October 11, 2023

Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: October 10, 2023

Sidney, BC;

Highlights from regular Council meetings provide a brief summary of some items of broad public interest. The summary is not inclusive of all agenda items. Please refer to www.www.sidney.ca for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.

Council receives preliminary design for cycling improvements on Bowerbank Road and Calvin Avenue pathway

Following the approval of Sidney’s first Active Transportation Plan in July 2023, staff were directed to move forward with priority items, including the development of a design for a bicycle boulevard on Bowerbank Road and the upgrading of an existing wood-chipped pathway connecting the Lochside Trail to Bowerbank Road at Calvin Avenue to a paved multi-use pathway. Improved cycling infrastructure in this area is intended to help people in the area safely reach local schools and parks by bike.

A bicycle boulevard on Bowerbank Road would have minimal impact on street parking. Instead, it would aim to reduce traffic speeds and volumes along the roadway with tools that can include but are not limited to traffic diversion, lower speed limits, and crosswalk beacons that could be activated by both cyclists and pedestrians.
Staff Report
Video (2:06:38)

Contract to be awarded for public washrooms along waterfront

Following a competitive process, Council have directed staff to proceed with awarding a contract for a public washroom facility along the Waterfront Walkway near Beacon Park to Cascadia West Contracting Ltd. The washroom will include five toilets: two standard and two accessible toilets, and one Changing Places washroom for people with complex disabilities. Grant funding will offset approximately half of project costs with $100,000 in funding from the Federal Enabling Accessibility Fund and an additional $305,000 in funding from the Growing Communities Fund.
Staff Report
Video (2:32:42)

Council continues funding CleanBC Municipal Top-Up Rebate Program

The Town of Sidney will continue to offer top-up rebates to homeowners who retrofit their heating system to improve energy efficiency. In 2021, the Town became a municipal partner in the Province’s CleanBC Better Homes Program. Since that time, rebates have been provided for 89 retrofit projects in the community, including 58 homes that switched from oil or natural gas to a heat pump. Council directed staff to allocate $25,000 to the top-up program with funding from the Provincial Local Government Climate Action Program to ensure this support continues to be available.
Staff Report
Video (2:38:52)

Media Contact:

Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith
Town of Sidney
250-656-1139
mayor@sidney.ca