MINUTES of a 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, January 22, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. M. Causton, Chairman

Councillor H. Braithwaite

Councillor S. F. B. Carson

Councillor A. R. Cassidy

Councillor P. Copley

Councillor J. D. Hebert

Councillor N. B. Jensen

STAFF:

Municipal Administrator, W. E. Cochrane

Municipal Clerk, L. Hilton

Confidential Secretary, K. Green

Director of Building and Planning, N. Beattie

Municipal Treasurer, P. A. Walker

Director of Engineering Services, D. Marshall

Chief Constable, B. Andersen

Deputy Chief Constable, R. Gaudet

 

Mayor Causton called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. 

 

MINUTES OF MEETINGS:

 

AGENDA:

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the agenda be amended with the addition of correspondence item no. 2007-42.

CARRIED

Council – January 8, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, January 8, 2007, be adopted.

CARRIED

 Committee of the Whole January 8, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, January 8, 2007, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Special Council January 15, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Copley

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on Monday, January 15, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

Committee of the Whole January 15, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, January 15, 2007, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2007-34

2007-34-1

2007-34-2

MUNICIPAL TREASURER, January 17, 2007

OAK BAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB, November 10, 2006

OAK BAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB, January 15, 2007

Re Request for Grants

 

It was explained that the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club has requested additional funding for the clubhouse renovations to meet part of its funding shortfall that has resulted from rising construction costs.  It was noted that this request is in addition to a grant to the Lawn Bowling Club previously approved, to be spread over three years at $20,000 per year, which is currently included in the Financial Plan. 

 

It was suggested that the request for an additional grant in the amount of $6,712 to assist the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club to cover its anticipated renovation shortfall be deferred to allow time for staff to arrange for a representative from the Club to come to the next Council meeting to further define its request.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That early approval be given for $20,000 for the expansion and renovation of the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Clubhouse as outlined in correspondence item no. 2007-34, being a memorandum from the Municipal Treasurer dated January 17, 2007.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the request for an additional grant in the amount of $6,712 to assist the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club as outlined in correspondence item no. 2007-34, being a memorandum from the Municipal Treasurer dated January 17, 2007, be deferred to the next meeting of Council.

CARRIED

 

2.

2007-35

RACEWEB.CA, [undated]

Re Request for Road Closures—Cadboro Bay Triathlon Event –

August 11, 2007

 

Adam Lawrence, Race Director, raceweb.ca, 129 Gorge Road East, stated that notification would be given to all affected property owners fourteen days prior to the event, and signs would be posted six days prior to the event to indicate where parking restrictions would occur.  He noted that he expected between 200 and 250 participants.

 

Mr. Lawrence indicated that the Cadboro Bay Triathlon event was not held in 2006, however the 2007 event will be the same as in 2005.  Mr. Lawrence answered further questions from Council with respect to the event.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That permission be granted for the closure of Beach Drive from 7:30 o’clock a.m. to 10:30 o’clock a.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2007, from the north boundary of the District of Oak Bay to Windsor Road for the staging of the Cadboro Bay Triathlon, subject to the following:

 

§         the event organizers indemnifying the District of Oak Bay from any liability in connection with the staging of the event;

§         approval of a traffic management and marshalling plan by the Oak Bay Police Department;

§         sufficient advance notice being given to all property owners along the proposed route; and

§         the event organizers bearing any extraordinary costs incurred by the municipality in connection with the road closure.

 

CARRIED

 

 

3.

2007-36

PENINSULA RUNNERS ATHLETIC SOCIETY, January 10, 2007

Re Request for Permission to Hold Half Marathon and Relay – May 20, 2007

 

David Milne, Peninsula Runners Athletic Society, noted that following discussing the route plan with Sgt. Craib of the Oak Bay Police Department, it was determined that a small adjustment to the race route would eliminate a bottleneck effect and improve the flow of participants.  An additional change from previous years would see an earlier start of the event to accommodate slower racers, noted Mr. Milne.

 

Responding to a member of Council expressing concern that the road closure request may affect businesses along the route, Mr. Milne said he would check with merchants regarding the proposed closures.

 

Mr. Milne advised of the beneficiaries of this fundraising event, noting that last year $5,000 was presented to the Help Fill a Dream Foundation and the Foundation would be the benefiting charity again in 2007.

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That approval for the road closures in connection with the half marathon and relay race proposed by Peninsula Runners Athletic Society, as indicated in correspondence item no. 2007-36, be approved subject to the following:

 

§         the event organizers indemnifying the District of Oak Bay from any liability in connection with the staging of the event;

§         approval of a traffic management and marshalling plan by the Oak Bay Police Department;

§         sufficient advance notice being given to all property owners along the proposed route; and

§         the event organizers bearing any extraordinary costs incurred by the municipality in connection with the road closures.

 

CARRIED

 

 

4.

2007-37

2007-37-1

OAK BAY GREEN COMMITTEE, January 7, 2007

LIZ ELLIOT, January 22, 2007

Re Request for Land to be Rezoned to Allow a Recycling Use

 

Rene de Vos, 2168 Guernsey Street, was in attendance representing the Oak Bay Green Committee saying that to date the trial soft plastic recycling program has been run by volunteers and the Committee hopes to form a resourceful collaboration with the Oak Bay High School Environmental Club to continue on with the project. 

