As the 2018-2022 Sechelt council term drew to a close with its last meeting on Oct. 6, the councillors had a mix of big items — Zoning Bylaw 580 — and small on the agenda.
Without discussion at the meeting, Zoning Bylaw 580 was adopted by a unanimous vote and its predecessor repealed. That bylaw is to modernize land use throughout the municipality. Staff said it had received approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure under the Transportation Act, and staff was “pleased to recommend” adoption.
Airport lease
Council also approved a 20-year lease agreement with Suncoast Recreation Aircraft Association. The last time the association was under a lease at the airport was in 1994. Since then, agreements have been year-to-year or month-to-month.
David Douglas, the director of financial services, said the RAA needs a longer term for land development projects, including building hangars to rent to members. He said both parties agreed to a u-shape lot for tie-downs in one area, some hangars and a clubhouse. The term of the lease includes a payment of $50 per year for 20 years, and a one-time five year renewal option.
Additional rent will be paid based off a land-use rate that will equal the size of the hangar. The association can’t charge any less for the tie-down area than the District.
Although she asked to appear as a delegate on the agenda item, Jeri Patterson was denied the opportunity to speak as she is running for election. Staff said the agenda was set several days before and it was too late to add anyone. Council voted not to allow it.
Direct digital controls approved
The new operation centre will see direct digital controls (DDCs) in place. A presentation to council shared the energy efficiency, cost saving, comfort and productivity of the program, which could include $50,000 savings in calls to facility services and 487 gigajoules of energy (approximately 11,000 propane tanks or 12,000 litres of gasoline). The project manager described it as “basically the brains behind our heating, ventilation and air conditioning.”
Staff requested $25,000 for phase one, the framing stage, including wiring and putting in the conduits. Phase two would be presented to council for inclusion in next year’s budget.
Coun. Matt McLean asked why DDCs were not included in the proposed operation centre design, as they seem like the modern standard. Staff responded that there had not been sufficient enough evidence to prove its value at the time.
Coun. Alton Toth cited his previous work with such control systems and said it makes a massive difference to implement at this stage rather than retrofitting.
Sunshine Coast Community Services
Sechelt council voted all in favour of adopting the 2020 Permissive Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw. The move will allow the combination of two properties on Inlet Avenue for the Sunshine Coast Community Services’s Building Together housing project. The properties were previously amalgamated by BC Assessment Authority.
Select committees terminated
Three of the four select committees have met their end under the outgoing council. At the Oct. 6 meeting, council members voted to terminate the following select committees: for Downtown Revitalization, Water Resources, and the Harbour Expansion and Development.
One committee was left intact: the Airport Development Select Committee.
Coun. Eric Scott said the Airport Development Select Committee, which he chaired, still has a lot of work to do. Mayor Darnelda Siegers says the master plan may determine what happens with the committee, but agreed that there is still work needed to get the master plan in place.
The Housing Advisory Committee, it was noted, is more of a standing committee.
The new council will choose what committees to create after their strategic planning determine priorities. The move to terminate the current committees is more of a housekeeping decision.
'Whatever happens next'
Most of the current council members took time during their reports to council to reflect on their four-year term. While Brenda Rowe, Toth and the mayor were running for re-election, councillors Tom Lamb, Eric Scott, Janice Kuester and Matt McLean were not.
The council members thanked staff for their work. McLean highlighted the notable accomplishments he’d proud of, including the COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant Program, and said he wishes council had done more on housing sooner. For Scott, safety improvements at the airport was “a big win." Toth thanked the meeting’s regular attendees. Rowe noted how the pandemic shaped not only her council term, but her work in healthcare.
“And so here we are in our last meeting, we’ve got the baton, we're ready to hand it off. And whatever happens next … Saturday, it's been an honour and a privilege,” Rowe said.
In her comments, Siegers became emotional as she thanked both council and staff for their time and perspectives. “Congrats to lasting a full term,” she said to laughter and applause.
