DISTRICT OF SECHELT

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 3:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Community Meeting Room

1st Floor, 5797 Cowrie St., Sechelt

and Via Zoom Online Meeting Platform

PRESENT:

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

ABSENT:

• Councillor D. Bell 

STAFF:

• 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, 
• 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.

 

2.

CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICT

The Chair called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 3:01 pm and asked for declarations of conflict. There were none.

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Recommendation No. 1

  That the June 25, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda be adopted.

  CARRIED

4.

DELEGATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

4.1

2025 Child Care Action Plan

Kirsten Deasy of School District 46, and Tracy Wright from the Child Care Resource Centre provided a presentation on the 2025 Child Care Action Plan, starting with a Land Acknowledgement as much of their work includes the Indigenous Community. 

Councillor Inkster joined the meeting at 3:03 pm. 

During the presentation the following topics were discussed: 

• Reasoning behind the action plan.
• Statistics around ages, location, spaces available, and need of spaces throughout the Sunshine Coast. 
• Challenges faced in planning and providing Child Care
• Steps being taken to improve planning and data collection
• Economic impact of child care availability.

• Recommendation No. 2

  That Council endorse the 2025 Child Care Action Plan.

  CARRIED

4.2

Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association- Surveillance Cameras

Brett Turner, Executive Director of the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association spoke to Council regarding the Security Camera Pilot Program underway in Penticton. He provided am overview of the programs origins, how the system operates, the challenges encountered, and the overall effectiveness it has had within the community. 

In response to questions from Council, the following was noted:

• The cameras are programmed to monitor for certain events such as fires or movement in a high risk area and if detected will notify a person who can view the cameras and contact Bylaw Enforcement, RCMP, or Fire Departments as needed.
• There are non-monitored cameras on the encampment of people at the side of the highway in Penticton, and monitored cameras provided to surrounding businesses. 
• There have been issues with being able to get charges filed and stay in the event of crime, however, the cameras have assisted in getting charges filed for many crimes, including a murder case.
• As the camera system is run by the Business Improvement Association, there are different regulations regarding security cameras. 
• Some crime can be seasonal, such as an increase of fires in the winter months.
• One camera had been vandalized, as they had flashing lights and sound if they were triggered, since those cameras stopped being used, no cameras have been lost.

5.

BUSINESS ITEMS

5.1

Gibsons Paddle Club, Request for Canoe Storage Space

The Gibsons Paddle Club and staff presented in support of the staff report to Council regarding potential sites for the Sechelt branch of the Gibsons Paddle Club to store their canoes. The preferred location for the Club and staff is a right-of-way near Delta Road. This site requires minimal preparation- only the removal of blackberry bushes and concrete barriers- with no soil disturbance or archaeological work needed.

The Gibsons Paddle Club mentioned they had consulted with the Edgewater Strata Council, which is willing to provide a letter of support for a licence to occupy the area.

Council discussed extending the notice period for removing canoes and structures from 24 to 72 hours to better accommodate the Club.

The following Council concerns about public access and parking were addressed by staff:

• The pathway will remain accessible to the public.
• Parking demands will be lower than those of a former restaurant previously on site.
• The Club plans to practice primarily in the mornings when traffic is lighter.
• The licence agreement will include a standard clause allowing early termination if conditions are not met or in emergencies, within the proposed 5-year term.

• Recommendation No. 3

  That a site assessment of the road right of way adjacent to the Delta Road beach access be initiated; and

  That a notice of disposition be issued by the District of Sechelt for a portion of the road right of way adjacent to the Delta Road beach access to be used by the Gibsons Paddle Club for canoe storage for a five-year period with options to renew subject to the following conditions:

  • • Any fencing or other structures on the property will be temporary, and removable with 72 hours notice;
    • The public walkway adjacent to the canoe storage area shall remain open to the public; and

  That a report on the site assessment of the road right of way adjacent to the Delta Road beach access and comments received, be presented to Council prior to the approval of licence of occupation; and

  That the Gibsons Paddle Club be asked to seek a letter of support from the Edgewater development strata prior to the approval of license of occupation.

  CARRIED

6.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation No. 4

  That the June 25, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting be adjourned at 4:25 pm.

  CARRIED