 

In keeping with the Capital Regional District goal to divert waste from the landfill, it was noted by Mr. de Vos that soft plastic recycling has been a successful program in neighbouring municipalities and has helped reduce waste deposits at the Hartland landfill.

 

Regarding a question with respect to financing the program, Mr. de Vos noted that so far the costs have been funded through donations.  However, in the future, Mr. de Vos said that it is hoped that the soft plastic recycling program will be taken on by the Municipality or carried on at the regional level.

 

Appreciation was expressed with regard to the Oak Bay Green Committee’s thorough report submitted to Council on the soft plastic recycling program.

 

Acknowledging that property would have to be rezoned to permit a recycling use, it was the consensus of Council members that the soft plastic recycling program was a worthwhile project and that a committee should be formed, with the leadership of Councillor Cassidy, to find a suitable drop-off location to be considered for rezoning to ensure the program continues.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That correspondence item no. 2007-37 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

 

5.

2007-38

GONZALES COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL, January 15, 2007

Re Request for Permission for Fundraising Event - Public Park / Beach

Clean-Up Drive 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That permission be granted to the Gonzales Cooperative Preschool to conduct a litter cleanup fundraising campaign in public parks and beaches in the District of Oak Bay on Sunday, April 22, 2007, subject to the Preschool indemnifying the Municipality from any liability that may arise in connection with the staging of this event, and providing evidence of insurability to cover this indemnification.

 

CARRIED

 

6.

2007-39

MUNICIPAL TREASURER, January 18, 2007

Re Request for Early Approval to Replace Police Administration Vehicle

 

The Chief Constable said that the Oak Bay Police Board had discussed at length various options for replacement of the police administration vehicle and considered climate change and environmental issues when exploring those options.

 

It was the view of the Police Board that due to the low number of kilometres the police administration vehicle accumulates annually, the additional $12,000 required to purchase a hybrid vehicle was not justified.

 

There was discussion regarding the merits of a hybrid vehicle including the environmental benefits over a conventional vehicle such as the recommended four-cylinder Camry, and varying views and opinions were noted.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That early spending approval be given for the Police Department capital purchase of a replacement police administration vehicle as outlined in correspondence item no. 2007-39, being a memorandum from the Municipal Treasurer dated January 18, 2007.

 

CARRIED

(Councillor Jensen against the motion)

 

 

7.

2007-40

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR/ POLICE BOARD SECRETARY,

January 17, 2007

Re Regulation of Fireworks in Oak Bay

 

In response to a request that the Oak Bay Police Board provide advice to Council regarding amending the existing fireworks regulations in Oak Bay, the Municipal Administrator noted that the Board recommended that a bylaw be drafted similar to the more restrictive regulatory scheme that was adopted in the western communities last year, which, among other things, would ban the sale of fireworks.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That staff be directed to draft an amendment to the Fireworks and Firecracker Regulation Bylaw to bring the regulations in line with the western community model.

 

CARRIED

 

There was discussion regarding what regulations Council wished to see implemented, and although it was the view of several Council members that it was preferred to see a complete ban, therefore eliminating any gray area regarding the sale and use of fireworks in Oak Bay, there was consensus to consider an amendment along the lines of those recommended first.  Any new regulations, it was noted, could be revisited at a later date.

 

It was unknown whether or not the municipalities adjacent to Oak Bay (i.e. the City of Victoria and District of Saanich) were considering adoption of a “lower mainland” or a “western community” regulatory regime with respect to fireworks.  Therefore, it was suggested that the resolution be tabled in order to provide time to ascertain what regulations those municipalities plan to implement and to give consideration to whether Council wished to adopt similar regulations as its neighbours.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That the motion be tabled.

 

CARRIED

(Councillor Cassidy against the motion)

 

 

8.

2007-41

UNION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MUNICIPALITIES, January 3, 2007

Re 2007 UBCM Membership Dues

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That approval be given for the payment of Union of British Columbia Municipalities membership dues for 2007 in the amount of $8,053.59.

 

CARRIED

 

 

9.

2007-42

BPI – AND SHE WAS FILMS INC., January 22, 2007

Re Request for Road Closure for Film Production

 

Ted Bauman, BPI-And She Was Films Inc., 758 Queens Avenue, apologized for the last minute request for a road closure to accommodate filming which, he said, was driven by the uncooperative weather.  Mr. Bauman described the nature of the filming at the locations outlined in correspondence item no. 2007-42. 

 

Responding to questions regarding notice to neighbours that would be affected by the road closure and filming, Mr. Bauman agreed to ensure that notification would be circulated as soon as possible.  Mr. Bauman further noted that he now wished to request the road closure from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. rather than the times laid out in his letter.

 

The Municipal Clerk noted that given the short timelines and limited staff resources available, there was not sufficient time to prepare the usual documentation associated with the road closure, associated film vehicle parking, and intermittent traffic control requests to appropriately protect the Municipality from liability.

