=83rArr;This is a BC Hydro holiday card.  If you open it up and 'insert the coin' (it's floating on the right side of the screen).  The coin travels through the card with sweet animation...  Enjoy!

=83rArr; UNIQUE BALLET: Astonishing, captivating, and inspiring to see classic ballet performed, seriously and beautifully, by amputees.  The strength, dedication, and desire for creative expression is touching and a marvel to watch.  I can't imagine that anyone cd not be moved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c

=83rArr;

chilling, but gives some background that does not appear in our media -- endgame?

=83rArr;

>>>  Heritage Award Nominations deadline Jan 25; more info on H Register in next issue.

===  CALENDAR to Dec 31st+ ===  Holidays!

then omphaloskepsis time before

HAPPY NEW YEAR and a peek at January:

        Jan 6th - Lions Club Christmas Tree Chip-Up (10am - 3pm, at Ambleside Park)

        Jan 8th -  Nbrhd Character/Cmnty Dialogue WG

Jazz Legends: "Dizzy & Friends", a solo show of vibrant and dynamic acrylic and oil paintings by Arnold Nouwens

+++  WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY +++ see www.westvanlib.ca

+++  WV MUSEUM +++   BEHIND THE WIRE -- Nov 7 to Feb 9 

+++ Don't forget to check out www.silkpurse.ca and www.kaymeekcentre.com for their events

Mayor: thank our outgoing CAO; almost eight years of service to WV

first biz plan draft and executed: OCP, RFMP; helped create cmnty

Staying the Course, new plan: arts, envtal and H strategy, need resilience

WV sustainable future

critical to move beyond adv cmtes to WGs; and so our process is as open as possible

Dave wd agree in transition, trying to be collaborative

salute; wish him well

you've devpd a rapport with staff and citizens that will serve WV and NSh

CAO: thank you for kind words

in face of signif challenges; constantly proud

continuing to build relation with all three Ms

1.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Add'ns: Report 4.1 re clarification re parking re 24th & Marine; add'l correspondence; replacement schedules item 7; corresp 35 to 46

SSch: consideration for adoption of Dec 3 ccl mtg minutes deferred to Jan 7

MS: take correspondence 36 on, take off; disrespectful; don't even know names

if received after Thursday shd not go on ccl agenda

SSch: typical for last mtg of year; gather and forward to Ccl and they can do what they want; corresp up to noon today

Mayor: if nothing that needs to be handled before year end

acceptable, been past practice; will have at our Jan ccl mtg

CAO: the actual names included on some

Mayor: carries

2.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Dec 03 Regular Council; and Dec 10 Public Hearing/Public Meeting Minutes (To be provided.)

MS: Dec 10 PH minutes

ADOPTED

Mayor: congratulations as recipient of art by Baha'i

diversity; you always.... outstanding Persian culture [exhibit], FBG, Silk Purse, and Library

Ruth Payne: thank Kevin Pike, Cathy Matheson, etc

took project b/c love to celebrate the cultural heritage of N Shore

love to be Smithsonian, but we're not

v v honoured to receive this aware

our mandate is to put heart and soul into WV and the NSh

celebrating the Persian cmnty over Norooz,

enormous number of ppl visiting Amb and jumping over the fire; kept

Dr Sayhoun (sp?_, an architect and artist; help with exhibition, lot of ppl working on it

celebrating all the other cultures that live in our cmnty

Mayor: and thank you to Baha'i cmnty celebrating diversity in WV for ten years.

Mayor: add'l input

man: short presentation, realize a new sign not important but

Gary Grafton:... so ppl know

have some of our congregation here and our minister, I'll just ask them to stand [many stood]

wanting a replacement b/c it is rotting; wd like to increase functionality as well as aesthetics

an A-frame in shape at 29th and Marine, surrounded by trees

we've picked up the A-frame shape in the sign; dark green the foliage, the brown is natural cedar

we want to put the sign parallel to 29th to increase visibility from Marine Dr, and changeable sign for events such as carols on Christmas Eve

JF: one letter of concern; resident saying visible from his property

are lights ever turned off?

