Carl Jensen - Central Saanich Councillor

[CarlonCouncil]

Tonight was the 2nd meeting of the Keating Business Park focus group. The plan for tonight was to bring together a smaller group of about a half dozen businesses with members of CS Council to start discussing next steps in the process. In attendance, there were three business represented, Doug Taylor of the Peninsula Chamber and the Mayor and all of Council.

Mayor Bryson opened the session by laying out the expectations of Council that ideally the businesses of the Keating Business Park (KBP) should bring together an association to represent all of the businesses in the KBP and that Council would provide liaisons to that group similarly to what is done with other community groups in CS. The feelings echoed by Council were that ultimately it is the businesses that know best what they need and that the majority of the ideas for improvements in the KBP should be business-driven as opposed to Council-driven.

There was some good discussion around where the economic vision should come from for the area whether it should be from Council or whether it should come from both the residents and the businesses and be directed towards Council for the governance and lobbying at a more strategic level as Council are not looking to impede the operations of the business community.

After some discussion, it was Doug Taylor from the Chamber whom stepped up to offer that the Chamber might be able to assist in liaising between a KBP group and Council and that Council would be involved in the process but that they would be there to take a back seat to the directives of the business community.

Stay tuned as the dialogue continues on the next steps for the KBP focus group in terms of the next meeting date and location. CS Mayor and Council have declared that CS is “Open for Business” and I believe that the level of support through two meetings now of the full Council in attendance should be an indication of the priority being given to the Keating Revitalization Initiative.

Carl

[Mike K.]

Thanks for the update, Carl!

[CarlonCouncil]

In honour of the Social Media Camp recently held in Victoria, I thought I would float an interesting question out for some discussion, “Should a member of Council be tweeting during a Council meeting?”

Let me begin by acknowledging that I am still relatively new to the world of Twitter having just engaged it last summer during my campaign. As I approach my one year anniversary, I would have to say that I have embraced it as a form of information sharing and communication with people in the District of Central Saanich (#csaan) but also all across Victoria.

I have tweeted on a variety of subjects from Central Saanich Council updates, to announcements of events I have been attending, golf play by play such as today, highland games updates and re-tweets that I have found particularly informative or entertaining.

Now back to my question, although I applaud any efforts that will broaden the forms of communication between a Council member and their constituents whether that is through Vibrant Victoria, FB, Twitter, website, good old fashioned face-to-face, etc., I believe that tweeting during a Council meeting takes the communication intent too far. In my mind, the reason we are at the Council table is to direct a municipality through our decision-making, and while we are on Twitter, there is no way that we can be giving our full attention to the speaker whether it is a fellow Councillor, staff, stakeholder or a resident, and if we are not giving our full attention, we fail to remain engaged in whatever is being presented and therefore our decisions cannot be based on as much information as is available.

So, yes, I will continue tweeting up a storm, but I will refrain from doing it during a Council meeting. Here’s to 1,500 more tweets in the year ahead!!

Carl

[Sparky]

This is a very interesting topic Carl, and it actually goes much further than one's attention span.

During my years as a Parent Advisory Council chairperson, I attended a BC annual general meeting where there were some contentious issues coupled with an election of officers that could have changed the entire make up of the organization.

One of our members was emailing a person in the press about the goings on. That person in the press was posting that information on their blog. Our meeting was a day long event .....and the next thing you know...someone's spouse found out that their partner had resigned in a protest by reading the blog. It wasn't even lunch time yet and the meeting wasn't over.

There was a serious discussion about whether or not we should be required to "check our cell phones at the door."

[jklymak]

Yeah, I'd say it is inappropriate during the meeting. People are supposed to be participating, not trying to get their side of the story out before the other guy does. If everyone was tweeting, no one would be meeting.

[LJ]

Yeah, I'm definitely in the "check the cell phones at the door" camp.

You're supposed to be paying attention to what is being said in the room not what's on your phone.

If I was speaking to council I would find it very rude if one or more of them were heads down texting/tweeting etc.

[CarlonCouncil]

@Sparky, @jklymak and @LJ - Thanks for your responses, I appreciate your input!

Carl

[CarlonCouncil]

I wanted to provide some updated details on CS’s Residential Densification Study (RDS):

The Draft Summary Report for the Central Saanich Residential Densification Study (RDS) that was recently presented to Council is now available on the CS site:
http://www.centralsaanich.ca/Assets/Central+Saanich/Planning+and+Building+Services/Planning/Residential+Densification+Study/Draft+RDS.pdf?method=1

A 2nd Public Open House for Phase 3 of the study will be held this week on Thursday night from 7:00-9:00pm at the Centennial Park Field House at 1809 Hovey Rd. Come on out and be part of the dialogue!