 

Noting that while staff would process the request should it be approved by Council, the Municipal Administrator drew attention to a possible imbalance between the cost and benefit to the Municipality in relation to filming requests, and the difficulties staff face in dealing with late requests such as those before Council.  He suggested that the film industry needs to allow a more appropriate time frame for staff to accommodate its applications.

 

Although Council indicated its support for the BC Film Industry using Oak Bay as a filming location, staff concerns were acknowledged, and the applicants were requested to allow more time for approvals in any future applications.

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That approval be given for closure of the 2200 Block of Neil Street on Friday, January 26, 2007, between the hours of 11:30 o’clock a.m. to 3:00 o’clock p.m., to facilitate a film production.

CARRIED

 

NEW BUSINESS/REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Floor Area Ratio Committee - Reinstatement

 

Mayor Causton reported that it was Council’s view that the Floor Area Ratio Review Committee should be reconstituted with the original members to further review the floor area regulations, and not to add any new members to the Committee as was previously contemplated.

 

However, he noted, it is Council’s intention to have a public information session regarding floor area regulations prior to proceeding to public hearing on any recommended bylaw changes that might emerge following the review of the proposed regulations by the Heritage Advisory Panel.

 

Traffic Changes with Respect to Reconfiguration of Monterey School

 

As the School Liaison, Councillor Jensen reported that the School District No. 61 Chair indicated that public consultation is well underway with respect to the study being undertaken regarding traffic and pedestrian safety issues resulting from the school reconfiguration, which includes a survey being sent out to parents, as well as a stakeholders’ meeting being organized for March.

 

Bicycle Lanes in Oak Bay

 

In response to Councillor Jensen inquiring as to when Council could anticipate a report from staff regarding cycling lanes in Oak Bay, Mayor Causton said he had met with the Director of Engineering Services and a report is anticipated to come forward to the Committee of the Whole at its meeting to be held February 5, 2007, which would be in time for the LocalMotion grant application deadline of February 16, 2007. 

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Development Variance Permit – 925 Foul Bay Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a development variance permit with respect to Lot A of the proposed bare land strata subdivision of 925 Foul Bay Road (Lot 1, Sections 23 and 68, Victoria District, Plan 2600, except parts in Parcel A (DD 239888-I) and in Plan 10577), which would vary the requirements of Bylaw No. 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as follows:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

6.4.4.(2).(b) Minimum

Rear Lot Line Setback

7.62 metres

7.42 metres

0.20 metres

 

substantially as shown on the sketch plan appended to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-27, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated December 19, 2006, upon the applicant satisfying all conditions of preliminary approval set out by the Approving Officer, and registration of the subdivision plan.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the resolution in respect to the Development Variance Permit for 925 Foul Bay Road be tabled to enable notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

 

Development Variance Permit – 2397 Lincoln Road

 

Councillor Cassidy left the meeting at 9:08 p.m., citing the possibility of a perceived bias as one of his employees is a relative of the applicant.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit with respect to 2397 Lincoln Road (LOT 9, BLOCK 12, SECTION 2, VICTORIA DISTRICT, PLAN 379), that will vary the Parking Facilities Bylaw, 1986 in Section 4.7 to reduce the number of required parking spaces from two to one and in Section A.1.(a) to Schedule A, to relax the requirement that one-half (1/2) of the required parking spaces for a one-family residential use dwelling be contained within a building.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the resolution in respect to the Development Variance Permit for 2397 Lincoln Road be tabled to enable notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

Councillor Cassidy returned to the meeting at 9:09 p.m.

 

 

Oak Bay/Saanich Police Services Agreement

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorized to execute the Agreement between the District of Saanich and the District of Oak Bay for the provision of specialized police services substantially in the form attached to the resolution printed for the purpose of the January 22, 2007 regular Council meeting agenda.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS:

 

For Adoption

 

Bylaw No. 4339

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4339, Financial Plan Bylaw, 2006, Amendment Bylaw, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

Bylaw No. 4341

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4341, Sewer User Charge Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

(Councillor Braithwaite, Cassidy, and Herbert against the motion)

 

Bylaw No. 4342

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That Bylaw No. 4342, Water Rate Bylaw Consumption Charge Amendment Bylaw, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Bylaw No. 4343  

 

MOVED by Councillor Copley

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4343, Streets and Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Bylaw No. 4344  

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4344, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For First, Second and Third Reading

 

Bylaw No. 4345

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4345, Building and Plumbing Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2007, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4345, Building and Plumbing Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2007, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4345, Building and Plumbing Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2007, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

Bylaw No. 4346

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4346, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2007, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4346, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2007, be read a second time.

 

Responding to questions from a member of Council the Municipal Administrator noted that the fine structuring process and fees are comparable to other municipalities.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4346, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2007, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

Bylaw No. 4347

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4347, Short Term Capital Borrowing Bylaw, 2007, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4347, Short Term Capital Borrowing Bylaw, 2007, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4347, Short Term Capital Borrowing Bylaw, 2007, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the open portion of the meeting of Council be adjourned and that a closed session be convened to discuss the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements if the Council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the Municipality; labour relations or employee negotiations; and, 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.

 

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

 

 

Certified Correct:

 

 

 

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