METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT MAYORS COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING Friday, July 9, 2021
1:00 p.m.
28th Floor Boardroom, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia
A G E N D A1
1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1.1 July 9, 2021 Regular Meeting Agenda
That the Mayors Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for July 9, 2021 as circulated.
2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 May 26, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
That the Mayors Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held May 26, 2021 as circulated.
3. DELEGATIONS
4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS
5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF
5.1 COVID-19 in Metro Vancouver – Regional Impacts Verbal Update
Heather McNell, General Manager, Regional Planning and Housing Services, and Sean Galloway, Director, Regional Planning and Electoral Area Services, Metro Vancouver.
5.2 Municipal Director Appointment Process
That the Mayors Committee receive for information the report dated June 18, 2021, titled “Municipal Director Appointment Process”.
1Note: Recommendation is shown under each item, where applicable.
pg. 3
pg. 9
Mayors Committee Regular Agenda July 9, 2021 Agenda Page 2 of 2
5.3 Manager’s Report
That the Mayors Committee receive for information the report dated, June 22, 2021, titled “Manager’s Report.”
6. INFORMATION ITEMS 7. OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 COVID-19 Roundtable of Issues by Members 8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS
9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING
Note: The Committee must state by resolution the basis under section 90 of the Community Charter on which the meeting is being closed. If a member wishes to add an item, the basis must be included below.
That the Mayors Committee close its regular meeting scheduled for July 9, 2021 pursuant to the Community Charter provisions, Section 90 (1) (c) as follows:
“90 (1) A part of the meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(c) labour relations or other employee relations.”
10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION
That the Mayors Committee adjourn/conclude its regular meeting of July 9, 2021.
Membership:
West, Brad (C) - Port Coquitlam
Booth, Mary-Ann (VC) - West Vancouver Ander, Gary - Bowen Island
Baird, Ken - Tsawwassen First Nation Brodie, Malcolm - Richmond
Buchanan, Linda - North Vancouver City Coté, Jonathan - New Westminster Dhaliwal, Sav - Burnaby
Dingwall, Bill - Pitt Meadows Froese, Jack - Langley Township Harvie, George - Delta
Hurley, Mike - Burnaby
Little, Mike - North Vancouver District McCallum, Doug - Surrey
McCutcheon, Jen - Electoral Area A McEwen, John - Anmore
McLaughlin, Ron - Lions Bay Morden, Mike - Maple Ridge Ross, Jamie - Belcarra
Stewart, Kennedy - Vancouver Stewart, Richard - Coquitlam Vagramov, Rob - Port Moody van den Broek, Val - Langley City Walker, Darryl - White Rock
pg. 12
METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT MAYORS COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Mayors Committee held at 1:01 p.m. on Wednesday May 26, 2021 in the 28th Floor Boardroom, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair, Mayor Brad West*, Port Coquitlam (departed at 1:46 p.m.) Vice Chair, Mayor Mary-Ann Booth*, West Vancouver
Mayor Gary Ander*, Bowen Island Chief Ken Baird*, Tsawwassen Mayor Malcolm Brodie*, Richmond
Mayor Linda Buchanan*, North Vancouver City Mayor Jonathan Coté*, New Westminster Councillor Sav Dhaliwal*, Burnaby
Mayor Jack Froese*, Langley Township
Mayor Mike Hurley*, Burnaby (arrived at 1:03 p.m.)
Mayor Mike Little*, North Vancouver District (arrived at 1:09 p.m.) Mayor Doug McCallum*, Surrey (departed at 2:12 p.m.)
Director Jen McCutcheon*, Electoral Area A Mayor John McEwen*, Anmore
Mayor Mike Morden*, Maple Ridge Mayor Jamie Ross*, Belcarra Mayor Richard Stewart*, Coquitlam Mayor Rob Vagramov*, Port Moody Mayor Val van den Broek*, Langley City Mayor Darryl Walker*, White Rock MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mayor Bill Dingwall, Pitt Meadows Mayor George Harvie, Delta Mayor Ron McLaughlin, Lions Bay Mayor Kennedy Stewart, Vancouver STAFF PRESENT:
Jerry W. Dobrovolny, Chief Administrative Officer
Lauren Cichon, Legislative Services Coordinator, Board and Information Services
*denotes electronic meeting participation as authorized by Section 3.6.2 of the Procedure Bylaw
2.1
1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1.1 May 26, 2021 Regular Meeting Agenda It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Mayors Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for May 26, 2021 as circulated.