Carl

[CarlonCouncil]

Looking forward to attending my first Saanich Peninsula Tri-Municipal meeting tomorrow night at MWC in Sidney at 7pm in Rm 2. The public is welcome, so perhaps I will see you there!

TRI-MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEETING
(Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney)
TUESDAY, JUNE 19

TH, 2012
7:00 P.M.
Room 2
Mary Winspear Community Centre

AGENDA

1. Attracting and Retaining Business to the Peninsula

-

Presentation from Dallas Gislason and Doug Taylor, Saanich (North Saanich)

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

2. Wastewater Management (North Saanich

)

- Presentation from Duncan Cameron, Cameron Management.

3. Workforce Housing (Central Saanich)

- Presentation from Robin Richardson, Scott Plastics Ltd.

(North Saanich)

- Letter from R. Richardson, dated April 16, 2012.

- Infrastructure Working Group Survey (Sidney)

4. Community Development Commission (North Saanich

)

- Letter from Mayor Cross, dated March 27, 2012.

5. Re-Naming of Highway 17 - the “Peninsula Parkway” (North Saanich)

- Letter from J. Hurley, dated November 20, 2011.

6. Highway 17 Planning Study (North Saanich)

- Agenda of Advisory Groups Workshop, dated February 28, 2011.

7. Densification (Central Saanich)

8. CRD Arts Committee (Sidney)

9. West Side Amenities - Canora Road (Sidney)

- Staff report dated May 16, 2012.

10. Allbay / Tsehum Harbour - Derelict Boats (Sidney)

- Staff report dated September 7, 2011.

11. Highway 17 - Island View Beach Road Intersection (North Saanich)

- Letter from CRD, dated May 30, 2012.


Carl

[CarlonCouncil]

Saanich Peninsula Tri- Municipal Meeting – Jun 19/12

Summary:
1. Attracting and Retaining Businesses to the Peninsula – presentation by Dallas Gislason of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
a. 3 pillars of Community Development: social, environmental and economic
b. Local Economy:
i. Drains – taxation, savings, imports
ii. Additions – reduced taxation, increased spending, exports
c. Largest import on Peninsula: people
d. E.g. Sidney company: spends $500K importing materials, exporting $2M in product – result: $1.5M remains on Peninsula contributes to payroll, expenses, taxes, and the effects of that revenue on local economy ripple out from there
e. 3 methods for building a local economy:
i. Attract businesses from outside to relocate – lowest ROI (return on investment)
ii. Create new businesses that will export – midrange ROI
iii. Retain existing established businesses and help them expand – greatest ROI
f. Chamber solution: Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program
i. Chamber sponsored initiative proposed to be funded by the 3 muni’s
ii. Deliver proactive strategies to uncover the needs of local businesses as opposed to reacting once the businesses have closed or relocated
iii. Provide the benefit of well informed policy and decision making
iv. Cost: $25K/yr per muni for 3 years
2. Wastewater Management
a. Hydra Renewable Resources – Dale Bishop, CEO
b. “We see waste as a resource”
c. “We look to take waste management from a cost sink to a profit centre”
d. Treat wastewater in a way that allows the water to be sold, diesel fuel produced and extract the heat from the waste
e. Similar to what is currently being done at the Saanich Wastewater Treatment Plant with the heat recovery system that is currently providing heat to Panorama
3. Workforce Housing
a. Robin Richardson of Scott Plastics representing the Sidney/North Saanich Industrial Group
b. Advocating for the needs of the group including: Viking Air, Nicholson, Thrifty’s, Sleggs, Ramsay, Scott Plastics,etc
c. Payroll for this group of approx $110M/yr, 2,200 employee’s, but only 26% live on the Peninsula, result: $80M/yr in wages leaving the Peninsula
d. The costs are too great for these employees in terms of average housing costs, gas, and time spent commuting
e. Need new housing being developed now as anything started today will still be 12-18 months out
f. The group has spoken with BC Transit to aid with bus service, but they did not receive a favourable response from BC Transit and as a result they are in discussion with Wilson’s Transport for potential private bus service not just in the area, but potentially from the area home on the highways as well
4. Community Development Commission
a. Looking for a North Saanich representative
5. Re-Naming of Pat Bay Hwy to Peninsula Parkway
a. Pat Bay Hwy named after the Princess Patricia Light Infantry, with that explanation no appetite to pursue a new name
6. Hwy 17 Planning Study
a. Mayor Bryson provided update on meeting between Central Saanich and Minister Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom
b. No immediate plans to close the Island View intersection
7. Densification
a. Councillor Olsen of CS provided an update on the CS Residential Densification Study and mentioned the second Open House happening last Thursday
8. CRD Arts Committee
a. Currently funds grants at 3 levels: operating grants, project grants and idea grants
b. Only 8 of the 13 CRD muni’s currently contribute to the fund
c. Sidney has invested $5K/yr and they have seen a $17K ROI
d. CS and NS not currently contributing
e. It is believed that for every dollar spent on the Arts, the ROI is $9
f. Committee between 3 muni’s to look at this funding
9. West Side Amenities
a. Staff report
10. Derelict Vessels in Peninsula Waters
a. Discussions about a number of initiatives around the Peninsula looking to clean up the waterways
b. It was noted that it needs to be managed by the whole region as one area may clear, but the result may be squatter boat owners simply moving to another area
c. Need to involve Federal authorities as it is within their jurisdiction and funding support is required
11. West Side Boat Launch
a. Need addressed for a boat launch on the west side of Peninsula as currently the only launch is at Tsartlip, looking to put some pressure on Airport Authority to open up a boat launch at their float plane terminal


