws as well as what we were proposing.

825
01:07:26,500 --> 01:07:31,780
We had a survey that ran from March 25th to April 26th with 50 responses.

826
01:07:31,780 --> 01:07:42,320
We attended the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting on May 14th and resetted the engagement

827
01:07:42,320 --> 01:07:47,160
results and discussed the by-law proposed by-law options.

828
01:07:49,920 --> 01:07:54,940
And then throughout the interim true management by-law implementation, we spoke with a variety

829
01:07:54,940 --> 01:08:01,220
of residents, business owners, contractors, just through general inquiries, through permitting

830
01:08:01,220 --> 01:08:05,080
and some several enforcement compliance items.

831
01:08:06,140 --> 01:08:10,380
On June 9th, staff of the opportunity to attend

832
01:08:10,380 --> 01:08:12,080
the engagement priorities committee meeting

833
01:08:12,080 --> 01:08:14,240
and presented the engagement results

834
01:08:14,240 --> 01:08:16,980
and provided recommendations to be incorporated

835
01:08:16,980 --> 01:08:18,640
into the proposed by-law.

836
01:08:19,240 --> 01:08:20,900
And those recommendations have been incorporated

837
01:08:20,900 --> 01:08:23,420
into the proposed stream management by-law.

838
01:08:26,480 --> 01:08:28,280
So overarching key by-law revisions

839
01:08:28,280 --> 01:08:31,060
include the recognition for significant trees,

840
01:08:33,840 --> 01:08:37,900
identifying replacement values for trees of different sizes, so trees that are smaller,

841
01:08:38,220 --> 01:08:45,420
smaller canopy would have a lower value compared to larger trees, older trees with a higher

842
01:08:45,420 --> 01:08:54,480
canopy or larger canopy size. The proposed Bala has a 30% canopy cover target. This is in line with

843
01:08:54,480 --> 01:08:58,520
the urban forest strategy that identified the 30% canopy target for the urban containment boundary.

844
01:08:58,520 --> 01:09:07,040
What we heard was that residents wanted to make sure that the process for

845
01:09:07,040 --> 01:09:10,980
property maintenance would remain simple, so that was maintained for the proposed

846
01:09:10,980 --> 01:09:11,360
by-law.

847
01:09:13,610 --> 01:09:19,470
Cash and lieu values have now been really are now related to the

848
01:09:19,470 --> 01:09:24,010
canopy size, so small, medium and large, so smaller trees have a lower cash value,

849
01:09:24,450 --> 01:09:26,510
where larger canopy trees have a higher cash value.

850
01:09:28,940 --> 01:09:30,620
The canopy sizes, large

851
01:09:30,620 --> 01:09:37,720
mediums small, have comparable values, so there's an opportunity there to plant and recognize

852
01:09:37,720 --> 01:09:41,840
different values as property owners try to meet the replacement requirements, can't

853
01:09:41,840 --> 01:09:42,380
be requirements.

854
01:09:44,020 --> 01:09:50,700
Trees within the agricultural land reserve are still exempt where agricultural operations

855
01:09:50,700 --> 01:09:57,980
apply or are occurring, however we have added protection for trees within riparian areas

856
01:09:57,980 --> 01:10:00,160
is where those agricultural practices aren't occurring.

857
01:10:01,180 --> 01:10:04,060
This is in line with provincial requirements

858
01:10:04,060 --> 01:10:06,000
under the repair and area protection regulation.

859
01:10:06,520 --> 01:10:09,520
It's an added element that provides additional tools

860
01:10:09,520 --> 01:10:10,340
for staff.

861
01:10:13,600 --> 01:10:16,260
So specifically, we have additional protection measures

862
01:10:16,260 --> 01:10:18,240
for significant trees.

863
01:10:19,220 --> 01:10:21,460
They can be removed under a permit.

864
01:10:21,580 --> 01:10:24,140
However, they all have to be assessed

865
01:10:24,140 --> 01:10:26,360
whether it's for property maintenance or for development.

866
01:10:26,960 --> 01:10:29,700
And they have to be justified through that process.

867
01:10:31,760 --> 01:10:35,460
Securities are now based on the replacement value for the trees.

868
01:10:35,700 --> 01:10:36,700
So under the interim tree management

869
01:10:36,700 --> 01:10:43,140
bottle, there was a flat rate, regardless of the size of the tree.

870
01:10:43,440 --> 01:10:47,120
So now the replacement value comes into play for the securities.

871
01:10:48,100 --> 01:10:50,520
And if a tree is damaged, the replacement value

872
01:10:50,520 --> 01:10:51,980
is the value of that security.

873
01:10:53,720 --> 01:10:57,380
For property maintenance permits, as I mentioned,

874
01:10:57,580 --> 01:10:59,060
significant trees can now be removed.

875
01:11:00,700 --> 01:11:03,800
but require an assessment and a justification.

876
01:11:05,700 --> 01:11:08,260
The replacement values for trees are removed,

877
01:11:09,340 --> 01:11:13,560
currently under the interim tree bylaws on a one-to-one basis under the proposed bylaw.

878
01:11:14,000 --> 01:11:19,160
It can either be a one-to-one, two-to-one or three-to-one replacement value depending on the size of the tree being removed.

879
01:11:21,240 --> 01:11:27,800
There is an exemption for tree replacement where a property owner has already,

880
01:11:27,800 --> 01:11:33,880
or is achieving the 30% canopy cover target as dictated by the Urban Forest Strategy.

881
01:11:34,820 --> 01:11:42,020
So we want to recognize the efforts by property owners that are already contributing to that effort.

882
01:11:43,120 --> 01:11:48,040
For tree removal permits for development and for tree protection under development applications.

883
01:11:48,700 --> 01:11:52,200
Again, significant trees need to be assessed and justified for removal.

884
01:11:53,000 --> 01:11:56,640
Replacement for trees that are removed for development.

885
01:11:57,800 --> 01:12:03,920
require either 2 to 1, 4 to 1 or 6 to 1 replacement based on the size and again the replacement

886
01:12:03,920 --> 01:12:10,900
securities and tree protection are based on the size and the canopy for that for those trees.

887
01:12:14,540 --> 01:12:20,420
To help with the preservation and growth of the urban canopy, again the replacement values

888
01:12:20,420 --> 01:12:29,740
are up to 3 to 1 or 6 to 1 depending on the type of permit. The cash and lieu values have changed

889
01:12:29,740 --> 01:12:34,920
As mentioned, under the interim tree management by-law cash and lieu was a flat rate of $900

890
01:12:34,920 --> 01:12:41,500
for a property maintenance permit or $1,500 for a development permit, a development removal

891
01:12:41,500 --> 01:12:41,900
permit.

892
01:12:42,240 --> 01:12:49,940
Regardless of size, now the trees have a size value, 250 for a small canopy tree, 500 for

893
01:12:49,940 --> 01:12:52,500
a medium canopy tree, $1,000 for a large canopy tree.

894
01:12:53,400 --> 01:12:58,780
And as mentioned earlier, these different canopy size trees have a comparable value again to

895
01:12:58,780 --> 01:13:03,560
allow us to provide an opportunity for planting and meeting requirements.

896
01:13:05,880 --> 01:13:11,080
Where one item that is a bit different, so for the canopy requirement, sorry, we require

897
01:13:11,080 --> 01:13:17,800
a 30% canopy covered target for all developments, where these developments are not able to meet

898
01:13:17,800 --> 01:13:19,320
the canopy target of 30%.

899
01:13:19,900 --> 01:13:24,840
They can provide a cash and lieu value, however, there's a two times cost to that, so it's not

900
01:13:24,840 --> 01:13:25,400
just a straight.

901
01:13:30,670 --> 01:13:35,930
subject to council giving final reading to the proposed by-law. Staff will continue to work

902
01:13:35,930 --> 01:13:39,410
together to coordinate on administering the by-law as we have under the interim by-law.

903
01:13:40,450 --> 01:13:45,670
We will update our application form as well as the supporting information online as well as

904
01:13:45,670 --> 01:13:53,660
hard copies make sure everything's updating and relevant. We will review and amend policies and

905
01:13:53,660 --> 01:14:06,400
guidelines to make sure they meet the requirements of the proposed by-law, and we will continue to implement and monitor, sorry, monitor the implementation and resource requirements for implementing the by-law.

906
01:14:06,880 --> 01:14:19,660
And then, in approximately two years, depending on the number of permitting in the amount of what we see through the implementation, whether we need changes, amendments, we would report back to council within two years.

907
01:14:23,550 --> 01:14:29,230
recommendations are that Council grant first, second, and third reading is the Tree Management

908
01:14:29,230 --> 01:14:36,550
By-law number 3067-2026 and grant first, oh sorry, I'm going to backtrack. There was

909
01:14:36,550 --> 01:14:41,170
one item that we wanted to bring up in terms of the by-law and the enforcement by-law.

910
01:14:41,450 --> 01:14:49,470
That by-law will be updated to meet the new provisions in the new by-law. It's primarily

911
01:14:49,470 --> 01:14:55,490
numbering, but we're also making a proposal to amend the property maintenance by law.

912
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:29,860
Management by-law, council identified a concern over dead trees in the community that aren't being managed. So while we are going through the implementation process for the interim tree by-law, we look for opportunities to address that concern. And we identified the property maintenance by-law as the better approach or better opportunity to address that. And in that by-law property owners are now required or would be

913
01:15:29,860 --> 01:15:34,260
required to remove dead trees in the event that they occurred.

914
01:15:36,320 --> 01:15:41,180
So, back to staff recommendations, the council grant first second and third readings

915
01:15:41,180 --> 01:15:46,600
to tree management by-law number 3067, 2026 and grant first second and third readings

916
01:15:46,600 --> 01:15:52,500
to property maintenance and by-law notice enforcement amendment by-law number 3069, 2026.

917
01:15:53,460 --> 01:15:53,860
Great.

918
01:15:54,100 --> 01:15:55,460
Thank you very much, Manager Pym.

919
01:15:55,480 --> 01:15:57,840
I'll open it up for any questions first.

920
01:15:57,840 --> 01:16:00,060
First, I'll go over to Councilor Evans.

921
01:16:01,420 --> 01:16:02,320
Yeah, hi.

922
01:16:02,540 --> 01:16:08,860
Quick question regarding the cash in lieu, the $255,500,000, just wondering how we came to

923
01:16:08,860 --> 01:16:13,240
those totals and how it is compared across the region in terms of other municipalities

924
01:16:13,240 --> 01:16:13,820
are surrounding.

