REGULAR MEETING OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

MINUTES

Tuesday, February 02, 2021 at 5:30 P.m. - 8:30 P.m.

Remote Meeting

To attend via Zoom go to www.whistler.ca/CouncilMeetings

PRESENT:

• Mayor J. Crompton
• Councillor A. De Jong
• Councillor J. Ford
• Councillor R. Forsyth
• Councillor J. Grills
• Councillor D. Jackson
• Councillor C. Jewett

STAFF PRESENT:

• Chief Administrative Officer, V. Cullen
• General Manager of Corporate and Community Services, T. Battiston
• General Manager of Infrastructure Services, J. Hallisey
• General Manager of Resort Experience, J. Gresley-Jones
• Interim General Manager of Resort Experience, T. Metcalf
• Director of Human Resources, D. Wood
• Director of Planning, M. Kirkegaard
• Director of Finance, C. Price
• Manager of Communications, G. Robinson
• Municipal Clerk, B. Browning
• Manager of Corporate Projects, M. Comeau
• Deputy Municipal Clerk, A. Banman
• Legislative Services Administrative Assistant, L. Wyn-Griffiths
• Marius Miklea

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor J. Crompton called a five minute recess at the start of the Meeting due to technical issues. The Meeting was reconvened at 5:35 p.m.

Mayor J. Crompton recognized that the Meeting is being held on the traditional unceded territories of the Lil’wat Nation and the Squamish Nation.

2.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA AS AMENDED

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor C. Jewett

  That Council adopt the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of February 2, 2021, as amended to include a presentation by Manager of Transport and Waste Management, A. Tucker for two grant applications for UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – Flood Mitigation and Emergency Management BC National Disaster Mitigation Program – Stream 3 Flood Mitigation; a presentation by Manager of Planning, M. Laidlaw for 5298 Alta Lake Road Zoning Amendment for Employee/Market Housing; Deferral of the Whistler Valley Housing Society appointments; Deferral of the Advisory Design Panel appointments and 13 pieces of late correspondence regarding 5298 Alta Lake Road File No. RZ1157.

  CARRIED

3.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By Councillor A. De Jong
  Seconded By Councillor R. Forsyth

  That Council adopt the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 19, 2021; and

  That Council adopt the Public Hearing Minutes of January 26, 2021.

  CARRIED

4.

PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

Questions were asked during the Meeting via Zoom.

Dawn Titus, 8440 Bear Paw Trail

D. Titus asked if the updated environmental assessment has been completed regarding Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020.

The Manager of Planning M. Laidlaw confirmed this has been recently received and is currently under review by staff.

D. Titus asked if the Bylaw’s First and Second Reading will be given tonight without attaching the environmental assessment.

The Manager of Planning M. Laidlaw advised that typically third party reports are not added to Council packages, rather staff prepared their reports with information from all sources, including third party reports. The Bylaw’s First and Second Reading tonight do no relate specifically to the updated environmental assessment.

D. Titus asked if the existing traffic study is representative of the peak season traffic flow on Alta Lake Road.

The Manager of Planning M. Laidlaw advised as per the December 1, 2020 report, that staff have recently received an updated traffic study and it is under review.

D. Titus asked for clarification of the developer’s relationship with the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

Mayor J. Crompton responded that they are considering the merits of rezoning, considering the input of the neighbours and the details of the proposal.

Richard Durrans, 5200 Jordan Lane

R. Durrans attempted to ask a question however was unable to activate their audio.

Mayor J. Crompton allowed for some time to pass, however still unable to activate their microphone to ask a question, Mayor J. Crompton then moved to the next individual’s question.

Paul Hothersall, 2240 Gondola Way

P. Hothersall asked if any members of Council are aware of any other Whistler locations that have had COVID-19 outbreaks, other than those publicly announced recently.

Mayor J. Crompton advised Vancouver Coastal Health is doing their best and Council is not aware of other locations.

P. Hothersall noted one-third of all the restaurant/community exposure notices in the province have been from Whistler and suggested it may be related to insufficient contact tracing in the Municipality. He asked if the Municipality could require establishments to get contact information from each person who visits instead of one per group?

Mayor J. Crompton advised the pandemic is being managed by the Provincial Health Office and through the various Health Authorities. It’s the professionals in that office that make these decisions.

