|
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:
2026 operations plan
Council was reminded that the 2025–2026 Strategic Plan, approved at the final council meeting of 2025 is now available on the municipality’s website. The plan outlines council’s priorities for the remainder of the term and will guide staff in developing an operational plan that aligns projects, programs and resources with those priorities. Staff will provide future updates as the operational plan progresses.
2025-26 arena operations
Council received an early update on 2025-26 winter operations at the arena. Deanna Campbell, chief administrative officer noted a particularly strong season so far with high use from public skating and tournaments. No safety or operational issues were reported and council acknowledged the leadership of Public Works and Recreation staff, highlighting positive feedback from users, families and visiting teams.
Short-term nightly rental review
An update was provided on the short-term rental review, with staff preparing final recommendations for an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting. Once confirmed, the meeting date and agenda will be posted on the municipal website. Council also discussed a specific complaint related to excessive overnight parking. Staff explained that the property owner responded quickly by hiring a professional property management company, which is expected to improve on-site management moving forward.
Health centre update
Campbell acknowledged ongoing community concern regarding the closure of the health centre. While no reopening timeline is available yet, both the municipality and the future operator remain committed to resolving outstanding issues as quickly as possible. Updates will be shared once more information becomes available.
Staff department quarterly report
Council reviewed departmental reports covering October to December, noting improved clarity in bylaw enforcement reporting. Council thanked staff for incorporating additional detail that better reflects trends and issues in the community.
Water pipeline cost update
Council discussed the project management and oversight costs associated with the water pipeline project, particularly the need to bring in third-party coordination between the municipality and Sun Peaks Resort. Staff confirmed that approximately $102,000 of project management costs were directly invoiced, though additional staff time and coordination efforts were also required. These efforts were necessary due to the complexity of construction in an active ski resort environment, including coordination with resort operations and existing infrastructure. Council emphasized the importance of using these lessons to improve future project budgeting, especially for large infrastructure projects, by clearly accounting for project management and stakeholder engagement costs upfront.
Temporary Use Permit
Council considered a Temporary Use Permit application for a one-bedroom suite that has been rented for several years. The application was brought forward to bridge the gap while broader short-term rental policies are under review. The application was approved.
Delegation of authority bylaw No. 232
Council considered a new Delegation of Authority Bylaw intended to formalize approval and signing authorities that have largely been handled administratively in practice. The bylaw clarifies which approvals and contracts can be authorized by staff under the Community Charter, improving efficiency while providing clearer guidance for both council and administration.
Procurement policy update
Council reviewed an updated Procurement Policy designed to align municipal purchasing practices with current best practices and required trade agreement standards. Administration noted the existing policy was outdated and did not reflect current staffing structure, capital project volume or compliance requirements. The new policy emphasizes efficiency, transparency and accountability, while also proposing future exploration of an Indigenous procurement framework to reduce barriers and increase participation of Indigenous-owned businesses. During the discussion, council approved an amendment reducing the spending authority for administrative positions from $10,000 to $5,000. Council was also assured that all procurement authority applies only to expenditures within approved budgets, with any budget overruns requiring council approval. Council approved the updated Procurement Policy as amended.
Building regulation bylaw
Council considered amendments to the Building Regulations Bylaw, focused on updating building permit fees to better align with operating costs and service demands. Staff explained that while fees are tied to construction value, regulatory responsibilities, inspection requirements and administrative workload have increased significantly over time. Comparisons were made with nearby municipalities and other resort communities, with staff noting that Sun Peaks’ operating environment more closely resembles resort municipalities than larger urban centres. Council discussed concerns about timing, affordability for builders and whether a phased or smaller increase should be considered. Some councillors supported the proposed adjustment, while others expressed interest in further review and additional comparisons. Council directed that the bylaw be sent back for revision before proceeding further.
|