925
01:16:16,320 --> 01:16:18,920
Through the Mayor to Councilor Evans, thank you for the question.

926
01:16:20,380 --> 01:16:25,200
The values for trees range anywhere from approximately $300 to $1,500.

927
01:16:25,200 --> 01:16:28,600
dollars. It's difficult to

928
01:16:31,640 --> 01:16:36,240
compare by-laws to by-law because of different replacement

929
01:16:36,240 --> 01:16:40,660
requirements, different tree securities, the financial aspect changes depending on

930
01:16:40,660 --> 01:16:45,820
what you're looking at. Some municipalities require 6-1-1-1. Some go well beyond 6-1

931
01:16:45,820 --> 01:16:53,000
replacement for trees. So where we came up with the 250-500-1,000 is we felt that

932
01:16:53,000 --> 01:17:03,400
that the, under the interim true by-law, the $900 and the $1,500 were somewhere in the realm of they were a little higher, I believe I mentioned that during the interim presentation.

933
01:17:04,140 --> 01:17:12,780
They were a little bit higher, and we felt that for a large canopy tree, $1,000 was probably right in the ballpark of where it should be.

934
01:17:13,380 --> 01:17:19,920
When we talk about small canopy trees, we're talking about ornamental trees, a little bit smaller, not quite providing the same value.

935
01:17:19,920 --> 01:17:28,220
So the reason for the $25,500 and $1,000 was based on the values those trees were providing in terms of shade,

936
01:17:29,260 --> 01:17:34,420
have attacked the storm water management of variety of factors, and with the replacement requirement.

937
01:17:35,160 --> 01:17:42,040
Under the bylaw, if a large canopy tree now is being removed, the replacement value is now $6,000 if it needs that.

938
01:17:42,720 --> 01:17:49,180
The significant tree category of greater than 70 centimeter DBH, so we can actually have a range of between 500 and

939
01:17:49,180 --> 01:17:54,460
$6,000 for replacement value depending on the size of those trees where 500 would be based

940
01:17:54,460 --> 01:18:01,880
on the size and the canopy class for an ornamental would be $500 where based on just the size itself,

941
01:18:02,760 --> 01:18:06,140
it would end up being closer to $6,000 for a significant tree being removed.

942
01:18:06,800 --> 01:18:11,840
Excellent, thank you. Yeah, that was one of my concerns was the cost of doing business and

943
01:18:11,840 --> 01:18:18,200
just paying it out, so I appreciate the amendments. Great, so there is a recommended motion. It's been

944
01:18:18,200 --> 01:18:22,600
moved. Second, any additional comments? I'll go to Councillor Evans.

945
01:18:24,040 --> 01:18:28,560
Just how excited I am that we did this. It's been a long time coming and I think, yeah,

946
01:18:28,760 --> 01:18:30,740
I'm really excited to see it go through. Hold on, thank you.

947
01:18:31,500 --> 01:18:32,100
Councillor Menny?

948
01:18:32,780 --> 01:18:38,460
Yeah, just a quick comment. Also, please with it. And thank you for including the issue

949
01:18:38,460 --> 01:18:43,200
about dead trees and dead bushes. That's really important that we look after those. Thank

950
01:18:43,200 --> 01:18:43,320
Thank you.

951
01:18:44,540 --> 01:18:45,020
Excellent.

952
01:18:45,260 --> 01:18:46,620
I'll call the question all those in favour?

953
01:18:47,180 --> 01:18:48,240
That carries unanimously.

954
01:18:48,480 --> 01:18:48,780
Thank you.

955
01:18:49,380 --> 01:18:55,520
We'll now move on to zoning by-law update, parking regulations, and manage all burn.

956
01:19:06,940 --> 01:19:08,320
Thank you and good evening, Mayor and Council.

957
01:19:13,020 --> 01:19:18,380
In, excuse me, in 2023, staff completed a review of the zoning by-law and recommended a

958
01:19:18,380 --> 01:19:23,400
series of updates to address identified gaps plus improved clarity and administration

959
01:19:23,400 --> 01:19:24,220
of the by-law.

960
01:19:24,220 --> 01:19:28,280
A number of those updates have been completed and a few others are forthcoming as outlined

961
01:19:28,280 --> 01:19:29,040
in the staff report.

962
01:19:29,880 --> 01:19:36,620
The set of updates addresses the 2023 recommendation to incorporate electric vehicle charging

963
01:19:36,620 --> 01:19:40,340
infrastructure requirements into the zoning bylaw as well as a few other parking-related

964
01:19:40,860 --> 01:19:45,700
updates that have since been identified, including new accessibility or accessible parking

965
01:19:45,700 --> 01:19:52,960
requirements, updating the commercial vehicle regulations, as well as a minor revision

966
01:19:52,960 --> 01:19:58,780
to the to the bicycle parking requirements and associated revisions to the

967
01:19:58,780 --> 01:20:03,200
Biola Notice Enforcement Biola to accompany these proposed changes.

968
01:20:05,450 --> 01:20:05,910
Starting

969
01:20:05,910 --> 01:20:09,830
with the recommendations for electric vehicle charging, the proposal is to add

970
01:20:09,830 --> 01:20:13,550
into the zoning Biola requirements for new developments to include rough ends

971
01:20:13,550 --> 01:20:18,270
of electrical connections that will support future installation of level two

972
01:20:18,270 --> 01:20:23,110
chargers by the property owners and residents. The change will not require the

973
01:20:23,110 --> 01:20:24,570
installation of the charges themselves.

974
01:20:25,890 --> 01:20:28,990
Since adoption of the 2022 official community plan,

975
01:20:29,270 --> 01:20:31,230
reference for electric vehicle charging facilities

976
01:20:31,230 --> 01:20:32,650
and new developments have been encouraged

977
01:20:32,650 --> 01:20:34,110
into the development permit guidelines.

978
01:20:34,870 --> 01:20:36,930
And this amendment, if adopted, would formalize

979
01:20:36,930 --> 01:20:38,970
and clarify that approach for residents and developers.

980
01:20:40,190 --> 01:20:41,650
Staff have reviewed the requirements

981
01:20:41,650 --> 01:20:43,930
of several other surrounding municipalities

982
01:20:43,930 --> 01:20:47,170
and are proposing to require one EV-ready space

983
01:20:47,170 --> 01:20:48,230
per dwelling unit.

984
01:20:49,190 --> 01:20:55,990
50 percent of the required visitor parking to be EV ready for apartments and townhouses,

985
01:20:56,770 --> 01:21:02,850
and then for commercial industrial uses 10 percent of the required vehicle parking spaces

986
01:21:02,850 --> 01:21:04,050
to be EV ready.

987
01:21:07,150 --> 01:21:12,450
Few exemptions are listed for secondary and garden suites as these are often retrofitted

988
01:21:12,450 --> 01:21:18,070
into existing homes, and implementation of electrical rough ins could be impractical or disproportionately

989
01:21:18,070 --> 01:21:18,530
costly.

990
01:21:18,530 --> 01:21:25,920
Now looking at the proposed accessible parking requirements, similar requirements were included

991
01:21:25,920 --> 01:21:30,620
in the BC building code until they were removed in 2018. However, since then many development

992
01:21:30,620 --> 01:21:36,400
applicants have included them voluntarily in their proposals. In 2025, during preparation

993
01:21:36,400 --> 01:21:40,680
of the city's accessibility plan, the lack of accessible parking requirements was identified

994
01:21:40,680 --> 01:21:45,220
as a gap. So staff prepared the proposed accessible parking requirements with input from

995
01:21:45,220 --> 01:21:47,840
in the city's community support and accessibility committee

996
01:21:48,400 --> 01:21:50,040
at their May 23rd meeting.

997
01:21:50,940 --> 01:21:53,620
Also, comparison with other Metro Vancouver municipalities,

998
01:21:53,620 --> 01:21:55,500
and there's a table of comparison table attached

999
01:21:55,500 --> 01:21:56,220
to the staff report.

1000
01:21:57,340 --> 01:21:59,200
We also looked at the city of Pimento's

1001
01:21:59,200 --> 01:22:00,420
Adoptible Housing Policy,

1002
01:22:00,560 --> 01:22:01,800
which includes recommendations

1003
01:22:01,800 --> 01:22:05,360
for accessible parking stall counts

1004
01:22:05,360 --> 01:22:07,720
for new apartment developments only.

1005
01:22:09,240 --> 01:22:11,240
Incorporating requirements into the zoning by-law

1006
01:22:11,240 --> 01:22:14,120
will set clear expectations for development applicants

1007
01:22:14,120 --> 01:22:16,520
and support enhanced community accessibility.

1008
01:22:17,220 --> 01:22:18,840
The proposed requirements include

1009
01:22:18,840 --> 01:22:21,260
dimensional requirements as shown on the screen

1010
01:22:21,260 --> 01:22:24,240
of 3.7 meters wide by five and a half meters long.

1011
01:22:25,540 --> 01:22:27,340
And a minimum number of accessible spaces

1012
01:22:27,340 --> 01:22:29,600
for new developments of apartments and townhouses

1013
01:22:30,260 --> 01:22:31,920
plus a slightly different set

1014
01:22:31,920 --> 01:22:34,960
for all commercial and institutional industrial uses.

1015
01:22:35,260 --> 01:22:36,420
And I'll get to that in a minute.

1016
01:22:38,060 --> 01:22:39,380
Exemptions are included for uses

1017
01:22:39,380 --> 01:22:41,100
that are small-scale residential,

1018
01:22:41,100 --> 01:22:45,640
that generate little or no public parking demand or anticipated to be low

1019
01:22:45,640 --> 01:22:49,840
intensity and therefore generally provides efficient parking space already to

1020
01:22:49,840 --> 01:22:51,320
accommodate accessible parking needs.

1021
01:22:54,370 --> 01:22:56,270
As included in the bylaw this table lists

1022
01:22:56,270 --> 01:23:01,610
the proposed accessible parking requirements with top residential uses that have

1023
01:23:01,610 --> 01:23:05,370
common parking areas such as underground parking or surface collective surface

1024
01:23:05,370 --> 01:23:12,000
parking areas and then other uses such as commercial and industrial uses would be

1025
01:23:12,000 --> 01:23:16,320
subject to the requirements at the bottom of the table. So on the left side, it identifies

1026
01:23:16,900 --> 01:23:21,900
if there's a certain number of required vehicle parking stalls, then on the right-hand side

1027
01:23:21,900 --> 01:23:29,440
would be the aligned required additional accessible parking spaces. The by-law also

1028
01:23:30,460 --> 01:23:35,300
requires at least one accessible residential visitor parking stall for developments of ten

1029
01:23:35,300 --> 01:23:41,320
or more dwelling units, excuse me, which aligns with the current requirement of .2 visitor

1030
01:23:41,320 --> 01:23:44,920
parking spaces per residential unit for residential developments.