ANS: start at 4pm in wintertime and go off at 3am; it's on a timer

John Adams:  thank you for opp to speak; we do live directly across the street and

came down here this morning to talk to Jim Bailey [staff] about two issues

one is due notice

I said the prop behind us a couple of years [ago applied for a change], the distance was 150 metres [for notification], that prop has been resolved in a diff way, we did object at the time

large props in Altamont, large house and effect on nbrhd and will come back talk Jan

look at sketch, only nine houses that wd hv received notice on this issue

the house immed north is owned by applicant himself; one house sold in last month, not in there yet so not aware; another of my nbrs is away in Dubai; and the other is the tennis court

dramatic change in signing: from 1m to 2m and also doubling the height

only five prop owners max knew about this

wrt timeframe for notice of mtg -- it came to Ccl Dec 3 and if this had been last year, I'd have been away on holiday

the sign itself: in looking for something comparable, the gas station in Amb

going to eight ft is not

my house only allowed small sign advertising a burglar alarm

only other similar in size was at Sleep Country but it's in Amb -- it's free standing but not 8ft high

if we don't follow the bylaws and we don't abide by the bylaws and not approp notification -- not go ahead and approve twice the height and [size]

the notice that comes to your door says "Important Legal Notice Enclosed, may affect your home"

I was at Hall today and look at the time, it's not 7pm

my wife and I were recently retired and like to go outside

and wd see something twice as high as the bylaw permits

Mayor: what's sign at Eagle Harbour School -- does that conform to bylaw?

SJN: don't believe it wd; school at Chartwell....  5ft and 1sq metre

the existing sign is parallel to Marine Dr, 6ft h, 7.8ft wide, 3ft h in terms of xxx; 6. 8.2ft wide an 6.8ft  copy 7.5 ft

if wish deferred to new year so church can speak with nbr; sign is comparable

[mumbles]

VV: move all written and verbal submissions be received

CARRIES

VV: move Staff report back to make a determination

RD: second

Mayor: in order that discussions can take place; capture what Ccl is mentally thinking

Sop: asking for dbl in size but new placement

timbers beside; fairly large; looking to see if doubling absolutely nec

move sideways, does it have to be that large?

[Deferred to Jan 7 I think]

RD: clarification on parking 2396 - 2398 MDr parking stalls; previously two proposed; received for information

SSch: PH closed on Dec 10;

JC: last week and before, significant discussion wrt spot zoning

OCP cannot cover ev piece of prop, nor does it preclude rezoning any lands Ccl feels approp

1990 and 2003, amended 99 times, new adopted in OCP 2004

discussion re traffic in that area -- in my view comm or Capers wd generate more traffic than 15 units

pointed out last week can walk to virtually all services you need and public transit to anywhere in LM

opp for strata ccl to even lease a couple of cars and nobody wd even have to own a car

I see it as returning this block back to residential

don't understand how we ended up with a pink restaurant on the other side of the street

biz to the west side of 24th

heard preponderance of nbr support here so happy to support as written

Sop: always anomalies within OCP b/c guide, not a bylaw

we see this devt and others wch have prompted change

the only way is to have an appraisal; may be okay, if okay all right then right to go there

keeps things in right direction; not stop here, Amb

I personally do not feel I have enough in report; nothing to do with Mr N

I can't go on ... will give us certain amenities; I don't know all the figures

third reading be deferred until appraisal, so we get a clear picture of what we're talking about this and future

VV: second that

Mayor: second reading is on floor; at third get to that

VV: it's extremely imp, regardless if made use of or not that we have the appraisals

does that mean we'd have to reopen PH or info to go

I have other comments; approp next reading or now?

Mayor: continue

VV: I'm v concerned; other concerns on report

it's not difficulty with staff, they act on our direction

if not in, our fault b/c we haven't given sufficient direction.... never been in staff report....  we're remiss not ....;  not in staff report,

instead of doing Christmas shopping, spent my week trying to find out

if FSTF had still been with us, translate it into a formula, numbers needed here

don't know what tax we'll collect; what to do with M services; used info from 2006

conclusion, philosophy

by rep of Preserve WV a few times

{I think this reference is to ADRA's presentation at recent ccl mtgs wrt Survey and Uplift, both delegation and letter/survey; PWV hasn't spoken for about two years AFAIK.}

if you don't add ....

