1
00:00:06,130 --> 00:00:13,490
Hello, and welcome to the District of C-Sheldt Committee of the Whole for Wednesday, May 13th.

2
00:00:13,490 --> 00:00:18,930
It's now three o'clock. I will call meeting to order. Start with a land acknowledgement.

3
00:00:19,350 --> 00:00:24,550
The District of C-Sheldt is located on the traditional and unseated territory of the Shishal Nation.

4
00:00:24,810 --> 00:00:31,890
We respect the history's language and culture of the people of the Shishal Nation whose presence continues to enrich this community.

5
00:00:31,890 --> 00:00:38,210
And I'll note that Mayor Henderson is online battling a cough.

6
00:00:38,690 --> 00:00:42,450
Councillor Inkster is away and Councillor Bell is away.

7
00:00:43,410 --> 00:00:45,770
So, call the meeting to order.

8
00:00:46,350 --> 00:00:52,910
See, ask if there's any declaration of conflict and seeing none as per an adoption of

9
00:00:52,910 --> 00:00:53,790
the agenda.

10
00:00:54,610 --> 00:00:54,910
Jerry?

11
00:00:55,910 --> 00:00:56,310
Jerry?

12
00:00:57,370 --> 00:00:58,850
Can I jump in?

13
00:00:58,850 --> 00:01:02,950
I'm just wondering if we should reverse five, two, and five, one.

14
00:01:03,130 --> 00:01:08,970
I think having that conversation and the update of what's going on there might well

15
00:01:08,970 --> 00:01:11,690
factor into some of the priorities.

16
00:01:14,610 --> 00:01:17,610
What does the rest of Council think about that?

17
00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,940
No objection certainly will reverse five, two, and five, one.

18
00:01:25,660 --> 00:01:28,720
I've got an adoption of the agenda as amended.

19
00:01:29,860 --> 00:01:32,080
We have no delegations of proclamations,

20
00:01:32,660 --> 00:01:36,740
so we will start with 5.2 on going work

21
00:01:36,740 --> 00:01:38,140
at the unhoused in-campaign.

22
00:01:40,320 --> 00:01:44,080
I wonder, Mayor Henderson, you've still got your hand up?

23
00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:46,220
Okay.

24
00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,280
This item is sort of proceeding

25
00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:58,720
because Mayor Henderson receives the emails from, I believe, local residents who are alarmed

26
00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:06,180
at what was happening in the unhousing camp and over the last few weeks.

27
00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:15,660
And I wonder if I could go to Director Roberts for a quick update on what is happening every week

28
00:02:15,660 --> 00:02:22,360
there in terms of staff, public works, RCMP visits, and so forth. Thank you.

29
00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:29,600
Thank you for the question. So the senior management team, most of us have been there every

30
00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:33,900
Thursday since the news of the underground services that was going to be coming through

31
00:02:34,620 --> 00:02:40,920
with the community services building. In that time there was two or three tents and as noted,

32
00:02:40,920 --> 00:02:47,080
there has been a serious increase in tents and so we continue to go and make sure that the

33
00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:52,160
cleanup was happening. Even before we were there every Thursday, the cleanup involves

34
00:02:53,100 --> 00:02:59,700
RCMP by-law public works and then rain city also attends and comes out and we've had BC housing

35
00:02:59,700 --> 00:03:05,660
there in the last three weeks as well. And the intention of the encampment cleanup is to

36
00:03:05,660 --> 00:03:09,660
Remove tents where folks also have another place to shelter.

37
00:03:10,380 --> 00:03:16,120
Remove tents that are used for storage or like a living room space,

38
00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:18,420
and then decline at the general area.

39
00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:23,180
And most of the folks that are living in the encampment are also helping us with that cleanup effort.

40
00:03:23,180 --> 00:03:28,120
It has been for the most part quite easy to communicate with,

41
00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:31,860
and are happy to be still having that space.

42
00:03:32,100 --> 00:03:34,100
With the underground services, we still don't have a date.

43
00:03:34,100 --> 00:03:40,180
one that will be happening, but I spoke with BC Housing just before this meeting and there are

44
00:03:40,180 --> 00:03:45,260
aware that they also have people living on the lot one on the BC Housing Lot that was purchased.