1031
01:23:47,590 --> 01:23:51,310
The zoning by-law amendment also proposes changes to the commercial vehicle parking

1032
01:23:51,310 --> 01:23:55,450
regulations for residential properties to clarify and improve their administration.

1033
01:23:56,070 --> 01:24:01,330
As shown, the amendments include attaining a limit of one commercial vehicle per dwelling

1034
01:24:01,330 --> 01:24:07,870
unit, parked on a residential lot, increasing the maximum permitted license gross vehicle

1035
01:24:07,870 --> 01:24:16,930
weight from 4,600 kilos to 5,500 kilograms. In the Biola currently it has 4,600 kilograms

1036
01:24:17,360 --> 01:24:22,070
of gross vehicle weight but fortunately that's hard to administer because it changes based

1037
01:24:22,070 --> 01:24:27,150
on how much fuel is in the tank and other aspects and you need to assess it with scales.

1038
01:24:27,690 --> 01:24:31,770
If we use licensed gross vehicle weight then that's a registered gross vehicle weight so

1039
01:24:31,770 --> 01:24:33,810
so that's much easier to enforce,

1040
01:24:34,370 --> 01:24:37,510
and it's more predictable for residents

1041
01:24:37,510 --> 01:24:40,450
and owners of these vehicles or drivers of these vehicles.

1042
01:24:41,710 --> 01:24:43,950
It will continue to prohibit large commercial vehicles,

1043
01:24:43,950 --> 01:24:46,130
such as box trucks and heavy-duty trucks

1044
01:24:46,130 --> 01:24:49,290
on residential properties that will permit

1045
01:24:49,290 --> 01:24:51,410
construction vehicles over 5,500 kilograms,

1046
01:24:51,870 --> 01:24:55,670
so if it's needed for construction purposes

1047
01:24:55,670 --> 01:24:57,010
or maintenance or repair.

1048
01:24:58,270 --> 01:25:00,550
And again, this aligns with surrounding neighborhoods

1049
01:25:00,550 --> 01:25:06,370
standards and the updated weight also aligns with modern contractor vehicles

1050
01:25:06,370 --> 01:25:10,050
that we see some residents driving more, for example, wanting to park in the

1051
01:25:10,050 --> 01:25:10,290
drivers.

1052
01:25:13,400 --> 01:25:16,440
Lastly, the proposed amendment includes removing a maximum limit for

1053
01:25:16,440 --> 01:25:21,240
vehicle parking storage rooms to allow developers more flexibility and to

1054
01:25:21,240 --> 01:25:25,600
determine the anticipated need. That said, bicycle storage minimum requirements are

1055
01:25:25,600 --> 01:25:30,880
unchanged and will still apply to all new developments. And lastly, as mentioned, the

1056
01:25:30,880 --> 01:25:34,380
The attached amendment by-law also includes updates to the by-law notice enforcement by-law

1057
01:25:35,420 --> 01:25:39,540
to reflect these proposed changes to the zoning by-law and aid their enforcement administration.

1058
01:25:42,880 --> 01:25:46,280
In alignment with the requirements of the local government act, and as outlined in the staff

1059
01:25:46,280 --> 01:25:50,300
report, these amendments have been reviewed in relation to provincial policy manuals for transit-oriented

1060
01:25:50,300 --> 01:25:52,320
areas and small-scale multi-unit housing.

1061
01:25:52,980 --> 01:25:56,380
Staff believe the amendments are in keeping with the applicable guidelines and therefore are recommending

1062
01:25:56,380 --> 01:26:00,740
that no further consideration of these provincial policies manuals is required at this time.

1063
01:26:01,280 --> 01:26:06,940
As mentioned, these proposals, those amendments are intended to address identified gaps plus

1064
01:26:06,940 --> 01:26:11,320
clarifying and help with the administration of the by-law, therefore staff are recommending

1065
01:26:11,920 --> 01:26:15,980
council consider first and second reading and then direct staff to proceed to public hearing

1066
01:26:15,980 --> 01:26:17,100
at an upcoming council meeting.

1067
01:26:17,880 --> 01:26:19,340
Thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions.

1068
01:26:20,160 --> 01:26:24,000
Thank you very much, Manager O'Burn, I'll open up for any questions, I'll go to Councillor

1069
01:26:24,000 --> 01:26:24,420
O'Connor.

1070
01:26:25,640 --> 01:26:26,320
Thank you.

1071
01:26:26,320 --> 01:26:33,520
parking my favorite thing. Is there going to be more power available if there's

1072
01:26:33,520 --> 01:26:36,580
any multi-family units being built in Pip Meadows?

1073
01:26:39,180 --> 01:26:39,800
Through the American

1074
01:26:39,800 --> 01:26:45,320
Council of Connell, we understand that BC Hydros is continuing to work on their

1075
01:26:45,320 --> 01:26:51,700
reviews and they're planning for dealing with the additional loads associated with

1076
01:26:51,700 --> 01:26:56,500
the small scale multi-unit housing and I understand our various engineering

1077
01:26:56,500 --> 01:27:00,560
departments across the lower mainland have been in touch with Hydro on several of these matters.

1078
01:27:01,380 --> 01:27:09,160
Okay the only reason is I live obviously in a condo and we don't have any more power. We have one

1079
01:27:09,160 --> 01:27:15,620
outlet in our entire building and we can't put any more else in any out there and we can't even

1080
01:27:15,620 --> 01:27:21,760
put in heat pumping heat pumps into our building because of the lack of power. So I mean I love these

1081
01:27:21,760 --> 01:27:27,020
initiatives don't get me wrong, but I think that Hydra shouldn't have been ahead of the

1082
01:27:27,020 --> 01:27:32,280
game and put some upgrades in. I have a few other comments when it's the comment time.

1083
01:27:33,040 --> 01:27:36,800
I'll wait and save this. Thank you. Any additional questions?

1084
01:27:38,140 --> 01:27:43,900
No, so I'll look for a mover. It's been moved and seconded. Any comments? Go to Councillor

1085
01:27:43,900 --> 01:27:44,200
O'Connell.

1086
01:27:44,200 --> 01:27:53,020
So I'm going to do a little bit of a rant because I'm a little disgusted with some building

1087
01:27:53,020 --> 01:27:57,220
that's occurring in the community and everyone knows I met Starbucks.

1088
01:27:58,000 --> 01:28:03,220
The construction people that are working on that site down there actually now are using

1089
01:28:03,220 --> 01:28:05,380
the handicap parking spot at times.

1090
01:28:05,900 --> 01:28:10,000
They bring in the supplies and then they hang the handicap sticker in their windows of their

1091
01:28:10,000 --> 01:28:10,400
vehicle.

1092
01:28:10,400 --> 01:28:17,580
There's one parking space, one handicapped parking space available for all those things.

1093
01:28:17,880 --> 01:28:21,040
And there's like, you know, chiropractor, et cetera in front of it.

1094
01:28:21,520 --> 01:28:25,300
I know we can't control, but we need to do something.

1095
01:28:25,740 --> 01:28:30,960
Like it's ridiculous that all these construction vehicles are taking up parking spaces.

1096
01:28:31,660 --> 01:28:34,300
Anyways, it's my rant about for handicapped.

1097
01:28:34,400 --> 01:28:37,300
If we're going to supply it, I think that it should be there for them.

1098
01:28:37,300 --> 01:28:42,980
And maybe that's something we need to look at if we ever get the opportunity to revise

1099
01:28:42,980 --> 01:28:44,920
the parking lots in the malls.

1100
01:28:46,180 --> 01:28:51,260
The other thing is, I'm noticing more and more commercial vehicles that are too big

1101
01:28:51,260 --> 01:28:54,660
to park on the property than they park on the street.

1102
01:28:55,960 --> 01:29:02,020
And there's a number of streets and I know we only act on by law if there's a complaint.

1103
01:29:02,520 --> 01:29:07,160
But there is a number of people that are scared to complain to us because of the fact that

1104
01:29:07,160 --> 01:29:12,200
they'll have retaliation from the neighbors and that's wrong that we live in a society

1105
01:29:12,200 --> 01:29:18,160
in a community that forroads my favorite because they just don't understand that it's

1106
01:29:18,160 --> 01:29:23,800
not this parking on the street is not permitted for commercial vehicles so there's got to be

1107
01:29:23,800 --> 01:29:29,940
something we can do whether it's doing a drive around in the day or after I'm finished

1108
01:29:29,940 --> 01:29:35,540
Council and I become the crazy lady that reports people all the time. Oh, I do it now. So

1109
01:29:37,420 --> 01:29:43,400
anyways, it's just a frustration and and I know that a number of people have said that to me.

1110
01:29:44,080 --> 01:29:48,280
The other thing I'm going to bring up and I it's to do with parking but someone

1111
01:29:49,380 --> 01:29:55,500
was told that we no longer paint the yellow lines just to prevent people from parking too close

1112
01:29:55,500 --> 01:29:56,980
to a corner, I don't believe that.

1113
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:29,920
There's got to be a restriction on how, is it true that we don't do that? Oh, how, how nice is that? So, okay, thank you for that information. I'm going to go over to direct reward. I do think there's a few, I see a manager of burn writing down. So maybe some items we could take offline. I'm not aware of some of these that then we can investigate further. But I'm going to go to director. Yes, thank you, your worship and thank you, Councillor Connell. So yes, manager of burn is taking some notes here. I'll just a couple of points.

1114
01:30:29,920 --> 01:30:38,980
on street parking is regulated through the highway and traffic bylaw, what council is considering tonight are amendments to the zoning bylaw, which would regulate onsite parking and commercial vehicles.

1115
01:30:39,220 --> 01:30:48,020
I think you understand that just making sure that's clear, but yes, there is a prohibition that you cannot park a commercial vehicle exceeding 4,600 kilograms.

1116
01:30:48,480 --> 01:30:56,200
So we'll have to look at possibly updating that in the future to align with our proposed zoning bylaw on highways that are continuous with properties other than industrial.

