DISTRICT OF SECHELT

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, February 05, 2025 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:

• Mayor J. Henderson, 
• Councillor D. Bell, 
• Councillor D. Inkster, 
• Councillor D. McLauchlan, 
• Councillor B. Rowe, 
• and Councillor A. Toth 

ABSENT:

• Councillor A. Shepherd 

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, 
• Development Planning Manager I. Holl, 
• Chief Building Official J. Nyhus, 
• Manager of Community Services S. Smith, 
• Corporate Officer K. Poulsen, 
• and Administrative Assistant C. Kidd (Recording Secretary) 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICT

The Mayor called the Regular Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm and asked for declarations of conflict. There were none.

2.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Chair acknowledged the land acknowledgement on the agenda.

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Res. No. 2025-2A-01

  That the February 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be adopted.

  CARRIED

4.

DELEGATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

4.1

Toastmasters Month- February 2025

The Mayor declared February 2025 to be Toastmasters Month in the District of Sechelt.

5.

BUSINESS ITEMS

5.1

Sechelt Farmers' Market

a.

Renewal of Agreement for the Sechelt Farmers' and Artisans' Market

Staff delivered a presentation highlighting the benefits that the Farmers & Artisans Market has brought to Sechelt, as well as a need to find an alternate location within Sechelt that would benefit both the Farmers & Artisans Market, as well as, the District of Sechelt. In response to questions, staff confirmed concerns with the current location Include:

• Delays in emergency response for fire, ambulance, and police.
• Disruption to public transit service.
• Planned construction projects and new traffic patterns in the area.

Council discussed potential alternate locations, and the idea of running a small pilot program to have a few booths set up in alternate locations. 

• Res. No. 2025-2A-02

  That Council authorize staff to enter into an agreement, as described in the February 5,2025 report to Council, with the Sechelt Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market to operate a weekly market on Cowrie St. between April to October 2025; and

  That staff continue working with the Sechelt Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market to determine a suitable new location for the 2026 Market season.

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED Councillor McLauchlan

  
  

b.

Farmers' and Artisans Market Society Presentation

John Bell, President and Chair of Sechelt Farmers and Artisans Market Association, addressed to council highlighting the services provided by the Market, and the Market's concerns with looking for a new location.

• Res. No. 2024-2A-03

  That staff bring a report forward to Council by July 1, 2025, with options for relocating the Farmer's Market.

  CARRIED

5.2

Development Permit For 5570 Anchor Road (2 Duplexes)

Staff provided an update on the status of the application.

• Res. No. 2025-2A-04

  That Development Permit 2022-25 be approved.

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED Councillor Toth

  
  

5.3

Bylaw Violations by Short Term-Rental Operations

Staff provided a brief overview of the report, and in response to question from Council. Staff confirmed:

• The Provincial compliance program is moving forward but is not yet fully staffed.
• The District has access to the Provincial government online portal.
• Formal complaints are necessary for enforcement, and all formal complaints are confidential.
• The easiest way to submit a complaint is to fill out the confidential online complaint form at sechelt.ca.

5.4

Liquor Licence Amendment for Legion at 5546 Inlet Avenue

In response to Councils questions, staff confirmed that with recent changes to building code, all necessary accommodations required to increase the capacity from 60 to 100 persons have been met, and no additional washrooms, or exits would be required.

• Res. No. 2025-2A-05

  That Council has provided an opportunity for any resident to speak to the application; and

  That Council has considered the following:

  1. The location of the establishment;
  2. The person capacity and hours of liquor service;
  3. The impact of noise on the community in the vicinity of the establishment;
  4. The general impact on the community if the application is approved; and

  That Council supports the licence amendment for the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 140 to increase the total liquor licence capacity from 60 persons to 100 persons.

  CARRIED

5.5

Motion to Submit an Expression of Interest to the Ministry of Housing for the Heart and Hearth Program -Councillor Rowe

The motion was read, and it was confirmed the program is called Heart and Hearth. 

• Res. No. 2025-2A-06

  The motion be endorsed as proposed in the agenda, but amended to add "in the swiya".