Brandon Green, 5205 Jordan Lane

B. Green asked to hear from each member of Council with respect to RZ1157. He also asked why the RMOW were only supporting housing projects that were owned by the WHA and employees, and if the goals of these housing projects are congruent with the vision which council had for these housing solutions.

Mayor J. Crompton advised that the public process needs to be followed for RZ1157 and Council will speak to questions then, however this Council Meeting is not specifically for that, rather that there will be a Public Hearing to address any issues. Likewise,100 per cent Whistler Housing Authority ownership was only in place for approximately one year and produced housing proposals that were considered dense, and thus had to be changed in order to offer flexibility. Mayor Crompton advised Council did not reach the decision-making portion of that process, and Council can only speak by resolution.

Elise Maskell, 1500 Spring Creek Drive

E. Maskell said she is thankful of all the work RMOW Council and staff have done through these difficult times.

5.

MAYOR'S REPORT

Condolences

Mayor J. Crompton, on behalf of Council and the Resort Municipality of Whistler, would like to share condolences with the family and friends of Patricia Lynn Walker.

Mayor J. Crompton, on behalf of Council and the Resort Municipality of Whistler, would like to share condolences with the family and friends of Grace Oaks.

COVID-19 Community Session

On January 21, Mayor and Council joined doctors from the Whistler Health Care Centre and community leaders to share updates about the latest

COVID-19 situation in Whistler and the steps being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

A video recording, along with a question and answer document from the session is available at www.whistler.ca/COVID19.

If you were not able to attend the session, you can email your questions to [email protected].

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing in Whistler is free. You do not need health insurance or BC MSP coverage to get a test. If you are concerned, you need a test.

Information on testing along with a self-isolation guide can be found at www.whistler.ca/COVID19.

Whistler Community Services Society is able to provide assistance to anyone in our community struggling with self-isolation. Whether you need food, hygiene products, financial assistance and connectivity - support is available.

Whistler Has Heart Project

On Wednesdays through Saturdays from February 3 to 27, the Whistler Has Heart project will see one hundred painted wooden hearts displayed at different pop-up locations throughout the Whistler valley.

The hearts will be painted by local artists and residents to thank our community and essential workers for their strength, support and kindness to one another throughout the pandemic.

Everyone is encouraged to post photos of the heart displays on Instagram with #MyWhistler.

There will also be a QR code displayed alongside the hearts where donations can be offered to support The Whistler Health Care Foundation.

The hearts will be displayed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Community Enrichment Program

2021 Community Enrichment Program applications are being accepted until February 15.

Local not-for-profit organizations and societies can learn more at www.whistler.ca/cep.

Business Licences

Business licences can now be applied for through the MyWhistler online portal at www.my.whistler.ca.

To submit an online business licence application, and to learn more about the licencing process and the updated fee schedule, visit: www.whistler.ca/BusinessLicences.

Whistler 101

The final episode in the Whistler 101 series aired last week.

All five episodes are permanently available for viewing at www.whistler.ca/101.

Councillor Jewett’s Arts Update

Arts Whistler and Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) have partnered in a campaign to raise awareness and funds for Mental Health. WCSS has had an unprecedented demand for mental health and emotional support from community members.

Artist Aurora Moore has designed a pin for a new mental health and awareness initiative. To show your support, individuals and businesses are asked to go to www.artswin histler.com to order “Reach Out” pins. I’ve already placed my order and added a donation.

Picturing Pemberton Art Exhibit now on at Maury Young Arts Centre.

The Teeny Tiny Art Show is coming. Artists are asked to have their submissions completed by the end of this month.

Tonight the Audain Tuesday Night Talks guest is Dempsey Bob - his three-quarter view Yellow Cedar Transformation mask is my favourite in the contemporary collection. The talk starts at 8:00 p.m., you can register at www.audainartmuseum.com.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is offering the “Bringing Home the Bannock Menu” every Friday. Pre-order for take-out or delivery.

“Welcome to the unceded territories of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations”. Learn more about land acknowledgements at SLCC.ca.

At the Whistler Museum “Land of Thundering Snow” avalanche exhibit continues.

