Bowen Island Undercurrent February 10 2022

SETTING SAIL: Brigadier joins Bowen Island Yacht Club PAGE 6

$1.50

inc.

GST

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

#BOWENISAWESOME

VOL. 48 NO. 04

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

Supporting local Island businesses PAGE 9

Nearly two-thirds of Bowen short-term rentals unlicenced

VARIOUS REASONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH BYLAW

ALEX KURIAL Editor

FAITHFUL FRIEND: “My dog, Reina, is no different than most in her desire for love, attention and the occasional treat. She is used to being greeted kindly and given pats by both strangers and friends, and especially the friend who drives the waste collection truck every Wednesday, Sean Delaney. You can imagine her distress when he was no longer there to greet her each week as she waited by the side of the road. Other men smiled and called out but didn’t stop. And then, last week, the miracle happened and there was he was! The truck stopped and Sean stepped out to pat her and give a treat. He may not be on the route again for a while but, for Reina, faith has been restored.” - Allie Drake / Holly Cleater photo

Finance Advisory Committee questions consultation snub FAC OPINION NOT ASKED ON COMMUNITY CENTRE TENDER ALEX KURIAL Editor The Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) was seeking some answers after not being consulted on the construction company selection process for the new Community Centre.

Golden Globe Construction was awarded the tender with

a bid of $14.4 million. The project is now estimated to cost $18.7 million overall.

The municipality listed several factors for the rising costs, which are up nearly 30 per cent since the 2020 referendum on the matter, and well above the 2018 estimate of $10.5 million.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Data collection from last month shows the majority of short-term rental accommodations on the island are operating without a business licence.

The municipality approved 41 short-term rental licences in 2021. But last month there were 113 rental locations active on host sites such as Airbnb, leaving 72 unlicenced.

Listings were tracked by the investigative technology company Harmari. A short-term rental is deemed active based on online factors such as host participation, guest feedback, schedule availability, and more. Numbers are updated every week or two, with these results from Jan. 10.

“Business licencing overall is challenging,” says Daniel Martin, manager of planning and development, in a presentation to the Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) this week.

“Definitely in terms of how many we’ve licenced and how many listings we find, there’s a big gap,” he says.

Martin points to a few reasons for this. One is Bowen only began their business licence program in 2019, and not everyone may be aware when or where they’re required.

But while some of these unlicenced rentals can be chalked up to “lack of awareness”, Martin says others operate under a “lack of awareness that they’ll be noticed.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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A2 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 10, 2022

We’re hiring: Planner 1

Events February 14, 2022 4:00 pm Committee of the Whole Meeting - Conservation Development Policy February 14, 2022 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting February 15, 2022 11:00 am Community Centre Land Blessing Ceremony February 21, 2022 1:30 pm Snug Cove Gateway Mural Launch Party February 28, 2022 4:00 pm Committee of the Whole Meeting - Hazardous Areas Development

BIM is looking for a permanent full-time Planner I to join our team immediately. The position offers an opportunity for you to work on a diverse portfolio of projects and initiatives relevant to guiding the growth and direction of a communityfocused municipality.

Reporting to the Manager of Planning and Development, the Planner 1 will process development applications and other related Planning applications; conduct preliminary research and analysis with regards to a future Land Use Bylaw update; provide support and research for Council Strategic Initiatives; develop material and support facilitation for community engagement; support the Planning Technician in handling planning and building pre-application inquiries and building plan reviews; and provide excellent customer service to internal and external agencies and groups.

Please submit your cover letter and resume by 4:00pm on Wednesday February 23, 2022.

Brought to you by the Public Art Advisory Committee, with funding from Sangre de Fruta and the Province of British Columbia.

Snug Cove Gateway Mural Launch Party Family Day Monday, February 21 Celebrate a community art project brought to life by local artists Di, Paula Love and Sarah Haxby.

Bowen Island Fire Rescue Open House Saturday, March 5, 2022 10 am to 2 pm Firehall #2, 1421 Adams Rd • • • • •

Get vaccinated - everyone 5 years and older is eligible.

Join us at 1:30 pm on February 21, Family Day, at the launch party for the Snug Cove Gateway Mural! A community art project brought to life by three local artists Di, Paula Love and Sarah Haxby. The mural painted on sixteen wood panels is to be installed on the lock block wall at the gateway to Snug Cove as a welcoming and inviting entrance to Bowen Island that shares and celebrates our environment, local heritage, culture and community spirit.

