Monday’s Regular Council Meeting, May 13 2019 – Subscriber exclusive
Following are my draft notes from Monday’s Regular Council meeting. Parts of this will be released to the public. As subscribers, you get to see the raw notes. It won’t be perfect, it’s definitely not pretty, there may even be a typo or two (it’s unedited at this point), but rest assured that all bad words have been removed. -Britt/SPN
Present: Mayor Maja Tait, and Councillors Al Beddows, Tony St-Pierre, Ebony Logins and Jeff Bateman
Opening announcement: A new CAO was appointed; Norm McInnis will soon be starting at the District of Sooke, with an annual salary of $165,000. There were over 160 applications. Ten were shortlisted and reviewed by all of Council, and a final selection was made. Here’s an interesting article on Norm, and the approach he may bring to Sooke.
On name and address, the Mayor just wants to know what municipal region you live in.
Resolutions for Adoption – May 6, 2019, Committee of the Whole
Draft Council Procedure Bylaw No. 728 – COW – May 6, 2019: THAT the Committee of the Whole receive this report for discussion purposes; THAT the following amendment to the proposed bylaw be made:
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- 31(16): Delegations are not permitted for subject matters which will have their own opportunity for public input (i.e. grant applications, specific bylaws, etc.); and THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends Council direct staff to bring the amended bylaw back for consideration.
- Carried unanimously
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Rescind Outstanding Resolutions: 2018-287; 2017-541; 2017-463; 2017-452; 2017-369; 2017-366; 2017-167; 2017-130; and the unnumbered item at line 721.
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- Carried unanimously
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Committee Appointments – COW – May 6, 2019:
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- THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends Council appoint Councillor Ebony Logins to the Te’Mexw Treaty Advisory Committee until Councillor Brenda Parkinson is able to return.
Carried unanimously. - THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends Council appoint Councillor Al Beddows, Councillor Megan McMath, and Councillor Tony St-Pierre to liaise on behalf of the District of Sooke with SEAPARC, the Sooke Community Association, and Sooke Museum in discussions regarding adjoining lands.
Carried unanimously - THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends Council appoint Councillor Tony St-Pierre as the Chair to the District’s Climate Change Action Committee.
Carried unanimously
- THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends Council appoint Councillor Ebony Logins to the Te’Mexw Treaty Advisory Committee until Councillor Brenda Parkinson is able to return.
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20th Anniversary Celebration – COW – May 6, 2019: THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends Council support co-hosting a community picnic in partnership with the Sooke News Mirror, on Saturday, August 17, in conjunction with the District hosted movie night in John Phillips Memorial Park; THAT Councillor Beddows be the Council liaison for this event; and THAT the District of Sooke Council host a rock painting station. Carried unanimously.
Delegations (5)
1. KPMG – Audited Financial Statements Sooke DEC18 – Draft Financial Statements.
- Julie Robinson presented the report. There are no significant issues to report.
- Moved to accept, carried unanimously
2. Victoria Urban Reconciliation Dialogue – Sooke_Delegation_Request_VURD and VURD Delegation
- From their documentation, “We are looking to encourage Mayor and Council to participate in VURD by asking you to identify a person/people that we can begin building a relationship with and including in conversations about the ongoing efforts and activities of VURD.”
- The VIRD, or “The Dialogue” is an opportunity to identify concrete actions focused on reconciliation in the Victoria area, which encompasses an Indigenous population of over 17,000 people including those of First Nations, Métis and Inuit decent.
- Additional information on VURD is on their website. Questions can be directed to our email thedialogue@vnfc.ca.
- The mayor requested that they know the meeting dates in advance. The next meeting is May 21 at the Victoria Friendship Centre, it is an open door meeting. It goes from 9:30 until 3:00 p.m. Someone should be in attendance.
3. Charter of Compassion – Mark Ziegler Sooke Compassionate Action Plan – March 31.19 and Annex 1 to Sooke Compassionate Action Plan
Counc. Bateman recused himself, as he participates with this group.
