Mayor Nils Jensen reported out on the BC Mayors' Caucus, an inaugural meeting last week of 86 Mayors from across BC called "historic" that wound up in Penticton, with the Caucus endorsing the following statement:  

"BC Communities are frontline service providers for our citizens and we are seeking a new partnership with the provincial and federal governments in the best interests of all of our communities.  The BC Mayors' Caucus requests an immediate discussion on the efficient use of existing resources to better address the challenges our residents face."

I have often talked about my concerns over the last few years about provincial downloading to municipal and regional governments and how this significantly impacts our ability to sustainably fund and deliver the services and programs our residents want, need and expect.  

We have heard it many times before --- there is only one taxpayer and all governments must be aware of this fact.  But local governments in my view are being pressured by upper government levels to take on ever-increasing responsibility for a wide range of services and programs formerly provided by provincial and federal governments.

Taken from a Penticton Mayors' Caucus press release dated May 18, 2012, this sentiment appears to be the focus of the Caucus and specific areas that they believe need to be addressed, include:

• Create a Premier's Round Table with the BC Mayors' Caucus to discuss public policy changes that affect local government budgets and delivery of services.
• Eliminate the ad hoc granting process in favour of one that is sustainable, accountable, quantifiable and allows for long term planning by local governments.
• Expand the mandate of the Municipal Auditor General to include an examination of the financial impacts of downloading on local governments.
• Develop a round table on aging infrastructure that includes federal, provincial and local government participation.
• Affirm the core service delivery of each order of government.
• Redesign the cost-sharing formula for significant infrastructure projects to reflect the tax revenue distribution.
• If services are devolved to local governments, a sustainable revenue source for those services must be identified.
• Develop a coordinated approach to how social services are delivered into a community.
• Call for a full review of ambulance service delivery.
• Establish flexibility around the federal gas tax to be goal oriented to the priorities of specific communities.
• Expand application of the fair-share principles province-wide and include other industry sectors.

The Mayors have also created a Steering Committee (Mayor Dean Fortin of Victoria is a member), identified the need to make this Caucus an annual event and modeled their initiative after North American and European models including the Alberta Mayors' Caucus, the Big Cities' Mayors' Caucus (Canada), Atlantic Mayors' Congress (Canada), Metropolitan Mayors' Caucus (United States) and the EU's Summit of Mayors.

Mayor Dianne Watts of Surrey summed up the event with closing remarks noting "by coming together as peers, we have, for the first time in BC history, established a single voice that is strong in our convction that we need all orders of government to work together for the best interests of all of our residents."

Mayor Jensen states that he feels the meetings were a success and for him, the most important points are contained in the first and second bullets above, which I have bolded.  He indicates that these meetings are designed to forge a "new deal" for municipalities.

Please stay tuned over the coming months.

• Flag Presentation

The iconic Oak Bay flag was "returned home" last night in a brief presentation to Mayor and Council. The flag had been flying in Afghanistan during the Canadian and NATO campaign there, in part as a result of one of the military members who is a graduate of Oak Bay High School. Accompanying the flag was a photograph showing where in Afghanistan the flag was flying. Mayor Jensen gratefully received the flag, citing how honoured Oak Bay was to have been represented in this way.

• Of Block Parties and Road Closures 

A number of requests for road closures to accommodate summer block parties was unanimously approved by Council, but the children's "Bouncey Castle" attraction was bounced from being approved.  Because of potential liability to the municipality if located in the street, the Cavendish road closure was approved without the Castle attraction, which must find a private location away from and off public property.

• Statements of Significance for Heritage Received and Approved

I was pleased as Council Liaison to Heritage, Arts and Culture, to speak to Council on behalf of our Archives and Heritage Commission, supporting submission of a significant body of work, Statements of Significance (SOSs) that acknowledge and recognize the historical significance of a number of Oak Bay homes, structures and locations.  

These Statements were prepared by the incomparable Jean Sparks, volunteer Archivist, with assistance from the Heritage Commission and municipal staff.  I understand that this is the first time in about three to five years that SOSs have been submitted and we look forward to making submissions an annual event. The significant places are:

1. 1512 Beach Drive
2. Bowker Gates at Willows
3. Cadboro Uplands Gates
4. Gonzales Hill
5. Lokier Garden
6. North Uplands Gates
7. Oak Bay Rose Garden
8. South Entrance to Uplands on Beach Drive
9. War Memorial Near Cattle Point

• Expression of Interest to Host Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) Annual General Meeting and Convention

Council unanaimously accepted the proposal contained in the Community Initiatives Committee minutes, for Oak Bay to host a future annual AVICC meeting/convention.  This is a major event bringing together municipalities and regional districts from all over Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Good for Oak Bay and good for our local economy.

