SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL DISTRICT

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE REGULAR BOARD

Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 1:00 P.m. - 3:00 P.m.

IN THE BOARDROOM OF THE SUNSHINE COAST

REGIONAL DISTRICT OFFICES AT 1975 FIELD ROAD, SECHELT, B.C.

OTHERS:

• Public: 0

  Media: 1

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CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m.

AGENDA

Adoption of Agenda

• 035/25

  THAT the agenda for the meeting be adopted as amended, by adding a motion under New Business.

  CARRIED

MINUTES

Regular Board meeting minutes of January 23, 2025

• 036/25

  THAT the Regular Board meeting minutes of January 23, 2025 be adopted as presented.

  CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Motion to Amend Item Previously Adopted

Director McMahon requested confirmation of the amount of uncommitted Community Works Funds available for Area E.

The Board recessed at 1:07 p.m. and reconvened at 1:13 p.m.

• 037/25

  THAT Resolution No. 320/24 of the Regular Board meeting of November 28, 2024, as adopted from the Finance Committee (Round 1 Budget) meeting recommendations of November 25, 2024, be amended as follows to accurately reflect both the additional funding required and the authorized up-to amount to be borrowed from the Municipal Finance Authority (italicized):

  Recommendation No. 34  Sechelt Landfill BC Hydro Connection

  THAT the following budget proposal be approved and included into the 2025 Round 2 Budget:

  Budget Proposal 7 – Sechelt Landfill BC Hydro Connection – Additional Funding Required, $71,666 funded through Municipal Finance Authority Short‐Term Loan (Capital Costs) and in 2026 and ongoing a $4,000 Base Budget Increase through Taxation (Electricity Costs).

  AND THAT the Sunshine Coast Regional District authorize up to $370,666 to be borrowed, under Section 403 of the Local Government Act, from Municipal Finance Authority, for the purpose of the Sechelt Landfill BC Hydro Connection project;

  AND FURTHER THAT the loan be repaid within five years with no rights of renewal.

  CARRIED

PRESENTATIONS AND DELEGATIONS

REPORTS

Committee of the Whole meeting recommendation Nos. 2 and 4 - 8 of January 23, 2025

Recommendation Nos. 1 and 3 previously adopted

• 038/25

  THAT Committee of the Whole meeting recommendation Nos. 2 and 4 - 8 of January 23, 2025 be received, adopted, and acted upon as follows:

  Recommendation No. 2  Hopkins Landing Waterworks District Conversion Options

  THAT staff establish an emergency supply agreement with Hopkins Landing Waterworks District (HLWD) through to the conclusion of the HLWD Conversion Feasibility Study.

  Recommendation No. 4  2024 Preliminary Surpluses and Deficits

  THAT the report titled 2024 Preliminary Surplus / Deficits be received for information;

  AND THAT as per the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Financial Sustainability Policy, the 2024 surpluses be transferred to reserves as detailed in Attachment A of the report;

  AND THAT the following deficits be funded from Operating Reserves;

  • [110] General Government - $1,238;
  • [204] Halfmoon Bay Smoke Control - $2,557;
  • [313] Building Maintenance Services - $7,942;
  • [389] Canoe Road Wastewater Plant - $30;
  • [506] Geographic Information Services - $4,051;

  AND THAT the [155] Feasibility Studies Area F deficit of $5,625 be funded from 2025 Taxation as previously committed through Board Resolution #235/24;

  AND THAT the [210] Gibsons and District Fire Protection Service deficit of $110,808 be funded from remaining uncommitted operating reserves ($58,000 est.) with the remainder funded from 2025 Taxation ($52,808 est.);

  AND THAT the [212] Roberts Creek Fire Protection Service deficit of $36,325 be funded from remaining uncommitted operating reserves ($2,000 est.) with the remainder funded from 2025 Taxation ($34,325 est.);

  AND THAT the [312] Fleet Maintenance deficit of $77,739 be funded from remaining uncommitted operating reserves ($31,000 est.) with the remainder funded from 2025 internal recoveries ($46,739 est.);

  AND FURTHER THAT the [340] Burns Road Street Lighting Service base budget for electricity be increased by $284 from $241 to $525.