you've done what biz cmnty says is diluting share value

took 640, number of M employees, $51M costs salaries benefits

cost us to have a mbr of staff; how many per dwelling; 30 households per mbr of staff

if we add 15 households and that's what this does; means add one half-time employee to maintain what ev gets

easy to calculate; goods and services -- you're over $60K

tax, told 16Ksf, how much residences selling for $700sf; taxes $40K

so collecting $40K and spending $60K so in financial deficit scenario

Mayor: over five minutes, can come back

VV: way out of compliance with framework of OCP; policies H3 and H5

disturbed impose on taxpayers; without warning; impose without being grinches year after year

JF: like to speak in support of this applic

first, applic and devprs have done a good job consulting with cmnty

this is the third plan we've seen, after speaking to nbrs, Ccl, again and again

has shown incredible patience on behalf of applic and architect

what consultation can do before it comes to Ccl

thank applic and architect for the concern shown

inspired by envtal aspects, geothermal, cut back re water and sewage; set bar v high

level of accessibility, maintaining of safety re laneway; carefully considered

interesting looking at resid with a couple of live-work units

told Amb [took] too long, so this is an excellent example

will be plsd and meets needs for alternative housing forms

MS: have to agree with Ccl Clark, Sop, Ferg, and even VV

the reality is that it's a v attractive project; respected architect, done nice work in area

really not spotzoning, duplex attached and has support of nbrs

will be using services of Dund; worthy of strong support of Ccl

Cclr Sop raises a v imp point;

staff report says comm zoning worth more than resid;

we're going to face this time and a time again

see no harm in getting an appraisal so we can see what we're getting in this and other projects

support the project, definitely go from this Ccl but before giving our final blessing get that appraisal; so we've done due diligence; support project and support appraisal

RD: I do support the project, need that kind of housing; ppl living in large houses 4-5Ksf can't leave b/c nothing av in townhouses; this is type of housing WV needs

what's impressive about this is its envtal qualities, and attractiveness; makes WV unique attractive

Delany's Mr Gustavson designed, view of water, adds to quality

again wd like it to go through

Mayor: how can it be

more understanding that we are going to see change; come before us

when there is an OCP amendment, zoning amendment, we must look at a diff way of doing things

simple as that

as an elected official, looking at the info before me; if I don't have all the facts and figures in front of me

a report advocacy but what about ins and outs, beside aesthetics, not enough for me any more

added new visions, want to see, one on one, .....

Mayor: third

VV: don't agree with Cclr Day that things we can't quantify; we can

we've been adding without wrt next/new employee we need

then like Police Bldg we haven't got $20M for new bldg, about 100 ofcrs

Mayor: 79

VV: $200K per; undersized here at hall

if we have a disparity, shd we have a capital sum

to make up gap ....; to provide for financial framework; prevent us from finding ourselves in financial diff we find ourselves in

wd like to see some work done by someone other than me

CAO: limited legal ability; xxxx DCCs

wd not want to leave Ccl with impression a straight line

type of housing; eg demands of families vs seniors

we have capacity in system to absorb

we don't have ... Police.... Fire

may attract add'l revenue; if 15 units, we have 15 new contributing not demand

JF: not that I don't find Cclr V's figures fascinating; makes me regret I went Christmas shopping instead of spent four days with her going over figs

we have a process; to suddenly stop and into immobility for ten years b/c we can't deal with this tonight

don't think this is the time and place

seems to me when Staff brings Cmnty Policy we cd have a public workshop

changing rules at end or in middle

Mayor broke tie, voting in favour: now third reading

[JC moved third reading]

JF: second

Sop: do I read my motion, to defer?

[wrt getting appraisals of zoning before and after].... under BC Assessment Authority and afterward so we get a clear picture

[VV seconder]

Mayor: discussion

Sop: don't want to beat it to death, think ev knows what I'm talking about

it is imp to me and hope it is to rest of Ccl

Mayor: does

Sop: we have to review ev; Fiscal Task told us that

[bell rings]

JC quips: time for medication!

MS: trying to find path through maze

Sop: wdn't want to see devpr and architect help up on this

agree with Cclr V, if all these extra ppl, we need cap dollars to acquire Argyle lands

SJN: wdn't be staff doing it, appraiser wd

if appraiser said staff said accurate, or if someone said inaccurate; wish to comment accurate or inaccurate; in either case have to provide public with opp to speak

Mayor: ev to do with being credible; who's resp for staff time

sophisticated provides all three ...

social, live in village; ppl likely of cmnty; envtally high standards -- considered an amenity; we're trying to say it's the standard

I think Ccl, we have to maintain integrity of our process, disingenuous to go back to square one

CAO: staff had done an estimate; think Cclr Sop; in future we can do that

SJN: we do intend to report on CB/Amenity

Mayor: deferral; defeated; third reading

VV: do appreciate Mr Stuart's comments re adjustments, new residents wd be spending; boosted the tax, re $6K.....