1117
01:30:56,200 --> 01:31:01,600
So, yes, that is, but quite, quite right, our complaints in bylaw enforcement policy

1118
01:31:01,600 --> 01:31:04,220
does speak to primarily being complaint driven.

1119
01:31:04,620 --> 01:31:07,980
That being said, parking enforcement is generally one of those pieces that is a little

1120
01:31:07,980 --> 01:31:08,560
bit more proactive.

1121
01:31:08,800 --> 01:31:11,860
So, that's certainly something we can take away and discuss internally on whether we can

1122
01:31:11,860 --> 01:31:17,060
be a little bit more proactive on that contravention of the highway and traffic bylaw.

1123
01:31:18,240 --> 01:31:23,500
As it relates to the painting of curves, yes, it is our understanding that the engineering

1124
01:31:23,500 --> 01:31:28,380
operations department prefers not to do the yellow paint anymore because of ongoing maintenance.

1125
01:31:28,680 --> 01:31:33,440
The preference in the circumstances where warranted is to install signage because it requires less

1126
01:31:34,060 --> 01:31:39,780
long-term maintenance. So looking at those hotspot areas where the yellow curving is potentially fading

1127
01:31:39,780 --> 01:31:44,120
and looking to use no parking signage as an alternative to the yellow curve painting.

1128
01:31:45,280 --> 01:31:49,020
Thank you. I don't see additional comments.

1129
01:31:51,760 --> 01:31:53,540
It's on the floor or on the table.

1130
01:31:54,860 --> 01:31:56,000
It's already moved in second.

1131
01:31:56,260 --> 01:31:57,200
Yeah, I'll call the question.

1132
01:31:57,320 --> 01:31:57,840
All those in favor?

1133
01:31:58,560 --> 01:31:58,900
Any opposed?

1134
01:31:59,060 --> 01:31:59,280
That carries.

1135
01:31:59,440 --> 01:32:00,580
Thank you both very, very much.

1136
01:32:03,310 --> 01:32:04,610
And now we'll move on to J4.

1137
01:32:04,830 --> 01:32:07,170
This is the Official Community Plan Amendment by-law,

1138
01:32:07,350 --> 01:32:08,430
the North-Lowheed Area Plan.

1139
01:32:08,590 --> 01:32:09,830
And I'm going to go over to Director Award.

1140
01:32:10,430 --> 01:32:10,590
Great.

1141
01:32:10,770 --> 01:32:11,950
Thank you very much, your worship.

1142
01:32:12,130 --> 01:32:15,070
And this is the last report on the agenda from our team.

1143
01:32:15,070 --> 01:32:16,730
This evening, we've had a busy summer.

1144
01:32:16,730 --> 01:32:22,910
And but we thought it was important to bring these priority items to council early in the fall.

1145
01:32:23,950 --> 01:32:33,570
I just wanted to express my gratitude to Mary Council for expressing their appreciation to staff for all of their hard work particular this summer got to worry we did manage to get some vacation in there as well.

1146
01:32:34,070 --> 01:32:45,710
In addition to the authors of these reports just want to also acknowledge that the efforts of the staff reports on the agenda this evening are really corporate wide across the entire organization fire services was instrumental in some of these documents.

1147
01:32:45,710 --> 01:32:48,170
was heavily involved, of course, with the tree management

1148
01:32:48,170 --> 01:32:48,650
by-law.

1149
01:32:49,270 --> 01:32:51,090
Also, I want to thank our corporate officer and Deputy

1150
01:32:51,090 --> 01:32:51,750
Corporate Officer.

1151
01:32:51,890 --> 01:32:52,990
They review all of the by-laws.

1152
01:32:53,430 --> 01:32:56,330
So Kate had a number of by-laws to review on her first day

1153
01:32:56,330 --> 01:32:57,190
of vacations.

1154
01:32:57,250 --> 01:32:58,670
She got through it swimmingly.

1155
01:32:59,250 --> 01:33:01,710
And we're proud to present these by-laws that have had her,

1156
01:33:01,950 --> 01:33:03,390
keen eye, and review on them.

1157
01:33:03,510 --> 01:33:05,010
So we can say with confidence what we're

1158
01:33:05,010 --> 01:33:07,410
presenting to Council this evening have had thorough reviews

1159
01:33:07,410 --> 01:33:08,230
and thorough work done.

1160
01:33:08,410 --> 01:33:11,410
So thank you for indulging me as I express my appreciation

1161
01:33:11,410 --> 01:33:13,230
to the staff team and to Council.

1162
01:33:13,230 --> 01:33:16,130
Council. This final item is for Council to consider official

1163
01:33:16,130 --> 01:33:19,850
community plan amendment by line number 3060 which would incorporate the proposed

1164
01:33:19,850 --> 01:33:23,250
north low heat area plan into the city's official community plan. My

1165
01:33:23,250 --> 01:33:27,110
presentation this evening will probably be briefer than this project merits but I

1166
01:33:27,110 --> 01:33:30,470
also recognize that council has received recent presentations and reports on

1167
01:33:30,470 --> 01:33:35,490
this on May 12th in July 14th recently. With that the north low heat area plan is

1168
01:33:35,490 --> 01:33:43,210
50 hectares inside or about 125 acres in size located on the north side of the

1169
01:33:43,210 --> 01:33:47,570
traditional and unceded territory, and as a site of long-term case, the use and occupation.

1170
01:33:48,210 --> 01:33:52,150
It has been the subject of various agricultural land commission approvals and area planning

1171
01:33:52,150 --> 01:33:57,190
initiatives over the past number of years. As a gentle reminder, an area plan is a community

1172
01:33:57,190 --> 01:34:01,930
planning tool that provides a roadmap for how an area or neighborhood may evolve and grow over time.

1173
01:34:02,410 --> 01:34:06,110
Through its integration into the city's official community plan, it helps to establish the vision,

1174
01:34:06,290 --> 01:34:10,730
priorities, and policy framework that would guide future land use and development, while providing the

1175
01:34:10,730 --> 01:34:14,330
flexibility on how individual projects are designed and may proceed.

1176
01:34:15,790 --> 01:34:20,350
In terms of the more recent background, on May 12th, the 2026 Council was presented

1177
01:34:20,350 --> 01:34:24,470
a draft area plan and directed staff to proceed with public engagement at that time.

1178
01:34:24,890 --> 01:34:28,710
That draft area plan was informed by the extensive planning and engagement work undertaken in

1179
01:34:28,710 --> 01:34:32,970
2019 and 2020, including the area plan presented to Council in 2020.

1180
01:34:33,570 --> 01:34:37,310
That work, of course, built upon all the past studies and work that had done before that.

1181
01:34:37,310 --> 01:34:41,990
It also was informed by further input from government agencies, interest holders and

1182
01:34:41,990 --> 01:34:46,110
KC for station, as well as policy plans and assessments that have been developed since

1183
01:34:46,110 --> 01:34:49,970
2020 like the city's climate action plan and active transportation plan.

1184
01:34:50,570 --> 01:34:56,610
On July 14th of 2026, Council received at the engagement priorities committee meeting a

1185
01:34:56,610 --> 01:35:00,690
report on the results of the 2026 committee engagement heard from a number of residents

1186
01:35:00,690 --> 01:35:04,630
through that process via an open house and an online survey.

1187
01:35:04,630 --> 01:35:09,130
And that report included recommended revisions to the area plan moving forward.

1188
01:35:09,450 --> 01:35:13,810
And those revisions have been incorporated into the document as outlined in attachment B to the staff report.

1189
01:35:16,480 --> 01:35:28,680
Official Community Plan Amendment by law number 306-060, which is before Council this evening, if adopted, would add the proposed north low heat area plan to the city's official community plan as the policy framework for future land use development decision making within this area.

1190
01:35:29,100 --> 01:35:34,040
The proposed area plan covers a wide range of policy areas as identified on the slide.

1191
01:35:34,040 --> 01:35:34,980
The

1192
01:35:38,950 --> 01:35:43,670
land use concept, it includes housing, commercial and employment uses along with public

1193
01:35:43,670 --> 01:35:45,810
parks, open spaces and community uses.

1194
01:35:46,490 --> 01:35:51,370
The land use concept illustrates the intended general mix and location of uses within

1195
01:35:51,370 --> 01:35:52,810
the north low heat area.

1196
01:35:53,670 --> 01:35:57,970
Land use boundaries are conceptual and may be refined through future planning and development

1197
01:35:57,970 --> 01:36:02,350
of approvals to address cultural and heritage considerations and environmental features for

1198
01:36:02,350 --> 01:36:04,450
the technical studies and infrastructure requirements.

1199
01:36:04,450 --> 01:36:09,270
with the view to remain consistent with the overall vision and policies of the area plan.

1200
01:36:09,810 --> 01:36:14,610
It has noted that the employment residential area, which is that blue hatched area, which

1201
01:36:14,610 --> 01:36:18,810
is intended to permit either employment or residential uses a bit of flexibility, was

1202
01:36:18,810 --> 01:36:23,890
included following the July 14th EPC meeting, again, as identified in the Concordants table

1203
01:36:23,890 --> 01:36:25,690
in attachment B of the report.

1204
01:36:28,380 --> 01:36:33,040
As alluded to, following the July 14th EPC meeting, revisions have been made to the area plan.

1205
01:36:34,820 --> 01:36:37,420
And this slide covers just some of the highlights.

1206
01:36:37,680 --> 01:36:39,340
Again, I'll refer to attachment B,

1207
01:36:39,440 --> 01:36:41,160
which provides a concordance of the recommendations

1208
01:36:41,160 --> 01:36:42,780
that were provided at the EPC meeting

1209
01:36:42,780 --> 01:36:43,880
and the subsequent revisions,

1210
01:36:44,200 --> 01:36:46,800
or in some cases, communications that have been provided

1211
01:36:46,800 --> 01:36:47,280
subsequently.

1212
01:36:48,740 --> 01:36:50,580
So some of the key revisions are that we've added

1213
01:36:50,580 --> 01:36:53,180
additional explanatory text throughout the area plan

1214
01:36:53,180 --> 01:36:55,520
as a communication tool includes items

1215
01:36:55,520 --> 01:36:57,600
such as the history of the ALR exclusions,

1216
01:36:57,800 --> 01:37:00,300
the development processes, the role of other organizations

1217
01:37:00,300 --> 01:37:04,740
and levels of government in delivering community amenities associated with development.

