- A Public Hearing to adopt bylaw #4576, the Heritage Designation of 1265 Roslyn Rd. (home of Heritage Oak Bay volunteer Judith Andersen and husband Richard), opened the evening. Adoption was unanimous and I acknowledged the generosity of the Andersens in requesting the designation and working with the Heritage Commission and municipal staff to make this a reality and a legacy to the community of Oak Bay. Studies show that Heritage designation has many advantages, including adding to the market value of a home. Designation enhances neighbourhoods and community assets and helps to educate the public about the importance of heritage conservation. Thank you Judith and Richard!
I voted with Council to approve the following Council meeting agenda items, accompanied by staff reports and/or letters of request:
- A recommendation from the Deputy Municipal Treasurer to award a contract for acquisition of Public Works equipment.
- Detailed staff report from consulting planner Hope Burns, recommending early formal consultation with Songhees First Nations and the School District, to support Oak Bay’s Official Community Plan renewal process. Community open houses and visioning workshops also commence on May 25, with a complete schedule available through e-mail to the Municipal website, the Oak Bay News, notices posted in public spaces and at oakbayocp@oakbay.ca I will also post a schedule on this blog for your information. FYI, the acronym OPAC refers to the Official Community Plan Advisory Committee.
- Verbal update from Interim CAO Gary Nason on the OCP renewal process and upcoming community consultation sessions in late May and early June.
- The ninth annual Bowker Creek Brush-Up is August 11th. This is a great event that showcases Oak Bay’s talented artists and visiting artists from other communities. Be sure to mark your calendars with this fun-filled summer event at Bowker Creek.
- The Oak Bay Tourism’s request to hold the annual Oak Bay Collector Car Festival, August 11th, on Oak Bay Avenue. Another popular annual event that brings visitors to the Avenue from all over the Capital Region. Mark your calendars!
- The Oak Bay Business Improvement Association’s Oak Bay Village Night Markets, held on June 19th, July 17th, August 21st and September 18th. Mark your calendars!
- Three summer block parties that requested road closures. I am a great supporter of these requests. They represent the very best of neighbourhoods and activities designed to be welcoming, inclusive and just plain fun. The locations are Dalhousie on June 22nd, Yale St. north of Theatre Lane on August 25th and Byng from McNeill, to Central, Hazel and Plumer streets on September 8th.
- Grant application request from the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, for a Healthy Communities Capacity Building Fund. Volunteers and staff will work together on preparing the grant application, a great opportunity to build community capacity related to transportation.
- Making progress towards carbon neutrality that will see a reserve fund established to bank carbon credits so that monies can be directed internally to fund Oak Bay-based projects.
- A series of previously considered bylaws for adoption relating to Oak Bay’s Financial Plan, Capital Works and Equipment Reserve Fund, Heritage Reserve Fund, Land Sale Reserve Fund, Machinery and Equipment Depreciation Reserve Fund, Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw Amendment and Tax Rates.
- A resolution to approve 2013 Grants-in-Aid funding, amounting to a total of $687,874.
- Summer meeting hours: July 15 at 7:00 PM – Committee of the Whole; July 22 at 7:30 PM – Council —- August 12 at 7:00 PM – Committee of the Whole; August 19 at 7:30 PM – Council. All meetings at Municipal Hall in Council Chambers.
“CHOOSING OUR FUTURE” – OCP Community Consultation Sessions in May and June 2013 — We Need Your Participation to Make a Strong Community Plan:
- Community Open House #1 – May 25, 1:00-4:00 PM, Windsor Pavilion
- Community Open House #2 – June 4, 5:00-8:00 PM, Emmanuel Baptist Church
Visioning Sessions (Group/Topic):
(Please Note: All sessions will be held in Council Chambers at Municipal Hall, unless otherwise designated)
- OPAC, May 25, 12:30-1:00 PM, Windsor Pavilion
- Oak Bay Mayor and Council, Management staff from all departments, municipal commissions and working committees – May 28, 1:30-3:30 PM, (by invitation)
- Parks, Recreation and Environment – May 28, 4:30-6:00 PM
- Arts and Culture – May 28, 7:00-8:30 PM
- Community and Social Services – May 29, 3:30-5:00 PM
- Business and Commerce – May 29, 12 noon-1:30 PM
- Education Facilities – May 29, 3:30-5:00 PM
- Oak Bay planners and visionaries – May 29, 7:00-8:30 PM (by invitation)
- Youth – June 4, 3:30-4:30 PM, Oak Bay Lounge, Oak Bay Rec Centre
For more information or to submit an e-mail message, please visit the Oak Bay Municipal website at oakbayocp@oakbay.ca