Gibsons council continues to take a bit of heat over the decision to move $275,000 from its parks acquisition fund to support the Gibsons Public Market project.
Resident Inge Harrison appeared in front of council on March 1 to question the move, which was approved late last year by the province.
Among Harrison’s concerns was whether the Town had really met the province’s requirement to “conduct a reasonable public consultation within the community and provide people an opportunity for input …”
Harrison told council, “I don’t recall any public meetings being held.”
Mayor Wayne Rowe responded by noting the transfer was discussed at “four or five” open council and committee meetings.
“It was public all throughout, and the minister was satisfied with our response on that [criteria],” he said.
During a public inquiry period later on, resident Judy Bonkoff questioned the level of public input. She told council she didn’t think the chance to raise the issue during a council or committee meeting was in the spirit of the province’s requirements.
Bonkoff and Harrison both said they felt a dedicated public meeting would have been more appropriate.
“They’re [council meetings] stressful for us [the public],” Bonkoff said. “And not an opportunity to just have a discussion about money going to a venture like this.”
Councillors Jeremy Valeriote and Stafford Lumley both commented on the issue during their council reports later in the meeting.
“There’s a spectrum of ways we can consult, but I think this council would like it not be a stressful experience to come and ask a question and possibly even state an opinion at the same time,” Valeriote said. “I feel that the three inquiry periods we have should be a reasonable and non-intimidating way of consulting with the public. I hope we can create that environment.”
Lumley urged people to “stay engaged, ask questions … don’t feel like you can’t or that it’s uncomfortable, because we like to hear all your questions.”
In an email from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development distributed by Harrison, a ministry official responding to her concerns said the Town had met all requirements to get the transfer approved.
Harrison told Coast Reporter this week that she’s written the province again, raising concerns about the answers she was given at that March 1 council meeting, and the documents the Town offered to support its position.