  Recommendation No. 5  Constituency Expenses and Reimbursement of Directors' Travel and Other Expenses Policies

  THAT the report titled Constituency Expenses and Reimbursement of Directors' Travel and Other Expenses Policies be received for information;

  AND THAT the Constituency Expenses and Reimbursement of Directors' Travel and Other Expenses policies be adopted as presented.

  Recommendation No. 6  Contracts Between $50,000 and $100,00 (October to December)

  THAT the staff report titled Contracts Between $50,000 and $100,000 from October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 be received for information.

  Recommendation No. 7  Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024

  THAT the Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024 be received for information.

  Recommendation No. 8  Ports Monitoring Committee Meeting Minutes of December 10, 2024

  THAT the Ports Monitoring Committee Meeting Minutes of December 10, 2024 be received for information.

  CARRIED

Final 2024 Project Carry-Forwards

P. Paul, shíshálh Nation Government District left the meeting at 1:17 PM.

• 039/25

  THAT the report titled Final 2024 Project Carry-Forwards be received for information;

  AND THAT the Square Bay Infiltration Reduction project be abandoned and the funds be returned to the Square Bay [387] operating reserves;

  AND THAT the Square Bay Infiltration Reduction Repairs project be cancelled and that the funds be returned to the Square Bay [387] operating reserves;

  AND FURTHER THAT any remaining ongoing 2024 projects and associated funding be included in the 2025-2029 Financial Plan as presented.

  CARRIED

RFP 2435002 Contract Award for Island Clean Up Services

• 040/25

  THAT the report titled Request for Proposal 2435002 Contract Award for Island Clean Up Services be received for information;

  AND THAT a contract be awarded to Freedom Diving Systems Ltd. in the amount of up to $890,000 (excluding GST) for a contract term of up to five years;

  AND FURTHER THAT the delegated authorities be authorized to execute the contract.

  CARRIED

Request for Exemption from SCRD Noise Control Bylaw No. 597 for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries)

• 041/25

  THAT the report titled Request for Exemption from SCRD Noise Control Bylaw No. 597 for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) be received for information;

  AND THAT enforcement against British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) be waived according to the following schedule for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) to perform maintenance at the Langdale Ferry Terminal (Electoral Area F):

  • From 7:00 a.m. on February 20, 2025 to 4:00 a.m. on May 16, 2025 at the Langdale Ferry Terminal

  AND FURTHER THAT British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) be requested to attempt to minimize disturbances and that appropriate notice be provided to area residents.

  CARRIED

COMMUNICATIONS

MOTIONS

Motion Regarding Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Corporate Officer addressed the Board regarding a revised total amount as requested by the District of Sechelt.

• 042/25

  THAT the Sunshine Coast Regional District support the District of Sechelt in applying for and administering the Disability Alliance BC municipal funding disbursement in the amount of up to $15,000 to support the Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee’s work towards meeting the requirements of Part 3 of the Accessible BC Act on behalf of the District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons and, Sunshine Coast Regional District.

  CARRIED

BYLAWS

Sunshine Coast Regional District Financial Plan Bylaw No. 772, 2025

• 043/25

  THAT Sunshine Coast Regional District Financial Plan Bylaw No. 772, 2025 be read a first time.

  CARRIED
• 044/25

  THAT Sunshine Coast Regional District Financial Plan Bylaw No. 772, 2025 be read a second time.

  CARRIED
• 045/25

  THAT Sunshine Coast Regional District Financial Plan Bylaw No. 772, 2025 be read a third time.

  CARRIED
• 046/25

  THAT Sunshine Coast Regional District Financial Plan Bylaw No. 772, 2025 be adopted.

  CARRIED

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS

The Directors provided an update of their activities in the community.

NEW BUSINESS

High Ground Conference

• 047/25

  THAT Director McMahon and Director Gabias be authorized to attend the High Ground Conference on March 7 and 8, 2025, in Vancouver, BC;

  AND THAT travel expenses and registration fees be paid for the directors’ attendance at the High Ground Conference.

