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 28, 2005.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. M. Causton

Councillor S. F. B. Carson

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

Chief Constable, B. Andersen

 

Mayor Causton called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

PRESENTATION:       COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL

                                    Re:  Grant Presentations by Ms. Floelle Watson

 

Councillor Macey-Brown introduced the groups who were to receive grants from the Community Arts Council, the first being the Oak Bay Studio Artists and the second being the South Island International Folk Dancers.

 

Bruce Clarke, President, Greater Victoria Arts Council, noted that the Community Arts Council represents the four core municipalities which includes Oak Bay.  He acknowledged the two organizations being presented with the awards, thanking them for their contributions to the community.

 

Floelle Watson, Community Arts Council presented cheques in the amount of $250 each to Jill Croft, member, Oak Bay Studio Artists, and Pam Rudy, Acting President, South Island International Folk Dancers.

 

 

MINUTES OF MEETING:

 

Public Hearing – November 14, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Hearing held on Monday, November 14, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

Council – November 14, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, November 14, 2005, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Special Council – November 21, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on Monday, November 21, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

Committee of the Whole – November 21, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the report of the meeting of Committee of the Whole, and the recommendations contained therein, held on Monday, November 21, 2005, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2005-298

2005-298-1

GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, October 31, 2005

GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, October 31, 2005

Re 2006 Provisional Budget and Strategic Plan

 

Mayor Causton noted that the Chair of the Greater Victoria Public Library Board as well as Oak Bay Library staff were in attendance to answer questions arising out of the Library’s Provisional Budget and Strategic Plan.  Mayor Causton noted that the Library’s Provisional Budget has already been incorporated into the 2006 provisional budget for the municipality.

 

Concerns were raised by a member of Council regarding:

§          the increase in the Library’s Budget relative to the cost of living;

§          the increase to the Budget for new books;

§          the absence of information in the Strategic Plan regarding how the Plan is to be carried out financially, and

§          the budget approval forumla.

 

Martha Anslow, District of Oak Bay’s citizen representative to the Greater Victoria Public Library Board, responded to the concerns regarding the increased costs for materials, explaining that the increase is for books, audio visual equipment and other materials.

 

Glynn Jones, Controller/Treasurer, Greater Victoria Public Library, advised that the newly created Tillicum Branch was the main contributor to this increase.

 

Ms. Anslow noted that Councillor Jensen had brought forward Oak Bay’s concerns to the Board with regards to the voting process and advised that the Board hired KPMG to conduct a governance review and that the budget approval process was not brought up as a major consensus issue in that report.  However, said Ms. Anslow, the Library Board did discuss its budget approval formula, but did not find a desirable alternative.

 

Responding to a question from Council, Ms. Anslow stated that the Board did not investigate a range of percentages to plug into the formula for Budget approval given that there was no majority consensus that the formula was an issue.

 

When asked if the budget approval formula contemplated by Capital Region Emergency Services Telecommunications could be investigated, Ms. Anslow agreed that it could be looked at by a standing committee of the Board.

 

Ms. Anslow provided an overview of the purpose of the Strategic Plan, noting that it was not the Board’s intention to have the Strategic Plan supported by a financial plan.  Under the Board’s direction, said Ms. Anslow, a consultant was hired to work with the Board to produce the Plan.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen,

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the Greater Victoria Public Library Provisional Budget and Strategic Plan be received.

CARRIED

 

2.

2005-312

POLICE BOARD SECRETARY, November 16, 2005

Re 2006 Provisional Budget—Oak Bay Police Board

 

Mayor Causton welcomed James Murtagh, who was in attendance, as the newest appointee to the Oak Bay Police Board.

 

Addressing Chief Constable Ben Andersen, a member of Council pointed out that many communities are re-evaluating the use of police vehicles, and asked Chief Andersen if the Oak Bay Police Department has investigated the possibility of reducing its vehicle fleet, and considered alternatives such as using smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.

 

The Chief Constable advised that as the older cars used for administration purposes retire out, consideration will be given to their replacement with smaller, more efficient vehicles.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy,

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That the 2006 Police Board provisional budget be incorporated into an amended five year financial plan for the Municipality and referred to Estimates Committee.

CARRIED

 

3.

2005-313

CAPITAL REGION EMERGENCY SERVICES TELECOMMUN-ICATIONS, October 26, 2005

Re Final Report, Independent Review of Operations—Request for Evaluation and Recommendations

 

Councillor Herbert, Council’s liaison to CREST, explained the highest priority recommendations in the Planetworks Review of Operations, noting that the first recommendation is a requirement for agreement for a cost allocation methodology incorporating the principles that user agencies are directly responsible for the costs of their equipment, and that shared infrastructure costs are allocated according to a weighted factor model.

