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Pemberton council to weigh in on transit plans

First look: SOFI report; new building rules
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Clare Ogilvie

Here's a quick look at what's on the agenda of tomorrow's (July 9) Village of Pemberton (VOP) regular council meeting.

The meeting kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at Council Chambers (7400 Prospect Street).

BC Transit Memorandum of understanding

VOP council will consider what transit service will look like for the next three years.

Staff is seeking council's approval on a memorandum of understanding with BC Transit that sets out three changes to current service levels.

The changes are laid out in a letter from BC Transit, which also includes an estimation of the related cost of each change.

The proposed changes—and their related cost to the VOP—are listed below:

• Having the 99 Pemberton Commuter stop in the Rainbow Estates in Whistler. This change is set to begin in September 2020 and will cost the VOP about $2,071 annually.

•An additional midday service for the 99 Pemberton Commuter to begin in June 2021. The change would cost the VOP about $35,163 annually.

•An additional midday or later evening service on the local transit network (within Pemberton. It would take effect September 2021 and cost the Village approximately $101,994 annually.

Statement of Financial Information

This year's Statements of Financial Information, which reveal the Village's top earners in 2018, will be presented to council at the July 9 meeting.

But if you're really curious, you can get a sneak peak at here: www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/91084.

New building regulations

VOP will take a major step in adopting the Energy Step Code, a new provincial standard that establishes progressive energy efficiency performance targets.

Staff has been liaising with the VOP's building community about the changes, which are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

To help apprise the building community of the new rules and regulations, the VOP hosted a "builder's breakfast" on June 26 and a "pop-up consultation" at RONA for the general public the following day.

Staff has also circulated a survey, in person and online, which has received 40 responses so far.

"The majority of those who completed the survey indicated their support for the Village's proposal to adopt the Energy Step Code," reads the staff report to council.

"Specifically, 80 [per cent] of respondents cited positive reasons for adopting the Energy Step Code."

Twenty per cent of respondents, however, felt that the VOP should not adopt the Energy Step Code before it is required by the BC Building Code.

To implement the changes, the VOP will need to amend its building code.

Council will therefore give readings one through three of a new building code at the meeting.