DISTRICT OF SECHELT

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, October 16, 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:

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

ABSENT:

• Councillor B. Rowe 

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, 
• Manager of Financial Services B. Smith, 
• Corporate Officer K. Poulsen, 
• and Administrative Assistant C. Kidd (Recording Secretary) 

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1.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

A member of Council acknowledged their gratitude for living on the traditional lands of the shíshálh Nation on behalf of Council. 

 

2.

CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICT

The Mayor called the Regular Council Meeting to order at 7:01 pm and asked for declarations of conflict.

Prior to the meeting, Councillor Rowe sent their regrets for their absence.

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Res. No. 2024-10B-01

  That the October 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be adopted.

  CARRIED

4.

DELEGATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

4.1

Connect the Coast

Tannis Braithwaite of Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast (TRaC) presented information on the Connect the Coast Project to implement a continuous Active Transportation Network spanning the Sunshine Coast and potentially beyond, identifying initial priority areas for work and different route options being considered. 

The delegation asked that the District of Sechelt provide $75k in funding and 40 hours of staff time to support the project.

In response to questions the delegation confirmed:

• Partial funding had been received from the Town of Gibsons Council, and Sunshine Coast Regional District Board in order to start working on design and development.
• Major chokepoints along Highway 101 had been identified, and alternate routes were being considered to ease congestion.
• Development of Alternate Emergency routes was considered but the costs of engineering and development restrict this possibility. 

• Res. No. 2024-10B-02

  That the $75,000.00 for the Connect the Coast project be included for consideration for 2025 budget deliberations.

  CARRIED

4.2

Sechelt Downtown Business Association - Theressa Logan

Theressa Logan, Executive Director of the Sechelt Downtown Business Association (SDBA) presented their proposal to apply for REDIP Grant Funding in partnership with the District of Sechelt in order to look at options for revitalizing the Trail Bay Waterfront Boulevard. During discussion it was noted that:

• The deadline for submission of the REDIP application is October 31, 2024.
• No design or accessibility decisions have been made at this time. 
• If successful in the grant application, funds would be used to help with community engagement to design an accessible waterfront boulevard.
• The waterfront boulevard area is aging, and in need of support.

• Res. No. 2024-10B-03

  That the Sechelt Downtown Business Association's application for Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program funding in the amount of $1 million for a Trail Bay Waterfront Redevelopment Project, in partnership with the District of Sechelt, be endorsed; and

  That the 2024 District of Sechelt budget include both $100,000.00 in cash support, and $100,000.00 worth of staff time as in-kind support if their grant application is successful

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillor McLauchlan

  
  

5.

BUSINESS ITEMS

None.

6.

BYLAWS

6.1

Officers and Employees Bylaw No. 623, 2024

• Res. No. 2024-10B-04

  That District of Sechelt Officers and Employees Bylaw 623, 2024 be considered for adoption.

  CARRIED

a.

Officers and Employees Bylaw No. 623, 2024

• Res. No. 2024-10B-05

  That the Officers and Employees Bylaw No. 623, 2024 be adopted as read October 16, 2024.

  CARRIED

6.2

2025 Permissive Property Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 624, 2024

In response to questions from Council, staff clarified that adjustments to exemption values on specific properties had already been reflected in the proposed bylaw.

• Res. No. 2024-10B-06

  That Council consider 2025 Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 624, 2024 for adoption.

  CARRIED

a.

2025 Permissive Property Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 624, 2024

• Res. No. 2024-10B-07

  That the 2025 Permissive Property Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 624, 2024 be adopted October 16, 2024.

  CARRIED

6.3

Rezoning for 10 units of Agritourism Accommodation at 1785 Tyson Road

Staff provided an overview of the changes to the application. It was noted that this Zoning Bylaw Amendment would still need to go to Public Hearing if a second reading of the amended bylaw was granted. Staff confirmed that the Provincial government does permit municipal authorities to authorize up to 10 units of Agritourism housing on Agricultural Land Reserves (ALR). 

• Res. No. 2024-10B-08

  That Council consider second reading of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-09, 2023 as amended.

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillors McLauchlan and Shepherd

  
  
• Res. No. 2024-10B-09

  That staff be authorized to schedule a Public Hearing for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-09, 2023.

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillors McLauchlan and Shepherd

  
  

a.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-09, 2023

• Res. No. 2024-10B-10

  That the second reading of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-09, 2024 be rescinded.

   

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillors McLauchlan and Shepherd

  
  
• Res. No. 2024-10B-11

  That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-09, 2023 be read a second time as amended.

  CARRIED

  OPPOSED: Councillors McLauchlan and Shepherd

  
  

7.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

7.1

Minutes of the October 2, 2024 Regular Council Meeting

• Res. No. 2024-10B-12

  That the minutes of the October 2, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adopted.

  CARRIED

7.2

Minutes of the September 25, 2024 Regular Council Meeting

• Res. No. 2024-10B-13

  That the minutes of the September 25, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adopted.

  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

10.1

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC)

• Res. No. 2024-10B-14

  That Union of BC Indian Chiefs letter of October 2, 2024, and Resolution 2024-61 be received.

  CARRIED

11.

RELEASE OF CLOSED MEETING ITEMS

None.

12.

ADJOURNMENT

• Res. No. 2024-10B-15

  That the October 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adjourned at 8:31 pm.

  CARRIED