For more information and to read the full job description, please go to: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/jobs

February 28, 2022 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting

Help stop COVID-19:

Celebrating Heritage Week with the Gateway Mural Launch Party

•

1:30 pm at the Snug Cove North Dock (next to the ferry)

New firehall information booth FireSmart information and home assessment signup Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program information and signup Emergency Support Servicess information and signup AED and basic CPR demonstration by Lifesavers at 10:30 and 12:30 Pastries, coffee and prizes

Songs, stories and snacks for all, and activities for the kids!

Brought to you by

PUBLIC ART Advisory Committee

We give a hoot about heritage.

With funding from

Bowen Island Fire Rescue recruiting new volunteer members Stay home if you’re sick

Wear a mask in indoor public spaces

Apply to be a volunteer firefighter with Bowen Island Fire Rescue. Submit your application by 4:30 pm on February 24, 2022 if you want to dedicate your time, skills and physical ability to helping your community.

ADVERTISEMENT February 10, 2022

Phone: Fax: Email: Website:

RFP for Cleaning Services

BIM is looking for proposals for a one-year contract for cleaning services at Municipal buildings, including Municipal Hall and Public Works offices. Closing date for proposals is 4 www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/apply-fire-fighter pm on February 11, 2022. www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/rfps-and-tenders

Contact Bowen Island Municipality PAID

Kicking off 2022 BC Heritage Week!

604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca

Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays

Find

Subscribe to our mailing list Bowen Island Municipality

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Thursday, February 10, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3

ISLAND NEWS Muni says unlicenced BNBs can be hard to find CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

And it doesn’t matter how infrequent or short-term a place is rented out, even for a night.

“Under our bylaw renting it out and taking money in exchange for your place is a business activity that would need a licence,” says Martin.

The municipality will be keeping a closer eye on this area of local business during 2022, as numbers show short-term rentals are becoming more active now that people are more comfortable with travel compared to earlier stages of the pandemic.

Another challenge with enforcing business licences is finding a specific address to follow up with. Accommodations usually provide a general area or street in their listing, and give out the specific address in conversation with the renter. This makes it harder to track the unit down to open a file.

“When we have contact information we are contacting them,” says Martin when a rental is narrowed down to a property. “The initial step is informing people

that ‘Oh, it seems like you have an active listing, did you know that you require a business licence?’

And then it can progress to enforcement if it doesn’t happen.”

The municipality currently has several files open on island properties. Enforcement steps begin with education, then escalate to warnings, and ultimately fines if a business licence isn’t obtained.

Martin says the data from Harmari will be the key to ensuring as many short-term rentals as possible become compliant.

“Quite often people will come back and say ‘Oh well it’s not active, I’m not taking guests anymore. I’ve taken it down,’” says Martin on owner responses.

“Sometimes that’s the case, and sometimes we can look back and say ‘Well, people reviewed staying in your place last weekend and the weekend before and the weekend before that.’ It can be quite useful that way,” he says of the collected data.

The CEDC decided to keep an eye on the situation moving forward. “This is just a snapshot.

Data often becomes meaningful as a pattern over time,” says Coun. Maureen Nicholson.

“As we get layer and layer and layer of snapshots then we’ll be able to do some sort of comparison and say something a lot more meaningful than we can say tonight.”

Nicholson was pleased with Bowen’s total number of business licences overall, up to 504 last year. This included 110 contractors, after a new rule kicked in for 2021 requiring every company involved in a build to have a licence. Previously this was only required of the primary builder.

“I see the number of off-island contractors who are licenced for doing business on Bowen as a bit of an opportunity,” says Nicholson. “I think it underscores the need for industrially-zoned land on-island. Some of those contractors might very well need space over here or might want to relocate their business.”

Nicholson was also glad to see revenue from the business licence program was covering the staff costs of implementing it.

A map showing the concentration of active short-term rental accomodations on the island as of Jan. 10, 2022. / BIM map

Come together, Bowen Island!