The Group wishes to have Sooke recognized as a Compassionate Community. Mark Ziegler was seeking for Council endorsement of their existing Compassionate Plan, and asked for their support in principle. Ziegler gave an overview of the five areas of focus for short- (within the next 12 months) and longer-term (one to five years) compassionate actions are proposed in this draft Sooke CAP:
- Homelessness
- Affordability Crisis (Housing, Food, Childcare)
- Social Isolation (Seniors, Disabled, Youth)
- Inadequate Health Services (Access, Mental Health, Whole Person Care)
- Communication/Awareness/Collaboration
These complex issues easily and often overlap.
Council unanimously supported the request. Bateman returned following this discussion.
4. Childcare Needs, Tricia Pincombe
Pincombe is asking for a re-categorization of the maximum limits currently set for child care programs. Her current school at Saseenos Elementary is being closed, and that will impact a number of families and their child care plans. She was asking for urgency.
Counc. Beddows went on site, and he noted her proposal would be a “net benefit for our community.”
Counc. St-Pierre noted they should be supporting local businesses as much as possible. He suggested a “Temporary Use Permit” be considered so that they school can continue to operate while Sooke looks at changing the rules.
Counc. Bateman proposed a site-specific zoning amendment, but the Temporary Use Permit also made sense. His priority was to get the school operational by September.
Staff noted that a Temporary Use Permit is intended for Industrial Use properties, not residential properties. Staff would have to look further into that, and make a recommendation at the next meeting.
Mayor Tait noted the sense of urgency. Local elementary schools were hitting capacity, and Saseenos is catching the overflow. Sooke is short-listed for elementary schools, the expansion is happening in Langford and not in Sooke.
Staff also recognizes that this is an important issue. Staff would prefer until their needs assessment is done, so that a more comprehensive picture can be considered. Alternatively, a rezoning bylaw amendment will need to be done. The Ministry of Transportation is examining traffic in that area.
Counc. Logins asked if this item could be brought to the next agenda.
Counc. St-Pierre confirmed that a bylaw could be made to RU4s to open it up for daycares, with amendments that can be made later. The childcare needs assessment (due on May 27) will let us know that we need more daycare.
Counc. Beddows saw a need for quick action, though he doesn’t want to do a sweep amendment to RU4 properties. This particular location would be fine.
Counc. Logins echoed Beddows concerns. She would like to see a report from staff of all the things they can tackle at the same time, instead of pursuing single properties at a time.
Motion was made to request a support from staff, looking for alternatives and solutions, for the June 10th meeting. Carried unanimously
5. Float Home Restrictions, Jody Webb
Jody Webb was asking Sooke to consider allowing float homes, given the high cost of housing in Sooke. There are 26 registered float home communities in BC, many on Vancouver Island.
“I would like council to lift or amend bylaws restricting float homes here. Housing prices are crazy… there is little availability for single persons and a dog. Our shorelines, water and marinas are beautiful and could be utilized for off-grid float homes. I am not even sure of the bylaw however every single marina in Sooke told me NO the municipality does not allow float homes. I wish council to consider off grid float home living in their futures planning and shoreline development easing the housing issues and adding incredible charm to our little Sooke.”
Mayor Tait noted this opens up doors of possibility, and it could be addressed in their Official Community Plan. She was concerned about waste water / grey water collection, and fire department response in case of emergency.
Counc. Logins noted that the Housing Committee did consider this. The T’Sou-ke First Nation would have to be consulted, especially regarding the impact on the native shellfish.
Counc. St-Pierre added that float home communities are critically needed, and he supports finding best practices and doing it right. He also felt that float homes could revitalize the water front.
Counc. Beddows had a lot of reservations. The concept was interesting, but a lot of other things will have to be taken into consideration, including the viewscapes of home owners who currently look at the water, and may one day have to overlook a float home community. Sewer and power would have to be installed.
Counc. Bateman said it was incumbent on the applicant to keep the idea alive with OCP considerations coming up.
Referred to Climate Action Committee and Affordable Housing Committee. Carried unanimously.