1218
01:37:05,520 --> 01:37:09,680
The revised area plan also includes the road network concept which is an excerpt from the

1219
01:37:09,680 --> 01:37:13,300
city's official community plan so nothing new just taking an image from the existing official

1220
01:37:13,300 --> 01:37:18,040
community plan and identifying that conceptual road network. It also clarifies that healthcare

1221
01:37:18,040 --> 01:37:22,160
uses are permitted within the area plan. All that the word healthcare uses wasn't specifically

1222
01:37:22,160 --> 01:37:27,240
identified in the earlier version of the draft. Of course those would be always envisioned to be

1223
01:37:27,240 --> 01:37:31,800
within this area, we've clarified that by including those as permitted uses within the area plan.

1224
01:37:32,620 --> 01:37:38,760
We've also included a three-story building height limit adjacent to the residential stradded development to the east of the area plan.

1225
01:37:38,920 --> 01:37:40,020
That's the Dorado development.

1226
01:37:40,580 --> 01:37:47,180
There was previously policy language in the draft area plan that contemplated appropriate transitions and height limitations within that area.

1227
01:37:47,300 --> 01:37:53,420
We've been more specific now by establishing a maximum three-story building height limit immediately adjacent to that development.

1228
01:37:53,420 --> 01:37:59,120
And we've added additional policies to provide a framework for considering additional retail

1229
01:37:59,120 --> 01:38:00,740
and service commercial uses in the future.

1230
01:38:01,180 --> 01:38:04,620
And as it relates to that point, I just struck Council's attention specifically to policy

1231
01:38:04,620 --> 01:38:06,500
3.14 of the area plan.

1232
01:38:07,240 --> 01:38:11,580
It was established to which establishes criteria for considering additional retail and service

1233
01:38:11,580 --> 01:38:16,240
commercial uses in the employment or the employment residential areas, including their compatibility

1234
01:38:16,240 --> 01:38:21,640
with the area plan's vision, the existing and plan commercial area, phasing considerations,

1235
01:38:21,640 --> 01:38:24,760
urban design and transportation network considerations.

1236
01:38:25,420 --> 01:38:28,540
Relatedly policy 3.15 was added to establish

1237
01:38:28,540 --> 01:38:31,220
the additional requirements for development application,

1238
01:38:31,600 --> 01:38:33,300
proposing such additional commercial uses,

1239
01:38:33,900 --> 01:38:35,680
including additional community consultation,

1240
01:38:36,300 --> 01:38:37,300
a master plan development,

1241
01:38:37,740 --> 01:38:39,600
and supporting retail and market employment

1242
01:38:39,600 --> 01:38:40,880
and transportation assessments.

1243
01:38:41,460 --> 01:38:43,820
The purpose of these policies is intended to facilitate

1244
01:38:43,820 --> 01:38:45,960
the future consideration of additional retail

1245
01:38:45,960 --> 01:38:49,020
and service commercial uses without establishing detailed

1246
01:38:49,020 --> 01:38:52,380
form or scale of development at this particular stage.

1247
01:38:52,920 --> 01:38:56,980
Future zoning and development approvals can further regulate matters such as the types

1248
01:38:56,980 --> 01:39:00,200
of commercial uses of floor areas and specific unit sizes.

1249
01:39:02,760 --> 01:39:06,180
Including the report, our number of procedural items for council's consideration.

1250
01:39:06,800 --> 01:39:12,860
The first being consultation with external organizations back in May when council directed staff to proceed

1251
01:39:12,860 --> 01:39:13,660
with community engagement.

1252
01:39:13,660 --> 01:39:16,900
We referred the area plan to a number of external agencies and organizations.

1253
01:39:16,900 --> 01:39:37,680
It is recommended that we re-refer those, the area planned to those organizations in advance of the public hearing should council grant first and second reading this evening noting that a referral to the agricultural land commission is required legislatively as this proposal currently does apply to agricultural land noting that it has been conditionally excluded from the agricultural land reserve.

1254
01:39:37,680 --> 01:39:53,660
There's also context and information in the report with respect to the consideration of the provincial policy manuals overall and staff's view this north low heat area plan aligns with the provincial policy manuals and further counsel for the consideration of these policy manuals is not required at this time.

1255
01:39:53,660 --> 01:40:13,420
The provincial legislation also requires when amending an official community plan related to housing that council consider its most recent housing needs report, the interim housing needs report identifies the need for approximately 1500 new housing units in the municipality across the next five years, of course the North low heat area plan with the proposed approximate 2000 building units would help to contribute to addressing these housing needs.

1256
01:40:14,080 --> 01:40:18,960
Finally, legislative council must consider its financial plan and waste management plans

1257
01:40:18,960 --> 01:40:21,340
when considering an official community plan amendment.

1258
01:40:21,980 --> 01:40:27,500
Again, staff do not see any challenges in relation to the financial plan or waste management

1259
01:40:27,500 --> 01:40:30,620
plans, and as outlined in the staff report.

1260
01:40:33,730 --> 01:40:38,570
Just before turning to next steps on this project, I just will remind council that in staff's

1261
01:40:38,570 --> 01:40:42,750
opinion, the North Lockheed Area plan does bring a number of potential benefits to the community,

1262
01:40:42,750 --> 01:40:48,190
including a variety of housing options, more housing and employment close to transit along

1263
01:40:48,190 --> 01:40:53,610
low-heat highway, new spaces for businesses and jobs to grow property tax diversification,

1264
01:40:54,250 --> 01:40:58,210
opportunities to reduce congestion on some of our major transportation works, an agricultural

1265
01:40:58,210 --> 01:41:02,870
benefit, including improved safety through traffic calming on Old Duney trunk road, which would

1266
01:41:02,870 --> 01:41:07,430
happen in connection with the construction of the North Lowheed connector, as well as improve

1267
01:41:07,430 --> 01:41:12,050
north-south community with connectivity, rather, with a pedestrian and cyclist overpass

1268
01:41:12,590 --> 01:41:13,810
across low-heed highway.

1269
01:41:15,450 --> 01:41:20,970
In terms of next steps, should council adopt the recommendations this evening, most immediate

1270
01:41:20,970 --> 01:41:25,770
next step would be the scheduling of a public hearing and following the public hearing council

1271
01:41:25,770 --> 01:41:29,430
would be in a position to consider third reading and adoption of the official community plan

1272
01:41:29,430 --> 01:41:29,770
amendment.

1273
01:41:30,350 --> 01:41:35,710
Should the official community plan amendment bylaw ultimately be adopted and the north-lowheed

1274
01:41:35,710 --> 01:41:40,390
area plan ultimately be adopted. The area plan outlines a number, a number of implementation

1275
01:41:40,390 --> 01:41:44,690
steps that are intended to follow. They cover areas such as heritage and cultural management,

1276
01:41:45,030 --> 01:41:50,210
more work on the financial strategies to ensure that community amenities can be provided through

1277
01:41:50,210 --> 01:41:56,790
future development, additional work on transportation and servicing requirements, addressing the ALC's

1278
01:41:56,790 --> 01:42:02,310
exclusion conditions, and working with Metro Vancouver Regional District to amend the regional

1279
01:42:02,310 --> 01:42:06,070
growth strategy to include these lands within the or in containment boundary.

1280
01:42:06,790 --> 01:42:12,410
Following those implementation steps, development could follow, development would follow, likely.

1281
01:42:13,170 --> 01:42:16,590
And development would be considered through future council decisions, through rezoning

1282
01:42:16,590 --> 01:42:20,490
development permits and building permit applications. Sorry, council doesn't consider building permit

1283
01:42:20,490 --> 01:42:25,910
applications, but those would also follow. And of course, servicing would be addressed through

1284
01:42:25,910 --> 01:42:30,310
development further as well, through servicing agreements where the city takes engineering

1285
01:42:30,310 --> 01:42:34,630
engineering plans and cost bonds and is able to ensure that the appropriate service

1286
01:42:34,630 --> 01:42:36,670
is delivered in association with new development.

1287
01:42:38,710 --> 01:42:41,850
With that, we have several recommendations for Council this evening.

1288
01:42:41,950 --> 01:42:43,250
I don't dare to read them all for you.

1289
01:42:43,410 --> 01:42:48,010
They've been kind of highlighted already and further explained in the staff report and I hope

1290
01:42:48,010 --> 01:42:50,890
they speak for themselves at this point in time based on the presentation of the staff

1291
01:42:50,890 --> 01:42:51,170
report.

1292
01:42:51,270 --> 01:42:52,690
But I'm happy to take any questions or worship.

1293
01:42:52,770 --> 01:42:53,030
Thank you.

1294
01:42:53,430 --> 01:42:53,830
Great.

1295
01:42:53,990 --> 01:42:54,610
Thank you very much.

1296
01:42:54,810 --> 01:42:57,910
Director Wardle, open up to Council for any questions at this time.

1297
01:42:57,910 --> 01:43:00,090
I don't see any questions.

1298
01:43:00,570 --> 01:43:01,910
You're going to move it.

1299
01:43:02,050 --> 01:43:02,750
Do I have a seconder?

1300
01:43:02,890 --> 01:43:03,630
It's been seconded.

1301
01:43:03,890 --> 01:43:04,610
Any comments?

1302
01:43:05,910 --> 01:43:06,770
Councillor Manning.

1303
01:43:09,200 --> 01:43:10,480
Through the Maritime Director Ward.

1304
01:43:12,100 --> 01:43:18,460
The primary justification by the Agricultural Land Commission to remove this land is the traffic

1305
01:43:18,460 --> 01:43:24,380
calming and bypass improvements intended to reduce conflicts between commuter traffic and

1306
01:43:24,380 --> 01:43:25,420
agricultural vehicles.

1307
01:43:25,420 --> 01:43:31,420
While these improvements may offer some benefit in the short term, I do not believe they

1308
01:43:31,420 --> 01:43:35,720
provide sufficient compensation for the permanent loss of agricultural land.

1309
01:43:36,480 --> 01:43:42,020
My concern is that the traffic assumptions underlying this proposal have already changed

1310
01:43:42,020 --> 01:43:43,420
significantly over time.

1311
01:43:44,080 --> 01:43:50,340
Population forecasts, travel patterns, and traffic volumes are not static, and this development

1312
01:43:50,340 --> 01:43:51,960
will take years to fully build out.

1313
01:43:51,960 --> 01:43:58,100
The result is that we are being asked to remove land from the ALR based on transportation

1314
01:43:58,100 --> 01:44:02,580
projections that may no longer be valid by the time the project is complete.

