Printer VersionMUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minutes of the inaugural meeting of the Municipal Services Committee held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the Strathcona Regional District office, located at 990 Cedar Street, Campbell River, BC.

A quorum having been confirmed, the Corporate Officer called the meeting to order at 2:12 p.m. with the following directors physically in attendance or participating electronically:
     
Directors:M. BakerVillage of Sayward
 J. ColborneVillage of Zeballos
 K. DahlCity of Campbell River
 M. DavisVillage of Tahsis
 M. JackKa:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations
 M. LottVillage of Gold River
 S. SinnottCity of Campbell River


          
 
 
ELECTION OF CHAIR
  
The Corporate Officer called for nominations for the position of Municipal Services Committee Chair. [Item]
 
Director Sinnott nominated Director Baker. Director Baker accepted the nomination with thanks.

The Corporate Officer called a second and third time for nominations and there were none.

The Corporate Officer declared Director Baker elected by acclamation to the position of Chair.
 
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
  
The Corporate Officer called for nominations for the position of Municipal Services Committee Vice Chair. [Item]
 
Director Dahl nominated Director Sinnott. Director Sinnott accepted the nomination with thanks.

Director Davis nominated Director Vonesch and was advised that Director Vonesch was not a member of the Committee.

The Corporate Officer called a second and third time for nominations and there were none.

The Corporate Officer declared Director Sinnott elected by acclamation to the position of Vice Chair.

Director Baker in the Chair.
 
FIRST NATIONS TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
  
The Chair acknowledged that we are located on the traditional territory of the Laichwiltach people.
 
ADOPTION OF PUBLIC AGENDA
  
Sinnott/Dahl: MSC 1/25

THAT the agenda for the April 9, 2025 inaugural meeting of the Municipal Services Committee be adopted as presented.
   CARRIED
 
Director Colborne left the meeting.
 
 
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
  
Samson/Lott: MSC 2/25

THAT the minutes of the regular meeting of the Municipal Services Committee held on October 9, 2024 be adopted as presented. [Item]
   CARRIED
 
 
 
STAFF REPORTS
  
Regional District Involvement in Tourism
 
Sinnott/Jack: MSC 3/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received. [Item]
   
 
Director Colborne joined the meeting.
 
A vote was held on the motion and it was…
   CARRIED
 
Sinnott/Dahl: MSC 4/25

THAT staff prepare a report on a tourism service with and without Mount Waddington's participation.
   CARRIED
 
Fire Inspection Services for Small Municipalities
 
Lott/Sinnott: MSC 5/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received. [Item]
   CARRIED
 
Davis/Colborne: MSC 6/25

THAT a report to examine alternatives for meeting the requirements of the Fire Safety Act be prepared for further consideration.
   CARRIED
 
2025 Schedule of Committee Meetings
 
Lott/Sinnott: MSC 7/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received. [Item]
   CARRIED
 
Sinnott/Lott: MSC 8/25

THAT the proposed 2025 Municipal Services Committee meeting schedule as attached to the March 4, 2025 report from the Chief Administrative Officer be approved.
   CARRIED
 
 
 
DIRECTOR REPORTS
  
Arts and Culture
 
Director Sinnott noted her interest in aligning regional priorities with municipal interests, such as exploring an Arts and Culture regional service, revisiting a regional transportation service, and investigating regional planning.
 
Sinnott/Dahl: MSC 9/25

THAT a staff report be requisitioned to investigate a regional arts and culture service.
   CARRIED
 
Planning Service
 
Sinnott/Dahl: MSC 10/25

THAT a staff report be requisitioned to investigate Campbell River and any other interested municipalities joining the Regional District planning function.
   CARRIED
 
Economic Development
 
Director Davis advised that he was interested in a regional strategy around bringing in more filmmaking to the area given its abundance of scenic beauty and cultural history.
 
Director Colborne acknowledged that although many of the items discussed fall under the category of economic development, she advised that moving forward with them will have economic impacts on smaller municipalities that do not have the capacity to participate.
 
Director Dahl noted that like Zeballos, Gold River, and Tahsis, Campbell River has also lost major employers in recent years. Director Dahl advised that the City of Campbell River, through its economic development department, has brought in siting agencies to assess locations and determine types of industries that would fit within city locations to fill the gaps created by the departure of key industry. Director Dahl acknowledged the vast differences in size and geography within the region and advocated for economies of scale and that sharing services regionally would benefit small communities, emphasizing that the focus is on the willingness to contribute something rather than the amount that is contributed. Director Dahl emphasized that the region has all the elements for a thriving tourism economy but noted that the region lacks the service to make those elements accessible.
 
Director Lott advised that Gold River used its UBCM economic development grant to hire a consultant and the study found that tourism, not a resurrection of traditional light and heavy industry, is what the village should be prioritizing.
 
Director Jack noted that commercial fishing and logging has been replaced by tourism in the Kyuquot area with growth in fishing lodge businesses and kayaking tour operators. Director Jack also noted the addition of mountain bike trails and the revival of historic grease trails that could experience faster growth if supported by a regional tourism service.
 
Director Davis advised that Tahsis has been working collaboratively with the local First Nations on economic development planning and highlighted the reopening of the historic Grease Trail running from Tahsis to Woss Lake. Director Davis spoke in support of regional tourism and arts and culture services.
 
 
 
 
TERMINATION
  
Lott/Dahl: MSC 11/25

THAT the April 9, 2025 inaugural meeting of the Municipal Services Committee be terminated.
   CARRIED
 
Time: 3:36 p.m.

Certified Correct:



___________________________________
Chair



___________________________________
Corporate Officer