It’s a busy night at all three North Shore municipal councils this Monday.
District of West Vancouver
The biggest news out of the meeting likely isn’t on the council agenda. Mayor Mark Sager has teased he will be making a “major” announcement related to sports facilities in the district at the meeting.
Council’s agenda has only one major item up for a vote – a potential new code of conduct bylaw governing how council members should carry out the municipality’s business with each other and with the public. The previous council considered and rejected adopting a code of conduct in 2021, however the provincial government now requires councils to establish a code of conduct within six months of being elected.
The basic tenants of the bylaw going to council on Monday include:
- Council members must carry out their duties with integrity;
- Council members are accountable for the decisions that they make,
- and the actions that they take, in the course of their duties;
- Council members must be respectful of others;
- Council members must demonstrate leadership and collaboration.
Now, who could argue with that? We’ll find out on Monday.
City of North Vancouver
Council is set to vote on a year-long project that would make it easier for food truck businesses to set up around the city. When owners of the breweries in the Brewery District came forward with this request 2021, Mayor Linda Buchanan said the city was already at work coming up with some proposed new rules.
In that same neighbourhood, Copperpenny Distilling is seeking council’s blessing to stay open later – midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends. Staff are recommending council undertake consultations with the nearby neighbours before voting on the matter.
Council is then being asked to formally “de-accession” (that means take down) two very familiar pieces of public art – "White Winds" and "Beyond the Fountain" – the two major pieces of art south of the main entrance to Lonsdale Quay. The fountain they are based in has reached the end of its life and would cost about $300,000 to replace, staff note.
Next up is one of the last steps of the 2023 budget process – deciding how to divvy up the year’s 5.24 per cent tax increase among the different tax classes (residential, commercial, light industrial, heavy industrial etc.)
And, lastly, council may have a discussion on how they want to spend the almost $11 million grant the municipality received from the province last month. The one-time cash influx comes with some stipulations on what kinds of project or planning work it may be spent on and council must vote to set it aside in a separate account so the province can keep an eye on it.
District of North Vancouver
At the District, council will be asking staff to report back on an electric cargo and utility bike lending pilot program.
The pilot, proposed to launch this summer, would see locals given the opportunity to try an electric cargo bike for up to one week at a time. The motion has been brought forward by Coun. Jordan Back, and, if given the go ahead, will see the purchasing of three or four electric bikes by staff to be used across the two year period. The program will be facilitated by the District of North Vancouver Public Libraries.
Council will also discuss whether or not to adopt three bylaws, on the 2023-2027 Financial Plan, on regulation changes and process improvements to outdoor customer service areas, and on licensing and film fees.
Following that council will talk on potentially amending the Use of Voting Recorders at Elections Bylaw 6877, to change the procedure for processing mail ballots on general voting day.