CARRIED 2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 March 5, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Mayors Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held March 5, 2021 as circulated.
CARRIED 3. DELEGATIONS
No items presented.
4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Jonny Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
Jonny Morris, Chief Executive Officer, and Amelia Hamfelt, Director of Policy, Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division, provided an overview on mental health in British Columbia including issues and exploring solutions.
1:03 p.m. Mayor Hurley arrived to the meeting.
1:09 p.m. Mayor Little arrived to the meeting.
Members were provided a presentation regarding the overview of the Canadian Mental Health Association including issues around mental health, solutions, community planning process, and the North Shore Peer Assisted Crisis Team planning.
Members discussed solutions, actions, and next steps that local jurisdictions can take to raise mental health awareness including considering pilot projects, and advocating to senior levels of government for resources and funding. Members recognized the challenge to access mental health services and limitations for local jurisdictions.
1:46 p.m. Chair West departed the meeting and Vice Chair Booth assumed the Chair.
Presentation material titled “Expanding and Improving the Crisis Care Continuum”
is retained with the May 26, 2021 Mayors Committee agenda.
2:12 p.m. Mayor McCallum departed the meeting.
5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF
5.1 Cancellation of Provincial Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program
Report dated May 18, 2021, from Jerry W. Dobrovolny, Commissioner/Chief Administrative Officer, providing information on the announced cancellation of the Provincial Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP), including impacts for Metro Vancouver and its member jurisdictions and the need for an alternative program that provides a source of funding for local government climate actions bringing consistency and transparency to the calculating and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by local governments.
Main Motion
It was MOVED and SECONDED That the MVRD Board:
a) authorize the Board Chair to write a letter to the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding the cancellation of the provincial Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (“CARIP”), including its financial implications, impacts of the cancellation of the program, and requesting a replacement of CARIP with an improved program; and
b) refer the matter of the cancellation of the CARIP program to the Climate Action Committee and direct staff to prepare an additional response that provides details on suggested improvements to the program.
Members discussed the unexpected cancellation of the CARIP, and considered requesting the Province replace CARIP with an improved program with payments to continue into 2022 and beyond.
Amendment to the Main Motion It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Mayors Committee amend the Main Motion, in part a), after the phrase “impacts of the cancellation of the program, and” by replacing the phrase “requesting a replacement” with “requesting an environmentally- sustainable”, and after the phrase “with an improved program”, by adding the phrase “with payments to start in 2022 without conditions”.
CARRIED Question on the Main Motion as Amended
Question was then called on the Main Motion as amended and it was
CARRIED
The Main Motion as amended now reads as follows:
That the MVRD Board:
a) authorize the Board Chair to write a letter to the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding the cancellation of the provincial Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (“CARIP”), including its financial implications, impacts of the cancellation of the program, and requesting an environmentally-sustainable replacement of CARIP with an improved program with payments to start in 2022 without conditions; and
b) refer the matter of the cancellation of the CARIP program to the Climate Action Committee and direct staff to prepare an additional response that provides details on suggested improvements to the program.
5.2 Manager’s Report
Jerry W. Dobrovolny, Commissioner/Chief Administrative Officer, updated members on the Committee Work Plan.
It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Mayors Committee receive for information the report dated May 10, 2021, titled “Manager’s Report.”
CARRIED 6. INFORMATION ITEMS
6.1 Correspondence re Request for Dedicated Funding Stream for Regional Flood Mitigation dated April 20, 2021 from Mayor Dingwall, City of Pitt Meadows 7. OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 COVID-19 Roundtable of Issues by Members a) Zoning Bylaw Template
The Committee discussed exploring a Zoning Bylaw template for local jurisdictions to use as a precedent when considering Zoning Bylaw updates to increase consistency across the region.
Main Motion
It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Mayors Committee:
a) direct staff to work with the Regional Administrators Advisory Committee (RAAC) and Regional Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC) to assess member jurisdiction interest in Metro Vancouver coordinating the development of a zoning bylaw template, with an aim to supporting members as they consider zoning bylaw updates; and
b) direct staff to report back to the Mayors Committee with options and recommendations.
