MINUTES of a regular meeting of the MUNICIPAL COUNCIL of The Corporation of the District of Oak Bay, held in the Council Chambers, Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, Oak Bay, B.C., on Monday, November 14, 2005.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. M. Causton

Councillor A. R. Cassidy

Councillor J. D. Herbert

Councillor N. B. Jensen

Councillor C. Macey-Brown

STAFF:

Municipal Administrator, W. E. Cochrane

Municipal Clerk, L. Hilton

Executive Secretary, D. Beesley

Director of Building and Planning, N. Beattie

Municipal Engineer, S. G. Pitt

Municipal Treasurer, P. A. Walker

 

Mayor Causton called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.

 

MINUTES OF MEETING:

 

Council – October 24, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the meeting of Municipal Council held on Monday, October 24, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

Committee of the Whole – November 7, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the meeting of Committee of the Whole, and the recommendations contained therein, held on Monday, November 7, 2005, be adopted.

 

Attention was drawn to the Sequoia tree located at 1318 Transit Road, and its potential heritage significance, and the Municipal Administrator indicated that the proposed covenant would protect any mature trees on the property.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2005-293

2005-293-1

ANN AND IAN MACMILLAN, October 7, 2005

MUNICIPAL CLERK, November 9, 2005

Re Proposed Purchase of Part of Maquinna Street Right of Way

 

The Director of Building and Planning noted that the owners of 24 Maquinna have reduced the area they wish to purchase of the Maquinna Street right of way adjacent to their property.  The new proposal, said Mr. Beattie, does not include the land where the hydro poles stand.  Mr. Beattie also confirmed that the dwelling at 24 Maquinna was currently non-conforming on the lot with respect to its floor area ratio.

 

Responding to questions from Council, Mr. Cochrane noted that public notice via a newspaper advertisement is the only statutory requirement for notice regarding the potential sale of public land.  However, he said, it would be possible to informally notify residents individually via a mailed notice if Council wished.  Council directed staff to notify the neighbours and report back to it with any feedback it received prior to moving forward with the process.

 

There was discussion regarding the restrictive covenant that the District would place on the property concurrent with the sale, that would restrict building on the new area of land as well as restrict the floor area ratio to that permitted for the lot size prior to the increase from the land proposed to be purchased.  Varying views and opinions were noted.

 

The Municipal Administrator explained that the policy decision before Council is whether or not it feels that it would be in the best interests of the District to sell this portion of the municipal right-of-way after considering all of the information on this issue.  Should Council wish to proceed, said Mr. Cochrane, an appraisal would be sought for the land in question.

 

There was consensus to move forward with obtaining an appraisal on the revised area of land proposed to be purchased.

 

2.

2005-294

OAK BAY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, November 9, 2005

Re Request for Approval of Plans for Oak Bay Christmas Festival

 

Geoff Beatty, President, Oak Bay Business Improvement Association, noted that there was an error in his original letter, and the ‘Snow in Oak Bay’ would occur on Friday, December 16th.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association’s Oak Bay Christmas Festival activities as detailed in item no. 2005-294 be approved subject to ·the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association indemnifying the Municipality from any liability arising from the staging of the Christmas Festival activities and providing evidence of adequate liability insurance to cover this indemnification, and that approval be given for the payment of any staff overtime costs for the Christmas light up event in connection to the plans for the Oak Bay Christmas Festival.

CARRIED

 

3.

2005-295

MUNICIPAL CLERK, October 25, 2005

Re Bylaw Enforcement—Recommendation to File Contravention Notice Against Title—2490 Dryfe Street

 

The Director of Building and Planning reviewed the bylaw enforcement process that has taken place, stating that Ms. Robinson took out a building permit to close in her existing garage. The Zoning Bylaw, said Mr. Beattie, requires two covered parking spaces per dwelling on a property and during the course of the renovations to Mrs. Robinson’s house, said Mr. Beattie, a separate carport was not constructed as required.  Ms. Robinson has been contacted on various occasions regarding the outstanding requirement, said Mr. Beattie.

 

Responding to a question from Council, the Municipal Clerk confirmed that the owner of 2490 Dryfe Street has been made aware of the Notice Against Title recommendation via a letter from the municipality sent registered mail. 

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown,

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to file a Bylaw Contravention Notice in the Victoria Land Title Office Stating that a resolution has been adopted pursuant to Section 57 of the Community Charter by Oak Bay Municipal Council, relating to land legally described as Lot 41, Section 28, Victoria District, Plan 8600, and that further information respecting the resolution may be inspected at the Office of the Municipal Clerk at 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, BC  V8R 1G2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

           

Responding to a question from a member of Council, the Director of Building and Planning stated that the occupancy permit has not been issued, and would not be until the second covered parking space is constructed on the property. 

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

4.