45
00:03:46,860 --> 00:03:53,620
So they have put in a situation report that will go to the minister to talk about the imminent

46
00:03:53,620 --> 00:04:00,440
danger that we have on that lot one with a fire risk. So we will be there again tomorrow or

47
00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:07,600
we'll be joining us and we'll be with the community to do that cleanup again in Council and Mayor

48
00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:13,880
are welcome to join and I think that's it for the update of what's happening on the Thursdays.

49
00:04:14,260 --> 00:04:20,080
Thank you. That's helpful. I think for everyone I'm going to flip it back to Mayor Henderson.

50
00:04:20,220 --> 00:04:26,660
I wonder if you could go into a bit more detail on some of the comments that we're coming from residents.

51
00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:35,340
Certainly, Chair, I guess this has been an ongoing thing, it's certainly not in the last month.

52
00:04:35,780 --> 00:04:45,200
There are people that are afraid of their position, they have been very clear with me

53
00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:54,240
in some situations that they don't want to be identified because of concerns around whoever

54
00:04:54,240 --> 00:05:00,580
is some bad actors or unhoused or they just don't know who they are. So they've chosen to

55
00:05:00,580 --> 00:05:05,300
reach out to me. I think in some cases they've reached out to other members of council

56
00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:12,480
expressing the concerns and the most recent comments are in fact from this morning.

57
00:05:13,180 --> 00:05:24,220
I guess there are more tents now on lot one and of course the broom and the the the

58
00:05:24,220 --> 00:05:31,500
since we instructed the former owner to remove or clear that area, but they excuse me.

59
00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:48,760
So, I think it's fair to say that the neighbors are desperately worried, they're worried about their physical safety, they're worried about their ability to sleep at night and I'd like to be sure that we're doing everything we can,

60
00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:56,080
which perhaps in the case of lot one, it's, you know, it's good that it's going to the minister,

61
00:05:56,700 --> 00:06:02,360
but we need that brush, it is a fire hazard, and we need that removed,

62
00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:08,900
maybe we need to remove today. So if a BC housing is the private owner,

63
00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:15,900
is not prepared to move on that very, very quickly, then I would certainly encourage

64
00:06:15,900 --> 00:06:24,300
I'd like to know what our options are to clear it, and if necessary, you send a bill to the province.

65
00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:37,260
So, I mean, I've certainly seen the area, the growth in the tents, both on the high tide road.

66
00:06:37,260 --> 00:06:44,200
And it appears the fence into a lot of one is open, and I guess I'd like to hear what staff or

67
00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:51,700
proposing we do about the growth and how are we going to manage it in the next three months

68
00:06:51,700 --> 00:06:55,900
during the summer season when everybody likes to come to Seashell.

69
00:06:58,260 --> 00:07:01,280
Okay, thanks for that. Back to Dr. Roberts.

70
00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:07,180
Thank you for the question, Chair. So we did the walk today and there's the

71
00:07:07,180 --> 00:07:09,140
We're down tents on lot ones.

72
00:07:09,340 --> 00:07:12,240
There used to be three tents that were quite close to the residential area.

73
00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:16,380
The folks from last week said they were moving farther north.

74
00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:18,280
And that does appear to be where they went.

75
00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,500
I confirm that with BC Housing today.

76
00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,500
We were saying that if folks were going to be on that lot,

77
00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:25,640
that to be adjacent to the current encampment,

78
00:07:25,660 --> 00:07:27,820
where there is less brush would be more ideal.

79
00:07:28,100 --> 00:07:29,120
So there is one tent.

80
00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:59,940
There, but we are down from five-tenths down to two tenths on that lot currently. BC Housing, when they talked about making this an imminent situation that they would be talking to the minister about, it is immediate. They are working on getting fencing repairment on that, along the lot because there is the break-in defense to discourage folks from going in there and they are looking at the brush removal quite quickly. So we will be there with that in mind, also tomorrow, so whatever we can do to create a safer,

81
00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:04,460
space on that, a lot, one, but certainly our focus will be on the encampment.

82
00:08:05,300 --> 00:08:09,760
Okay, thanks for that. I'll turn it over to Council. Councilor Roe.

83
00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:17,780
Thank you. Through you, do we track the number of tents every week just so we actually have data?

84
00:08:18,340 --> 00:08:25,800
Like, the number of tents that are there after we do remove the ones that people aren't living in?

85
00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:33,680
number one. And number two, have we done anything with to let MLA nail know about this

86
00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:36,820
escalation to the minister with regards to safety?