Members discussed the differences within municipalities, and that each local jurisdiction should have an option whether to use the Zoning Bylaw template.
Amendment to the Main Motion It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Mayors Committee amend the Main Motion, in part a), after the phrase “coordinating the development of”, by replacing with “a zoning bylaw template” with “an optional zoning bylaw template”.
CARRIED Question on the Main Motion as Amended
Question was then called on the Main Motion as amended and it was
CARRIED The Main Motion as amended now reads as follows:
That the Mayors Committee:
a) direct staff to work with the Regional Administrators Advisory Committee (RAAC) and Regional Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC) to assess member jurisdiction interest in Metro Vancouver coordinating the development of an optional zoning bylaw template, with an aim to supporting members as they consider zoning bylaw updates; and
b) direct staff to report back to the Mayors Committee with options and recommendations.
b) Board Appointment Process
Members discussed the process and procedures for the appointment of municipal directors.
It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Mayors Committee direct staff to review the process and procedures for Mayor or their designate and Director appointments and report back.
CARRIED 8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS
No items presented.
9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING No items presented.
10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Mayors Committee conclude its regular meeting of May 26, 2021.
CARRIED (Time: 3:05 p.m.)
____________________________ ____________________________
Lauren Cichon, Mary-Ann Booth, Vice Chair
Legislative Services Coordinator
To: Mayors Committee
From: Chris Plagnol, Corporate Officer
Date: June 18, 2021 Meeting Date: July 9, 2021
Subject: Municipal Director Appointment Process RECOMMENDATION
That the Mayors Committee receive for information the report dated June 18, 2021, titled “Municipal Director Appointment Process”.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BC’s regional districts are each governed by a board of directors which is composed of municipal directors, Treaty First Nations directors, and electoral area directors representing their local jurisdictions. As set out in the Local Government Act, the electoral area director is elected to the board, while the other directors are appointed. The decision to appoint rests with the municipal council or the treaty first nation governing body. The Act does not stipulate any criteria in making those appointment decisions, such as the Mayor should be the default appointment. To do so would require a statutory amendment to the Local Government Act.
PURPOSE
To outline the process and procedures related to the appointment of municipal directors to the Metro Vancouver board.
BACKGROUND
At its meeting of May 26, 2021, the Mayors Committee discussed the process by which directors, particularly Mayors or their designates, are appointed to the regional district board, and adopted the following resolution:
That the Mayors Committee direct staff to review the process and procedures for Mayor or their designate and Director appointments and report back.
This report provides for the committee’s consideration information on the municipal director appointment process.
REGIONAL DISRICT GOVERNANCE
The 27 regional districts in BC are modeled as a federation composed of municipalities, electoral areas, and Treaty First Nations, each of which has representation on the regional district board. The board is the governing body of the regional district, and is ultimately responsible for the services provided and the actions taken. This board is composed of one or more directors appointed from each member municipal council and each Treaty First Nation governing body, and of one or more directors elected from each electoral area, based on the population of the jurisdiction represented.
5.2
Municipal Director Appointment Process Mayors Committee Regular Meeting Date: July 9, 2021
Page 2 of 3
Metro Vancouver’s Boards
In Metro Vancouver’s case, the MVRD board represents 21 municipalities, one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation, composed of 40 directors as follows:
• 38 municipal directors
• 1 treaty first nation director
• 1 electoral area director
It is important to note that in addition to the MVRD Board, Metro Vancouver is also governed by 3 other boards. The GVS&DD Act provides that the GVS&DD board comprises those persons who are directors for each jurisdiction within the GVS&DD on the MVRD board, together with the electoral area director. The GVWD Act contains a similar provision. Finally, the MVHC Articles of the Company stipulate that the directors for the MVHC board will mirror those appointed to the MVRD board.
Appointment Process
The Local Government Acts sets out the procedure for the appointment of directors. For municipal directors, section 198 of the Act states:
After the first appointment under section 41 (2) (e) [first board for regional district], each municipal director is to be appointed at pleasure by the council from among its member.