 

He noted that Council is being asked whether it agrees with the concepts in the Review of Operations, and to vote on the budget when it is submitted at the next meeting of Council.

 

The Municipal Administrator noted that the CREST budget would be based on the weighted factor method as noted in the Independent Review of Operations.  The budget, said Mr. Cochrane, would need 100% approval from its member municipalities if it were to be accepted.  Mr. Cochrane noted that the CREST budget will be substantially increased to address some technical difficulties with CREST’s emergency communications services, however, under the weighted factor method, Oak Bay’s share would decrease from 2005.

 

There was discussion regarding some dissatisfaction of CREST member municipalities on the technical function of the communications system service. Chief Constable Andersen stated that his Department has had virtually no problems with the service except for a past problem communicating from the Chinese Cemetery in Oak Bay.  In his view, said Chief Andersen, the CREST communications system is very sound, and the option of remediation of any minor system problems exists.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That Council, in general, support the ten highest priority recommendations of the Capital Region Emergency Services Telecommunications report entitled CREST Independent Review of Operations, prepared by Planetworks Consulting.

            CARRIED

 

4.

2005-314

CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT, November 10, 2005

Re Request for Adoption of a Model Pesticide Use Control Bylaw

 

Mayor Causton explained that the Model Pesticide Use Control Bylaw was sent to the District of Oak Bay from the Capital Regional District’s Roundtable on the Environment requesting that the District of Oak Bay consider implementing the Bylaw.

 

There was discussion with respect to receiving input from all the parties that would be affected by a pesticide use control bylaw, and it was suggested that staff report to Committee of the Whole regarding a proposed process for public consultation on such a bylaw in Oak Bay.

 

Mayor Causton noted that the Capital Regional District’s Medical Health Officer did not support the model Bylaw from a health issue perspective.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That staff prepare a report for Committee of the Whole on a proposed consultation process with respect to the Capital Regional District’s Model Pesticide Use Control Bylaw.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

5.

2005-315

ASSOCIATION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES, November 14, 2005

Re Incorporation of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson,

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorized do all acts and things necessary to execute the incorporation papers of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities.

CARRIED

 

6.

2005-316

 

2005-316-1

2005-316-2

2005-316-3

 

ZEBRA DESIGN & INTERIORS GROUP INC., November 19, 2005

KATHLEEN AND GEORGE CAIRD, November 23, 2005

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, November 23, 2005

MARION CUMMING, November 24, 2005

Re 230 King George Terrace – Subdivision Proposal

 

Mayor Causton drew attention to previous discussions regarding the Cairds’ property at 230 King George Terrace, and it was noted that the owners have a building permit to construct a new house on the property as well as a demolition permit to demolish the existing house.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert,

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That the correspondence items 2005-316, 2005-316-1, 2005-316-2 and 2005-316-3 be received.

 

While some support was noted for allowing Mr. and Mrs. Caird time to explore their options for retaining the existing house while construction continues on their new house, it was the majority view of Council that, inasmuch as this topic was considered in great depth approximately ten months prior, and it is in the control of the owners as to whether they choose to demolish their house, no new action should be taken.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

            (Councillor Jensen against the motion)

 

7.

2005-296

2005-317

MUNICIPAL CLERK, November 7, 2005

BONNIE HELM-NORTHOVER, November 23, 2005

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

 

Councillor Herbert declared a conflict of interest with respect to Item No. 2005-296 and 2005-317 in that he lives behind the property at 2653 Dalhousie Street.  Councillor Cassidy also declared a conflict of interest for this Item as he has social relationship with the owner of 2653 Dalhousie Street.  Councillor Herbert and Councillor Cassidy left the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

 

Members of Council acknowledged the exceptional circumstances related to the construction of the new house, and it was suggested that inasmuch as the owner has stated that she will complete all the required work in the very near future, consideration should be given to deferring the placement of a notice on the title with respect to the bylaw contraventions.

 

The Director of Building and Planning explained that although there has been some progress since the Building Department was first made aware of the Zoning Bylaw contraventions at this property, the outstanding bylaw contraventions pose a liability risk for the Municipality, noting that filing a contravention notice would reduce this liability.

 

The Municipal Administrator stated that once the dwelling is in compliance with the Zoning Bylaw to the satisfaction of the Director of Building and Planning, the notice on the title may be removed.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen,

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, 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 86, Section 61, Victoria District, Plan 874, 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.