Celebrate community at a land blessing ceremony for the Community Centre

With special guests S7aplek and Spakwus Slolem (Bob Baker and the Squamish Eagle Song Dancers), and representatives from the federal, provincial and local governments. A land blessing will be followed by a guided walkabout of the future Community Centre grounds and building site.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Bowen Island Trunk Rd next to the BICS grass field While all events will be outdoors in the open air, rain or shine, we ask that everyone maintain physical distancing wherever possible and wear a mask if within 2 metres of others.

Please refrain from parking in the BICS parking lot.

A4 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 10, 2022

VIEWPOINTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lessons for Leaders Tories Oust Another One “Mama Mia - here we go again.” Maybe that’s what you’re saying if you live on Bowen, care about our national institutions, and observed the Tories yesterday elect their fifth leader in seven years. Given the high concentration of leaders on Bowen - in the corporate, non-profit, faith, and political worlds, what lessons can we learn from the Conservatives’ roller-coaster ride?

No one likes instability. Each time an organization switches leaders, there is confusion with the new adjustments. But the story’s not all bad. Give the Conservatives credit for transparency and accountability. Of all the parties in Parliament, theirs is the only one that adopted the Reform Act, which provides Caucus members a specific path for challenging and replacing a leader. Adopting the Act was risky business but doing so is consistent with a Party that prides its commitment to free thought and free speech.

Lessons learned for all leaders? I see at least two.

Firstly, no organization should put all its eggs in the basket of one person’s public profile. The tendency in Canada is to load disproportionate importance on the antics or looks of one leader, instead of diffusing the role among a leadership team. Cabinets have diminished in importance with the rise of the Prime Minister’s Office and social media feeds off people’s obsession with personality cults.

Great organizations are led by groups of people, even if circumstances dictate that one of those be “primus inter pares” - first among equals. Pushing several leaders into the spotlight facilitates the best gifts from a wider pool and mitigates the risk if one person fumbles.

Secondly, every organization - company, non-profit, faith group, or political party - needs a clear sense of values. Those lacking a clear, values-driven identity are doomed to focus exaggerated attention on the leader and his or her peccadilloes. As Jim Collins demonstrates in his influential books on business organization, the companies distinguished by clear values, with leaders who avoid the limelight, are the ones “built to last”. The Conservatives need a galvanizing values statement that promotes the strength of the individual and the right of equal opportunity for all to achieve their objectives in life. Consistent with Tory traditions, the statement should acknowledge responsibility to give back to our community more than we receive. It should articulate the

importance of individual excellence and community responsibility, together to foster a sustainable society.

Finally, those who care about good leadership in Canadian society - in and out of politics - are driven by this week’s events to acknowledge once again, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

Imagine the toll this debacle has imposed on Erin O’Toole, his wife Rebecca, and their two children, Molly and Jack. Leadership is fraught with uncertainty and strife. Even when we disagree with our leaders, we are all human; let’s remember that.

— John Weston MP, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country 2008-15

Rights and responsibilities To the Editor, The anti-Vaxer protests fight for the freedom to spread the virus, create new varieties, and to die from them.

Naturally, when people crowd together they endanger not only themselves but the rest of us as well, especially when they also refuse to wear face masks.

It seems that any government advice now results in conspiracy theories run-

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#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com DEADLINE for advertising Monday, 4 p.m. DEADLINE for editorial Tuesday 5 p.m.

ning rampant. Democracy is about society, not just about individuals.

In a democracy we have the right to express our opinions - but we also have the responsibility to take care of each other - in a society you can not have one without the other - we can not have rights without responsibilities.

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com 2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

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Thursday, February 10, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5

Sewage saga continues...

Dear Mayor and Council,

I watched the Special Council meeting held on January 31st, 2022 with great interest and concern. As a Bowen resident outside the Snug Cove Sewer Specified Area, I have significant concerns with the proposed funding sources for two of the three resolutions approved at the Special Council meeting. Specifically, the first and second resolutions which state: - That Council direct staff to include $1,640,000 in the 2022 municipal capital budget for the construction of Phase 1 of the Snug Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades: $1,000,000 from the Capital Renewal and Replacement Reserve and $640,000 from the Unappropriated surplus. (This motion carried with one opposed), and - That Council direct staff to proceed with posting a Request for Proposal for construction management for Phase 1 Water Treatment (later corrected to Wastewater Treatment) Plant Upgrades. (This motion carried with one opposed).

I am concerned about the funding sources identified in the first motion. The debate over the merits of the second motion is not part of this letter, however I believe that the funding sources identified in the first motion must be corrected before the second can proceed.

