Sechelt Coun. Alice Janisch sniffed her way to a decision while rating three different sewage treatment plants she toured recently along with Mayor Darren Inkster.
In her report to council Jan. 19, Janisch said she visited three sewage treatment plants in Washington state and was careful to take note of the smell produced at each plant.
"The first one was an upgraded system and I made sure to give it the sniff test," Janisch said, adding there was no noticeable odour coming from the upgraded system.
The other two systems included one that was being expanded and one Janisch referred to as "the palace of sewage treatment." The latter plant serves 700,000 people and produces a higher than Class A end product.
"We can't afford things like the weigh scales and silos they use, but it was very impressive," Janisch said.
Janisch said she found each of the plants served their individual communities well and odour was not an issue. Neither was noise.
"We listened and smelled a lot because those were the concerns we heard from our community," said Inkster, adding he and Janisch also took time to drive to nearby communities to monitor the smell and noise coming from the various treatment plants.
Council will use the information for reference as they embark on building a new sewage treatment plant to serve Sechelt residents.
The biosolids open house and meeting is set for Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Sechelt Seniors' Activity Centre.
Business bylaw
On Jan. 19, council gave three readings to a bylaw to establish a business improvement area in Sechelt and tax business owners within that area an annual parcel tax of $525.
The tax is meant to help recover costs associated with the business improvement area, which will be promoted by the Sechelt Downtown Business Association (SDBA).
The SDBA's mission statement is to "champion a unique, vibrant and attractive downtown." They plan to put that statement into practice within the new business improvement area through marketing and promotional events, facility improvements, community projects, advocacy for business owners and infrastructure improvements.
Business owners who will be affected by the new business improvement area bylaw have been contacted by mail and given the chance to comment, according to staff.
"We felt the more direct approach would be to do the mail-outs because it only affects light industry or commercial properties," said Jo-Anne Frank, director of corporate services.
However, councillors still want to see a public meeting scheduled to hear from the community about the proposed bylaw. Staff agreed, saying a public meeting would be scheduled before fourth reading and final adoption of the bylaw.
Culture centre
Coun. Ann Kershaw invited everyone to come to the cultural centre open house on Feb. 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Seaside Centre. The cultural task force will make a presentation at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to explain the whole concept for a cultural centre and answer questions.
During the rest of the open house, people can peruse tables that will be set up to show the various things that could be included in the culture centre such as a library, archives, music and the arts.
"The tables will be manned so people can ask questions and give us feedback," Kershaw added.
BC Bike Race
Proponents for the BC Bike Race came in to update council on their plans this year and to ask for support getting 800-plus racers and support crew through the District of Sechelt safely on July 6 and 7.
Council pledged their support for the race and instructed staff to work with proponents to ensure a smooth transition in Sechelt, which is where the hundreds of racers stop for the night before continuing on to the ferry the next morning.
Bridge
During their Jan. 26 committee of the whole meeting, council gave their support to a plan to build a bridge across Chapman Creek for cyclists and pedestrians to use.
The bridge is expected to cost $22,500 and will help to link up the ferry to ferry trail initiative that is currently underway. When completed, the trail will extend from the Earls Cove ferry terminal to the Langdale terminal.
The Sunshine Coast Trail Society said they would fundraise for and build the trails needed on either side of the new bridge crossing.
Earlier this summer, a large section of the trail from Earls Cove to Halfmoon Bay was opened to the public.
