If you own property in Squamish but don't live here permanently, you may be denied a say in the 2011 municipal elections if the District of Squamish has its way.
During the Tuesday, March 23 Committee of the Whole meeting, council supported four motions on voter and campaign eligibility that it will be forward as recommendations to the BC Elections Task Force.
Issues being addressed include campaign finance, enforcement processes and outcomes, the role of B.C.'s chief electoral officer in local government elections, the term of office, the corporate vote, and candidate eligibility of some local government employees.
Along with a recommendation that voter eligibility be limited to permanent residents, council motions included recommending the District of Squamish maintain a three-year cycle term, that elections expenses be tax deductible and putting a cap on election expenses.
Although all four motions passed unanimously at Tuesday (April 6) council meeting, there was a great deal of debate concerning two of the motions.
On a March 23 Committee of the Whole meeting, council agreed corporations should not be allowed to vote, which brought up the issue of individuals who live outside the municipality.
"Why do we feel comfortable exempting BC Rail but not Bob Smith who doesn't live in the community?" said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale. "It's basically the same thing."
Mayor Greg Gardner agreed saying most people who own property in Squamish but don't live in the municipality do so through a corporation, so they wouldn't have a vote in either case.
Coun. Paul Lalli voiced concerns that such a bylaw might deter someone from purchasing property in Squamish.
"I don't think that it would inhibit anyone from investing in Squamish," said Lonsdale. "They're still getting a fair return on their dollar, whether they get to vote or not."
The motion was carried with Coun. Rob Kirkham and Lalli opposed.
At the council meeting on Tuesday (April 6) Lalli moved to amend the motion to what he'd originally understood it to be, saying he had believed council was concerned about the corporate vote, but not about individuals who owned property.
The amendment failed with all but Lalli opposed. When the original motion was again called into question, it was adopted unanimously.
During discussions held March 23, council also considered changing the election process to four-year terms with half of council re-elected every two years. Cost and "election fatigue" were two primary concerns for that potential election process.
"I think elections are more effective less often," said Coun. Doug Race, referring to Canadians fatigue with the minority government and number of elections at the federal level. "I would be inclined to move it to four years."
Coun. Lonsdale said four years was a long-term commitment for candidates who "have absolutely no idea what they're getting into."
"It might deter a lot of people from running."
Gardner could have been one of those deterred, he said.
"For me, to run four years would have been a big decision and I might have thought twice about it as well."
After a long discussion Lonsdale moved to maintain a three-year cycle term. Kirkham seconded the motion, it was carried and only Race was opposed.
All four recommendations will be sent to the Elections Task Force, though councillors are also allowed to write their own suggestions as well.
Locals have can also have a say on what happens in 2011 by writing to the task force by April 15. For more information go to www.localelectionstaskforce.gov.bc.ca.
Public speaks to 30-day RV limit
The public hearing for a zoning bylaw amendment was sparsely attended though four Squamish residents took the podium.
The amendment to establish a maximum 30-day consecutive stay in any six-month period for all tourist orientated recreational vehicles will only apply to new RV parks in the Squamish area.
Kingswood Properties representative Ron Bijok - whose Redpoint residential development for the Blind Channel was defeated so has plans for an RV park instead - asked that council reconsider the cap.
He said that in an analysis of six municipalities and 30 different RV parks, only one has a 30-day limit. Of the rest, 11 have six-month limits and the remainder have none.
Jeffrey Kirkman represented Eagle Vista RV Resort and Campground on Centennial Way. He spoke to the issue because they are in the midst of a re-zoning proposal that would technically dub them a new RV park.
He said a large portion of RV park tourism is temporary long-term accommodation, whether for temporary workers, grandparents visiting families or local residents staying in their RVs while renovating or building their homes.
Local political pundit Terrill Patterson also voiced his opinion, saying "this bylaw would never hold up in court" and suggesting the district ban new RV parks altogether.
"That way we don't have to worry about hundreds of people coming in, demanding services from the district with no taxation to support them. The existing parks can handle any of the construction work that might move in."
Gardner closed the public hearing proceedings with no comment from council.
OCP changes presented
The proposed changes to Official Community Plan (OCP), or as Gardner puts it, "the vision document of our community," was given second reading and a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 25.
Changes have been outlined in the official Community Plan Policy Matrix, put together by community planner Cameron Chalmers. It is available on the District of Squamish website for all residents to review before attending the hearing.
Council carried the plan unanimously.
Tourism Squamish asks for funding
The Tourism Squamish Society approached council asking for an operating subsidy of $58,581 for the remainder of 2010 from the 2010 District of Squamish operating budget.
They also asked that council authorize the District of Squamish to co-sign a line of credit for $50,000 over 60 months.
Council members were apprehensive about the line of credit, saying there was no way to make decisions for the next council.
The society representatives said if funding dropped off, they would continue nonetheless, though maybe it would have to be on a smaller scale.
However, council was supportive of offering some support.
"It's reasonable that we assist you in some way but we also feel the people who will reap the benefits of tourism, such a s hoteliers, should be supporting you with some funds," said Lonsdale.
Council also wants to ensure that Tourism Squamish is aiming at becoming financially independent. Gardner reminded council that Squamish has wanted a tourism agency for about 10 or 15 years.
"It's a great opportunity to plant the tourism seed right now because of the exposure we've had recently," he said.
Council agreed to look at the proposal and get back to the Tourism Squamish Society in the coming weeks.
Smoking bylaw 'unfair'
Cliffside Neighborhood Pub sent an open letter to District of Squamish councillors about "the unfairness of the current smoking bylaw."
The owner, Thelma Yamaguchi, said she has an uncovered deck that used to be perfect for smokers and now they are unable to use it.
This creates a problem because all smokers now have to congregate outside the front door of her pub, making it difficult to police those doors and ensure that no one has left the premises with a drink.
She said it is not financially feasible for her to hire a doorperson to patrol the area seven days a week.
She also mentioned that since they are on First Nations land, both the Chances Casino and Watershed Grill have covered decks that allow smoking and she feels that gives those businesses an unfair advantage.
She hopes that council will re-assess the bylaw.