Following is the basis and background for my concern: https:// www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/ governance-powers/powers-services/municipal-powers-services/services/local-area-services The above link/site provides the rules and authorities governing local area service taxation. The following quote is excerpted from this site. The last bullet is particularly relevant for the current situation.

“Taxation While a municipal council has authority to set general tax rates to recover costs of services across the municipality through its annual budget process and financial plan bylaw, the rules and restrictions are slightly different for taxes that only apply to a sub-set of municipal taxpayers.

A local service tax is created by the municipal council to pay all or part of the cost of a local area service. The tax may be structured as a property value tax, a parcel tax or a combination of the two.

The proceeds of a local service tax may only be spent for the local area service for which it is collected. The form of the local service tax ultimately chosen must be specified in the local area service bylaw.

Requirements A local area service must be established by bylaw. The bylaw must: · Describe the service · Define the boundaries of the local service area · Identify the methods of cost recovery for the service, including the form of local service tax (property value tax and/or parcel tax) and the portion of the costs of the service that are to be recovered by the local service tax · Identify the portion of the costs of the service that are to be recovered by a general municipal property tax, if applicable.”

The Municipal bylaw establishing the Snug Cove Sewer Specific Area began as Bylaw No. 10, 2000 and has been amended a number of times with the most recent being Bylaw No. 490, 2019. The following has been excerpted from this bylaw (https://bowenisland. civicweb.net/document/208199) which identifies the source of cost recovery (highlighted in green): “WHEREAS by “Snug Cove Public Utility Specified Area Establishment and Loan Authorization Bylaw, No. 610, 1989”, the Board of Directors of the Greater Vancouver Regional District established a Service Area for the purpose of providing a sewerage system

in the Snug Cove area of Bowen Island; AND WHEREAS the Letters Patent of the Bowen Island Municipality provide that the Snug Cove Sewer System and the Service Area are established as a separate municipal Specified Area under Division 2 of Part 19 of the Municipal Act; AND WHEREAS the Letters Patent of the Bowen Island Municipality further provide that the municipality shall adopt Bylaws providing for the purpose and area of the Specified Area and establishing a Local Management Committee for the Specified Area.

The Council for Bowen Island Municipality in open meeting assembled enacts as follows: 1. The purpose of the Local Area Service is to provide sewerage collection and treatment for the area as defined by ‘Schedule A’, attached to this bylaw.

2. The method of cost recovery for the service shall be by user fees, and parcel taxes as defined by bylaw, to be recovered solely from the properties included in the area defined by ‘Schedule A’. …”

During the special meeting on January 31st, the CAO opined funds from island-wide capital reserves and island-wide unappropriated surplus could be used as the funding source to upgrade the Snug Cove Wastewater Treatment Specified Area. He stated this could be justified because the wider island population benefits from Snug Cove services. While it’s true that Municipal government can define a portion of services provided within a Specified Service Area to be covered by general municipal property tax (see bullet above), it must be identified in advance when setting up the Local Service Area. As can be seen above, this was never the intent.

The Capital Replacement and Renewal Reserve Fund (Bylaw No. 294, 2011) was also established and defines how funds in the reserve are to be used (excerpted from https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/34561): · “USE OF THE RESERVE FUND: In accordance with Section 189 of the Community Charter the money in the Capital Replacement and Renewal reserve fund and any interest earned thereon, shall be expended solely for the purpose of major restoration and/or replacement of existing capital assets and infrastructure including planning and design costs” The upgrade (per the wording in the motions) of the Snug Cove Wastewater treatment plant would seem to be neither a major restoration nor replacement of the asset. It is an expansion of capacity to meet the needs of new development within the specified service area so this too would seem to be outside of the purpose identified for the reserve fund. Using the reserve fund in this manner would also set a dangerous precedent, especially considering the implications to/for the various on-island community water systems (also covered through Local Service Areas).

It’s worth noting that Division 5 — Restrictions on Use of Municipal Funds section: 191(1) Liabilities for use of money contrary to Act of the Community Charter states: · “191 (1) A council member who votes for a bylaw or resolution authorizing the expenditure, investment or other use of money contrary to this Act or the Local Government Act is personally liable to the municipality for the amount.”

