[0:04] start this meeting. For those in attendance and online, please be aware

[0:07] that our meetings are recorded for public viewing placed on a publicly

[0:10] available website. And we will call the meeting to order.

[0:16] And we want to acknowledge that we are on the unseated First Nations land

[0:20] territory. >> And I move we approve the agenda.

[0:26] Second. All those in favor?

[0:30] I

[0:34] » I adopt and I move we adopt the minutes of the June 23rd regular meeting.

[0:41] » No. >> No.

[0:43] » I

[0:47] » Yeah. Do you want the meeting? >> No.

[0:50] » We need the whole meeting. >> Okay. Indigo the hold meeting

[0:55] » held on Tuesday June the 9th 2026

[1:01] that

[1:10] » okay delegation subitions >> all those in favor

[1:16] » I

[1:20] delegation of petitions and Vincent and Gabriel no Coner. Um

[1:25] 10 minutes. >> Yeah, I practiced so

[1:29] [laughter] Okay. Uh so I disagreed.

[1:33] » Yeah. >> Okay. So, dear mayor and members of

[1:36] council, my name is Angie Vincent and together with my business partner,

[1:39] Adrien O' Conor, we are the owners of two locally operated businesses in Zels,

[1:44] Real Obsession Sport Fishing and the Zvel Fuel Station. We are writing to

[1:49] respectfully request that council consider supporting the regulated use of

[1:53] fully electric golf carts within the village of Sabalis and where necessary

[1:57] advocate on behalf of our community to the Ministry of Transportation and

[2:01] Transit to explore options that would permit their use.

[2:04] Let's start with a bit of background for you. In mid June of this year, we were

[2:09] advised by local authorities that concerns had been raised regarding the

[2:13] operation of our golf carts within the village. As a result, we discontinued

[2:17] their use and have returned to relying on conventional vehicles for guest

[2:21] transportation, operational task, and day-to-day errands. While we understand

[2:25] the importance of ensuring public safety and regulatory compliance, this change

[2:29] has highlighted how valuable electric golf carts have become, [clears throat]

[2:34] not only to our businesses, but also to many members of the community. We

[2:38] respectfully ask council to consider the broader benefits that a regulated golf

[2:42] cart program could provide. Why electric golf carts would benefit develops and

[2:48] surrounding communities. Reason number one, accessibility and

[2:52] inclusion. Our primary reason for using golf carts has always been

[2:56] accessibility. Many of our guests are seniors or individuals with mobility

[3:00] challenges who find it difficult to climb into large pickup trucks or walk

[3:04] long distances. Every year we welcome guests who rely on these carts for safe

[3:09] transportation, including a returning guest who is legally blind that visits

[3:13] twice each summer and another who uses a wheelchair. Golf carts allow us to

[3:18] transport these individuals safely, comfortably, and with dignity while

[3:22] reducing physical strain on both our guests and our staff. As one of the core

[3:27] protections in our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes affirmative

[3:31] action, which permits for certain laws or programs aimed at providing the

[3:35] situation of disadvantaged individuals or groups.

[3:40] A community that supports accessible transportation is a community that is

[3:43] welcoming to everyone. Reason number two, improve safety and reduce traffic

[3:49] congestion. Golf carts are smaller, slower, and considerably more

[3:53] maneuverable than full-size trucks. Our businesses make numerous trips each day

[3:58] between real obsession main lodge, the Zabalis lodge, the fuel station, and the

[4:03] docks. These routes frequently pass through areas already occupied by

[4:07] conventional and commercial trucks such as the one servicing Habitat's fish

[4:11] processing facility located next door to fuel stations. This area can become

[4:15] quite congested with both businesses are in full operation mode. By replacing

[4:20] short local trips with compact electric golf carts, reduces congestion, requires

[4:24] less parking space, and allows commercial traffic to move more

[4:27] efficiently and safely. Rather than increasing safety concerns, we believe

[4:32] appropriately regulated golf cart use can improve overall traffic flow in the

[4:37] village core. Reason number three, environmental

[4:42] stewardship. Electric golf carts produce zero emissions and operate quietly. Not

[4:48] only do they reduce unnecessary truck use for short distance travel and

[4:51] contributes to lower fuel consumption bills, but they also decrease greenhouse

[4:56] gas emissions and significantly reduces vehicle noise on our quiet streets. A

[5:01] Canadian field study reported greenhouse gas emissions approximately 75% lower

[5:06] than comparable gasoline golf carts, which we could assume translates to

[5:09] gasoline powered vehicles in general, such as ATVs, cars, trucks, etc. As many

[5:15] residents know, our workday often begins before dawn and can end after dusk.