There is a significant phrase in this section and that is that each municipal director is to be appointed at pleasure by the council from among its members. This means that the decision to appoint (or remove) municipal directors rests entirely with the municipal council (as does the appointment of Alternate Directors, which is not addressed in this report). The Act does not stipulate any criteria in making those appointment decisions, such as the Mayor or Mayor’s designate should be the default appointment, followed by councillors.
Since 1965, the Municipal Act (now Local Government Act) stipulated that municipal directors were appointed annually (after 2000, this provision was changed to “at the pleasure of council”). And since 1965, there have been no criteria constraining municipal council’s appointment decision.
Electoral area directors and treaty first nation directors follow different provisions. The electoral area director is directly elected for a four-year term until the next general local election, as set out in section 199 of the Act. The treaty first nation director is appointed by the nation’s governing body and does not follow the “at pleasure” provision described above, but rather the term is set in accordance with section 254 of the Act.
If the MVRD Board wishes to make changes to the appointment process presented above, the next step would be to seek legislative change to the Local Government Act. In this case, the statutory change would affect all regional district boards in BC. The Ministry would have to consider the effect of this more global change, and may restrict this provision to Metro Vancouver only and/or conclude that the same amendment is appropriate for other regional district boards.
Municipal Director Appointment Process Mayors Committee Regular Meeting Date: July 9, 2021
Page 3 of 3
ALTERNATIVES
This is an information report. No alternatives are presented.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Directors appointed to the regional district board are remunerated in accordance with the Remuneration Bylaw. The process to appoint directors to the board does not affect the remuneration budget.
CONCLUSION
The process to appoint directors (municipal directors, treaty first nation directors, and electoral area directors) to regional district boards is prescribed by the Local Government Act. While the electoral area directors are directly elected to the boards, the municipal directors and treaty first nation directors are appointed by their municipal council and governing body respectively. The Act does not stipulate that the municipal director appointment must be the Mayor or the Mayor’s designate. As such, to introduce any appointment selection criteria for municipal directors would require a statutory amendment. This information is brought forward for the committee’s information.
46272792
To: Mayors Committee
From: Jerry Dobrovolny, Commissioner/Chief Administrative Officer
Date: June 22, 2021 Meeting Date: July 9, 2021
Subject: Manager’s Report RECOMMENDATION
That the Mayors Committee receive for information the report dated, June 22, 2021, titled
“Manager’s Report.”
Zoning Bylaw Template Update
At its May 26, 2021 Mayors Committee meeting, members discussed exploring a Zoning Bylaw template for local jurisdictions to use as a precedent to increase consistency across the region when considering Zoning Bylaw updates. A motion passed for the Regional Administrators Advisory Committee (RAAC) and Regional Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC) to assess member jurisdiction interest in Metro Vancouver coordinating the development of a zoning bylaw template, with an aim to supporting members as they consider zoning bylaw updates, and direct staff to report back to the Mayors Committee with options and recommendations.
At its June 17, 2021 Regional Administrators Advisory Committee meeting, members discussed standardizing the Zoning Bylaw practice and format, and expressed their support in directing the motion to the Regional Planning Advisory Committee for their feedback. The next Regional Planning Advisory Committee meeting is held on July 16, 2021, in which the zoning bylaw template will be further discussed.
Mayors Committee Work Plan
Attachment 1 to this report sets out the Committee’s Work Plan for 2021. The status of the Committee’s key priorities is shown as pending, in progress, or complete together with the meeting date that each is expected to be considered by the Committee.
Attachment
1. 2021 Mayors Committee Work Plan
5.3
Mayors Committee 2021 Work Plan Report Date: June 22, 2021 Priorities
1st Meeting Status
2021 Mayors Committee Schedule Complete
2021 Mayors Committee Work Plan Complete
Car 87 Update Complete
COVID-19 Update (As Applicable) Complete
2nd Meeting
Cancellation of Provincial Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Complete
Mental Health in British Columbia Complete
COVID-19 Update (As Applicable) Complete
3rd Meeting
COVID-19 in Metro Vancouver – Regional Impacts In Progress
Collective Bargaining Update In Progress
Municipal Director Appointment Process In Progress
COVID-19 Update (As Applicable) In Progress
4th Meeting
COVID-19 Update (As Applicable) Pending
5th Meeting
COVID-19 Update (As Applicable) Pending