(The above was excerpted from https://www.bclaws.gov. bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03026_06/search/ CIVIX_DOCUMENT_ROOT_STEM:(liabilities%20for%20use%20 of%20money%20contrary%20to%20act)%20AND%20CIVIX_ DOCUMENT_ANCESTORS:statreg?1#hit1) I strongly encourage you to re-visit the resolutions passed during the January 31st Special Council meeting.

Thank you, — Tim Misko Eagle Cliff Road

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We’re still here for essential services such as ambulance transport and we’re here for your private charter needs. Please feel free to call us with your questions as we chart these waters together.

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WHERE'S SQUIRREL GONE? Watch this space for re-opening date and a rather nice three day sale!

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The Mini Artworks exhibit is underway at the Hearth, open 11 AM to 5 PM daily (exceptTuesday). Bidding is open until February 26, when there will be a grand auction finale. See more photos in person or on the Hearth’s website. / Alex Kurial photos

JEWELRY ETHICAL GIFTS CHARITABLE GIVEBACKS

CLOTHING AROMATHERAPY FREE LAUGHS

A6 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 10, 2022

All Aboard! Brigadier joins Bowen Island Yacht Club fleet ALEX KURIAL Editor There’s a new addition to the Bowen Island Yacht Club, and it’s already making waves in the local sailing community.

The BIYC officially took command of the Brigadier on Christmas Eve, receiving it via donation from fellow boaters Stephen Ramsay and Connie Hol. The 35-foot C&C boat was built in 1970, though you’d never guess it was over a half-century old by its well-maintained condition.

The buzz around the acquisition was palpable. Counting 19 annual members prior to Brigadier’s arrival, this number has more than doubled in size to 43. “Most of that is because of Brigadier and the energy Brigadier has brought to the club,” says BIYC executive Brad Hawthorn.

And the club knows exactly how they want to put the new vessel to use. “Where can I learn to sail? Where can I get out on a boat?” These are the questions club Commodore Simon Fowler says he hears the most.

That’s the role Brigadier will serve, through a number of avenues. One of these is an adult version of the already popular Learn2Sail program for kids. Run with the use of Tunstall Bay Community Association facilities, the summer program has been in operation more than 20 years. Each year it teaches around 100 kids aged 7-16 the basics of sailing.

The adult version won’t be accredited at first, but still plans to give participants a thorough grasp of boating basics.

Areas of instruction will include docking, anchoring, points

of sail, and boat maintenance.

“That’s what it’s for, to get people into sailing if we can,” says Fowler.

It’s not all work though. The club is also looking to promote the social side of sailing, and plans to implement a shared usage model for enjoying Brigadier, along with planned day or overnight cruises. Hawthorn says several people expressed interest in just hanging out on the water.

“Kind of like a co-op, but creating a community,” explains Hawthorn of the club’s goal. “Doing that as the primary function helps pay for the upfront costs.”

And of course there is the racing angle too. Brigadier is race-ready and, if all goes to plan, will participate in this year’s Round Bowen race, BIYC’s premier event.

The race draws over 100 boats to the mass starting line. It’s a celebratory occasion, held the second Saturday of June. But the past two years the race has been cancelled due to COVID. There’s cautious optimism it will return this summer.

Through the racing, adult skill classes, and social opportunities, BIYC is hoping to swell their numbers - and Bowen boating interests - to new heights.

“We want this boat to be the one that’s off the dock in this marina the most, of all boats here,” says Hawthorn.

As of press time there was one spot left in the club for full Brigadier membership, though any regular BIYC member is welcome to participate in the classes and group outings.

Anyone interested can find contact information on the BIYC website or their Facebook group.

“We acquired the boat to help build a community of sailors,” says Fowler.

Places of Worship Welcome You

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule to March 31, 2022

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH E v l M

www.biuc.ca | 1122 Miller Road

FOOD BANK

Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Lorraine Ashdown

DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 00 Sunday Mass at 9.30

Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

CATES HILL CHAPEL

A

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260

W

(661 Carter Rd.)

Now offering worship services via Zoom. o A link available on website.