[5:20] Electric carts would reduce engine noise, creating a quieter environment

[5:24] for neighboring homes. With an ATV or side by side, generating noise level of

[5:29] 85 to 105 dB. An electric golf cart generates a noise level of 50 to 60 dB.

[5:34] A difference of 10 dB is roughly perceived as twice as loud to the human

[5:38] ear. Reason number four, economic benefits.

[5:43] Electric golf carts are considerably less expensive to purchase, reduces

[5:47] household fuel costs along with lower maintenance costs than conventional

[5:51] vehicles. Allowing their use would reduce operating costs for businesses

[5:55] while also creating an affordable transportation option for residents,

[5:58] seniors, and lower income households who only require short distance travel

[6:02] within the village. Our final reason number five, tourism

[6:07] and community character. The bellis has built its reputation as a welcoming,

[6:12] peaceful, and unique coastal community. Our real obsession team assists guests

[6:17] with trips to the local store as well as for a community restaurant that develops

[6:21] in. Our land-based guests, the non-fishers, always loved town tours by

[6:26] a golf cart. Communities throughout North America have successfully

[6:30] incorporated regulated golf cart programs to improve mobility while

[6:33] enhancing their tourism appeal. The most notable examples of Canadian

[6:37] municipalities permitting golf carts on public roadways under regulated

[6:42] provincial pilot projects are Silven Lake Alberta, Peely Island, Ontario, and

[6:47] the Village of Chase, BC, plus others. Electric golf carts complement the

[6:52] relaxed atmosphere of our village, making it easier for residents and

[6:55] visitors to travel and explore our local businesses while encouraging greater

[7:00] interaction among residents and guests alike. Communities that encourage golf

[7:04] cur transportation often develop a distinctive identity.

[7:09] Our request, we respectfully ask council to one, consider supporting the

[7:15] regulated use of electric golf carts within the village of Zalos. Two,

[7:20] explore the development of a local bylaw or pilot program establishing safe

[7:25] operating standards. And three, advocate to the Ministry of Transportation and

[7:31] Transit for regulatory options that would allow communities such as the

[7:34] Balos to implement golf cart use legally and safely. We are not requesting

[7:40] unrestricted access to public roadways. Rather, we are asking that council

[7:44] explore practical, responsible solutions that balance public safety with

[7:48] accessibility, environmental sustainability, and the needs of our

[7:52] community. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with council to

[7:55] discuss this matter further and work collaboratively towards a solution that

[7:59] benefits all residents. Thank you for your time and consideration and service

[8:04] to the community. >> Thank you.

[8:15] » Questions?

[8:21] » Yes. Thanks for your presentation. Very well

[8:26] done. Um, I have no problem agreeing with most of

[8:33] it. The problem I have is for us to be able to bring the bylaw in so we can use

[8:40] them is going to take our staff a lot of time. Yes, I could read this off for

[8:47] just a sec. Okay, we got permit procedures,

[8:52] inspection requirements, route mapping, signage installation, enforcement

[8:56] protocols, and ongoing administration costs.

[9:02] Plus, we can't do anything until we get a hold of the department in Victoria.

[9:10] And I don't think we'll be able to do that till next spring. I don't think

[9:15] there's a instant fix here.

[9:19] » Oh, I I didn't expect that by any means. We were able to get one of the golf

[9:24] carts registered uh for the road. But is there

[9:29] any would would it the regulate like keeping up on the regulations? Would it

[9:32] be the responsibility of the village or would it be the responsibility of the

[9:38] local authorities? >> If I may, I'm going to dump this off to

[9:42] our because

[9:46] » about that one. >> He knows how the requirements come and

[9:51] what to expect. >> Yes. Okay.

