In the public comments portion of the meeting, Coral Tipton thanks Council for the grant that allowed this past year's "Haunted Dock", the pirated themed event on the North Dock during Halloween. Edna Thomson also spoke asking if Council could consider the former Crippen Park portion of the Community Lands (aka Surplus Lands) for inclusion in the proposed National Park initiative on Bowen Island.
Corporal Donald Southern from the Bowen Island Detachment of the RCMP presented a police report. He began with an announcement that all 3 RCMP members of the Bowen detachment are due for a transfer out during 2010. Cpl. Southern would be the first one transferred out. The Mayor asked if there was a way to stagger the departures so "all of the corporate memory isn't lost". The Corporal understood this issue and was doing his best given the circumstances to find the appropriate individual for the Community and brief the person. He then gave a summary of the major investigations that are underway. He wasn't at liberty to discuss details... He brought up a take down of a grow-op on "the night of the Barn Dance" with a capacity of growing 200 plants. Charges are pending. Next up from the Corporal was the "traffic report". Violations are up from the previous year, drinking and driving suspensions and criminal charges are up from the previous year. On a positive note, he stated compliance with wearing seat belts is up. In the Seven Hills area, he noted that speeding is down. Corporal Southern then fielded a series of questions from Councillors on topics ranging from off-road vehicles to DUI suspension matters.
In the "business arising" OCP Chair, Dave Witty provided an update. He mentioned a process called "Integrated Landscape Modeling" that creates mapped growth scenarios using a high tech methodology and implementation. Murray Journeay has agreed to meet with the OCP Committee about using this tool. The OCP Committee is going to have a retreat in December to review all of the submitted material from the Community. "Next steps' in the process is to summarize the Community input and "build towards options" in order to have a presentable piece for the Community in January.
Dave Witty continued on in the second part of his update mentioned there were a series of "challenges". The big challenge is the managing the OCP update process is taking up far too much time as a result of there not being a Planner on staff at the Muni. This problem came about after the OCP Update Committee was struck. Further to wit is The Chair, Dave Witty, is in two roles as the Chair, the mediator and then switching hats as "The Planner" who is giving direction on the shape of the plan. In terms of timelines, the OCP update process is falling behind due in large measure to the absence of a Municipal Planner. CAO Slegtenhorst weighed in on the discussion, at the behest of the Mayor, stating the role of the Planner has effectively been assumed by the CAO until a suitable planner has been found and accepts the offer. The Municipality is in active recruitment right now. The discussion moved onto the idea of hiring contract planners, however, contract Planners, are in short supply, almost impossible to find. The demand for Planners is significant at the moment. To validate the issue, Mayor Turner stated that Jason Smith, the former Planner, had allocated 50% of his time to OCP Update matters.
Councillor Poole stated it would be a good idea if the OCP Update Committee took advantage of the scheduled Island's Trust Public Planning workshops that outline how to roll in the 'reducing greenhouse gas emission requirements" into the OCP Update. She further stated that this is a requirement of "Bill 27" which requires this to be in OCP's by spring of 2010. OCP Update Chair, Dave Witty, agreed that it would be a good idea to organize the Island's Trust planners to have a workshop on Bowen about "Bill 27" matters, however, he and the CAO raised the issue of resourcing. Who was going to organize this.
Councillor Wrinch jumped into the fray stating that we need a Planner that is schooled in Bowen Island matters and perhaps the Vancouver Regional District could be convinced to allow former Muni Planner, Jason Smith to be brought back "by arrangement" to the Muni for 1 day a week. The Mayor stated it is worth pursing.
Next significant topic was relating to the National Park initiative. Councillor Poole brought up a requirement to produce decent documentation for Parks Canada on Bowen Island which would cost some money to produce. Consultant, Mel Turner, who has had experience with Parks Canada suggested this would be beneficial. A motion came forward to allocate "an amount not to exceed $5,000." to go towards these documents and publications.
There was a discussion about whether or not to conduct a physical fact finding mission on Saturna or Pender Islands between now and May. It was generally agreed upon that this would not be necessary.
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