Mayor: third reading

MOTION CARRIES

Sop, trying again: in light of this devt and any devt in future; move defer third reading and ask that Ccl support the idea of having an assessment of this prop as it stands today and as [rezoned], and I want to ...

Mayor: on second reading?

Sop: on zoning bylaw

VV: second

Mayor, in favour? carries; can you come at this a second time? OCP and now Zoning

SSch: can but considering SJN's remarks may require opening PH

MS: sympathize with this motion

sense of fairplay; shd hv dealt with this before we got to this stage

listening to Mr N and Mr St; do in future

VV: we don't have anything like ...

we're making a huge donation to the owner of prop and incur a deficit in perpetuity to the taxpayer

and even if Ccl on a whole prepared to do it, shd not be done without [appraisal/CB calc?]

it really is without prejudice

embarrassing; passing this when we shd hv deferred it for sober second thoughts; will regret

RD: if this were a project of 500 units, maybe, but this is 15

not going to put any strain on our resources, don't need more staff

we need more of this type of housing, demand from ppl wanting to move

small devt, v tastefully done; good devt from ev point of view; in future, we can introduce ways

wrong; devpr had no idea

at this point shd go ahead

Mayor: wd like to speak against deferral; shd not have been closed

Sop: I am provided with information; last week we did change; amenities

Mayor: those in favour of deferral?

[defeated]

Mayor: third reading

PASSED

Chris Lee of SAC: Prez of Board, thanks and bring you greetings

magnificent facility used by 4000 mbrs, 70% from WV, 25% from NV, balance from across the bridge in Vanc and Bby; remarkable facility; come to get involved but they volunteer

happy stimulating place for ppl getting older and in later stages wd find themselves isolated

'fit fellows' Christmas party today

remember when host of Rotary Christmas dinner -- on her own and this wd be her only Christmas function/dinner

will be coming to you in Feb [budget]; AGM March 12, Wed 2 - 4pm, meeting new exec

fiscal sustainability -- interesting year, parking issues finding ourselves in middle of construction zone

down measurably b/c ppl cannot park

happy new shuttle bus service and it's been working successfully; 30 to 40 ppl using that ev day, not only to SAC but to Aquatic Ctr -- otherwise cdn't get there; using public transportation as well; perhaps green revolution; much appreciated shuttle service; thank you

120 progs ev given week; trips, computers, fabric arts, music, flower-arranging

means ppl are volunteering, cafeteria, etc 60K volunteer hours, if at $10/hr, low, my math, represents $1.6M; amazes me what we're able to accomplish; maybe I shd say $600K

was thinking of our operating budget wch is $1.6M wch you provide about a third and we app v much

many of you go to the flea market

through the electronic transfer system, able to transfer $25K from our fund to your gen account wch will go into supporting ...

Christmas card greeting [stating that, read out]

Mayor: thank you; SAC a model; taking your lead for governance of new Cmnty Ctr; imp to recog how hard vol work to keep our cmnty strong

[BUDGET 2008]

RL: my report describes process to now and challenges we met

July est target 3% increase in prop tax rates; started work on that in Sept; had in Oct first draft in framework had gap of $1.5M and been working since then grappling with that gap

report has exercise we went through, new strategies

new revs; we do have a draft; some service levels outside; will be identifying those for Ccl's consideration; service levels in Police, Fire, and Service

budget booklets similar to 2007; two newsletters we hope to cover some of the fundamental issues for WV; how our numbers compare within the region; flush out discussion on service levels, esp Fire and Rec

MS: thank you; suggest as we have a mtg tomorrow that we receive for information and refer this report to F&A mtg of Dec 18

Sop: know a lot of work; FSTF rec move faster

wonder if, all the way to Feb before we discuss in any detail

in this open forum

characterize, valuable to me; have nuts and bolts from depts as we move along

booklet all v nice and helpful in communication

nuts and bolts here and we have some... we have to deal with

can be ... on a given Monday what are we allowed, ten minutes

not taking away from audit cmte and Mr Laing; shd come down to when we discuss

we had a presentation or two then comment, said waiting for public input...  then v few talked about it