87
00:08:38,700 --> 00:08:44,140
Thank you for the question. Yes, being invited MLA out to the last cleanup and so Lori

88
00:08:44,140 --> 00:08:50,460
I believe her in this consistency advisor is going to join us tomorrow if she's able to.

89
00:08:50,740 --> 00:08:55,780
So there are aware of the situation as well as that outreach worker and we are

90
00:08:55,780 --> 00:09:01,660
tracking the tents so the we're down I don't know we're counting souls not

91
00:09:01,660 --> 00:09:07,440
tents there was 21 and now there's 19 from last week but again that is a

92
00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:10,820
a big difference from a month ago but it is going down they're looking at

93
00:09:10,820 --> 00:09:16,100
shelter we have the person from rain city who was often leave she's returned

94
00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:20,020
as a two weeks ago so that's creating quite a difference as far as placement

95
00:09:20,020 --> 00:09:26,840
for folks. Yeah, so the biggest focus is getting people off of the street into a safe space

96
00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:31,400
and then they feel pretty hopeful that that's happening. But we are tracking the amount of

97
00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:35,500
tents and MLA kneel is aware and has seen the photos.

98
00:09:38,540 --> 00:09:42,240
Any other opinions from council?

99
00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,540
Hi there. I'm Slayer Maghalka.

100
00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,140
I'm going to have a picture. No, thank you. The juror. I'm just wondering

101
00:09:52,140 --> 00:10:00,400
And what time does it start and do we need to bring like gloves or, you know, if we're going to be doing work in there?

102
00:10:01,560 --> 00:10:01,820
Thank you.

103
00:10:01,900 --> 00:10:02,000
Thank you.

104
00:10:02,140 --> 00:10:02,320
The question.

105
00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:09,320
The objective of being there tomorrow would really, so that we all have the same amount of information.

106
00:10:09,680 --> 00:10:10,460
You know, it's not.

107
00:10:11,060 --> 00:10:17,160
We don't, we want to connect with the community and make sure that people are feeling comfortable both the residents that live there and yourself.

108
00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:27,220
So we're not looking for you to be a part of the cleanup but to come and meet the folks that are down there, as well as the rain city workers and the outreach workers.

109
00:10:27,680 --> 00:10:40,120
So if you're to attend the objective from a staff perspective is just to make sure we all have the same information. There's a lot of misinformation happening and I am trying to cut down the amount of catastrophizing because we really deeply care about that neighborhood.

110
00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:46,140
And we're doing the best that we can for the residents both the ones in the town homes, the ones in the rain city, the shelter and the encampment.

111
00:10:46,140 --> 00:10:49,860
So we'd love for you to attend at the 930 tomorrow every Thursday,

112
00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:54,020
we're at there at 930, and you can stay for as long as there is little

113
00:10:54,020 --> 00:10:57,200
if you like, and nothing else is done there, thanks.

114
00:10:58,320 --> 00:10:59,440
Thanks, Mayor Henderson.

115
00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:06,880
Thank you, the, I guess I've heard that, you know, we're monitoring what's been

116
00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:12,100
happening, but I think I'd like to know that we have a plan in place perhaps

117
00:11:12,100 --> 00:11:17,120
what are next steps are because I think it's fair I believe I'm right and

118
00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:21,960
saying it happened in the previous summer and it's very likely it'll happen

119
00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:29,880
again that we were at what were 18 or 19 tenths and you know what do we do if

120
00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:37,380
we have enough demand if that's the right word for 30 tenths like can we put them

121
00:11:37,380 --> 00:11:45,200
on a lot one, and if so, do we handle that and keep it separate from the townhouses and the neighbors?

122
00:11:45,700 --> 00:11:53,480
And generally speaking, what do we do to control the flow of these people, so that they're not imposing on the neighbors?

123
00:11:54,920 --> 00:12:01,900
Just to be clear, it is not 18 or 19 tenths. It's 18 or 19 people. So that's a fairly big difference.

124
00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,400
This is a cyclical thing that happens every summer.

125
00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:12,840
There are folks that are either attached to the shelter in some way, shape, or form, or in some other situation when the warm weather comes.

126
00:12:13,060 --> 00:12:17,760
It's easier for them to live outside than to be going in and out of the shelter on a daily basis.

127
00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:23,360
There's a whole bunch of different conditions that allow people to be in the situation that they're in.

