This was the last Regular Council Meeting for the summer. The next regularly scheduled Council Meeting and Committee of the Whole are on September 12. The full agenda in PDF format is available here: Agenda (without correspondence), and Correspondence.

Disclaimer: These are SPN takeaways, an impression of what happened at the meeting; it is not the authoritative final version. SPN will not have the exact wording of motions. For that, you will have to wait for the approved minutes to be passed by Council. As always, corrections are welcome. The error will remain but will crossed out (like this) and the correction will appear in red following the error.

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CALL TO ORDER – Open Portion

Absent: Councillors Kerry Reay, Kevin Pearson, and Bev Berger
Present: Mayor Maja Tait and Councillors Rick Kasper, Ebony Logins and Brenda Parkinson

All previous minutes were approved, including:

• June 27, 2016 Regular Council Meeting minutes
• June 7, 2016 Parks and Trails Committee minutes
• June 23, 2016 Climate Change Action Committee minutes
• June 29, 2016 SPA Committee minutes

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DELEGATIONS – REQUESTS TO ADDRESS COUNCIL (or Presentations – 5 minute time limit each)

D-1: Whiffin Spit Dog Park Delegation Information

• Wants to see a soup kitchen in Sooke that offer one, two or three warm meals a day. Food bank use has increased 22% in the past year.
• Wants to see affordable housing, referred to some community villages in other places, eg Emerald Village.
• Pets are often the only family they have.
• Current estimate is that there are 50 homeless people in Sooke.

Ultimately there were two requests in this presentation: The first was that the District of Sooke set up a task force to took at housing, Tait said they want to look at all varieties of housing. Logins acknowledged very high vacancy rates, never mind those with pets. Homelessness among youth is particularly high. Tait said they are planning an event in the fall.

Second was an off-leash area for dogs, Tait said current understanding was that dogs were allowed off-leash on Whiffen Spit provided they are controlled by their owners.

D-2: Request for Funding, Sooke Philharmonic Society – Kathleen Campbell Delegation Information

The Sooke Philharmonic Society requested $5,000 in funding to support the Sooke Philharmonic prepare for next year’s Fling.

• Acknowledged request should have come in in March, but due to volunteer changes, things are happening now. Costs have risen and previous funders have not had funds available this year. They will be cutting two events next year (7 instead of 9) to cut costs. Campbell asked for the commitment now as they need to make a decision by August.
• Kasper supports and noted that the arts funding need to go through a separate committee, which meet again on July 22. Tait noted that their recommendations need to go back to Council and they won’t meet again until Sept. Kasper suggested it be approved with Committee funds. Parkinson asked for clarity, was it for this year’s or next year’s Fling? Campbell noted they can get by for this year, but need confirmation for next year. Parkinson wants to see us supporting the Fling. Logins noted a $3,300 loss, and that funds given would go towards that loss, Campbell assured it would go to project moving forward.
• Mr Mitchell rose to say, the request was for next year. Project is helping students. Everything must be planned a year in advance.
• Kasper moved the application be approved, Parkinson seconded that. Councillor Logins is opposed, Kasper and Parkinson approved.

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PUBLIC QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD (10 minutes – 2 minute time limit per person)

2016 Statement of Financial Information * As per direction from Council June 27, 2016

Ms. Lewers asked about revenue drop connected with the sale of some properties over the past year, and wondered where that was shown. She also had questions about the Demamiel property (golf course) and purchase of the library, and wanted to see where those funds were. Property loss of revenue is important to the District’s tax base. Brent Blackhall, Director of Finance, noted that property revenues are addressed in the budget but not in the SOFI.

Ms. Lewers also questioned where in our budget are the council resolutions to not print agendas, as agendas have been a part of the budget since we incorporated. She wanted to know why, and when.

Gabryel Joseph, Director of Corporate Services and Acting Corporate Officer noted that this was an operational decision. Councillor Kasper, referencing the devices (iPads) in front of the Councillors, noted that the move towards paperless began back in 2014 when the iPads were first received. He noted that was the first step in going paperless. Mayor Tait observed that there was no resolution, but it’s policy. Ms. Lewers responded that not all the public have such devices. The removal of paper eliminates some members of the public from being involved. She wants Council to reconsider this, as paper is one of the mediums that keeps people engaged.

General Public Question and Comment

1. The first speaker was interested in address harassment and was unaware of the policy restricting input to items on the current agenda. Mayor Tait said she didn’t write anything in the paper. “I didn’t write to the paper.” This gentleman suggested that he has a few comments he would like to make, when harassment makes the agenda.
2. The second speaker did not recall that the public input section needed to be specific to the agenda. She was informed that to make any submission other than what’s on the agenda, a delegation must be made.
3. The third speaker commented on the homelessness issue, noting that she herself knows of at least four families struggling with homelessness, through either drug addiction or bad luck. She was glad to hear it’s being addressed.
4. The fourth speaker also commented about homelessness. She was rendered homeless by the Grant manor fire. She has a small dog. It’s taken her a year to find a place, and the place she just found is high rent. She is also glad to hear Council is looking at this.
5. The fifth speaker noted that there was a time when a portion of meetings were open to the public, on any issues. Mayor Tait noted it was at the Committee of the Whole. The speaker also wanted to remind Council, on the homelessness/affordability issue, that when Sooke allowed for suites in all homes, it was for affordable housing purposes.
6. The sixth speaker noted she was favour much in favour of a homeless program. As the owner of a small excavating business, she would be able to donate time and/or services. Tait said the timing would be sometime in the fall.