Communities that Care is asking young adults living in Whistler aged 18-30 years old to complete the 2021 survey. Go to www.ctcwhistler.ca to find the survey and complete it to tell us how to make Whistler better for you and win daily prizes.

If you’re looking for a special gift, buy local. Either from a local business or one of our Museum gift shops.

Councillor Forsyth

Money Matters Financial Series: Teaching the 4-Pillars. Available at www.whistlerlibrary.ca along with lots of other exciting programs.

6.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

6.1

SLRD Referral – Bylaw No. 1679-2020, Rezoning For WedgeWoods Estates To Permit Second Auxiliary Dwelling Unit For Affordable Employee Housing No. 21-008 File No. CR000106

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor D. Jackson

  That Council direct staff to respond to the referral from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District regarding proposed Bylaw No. 1679-2020 with the comments attached as Appendix “A” to Administrative Report No. 21-008.

  CARRIED

6.2

UBCM Grant Application Active Transportation Plan - Let's Move Whistler Report No. 20-009 File No. 546

• Moved By Councillor C. Jewett
  Seconded By Councillor J. Ford

  That Council endorse the Let’s Move Whistler grant application to the UBCM as part of the Active Transportation Planning program; and

  That Council authorize staff to manage the Let’s Move Whistler planning project.

  CARRIED

6.3

Grant Application For UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Flood Mitigation Planning Report No. 21-010 File No. 509

Presentation by Manager of Transport and Waste Management, A. Tucker.

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor C. Jewett

  That Council endorse the Flood Mitigation Planning Grant Application, and if successful, direct staff to provide overall management of the grant as per the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ grant requirements as attached as Appendix “A” to Administration Report to Council No. 21-010.

  CARRIED

6.4

Grant Application For Emergency Management BC National Disaster Mitigation Program - Stream 3 Flood Mitigation Planning Report No. 21-011 File No. 509

• Moved By Councillor J. Grills
  Seconded By Councillor J. Ford

  That Council endorse the Stream 3 Grant Application for Flood Mitigation Planning, and if successful direct staff to provide overall grant management as per Emergency Management British Columbia’s (EMBC) grant requirements attached as Appendix “A” to Administration Report to Council No. 21-011.

  CARRIED

6.5

RZ001157 – 5298 Alta Lake Road Zoning Amendment For Employee/ Market Housing Report No. 21-012 File No. RZ001157

Technical Director of Planning, M. Kirkegard left the meeting at 6:22 p.m.

Presentation by Manager of Planning, Melissa Laidlaw.

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor C. Jewett

  That Council consider rescinding first and second readings to “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020”; and

  That Council consider giving first and second readings to “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020”, as amended; and

  That Council authorize staff to schedule a Public Hearing for “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020”, as amended; and further

  That the matters described in the motion carried by Council on December 1, 2020 and attached for reference as Appendix “A” to this Report No. 21-012, be resolved prior to adoption of “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020”, as amended.

  CARRIED

6.6

Tourdex.com Systems Inc. 2020 Annual Filing Report No. 21-013 File No. VAULT

• Moved By Councillor J. Ford
  Seconded By Councillor D. Jackson

  That the Council of the Resort Municipality of Whistler (Municipality) in open meeting assembled, hereby resolve that the Municipality, as one of the shareholders of Tourdex.com Systems Inc. (Tourdex.com), pass the Consent Resolutions of the shareholders of Tourdex.com, copies of which are attached to this Administrative Report No. 21-013 as Appendix “A”.

  CARRIED

6.7

Whistler.com Systems Inc. 2020 Annual Filing Report No. 21-014 File No. VAULT

• Moved By Councillor J. Ford
  Seconded By Councillor R. Forsyth

  That the Council of the Resort Municipality of Whistler (Municipality) in open meeting assembled, hereby resolve that the Municipality, as one of the shareholders of Whistler.com Systems Inc. (Whistler.com), pass the Consent Resolutions of the shareholders of Whistler.com, copies of which are attached to Administrative Report to Council No. 21-014 as Appendix “A”.

  CARRIED

7.

MINUTES OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS

7.1

Recreation Leisure Advisory Committee

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor J. Ford

  That Council receive the Regular Meeting Minutes of the Recreation Leisure Advisory Committee of December 10, 2020.

