October 2024 Municipal Update - Victoria-by-the-Sea
OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
From the Mayor’s Desk
I hope everyone has had the opportunity lately to enjoy the extended warm weather we have been getting lately. It looks very much like it is coming to an end later this week. On a personal note, Leslie-Ann and I have been in Ottawa for the last week or so for medical tests etc. As we all know, there are limited health services provided by our provincial government and it is sometimes necessary to go out of province to get the care we need. For anyone looking for us, we plan to be back in PEI before the end of the month.
Since the last update, your council has held its regular council meeting (October 15) and a strategic planning workshop (October 19).
In addition to the regular reports by the Municipal Office on our finances, planning transactions, and updates on the services being provided by the fire department, Water and Sewer service etc, Council members considered a number of important items at its regular meeting. The resignation of the Chairperson of the Water and Sewer Corporation Board at our September council meeting and the resignation of one of the public members leaves the Board with only two members and no Chairperson. Without a functioning Board, the business of the Corporation cannot be carried out as required by the current bylaws. Therefore, the Council requested that the Municipal Office research the governance issues surrounding the operations of our water and sewer service. This could possibly involve dismantling the Water and Sewer Corporation and creating a municipal department as permitted under the Municipal Government Act. The Municipal Office will be providing an update to the Council at its November meeting.
The Council met on Saturday to start the process of developing our long term strategic plan that will inform the work of our municipality over the next three to five years. The work is being led by our CAO who is being assisted by a consultant. Five of your seven council members spent the day discussing the direction for the municipal government that was informed by the upfront work of the CAO. This included, for example, an analysis of the Municipality’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). The CAO also provided a detailed timeline for the development of the strategic plan which will have the council members working well into the new year on this important initiative. As well, there will be opportunities for the public to provide input on the plan as it is being developed.
As you may have seen recently, the provincial government announced that it is undertaking a study of the issues related to the erosion of the coastline along the Causeway Road. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet with Minister Hudson and his staff to advocate for action to be taken by the provincial government to prevent further erosion. I have not been provided with the details of the study, but in a recent provincial government press release I indicated that our Municipality was very supportive of these efforts given the importance of the Causeway Road and its importance to the residents of the Municipality.
I would like to remind residents to contact me, their council members or the Municipal Office if they have questions or suggestions for how we might improve our municipal services.
From the Municipal Office
Municipal Finances
The Municipal Office has made a concerted effort recently to ensure the accounting system is in order. We are very lucky to have Marsha Empson taking care of the Municipality’s accounting system. The Council recently approved two initiatives in order to improve our financial situation. The first initiative was a new bylaw that regulates municipal services fees as well as the W&S fees and a second one was regarding the amount the municipality charges applicants for development permit fees. The fees bylaw permits us to take additional actions to collect outstanding payments of fees due to the Municipality. Some of those fees have been outstanding since 2020. The new fees for development permits ensure there is a better balance between the fees charged to process a development application with the cost of professional land use services that have been going up in recent years. Not only do these measures bring about a more fair method for charging for these Municipal services, but with the help of some savings on public works projects last year, these fee changes will provide a better financial position for the Municipality. Finally, the Municipal Office is reporting to Council on the financial position in order to provide timely information for decision making by the Council.
Public Safety
The Municipality’s old school house is now deemed to be a Certified Reception Center by the province. This certification will allow the Municipality to operate a day time shelter this fall with a few more improvements. More importantly, the certification will provide the opportunity for the Municipality to obtain funding and plan for additional improvements to the facility to operate as an overnight facility in the future. The provincial government also recently approved our Emergency Measures Plan. The Council confirmed the members of the local Emergency Measures team that will be coordinating the efforts of volunteers, the Fire Department and other associated organizations in case of an emergency. A lot remains to be done though and several investments will need to be included in next year’s budget to better position the Municipality in this regard.
Amar Seafood development permit
The Council recently approved the rezoning of the land along the Causeway Road from agricultural use to light industrial. This change would permit the future construction of an aquaculture plant by Amar Seafood. The rezoning was also approved by the responsible minister of the provincial government. More recently, an appeal of this decision has been filed by the Victoria Business Association and the Victoria Village Friends of the Park. IRAC is currently managing this appeal.
At the time the Council approved the rezoning, the Council also approved the process to issue a development permit for the construction of an aquaculture facility on two conditions. The first condition was that the Province had to approve the rezoning of the 12.75 acres needed for the facility to be built. This is now completed. The second condition was the successful completion of a development agreement that provided a comprehensive set of future conditions that have to be met by the applicant and that is acceptable to both parties. While the development agreement has not been completed and ready for review by the Council, the applicant has already begun work to complete an environmental impact assessment which would be one of the conditions to be met. The work related to the environmental impact assessment is supervised by officials in the provincial government.
The process of an appeal at IRAC and the issuing of a development permit by a Municipality are two different processes. It is for the appellants to prove that a decision is taken against the public interest and it is for IRAC to decide if this appeal is based on sufficient facts.
At this time, work on the agreement is still in progress. The Municipal Office will be providing the Council with an update on the progress at a future Council meeting.
Canadian Postcards Mural Project
The municipality has been invited to be considered for a Canadian Postcards Mural Project, in which large scale artwork could be featured locally. In order to participate the municipality must have a designated wall space available and provide a letter of interest. Opinions from residents are welcomed and will be discussed at the November 12 council meeting. Please reach out to the municipal office if you have questions.
Multi-Substance Survey
The following message comes from the PEI Department of Health and Wellness and the Chief Public Health Office, who have launched a province-wide survey on substance use and related knowledge and attitudes.
“We hope you can help us spread the word. The anonymous survey is open to PEI residents aged 16 and older throughout October. It covers topics of tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, illegal drugs, and vaping.
The information we collect through this survey will play a crucial role in: 1) shaping future public health strategies; and 2) improving programs that serve both people who use substances and all Islanders.
In addition to contributing to meaningful change, survey participants will be entered into weekly prize draws for gift cards, providing an extra incentive to take part.
We would be grateful if you could distribute the survey link to your membership email database or include it in your next newsletter. By encouraging participation, you are helping to ensure public health programming is well informed.
To complete the short survey and be entered into our prize draw, please visit: www.PrinceEdwardIsland.ca/Survey.”
Lights by the Sea
November 22, 5pm @ Victoria Fire Hall - Join us for some Holiday Cheer as we stroll through the Village admiring all of the holiday lights and decor.
The VFD fire truck will lead our way, ending back as the Fire Hall for hot chocolate, candy canes and holiday tunes.
That’s all for this month! See past issues at www.RMVictoria.com/newsletters
Questions or feedback? Info for a future newsletter or photos you’re willing to share?
Contact staff at victoriamunicipalitypei@gmail.com
Office hours: Mon-Thurs, 9:30-12 & 1-3:30, except holidays and storm days.
Victoria Historic Schoolhouse
730 Victoria Road, Victoria, PE,
C0A 1J0, Canada