[9:54] » Yes. It would uh it would have to go through a bylaw. Um we would have to

[9:58] dedicate roadways and we would be the ones administering the permits, you

[10:03] know, upon um proof of, you know, meeting all of the the regulations. And

[10:09] do you think like the permit costs would not be beneficial for making money for

[10:13] the village for with having people even coming to

[10:19] um they'd have to have a permit right to operate within the zone. Do you think

[10:23] that would be something that could possibly make the village money?

[10:28] » I I would say it depends on >> depends on the permit amount. Yeah.

[10:31] » Yeah. And and obviously council direction like we've only just touched

[10:34] the service. I totally and like I was looking up a lot of these pilot

[10:39] projects. They have it just for summer months like when tourism are high and

[10:43] then it ends. Um and there's I don't know there's green initiatives maybe you

[10:48] know just maybe reaching out there might be some type of money for greener

[10:54] initiative taking on for the village itself that could be funded in that

[10:59] direction. I uh I think there's like a lot of merit

[11:03] in this and I think it's an excellent concept for a community of this size

[11:09] without hardly any roadway at all. And uh I mean look at Hutton shaking his

[11:14] head. We got a we got an electric golf cart for public works now, right? And

[11:19] that was the concept behind it like exactly what you're talking about. So,

[11:24] so, uh, I think we should do everything we could we can to to push this forward

[11:29] and and and get it to be real, you know, just like we did in the past with uh

[11:36] with our ATBs, right? >> At that point, we did think there was

[11:41] going to be a trail coming through here, which is different, but but uh

[11:45] everything about it is good. So,

[11:51] » Mayor Coburn.

[11:56] » Hello. Hello. >> Hey, give me a sec here to connect. Um,

[12:02] uh, thank you for coming in. Thank you for presenting to us and, um, giving a

[12:07] little bit more clarity on it and, um, especially that accessibility piece is

[12:11] is really important, I feel. Um I also want to commend you for getting the one

[12:17] that you have uh the golf cart that you have insured and taking that those steps

[12:23] and initiating that. So thank you for doing that. Um really appreciate that

[12:27] that is a first step that you could do. Um I agree with um it not being a you

[12:33] know immediate thing or anything like that. And I also think that we need to

[12:36] direct staff to uh connect with the RCMP because it is a a public road. It will

[12:43] be under the motor vehicle act. So uh that's just my two cents. I made some

[12:48] comments earlier. So I'll stop there. >> Yes. My neighbor.

[12:54] » Yes. Go ahead. Councelor De. >> Yes. Mr. Rod,

[13:01] I live right next to you. I see those golf carts back forth, back forth.

[13:07] They're generally not a problem. Sometimes they are a problem when the

[13:14] kids load five onto a cart because that's not safe.

[13:19] That's not a big deal. I can see after this issue here,

[13:25] there's only two people in a cart. Everybody's being nice and safe. That's

[13:29] great. I have no issues with that. I think it's a good idea.

[13:35] All I can say is it's going to take time for us to do anything that works for

[13:40] you. >> Yeah.

[13:42] » And uh they're quieter, they're better for the environment, and uh

[13:49] 504 Reno Street has no issues. >> There shouldn't be 51. No, they're show

[13:55] I was just thinking when the heck was there five adults.

[13:57] » Well, hey, you were a kid once, too, weren't you?

[14:00] » No, but you're right. You're 100%. >> They're not meant to be used unless

[14:04] anybody's working and it's they're not for staff to use outside of work

[14:09] purposes. Yeah, like you said, everybody.

[14:11] » Yeah. Thanks. >> No, I just had to throw that in so I

[14:14] didn't sound too sick. [laughter]

[14:19] » Thank you. Are we getting

[14:24] » the other behind the pitch?

[14:29] » We do have the other two in works of getting registered, but they're more

[14:33] difficult because they were bought from a private golf course. So, they were

[14:36] never previously registered. >> So, there's a bunch of loopholes and

[14:40] paperwork we're working on that we won't get them. I doubt we'll get them up in

[14:45] the summer. Uh but we're trying. Thank you.

[14:58] » Do we have to move her seat of that? >> No.

[15:04] » No. >> No. Okay. Moving on.