128
00:12:23,740 --> 00:12:29,640
There's obviously no simple solution to this if there was somebody else in the world and everybody else would be doing it by now.

129
00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:31,300
So everybody's just doing the best they can.

130
00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:33,660
And that's agencies working with each individual,

131
00:12:34,260 --> 00:12:35,480
getting to know each individual,

132
00:12:35,740 --> 00:12:37,240
trying to found out what their needs are,

133
00:12:37,380 --> 00:12:39,480
where they're at, health-wise, and mentally,

134
00:12:39,540 --> 00:12:42,180
and everything else, and doing their best to house them.

135
00:12:42,500 --> 00:12:44,280
So that's really what it's about.

136
00:12:44,580 --> 00:12:47,000
And it's a cycle that we just continue to go through.

137
00:12:47,460 --> 00:12:49,420
There is no solution that's going to end this tomorrow

138
00:12:49,420 --> 00:12:50,960
that I'm aware of.

139
00:12:52,220 --> 00:12:54,560
Thanks for that comment.

140
00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:56,500
Councillor Rowe.

141
00:12:57,520 --> 00:13:02,100
And it just started to add to that and you can correct me if I'm wrong because maybe

142
00:13:02,100 --> 00:13:04,460
provincial legislation has changed.

143
00:13:05,260 --> 00:13:11,040
But I believe that we are still living under the rules of no matter what somebody is living

144
00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,860
in, yet their car be at a tent, be at a car bar box.

145
00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:19,120
You cannot remove them from it unless you have somewhere for them to go.

146
00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:24,260
So, that's the crux of a lot of this.

147
00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:29,020
We can't just, you know, I have a lot of people would love

148
00:13:29,020 --> 00:13:32,200
for the district decision to get their magic school

149
00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:33,860
bus and take everybody to the ferry.

150
00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:38,100
That's not a real thing

151
00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:41,520
and that's why this is such a complex problem.

152
00:13:43,180 --> 00:13:47,760
So, unless we want to put the district in sort of a

153
00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:51,140
I carry a position legally and with the province.

154
00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:57,900
We can't just be shooting people away without having

155
00:13:57,900 --> 00:14:01,900
somewhere to offer them as a home.

156
00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:06,940
So in my opinion, that's why the work that's

157
00:14:06,940 --> 00:14:12,600
more relational is the most critical.

158
00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:16,580
And I wish, again, I mean, we all

159
00:14:16,580 --> 00:14:22,900
probably obviously wish we had an easy answer to this, but we don't, but my other question

160
00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:29,780
that just popped into my head on our technical work in group, do we have anybody from the

161
00:14:29,780 --> 00:14:30,320
CAT team?

162
00:14:30,420 --> 00:14:35,420
We're just going to start to shine, we're involved, or anyone from the CAT team, because

163
00:14:35,420 --> 00:14:43,460
that team actually could probably be helpful in a lot of this work if he's got capacity.

164
00:14:43,460 --> 00:14:47,740
So it was, uh, turn that over to council all over it.

165
00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:48,720
Thanks.

166
00:14:49,700 --> 00:14:51,980
We do not, but we could certainly put that invite out.

167
00:14:52,060 --> 00:14:53,200
There's been a few suggestions.

168
00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:57,380
It's sort of we start up with a pretty small nuclear screw, but we could reach out.

169
00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:58,320
That would be a great addition.

170
00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:29,980
Yeah, I agree with what you said, and we attended a webinar that was given to us from community services last. We just about that community connection piece. And I think that's what we're really focused on. It's what I felt today with BC housing, as we're all from a sympathetic, harm reduction human rights component, considering with that lens. And then also thinking about the neighborhood and how that's affecting our, the rest of the citizens and the district of C-shelves. So I am hopeful. They have a response plan that seems like it's going faster than typical. They talked about the fencing coming in for this year.

171
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:36,600
shelter and even reopen the conversation about having some of the encampments filled around

172
00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,800
to the shelter parking lot that was previously not something they were willing to talk

173
00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:40,040
about.

174
00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:45,180
So I'm feeling hopeful, but I also think that the connections need to continue to happen

175
00:15:45,180 --> 00:15:49,860
and to work together because this isn't just a district to see shelter response.

176
00:15:52,020 --> 00:15:53,720
Thanks for that.

