Council Highlights – May 23, 2023 

Posted: May 26, 2023      |      By: Legislative Services

Council Highlights – May 23, 2023 

Posted: May 26, 2023   |   By: Legislative Services

Meeting Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Mayor's Report

Mayor Law dedicated his Mayor's Report to George Hubert, who previously served close to four decades as an employee with the District of Tofino. Mayor Law commented on Mr. Hubert's long tenure at the District, noting his hard work and dedication spanning 37 years in the Public Works Department and 30 years volunteering for the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor Law noted that Mr. Hubert retired during the pandemic and subsequently did not get the acknowledgment he deserved. Mayor Law requested that staff come forward with suggestions on how to best honour and commemorate Mr. Hubert's service to the community.

Agenda Items

Development Permit - Shed Restaurant

Council authorized staff to issue a development permit for the property at 151 Fourth Street (Shed Restaurant) that will allow for the construction of a roof structure over the existing patio.

Contract Award - Tofino Free Shuttle Service

Council awarded the contract for the 2023-2025 Tofino Free Shuttle Service to Tofino Bus Lines. The $250,000 cost of the 2023 service is to be funded by $245,000 from the Resort Municipality Initiative funding and a $5,000 contribution from Tourism Tofino.

Water and Sewer Utility Bylaw Amendments

"District of Tofino Water Utility Amendment Bylaw No. 1213.05, 2023" and "District of Tofino Sewer Utility Amendment Bylaw No. 1214.03, 2023" were both read a first, second, and third time. The proposed bylaw amendments address an error in the utility rate bylaws that were adopted in March of 2023, and will result in a 4% increase to utility rates on July 1, 2023.

Downtown Pay Parking Program

Council authorized staff to amend the "District of Tofino Parking Policy" in support of the implementation of the Downtown Pay Parking Program. Bylaws related to traffic and parking regulations as well as fees and charges were both read a first, second, and third time. Council will consider adoption of the bylaws on June 13, 2023, with downtown pay parking anticipated to come into effect on June 16, 2023.

Previous Council Highlights

Council Highlights – Apr 26, 2022

May 2, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Apr 26, 2022

Mayor Law met with the Honorable Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding the situation with the Wastewater Treatment Plant funding. He communicated the support from the Ministry on the community’s behalf.

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Council Highlights – Apr 12, 2022

April 14, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Apr 12, 2022

Mayor Law remarked on the upcoming Annual Spring Eggstravaganza event and encouraged community participation and emergency preparedness during Tsunami Preparedness Week.

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Council Highlights – Mar 22, 2022

March 25, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Mar 22, 2022

Mayor Law spoke again to the ongoing devastation in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of good government. He affirmed the responsibility of Council is to look after the well-being, health and safety of residents. 

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Council Highlights – Mar 8, 2022

March 14, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Mar 8, 2022

Mayor Law remarked on International Women’s Day as a day and spoke about the need to recognize that the oppression of women and girls is still a human rights issue globally.

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Council Highlights – Feb 22, 2022

February 28, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Feb 22, 2022

Mayor Law spoke to the recent beautiful weather. He gave an update on a memorandum of understanding signed by key organizations in the community with regards to the ongoing Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) negotiations.

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Council Highlights – Feb 2 & 8, 2022

February 11, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Feb 2 & 8, 2022

Mayor Law and Councillor McMaster attended a follow-up meeting hosted by Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations with resort representatives and the West Coast Hospitality Association to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding and Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT). These discussions were very well received. Discussions were excellent and he looks forward to working closely together.

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Council Highlights – Jan 25, 2022

January 31, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Jan 25, 2022

Mayor Law acknowledged the water collision that occurred earlier in the day and thanked the Ahousaht Auxiliary Coast Guard, the Tofino Coast Guard and first responders. He thanked Councillor Stere who was on the call and wished everyone involved a speedy recovery.

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Council Highlights – Jan 11, 2022

January 13, 2022 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Jan 11, 2022

Mayor Law spoke to the Omicron variant and COVID-19 protocols, including additional precautions in Municipal Hall and other District buildings. He expressed his thankfulness for the community and for vaccines, reiterating how fortunate we are to have these advances and how important it is for government to continue to take care of their communities.

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Council Highlights – Dec 14, 2021

December 17, 2021 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Dec 14, 2021

Mayor Law recapped a local government round table hosted by Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Honorable Josie Osborne and Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, the Honorable Murray Rankin. There were over 44 mayors and chairs present for the discussions about local government efforts towards reconciliation across the island.

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Council Highlights – Nov 23, 2021

November 26, 2021 | Comments Off on Council Highlights – Nov 23, 2021

Mayor Law spoke to the Remembrance Day ceremony, attended by Acting Mayor Tom Stere due to Mayor Law’s absence.
He also presented Trish Dixon with a Certificate of Recognition for 10 years with the District of Tofino.

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