1315
01:44:03,320 --> 01:44:07,820
We will have traded a permanent asset for a temporary transportation benefit.

1316
01:44:09,010 --> 01:44:12,260
I am also deeply concerned about the precedent that this sets.

1317
01:44:12,960 --> 01:44:18,180
For generations, low heat highway has served as a clear boundary between the urban and rural

1318
01:44:18,180 --> 01:44:18,820
communities.

1319
01:44:18,820 --> 01:44:25,800
That boundary has provided certainty and has helped protect agricultural lands from incremental expansion.

1320
01:44:26,720 --> 01:44:32,280
Once development crosses that boundary, it becomes increasingly difficult to defend the land's adjacent.

1321
01:44:33,700 --> 01:44:43,440
Future applications will inevitably, inevitably, point to this decision to just as justification for pushing development further into the rural area.

1322
01:44:43,440 --> 01:44:48,300
History shows that agricultural land is rarely lost all at once.

1323
01:44:48,980 --> 01:44:50,940
It's lost one exception at a time.

1324
01:44:51,880 --> 01:44:56,920
British Columbia already has a limited agricultural land base and in an era of

1325
01:44:56,920 --> 01:44:57,100
Bye.

1326
01:45:00,050 --> 01:45:29,990
And increasing pressure on farmland, we should be extremely cautious about approving any removal unless the public benefit is overwhelming and enduring. In my view, that threshold has not been met. The transportation benefits are uncertain. The loss of ALR land is permanent. And the president created by crossing the low-heed boundary could place additional agricultural lands at risk in the future. For these reasons, I will not be supporting

1327
01:45:29,990 --> 01:45:32,650
this motion. Councillor Meaghan.

1328
01:45:38,540 --> 01:45:40,580
Thank you. My comments to the

1329
01:45:40,580 --> 01:45:48,080
Mayor with great respect that I have for my colleague and makes them really relevant points

1330
01:45:48,080 --> 01:45:56,140
in regards to loss of agricultural land. He's quite correct. And I understand that when

1331
01:45:56,140 --> 01:46:02,940
you start doing one thing, it often leads to creep in other areas. And none of us want

1332
01:46:02,940 --> 01:46:10,380
to see that. As regards to the low heat being a natural, a boundary for agricultural land

1333
01:46:10,380 --> 01:46:16,560
north of the low heat, it's already been developed. There's a golf club, a golf course,

1334
01:46:17,060 --> 01:46:22,140
and there are significant golf courses north of the low heat, and also there's a community

1335
01:46:22,140 --> 01:46:28,880
called Dorado that's north of the low heat. For my point of view, this has been before

1336
01:46:28,880 --> 01:46:35,780
Council for decades, and in the entire time I've spent on Council it is this keeps coming

1337
01:46:35,780 --> 01:46:43,100
back and back from staff and the staff have done a remarkably good job in meeting solutions

1338
01:46:43,660 --> 01:46:51,020
to some of the major concerns that have been raised by current residents living the north

1339
01:46:51,020 --> 01:47:00,920
side of the low heed. And to that point, this city has just been awarded in 2026 the

1340
01:47:00,920 --> 01:47:06,680
Globe and Mail number one small community in all of Canada. And we enjoy it because

1341
01:47:06,680 --> 01:47:12,640
it is that. And this council, previous councils have done their best to maintain the quality

1342
01:47:12,640 --> 01:47:18,140
of life as we know it today. And it's becoming increasingly difficult when pressures are

1343
01:47:18,140 --> 01:47:23,520
placed on us by provincial governments in particular to meet certain housing criteria,

1344
01:47:23,780 --> 01:47:30,460
1,500 homes over that period of time, there is nowhere in the pit meadows we can build 1,500 homes.

1345
01:47:30,700 --> 01:47:31,960
It simply isn't available.

1346
01:47:32,740 --> 01:47:37,380
This is the last opportunity we have in terms of a major development meeting the needs of

1347
01:47:37,380 --> 01:47:39,060
this city for the future.

1348
01:47:41,340 --> 01:47:46,940
I'm happy that our staff is doing a good job in making sure that the quality of this

1349
01:47:46,940 --> 01:47:54,840
project will indeed ensure that there's mitigation for all the concerns as many as possible

1350
01:47:55,220 --> 01:48:00,460
that have been raised by our community in the last couple of years as this continued

1351
01:48:00,460 --> 01:48:06,420
to move forward. I am particularly happy to see the fact that we recognize the traditional

1352
01:48:06,420 --> 01:48:13,080
lands of KC First Nation and that we've actually met and discussed this in great detail with

1353
01:48:13,080 --> 01:48:17,860
Casey First Nation, but we've also met and discussed it in great detail with the residents

1354
01:48:17,860 --> 01:48:18,860
about community.

1355
01:48:20,100 --> 01:48:26,860
So from my point of view, as long as this is done right, and we do follow our own guidelines

1356
01:48:27,260 --> 01:48:32,120
and ensure that the quality of life for the number one community in Canada is maintained,

1357
01:48:33,360 --> 01:48:35,560
which will come down the road as things develop.

1358
01:48:35,880 --> 01:48:39,260
I understand that, but I will be supporting this tonight.

1359
01:48:39,260 --> 01:48:48,520
And I appreciate the amount of detail once again, put forward by staff, which helped us make move this decision further forward.

1360
01:48:49,320 --> 01:48:51,160
I think that's it for me, thank you.

1361
01:48:52,300 --> 01:48:53,160
Councillor Elkie.

1362
01:48:54,360 --> 01:48:58,680
Thank you, through the mayor, really appreciate my colleagues' opinions on this.

1363
01:49:00,560 --> 01:49:08,040
And I think we've landed at a really good place, I think we've had this discussion for almost two decades.

1364
01:49:08,880 --> 01:49:13,640
or at least I've been part of this discussion for almost two decades and so

1365
01:49:13,640 --> 01:49:18,280
this you know what my colleagues are saying that that's we've heard this at

1366
01:49:18,280 --> 01:49:23,900
a public hearing that was very well attended and I think I want to lean on staff

1367
01:49:23,900 --> 01:49:30,140
to comment on on this next part this land that we are talking about at the time

1368
01:49:30,140 --> 01:49:35,380
back in 2011 perhaps we were talking about is this land

1369
01:49:35,380 --> 01:49:42,160
farmable in that corridor. It was concluded at that time that it was not

1370
01:49:43,120 --> 01:49:48,800
ideal performing. You know I do recognize um what my colleague is saying

1371
01:49:48,800 --> 01:49:53,300
though and and it's very important to this this council that we protect

1372
01:49:53,300 --> 01:49:58,520
farmers and do what we can for them. The transportation um at that time

1373
01:49:58,520 --> 01:50:03,380
was brought up then too, that this is something that we can do for farmers.

1374
01:50:04,140 --> 01:50:09,360
The other reality that we are facing within our community is the lack of growth that we've

1375
01:50:09,360 --> 01:50:10,180
had over the years.

1376
01:50:10,820 --> 01:50:16,960
We need to think about that in the coming years, sources of income, taxation, otherwise

1377
01:50:16,960 --> 01:50:18,820
the burden is going to fall on residents.

1378
01:50:19,080 --> 01:50:27,100
So what can we do in the meantime around that and it's, so it's not just the transportation

1379
01:50:27,100 --> 01:50:36,940
benefit here, it's the jobs, it's the services, the opportunities for that balanced taxation that we're going to see from this project.

1380
01:50:38,560 --> 01:50:41,920
I do want to also acknowledge Kate's time.

1381
01:50:42,700 --> 01:50:53,700
They've spent a lot of time as well as the staff consulting, reading the reports, meeting with staff and it's been incredibly respectful.

1382
01:50:53,700 --> 01:51:01,260
I thank you, staff, for your time and the respect that you've moved forward with this.

1383
01:51:02,930 --> 01:51:08,740
I feel that we have really landed on a really good project here that's balanced with some

1384
01:51:08,740 --> 01:51:09,920
housing, some commercial.

1385
01:51:10,480 --> 01:51:12,880
It's got all of the pieces there to it.

1386
01:51:14,050 --> 01:51:15,240
Is it perfect?

1387
01:51:15,840 --> 01:51:16,600
Probably not.

1388
01:51:17,160 --> 01:51:19,760
You know, are we going to make everybody happy with this?

1389
01:51:19,760 --> 01:51:27,340
definitely not. But I think we're getting there and I support the revisions that are

1390
01:51:27,340 --> 01:51:34,740
before us on the table here. I think that's what's up there on the screen. And definitely

1391
01:51:34,740 --> 01:51:39,800
moving forward to a public hearing. Again, we've had several over this process, but really

1392
01:51:39,800 --> 01:51:45,280
hearing from residents now, how are they feeling about this? Thank you.

1393
01:51:46,040 --> 01:51:46,780
Keltz-Ravens.

1394
01:51:48,750 --> 01:51:49,330
Thank you.

1395
01:51:49,910 --> 01:51:51,250
This is a hard one for me.

1396
01:51:51,590 --> 01:51:52,530
I talk about losing sleep.

1397
01:51:52,750 --> 01:51:54,230
I've lost a ton of sleep on this one.

1398
01:51:54,410 --> 01:51:58,610
Because I feel like we've talked about this for 41 years,

1399
01:51:58,610 --> 01:51:59,150
apparently.

1400
01:51:59,710 --> 01:52:01,350
And I mean, that's like most of my life.

1401
01:52:01,910 --> 01:52:03,450
It's the last literally.

1402
01:52:04,150 --> 01:52:07,430
It is one of the last areas left for growth in pitmeadows.

1403
01:52:07,730 --> 01:52:10,010
I think that's why it's so important that we don't just get it right.

1404
01:52:10,130 --> 01:52:10,730
We get it perfect.

1405
01:52:11,610 --> 01:52:13,690
We talk about unintended consequences.

1406
01:52:14,630 --> 01:52:21,890
having guardrails. I think I'm where a councillor is supposed to be in this process. I'm keeping an open mind.

1407
01:52:22,910 --> 01:52:32,510
I have concerns. One of those about preserving the charm and character of pit meadows. I have no intention of losing the strong sense of community that makes pit meadows a special place to live.

1408
01:52:33,090 --> 01:52:36,190
I've always said that well development is sometimes necessary and inevitable.