177
00:15:53,720 --> 00:16:03,220
I'm from my own part, I'm concerned that this, I understand that this is the regular

178
00:16:03,220 --> 00:16:09,280
cycle in the summer, more and more people appear in that area, and it's going to decrease

179
00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:16,620
by the fall, but I also think we have to be ready to take action unless the province

180
00:16:16,620 --> 00:16:21,960
is moving quickly, and that seems, I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not.

181
00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:27,280
So what I'm going to propose to Council, and ask your opinion on this, is that we put

182
00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:37,580
this as an item on the next Council poll in two weeks, but also ask staff about the merits

183
00:16:37,580 --> 00:16:46,740
of one contracting out to cut the broom ourselves unless the province is prepared to do it

184
00:16:46,740 --> 00:16:55,520
quickly. And second, consider other measures, for instance, any of the tents that start showing

185
00:16:55,520 --> 00:17:03,360
up on the provincial property that we consider bylaw asking those people to take down the

186
00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:08,420
tents each morning and allow them to put the tents back up in the evening. That's a sort

187
00:17:08,420 --> 00:17:15,780
of step further from what's happening right now. But in essence, I'm asking that consider this

188
00:17:16,740 --> 00:17:22,660
issue again in two weeks. We'll see if we have a response back from the province and see if

189
00:17:22,660 --> 00:17:25,440
Council has to take further steps in the matter.

190
00:17:28,780 --> 00:17:30,040
Is there any opinion of the Council in

191
00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:37,080
McAulacan? Yes, thank you. We've talked about the problem of broom before that it's very

192
00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:43,460
almost impossible to find a way to dispose of it. We have other site that have been

193
00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:49,440
a reason for redevelopment that are covered in broom, so they are equally a huge fire hazard

194
00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:55,020
with this warm weather we have coming in. So, I don't know, I mean I wish there was

195
00:17:55,020 --> 00:17:59,520
a solution there, maybe we can come up with something, ship it off to somewhere that does

196
00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:02,680
have a proper burner, if that's what we have to do, and it's the same, we don't have a proper

197
00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:07,580
burner, we can't do it. I think we have to at least prepare it in this particular location,

198
00:18:08,060 --> 00:18:13,440
probably come up with another solution. So it's really, I'm really worried about the weather

199
00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:17,260
their, um, you know, encampment.

200
00:18:17,360 --> 00:18:20,100
But our conscience and the village area for people,

201
00:18:20,380 --> 00:18:22,900
if we could find some people in the encampment

202
00:18:22,900 --> 00:18:23,980
that are easier to house.

203
00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:25,340
I know some people in the village

204
00:18:25,340 --> 00:18:29,220
will actually accommodate them in their shed

205
00:18:29,220 --> 00:18:30,580
or whatever, because, you know,

206
00:18:30,580 --> 00:18:33,860
they're worried that they're just not getting any treated

207
00:18:33,860 --> 00:18:38,620
like, you know, they're not really treated like people.

208
00:18:39,420 --> 00:18:41,760
So they want to at least provide some shelter

209
00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:47,240
in some sense of community and space for them probably you know have a washroom I don't know

210
00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:51,760
the washroom we have at Prenchett Park it has a shower I don't know it's just a cold shower

211
00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:57,260
but if it was at least a warm shower I think that would help you know but I think it's mostly

212
00:18:57,260 --> 00:19:01,040
a Prenchett Park just to wash the sand off you after you're bathing typically but

213
00:19:02,780 --> 00:19:08,340
enhance that a little bit and just give some services and try and move some of the easier to house

214
00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:14,840
for some, you know, somewhere else for some temporary time. Thanks.

215
00:19:15,700 --> 00:19:22,380
Thanks, Mayor Henderson. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Yeah, you're going in the,

216
00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:27,700
perhaps more eloquently than I put it, but the idea that we have,

217
00:19:27,700 --> 00:19:36,620
get a very fast response from the province. I think that it is a fire risk and how we deal with the,

218
00:19:36,620 --> 00:19:42,980
the brush in the broom and whatever it comes, we've got to get rid of it and we've got to get rid of it soon.

219
00:19:43,220 --> 00:19:49,820
So I'd be supportive, I'd be supportive of one week rather than two, but you know we've got to make that.

