Questions submitted in advance of the Meeting by email.
Lenka Prozachka, 7470 Ambassador Crescent
L. Prozachka asked will Council consider the huge affordability issues faced by my generation when choosing whether this beautification project (White Gold Undergrounding) proceeds?
Mayor Crompton advised a tender is required and the project is not binding on Council at this stage. Once the final price is known, a cost estimate will be compiled. If the final cost estimate is less than the value approved by the petition, the RMOW can proceed to the next steps. If the final cost estimate is more than the petition value, RMOW staff can request Mayor and Council provide direction to re-issue the petition at the new value and potentially at a threshold other than what is specified in the Community Charter. If approved by Council, a new petition will be sent to all 160 properties of White Gold.
Questions asked in person.
Rhonda Millikin, 7212 Fitzsimmons Road South
R. Millikin asked if Mayor and Council would cancel the White Gold Undergrounding Project (WGUP) given the rising costs.
Mayor Crompton advised Council is waiting for the final estimates before proceeding with a decision. If it is less than the amount included in the original petition, then it will proceed to the next stage. If the estimate is more – staff will ask Council to redo the petition. Council has leeway to increase the threshold and other considerations, affordability for residents considered.
Danny Mason, no fixed address
D. Mason asked when Council directed staff to no longer enforce the covenant in place on the property formerly rented by D. Mason and his family.
Mayor Crompton advised the situation appears to be a Rental Tenancy Branch (RTB) issue and the municipality does not regulate the RTB, it is a Provincial Government matter.
D. Mason asked if it was true that RMOW staff advised his previous landlord that D. Mason had harassed staff regarding this covenant and tenancy issue.
Mayor Crompton advised Council has no information on that.
D. Mason asked how the creating WHA market inventory is regarded as the best way to offer affordable housing for local employees.
Mayor Crompton noted there are 7,000 beds in a town of 13,000 people and the goal of this Council is to build more.
D. Mason asked why the Housing Covenant in place at his former residence could be utilized in a number of ways but not to protect their family’s continued tenancy.
Mayor Crompton advised eviction and the rules around eviction is entirely an RTB issue.
D. Mason asked if Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) board members sit in RMOW Closed Council meetings.
Mayor Crompton advised that WHA Board members do not attend Closed Council meetings, unless they are invited to attend for a specific report relating to the WHA.
D. Mason asked if it may be a conflict of interest if certain WHA board members sit at Closed Council meetings.
Mayor Crompton advised the way the RMOW conducts Closed Council meetings follows all legal requirements.
D. Mason asked what is Mayor and Council’s position on an ‘empty home tax’ in Whistler.
Mayor Crompton advised Council has not taken a position on that topic.
Tom Prochazka, 7470 Ambassador Crescent
T. Prochazka asked if Council would reconsider proceeding with the WGUP if the costs are higher than initially anticipated.
Mayor Crompton advised there has been no final cost estimate yet, however if it is higher than the petition’s parameters, Council will return to the property owners with a new petition.
Claire Thornwaite, 7470 Ambassador Crescent
C. Thornthwaite asked if a re-design was possible, with input from Shaw and Telus, before a new petition was put forward.
General Manager of Infrastructure Services J. Hallisey advised the designs will be available soon although it was not considered to invite Shaw and Telus for their input.
Marielle Thompson, 7418 Ambassador Crescent (and representing 7422 Ambassador Crescent)
M. Thompson asked if Council would consider cancelling the WGUP.
Mayor Crompton advised at this time the process cannot be halted and will be revisited once the final cost estimate is put forward.
Al Morgan, 7320 Fitzsimmons Road South
A. Morgan asked when the design and price schedule will be completed and publicized for inspection by residents and if this is a preliminary or final design?
Mayor Crompton advised the proposal and price schedule will be for a final design and to be made available in the next 6-8 weeks.
Christina Willis, no fixed address
C. Wilis asked why covenants are not homogenously enforced across properties in the RMOW.
Mayor Crompton advised the owners of the property in question utilized the Residential Tenancy Act to rent the suite to a next of kin who would qualify under the employee housing covenant based on a statutory declaration.
General Manager of Corporate and Community Services T. Battiston noted the use of the suite by a family member falls under the jurisdiction of the province. The RMOW does not have the power to enforce or dispute decisions by the RTB, however if the new tenant is not employed or looking for work in Whistler, or does not live in Whistler full-time, the RMOW can enforce the covenant on a complaint-based approach.
C. Willis asked regarding the tenancy’s rental rate and apparently did not conform to the RMOW’s schedule of rates.
General Manager of Corporate and Community Services T. Battiston noted the Bylaw Department follows complaints that come in based on this common issue in Whistler.
C. Willis asked if private property owners with WHA properties receive any tax incentives or exemptions.
Mayor Crompton advised they do not.
Scott Carroll, 2370 Toni Sailer Lane
S. Carroll asked who would pay anything above $5,500,000, the original WGUP petition amount.
General Manager of Infrastructure Services J. Hallisey advised the RMOW is at risk of paying incurred costs above that amount and would not approve a final cost estimate above that.
Mayor Crompton noted the Local Area Service Petition as per the Community Charter is the only way for residents to communicate their desire to change the utilities in their neighbourhood.
Keith Henneke, White Gold
K. Henneke asked if Mayor and Council could take into consideration offering more weight to the votes of full time Whistler residents?
Mayor Crompton advised the RMOW could not consider such a voting structure.
K. Henneke asked if Mayor and Council could take into consideration if the 51% threshold could be altered for future petitions.
Mayor Crompton advised there is some flexibility in the petition threshold.
Ronald Watson, 7304 Fitzsimmons Road South
R. Watson asked if a full environmental assessment will be done with respect to WGUP.
General Manager of Infrastructure Services J. Hallisey advised the environmental impact is not assessed to be significant and where necessary there will be a report.
Claire Thornthwaite, 7470 Ambassador Crescent
C. Thornthwaite asked if Mayor and Council can still vote against the lending once the WGUP final tender has finished.
Mayor Crompton advised that Council can vote against lending if the final tender is above the original petition value and can also vote against lending for other reasons.
Mayor Crompton called for a brief recess at 6:17 p.m.
Mayor Crompton brought the meeting back to order 6:20 p.m.