Pastor: Phil Adkins

SHIRAT HAYAM (Song of the Sea) BOWEN’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Shabbat Gatherings ~ Holidays Contact aryana.rayne@gmail.com

(

Brigadier at sunset. / Sandi Gough photo

)

OWEN IS SLAND DEPART BO

DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

5:20 am except Sundays 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm except Wednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:40pm - except Saturdays 8:55 pm ....... on Sat. 8:30 pm 10:00 pm ...... on Sat. 9:30 pm 11:00pm ...... on Sat.10:30 pm

5:50 0 am 6:50 0 am 8:00 0 am 9:05 5 am except Wednesdays 10:1 15 am 11:2 25 am 12:3 35 pm 2:20 0 pm 3:3 30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:20 pm - except Saturdays 9:30pm ....... on Sat. 9:00 pm 10:30pm ......on Sat. 10:00 pm

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice: Please check BCFERRIES.COM Schedule changes on statutory holidays

Thursday, February 10, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7

ENTER TODAY!

CONTEST CLOSES FEBRUARY 13th

SUPPORT LOCAL CONTEST!

How do you support Bowen businesses?

Tell us and you could win one of FIVE Bowen gift packages each valued at $800.

Winners to be drawn February 14th

SHARE A PHOTO ~ SHARE A STORY #@

Post a photo of an awesome Bowen business on either Instagram or Facebook.

Each post is one chance to win, so enter often.

Must include hashtag #bowenisawesome.

Tag @ the business you’re giving the shout out to.

You can enter by sending an email to info@tourismbowenisland.com or drop off at the Visitor Information Centre.

#bowenisawesome Supporting local businesses is supporting our community. www.tourismbowenisland.com

A8 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Cove cleanup! Divers descend to tidy up the sea floor

Thursday, February 10, 2022

BONNY BROKENSHIRE Manager of Environment & Parks Planning - BIM On Sunday February 6 Bowen Island Municipality was happy to be part of a collaborative clean up event in Snug Cove near the Bowen Island Marina.

We recovered 502 kilograms (1105 pounds) of debris from the ocean floor. Still so much more to be collected … stay tuned for future events! Thank you to the Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans, locals Amber Spitkovski and Adam Taylor, the free-divers team, and the numerous hardworking topside volunteers.

Patient of the Week ZIGGY Meet Ziggy! This jumping bean came in recently for his neuter. Sometimes after surgery we have to get creative for those dogs that don’t love the “cone of shame”.

Ziggy’s mum repurposed some old kids boxer shorts to keep his incision protected, and Zig more comfortable.

Happy recovery Ziggy!

REGULAR HOURS Tuesday to Friday 9- 5 Saturday 9- 1 Closed Sunday and Monday

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

Thursday, February 10, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9

Bowen loves local business!

TOURISM BOWEN ISLAND How do you love local this February? Give a shout out to a favourite Bowen business, use the hashtag #bowenisawesome and you just might win a lovely giftcard package valued at $800. There will be 5 winners drawn February 14th … so enter today!

Contest conditions apply, so visit our website for full details. https://www.tourismbowenisland.com/events/ This support local campaign is possible thanks to the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Government.

A10 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 10, 2022

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To advertise here please call 604947-2442

Book online at bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca

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Thursday, February 10, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11

COMMUNITY CALENDAR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 11

Legion Drive-Thru Dinner The Legion will be hosting a drive thru dinner. Yvonne will be cooking up spaghetti Bolognese with chocolate cake for dessert. Drive thru starts at 5pm and is by donation. See you there!

TO FEBRUARY 12

Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt - Bowen Library Come find all the letters hidden in the Kids’ section to unlock the hidden Lunar New Year phrase!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 12

Bring Your Own Book Club, 12-1 PM For Bowen Islanders 18-35 years old, 12-1 pm @ Bowen Library Annex. A welcoming drop-in group where you can rave (or rant!) about a book you’ve read, find your next great read, and meet other young book lovers. Vaccine verification required. Questions? info@bowenlibrary.ca

TO FEBRUARY 14

Write & Share a Valentine’s Haiku at the Bowen Library During February, people of all ages are invited to write Valentine’s Day haiku and submit them at the Bowen Library!

We’ll post them in the library for all to read and share some on our social media, website, and newsletter. Short poems also welcome.