Committee Appointments
- THAT Council appoint Jeff Bateman as either an alternate representative to Councillor Brenda Parkinson, or as a second alternate to the Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission (SEAPARC)
Carried unanimously
Public Input
Names may be misspelled, forgive me.
Carrie Coleman, employed by Sooke Montessori. She was concerned that if this doesn’t happen, she will not have job, and Sooke could loose a very high quality centre. From her perspective, she needs to know if she’s looking for work. She emphasized the incredible urgency of this situation. A June 10th date for a staff report doesn’t provide direction to the people who’s lives are being impacted.
- Mayor noted that working in haste creates a bigger problem than the immediate problem at hand. She did state that Council does appreciate the urgency of the situation, and that needs to be balanced with process and fair consideration.
- Counc. Logins addressed her negativity, saying she personally has PTSD from moving to quickly on previous matters.
Christy ? is a family doctor here in Sooke, and she is constantly seeing people who are impacted by a lack of daycare here in Sooke. Her own 3-year old goes to Sooke, and if she has to drive to another community, that will impact the number of clients she can see as a doctor in Sooke.
Jennifer Craig handed off a letter with a number of signatories. Craig, too, is wondering about her job in September. She asked if a special exception can be made for one property. Staff noted that that was a temporary use permit, and this property does not meet that criteria. Zoning applications take six months. The land owner has been there for two years, but this is the first that the District has heard of this.
- The mayor noted that if they look at amending a zone, that timeline is possible. It was done for brew pubs, and it was done for cannabis.
- Staff noted amending a bylaw means a first and second reading, and several other steps, including a public hearing.
Jenny Siglet(?) from East Sooke also spoke about the Sooke Montessori, noting that she drives 40 minutes, twice a day, and she watches her daughter bloom under this program. The setting is ideal. She wanted to add her voice to the priority and urgency of this.
Bylaws (6)
1. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 733 (600-70) – 6690 Rhodonite Drive, recommended First and Second reading
- The property is currently vacant.
- It is in a Community Growth Area in which low to medium density residential growth is directed.
- From the Report Summary: “The purpose of this application is to rezone the property known as 6690 Rhodonite Drive from Large Lot Residential (R1) to Medium Lot Residential (R2). The R2 zone permits horticulture, and single family or duplex dwellings. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow for the creation of a subdivision of up to 4 new bare land strata lots, measuring in size from 612 to 660 square meters. Although included under Development Permit Area #2, development permits are exempted for subdivisions creating four or fewer lots. The 2,827 square meter property is located within the Sewer Specified Area.”
- The parking allowance is two per dwelling, and one per suite.
- The applicant is proposing an affordable housing contribution amount of $30,000, or
$7,500 per lot. - The applicant will be providing cash in lieu of a 2m wide concrete sidewalk.
- There was also a cash-in-lieu offer for parkland.
- There would be no additional parking for visitors.
Counc. Beddows had a lot of troubles with this subdivision, as a bare minimum of space was allowed for each resident. It seems out of character for the neighbourhood. That’s the not the Sooke that he envisioned in this neighbourhood.
Counc. St-Pierre shared some of Beddows concerns, saying that the homes looked large for the size of the lots. Staff noted the drawings were just conceptual. What’s actually going in is as of yet undetermined.
Counc. Bateman asked about the internal road., and celebrated the 10% contribution to Affordable Housing.
Counc. Logins had concerns about the fire department access on the driveway.
The mayor noted that it is on the public transit route. She’s comfortable moving this forward to a public hearing.
Counc. St-Pierre noted his objection to large homes. He would support this motion, though, noting that currently two large homes could be built on this property. The generous contribution to Affordable Housing was also noted.
Council carried First (passed, Beddows opposed) and Second (amended, Beddows opposed) reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 733 (600-70) to rezone 6690 Rhodonite Drive from R1 Large Lot Residential to R2 Medium Lot Residential; and
A public hearing will be scheduled.
2. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 736 (600-71) – 1939 Maple Ave S Rezoning, recommended First and Second reading
The purpose of this application is to rezone a 3,849 square meter property known as 1939 Maple Ave from Large Lot Residential (R1) to Medium Lot Residential (R2). The R2 zone permits horticulture, and single family or duplex dwellings. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow for the creation of a subdivision of four fee simple lots, measuring in size from 800 square meters to 844 square meters (excluding panhandles). Although included under Development Permit Area #2, development permits are exempted for subdivisions creating four or fewer lots. The property is located within the Sewer Specified Area.
- The maximum potential is six lots, but the proposal is for four lots.
- A storm water management plan is required.
- The applicant is proposing an affordable housing contribution amount of $1000 per unit. Each home can have two units (ie, duplexes), so the maximum density would be $8,000
- A sidewalk cash-in-lieu would be recommended at the time of subdivision.
Counc. St-Pierre felt that $1,000 per unit for affordable housing wasn’t enough. He wanted to send the message to developers that Council is serious about growing their Affordable Housing funds.
Counc. Beddows echoed this concern, and felt that the access may be too narrow. Staff noted that this was within the parameters provided by the District. Staff also noted that affordable housing shouldn’t be the only reason why Council turns down a proposal.
Counc. Bateman observed the density of the proposal, and supported the development.
Council gave First and Second reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 736 (600-71) to rezone 1939 Maple Ave South from R1 Large Lot Residential to R2 Medium Lot Residential. Carried, with Logins and St-Pierre opposed.
It’s up to the developer to possibly modify the Affordable Housing contribution for the Public Hearing.
A public hearing will be scheduled.
The applicant spoke from the back of the room, unfortunately, it was not recorded or at any way on the record, so SPN cannot comment on what was said (watching from home).
3. Council Procedure Bylaw No. 728, 2019: THAT Council give First, Second and Third reading to the bylaw cited as Council Procedure Bylaw No. 728, 2019.
Mayor had some concerns, but was willing to try it. Further modifications may be required.
Carried unanimously
4. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 730 (600-69), 2019 – Cannabis Retail Consider adopting
A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 600, Sooke Zoning Bylaw, 2013 for the purpose of adding the definition of “Cannabis Retail Store” and adding this as a permitted use under the C2 General Commercial and C4 Commercial Recreation Zones.
Carried unanimously.
Staff noted that Sooke was setting records on getting ready for Cannabis retail.
A cannabis retail owner addressed Council from the galley, but SPN couldn’t make out what he was saying so that’s off the record too.
Riverside has been approved by the province.
5. Property Tax Rate Bylaw No. 735, 2019
Carried unanimously
6. Plastic Bag Ban – Draft Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw No. 734 Consider receiving for information, and AND THAT Council grant First and Second Readings to District of Sooke Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw No. 734, 2019;
Council Bateman recused himself, Mayor Tait noted it’s a bylaw matter so he was fine to stay in the room.
The Corporation of Esquimalt and the City of Victoria municipalities have moved forward with bylaws regarding use of single-use plastic bags in stores within their jurisdictions. This report is to assist in the decision on what action will be best suited for the District of Sooke.
Carried unanimously.
Notification will be sent to business owners.
Reports requiring action (4)
1. Business Licence Process: To update definitions and licence types and to address licence suspensions/cancellations, exemptions and cannabis applications
Farms to require business licenses. There is no exemption for farms.
It was noted by staff that the bylaw as it exists is very outdated. It should be updated to benefit the businesses. Currently, it’s not clearly defined when a business license can be suspended or cancelled. There are some businesses that need to be disciplined, but if challenged in court, the District would be laughed out.
728 businesses are currently licensed in Sooke. There’s no guesstimate on the number of businesses operating without a business license. When an unlicensed business is discovered, the Bylaw officer send them a business license application.
The report was received by Council.
Council will direct staff to update the bylaw and the business license policy. There was some discussion to letting Chamber business members have a reduced license fee, consideration for the future.
Riverside Cannabis has been approved by the province.
2. 2019 Long Line Painting: To authorize staff to contract Scottish Line Painting to perform long-line painting throughout the District of Sooke.
