DISTRICT OF SECHELT

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, December 04, 2024 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Community Meeting Room

1st Floor, 5797 Cowrie St., Sechelt

and Via Zoom Online Meeting Platform

PRESENT:

• Councillor B. Rowe (Chair), 
• Councillor D. Bell, 
• Councillor D. Inkster, 
• Councillor D. McLauchlan, 
• Councillor A. Shepherd, 
• and Councillor A. Toth 

ABSENT:

• Mayor J. Henderson 

STAFF:

• Chief Administrative Officer A. Yeates, 
• Director of Planning and Development A. Allen, 
• Director of Financial Services and Information Technology D. Douglas, 
• Director of Engineering and Operations M. Lee, 
• Director of Corporate and Community Services L. Roberts, 
• Chief Building Official J. Nyhus, 
• Senior Policy Planner K. Pearson, 
• Corporate Officer K. Poulsen, 
• and Administrative Assistant C. Kidd (Recording Secretary) 

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1.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Chair acknowledged their gratitude for living on the traditional lands of the shíshálh Nation. 

The Chair also acknowledged the 60th anniversary of the shíshálh Nation lands being donated for construction of the Sechelt Hospital.

2.

CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICT

The Chair called the Regular Council Meeting to order at 7:01 pm and asked for declarations of conflict. Councillor Shepherd declared conflict for item 4.1  Gibsons Paddle Club, as he is currently a member.

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Res. No. 2024-12A-01

  That the December 4, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be adopted.

  CARRIED

4.

DELEGATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

4.1

Gibsons Paddle Club – Proposal for Canoe Storage on District Lands

Margaret MacDonald, a Sechelt representative of the Gibsons Paddle Club, presented an overview of their history, membership, and activities in the Sechelt area. They noted that their current storage and launch site for their canoes would no longer be available after December 31, 2024, and requested use of District lands to set up a more permanent storage and launch site.

Council discussed potential sites for canoe storage, including options on District right of ways and beach accesses.

• Res. No. 2024-12A-02

  That staff prepare a report on potential sites for the storage of Gibsons Paddle Club canoes on District lands.

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillor Toth

  
  

5.

BUSINESS ITEMS

5.1

Notice of Motion: Provincial Contract for Supportive Housing and Emergency Shelter (Rowe and Toth)

Councillors Rowe and Toth provided background information and context for the notice of motion to Council, noting that this motion is intended to bring issues of community safety in Sechelt to the Province's attention, and has nothing to do with the performance of the frontline workers.

• Res. No. 2024-12A-03

  WHEREAS the District of Sechelt is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, including those living in supportive housing and emergency shelter; and

  WHEREAS the current operator of the supportive housing facility and emergency shelter in Sechelt has not sufficiently contributed to alleviating safety concerns in the surrounding neighbourhood, including ongoing issues with crime, theft, vandalism; and

  WHEREAS these issues are negatively impacting the quality of life for local residents, businesses, and emergency responders;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

  1. that the District of Sechelt request that BC Housing terminate its contract with the operator of the supportive housing facility and emergency shelter in Sechelt, and initiate a new tendering process for the provision of these services, ensuring that any future operator demonstrates a strong commitment to community safety and effective management and support of both resident and community needs;
  2. that BC Housing consider input from the District of Sechelt in regard to neighbourhood concerns and expectations prior to issuing a new contract;
  3. that the District of Sechelt request a financial contribution from BC Housing to assist with security, safety, and regular clean-up in the neighbourhood surrounding the supportive housing and shelter buildings, in response to issues perpetuated by those facilities being located in close proximity to each other and residential neighbours;
  4. that a copy of this request be forwarded to the MLA for additional assistance.

  AMENDED BY THE FOLLOWING:

  
  
• Res. No. 2024-12A-04

  That section (a) of the current motion be amended to read as:

   "That the District of Sechelt request that BC Housing ensure that any future operator demonstrate a strong commitment to community safety and effective management of both resident and community needs;"

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillors Bell, and Toth

  
  
• Res. No. 2024-12A-05

  WHEREAS the District of Sechelt is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, including those living in supportive housing and emergency shelter; and

  WHEREAS the current operator of the supportive housing facility and emergency shelter in Sechelt has not sufficiently contributed to alleviating safety concerns in the surrounding neighbourhood, including ongoing issues with crime, theft, vandalism; and

  WHEREAS these issues are negatively impacting the quality of life for local residents, businesses, and emergency responders;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

  1. That the District of Sechelt request that BC Housing ensure that any future operator demonstrate a strong commitment to community safety and effective management of both resident and community needs;
  2. that BC Housing consider input from the District of Sechelt in regard to neighbourhood concerns and expectations prior to issuing a new contract;
  3. that the District of Sechelt request a financial contribution from BC Housing to assist with security, safety, and regular clean-up in the neighbourhood surrounding the supportive housing and shelter buildings, in response to issues perpetuated by those facilities being located in close proximity to each other and residential neighbours;
  4. that a copy of this request be forwarded to the MLA for additional assistance.
  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2024-12A-06

  That District of Sechelt staff request the current service agreements for the operation of the Sechelt supportive housing and shelter facilities by RainCity from BC Housing under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

  CARRIED

6.