220
00:19:50,140 --> 00:20:04,120
And that's part of what I was asking, the do we in fact have a plan of what will we do, should we if we when we get more people coming in,

221
00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:08,680
whether it's as you describe, removing the tents every morning,

222
00:20:09,620 --> 00:20:12,640
excuse me, or where do we put them in the evening?

223
00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:17,280
Is it a strip along the so-thin of lot one?

224
00:20:18,120 --> 00:20:19,640
Or what do we do with these folks?

225
00:20:20,980 --> 00:20:23,840
I think we'd like to know that we are anticipating

226
00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:26,740
and planning ahead rather than reacting.

227
00:20:28,990 --> 00:20:31,230
Okay, thanks for that.

228
00:20:31,650 --> 00:20:35,230
So I'll sort of return to my idea to see if there's council

229
00:20:35,230 --> 00:20:44,930
support for asking that this issue be brought up again within two weeks. We should have a response

230
00:20:44,930 --> 00:20:54,250
from the province and then in the meantime we asked staff to consider some actions that Council

231
00:20:54,250 --> 00:21:02,110
can take if if there is no response from or no action being taken on these items from the province.

232
00:21:06,330 --> 00:21:07,390
That's what I wrote.

233
00:21:10,940 --> 00:21:15,740
Well, yeah, it's probably over the summer almost going to be a standing item.

234
00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:23,020
To be honest, I'm interested though the impact that asking by law to do that,

235
00:21:24,100 --> 00:21:27,860
it's not like they're not going to walk in and say we need you to remove your

236
00:21:27,860 --> 00:21:31,820
and that's going to be a big part of their day.

237
00:21:31,820 --> 00:21:39,900
when it from what I understand when I've seen other places attempt that.

238
00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:49,560
So I guess I'd like some input from staff on what they think that would look like.

239
00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:54,620
So maybe we can do that for as part of the discussion in two weeks.

240
00:21:55,340 --> 00:22:01,640
I mean I wouldn't be prepared to vote on asking them to do that at this time without understanding that.

241
00:22:01,820 --> 00:22:10,540
No, thank you, Councilor Rout. No, and that's not my intent. It's really to make sure this is on the agenda coming up in two weeks.

242
00:22:11,460 --> 00:22:18,280
I think staff now know what our concerns are and they're saying that we should have response back from the province.

243
00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:27,020
So let's get some commentary back from staff on what other actions can take and you're quite correct.

244
00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:29,860
Maybe it is. It would just take up too much of violence.

245
00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:37,940
It's time to do that, but it'll give staff some time to come back with.

246
00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:44,580
I guess that's just, and I don't mean to be a naysayer to every idea that comes up.

247
00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:50,520
That's not my intent. We have to think about where those people are going to go during the day, and they're going to be downtown.

248
00:22:50,520 --> 00:23:05,720
So my biggest concern is the fire piece and having some response in the province on that and giving us some direction that we can take.

249
00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:14,480
But with this population and any vulnerable population,

250
00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:19,300
and everyone thing that you think of has three more arms

251
00:23:19,300 --> 00:23:21,360
that come out of it that you need to consider.

252
00:23:21,820 --> 00:23:25,140
And that's one of the things when we tell people they have to pack up

253
00:23:25,980 --> 00:23:28,980
for the day is where do they go?

254
00:23:29,060 --> 00:23:32,560
Unless we actually had somewhere that was identified

255
00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:35,440
that they could go hang out here for the day.

256
00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:38,920
So, anyways, just for consideration.

257
00:23:39,500 --> 00:23:40,160
Okay, thanks.

258
00:23:40,380 --> 00:23:41,300
Is there any more?

259
00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:43,700
So I'm putting that forward as a motion

260
00:23:43,700 --> 00:23:51,300
that it be coming back within two weeks and we look for response from the province, and that

261
00:23:51,300 --> 00:24:01,140
we have some staff commentary on what to do about issues like fire prevention, a second

262
00:24:01,140 --> 00:24:05,380
that's what's off. All in favour?

263
00:24:09,100 --> 00:24:17,260
That's carried. Thank you. And we will move to item 5.

264
00:24:17,900 --> 00:24:31,440
which is now 5.2 RCMP priorities 202627. I will look to Council to shout out what they would like to see the RCMP focusing on.

