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