2005-296

MUNICIPAL CLERK, November 7, 2005

Re Bylaw Enforcement—Recommendation to File Contravention Notice Against Title—2653 Dalhousie Street

 

Councillor Herbert declared a conflict of interest with respect to this Item in as much as he lives behind the property at 2563 Dalhousie Street. Councillor Cassidy also declared a conflict of interest in that he has a social relationship with a person who lives at 2653 Dalhousie Street.  There was no longer a quorum to consider this Item, therefore there was consensus to remove it from the Agenda.   

 

5.

2005-297

KEN GRANT, October 21, 2005

Re Request for Heritage Designation—1538 Beach Drive

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Item No. 2005-297 be deferred for consideration by the municipal Council of 2006, enabling the request for heritage designation to be referred, if required, to the newly formed Heritage Advisory Panel subject to the adoption of Bylaw No. 4298, Heritage Committee Structure Bylaw, 2005.

CARRIED

 

6.

2005-298

GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, October 31, 2005

GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, October 31, 2005

Re 2006 Provisional Budget and Strategic Plan

 

The Municipal Administrator stated that the Treasurer has included the Library’s provisional budget in the District’s 2006 budget, and that typical practice of Council at this time would be to receive the budget and for information only.

 

Concerns were raised by some members of Council regarding a number of items with respect to the Library’s 2006 Provisional Budget and Strategic Plan, namely:

§          The budget approval process;

§          The large increase to the budget for new materials, given that the Victoria Library is rated fifth out of 37 for holdings of books per capita;

§          If the budget for the newly created Tillicum Library branch, which was initially approved for in 2005, was sustained the increase would have to be offset by increasing property taxes in the District of Oak Bay;

§          The Strategic Plan does not contain information regarding how it is to be carried out financially; and

§          A 5.2% budget increase, such as is proposed for the Library, would be untenable for the District’s own budget.

 

Responding to Council’s concerns, Councillor Jensen, Oak Bay’s representative on the Greater Victoria Public Library Board, noted that he has made the Board aware of some of these concerns, particularly with respect to the budget approval process.

 

Councillor Jensen commented on the Library’s Strategic Plan, stating that it was not the Board’s intention for it to contain financial background information, rather the Plan is more of a mandate or a set of objectives for reference purposes.  Councillor Jensen also noted that an increase in users for a new branch such as Tillicum would not equal an increase in revenue that, in turn, would bring the Library budget down.

 

There was further discussion regarding the budget and it was felt that representatives of the Greater Victoria Public Library should be invited to a meeting to address Council’s concerns.

 

MOVED by Mayor Causton

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That consideration of the Greater Victoria Public Library’s 2006 Provisional Budget and Strategic Plan be deferred and that representatives of the Greater Victoria Library Board be invited to attend a meeting of Council to address its concerns.

            CARRIED

 

7.

2005-299

ROGER COLWILL, November 6, 2005

Re Request for Grant of $100 for Restorative Justice Oak Bay’s Annual General Meeting

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Council approve a grant in the amount of $100 for Restorative Justice Oak Bay’s Annual General Meeting.

CARRIED

 

8.

2005-300

CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER, October 24, 2005

Re Report of Election by Acclamation

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That this Item be received.

CARRIED

 

9.

2005-301

MUNICIPAL TREASURER, November 9, 2005

Re Grant Requests for Centennial Committee Projects

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Council approve the payment of a grant to Oak Bay Rental Investments Ltd toward the cost of refurbishing the Oak Bay Theatre sign in the amount of 50% of the cost or $2,500, whichever is less, and further that approval be given for a grant to the Kiwanis Club of Oak Bay in the amount of $250.

CARRIED

 

10.

2005-302

MUNICIPAL TREASURER, November 10, 2005

Re Community Tourism Program Application

 

Responding to a question from Council, the Municipal Treasurer noted that Centennial celebration costs incurred by the District after April, 2005 would be eligible for a grant under the Community Tourism Program.

 

There was consensus that the application be amended to reflect that any Centennial expenses not covered by either sponsors or the Community Tourism Program funds will be funded by taxes.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That Council approve the application for funding of the Centennial Celebrations through the Community Tourism Program, in the amount of $58,162, and accept the terms and conditions of the program as set out in section 6.4 of the Program and Access Guide and that the Centennial Celebrations budget, as attached to the Community Tourism Program Application, be approved.

CARRIED

 

11.

2005-303

MUNICIPAL TREASURER, November 10, 2005

Re Funding of Adult Crossing Guards

 

Mayor Causton noted that there is a not-for-profit society that may take over the administration of the Adult Crossing Guard program for the future.  It was the view of Council that until the matter of administration of the program has been settled, payment for crossing guards should be limited to the remainder of 2005 at this point.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Council approve a grant of $1,440 to the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils for the Adult Crossing Guard program for the months of November and December, 2005.

CARRIED

 

12.