265
00:24:33,930 --> 00:24:38,550
Councillor Roe. Well, I think the mayor is quite correct in saying the one conversation

266
00:24:38,550 --> 00:24:45,090
leads to the other. I want to see them stay engaged with this population with that area

267
00:24:45,090 --> 00:24:55,910
have a high presence in that area. They're doing tons of work dealing with all sorts

268
00:24:55,910 --> 00:25:06,350
mental health on the coast, and, you know, people don't see that, and that is, I think,

269
00:25:06,770 --> 00:25:12,770
critical work that needs to continue as well.

270
00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:19,440
Otherwise, I think the more the public can see them out doing their job, the better.

271
00:25:21,810 --> 00:25:22,830
Thanks, Councillor Tawth.

272
00:25:23,930 --> 00:25:24,410
Thank you, Chair.

273
00:25:25,390 --> 00:25:30,150
Unfortunately, I don't have my notes from the 22nd when we first were going to talk about this,

274
00:25:30,150 --> 00:25:33,450
But I think for me sort of three priorities that I had

275
00:25:33,450 --> 00:25:38,630
revolved around going after predatory behavior,

276
00:25:39,530 --> 00:25:42,490
whether that's crime, whether that's drug trafficking,

277
00:25:42,810 --> 00:25:48,830
things like that, traffic enforcement in schools

278
00:25:48,830 --> 00:25:50,070
zones specifically.

279
00:25:51,850 --> 00:25:54,730
I know we keep hearing about speeding issues around

280
00:25:56,810 --> 00:26:03,870
I'm sure we get it around the elementary schools too, and the third one that I had was

281
00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:09,140
increased foot patrols in the downtown.

282
00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:18,080
It got the C step funding to allow for some overtime work to do foot patrols, and I think that's been really positive.

283
00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:20,660
I think the community's responding well to that.

284
00:26:20,660 --> 00:26:27,680
And I was really surprised to find out that that C-step funding was only like $25,000 or something like that.

285
00:26:27,860 --> 00:26:29,380
Like, it's not a significant amount of money.

286
00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:33,980
And so I think if it's something that...

287
00:26:33,980 --> 00:26:36,720
It's really expensive for us to add officers.

288
00:26:37,740 --> 00:26:39,860
You know, if they come to us looking for a full FTE.

289
00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:50,620
But if there's something that we can do leading into budget 2027 to approve, you know,

290
00:26:50,620 --> 00:26:57,620
I think those are conversations we definitely should have because I think $25,000 is a good bargain to get those foot patrols.

291
00:26:58,440 --> 00:26:59,420
Those are my thoughts.

292
00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:01,180
Thank you.

293
00:27:01,740 --> 00:27:02,940
Anyone else?

294
00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:04,460
Mayor Henderson.

295
00:27:06,140 --> 00:27:09,120
I'm trying to time my coughs when I'm on mute.

296
00:27:10,620 --> 00:27:17,820
Yeah, I echo that about the visibility of the police officers.

297
00:27:18,660 --> 00:27:25,480
Whether it's foot patrols, bike patrols, but being seen out in the community, I think is reassuring.

298
00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:29,460
And that overall is kind of my goal out of all of this.

299
00:27:30,020 --> 00:27:32,640
How can we help the community feel safer?

300
00:27:33,380 --> 00:27:41,240
Because a lot of the things we're confronting are the consequence of people feeling unsafe in our community.

301
00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:59,240
So, fight patrols, foot patrols, maybe more visibility, I noticed, I think, as it was a face-work post today of somebody that's got more and so outstanding, and the RCMP are being proactive and putting that out there.

302
00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:13,520
And the other one is, to me, we're very different consequence between people feeling unsafe, perhaps, because somebody is being noisy in the nighttime.

303
00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:18,360
and the other group in our community that are malicious

304
00:28:19,380 --> 00:28:20,460
thief's and worse.

305
00:28:21,140 --> 00:28:24,720
So this serious crime, the theft, the premeditated

306
00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:30,320
plan crime, and theft is, I'd like to see that on our list

307
00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:34,080
of, I know we've only been given three, but perhaps certainly

308
00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:39,060
in the top four or five, that we do focus on whatever the police

309
00:28:39,060 --> 00:28:49,160
can do to help prevent some of the terrible crime, terrible theft that is happening much more

310
00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:51,000
often than I gather than it's reported.

311
00:28:52,920 --> 00:29:01,520
So visibility of officers, whatever else we can do to make people feel safer and dressing

312
00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:03,220
the serious crimes.