1409
01:52:36,190 --> 01:52:43,470
It must be done thoughtfully and with the long-term interests of our community in mind, I also have concerns about the loss of agricultural land.

1410
01:52:44,090 --> 01:52:50,990
If the land is removed from the ALR, I believe there needs to be a clear and compelling benefit to the agriculture that justifies that decision.

1411
01:52:51,850 --> 01:52:59,550
But I also believe that our best decisions come when we collaborate and that a meaningful public engagement is paramount, especially on this project.

1412
01:53:00,390 --> 01:53:05,230
So tonight, I will be voting forward to go forward to the public hearing because I want

1413
01:53:05,230 --> 01:53:08,170
to hear from our residents, again, going in with an open mind.

1414
01:53:12,060 --> 01:53:16,160
I think there's any additional comments on what a Councillor O'Connor will say.

1415
01:53:19,750 --> 01:53:23,110
I first of all will say I will always support this project.

1416
01:53:25,570 --> 01:53:33,330
I have been on council for a few years and I brought this up before.

1417
01:53:33,330 --> 01:53:50,210
Or the night that the Bachman's came because they had to hire security because they couldn't move their hay on them will do need because of the traffic and you know that to me was a failure on city of

1418
01:53:50,210 --> 01:53:52,450
paid metals to the thawkman farm.

1419
01:53:53,030 --> 01:53:53,750
I was disgusting.

1420
01:53:55,110 --> 01:53:59,110
I travel, oh, dude, me at least four times a week.

1421
01:53:59,370 --> 01:54:02,070
I'm very minimum, and I know I could use low heat,

1422
01:54:02,530 --> 01:54:04,310
but I don't like low heat highway.

1423
01:54:04,570 --> 01:54:09,490
It's just too busy for me, and I watch the hay trucks

1424
01:54:09,490 --> 01:54:12,670
going down, I watch the other, the tractors and stuff,

1425
01:54:13,210 --> 01:54:17,690
and I watch the irritated drivers who pass people,

1426
01:54:17,930 --> 01:54:18,770
it's unsafe.

1427
01:54:18,770 --> 01:54:22,150
I know the winter time, the number of accidents we have on that road.

1428
01:54:23,350 --> 01:54:34,470
And because it's the type of highway provision, it is, we have no, we cannot slow the traffic to 30 kilometers an hour on that road because we wanted to do that years ago.

1429
01:54:34,790 --> 01:54:37,730
We do not have the authority to do that on that road.

1430
01:54:38,570 --> 01:54:41,510
That was why the low heat connector was so important.

1431
01:54:41,510 --> 01:54:48,390
And I'm recognizing the fact that we're taking a piece of land that is currently hate,

1432
01:54:48,810 --> 01:54:53,950
used for hay growth, it's a pie-shaped piece of land, and that's the way the road was

1433
01:54:53,950 --> 01:54:57,110
going to be constructed, the low-heed connector.

1434
01:54:57,510 --> 01:55:02,650
I'm going to acknowledge that because that is, haying is recognized as farming obviously.

1435
01:55:03,730 --> 01:55:09,510
I think that with what we've come, how we've landed, how we've dealt with Casey on this,

1436
01:55:09,650 --> 01:55:10,650
has been remarkable.

1437
01:55:10,650 --> 01:55:18,050
I can't, as Councillor O'Kee say, I just can't see enough about our staff and how hard everybody's worked on this.

1438
01:55:18,530 --> 01:55:25,010
This is not just a project that's thought of today that's just taken out of the ALR that's never ever was like that.

1439
01:55:25,170 --> 01:55:31,690
It was never thought about that the public hearings we had on it was always that was so important to all of us.

1440
01:55:32,650 --> 01:55:39,330
But I think the park family farm and the day it was the park family farm.

1441
01:55:39,330 --> 01:55:44,590
it's not that way anymore. We've had a number of problems on that property through the years,

1442
01:55:44,590 --> 01:55:53,210
as the farm is not decreasing. I think that I agree with Councillor Manion about worrying about

1443
01:55:53,210 --> 01:56:00,830
the slippery slope, but it was always said that there was a line that we were going to draw on,

1444
01:56:00,830 --> 01:56:06,490
that was the connector road, and I always had hoped that people would respect that, and that's

1445
01:56:06,490 --> 01:56:13,350
the way it's going. There's other property in behind the gas station that there's a lot

1446
01:56:13,350 --> 01:56:19,890
of pressure on that owner too with that property because it's not farmed but it's partially

1447
01:56:19,890 --> 01:56:25,450
in the LR. They split the property into two pieces and it's going to be, it'll be coming

1448
01:56:25,450 --> 01:56:31,610
up and that'll be something future councils will have to deal with. But I will absolutely

1449
01:56:31,610 --> 01:56:46,290
We support this and in my heart of hearts I hope that the decision is a clear decision on what we're doing in the community, not a political decision and that's my concern because it's so close to the election.

1450
01:56:46,650 --> 01:56:46,930
Thank you.

1451
01:56:50,220 --> 01:56:57,140
Thank you. I don't see any additional comments. I'll just make a couple to reiterate what my colleagues have said.

1452
01:56:57,140 --> 01:57:25,000
huge thank you to staff. This staff and previous staffs, I'm sure, but it's been a it's been a lengthy process and I do believe the north low heat in some pieces have been since in 41 years is essentially I do just want to recap that there's three portions to the north low heat area plan and one portion is excluded completely.

1453
01:57:25,000 --> 01:57:37,100
one has a conditional exclusion of an initial zoning to commercial, and then there is the conditional exclusion with the roadway, primarily.

1454
01:57:37,920 --> 01:57:49,480
So we talk about it as one, but I do want to remind, and I respect all the opinions here, and that's how we make good collaborative and informed decisions.

1455
01:57:49,480 --> 01:57:57,900
some of those developments nearby, such as Dorado or the Nissan, different were in those original exclusions.

1456
01:57:58,900 --> 01:58:01,800
They just got to the gate quicker.

1457
01:58:03,000 --> 01:58:11,100
So here we are trying to look at a really holistic, beneficial development to the community of pet meadows.

1458
01:58:11,640 --> 01:58:14,200
And I appreciate the comments regarding agriculture.

1459
01:58:14,200 --> 01:58:23,180
I believe Pemetos, absolutely, with almost 78% agriculture is doing some incredibly heavy

1460
01:58:23,180 --> 01:58:30,740
lifting for food security and agriculture in the region.

1461
01:58:31,480 --> 01:58:33,440
And I believe we'll continue to do so.

1462
01:58:33,580 --> 01:58:35,420
I understand the comments of slippery slope.

1463
01:58:35,560 --> 01:58:38,360
I don't think it's that slippery when it's been 41 years.

1464
01:58:39,100 --> 01:58:43,380
And this is a fight to get this to where it is.

1465
01:58:43,380 --> 01:58:46,400
And I understand why, because we're trying to do the best job.

1466
01:58:47,400 --> 01:58:51,800
I know if I was involved in the future, this would be it.

1467
01:58:51,840 --> 01:58:53,140
We're not going further north.

1468
01:58:53,280 --> 01:58:55,620
And I think we've seen that natural line.

1469
01:58:56,460 --> 01:59:00,760
Again, there's a number of things around or along that low heat highway as well.

1470
01:59:01,320 --> 01:59:05,140
And we're seeing the need for transit, that transportation corridor,

1471
01:59:05,440 --> 01:59:09,400
that residential housing, that education, that commercial, the economics.

1472
01:59:10,380 --> 01:59:14,220
So I think it's trying to look at the most beneficial for all the pieces.

1473
01:59:15,380 --> 01:59:32,800
So, again, I appreciate all the comments and just the collective work that's gone into this and what I foresee, and I think it's really nicely summarized in here, is the multitude of benefits with this kind of plan for the community.

1474
01:59:32,800 --> 01:59:38,660
So I will be supporting the current motion and moving it forward to hearing.

1475
01:59:39,600 --> 01:59:41,820
So with that, I don't know if there's any additional comments.

1476
01:59:42,000 --> 01:59:46,160
I will call the question all those in favour, any opposed, and that carries.

1477
01:59:47,960 --> 01:59:48,160
Excellent.

1478
01:59:48,360 --> 01:59:49,060
Thank you, staff.

1479
01:59:49,680 --> 01:59:54,440
With that, we're going to move on to our council liaison reports, but we'll go to question and

1480
01:59:54,440 --> 01:59:54,960
comment first.

1481
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:14,180
Would like to speak during the last question, comment, period, please take a moment to add your name to the list and identify which item you'd like to speak to, recognizing that any comments made during question, comment, period, do become part of the public record. Thank you. Great. I'll start on my left with Councillor Connell.

1482
02:00:16,240 --> 02:00:29,880
I've had a few meetings, food bank, et cetera. It was a lovely AGM for the Chamber of Commerce at the Hobcock Farms. It's just amazing.

1483
02:00:29,880 --> 02:00:36,680
to me that the great turnout, even in how hot it was that day, but it was good. And most

1484
02:00:36,680 --> 02:00:42,720
of Council, I believe, was there. I don't read it anyways. That's it for me. Thank you.

1485
02:00:42,880 --> 02:00:49,480
Thank you. Councillor Hayes. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I thought I'd start off with

1486
02:00:49,480 --> 02:00:56,740
a mention about the Pit Meadows Library. You're even wearing your tie, I noticed. Go

1487
02:00:59,600 --> 02:01:09,860
I was honored to present at this year's Fraser Valley regional library summer reading club awards ceremony held at our pit medals library.

1488
02:01:10,820 --> 02:01:16,120
We were thrilled to have over 100 children and young people attend the event and receive their medals.

1489
02:01:16,120 --> 02:01:28,440
I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank all of the FBRL staff who work so hard to organize this year's summer reading club program and the Pitt Middle Library medal ceremony.

1490
02:01:29,040 --> 02:01:36,740
In addition, the parents, grandparents, family members and everyone who encouraged our young readers throughout the summer, thank you.

1491
02:01:37,220 --> 02:01:44,440
And most importantly, on behalf of Mayor and Council, I want to congratulate all of our summer reading club award participants.

1492
02:01:45,760 --> 02:01:56,840
And also early in August, Councilor Meachan and I attended the first annual Afro Heritage Festival held at Maple Ridge Memorial Peace Park.

1493
02:01:57,160 --> 02:02:02,980
There were lots of colorful entertainment and flavorful assortment of food throughout the day.

1494
02:02:03,500 --> 02:02:12,500
This event was established to bring our communities together to celebrate the wonderful richness, diversity, and contributions of those of African descent.

