Items on the regular April 28, 2014 District of Sooke council meeting agenda.
RCMP Monthly Mayor Report:
District of Sooke council welcomed the detachment’s new Staff Sergeant Jeff McArthur who replaces S/S Steve Wright.
Councillor Rick Kasper asked McArthur about a video involving a Sooke constable which had gone viral. The incident shows a female officer allegedly pepper spraying a man who is being arrested for trespassing.
Kasper stated, “I was disturbed by the alleged action by the constable… I think it besmirches the good work of the RCMP…hopefully something can be done.”
McArthur said he had been dealing with the issue all day and he was giving it a thorough, thorough investigation.
“When someone is arrested it is not always as tidy as you see on TV,” he said. He said the constable was there as a result of a complaint and was in a critical and hostile environment.
“She has my support,” said McArthur.
Reports requiring action:
• A recommendation from the Emergency Planning Committee to put tsunami signs back in low lying places in Sooke was discussed by council.
Councillor Bev Berger said there was a huge outcry when the district put tsunami signs up in 2007 and they promptly took them down. Berger said Sooke has the second lowest rating for tsunamis on Vancouver Island.
“I think, I’m not a huge supporter of putting them up again,” said Berger.
Mayor Wendal Milne said they would ask the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce and SRTA to ask their members what they think.
Fire Chief Steve Sorensen said there are only three areas being considered for signage; Arranan on West Coast Road, Whiffin Spit and Ella Beach.
• Council voted to issue a development permit for a new Royal Bank building at 6639 Sooke Road. The building will be a 3,500 sq. foot one story building. The building’s entrance will face the future Waterview Street with parking in the back of the building.
• The name for the new connector road between Church and Otter Point Road will be called “Wadams Way” in honor of the long time resident and war veteran.
• Amendments will be made to the Purchasing Policy and Use of Lists at the District of Sooke. The district will retain a list of suppliers with emphasis on local qualified suppliers.
• The Green Spaces Maintenance Service Contract was awarded to two local companies for a combined cost of $65,117. The two local companies are Drew Portere and Steve’s Portable Sawmill & Tree Services.
• A proposal for Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue to install a fish-cleaning station at the public boat launch was tabled by council. The organizations is willing to pay for and install the station on their dock at no cost to the district. The organization also stated in email correspondence that they had no withdrawn from the RFP to run the boat launch.
