Here is a quick look at what you can expect at the Tuesday, March 5 Village of Pemberton (VOP) regular council meeting.
A public budget information session is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the regular council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Both meetings will take place in Council Chambers (7400 Prospect Street).
PUFF N STUFF DREAMS SEEKS VOP SUPPORT ON CANNABIS
At its regular meeting, council will consider lending its support to a second retail cannabis store in Pemberton.
The store (called Puff n Stuff Dreams) is being launched by Mark Mendonca of Grimm’s Gourmet & Deli and Todd Mumford.
The pair has secured a retail space at 3-1366 Aster Street, in what is commonly referred to as the courthouse building. The property is compliant with village zoning bylaws and the VOP’s cannabis retail policy.
As part of its approval process, VOP staff reached out to neighbours and businesses located within 100 metres of the proposed store. Staff received 14 responses in total—all of which were positive.
Retail cannabis licences are ultimately administered by the province’s Liquor Cannabis and Regulation Branch (LCRB).
In November 2018, council supported a plan from the owners of the Pemberton Hotel to set up a shop in their building.
Squamish-Lillooet Regional Food Task Force
VOP council will also consider a proposal from the Whistler Centre for Sustainability (WCS) to help fund the Squamish Lillooet Regional District Food Task Force.
VOP staff is recommending a contribution of $2,000 towards the task force, to be allocated from the VOP’s Community Enhancement Fund.
Made up of a wide range of stakeholders—including the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) and the Lillooet Agricultural Food Society—the stated goal of the task force is to create a more sustainable and connected food system across the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD).
The project began in December 2017 and stakeholders met four times over a year.
In that time, the team worked together to develop eight action items it hopes to undertake, including promoting sustainable food packaging and an initiative aimed at developing food nutrition literacy (a full list of the eight items can be viewed here: http://www.whistlercentre.ca/sumiredesign/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/SLRD-Regional-Food-Task-Force-Implementation-Plan_Nov5.pdf).
To finance the projects, the WCS has secured a $58,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation to be paid over two years.
However, the WCS requires matching funds to proceed with the grant agreement, and is aiming to raise $29,000 this year.
The funding will be used to provide micro-grants to partners to carry out the various projects.
The funding request initially came to council on Jan. 22, but council requested that a delegation from the WCS present more information in person.
2019 Budget Info Session
The evening will kick off with a presentation from staff on the 2019 budget. The public will then be given the opportunity to ask questions on the budget.
The presentation will be made available the following day (March 6) at www.pemberton.ca for those who are unable to attend.
Tuesday’s meeting is the first discussion regarding tax rates and possible increases.
Find more at www.pemberton.ca/departments/finance-administration/2019-budget.