Carl

[Mike K.]

Thanks for keeping us updated, Carl

[CarlonCouncil]

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Initiative

We had a presentation from Doug Taylor at the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce last night on their BR&E initiative for the Saanich Peninsula. I have summarized the objectives of the initiative above under my summary from the recent Tri-Muni meeting held last month,

Last night was the pitch, as the Chamber is seeking $25K/yr from each of the three municipalities’ for the next three years in support of this initiative.

I spoke in support of the request in principle based on the following rationale:
· It is time for CS to make a financial investment in its business community
· We have all spoken of our interest to support the revitalization of the Keating Business Park, this is a huge step in that direction as a BR&E plan will aid us in our policy and decision making going forward to ensure that our efforts are truly supporting the businesses in the park that are already there and whom have been our customers and employers for many years already
· But in my mind it doesn’t stop there as an investment in the BR&E plan will benefit all businesses in CS including Saanichton and Brentwood as it can drive economic development in the whole of the Peninsula including all of the CS business areas of Keating, Saanichton and Brentwood
· In 2011, the CS business community invested approx $2.6M of their earnings into CS through taxes.
· I believe it is appropriate that we as a District invest $25K/yr to give the business community of CS the best possible opportunities to remain financially sustainable

The response around the table was generally favourable as Council would like to see the proposal come back to a Finance Committee meeting with more details. As I mentioned last night, I think it would be beneficial for the Chamber to provide some case study information of what other communities across Canada have seen in the way of a return on investment (ROI) for dollars spent on BR&E. I asked what would happen if only one or two of the municipalities signed on, and Doug informed us that the initiative would still go ahead for those districts.

I look forward to this project coming forward for further discussion in the Fall.

Carl

[Mike K.]

I believe it is appropriate that we as a District invest $25K/yr to give the business community of CS the best possible opportunities to remain financially sustainable

I like this. From $2.6MM in annual tax revenues this makes sense.

[CarlonCouncil]

Welcome to Summer in Central Saanich!! Sure we may be known for a little old agricultural fair that happens on the Labour Day weekend, http://www.saanichfair.ca/, that has been known to draw a few…thousand people!! But here are a few other things you might want to check out this Summer in Central Saanich:
· Brentwood Bay Music in the Park – Every Wednesday night throughout the summer, free entertainment in downtown Brentwood Bay, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Brentwood-Bays-Music-in-the-Bay/292898714056576
· Peninsula Country Market – Check out this great market happening every Saturday during the summer from 9-1 at the Saanich Fairgrounds, http://www.peninsulacountrymarket.ca/
· Saanichton Picnic on the Green – Saturday August 18th - http://www.saanichtonvillage.ca/
· Butchart Gardens Fireworks – Great fireworks display every Saturday night through the summer can be checked out from within the gardens but for those looking to save a dollar, lots of vantage points around Brentwood Bay, http://www.butchartgardens.com/entertainment/fireworks/fireworks.html
· Yellow Wolf Pow Wow – Hosted by the Tsartlip First nations on the BC Day long weekend

Carl

[Sparky]

Carl

I see the construction site to the east of the Co-Op gas at West Saanich and Keating is being prepared. Could this be for the New Central Saanich Fire Hall?