I want to get into details so we can talk about it in our chamber; again into next year and still in same process

CAO: the booklets will be av to Ccl in mid-Jan; Ccl if they don't want to, need not wait for public

we're working with target Ccl set; that detailed info will be av in Jan

Mayor: as we move to two mtgs and workshop a month, it may be that that mtg Jan14 budget workshop

you know at first 6% so huge increase; rigorous; good suggestion

CARRIES

Mayor: keep comments to three minutes

DRoach: I'll try to be succinct and to the point [pause]; I don't always succeed

Mayor: mbr of Fiscal Task Force

DR: thought wd be more or less aligned with consumption, bills being issued

look at Mr Laing's first page, back

annual under new regime based on prior year's winter metered consumption

what that means as a resident, you water consumption in the winter period, no relationship with the sewer

what we have here is a proposal to institute a flat rate charge

but depends on what you used last year, not what you're using this year

IOW the price signal is not immediate to you

there may be some difficulties in how staff calculate for sewer but wd think based on water used in that period, not year previous

Mayor: ask Mr Barth

DR: now or move on

EB: imp why two quarters; sewer isn't actually metered; trying to capture water going into household

if we were simply to go qtr by qtr, we'd be penalizing ppl who want to have beautiful lawns.

that water not going into sewer; in those months not getting water used for landscaping

pragmatic issue, able to have rates and set them in timely manner

some lag, simply by metering, getting those ...  looking at usage over time

while Mr Roach is correct, we feel diff marginal

Mayor: anything further, know [you want to speak on] water

DR: deal with that when we get to it

p 6 of Mr Laing's report re Sewer, two schedules

universal meter customers and prev flat rate customers; existing meter customers and on meter xxx?

for one reason or other staff has decided to allow ... to transition over time to rate for universal customer

the notation footnote; Schedule No 2, no less than Sched 1 means in effect existing

$31.xx per qtr and any amt of sewer volume up to a level

Mayor: put that as a question

DR: we have two classes of residents; those before or flat rate but the services aren't diff, same amt of services

prevly the flat rate [residents] were supporting more than metered rate, now under universal mtr reading scheme so continuing that disparity

Mayor: transition

DR: but the principle of undertaking univ mtring was

EB: correct; diff in how treating; Ccl may recall this discussion came up, and as Mr R pointed out

some mtrd paying more than existing mtrd custs

did ...  have to do better job

whether you were existing or flat rate you was far as you know you were paying fair share...

equity; didn't want an extreme; at time came forward

if we want to go for equity shd just

talking about phasing in over five years, so now accelerating so in 2009 water same; we're harmonizing with sewer

once again Mr Roach is absolutely correct

shd Ccl choose, can direct staff to

DR: last point wrt administrative charge Sched B

increase year over year 10%; perhaps seek how that is calculated

b/c no great increase in cost of admin from flat rate to metered rate

RL: the admin charge, carrying forward a charge

2.5% of rev

wd hv to agree rate it starts to climb, 2009 merits looking at again, more realistic

Mayor: what are implications for this evening

DL: even if we were to eliminate the entire charge wdn't affect this

RL: we can do that; there'll be a number of customers severely impacted; wanted to manage severe impact to customers

Mayor: did want to know about admin fee; must be an rationale for that

Mayor: Cclr Day item 7

---------{sorry; someone came up to speak to me so I didn't get some of this; hard to type then}

Sop: how...  how large...

EB: ...

---------

Sop: two-tiered; is to even out the burden

Mayor: but about magnitude of impact

RF: anywhere from 25 to 50%; some areas where impact even greater than that

most between 25 and 50% increase from what they paid last year

MS: think we shd defer this; I see [agenda says] comments to Jan 7

think we shd look at subsidizing ppl we've been subsidizing for years

we've got eight minutes to go before we adjourn the mtg

CAO: but you're charging rates in Jan 1

Mayor: for the sake of one week is it something we can adjust

RL: we cd if we had to

Mayor: doesn't look

RL: based on water, success of

aware of, some save money; some pay a lot more; in order to get into a conservation program

manage impacts as we went; didn't think entitled to dramatically change and impact a lot of ppl

EB: well aware, as we saw with water rates; 2009 level playing field

Mayor: deferral motion on floor

Sop: some info: motion on the floor, approval 10% overall and then as we read down list, final passing on 7th?

