First formal council meeting of the season arrives early
September 3, 2024 Edition
Event: Lions Bay Council Meeting
Time: Public meeting: 7 p.m.
Agenda: HERE
Video: Not yet available
Joining Mayor Ken Berry at the table were Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell, Councillors Jaime Cunliffe, Michael Broughton, and Neville Abbott. Councillor Marcus Reuter was absent.
Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff and Karl Buhr sat in the gallery until they joined the table, and Deputy Corporate Officer Kristal Kenna took minutes and manned the tech.
The meeting, which had been moved forward from the original September 17 date, was brief. It ran hard on the heels of the previously-scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting, which began at 6 p.m.
Two residents attended in person, and online viewers topped out at 10.
The agenda was adopted as read.
Public Participation:
Online, resident Norma Rodgers reminded Council that back in November, 2023 a resolution was passed to support the establishment of a provincial ethics commissioner. She asked why, since the resolution was made in an open meeting, a Freedom of Information request was required before a letter signed by Mayor Berry and sent in February 2024 was released to the public. She also asked if a response to the letter had been received from the province or ministry. Chief Administrative Officer Blackwell indicated that he has seen no response to the letter.
Review and Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings:
There were no minutes available for review. Blackwell requested that in future, the chair identify the movers and seconders of each motion to expedite the production of minutes.
Emergency Reports: (included with the correspondence)
Fire Rescue Dispatch Report, July, 2024. (page 34)
Sixteen incidents were reported, and apparatus was used 25 times. Eighty-three members attended incidents. Average turn-out time for the month was 12:14, average travel time was 6:26 and the average time on scene was 84:50.
Correspondence:
The list of correspondence can be found on page three of the agenda. There was some discussion as to whether the existing system of rotating councillors addressing correspondence would continue. In the absence of Councillor Marcus Reuter (this quarter's designated responder), a few items were addressed.
General correspondence included the Surrey Fire Report, noted above:
Two letters from Metro Vancouver on the topics of BC Utilities energy transmission (page 4) and the new solid Waste Management Plan (page 29). Abbott asked to take this last letter to the Climate Action committee for further action.
A letter from outgoing MLA Jordan Sturdy on the subject of gasoline price profiteering along the Sea to Sky and what action can be taken. (page 39)
A letter from the City of Campbell River regarding homelessness in that city, and the need for provincial support. (page 49)
Resident correspondence began on page 51:
Long time resident Gail Craig wrote about issues arising from the special meeting on July 25 (page 51). She wrote a second letter regarding concerns about a potential or perceived conflict of interest with the new auditor, as announced in the July 26 Village Update (page 52).
Joyita Rubin wrote to request a relaxation of the noise bylaw on date for the funeral of her mother, Helen Nogatch. Councillor Broughton led the request to approve this request, which was carried. (page 53)
Resident Byron Montgomery wrote on the subject of Bearsmart bylaw enforcement. (page 54)
In the absence of further public comment, the open portion of the meeting was closed. The next Council meeting is scheduled for October 15 at 7 p.m.
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