• Public Participation at Committee of the Whole Meetings

A staff report with options to change our procedural bylaw to facilitate public participation at Committee of the Whole meetings was unanimously approved by Council, with minor amendments.  

This represents a significant change to these meetings for Oak Bay Council, one that I fully support based on my previous Council experience; residents should always have an opportunity to speak to their Mayor and Council on items important to them.  This is after all about enhancing public and community engagement/participation in local government.  

Of note, suggested changes include:

• public participation not restricted to items on the agenda.
• items brought by the public outside our Council's legal jurisdiction heard at the Chair's discretion.
• up to 20 minutes allotted for public participation (or 3 minutes per speaker) at the beginning of each COW meeting.
• no restrictions on who can participate (i.e, does not have to be an Oak Bay resident, non-resident property owner or business owner).

This new procedure will be monitored for success and if necessary, adjustments will be made to focus speakers and our agendas for time efficiency.

• Official Community Plan (OCP) Project Advisory Committee Update

Terms of Reference and Council representatives for the new OCP Advisory Committee were recommended in a staff report and unanimously supported and approved by Council.  The three Council representatives sitting on this Committee are Councillor Pam Copley (Chair), Councillor John Herbert and Councillor Cairine Green.  Four community representatives will be appointed following a public selection process so please watch for advertisements in the Oak Bay News and on the Municipal website.

• Neighbourhood Consultation a Must for Developer

While a number of Development Variance Permits were finally approved, one application met with neighbour resistance, causing the property owner/developer to withdraw his development proposal.  As a required part of the development variance permitting process, adjacent neighbours are notified of a developer's proposed plans and then are at liberty to submit their comments to the municipality.  

Although the developer in this case indicated to an earlier Committee of the Whole meeting, that he had canvassed his neighbours and there appeared to be support for his proposal, the results of formal notification of his neighbours by the municipality, revealed a variety of serious concerns about his plans.  In the end, realizing that Council would probably not support the current application (in the end, Council technically voted to deny his application), the developer voluntarily withdrew his proposal and agreed that it was "back to the drawing board."

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oak-bay-volunteers-feted-HnfCschJJumAFertvskt.zip (29.5 MB)

As I have said many times before, without our volunteers, Oak Bay would not be nearly as vibrant, active or engaged in such a wide range of activities and events, all designed to build community partnerships and enhance our quality of life.

The municipality is indeed lucky to enjoy the support of volunteers across the community who bring experience, skills and dedication to everything they do. From the newer standing committees on:

• environment;
• active transportation; and,
• two working groups on community engagement and Official Community Plan review.

To well established volunteer activities related to:

• Monterey Centre, Henderson, Windsor Park and the Rec Centre; 
• community initiatives; 
• tourism;
• local business;
• archives, heritage and culture; and,
• parks and recreation.

Volunteers are at the heart of what "community" means.  THANK YOU to all of you who make a difference in the lives of others by giving freely, your time and energy to our community.

Starting at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, the Capital Regional District's (CRD) bi-annual Forum of Councils, will bring together for a half day workshop, Mayors, Councillors, Regional District Directors, CRD staff and stakeholders, to review the CRD's draft Strategic Plan for 2012-2014.

The Forum will provide an opportunity for locally elected officials "...to influence the Capital Regional Board's priorities and goals for the next few years."  The Forum will examine, through small group discussions, such priorities as:

• regional cooperation;
• transportation and planning;
• housing and health;
• infrastructure; and,
• environmental stewardship.

I believe that without this type of regional cooperation, we cannot as local communities make strategic decisions about our own priorities and goals for the future; every Official Community Plan, for example, is in some way influenced and guided by the CRD through the Regional Context Statement, which speaks directly to planning for land use and amenities related to the above-mentioned priorities.

I have always found these Forums useful and informative.  They provide local governments with a sense of what is important at the regional level and what the regional pressures and needs are that drive policy and planning.  They also provide opportunities to connect with and learn from regional colleagues about what other local governments are doing.

This Forum winds up at 12:00 p.m. 

Saturday evening found the waterfront from Cattle Point to McNeill Bay and well beyond, packed with parked cars and onlookers, all waiting for the rise of the Super Moon.  It was an amazing sight and made more spectacular because of where we were, at Cattle Point and at McNeill Bay.

