Council Catch Up – October 6, 2025
-Shelby Johnson presented as a delegate on behalf of Battered Women’s Support Services. BWSS contributes to the freedom and liberation of girls and women from violence and empowers community through training and education programs. Learn more here: https://www.bwss.org/
-Councillor Schweinbenz was appointed as liaison to the Agassiz-Harrison Food Coalition, and the organization was invited to attend a future meeting as a delegate.
-Mayor Talen reported on the UBCM conference where Council met with different Cabinet Ministers and staff to lobby for issues impacting our Village including:
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Ministry of Transportation and Transit: sidewalks, bus routes and crosswalks
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Ministry of Health: emergency room closure notification and the Village Health Centre
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Ministry of Housing: partnerships and funding streams
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Water, Land and Resource Stewardship: the hot springs source
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Local Governments & Rural Communities: Community Charter amendments
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Ministry of Forests: BC Timber Sales Operating Plans
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Ministry of Tourism: Resort Municipality Initiative funding
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Ministry of Infrastructure: Funding for a new elementary school
-The 2025 Third Quarter Update Report was presented to Council. See page 73 of the agenda package to view Village updates, highlights and project completions from Q3.
-The 2026 Regular Council Meeting Schedule was approved.
-The draft Anti-Racial and Anti-Discrimination Policy 1.42 was referred back to staff for additional clarification.
-A report regarding the pending changes to the Heritage Conservation Act was received for information.
-The Rezoning/OCP Redesignation Application for 442 Lillooet Avenue will proceed to a Public Notification Meeting to be hosted by the applicant and a subsequent Public Hearing.
-A motion was passed to support potential cost overruns associated with the Strategic Priorities Fund as required by the funder. Any cost overruns anticipated as part of the environmental remediation of the current Public Works Yard site would be brought to Council prior to any funds being expended.
-Council voted to keep Memorial Hall as the primary Council meeting location for regular meetings.
Notice of Motion:
-Councillor Facio presented a notice of motion, which will be on the next agenda:
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THAT staff be directed to schedule a two to three day retreat in November for a Council strategic session with appropriate staff members to discuss the draft budget, ongoing and future projects and sources of funding.
Community Highlights and Happenings:
-Thank you to all who participated in the Terry Fox Run on September 14 – almost $10,000 was raised to support this cause.
-The Village is pleased to announce that we received three awards at the recent Communities in Bloom Awards and Recognition Night:
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Showcase Program Recognition: For our Canada Day and Community Planting Day events
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Grow Program Recognition – 3-Criteria Evaluation: For the Promenade along Esplanade Avenue
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2025 Criteria Award: For Plant and Floral Displays
-October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Shine a purple light on your porch or business from October 1-31 to show that Domestic Violence has no place in our community.