Pick up a submission sheet in the library or submit your haiku to info@bowenlibrary.ca

MONDAY FEBRUARY 14

Bowen Island Committee of the Whole, 4 PM Bowen Island Municipal Council, 6:15 PM Both meetings will be streamed live on the BIM YouTube page and will remain up for viewing after the meeting is finished. Please contact the municipality if you wish to speak or enter a written submission.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15

Community Centre Land Blessing, 11 AM Join us for a land blessing ceremony at the Community Centre lands. With special guests S7aplek and Spakwus Slolem (Bob Baker and the Squamish Eagle Song Dancers), and representatives from the federal, provincial and local governments. A land blessing will be followed by a guided walkabout of the future Community Centre grounds and building site.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24

Bowen Island Library, 6 pm Registration required: please call (604) 947-9788 to register.

Black History Film Series: Just Mercy (rated PG). Just Mercy is a powerful and thought-provoking true story, which follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his history-making battle for justice. See Bowenlibrary.ca for info on our other films in this series.

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live the life you love To reserve a spot on this page, contact us at 604-947-2442 or ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

A12 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Finance committee questions their role going forward CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

These included time escalation, necessary building upgrades, capacity for municipal staff, greater demand for construction material, and supply chain disruptions.

The FAC says they should have been part of those discussions. Instead, “non-elected members have not heard any information relevant to the specific detailed reporting and recommendations that led to those awards or the increase in the budget,” says Fred Wagner, committee chair, during the mid-January virtual meeting. He says he found out about the new total in an Undercurrent article from Dec. 2.

“The project has a number of implications, certainly one of the largest in history for the municipality,” said Wagner, adding there’s “potential for construction risk and cost overruns on everything from furniture and fixtures to other areas.”

Wagner says the FAC would have discussed not only the increased cost of the project, but also the funding sources to make up this shortfall, including the municipality’s plan to take $1.2 million from the COVID Safe Restart Fund.

“The committee had previously recommended its involvement in the process to utilize these (Safe Restart) funds to

provide its objective perspective, recognizing that political influences exist,” says Wagner.

“I think in the future we want to have some understanding that this not reoccur. Otherwise I have to raise issues about the relevancy of this committee generally, which is sometimes included and sometimes not included,” Wagner stated.

“This is a substantial undertaking by the municipality, with inherent risk,” he says of the community centre.

Chief Administrative Officer Liam Edwards acknowledged the FAC should have been consulted. “I want to apologize and I do take responsibility for this. I believe that it was a tremendous oversight on my part,” Edwards said to the committee.

He explained that “to secure the contract in a tight timeframe I found myself and the team working hard to move as expeditiously as possible with going through the Select Hearing Committee for its review and recommendations to council, and then to council, and then back to the negotiating table to secure the contract.”

“It is such a difficult environment to move quickly enough to secure bids in timely fashions,” added Edwards.

“Depending on how many committees you might have to engage with, that can really slow things down… In the tender world of construction that’s difficult.”

FAC member Joyce Ganong echoed Wagner’s concerns, particularly regarding when the committee should be called upon. “Quite frankly on one of the most important projects that’s come forward, our terms of reference were not followed… as a member of this committee I’m not prepared to do the work that I’ve done… and then have this happen.”

And Ganong made no secret of who she blamed for what occurred. “I hold the council members who are part of this finance committee as accountable as the CAO. The fact that we were forgotten about is not acceptable.”

Councillors Michael Kaile, Alison Morse and Rob Wynen sit on the FAC. But not all committee members had such a problem being left out of the discussion. “I sort of view us as a backstop on overall policy direction and giving a bit of community input on that side,” says John O’Donnell.

“I guess yes, we could have been consulted. But I’m not sure we would be in any way saying yay or nay to going forward in a particular direction… This whole notion of consultation implies if we don’t agree, then it won’t go forward.

Where of course in this case it wouldn’t be so – it’s council that has the final decision,” says O’Donnell.

Wagner concluded he wasn’t trying to debate whether the community centre budget increase or funding sources were right or wrong. “The point here is that we were not given an opportunity to provide our input.”

“Council has a right to make its own decisions, but we have a responsibility to provide our best perspective and an objective view of whether we are supportive or not supportive, or if we identify risks of matters of significant financial impact to the community and to the residents of Bowen Island,” says Wagner.

“I just hope we have an understanding in the future that this is not a situation that will recur.”

Anne Boa welcomed a special visitor to the island, snapping a picture of a Great Grey Owl at Cape Roger Curtis. They’re not typically seen in B.C., though Anne says - much to her delight that this traveller is a frequent guest.