District of Squamish councillors expressed concern during a meeting Tuesday (Oct. 5) over property tax exemptions worth $357,104 for 14 non-profits organizations.
"I'm not comfortable letting this go, especially because of the implication on community grant programs," said Coun. Bryan Raiser.
A staff recommendation put forward the proposal to give property tax exemptions to groups that fall under the category of land and improvements held by charitable, philanthropic and not-for-profit corporations.
The staff report stated each organization had to list its benefits to Squamish such as use of land for cycling and hiking, affordable housing to seniors and base for aviation.
These types of so-called "permissive tax exemptions" are entirely at the council's discretion and it didn't sit right with some members.
"I'm not trying to pick on any particular group here, but I think we should revisit the whole policy," said Coun. Patricia Heintzman.
"It doesn't seem right the whole community is subsidizing the yacht club."
"We need a bigger discussion on who should qualify for basically what is a subsidy for these taxpayers."
Mayor Greg Gardner and councillors Corinne Lonsdale and Paul Lalli shared the concerns. They called for a wider discussion.
Councillors Doug Race and Rob Kirkham left the room over conflicts of interest with some of the organizations listed.
Lonsdale said discussion on the policy should look at whether organizations who have leases for revenue should still be given tax exemption.
The Federation Mountain Clubs of B.C., the Squamish Valley Rod and Gun Club, the West Coast Railway Museum, the Squamish Yacht Club and the Squamish Valley Golf Club were among those listed, as were the BC Lions Society, the Squamish Senior Citizen's Home Society, the Alano Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Howe Sound Women's Centre Society, the Squamish Flying Club and the Squamish Arts Council.
Council passed the motion, agreeing to revisit the issue at length in a future Committee of the Whole meeting.
Skookum Creek power project raises issues
Council members expressed numerous concerns over a proposed 25MW run-of-river hydro project that could be located on Skookum Creek about 11 kilometres east of the Upper Mamquam River Watershed.
General manager of community services Cameron Chalmers outlined a range of technical issues from steep slopes to the widening of the existing transmission corridors.
He also said there could be significant impacts on trails in the area including the Ring Creek Rip, a signature trail and key component of the Test of Metal.
Staff felt a pre-existing Skookum Creek whitewater use study should be taken into account.
Council requested staff draft a letter to send to B.C.'s Integrated Land Management Bureau outlining these and any other concerns. Heintzman said a separate letter from the mayor should accompany the letter from staff and Lonsdale agreed.
"I think we should weigh in on this right from the get-go," Lonsdale said. "The ministers need to be aware of our feelings."
Race was adamant the project not continue without comment from nearby local government.
"I would hate to see this project gain momentum going in the wrong way," he said.
Pedestrians and cyclists given priority over cars
The 2031 Multi-Module Transportation Plan now has guiding principles and a hierarchy, following meetings with a focus group that provided a cross-section of perspectives on transportation choices.
The group was made up of municipal staff, environmentalists, industry representatives and Squamish Nation representatives.
Director of community development Mick Gottardi presented the final guiding principles and model hierarchy to council on Tuesday (Oct. 5).
The hierarchy was established in the order of: pedestrians, cyclists, public transit, commercial transport, high occupancy vehicles and lastly, single occupancy vehicles.
The model and the word hierarchy itself had several councillors worried. Lonsdale said there might be an unrealistic emphasis on the environment.
"We can't just base everything on greenhouse gas emissions, what about affordability?" she asked.
Gottardi said the hierarchy "was of no significance."
"No one is excluded and everyone will be looked at but from a policy perspective it's important to have a hierarchy established," he said.
"These principles are intended to keep us on track and check in with them when making decisions."
The motion to endorse the guiding principals and hierarchy was carried unanimously.