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super-moon-over-super-oak-bay-bFHkowivvkqfwdskJjqs.zip (18.19 MB)

• May 14 and May 28, at 7:30 PM - Council meetings in Chambers
• May 22, at 7:00 PM- Committee of the Whole meeting in Chambers

On Saturday, May 26, there is a Forum of Councils' meeting, hosted by the CRD and designed as a workshop for Council members from across the region.  These occur at least twice a year and I have found them both informative, interesting and a great opportunity to network and share information with regional colleagues.  As soon as I know the theme for this Forum, I will share the information on this blog.

Apart from the meetings above, I will be attending monthly Heritage Foundation and Heritage Commission meetings, a monthly Board meeting of the Royal MacPherson Theatre Society, a CRD Arts Committee meeting and a special Municipal dinner hosted by Mayor and Council.

• Residents' Delegation Raises Alarm About Changing Neighbourhoods

Although not on the formal Council meeting agenda, a delegation of about 50 residents attended Chambers to protest what they believe is unchecked development in South Oak Bay, leading to the loss of older homes, streetscapes and neighbourhoods.  While Mayor and Council agreed to hear them, residents were reminded that this would be an informal meeting, without recorded minutes, as determined by legislation.  

A number of residents spoke and expressed their sadness and anger at what they see happening around them, in their neighbourhoods and on their streets, related to new development.  The issue that seems to have galvanized them is the demolition of a Monterey St. house at the corner of the lane between Windsor and McNeill.  The house in my view had been neglected to the point where demolition was inevitable.  

But tree-cutting by the owner (some of which was approved by the municipal arbourist because of issues related to tree health and adjacent construction) further annoyed neighbours and added to their concerns about the proposed design, sighting and mass of the new home.  

Adjacent neighbours and residents in and around Monterey all spoke to the issues of house volume on the lot, setbacks and privacy, alterations to the natural environment and negative impacts on neighoubrs, streescape and neighbourhood character.

Mayor Jensen and planning staff explained the limitations of legislation that restrict what Council and the Municipality can do related to land use.  In this case, the owner is asking for no variances, therefore, Council will have no input into the re-development.  Council's only lever is zoning, where massing and volume related to square footage and lot size are dictated.

I recognize how these residents feel about changes occurring with re-development.  As Council Liaison to the Heritage Commission, the Commission shares some of these concerns related to demolition and alterations to streetscape and neighbourhoods when houses of historical or heritage significance are threatened or torn down.

All of this goes back to my strong belief that without an adequate planning staff and a land use vision that includes community values, including heritage planning, it is almost impossible for Oak Bay Municipality to be proactive when it comes to future re-development and land use.  

Residents are anxious to try to stop very modern re-development, which I believe is next to impossible.  Many of them mentioned the Uplands and the provincial covenant that provides protection through the use of a Design Panel.  It was explained that this is very old legislation reluctantly introduced in 1935 and not replicated anywhere else in BC. 

I was pleased to hear from these residents and I am hopeful that through the renewal of the Official Community Plan, some of their concerns will be addressed, such as changes to zoning that govern mass, volume and lot sizes.  

Local governments must always try to balance the needs of the community with the rights of property owners, often a challenging balancing act I admit. In the end, it is my belief that local governments simply cannot legislate good taste.  

• OCP Review Terms of Reference and Expression of Interest Approved with Edits

The CAO's report to Council on the process for review and renewal of Oak Bay's Official Community Plan was approved in principle but will be edited by the CAO, in consultation with Councillor Pam Copley, to reflect comments by Council members.  

I had suggestions to ensure that the language used for the terms of reference to govern and select members for the OCP Steering Committee are inclusive and designed to select people in rather than select them out, referring to the process for residents to apply to sit on the Committee.  This should be an open, transparent process from beginning to end and Council agreed.

Stay tuned because I hope that if you are interested, you will apply to volunteer on the Committee to help guide the development of a new OCP.  

• The YES Awards

I attended this week's awards' ceremony recognizing Oak Bay youth, from grades 6 to 10, who are "exceptional stars" and young leaders in our community.  Held at the Oak Bay Rec Centre and sponsored by the Oak Bay Child and Youth Committee, the ceremony was opened by Councillor Michelle Kirby, Council Liaison to the Committee and awards were presented by Mayor Nils Jensen and Councillor Pam Copley.  

As pointed out by many presenters and the MC, 17-year-old Logan Graham, himself an award recipient five years ago at just 13, these extraordinary young people represent the leaders of tomorrow.  Oak Bay should be proud as punch that such exceptional youth live and attend school in our community.