313
00:29:04,020 --> 00:29:07,880
Oh, and I suppose I don't know how this would happen, but I think it would be helpful for

314
00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:15,160
community to understand after somebody is arrested, it might be, three months it might be

315
00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:23,260
a year later, but follow-up, like what happened to that situation, did Crown pursue charges,

316
00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:31,280
if so, what happened and kind of closing that loop because we tend not to hear the results

317
00:29:31,280 --> 00:29:42,700
from from that process. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to the chair.

318
00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:48,700
Just to support what I have said. I think it's really important that if we could get more

319
00:29:48,700 --> 00:29:55,540
foot patrols, have a presence and just have an attitude really of kindness because I think the

320
00:29:55,540 --> 00:29:59,980
a lot of people don't really have that.

321
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:12,140
I think if you look at people in your neighborhood or you talk to anybody that used to be on the street, that you could actually look them in the eye and say something and they would hear you.

322
00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:25,120
And then you could hear them. But in a bigger place, if we're getting crime from Vancouver and a lot of visitors, that level of friendliness of anonymity doesn't exist and that allows more crime to happen.

323
00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:29,420
So I think it's really important to stay friendly and caring.

324
00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:30,320
It's really important.

325
00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:32,100
I hope that message carries through.

326
00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:36,680
It's also good for our reputation as a community because a lot of people are here,

327
00:30:36,820 --> 00:30:42,240
there's crime, but I mean, sometimes the crime can be somewhat overblown because along

328
00:30:42,240 --> 00:30:51,740
with more crime has been things like a population increase or wealth inequality and the cost

329
00:30:51,740 --> 00:30:57,720
food. So that causes for people that don't have much money. It causes a lot of stress. So again,

330
00:30:58,020 --> 00:31:04,580
trying to destress situation, be kind to people. I think it's really important. Also, in terms

331
00:31:04,580 --> 00:31:10,780
of our parks, I think it's important to show respect for the laws that we have. For instance,

332
00:31:11,180 --> 00:31:18,880
maybe we need some dog, unleash signage on beaches and parks and some more limited parking

333
00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:25,100
signs to remind people that there is bylaws regarding these things so that if people start

334
00:31:25,100 --> 00:31:31,100
lingering or hang showing up they know that it's posted and that they know that these

335
00:31:31,100 --> 00:31:37,300
bylaws will be enforced and that it's clear that if there are bylaws officers of the police

336
00:31:37,940 --> 00:31:42,880
coming along and see infractions that they can clearly say, look, here it is

337
00:31:43,460 --> 00:31:48,780
deal with it right on the spot. So I find that really is going to help us through the summer

338
00:31:48,780 --> 00:31:49,920
I hope, thanks.

339
00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:50,820
Hey, thanks.

340
00:31:51,660 --> 00:31:54,840
Yeah, most of what I have has already been mentioned.

341
00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:58,620
In terms of the C-step funding, Councillor Toss Point,

342
00:31:59,720 --> 00:32:04,500
I think one thing to ask the RCMP is, I think they've mentioned in the past,

343
00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:08,180
that it's a program that they can keep applying for funding for.

344
00:32:08,460 --> 00:32:10,920
So we should be asking if they've applied again.

345
00:32:10,940 --> 00:32:13,760
I think they have, but whether they've been successful.

346
00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:23,700
The only item that I didn't hear was a request for more BC highway patrol visits from

347
00:32:23,700 --> 00:32:29,380
their Vancouver detachment, so I think that would be helpful.

348
00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:37,500
That's I'm hoping that all of those items the corporate officer is being able to record.

349
00:32:38,340 --> 00:32:45,080
So I think that covers that item, and is there any other business?

350
00:32:49,580 --> 00:32:50,060
Yeah, please,

351
00:32:53,130 --> 00:32:58,230
and the seconder to that list, Councillor McLACHLAN, the seconded, all in

352
00:32:58,230 --> 00:33:00,630
favor, and that's carried.

353
00:33:01,190 --> 00:33:02,270
Thank you.

354
00:33:02,790 --> 00:33:07,030
So I'll ask for a motion to adjourn.

355
00:33:07,910 --> 00:33:09,690
Seconded, all in favor?

356
00:33:10,550 --> 00:33:11,630
Great, our meeting's adjourned.

357
00:33:11,630 --> 00:33:12,750
Thank you.

358
00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:32,320
Recording stopped.