Mayor: cd leave third reading to 7th

Sop: wdn't we look at this and adopt 10% overall on 7th

Mayor: all these are in keeping with process est'd a couple of years ago

equitable xxx ....

EB: many of things wd hv bn covered in Mr Laing's intro

fearful of phasing in.... taking away

... consent agenda report

hv seen dramatic reduction; accelerating that dramatically

Mayor: deferral? motion fails.  Question on first motion

CAO: second part

Mayor: this is rev requirement; carries

RD move re Schedules:

MS: to first mtg in Jan; new record for deferrals in one night

JC: ask reason

MS: were you not listening?

JC: as I recall couple of staff [reports?]

Ccl by consensus all pretty well in agreement; don't know why discussion

CAO: staff is trying to hasten that transition

EB: like to emphasize around principle of what we're doing

wrt water rates, had no further criticism

heard Cclr Smith, two years, we're talking about 2009 so one year

Mayor: deferral? [FAILS]

Then:

* THAT a 10% overall revenue increase requirement in the Sewer Utility be approved;

* THAT Sewer user rates for 2008 be approved at amounts set out in the schedules to Bylaw No. 4538 as attached;

RD moves at 8:01:

* THAT "Sewer and Drainage Utility Fee Bylaw" be introduced and read a first, second and third time; and

CARRIED  8:01

Mayor: there goes the Christmas holidays, Cclr V!

Dave Roach: dealing with financial aspects of this

forecasting for five-year period

relative to collecting, av balance 35% to 22% varies

one year of GVRD purchases; necessity of maintaining surplus at that level and no explanation

EB: Mr Laing may wish to comment;  Mr L has worked hard to try to stabilize our rates

in terms of actual size of ....

doesn't take v long to have a $2M problem

reference in report we're going to be reviewing our capital plan and adjusting it and we're aware of some probs in some reservoirs and that may cost $2M

RL: about six or seven years this was in a deficit and worried so worked hard to get us into this situation; area we don't know as much as we'd want to

DR: micropower revenue [est to be] $40K a year; but experience has been half that, $18 -20K

there was an investment, don't know how much, in record some place

was a special project, proposed by a resident group and taken over by DWV

... and reason for its shortfall, year in and year out?

wd also appreciate report on nonrev component

that was...  volumetric consumption ...  a cpl of years ago...  to metered system to give us a better handle on consumption

EB: two questions

one re microgeneration: to remind Ccl, a project that essentially to

pressure reducing...  took situation energy from water dissipated

someone had bright idea to put a turbine in there so instead of ....

after resolved expect numbers/revenues to ramp up again

DR: same observation wrt sewer: pricing schedule wrt universal vs existing meter customers; no further comment, brought to your attention

last question wrt Eagle Lake system

2007 to 12, consumption increases by 25%; sizable

Mr L says Eagle Lake will come back to Ccl

as to status, perhaps deferral of expenditures; maybe at that time you might want to hear full [report/acctg] of Eagle Lake system

...wrt today ...  system has evolved and how going to ...

JF: moved THAT:

* a 3% overall revenue increase requirement in the Water Utility be approved;

* Water user rates for 2008 be approved at amounts set out in the schedules to Bylaw No. 4539 as attached;

* "Waterworks Regulation Amendment Bylaw" be introduced and read a first, second and third time;

and then this

CARRIED

9.         Fees and Charges Bylaw, Amendment Bylaw No. 4537, 2007 (

Sop: read a first, second and third time. -- CARRIED

10.       2008 Council Meeting Schedule -- VV moved/CARRIED

11.       Appointments - Acting Mayors for 2008 be appointed as follows:

Dec 2007/Jan 2008 - Cclr Soprovich; Feb/Mar - Cclr Ferguson; Apr/May - Cclr Day; June/July - Cclr Smith; Aug/Sept - Cclr Clark; Oct/Nov - Cclr Vaughan

Mayor, after getting items from cclrs: remove:  20, 3, 6, 21?

12.      Consent Agenda Items - Reports and Correspondence

REPORTS FOR CONSENT AGENDA

RD moved 13 to 17 except 3, 6, 24, 31

Report dated Nov 22, entitled "Water Consumption Update for Second and Third Quarters of 2007" be received for information.