If it is...

I know this has been in the planning long before you obtained your seat on council, but do you think this is taxpayer money well spent at this time?

[CarlonCouncil]

Originally Posted by Sparky

I know this has been in the planning long before you obtained your seat on council, but do you think this is taxpayer money well spent at this time?

@Sparky - Yes, you are correct, construction has begun on the new firehall. To answer your question, yes, I feel that this was an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars for the following reasons:

• A more centrally located main firehall will provide a quicker emergency response to both the most residentially dense portion of the district in Brentwood and also to the Keating Business Park
• Having sat on the Peninsula Recreation Commission for the last 7 years, I have witnessed the price of waiting on a major capital investment as we saw the price of the Panorama Rec Centre expansion go from a $6-8M project to do all phases to what in the end was an $11M project for just one phase of the project with the pool expansion leaving the remaining phases out
• We as a municipality cannot afford to sit back and allow our infrastructure to deteriorate without making substantial capital upgrades - it is believed that a major earthquake in our region could result in a collapse of the current main firehall which would cripple the ability of the fire department to provide an adequate response in a time where it would be needed the most by our residents
• I believe in a fire training centre in the new location because I do not feel that our volunteer firefighters should have to spend any additional time away from their families travelling to fire training centres outside of their community to save costs on the firehall
• An architectural design from another firehall is being used to save design costs
• I believe this new firehall is being built while being sensitive to total project costs, but at the same time it is being built to ensure that it meets the firefighting needs of the district for many years to come

Sparky, that covers the reasons that I am supporting the use of taxpayer dollars on this capital project.

Carl

[CarlonCouncil]

The Council summer schedule continues! There are a couple of items on my Council agenda for this week. Tonight I was excited to attend the first meeting of the CS Communications Sub-Committee. We had a great discussion around the table on how to broaden the District’s Communications Strategy in an attempt to engage with a greater number of CS residents. Webcasting of the Council meetings will be a step in that direction, and we are also looking at additional methods outside of what has been done historically such as the CS site and the Peninsula News Review. These methods will continue to be used; however we believe there are opportunities that should be explored such as social media, community announcement email subscriptions, etc. Stay tuned as we continue to develop some of these ideas.

Secondly, I have the opportunity to do something I have never done before; I will be attending the official launch party for Central Saanich author, Tricia Dower’s new book: Stony River! http://tricia-dower.blogspot.ca/ I look forward to the evening as Tricia has mentioned that there will be a number of local artists in attendance. I look forward to the opportunity to meet more of the residents of Central Saanich and the Saanich Peninsula.

Next week on Monday August 13th, there will be a Special (Open) Council Meeting at the Hall at 7:00pm and then no meetings until September 4th.

Carl

[Mike K.]

As always, thank you for keeping us updated, Carl!

[CarlonCouncil]

@Mike K - Happy to keep the updates flowing, even during the summer while council business has slowed a little. Back in Chambers Monday night for an Open Council meeting, stay tuned for the links to the agenda and background materials once they are on the CS site.

Carl

[LJ]

Carl, what is your take on the Woodwynn farm situation?

[Sparky]

^ Great question.

[CarlonCouncil]

Originally Posted by LJ

Carl, what is your take on the Woodwynn farm situation?

@LJ - Thanks for the question. In terms of Woodwynn Farms, at this point all I can say is that it is currently a bylaw enforcement issue being managed by the District. As a result, I cannot provide any comment at this time.

Carl

[Sparky]

I saw the tents on the way to the shooting range on Sunday. They were too far from the road to take a pic. This activity is located too far from anybody to be an issue.

[LJ]

Originally Posted by CarlonCouncil

@LJ - Thanks for the question. In terms of Woodwynn Farms, at this point all I can say is that it is currently a bylaw enforcement issue being managed by the District. As a result, I cannot provide any comment at this time.

Carl

Ahh, already converted to politician speak I see. That didn't take long.

[CarlonCouncil]

Originally Posted by LJ

Ahh, already converted to politician speak I see. That didn't take long.

@LJ - Sorry to disappoint you. I would like to think that my brief time on VV and some of my frank discussions with the VV Faithful have earned some credibility in my intention to engage in a dialogue between myself and the VV community.

Don't count me out just yet! What's your next question?

Carl