CARRIED

 

Councillor Herbert and Councillor Cassidy returned to the meeting at 8:45 p.m.

 

8.

2005-318

CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER, November 21, 2005

Re 2005 General Municipal Election

 

Mayor Causton congratulated Ms. Copley and Ms. Braithwaite on their election to Oak Bay Municipal Council. 

 

Mayor Causton requested that the Municipal Clerk produce a report with respect to the potential use of voting machines for the next municipal election.

 

Responding to questions from Council, the Municipal Clerk noted that there were some challenges on voting day with the School District using voting machines and the Municipality conducting a manual vote, requiring an explanation on how to fill in each type of ballot to each voter.

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Item No. 2005-318 be received.

CARRIED

 

9.

2005-319

MUNICIPAL CLERK, November 24, 2005

Re Lane Right of Way Adjacent to 1625-1639 Hampshire Road

and 1632-1644 Monterey Avenue

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That staff be authorized to commission a market value appraisal of the portion of the unused lane right of way adjacent to 1625 – 1639 Hampshire Road and 1632 – 1644 Monterey Avenue, with all costs to be covered in advance by the prospective purchasers.

 

Responding to a question from Council, the Municipal Clerk said she was still waiting for the owners of 1625 Hampshire Road to respond to her letter with respect to determining their interest in investigating the possibility of purchasing a portion of the lane right of way adjacent to their property, noting that she would continue to try and contact them.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

10.

2005-320

OAK BAY COMMUNITY HERITAGE COMMISSION, November 10, 2005

Re Minutes of Meeting

 

Councillor Macey-Brown drew attention to the request from the Oak Bay Heritage Foundation to the Oak Bay Heritage Commission for $400 towards the annual Christmas party at Kildonan, $100 towards a gift for Desmond Thompson, and $200 towards producing heritage brochures.  Councillor Macey-Brown noted that, in the past, the Commission and the Foundation have cost-shared on such items.

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That approval be given for the Community Heritage Commission to expend $700 of its budget as follows:

 

  • $400.00 towards the Heritage Foundation’s Christmas party at Kildonan;
  • $100.00 for a gift for Desmond Thompson; and
  • $200.00 towards the production of heritage brochures.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Item No. 2005-320 be received.

CARRIED

 

11.

2005-321

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, November 28, 2005

Re Windsor Park Pavilion Tenders—Budget Implications

 

The Municipal Administrator confirmed that the tenders for the reconstruction of the Windsor Park Pavilion have been received.  The budget for the Windsor Park Pavilion, said Mr. Cochrane, is $1,985,638 and the lowest tender received is in excess of the budget by approximately $264,000. 

 

Mr. Cochrane stated that the Director of Parks and Recreation has advised that some physical modifications could be made to the plans for the Pavilion to bring the construction costs down, however, it would not be possible to account for the entire budget shortfall from these modifications. 

 

Mr. Cochrane advised that the remaining shortfall could be covered from funds remaining from completed capital projects.

 

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That staff be authorized to enter into contracts representing non-construction components of the Windsor Park Pavilion project.

 

CARRIED

 

MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS:

 

Development Variance Permit—2093 crescent road

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit in respect to Lot H, Section 19, Victoria District, Plan 291C (2093 Crescent Road) which will vary the regulations of Bylaw No. 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as amended, to permit the siting of a paved surface which will cover 57% of the rear yard, in accordance with the plans attached to the memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated November 7, 2005.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the resolution in respect to the Development Variance Permit for 2093 Crescent Road be tabled to enable notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

CARRIED

 

 

BYLAWS:

 

For Final Adoption

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4294, Streets and Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4297, Mayor and Councillors Annual Indemnity Bylaw, 2006, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4298, Heritage Committee Structure Bylaw, 2005 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That Bylaw No. 4299, Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club Licence Authorization Bylaw be adopted.

                                    CARRIED

 

 

 

 

For First, Second and Third Readings

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That Bylaw No. 4296, Greater Victoria Public Library Operating Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2005, be read a first time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That Bylaw No. 4296, Greater Victoria Public Library Operating Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2005, be read a second time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That Bylaw No. 4296, Greater Victoria Public Library Operating Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2005, be read a third time.

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, 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.

 

CARRIED

 

Councillor Macey-Brown expressed her thanks to staff and wished the best of luck to Pam Copley and Hazel Braithwaite on their terms as Councillors.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

 

Certified Correct

 

 

 

 

Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

 

Mayor