I attended this week a gathering coordinated by Mayor Nils Jensen and Councillor Tara Ney that brought together all Council members and municipal Committees and Commissions for a "meet and greet."  

Members from Parks and Recreation, including Director Ray Herman, the Business Improvement Association, the Community Initiatives Committee, the Oak Bay Tourism Committee, the Heritage Commission (apologies if I missed anyone), and the owners and manager of the new Oak Bay Beach Hotel (the Walkers and Michelle Le Sage), joined Mayor and Council at the Penny Farthing Pub to meet one another and share information about their role, activities and planned events for the coming year.  

Mayor Jensen opened the gathering with the question, "How can we support one another?"  As you know, the heart of Oak Bay beats to the commitment of so many dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of our community, adding significant value to what we love about Oak Bay. I believe that this was one of the first opportunities to get together and learn about what each other is doing.  It also provided an informal venue for members to connect and identify how they can build new partnerships that enhance the vitality and energy of their activities and events.

Thanks to everyone who attended.  For me, it was another learning experience and a pleasure to meet the people who help make Oak Bay tick.

I participated this week in a tour of the CRD sewer system that serves Oak Bay and Saanich.  The tour, organized by Oak Bay Director of Engineering Dave Marshall, also included Councillors John Herbert and Kevin Murdoch, Oak Bay senior staff Mark Brennan and Phil Barnett and CRD staff who conducted the tour.

We visited the Haro Woods meter, the Penhryn pump station (lift station), the Currie Rd. pump station and the Trent St. pump station.  These various sites are monitored and maintained by the CRD and three of them, Trent St., Penhryn and Currie Rd., are good examples of how well these buildings are designed and landscaped to fit with their local neighbourhoods.

I learned about stormwater, overflows, peak flows and the intricate and extensive engineering systems that keep sewage underground and on the move.  We don't often think about our sewage system beyond the daily flush and seeing it from an engineering perspective gives it a whole new meaning.

The tour was informative and interesting and I am grateful to Oak Bay staff and the CRD for taking the time to show us the operation.

• Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Proposal

A proposal to award the contract for consultant services to construct the recently announced Henderson Recreation Centre expansion was approved after submission of a report from Ray Herman, General Manager.  

The contract will be a direct award, given that the consultant has been previously involved in the pre-planning stages of the project and is well known to the municipality for its work, all of which has been reported to be exceptional.  I asked if direct awards are a standard for Oak Bay and was assured that in this case, it is entirely appropriate.

• Heritage Alteration Permit Application for 1936 Hampshire Rd.

Council voted to refer this item to the Herutage Commission for their review and recommendation. My understanding is that the owner wants to alter a heritage garage to make room for a new garage and more parking.

• Driveway Widening Application 

An application for a variance on a driveway widening was referred to a Committee of the Whole meeting for further and more open discussion, including submissions by the property owner.

• Funding Request for the Oak Bay Tea Party

Council voted to approve a request for funding from the Oak Bay Tea Party. An additional sum of approximately $800 was awarded to cover a variety of costs to hold the event.  The Tea Party is an icon for Oak Bay, an ideal community-building event, attracting a big crowds. 

• Juno Awards

A presentation by the Downtown Victoria Business Association was part of a request for partnership funds to support the bid by Victoria to host the 2014 Juno Music Awards.  The request is being made to a number of local governments in the region and Oak Bay is being asked to contribute about $18,000 as its share.  The Province is putting up $1.5M I understand. Council agreed to a letter of support but asked that the Association submit a formal request as part of the normal budget process for 2013.

I agree that the Junos are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Victoria and to attract significant tourist dollars to the region.  The Junos also support arts and culture, specifically the music industry, at a time when all levels of government have been cutting back on this type of funding.

• Oak Bay Business Improvement Association

2011 financial statements and the 2012 budget were approved by Council to support the Association and its related activities, especially the very popular Oak Bay Ave. Christmas Light-Up.

• Oak Bay Lodge

Focus Consultants were back before Council to present new timelines for public consultation and decision on the Oak Bay Lodge proposal.  The dates of June 19 for a large public meeting at Monterey Centre and a final Council decision on June 27 were tentatively identified.  

Focus agreed to the consulting model, citing that it reflects a good balance between community, Council, proponent and consulting needs.  I asked if a balloon test will be done to demonstrate the proposed building height and the consultant indicated that they would proceed with such a test.  As well, the parking by-law will be examined ahead of a traffic study that will be conducted in the the second month of the consultation process.

Council also agreed that all Council members will be present on June 27 when the final decision on the Lodge proposal will be made.