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PUBLIC INPUT AND INFORMATION MEETINGS and Related Reports BYLAWS

B-1: Bylaw No. 604, Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (400-7) & Bylaw No. 605, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-13) – Kennedy Closed Road * Report to Council * MoTI approval granted June 30, 2016 for Bylaw No. 605 * Council to consider Adoption of Bylaws 604 and 605 Staff Report

• Carried.

B-2: Bylaw No. 636, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-24)- 7125 Grant Road * Report to Council * Council to consider First and Second Readings of Bylaw No. 636 * Council to direct staff to schedule a Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 636 Staff Report

• First reading, passed, Second reading carried, Public hearing to be scheduled. Development agreement passed.

B-3: Bylaw No. 645, Sooke Core Sewer Specified Area Amendment Bylaw (147-27) – 7125 Grant Road West * Report to Council * Council to consider receipt of petition and First, Second and Third Readings of Bylaw No. 645 Staff Report

• First and second reading, third reading, carried.

B-4: Bylaw No. 642, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-28)- 7090 Grant Road/ 2105 Firwood Place * Report to Council * MoTI approval granted July 4, 2016 for Bylaw No. 642 * Council to consider Adoption of Bylaw No. 642 Staff Report

• Carried

B-5: Bylaw No. 644, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-30)- Silver Spray (Sooke Point) Water Lot W1 to W3 Rezoning * Report to Council * Council to consider Third Reading of Bylaw of Bylaw No. 644 Staff Report

• Parkingson moved 3rd reading. Motion was on the screen, not in the Staff Report. Carried.

B-6: Bylaw No. 646, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-31) – A portion of 7021 Grant Road * Report to Council * Council to consider First and Second Readings of Bylaw No. 646 * Council to direct staff to schedule a Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 646 Staff Report

• First, second readings carried. Staff to schedule public meeting in September.

B-7: Bylaw No. 647, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-32) – A portion of 6038 Sooke Road & Text Amendment to the RU3 Zone * Report to Council * Council to consider First and Second Readings of Bylaw No. 647 Council to direct staff to schedule a Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 647 Staff Report

• First reading, passed; second reading, carried. Staff directed to schedule public meeting.

Bylaw No. 638, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-33) – 6816 West Coast Road * Report to Council * Council to consider First and Second Readings of Bylaw No. 638 * Council to direct staff to schedule a Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 638 Staff Report

• First and second readings carried. Public meeting scheduled.

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REPORTS Requiring Action:

RA-1: Remedial Action – 6543 Sooke Road * Report to Council * Opportunity to be heard * Council to consider recommendation Staff Report (Discussed earlier)

• Ms Mills gave a staff report requesting remedial action. No further action has been taken to clean up the property. Requests that Council grants authority to remove the garbage, expenses associated would be added to the property taxes. Carried.

RA-2: Recommendations from Parks and Trails Advisory Committee * Council to consider recommendation Staff Report

• Stop watering park lawns, with the exception of Ed MacGregor Park, during Stage 2 and 3 watering restrictions (established lawns only, not shrubs/trees and flowers). Carried.
• Investigate the safety equipment at Broomhill Park. Some of the structures are rusting. Carried.
• Investigate the pedestrian link between Horne Rd and Goodmere Rd. Water drainage problem in this particular area. Carried.
• Mark Ziegler from the Committee spoke to this item.

RA-3: Recommendation from Climate Change Action Committee * Council to consider recommendation Staff Report

• That Council allocate funding in the 2017-2020 Five Year Financial Plan to a develop feasibility study for a municipally run commercial compost facility utilizing bio-solids and yard waste.
• Mr. Bateman presented as chairman of the Climate Change Action Committee.
• Mayor Tait liked the idea, but wanted staff to look into what a feasibility study would cost.
• Carried

RA-4: Award of Request for Quote – Grant Road Shoulder Widening * Report to Council * Council to consider recommendation Staff Report

• That Council approve Wittich Environmental Services as the successful proponent for the Grant Rd Shoulder Widening project.
• For a two meter wide paved shoulder. south side, elevated by two inches, from Otter Point down to Maple, and will include some intersection improvements.
• Carried

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REPORTS For Information – Council, Committees, COW and Commissions and Staff (CAO, Development Services)

RI-1: Mayor and Council Reports (Verbal)

• Communities in Bloom judges will be here next week, Thurs 21/Fri/depart on Sat.
• Health Summit report is being prepared. Sooke is the biggest rural community in BC without a hospital. Duncan and Chemainus have hospitals. Analog x-ray in Sooke is not operating, it broke down, and they are looking for parts.
• In spite of the rain, water is evaporating quickly and the fire hazard rating remains high.
• Mayor Tait is gone between Jul 18-Aug 3, and Councillor Logins will be acting mayor.
• October will see a series of community engagement events. “Talk-tober,” as it was coined by the CAO, will engage “as many people as we can.”

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CORRESPONDENCE For Information:

I-1: Correspondence received June 21 – July 5, 2016 Correspondence updated. Received.

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REPORT OF IN CAMERA RESOLUTIONS

Report:

Parking along highway 14 in front of the Prestige, no parking will be permitted along the highway. Signs will go up and tickets will be issued. To begin, there will be “gentle reminders.” The marina will be notified of these changes.

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ADJOURNMENT