  CARRIED

IN CAMERA

The Board moved In Camera at 1:51.

The Board moved out of In Camera at 2:40 p.m.

• 048/25

  THAT the public be excluded from attendance at the meeting in accordance with Section 90 (1) (c), (e), (g), and (k) of the Community Charter, "labour relations or other employee relations"; "the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements..."; "litigation or potential litigation..."; "negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service..." 

  CARRIED

RELEASE OF ITEMS FROM IN CAMERA

• 049/25

  Emergency Support Services Grant

  THAT the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) accepts the Community Emergency Preparedness grant for Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training valued at $30,000;

  AND THAT the delegated authorities be authorized to execute the Approval Agreement and accept the Terms and Conditions;

  AND THAT the approved funding be incorporated into the 2024-2028 Financial plan for the Sunshine Coast Emergency Preparedness service.

  CARRIED
• 050/25

  Water Supply Advisory Committee - Options for Next Steps

  THAT a decision on the future of the WASAC committee be deferred until after finalization of the SCRD Water Strategy.

  CARRIED
• 051/25

  SCRD Water Strategy

  THAT Water Stewardship goal 'B' be amended to indicate that residential demand targets be developed as part of the Water Efficiency Plan.

  CARRIED
• 052/25

  SCRD Water Strategy

  THAT the draft version of Attachment ‘C’ of the Sunshine Coast Regional District Water Strategy be referred back to the shíshálh and Squamish Nations for input before the end of 2024, if possible. 

  CARRIED
• 053/25

  Draft Archaeological and Cultural / Heritage Protection Policy for Ground Disturbing Works 

  THAT staff refer the draft policy titled Archaeological and Cultural/Heritage Protection Policy for Ground Disturbing Works to the shíshálh Nation and the Sḵwx wú7mesh Úxwumixw for review;

  AND THAT staff bring back a final policy to a future Committee of the Whole meeting.

  CARRIED
• 054/25

  Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Volunteer Fire Departments [210, 212, 216, 218] - Firefighter Compensation Action Plan - 2025 Budget Direction

  THAT a budget proposal to evolve the compensation model for SCRD firefighters be brought to the Finance Committee January 13 / 14, 2025 (2025 Round 2 Budget) meeting that considers:

  • Move toward implementation of a paid on call model;
  • Employment of a matrix that does not expose firefighters to reduction in compensation and that at least meets minimum wage;
  • Implementation of a new paid-on-call compensation system for volunteer firefighters in Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department (GDVFD), Roberts Creek Volunteer Fire Department (RCVFD) and Halfmoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department (HBVFD) as of October 1, 2025;
  • Reporting to a future Committee on Egmont and District Volunteer Fire Department (EDVFD) service levels, including the interface between Fire Department, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and BC Hydro responsibilities;
  • A proposal for implementation of paid on call firefighter compensation for as part of the 2026 annual budget process for EDVFD;
  • A strategy that provides adequate compensation to firefighters while providing cost certainty to SCRD be incorporated into the new compensation model;
  • Pursuit, collaboratively with firefighters, of improved approaches to communication with firefighters and to evolving the working relationship with firefighter associations, with progress reported to the SCRD Board. 
  CARRIED
• 055/25

  shishalh Nation and SCRD MOU Renewal - Lower Crown Reservoir

  THAT the shíshálh Nation and SCRD MOU – Lower Crown Reservoir be extended to July 14, 2026;

  AND THAT the delegated authorities be authorized to execute the extension addendum.

  CARRIED
• 056/25

  Reservoir Project - SCRD Action Items

  THAT water treatment plant upgrades of $24.6 million be included in the year “2029” for the Regional Water Service [370], funded through $9.6 million in government transfers and up to $15 million through long term debt;

  AND THAT the SCRD’s 2025-2029 Financial Plan Bylaw be amended accordingly;

  AND FURTHER THAT a certified resolution be forwarded to the shíshálh Nation to share with the Union of BC Municipalities as proof of funding by the SCRD, pending public approval.

  CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Regular Board meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

• 057/25

  THAT the Regular Board meeting of February 13, 2025 be adjourned.

  CARRIED