  CARRIED

8.

BYLAWS FOR RESCINDING FIRST AND SECOND READINGS

8.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor C. Jewett

  That “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020” first and second readings be rescinded.

  CARRIED

9.

BYLAWS FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS

9.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor C. Jewett

  That “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (5298 Alta Lake Road) No. 2283, 2020”, as amended, be given first and second readings.

  CARRIED

10.

OTHER BUSINESS

10.1

Council Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor J. Grills

  That Council direct staff to bring forward an updated Council Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic staff report when:

  1. the Provincial Public Health Orders change to allow the public to attend in-person Council Meetings, and
  2. Provincial guidance no longer strongly encourages all Council Meeting participants to attend electronically.
  CARRIED

10.2

Deferral of Notification of Advisory Design Panel Appointments

Mayor J. Crompton advised that the board appointment to the Advisory Design Panel has been deferred to a later date.

10.3

Notification of Board of Variance Appointments

Mayor J. Crompton announced Jim Charters has been appointed of the Board of Variance for a three year term effective February 2, 2021.

10.4

Deferral of Notification of Whistler Valley Housing Society Appointments

Mayor J. Crompton advised that the four RMOW board appointments to the Whistler Valley Housing Society have been deferred to a later date.

11.

CORRESPONDENCE

11.1

Province-wide Ban on Anticoagulant Rodenticides File No. 3009

• Moved By Councillor C. Jewett
  Seconded By Councillor A. De Jong

  That correspondence from Christine Baird regarding a letter from Mayor Linda Buchanan sent to Hon. George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Minister responsible for TransLink regarding Implementing a Province-wide Ban on Anticoagulant Rodenticides be received and referred to staff.

  CARRIED

11.2

RZ1157 5298 Alta Lake Road File No. RZ1157

• Moved By Councillor R. Forsyth
  Seconded By Councillor C. Jewett

  That correspondence from correspondence from the following individuals, regarding RZ1157 5298 Alta Lake Road be received and referred to staff:

  • Claudie Warner; 
  • Rita Dodge;
  • Michael Artiss;
  • Morley Forsyth;
  • Lisa Di Tosto;
  • Dan Tyndall;
  • Amy Romano;
  • Brenda Fraser;
  • Brandon Stuart Green;
  • Colleen Fraser;
  • Estelle Fraser;
  • Sarah MacDonald;
  • Brent Nichols;
  • Brooke Romano;
  • Mallory Mellor;
  • Tiana Hauschka;
  • Thomas Kanitz Rasmussen;
  • Dennis Ross Rose;
  • Dr. Genieve Burley;
  • Tom Savage;
  • Esa-Jane Rapaport;
  • Holly Adams;
  • Jennifer Jackson;
  • Laura Wallace;
  • Paul Brian;
  • Susan Hamersley;
  • Stephanie Reesor;
  • Maria Hokkanen;
  • Rob Follows;
  • Richard Durrans;
  • Claire Lamont;
  • Dave Beattie;
  • Emma Ertel;
  • Jen Bridges;
  • Natasha Oswald;
  • Caroline Haselden;
  • Janel Ryan;
  • Alan Linsley;
  • Brian Wallace and Wendy Carter;
  • George Lever;
  • Amanda Shaw;
  • Joanne Scott;
  • Lisa Di Tosto; and
  • Patricia Custance.
  CARRIED

11.3

Light Up Request World Down Syndrome Day File No. 3009.1

• Moved By Councillor C. Jewett
  Seconded By Councillor J. Ford

  That correspondence from Liza Kiegler requesting that the Fitzsimmons Bridge be lit blue and yellow on March 21, 2021 in support of World Down Syndrome Day be received, referred, and lit.

  CARRIED

11.4

Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in Whistler File No. 3009

• Moved By Councillor C. Jewett
  Seconded By Councillor R. Forsyth

  That correspondence from Tyler Follett regarding legal cannabis dispensaries in Whistler be received and referred to staff.

  CARRIED

12.

TERMINATION

• Moved By Councillor C. Jewett
  Seconded By Councillor R. Forsyth

  That the Regular Council Meeting of February 2, 2021 be terminated at 7:09 p.m.

  CARRIED