[15:06] » Yes. Moving on. >> Okay.

[15:10] Dallas Volunteer Fire Department monthly operations report.

[15:13] » No.

[15:16] Oh,

[15:20] » this is right. The send placement project

[15:46] Do we receive the report or no? Yeah, >> just for information only for

[15:52] discussion. >> For discussion. Yes,

[15:53] » discussions. Okay. So there is uh recommendations on page 7 of 29.

[16:13] So I'll go ahead and move that addressment

[16:18] of a waterfront center concept based on natural rock mon design oriented towards

[16:26] the inlet and to investigate a site layout that retain that retains the

[16:30] existing juniper bush where practical well ensuring accessibility and

[16:36] ceremonial functionality. and further that staff uh explore opportunities to

[16:41] incorporate local and indigenous commemorative elements to the final

[16:46] decision and that staff seek external funding to support the existing budget

[16:51] to ensure higher funding. I second my motion.

[17:00] » Comments. >> Any discussion?

[17:02] » Comments. Any discussion? >> No.

[17:05] » Discuss the question. >> Okay, that's good.

[17:08] » All those in favor? >> I

[17:15] the battle design survey. Any accept that or is that just for

[17:21] information? No, it's uh again there's recommendations this time on page 13 to

[17:27] 29. What staff is looking for is uh is after council review of the conceptual

[17:34] drawings and the uh the plan outlines are any recommended changes um any

[17:42] recommended additions or subtractions. um and ultimately uh approval to move to

[17:49] the next step um which would uh um to bring forward a work plan and and

[17:57] a budget for council to consider >> something like recommendation.

[18:05] » I would you go back up. >> Oh Julie, sorry if I had a coin. Go

[18:12] ahead. you see.

[18:15] » I was just wondering if because the next step is a work plan

[18:21] and budget if there would be any opportunity to do

[18:26] any public consultation on this. Um the reason is is just the parking those

[18:32] kinds of things. I'd like to know how much parking people think they need.

[18:36] Right now in one of the concept designs we've got 13.

[18:41] Oh, I can't see it. Where is it? >> 13. And the other one we've got 10. And

[18:47] I just don't Yeah, I made my comments on the uh email that I sent out that should

[18:54] have been distributed. Uh I I really think we should go to public so we

[18:58] understand what they want before I mean if they want to park there that kind of

[19:03] defeats some of the purpose of a park or maybe we'd have to move the park over

[19:06] towards uh 146 McQuina. I'm just wondering how Yeah. to get some feedback

[19:12] on this.

[19:20] » Uh I'd like to move that uh staff be directed to bring Florida work plan and

[19:24] cost associated with the proposed upgrades as outlined in the attached

[19:28] drawings to council including budget sources and work that can be for be

[19:32] performed in house. Second

[19:38] » discussion.

[19:43] » Personally, I like design number one,

[19:52] but I'm also very happy we've got to this point. This is awesome.

[20:06] any preference for you? >> Uh just to move forward a bit.

[20:11] » Yeah. Yeah. I don't think either one [clears throat]

[20:14] I don't think uh it'll make a big difference.

[20:17] We can get it organized and working properly for the community. That's where

[20:21] I'm at. >> I agree.

[20:25] » All those in favor? Hi. Hi. >> Can I Oh, sorry.

[20:31] I still had comments. That's okay. >> Did I hear a comment or

[20:37] » We're going to need to give staff there. We're going to need to give staff an

[20:41] answer whether it's one, two, or something different so that they can

[20:44] come forward with a work plan at a bud.

[20:49] And also that was a question through to staff is how can we reach out to the

[20:53] public to get some public uh ask or uh public information on this

[21:00] » through the uh the chair to Mayor Cobborn um first with council direction

[21:06] um to do so. Um, and then we could do surveys much like we did with the

[21:10] Senate.

[21:19] » I would love to do that just so uh I'm wondering if there is like uh need for

[21:26] children's play area like how people how people envision it. It it'll be a public

[21:31] park. It'll be their park. So

[21:36] I can make a subsequent afterwards

[21:41] » you've got a question on the table. So

[21:46] » that's the the motion question. >> Oh

[21:49] » yeah. Gman. >> All in favor?