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-07

  WHEREAS the District of Sechelt is experiencing a growing homelessness issue that disproportionately affects seniors and Indigenous individuals, both of whom are particularly vulnerable populations;

  AND WHEREAS there is a critical lack of affordable and supportive housing opportunities in the District of Sechelt, which is insufficient to meet the increasing needs of the community;

  AND WHEREAS the Heart and Hearth Program, endorsed under the NDP and BC Green Party agreement, continues to receive funding support and aligns with the “Village” model of housing, which promotes community-oriented and sustainable solutions to homelessness and housing insecurity;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District of Sechelt Council direct staff to prepare and submit an Expression of Interest to the Ministry of Housing for the Heart and Hearth Program, outlining the urgent need for affordable and supportive housing in Sechelt, with a particular focus on addressing homelessness among seniors and Indigenous individuals;

  AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff reach out to the shíshálh Nation to partner in this Expression of Interest and to explore, recognizing the importance of collaboration and shared leadership in addressing homelessness within the District of Sechelt in the swiya;

  AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff reach out to the Town of Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast Regional District for letters of support to strengthen the Expression of Interest.

  CARRIED

5.6

Mandatory Good Neighbour Agreement - Councillors Rowe and Toth

Council read out the motion as presented, and noted that though Good Neighbour Agreements are common in BC, they are not currently mandatory.

• Res. No. 2025-2A-08

  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.

  CARRIED

  Clarification was provided on the goals of having a good neighbour agreement:

  • To reduce opposition to supportive housing projects.
  • To ensure operators are accountable for how their facilities integrate into the neighbourhood.
  • To provide channels for addressing conflict.
  
  

6.

BYLAWS

7.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

7.1

Minutes of the December 9, 2024 Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting

It was noted there was an error with the liaison for Sechelt, which would be corrected.

• Res. No. 2025-2A-09

  That the Minutes of the December 9, 2024 Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be received with a request to correct the error on the District of Sechelt liaison so it shows as Councillor Inkster.

  CARRIED

7.2

Minutes of the January 15, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

• Res. No. 2025-2A-10

  That the Minutes of the January 15, 2025 Regular Council Meeting be adopted.

  CARRIED

7.3

Minutes of the January 22, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting

• Res. No. 2025-2A-11

  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. 

  CARRIED

  In response to a question from Council, staff confirmed that the application process for Dark Sky Community status is already under way.

  
  

7.4

Minutes of the January 22, 2025 Special Committee of the Whole Meeting

• Res. No. 2025-2A-12

  That the opening statement from the Chair include the word "commitment", to make it clear that the Nation has received a funding commitment for water reservoirs, and not the actual funding; and

  That the minutes of the January 22, 2025 Special Committee of the Whole meeting be adopted as amended. 

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-13

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

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-14

  That a septage fee increase of 6% be included in the Five-Year Financial Plan.

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-15

  That the Connect the Coast contribution of $75,000 be referred to a regional budget discussion for 2026.

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-16

  That recommendation 5, from the January 22, 2025 Special Committee of the Whole meeting be amended to read "That the $100,000 Consultant Technical Support budget be approved with $41,000 to be funded from operational savings"; and that the recommendation be endorsed as amended.

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-17

  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.
  CARRIED

  Council discussed the purpose of reserve funds, and comfort with approving spending from the reserves.

  
  
• Res. No. 2025-2A-18

  That staff provide a report on all statutory and non statutory reserve balances from 2009 to 2024, including total transfers in and out each year, and that the report be provided by the end of second quarter, 2025.

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-19

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

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

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

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

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

  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.
  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-20

  That the RCMP parking lot project #7965 be referred to the 2026 budget process for consideration.

  CARRIED

  Council discussed the impacts of tariffs, and how potential delays could affect costs or projects.

  
  
• Res. No. 2025-2A-21

  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.
  CARRIED

  OPPOSED Mayor Henderson

  
  
• Res. No. 2025-2A-22

  That early approvals for capital projects given for approvals granted in resolution 2025-2A-21.

  CARRIED
• Res. No. 2025-2A-23

  That staff provide an update to a future Committee of the Whole meeting, on the potential impact that tariffs may have on capital and operational costs.

  REFERRED TO THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

  
  
• Res. No. 2025-2A-24

  That recommendation 2025-2A-23 be referred to the next Regular meeting of Council.

  CARRIED

8.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

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. 2025-2A-25

  That the February 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting be adjourned at 9:08 pm.

  CARRIED