1495
02:02:13,580 --> 02:02:19,900
And finally, recently in August, Councilor Evans and I enjoyed a wonderfully historical

1496
02:02:19,900 --> 02:02:26,220
time at our first annual Pit Meadows Museum Festival, which celebrates the heritage and

1497
02:02:26,220 --> 02:02:29,580
history of this beautiful community of Pit Meadows.

1498
02:02:30,060 --> 02:02:34,820
The homemade ice cream and butter was delicious, and that's it.

1499
02:02:34,960 --> 02:02:35,260
Thank you.

1500
02:02:35,380 --> 02:02:41,660
Councilor Evans, I believe I wasn't here at the last meeting, but I'm going to go over

1501
02:02:41,660 --> 02:02:46,480
the blueberry festival because it was great to see it back after the return of several

1502
02:02:47,080 --> 02:02:47,640
years away.

1503
02:02:47,960 --> 02:02:51,740
The turnout and enthusiasm made it pretty clear this was a tradition our community was

1504
02:02:51,740 --> 02:02:52,700
ready to welcome back.

1505
02:02:53,440 --> 02:02:54,000
It was lovely.

1506
02:02:54,220 --> 02:02:58,100
There were vendors, games, activities, opportunities to learn about blueberries, pit

1507
02:02:58,100 --> 02:02:58,660
metal's heritage.

1508
02:02:59,320 --> 02:03:03,020
The highlight for me was the blueberry eating contest, honestly.

1509
02:03:03,220 --> 02:03:03,940
You should have seen it.

1510
02:03:04,080 --> 02:03:04,820
There was blueberries.

1511
02:03:05,100 --> 02:03:06,160
There was whipped cream on a plate.

1512
02:03:07,880 --> 02:03:13,480
20 participants in two different rounds, crowd doing a countdown, people cheering it on,

1513
02:03:13,620 --> 02:03:14,940
I have a video I can share later.

1514
02:03:16,460 --> 02:03:19,860
And I just think that events are like, events like this or what communities about bringing

1515
02:03:19,860 --> 02:03:24,260
people together, supporting local businesses, celebrating our agricultural heritage, it's

1516
02:03:24,260 --> 02:03:26,840
really what makes pit Meadows pit Meadows, I was happy to see it back.

1517
02:03:27,680 --> 02:03:34,680
I also attended the Hopcott anniversary barbecue on August 7, it was packed, it was absolutely

1518
02:03:35,620 --> 02:03:36,920
and it was great.

1519
02:03:37,180 --> 02:03:38,740
Photobus, tasting live music,

1520
02:03:38,940 --> 02:03:40,680
or tastings, live music, face painting,

1521
02:03:40,980 --> 02:03:42,400
local vendors, plenty of family fun.

1522
02:03:43,460 --> 02:03:44,260
I especially love ceiling.

1523
02:03:44,480 --> 02:03:46,180
There was a charity dunk tank

1524
02:03:46,180 --> 02:03:47,900
raising money for the Ridgebittos

1525
02:03:47,900 --> 02:03:48,620
searching rescue.

1526
02:03:49,300 --> 02:03:50,540
And I just think it's a really great way

1527
02:03:50,540 --> 02:03:53,200
that they're celebrating by giving back to our community.

1528
02:03:53,480 --> 02:03:55,560
They're just a wonderful part of our community.

1529
02:03:55,820 --> 02:03:58,320
For generations, they build a successful business

1530
02:03:58,320 --> 02:03:59,640
while continuing to give back.

1531
02:04:00,260 --> 02:04:01,840
And so happy anniversary to them.

1532
02:04:03,100 --> 02:04:06,980
Lastly, looking forward to attending the Labor Day barbeque hosted by the

1533
02:04:06,980 --> 02:04:10,500
New Westminster and District Labor Council upcoming this weekend, public

1534
02:04:10,500 --> 02:04:14,860
work staffs, first responders, health care workers, teachers, tradespeople, so

1535
02:04:14,860 --> 02:04:19,060
many others are the people who keeps our communities running every day. And events

1536
02:04:19,060 --> 02:04:22,160
like these are a good reminder that our community is built by those people who

1537
02:04:22,160 --> 02:04:26,920
work hard, serve our neighborhoods, contribute in so many ways. Labor Day just

1538
02:04:26,920 --> 02:04:28,420
gives us a chance to recognize them.

1539
02:04:29,220 --> 02:04:29,540
Thank you.

1540
02:04:29,700 --> 02:04:30,160
Keltzer menu.

1541
02:04:34,090 --> 02:04:40,050
Yeah, I attended the P&E Pit River Stock Club

1542
02:04:40,050 --> 02:04:42,650
for each club annual show and sale.

1543
02:04:43,310 --> 02:04:44,470
And the reason why I highlight that

1544
02:04:44,470 --> 02:04:46,890
is that there are so many of the young men and women

1545
02:04:46,890 --> 02:04:49,930
from the Pit Meadows area that are showing there

1546
02:04:49,930 --> 02:04:51,270
and showing off their skills.

1547
02:04:51,910 --> 02:04:57,130
And it's really inspirational to see them and to talk to them.

1548
02:04:57,130 --> 02:05:02,630
they are so knowledgeable at that particular age. I just, you know, I don't want to be a

1549
02:05:02,630 --> 02:05:10,690
downer, but I am very saddened that about half of them do not have direct access to farmland

1550
02:05:10,690 --> 02:05:17,150
and because they, you know, they don't live on farms now. And so they have to, you know,

1551
02:05:17,310 --> 02:05:25,030
big borough and steal the opportunity to have their animals housed. And the unfortunate issue is

1552
02:05:25,030 --> 02:05:26,570
that with the high cost of farmland,

1553
02:05:26,830 --> 02:05:29,970
they will never be able to attain to be farmers,

1554
02:05:30,230 --> 02:05:32,550
even though they would make tremendous farmers.

1555
02:05:32,970 --> 02:05:35,050
But otherwise, they're very enthusiastic

1556
02:05:35,050 --> 02:05:36,590
and do a great job in the meantime.

1557
02:05:37,030 --> 02:05:37,210
Thanks.

1558
02:05:37,530 --> 02:05:38,670
That's a Councilor of Mission.

1559
02:05:39,630 --> 02:05:43,290
Thank you Madam Mayor, all the above events we've been to.

1560
02:05:43,610 --> 02:05:47,670
And in 1968, there was a song called Windmills of Your Mind,

1561
02:05:48,230 --> 02:05:49,110
talk about music.

1562
02:05:49,950 --> 02:05:52,630
And the line says, why did summer go so quickly?

1563
02:05:52,630 --> 02:05:58,850
was it something that you said and indeed it went awfully quickly and I managed to get

1564
02:05:58,850 --> 02:06:05,310
to every one of the summer's aeronaves and it was so well attended the last one was absolutely

1565
02:06:05,310 --> 02:06:11,230
packed outside you could not get a space the entire circle was filled with seats and people

1566
02:06:11,230 --> 02:06:18,250
and a lot of dances to which gave us some ideas for next year they were really good and so

1567
02:06:18,250 --> 02:06:24,330
So I want to just give a shout out online tonight, if you're listening, to Bruce James and

1568
02:06:24,330 --> 02:06:29,950
Andrea Flello, who actually do all the inviting of bands and musicians to the city of Pit

1569
02:06:29,950 --> 02:06:30,250
Meadows.

1570
02:06:30,830 --> 02:06:34,230
And this was the 16th year in a row that they've done that.

1571
02:06:35,610 --> 02:06:39,470
So many thanks to both Bruce and Andrea for all that hard work.

1572
02:06:40,030 --> 02:06:44,210
And if you get here early enough and you see the amount of work that goes into setting up

1573
02:06:44,210 --> 02:06:52,010
for a 20-piece orchestra in that area over there, it takes hours and then getting the sound

1574
02:06:52,010 --> 02:06:58,270
checks done and so it's a lot of dedication and some of these musicians are professional musicians.

1575
02:06:58,690 --> 02:07:14,190
They make their living doing this, so we're very fortunate to have these events in the city of

1576
02:07:14,190 --> 02:07:15,490
And not just summer.

1577
02:07:15,830 --> 02:07:17,790
Why don't we do this in other times

1578
02:07:17,790 --> 02:07:20,950
of the Christmas perhaps Thanksgiving even, who knows?

1579
02:07:21,390 --> 02:07:23,750
But very popular, I enjoyed it.

1580
02:07:24,150 --> 02:07:26,190
We didn't lose one to weather this year.

1581
02:07:26,790 --> 02:07:28,590
So everything went off smoothly.

1582
02:07:29,170 --> 02:07:30,250
And that's it for me, thanks.

1583
02:07:31,090 --> 02:07:31,550
Thank you.

1584
02:07:31,630 --> 02:07:34,130
I thought you were starting with events from 1968.

1585
02:07:34,130 --> 02:07:35,770
I got a little worried.

1586
02:07:37,430 --> 02:07:38,370
Councillor Elkie.

1587
02:07:38,870 --> 02:07:40,590
Yeah, summer did go fast.

1588
02:07:40,750 --> 02:07:42,710
And all the sudden, it's cold and dark today.

1589
02:07:42,710 --> 02:07:49,330
But we did enjoy some ice cream today, some banana splits with the seniors today on Tuesday,

1590
02:07:49,390 --> 02:07:53,170
and a farmer's market is still on for a few more weeks, isn't it?

1591
02:07:53,750 --> 02:07:59,330
I think it goes sometime in September, and of course the kids are back to school,

1592
02:07:59,330 --> 02:08:04,750
so it's a really good time to be aware of your driving and slow down in those school zones,

1593
02:08:04,890 --> 02:08:10,630
and if anybody from the States is watching, we are darn proud of our cadets.

1594
02:08:10,630 --> 02:08:11,910
That's all I've got to say.

1595
02:08:12,830 --> 02:08:14,190
Good job, Tracy.

1596
02:08:15,810 --> 02:08:16,790
Thank you very much.

1597
02:08:16,970 --> 02:08:19,090
I'll go over to Ms. Barchard on our question comment.

1598
02:08:19,850 --> 02:08:21,030
We have no further speakers.

1599
02:08:21,190 --> 02:08:21,290
Great.

1600
02:08:21,490 --> 02:08:22,890
With that, I will adjourn this evening's meeting.

1601
02:08:23,050 --> 02:08:23,310
Thank you.