[21:54] » I

[21:58] opposed. >> Opposed.

[22:04] » So, I'll make that motion that we go to a public survey and discuss options for

[22:09] option one. I forget which page that is. uh and just get some public feedback on

[22:15] uh preferences of uh children's activities, seating places, things like

[22:21] that.

[22:25] » You second. >> Yeah. Seconds

[22:32] in favor. >> I'll just Sorry.

[22:35] » Uh [clears throat] I I agree with what Mayor Coin said about uh similar survey

[22:40] to the Senate Taft. I think that was appropriate. Thank you.

[22:48] » All those in favor? >> I

[23:03] just speak to CAO for a sec. Do you want some instruction on

[23:11] sending out information as per the Senate effect for this parking or do we

[23:17] give you some direction at a later date? Um through the the chair um is council's

[23:24] prerogative to direct staff how how you wish. Um we can we can work with the

[23:30] information that uh that we have or if there's further information you would

[23:34] like to provide. Um it would be uh it would be beneficial to uh to to hone in

[23:40] that direction so that uh um we can define.

[23:46] Okay. Thanks. I move that we direct council

[23:52] at a later meeting on how to advertise this and get public

[23:58] input before we go too far. >> I'll second that. Yeah. Okay.

[24:06] » Discussion.

[24:10] All in favor? I >> go ahead, Mayor Coburn.

[24:16] » Yeah. And I almost think that we could do that via email if there was a want or

[24:24] a need to move forward on this. Um, you know, some of the questions I was

[24:30] wondering is about uh need for covered area. Does there need to be one in both

[24:34] of those areas between 146 and uh Rosa Island or or just one?

[24:42] Is there a need for any kind of small play equipment? Uh just some super basic

[24:47] questions. We're going to do it anyways, but if there's any specifics that people

[24:51] were thinking they would like. So, I mean I I will I will agree with

[24:56] the motion, but it's almost something we could do over email.

[25:00] Okay. >> Thank you. All those in favor

[25:14] of the question period. Was that where we're at?

[25:16] » Um did I miss something? >> It depends if you want to further

[25:20] discuss the uh um request for the community golf ball cart use. Um because

[25:25] we've got real objections letter. >> Yeah.

[25:28] » And then the staff reports. Um so uh um up to council whether you want to have

[25:34] that discussion. It's next on the agenda.

[25:39] » I feel we discuss what we need to

[25:42] » Yeah. Same here. >> Okay. So do we receive the

[25:46] correspondence? >> No need to. Okay.

[25:51] » So then it goes to public health question period.

[25:56] » Oh yeah. I I also live opposite um a lot of where the um activity is at the start

[26:02] house and between real obsession. I am very very happy that there's

[26:09] um electric golf carts being used because when it's vehicles it's like you

[26:14] know early in the morning I don't hear anything you know if the golf carts are

[26:19] being used but if trucks are being used you know it's it's it's noisy and

[26:24] disruptive but the golf carts are just a blessing as far as I'm concerned and

[26:30] looking in the future when I'm getting older maybe I'd like to go around town

[26:33] on the It might have a little bit easier,

[26:39] » especially if you open the golf course, right?

[26:53] » Oh, it's down now. >> Sorry, my time has passed. I'm not

[26:57] interrupting public question period. That was from the previous one. It's

[27:00] good. >> My apologies.

[27:04] Anyone else for

[27:10] Walton? I live in this town and I'm I'm kind of uh on board with the idea of

[27:15] using the golf carts. They can move people around, not take up a lot of

[27:18] space or parking becomes an issue at times and

[27:23] something small is kind of a blessing. Uh, and when it comes to the center,

[27:28] they talk about having other things around it like, you know, a cover or

[27:32] whatever. I've been across Canada and I've seen

[27:37] lots of sun caps, but I've never seen anything to take away the importance and

[27:42] the remembrance of having a senap. It stands alone in my brain. Thank you.

[27:56] That's it. >> You can kick them out. No,

[27:59] » we have a regular call.

[28:06] » I move we adjourn now.

[28:12] » Do you need me to come back to a different meeting?

Committee of the Whole - Jul 28 2026

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