14.       Development Applications Status List ... received for information.

15.       Airplane and Helicopter Noise in West Vancouver ...  received for information.

Council support the City of Vancouver's resolution, forwarded to the Minister of Finance as part of the 2008 budget process, requesting the province to address the municipal fiscal imbalance by reinstating a revenue sharing program with municipalities, and copy to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Union of BC Municipalities.

17.       Correspondence List [8:15]

(3)       J. McIntyre, MLA - West Vancouver-Garibaldi, November 06, 2007, regarding Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly - West Vancouver Spirit Square

MS:  will speak wrt 3 and 6 together

3 points out Spirit Square will accommodate up to 9K ppl; point same, many spaces short; use great lawn for add'l parking

Mr Pike, Engg staff, come forth to an alternate plan to a great lawn; surface; make attractive; cd even limit it to sr citizens; that front parking lot well-used by seniors; even if give them a pass; 60 to 70 on the great lawn; want alternate suggestion at new cmnty ctr

Mayor: talked about a compromise; a drop off

CAO: the Spirit Sq will not take away any parking spots; staff report in new year about bringing some spaces back

6)       undated, 2007, regarding Parking Space Shortage at the New Community Centre

        Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response.

JC: two properties paved without permission; hope staff will investigate and take action

...8:19

24)     C. Gooch, Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC, December 04, 2007, regarding Pets in Need Society

C Gooch: public service announcement urging not to buy pets as gifts

found rabbits; surrender unwanted pets; overwhelmed, volume; buy pets on impulse or gifts; retailers create a demand; once novelty worn off; to rescue groups; all end up paying costs; cycle begins with unregulated, unsterilized

four weeks old, cute; marketed and easy starter pets; most rabbits unwanted to within six weeks to a year; flyers throughout store; sell live animals; putdown by SPCA...

Noah's Pet Ark in Pk Royal

pro-active legislation; reduce cost to cmnty; space allocation; indoor display; sales to be limited to those been spayed or neutered; [rabbits breed in] four to six months, kittens five to six mos

happy to cooperate with staff; have an info package

Sop: may I comment?

Mayor: perhaps wait...

JF: Noah's Ark is on Pk Royal South so on Sq Nation land

Sop: NArk received commendation as an org extremely responsible; including selling for over ten years; object that's the only commercial concern cited in this letter

if we're going to receive letter, cite many of others around and see what can be done

as a quality biz provided in this cmnty; b/c selling doesn't nec make them an unworthy, wch is being implied

...

(31)*    December 07, 2007, regarding Traffic Violations (Collingwood School)

JC: we've had hours and hours... [cars] still going through... [have to] fight our way

hope were going to see resolution of this?

Mayor: Mr Barth, you and SJN

EB: some time since I've been involved: Brent Dozzi

[ended 8:19 then to mbr of public No 24 re rabbits above before back to Reports]

18. REPORTS FROM MAYOR/COUNCILLORS  --  none

JC: no carolling!

[some laughter]

CR, who often dreads the inevitable jokes re Christmas Carols: as you wd guess, I got a lot of that through school.

Anyway a couple of questions I had while listening, if you don't mind

I also wd like to appreciate your comments, Mayor Goldsmith-Jones, b/c during the PH wrt 24th & Marine, I think you assumed there wd be a report b/c at one point -- and as you know, as editor of West Van Matters, I do a transcript -- you did ask if they wanted a report.  Ccl chose not to have further information at that time, and whereas I do appreciate that some cclrs now want further information, I was just like this [made expression of being on the edge] during the PH b/c they had the opp to ask for it then.  So I applaud that you thought it was, and I applaud the ppl who wanted to have it, but next time let's do it earlier and I really hope that what Cclr Sop suggested, that we will automatically have this information provided in the staff reports before consideration is made  by the public/Ccl on that.

I found it rather confusing.  I got two diff msgs about the sewer and water rates wch perhaps you cd explain b/c it sounded as if Ccl was being discouraged from deferring this and looking at wanting more information, whatever it is, and at the same time it said [in the motion] there cd be public input until Jan 7th.  So what that tells me, I mean the msg that comes across, is that even if we comment, it won't do any good b/c you're going to adopt it on the 7th.  B/c if even Ccl is discouraged from deferring to discuss, what chance has the public got?