BYLAWS

6.1

Vehicle Removal Amendment Bylaw No. 279-01, 2024

• Res. No. 2024-12A-07

  That Council consider first, second and third reading of Vehicle Removal Amendment Bylaw No. 279-01, 2024.

  CARRIED

a.

Vehicle Removal Amendment Bylaw No. 279-01, 2024

• Res. No. 2024-12A-08

  That Vehicle Removal Amendment Bylaw No. 279-01, 2024 be read a first, second, and third time on December 4, 2024.

  CARRIED

6.2

Amendment to Building Bylaw Amendment 409-12, 2024 - Relocated Homes

• Res. No. 2024-12A-09

  That Building Bylaw Amendment No. 409-12, 2024 be amended to delete Part 16.3 from District of Sechelt Building Bylaw No. 409, 2003; and

  That Council consider second and third reading to Building Bylaw Amendment No. 409-12, 2024, as amended.

  CARRIED

a.

Building Bylaw Amendment 409-12, 2024

• Res. No. 2024-12A-10

  That Building Bylaw Amendment No. 409-12, 2024 be read a second and third time, as amended on December 4, 2024.

  CARRIED

6.3

Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment Bylaw 492-35, 2023- Consideration of Third Reading and Adoption

• Res. No. 2024-12A-11

  That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 492-35, 2023 be considered for third reading and adoption.

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillor McLauchlan

  
  

a.

Official Community Plan Bylaw 492-35, 2023

• Res. No. 2024-12A-12

  That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 492-35, 2023 be read a third time on December 4, 2024

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillor McLauchlan

  
  
• Res. No. 2024-12A-13

  That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 492-35, 2023 be adopted on December 4, 2024

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillor McLauchlan

  Councillor Inkster left the meeting at 8:07 pm.

  
  

6.4

Advisory Planning Commission Amendment Bylaw 578-02, 2024

Staff informed Council that there are presently five vacancies on the Advisory Planning Commission and that the proposed amendment would allow the Commission to better represent the perspective of the community.

• Res. No. 2024-12A-14

  That Council consider first, second and third reading of District of Sechelt Advisory Planning Commission Amendment Bylaw No. 578-02, 2024.

  CARRIED

a.

Advisory Planning Commission Amendment Bylaw 578-02, 2024

• Res. No. 2024-12A-15

  That District of Sechelt Advisory Planning Commission Amendment Bylaw No. 578-02, 2024 be read a first, second and third time on December 4, 2024.

  CARRIED

7.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

7.1

Minutes of the November 20, 2024 Special Council to Closed Meeting

• Res. No. 2024-12A-16

  That the Minutes of the November 20, 2024 Special Council to Closed Meeting be adopted.

  CARRIED

7.2

Minutes of the November 13, 2024 Regular Council to Closed Meeting

• Res. No. 2024-12A-17

  That the Minutes of the November 13, 2024 Regular Council to Closed Meeting be adopted.

  CARRIED

7.3

Minutes of the November 20, 2024 Regular Council Meeting

• Res. No. 2024-12A-18

  That the Minutes of the November 20, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adopted.

  CARRIED

7.4

Minutes of the November 6, 2024 Regular Council Meeting

• Res. No. 2024-12A-19

  That the Minutes of the November 6, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be Adopted.

  CARRIED

7.5

Minutes of the November 13, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting

• Res. No. 2024-12A-20

  That the Minutes of the November 13, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting be received, and the following recommendations be endorsed:

  (2) That staff be directed to draft an amendment to Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 to allow a 25% reduction in the applicable Short Term Rental (STR) license fee for new STR business licences obtained after July 31, in a calendar year; and

  (3) That a comprehensive report on the number of short term rental related complaints for 2024 be presented to Council, including those relate to licenced or suspected unlicenced short term rentals, in the next two months; and

  (4) That Staff delete section 16.3 from the District of Sechelt Building Bylaw No. 409, 2003.

  CARRIED

8.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

None.

9.

COUNCIL REPORTS

9.1

Sunshine Coast Regional District Representatives

Council received verbal updates from the Sunshine Coast Regional District Representatives.

9.2

Council

Members of Council provided verbal updates of their activities.

10.

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

11.

RELEASE OF CLOSED MEETING ITEMS

None.

12.

ADJOURNMENT

• Res. No. 2024-12A-21

  That the December 4, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adjourned at 8:18 pm.

  CARRIED