|
An agenda for this meeting is available on the SPMRM website, and you can view a recording of the meeting via the municipality's YouTube channel.
Here are the highlights of the meeting:
Message from the Mayor regarding the health centre
Before meeting began, mayor Rob O’Toole addressed the community’s growing discussions surrounding the Sun Peaks Health Centre. He emphasized the importance of maintaining respectful dialogue, both online and in person, noting that while opinions may differ, everyone ultimately wants what’s best for Sun Peaks. O’Toole reflected on the strong community spirit that has defined the village since its early days and encouraged residents to continue debating with kindness, remembering that “we’re still neighbours and friends” once the conversations end.
Council meetings move to YouTube
Council meetings can now be joined via Zoom and are recorded and posted on a new YouTube channel, replacing Facebook for security and technical reasons. Agendas are published five days before each meeting and approved minutes are available on the municipal website. Although Sun Peaks does not have a dedicated communications department, staff continue working to make municipal information more accessible and plan to develop a communications strategy with community feedback.
Heritage Conservation Act Transformation project
Council was briefed on the provincial Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project, which aims to align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The project seeks to expand the definition of heritage to include oral histories and other intangible elements, give First Nations a greater role in decision-making, simplify permitting processes and strengthen protections for culturally significant sites. A webinar for elected officials is scheduled for Nov. 7 to provide further details on the proposed changes.
Remembrance Day in Sun Peaks
The annual Remembrance Day ceremony will take place Nov. 11 at 10:50 a.m. at the Sun Peaks Plaza. Residents are invited to join in honouring veterans and active service members during a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. The event, presented by the Rotary Club of Sun Peaks, is a time for reflection, unity and gratitude. Municipal offices will be closed for the day.
New webpages
As winter approaches, the municipality has launched a new webpage dedicated to information on snow removal and road maintenance. Residents are encouraged to visit the site to stay informed about local operations and procedures throughout the season.
Fire department update
Sun Peaks officially received its new Rescue One vehicle Oct.16. Since then, minor repairs, safety inspections and equipment installations have been completed. Drivers have been conducting practice runs and the truck will soon be ready for active rescue calls. An art contest is planned to invite local artists from neighbouring First Nations to submit designs for the truck’s artwork.
Foreign buyers ban
The municipality continues advocating for an exception to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, working closely with federal and provincial partners, ski resorts and stakeholders. Despite no major new developments, ongoing efforts aim to address the negative impacts on Sun Peaks and ensure the community remains informed. Discussions will continue until a decision is made, with the ban scheduled to sunset Jan. 1, 2027.
Reviewing new Temporary Use Permit application
The municipality began reviewing the Short-Term Nightly Rental (STNR) Policy and related regulations in April 2025, with KWC Planning Services conducting the review. Although the work was initially expected to be completed by June, the timeline was extended. Council was updated in June and directed administration to continue processing Temporary Use Permit (TUP) applications as usual. Following public engagement, some property owners requested council review of new TUPs, which may have caused confusion about application acceptance. The STNR review is now nearly complete, with final recommendations to be presented to council before year-end. Administration advises continuing to accept and process TUP applications and renewals, with any updated STR requirements to be applied through Business License processes.
Parking for school drop off & pick up
Adjustments to temporary parking regulations for school drop-off and pickup were approved, balancing safety, accessibility and community convenience. Temporary parking for student drop-off and pick-up is allowed only until the Magic Carpet and platter lifts become operational around Nov. 22. Morning parking is permitted from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and afternoon from 3:30 p.m.to 4 p.m., with a maximum duration of 15 minutes. Parking must follow the attached map and all other traffic regulations remain in effect.
Municipal Climate Resiliency grant update
In January the municipality applied for the Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant through Intact Financial Corporation but was unsuccessful in securing the requested $200,000. The grant aimed to support studies on expanding effluent disposal capacity at the wastewater treatment plant. The proposed work will proceed using Development Cost Charges funds instead.
Dewatering centrifuge update
The wastewater treatment plant project for a new centrifuge will be postponed to 2026 due to changes in scope, budget and schedule. Three proposals were initially received, but the project will be reissued in the new year. The original plan to add a secondary centrifuge for increased capacity and redundancy was revised after design review, revealing logistical and space challenges that required replacing the existing unit instead. Funding for the project will now be split, with roughly 66.7 per cent covered by DCCs and 33.3 per cent from municipal funds.
|