The 2019 5-Year Financial Plan has $50,000 budgeted for line painting in 2019. The municipalities of Colwood, Langford, and Esquimalt have hired Scottish Line Painting to perform their long-line painting, and Colwood has secured that the contractor offer the same unit rates to Sooke. The contractor is scheduled to do all painting between June 2nd and June 17th. Engineering requests permission to skip a formal RFQ process, and direct award the estimated $30,000 worth of painting to Scottish Line Painting.
The mayor noted that the crosswalks on Throup and Church (by the RCMP building) need to be included.
Carried unanimously
3. Rescue Pumper Apparatus Procurement: To approve HUB Fire Engines as thesuccessful proponent under the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase of a new Rescue Pumper Apparatus in the amount of $778,323.00 + taxes.
From the staff report: “Sooke Fire Rescue Department requires a new rescue pumper apparatus to replace Engine 3 (Unit 201) to perform essential duties associated with fire suppression. Through a public RFP process, HUB Fire Engines has been selected as the successful proponent through analysis of a proposal evaluation matrix that scores proposals based on bid price, apparatus build time, and mandatory and desirable criteria.”
Three proposals were received, and this was the best bid.
Carried unanimously.
4. 4X4 Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks Procurement: To approve Suburban Motors, Sigma Safety Corp. and Cap-It as the successful proponents under the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase of a 4X4 extended cab, long box pickup truck, canopy and install, in the amount of $73,871.00.
Carried unanimously
Correspondence
Correspondence: Received for the record.
Follow-up on
- Letter from Ms. George seeking relief from the speculation tax, Counc. Bateman noted they can’t do much. Sooke Council did ask for an exemption, but it lies with the province. Staff noted that they were just cc’d on it, and that the main letter went to MLA John Horgan.
- $10aday childcare, Counc. St-Pierre noted that affordable housing at home keeps kids at home. Sooke is not listed as supporting the program.
Verbal Reports
SEAPARC will be breaking ground on Thursday. The print paper was invited to attend.
Bateman noted there was a chronic communication challenge for government to reach their constituents. CRD will be posting a monthly report.
Tait noted she was on the fence about the CRD monthly report, saying much of that information was already there, people just had to go find it. It was an exercise that simply required more staff time.
Notices of Motion:
- Councillor Beddows – From the April 23, 2019 Regular Council Meeting: THAT Council direct Climate Change Action Committee (originally, he requested staff) to research and report back on options for bi-weekly municipal community garbage collection (and drop-off).
- Staff noted they wanted scope. Is he talking about setting up a municipal service? or, coordinating a local drop-off? or, …?
- Beddows said he was looking into contracting garbage service for the municipality.
- Logins wanted to see this referred to the Climate Change Action Committee.
- Beddows only concern with that is that sometimes things to go to committee to die.
- Tait noted that a committee can’t end anything, it would have to come back to Council with a recommendation.
- Carried unanimously.
- Councillor St-Pierre – From the April 23, 2019 Regular Council Meeting: THAT Council direct staff to provide a map of the Belvista/ Phillips and Highway 14 intersection in order to identify potential public parking opportunities on District Lands.
- Staff noted that that intersection is almost entirely the property of the Ministry of Transportation.
- Mayor Tait asked that mapping provide a map of who owns what. She then suggested that the District approach the Ministry to ask about their parking options.
- Carried unanimously.
- Councillor St-Pierre – From the April 23, 2019 Regular Council Meeting: THAT Council request staff bring forward an amenities policy/ bylaw within a year.
- Sooke doesn’t actually have an amenities bylaw. Developers expect to see this. Sooke had one, and then it was removed. Existing staff work could feed into this.
- Bateman noted that when the amenities bylaw was cancelled, that was in attempt to follow provincial best policies.
- Planning staff was unaware of a provincial amenities policy.
- Staff noted that this was a reasonable request, both in scope and in timeline, and that it would help them in their work with developers.
- Carried unanimously
To see the full agenda and video, click here.