2005-304

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, October 31, 2005

Re Community Works Funding Agreements (Gas Tax Transfer)

 

The Municipal Administrator reviewed the Funding Agreement issued by the Federal government, the Union of B.C. Municipalities, and the Province of British Columbia issued to the District of Oak Bay under the Tier 2 classification (specific listed regional districts with relatively high population densities in B.C.), noting that there were certain spending and financial reporting requirements set out in the Agreement. 

 

Mr. Cochrane recommended that the entire amount of Oak Bay’s allocation be set aside for sewer infrastructure work required to comply with the CRD Liquid Waste Management Plan and the Province’s principal sewage regulation.  He noted that the required work included the separation of the combined sewage system in the Uplands, along with the reduction of influx and infiltration in the rest of the Municipality.

 

Mr. Cochrane noted that expenditures funded by the gas tax monies could not include municipal employee salaries unless it was not economically feasible to tender the work.  He said that this would be a substantial departure for the Oak Bay Engineering Department, which up to this time has not been involved in contract tendering and management to a significant degree.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and do all things necessary to execute the Community Works Fund Agreement, regarding transfer of federal gas tax revenues under the “New Deal for Cities and Communities”, as attached to the circular from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities dated October 25, 2005.

CARRIED

 

13.

2005-305

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, November 7, 2005

Re New Organized Crime Enforcement Unit

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and do all things necessary to execute the “CFSEU – BC Municipal Indemnity Agreement”, as attached to Item No. 2005-305.

 

REPORT FROM CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRCT DIRECTOR:

 

Mayor Causton advised that the Capital Regional District Board meeting schedule has been amended for December, 2005; the only meeting will be held on December 7th.

 

NEW BUSINESS / REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Fireworks Regulations

 

Members of Council raised the issue of the use of fireworks in the District of Oak Bay and requested input from staff regarding possibly strengthening the Fireworks and Firecracker Regulation Bylaw, 1999.

 

MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS:

 

December Meeting Schedule

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the regular meeting schedule of Council and Committee of the Whole be suspended for the month of December, 2005 and the following substituted:

 

Council (Inaugural Meeting)….. December 5, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

 

Council...…………………….. December 12, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

 

CARRIED

Development Variance Permit—1022 St. Patrick Street

 

Councillor Jensen declared a conflict of interest with regards to this resolution in that he received assistance for his municipal election campaign from the owner of 1022 St. Patrick Street.  Councillor Jensen left the meeting at 9:07 p.m.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit in respect to Lot 19, Block Z, Section 23, Victoria District, Plan 982 (1022 St. Patrick Street) that will vary the following sections of the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as amended, to permit renovations to the single family dwelling in accordance with the plans considered by Committee of the Whole on November 7, 2005:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

6.5.4.(7) Distance Between Buildings

3.0 metres

0 metres

3.0 metres

6.5.4.(2).(a) Front Lot Line Setback

7.62 metres

7.21 metres

0.41 metres

6.5.4.(11) Second Storey Interior Side Lot Line Setback

3.0 metres

1.86 metres

1.14 metres

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That That the resolution in respect to the Development Variance Permit for 1022 St. Patrick Street be tabled to enable notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

Councillor Jensen returned to the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

 

BYLAWS:

 

For Third Reading and Final Adoption

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4293, Sixty-Sixth Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2005 be read a third time.

 

Responding to a question from Council, the Municipal Administrator said he was not sure whether the Federal government would claim exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of large dish-style television antennae.  He noted, however, that the amendments did not change the current regulations with respect to this category of structure, which would continue to be applied on their face unless there was a definitive ruling to the contrary on the jurisdictional issue.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4293, Sixty-Sixth Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2005 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4294, Streets and Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2005 be read a third time.

                                    CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4295, Sixty-Seventh Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2005 be read a third time.

 

Responding to a question, the Municipal Administrator stated that there was no “sunset clause” in this Bylaw, and it would be necessary to follow the regular process for repealing a bylaw if Council chose to change the regulations in the future.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4295, Sixty-Seventh Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2005 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

For First, Second and Third Readings

 

No readings were given to Bylaw No. 4296, Greater Victoria Public Library Operating Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2005.

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4297, Mayor and Councillors Annual Indemnity Bylaw, 2006 be read a first time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4297, Mayor and Councillors Annual Indemnity Bylaw, 2006 be read a second time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4297, Mayor and Councillors Annual Indemnity Bylaw, 2006 be read a third time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4298, Heritage Committee Structure Bylaw, 2005 be read a first time.

CARRIED

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4298, Heritage Committee Structure Bylaw, 2005 be read a second time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4298, Heritage Committee Structure Bylaw, 2005 be read a third time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4299, Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club Licence Authorization Bylaw, 2006 be read a first time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4299, Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club Licence Authorization Bylaw, 2006 be read a second time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4299, Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club Licence Authorization Bylaw, 2006 be read a third time.

CARRIED

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the open portion of the meeting of Council be adjourned and that a closed session be convened to discuss personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the Municipality or another position appointed by the Municipality.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

 

Certified Correct

 

 

 

 

Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

 

Mayor