REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: June 07, 2017 Report No. DEV-17-031
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Non-binding Dispute Resolution Process for the Regional Growth Strategy and Appointment of Corporation of the Township of Esquimalt Representatives to Participate in the Process
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council accept the proposed non-binding dispute resolution process as outlined in Schedule B and appoint one member of Council, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Director of Development Services as the Township’s representatives in the process and notify the Capital Regional District forthwith.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2006, No. 2646
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This is not related to any strategic priorities identified in the work plan.
BACKGROUND:
At its January 9, 2017 meeting Council passed a motion to notify the Capital Regional District that it would not accept certain portions of the proposed Regional Growth Strategy. Council’s motion and the areas of non-acceptance were outlined in a letter from Anja Nurvo, Esquimalt’s Corporate Officer to Brent Reems, the Capital Regional District’s Senior Manager for Information and Legislative Services (Schedule A). The Township of Esquimalt was one of seven Capital Regional District member municipalities that did not accept the proposed Regional Growth Strategy. As a result, the Capital Regional District has initiated a non-binding dispute resolution process (Schedule B). An estimated cost of the process for each municipality is found in a document provided by the Capital Regional District (Schedule C).
The Capital Regional Board will consider this item at their June 14, 2017 meeting. Before that meeting they require a resolution for each participating municipality indicating whether or not they accept the proposed non-binding mediation process. In addition, the Capital Regional District staff have requested that Council also appoint representatives to participate directly in the process. It is important to note that it is Council and not the representatives that will make any final decisions related to accepting the mediator’s report.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option - The proposed mediation process appears fair and reasonable given the context of the situation.
2. Organizational Implications - At this time it is not clear exactly how much council and staff time will be required to participate in the mediation process, however, it is expected that the time requirements will not be unduly onerous on staff.
3. Financial Implications - It is estimated that the Township’s portion of the cost of the mediation process will be between $935.00 and $3,116 depending on the total cost of the process (Schedule C).
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications - There are no specific sustainability or environmental implications associated with participating in the mediation process.
5. Communication & Engagement - The primary responsibility for any communications and engagement requirements rests with the Capital Regional District.
ALTERNATIVES:
1) That Council accept the proposed non-binding dispute resolution process as outlined in Schedule B and appoint one member of Council, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Director of Development Services as the Township’s representatives in the non-binding mediation process and notify the Capital Regional District forthwith.
2) That Council not accept the proposed non-binding dispute resolution process as outlined in Schedule B and notify the Capital Regional District forthwith.