CAO:  Ccl wasn't being discouraged from necessarily discussing it; we're just suggesting that the policy issue that had been raised had really been set up in the initial framework, and so it was sort of a change in direction that seemed to be coming from Ccl, and we were just questioning that.

CR: okay; it did sound a little bit confused, but thanks for clarification

The other thing that was brought up is that between 2007 and 2012 there was a 25% increase in something and since I understand our growth is only around 1%, I was wondering if that cd be explained, perhaps not at this mtg, why there wd be a 25% increase in the charges or the expenses when our growth--

Mayor: Mr Laing

CR: --is only 1%

RL: I believe Mr Roach was commenting on the increased volumes that we hope to take out of Eagle Lake, our own water source

CR: take that much more with only 1% rate of increase of popn?

Mayor: we're shifting from GVRD to--

CR: --oh, the shifting, okay, so it's not just the increase

CAO: not a matter of needing to, it's a matter of being able to capture it

CR: right, okay; that's great; thank you for that clarification

Secondly, I hope you will show the same dedication you have in the past, Mayor G-J, in resolving, preserving the Binning house, wch is a National Historic Site.  I know we can count on you to keep us updated and trying to be pro-active and give incentives or whatever for that.

And lastly, Christmas Greetings. Merry Christmas to you all, and a Happy New Year!

[RD (?) and you]

Mayor: thank you

CR: thank you

JC to laughter as he put on a red Santa cap: as they heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight--

Sop: --also sporting a Santa cap: Merry Christmas to all--

JC: --and to all a good night.

Mayor: wch is a motion to adjourn

20. ADJOURNMENT [8:29]

CPTnet 20 November 2007  BETHLEHEM REFLECTION: "No way to the inn"; Childbirth and Occupation

by Lorne Friesen

       Jesus was born under the Roman Occupation.  Some called it the "Pax Romana", claiming the imperial power brought peace to the whole world.  Occupation, then as well as now, meant that a powerful ruler controlled almost every aspect of life for those under the empire's domination.  Luke informs us that the Occupation required Mary and Joseph to make a long and dangerous journey to satisfy the dictates of the Occupying Power.  Matthew tells us that Herod ordered the slaughter of all infant boys born near the place and time of Jesus's birth, so that he could preserve the power given him by the Roman authorities.

       Imagine the risks of pregnancy under the Roman Occupation.  Caesar made his decree, and so Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Many other pregnant women as well as Mary would have been making similar journeys.  The disruption in the lives of people would have been enormous.  And if the delivery was premature and the mother and child died en route, Caesar would not have cared.  The Israeli military Occupation of the West Bank likewise places its own interests above the needs of the people under its control.  Soldiers have held up numerous mothers in labour at checkpoints; some have given birth in the open fields or in their cars.  Mary gave birth in a distant community, far away from the traditional midwife support that families usually provide. Occupation caused the birth of Jesus to take place in crude circumstances with the numerous risks, among the animals.

       Today, travel in and out of Bethlehem is controlled by checkpoints in this monstrous twenty-seven-foot high wall that snakes across the West Bank.  Checkpoints similar to international border terminals channels restrict access in and out of Bethlehem.  The Israeli government has made special arrangements for tourists, so that their inconvenience will be minimal, but most Palestinians find their travel severely hampered even in the case of medical emergencies.  They need special permits to travel the five miles to Jerusalem.  Many residents of Bethlehem have not been able to visit

Jerusalem for years.

       May your reflections and meditations on the Nativity story help you find a bond of solidarity with the countless people throughout the world whose lives are controlled by powers that have little regard for their well-being.  We should remember that in Mary and Joseph's day and in ours, every

pregnancy is a mysterious God-sent challenge to imperial power. The power of love and new life works outside the restrictions of Occupation.

_______________

WELL-HEELED drinkers are paying a small fortune to taste Sydney's most expensive shot - a premium cognac that costs $10,000 per bottle.  The Sofitel Wentworth Hotel is the proud owner of the only bottle of Hennessy Ellipse in Australia. It is one of only 2000 bottles in the world.

===  Haiku Rocks With = The 2008 Haiku Invitational ===

Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626): Silence is the virtue of fools.

Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869 - 1948): An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does the truth become error because nobody will see it.

Henrik Ibsen (1828 - 1906):

        A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.

        The strongest man in the world is he who stands alone.