At their Sept. 21 meeting Sechelt councillors voted to defer their potential animal trap bylaw until they can get more information around enforceability.
Mayor Darren Inkster asked council to defer the bylaw that was drafted to emulate Gibsons' trap bylaw, passed in July as he was concerned about legal issues around enforcement with lawyers telling the District the provincial government holds the authority over trapping in the province.
"So I'd like to ask council to defer it. I need more information before I put us in this situation," Inkster said.
Some councillors still wanted to pass the bylaw with Coun. Alice Janisch reiterating her desire to challenge the courts about whose jurisdiction the trapping issue should fall under.
"If enough communities pass this type of bylaw Victoria will have to look at it and consider changing their mind about it," she said.
Other councillors were against passing a bylaw that is essentially unenforceable.
"I don't support this for the very reason that it's not legal. And I think if you talk about showing leadership, aren't your municipal leaders supposed to show leadership by obeying the law? Not setting an example to say 'gee we don't like this one so we'll challenge it,'" said Coun. Ann Kershaw.
Inkster wanted to take the issue to the Union of British Columbian Municipalities (UBCM) for further discussion.
Many saw the merits of discussion with other areas facing the same issues and supported getting more information.
"I will move to defer because if we move forward I would like to be able to do so on firm ground," added Coun. Warren Allan.
When the vote was called councillors Keith Thirkell, Alice Lutes, Kershaw, Allan and Inkster were in favour while councillors Taylor and Janisch were opposed.
Highways update
Brian Atkins, regional manager with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, provided an update on local roadwork.
With the Highway 101 widening and drainage improvements from Selma Park Road to Nestman Road complete, Atkins expects the next section of roadway from Nestman Road to Bay Road will be completed in May 2012.
"We've got the final design now. We're expecting to start probably in the spring and be finished before the summer months," Atkins said.
This fall Atkins said crews will be working to improve road markings on the highway between Wakefield Road and Lawson Road and throughout the Davis Bay corner of the highway as part of the fall 2011 delineation project.
"We'll do some small paving areas to extend bike lanes and some installation of delineators so those are the things that are going on right now," Atkins said.
Council also wanted an update on the bypass plans for the highway.
Atkins said the ministry is talking with First Nations to move the project along, but it is far from being a priority project for Highways.
The cost of the project is part of the reason it is not a priority right now.
"The last number that I heard was $180 million. Some ridiculous number and that was a number that was four years old so we're thinking it's more up to $300 million now," Atkins said.
Wharf Avenue
Wharf Avenue was officially named such at the Sept. 21 council meeting. A staff report showed 123 addresses on the street using the name Wharf Avenue, 28 addresses using Wharf Road and a few businesses using Wharf Street.
Council took away the confusion by officially designating the street Wharf Avenue.
Curbside collection
The current curbside recycling contract is expiring so council passed a motion to issue a request for proposals (RFP) by Oct. 1. The motion calls for proposals of single stream curbside collection and processing of dry recyclables.
It also states that if discussions with the regional district directors for Halfmoon Bay and Roberts Creek result in a partnering agreement the details will be included in the RFP.
