DISTRICT OF SECHELT
REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL
AGENDA

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Community Meeting Room
1st Floor, 5797 Cowrie St., Sechelt
and Via Zoom Online Meeting Platform

PLEASE NOTE:
The public is welcome to attend meetings in person or by electronic communications, as follows:

District of Sechelt’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SecheltMedia

Zoom: https://zoom.us, join Meeting ID: 844 2423 6237 and Password: FEB2025

Phone: 1-778-907-2071, with Meeting ID: 844 2423 6237 and Password: 4386420


1.

  

The District of Sechelt is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the shíshálh Nation. We respect the histories, language and culture of the people of the shíshálh Nation, whose presence continues to enrich this community.

3.

  

5.

  

WHEREAS local governments across British Columbia are experiencing challenges related to supportive housing and shelter facilities, including concerns about community safety, property maintenance, and local accountability; and

WHEREAS some supportive housing and shelter operators do not consistently engage with local governments or community stakeholders to address concerns, leading to negative impacts on surrounding neighborhoods;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and Union of BC Municipalities urge the Province of British Columbia and BC Housing to require that all supportive housing and shelter operators enter into a Good Neighbour Agreement (GNA) with the local governments in which these facilities operate, to ensure clear expectations regarding community impact mitigation, security measures, and ongoing engagement with local government and residents.

6.

  

None.

7.

  

That the Minutes of the January 22, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting be received and the following recommendation(s) be endorsed:

(2) That staff be directed to apply for status as a Dark Sky Community;

(3) That the 2024 Fourth Quarter Report be received;

(4) That the Climate Action Initiatives Report be received; and

(5) That staff bring back a report with a more detailed workplan and budget implications to address climate change in the District of Sechelt. 

That the Minutes of the January 22, 2025 Special Committee of the Whole Meeting be received and the following recommendation(s) be endorsed:

(2) That a sewer user fee increase of 3.95% be included into the Five-Year Financial Plan;

(3) That a septage fee increase of 6% be included in the Five-Year Financial Plan;

(4) That the Connect the Coast contribution of $75,000 be referred to a regional budget discussion for 2026;

(5) That the $100,000 Consultant Technical Support budget be approved;

(6) That the following operating expenses be approved:

  • SQL (Structured Query Language) Server Upgrade - $10,000
  • Adobe Upgrade - $15,000
  • GIS Enhancements - $15,000
  • Airport Storage - $3,500;

(7) That $120,000 for 2025 be budgeted to continue downtown private security patrols in the Five-Year Financial Plan;

(8) That staff prepare a report on the cost and implications of converting an existing Bylaw Officer to a Community Safety Officer position; and

That $7,000 be added to the 2025 budget as a placeholder of the Community Safety Officer position.

(9) That $5,000 be approved to create and deliver a community safety communications strategy in the 2025 Five-Year Financial Plan;

(10) That staff prepare a report on the cost and legal implications of a community safety surveillance camera system as a pilot project;

(11) That a total of $137,000 for community safety be funded for 2025 in the Five-Year Financial Plan, with $100,000 from the Community Safety Reserve, and $37,000 from Taxation for the following uses:

  • Downtown private security patrols
  • Converting an existing Bylaw Officer to a Community Safety Officer position
  • Creating and delivering a community safety communications strategy;

(12) That the RCMP parking lot project #7965 be referred to the 2026 budget process for consideration;

(13) That the Airport Fuel Pump replacement project #4017 be referred to the 2026 budget process for consideration;

(14) That the 2025 Capital Plan as presented on pages 112-113 of the December 18, 2024, Special Committee of the Whole Agenda be approved with the funding sources identified on page 155 of the December 18, 2025, Special Committee of the Whole Agenda, with the exception of:

  • The Connect the Coast project
  • RCMP parking lot project #7965
  • Airport Fuel Pump replacement project #4017; and

(15) That early approvals for capital projects approved in Recommendation No. 14 from this meeting be granted.

8.

  

9.

  

9.2

  

10.

  

None.

11.

  

None.

12.

  

Public Question and Answer Period.