Dear Editor,
On the Agenda of the April 23 Courtenay City Council Meeting was Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3183 – Strategic Land Acquisition 2025.
Does that look like a Bylaw to authorize borrowing $4.3 Million for the 6th Street Bridge?
Well, that’s what it is. $4.3 Million for the 6th Street Bridge plus $1.8 Million for “Strategic Land Acquisition.”
What it looks like is sneaky, underhanded.
But that’s not all.
Section 180 of the Community Charter requires “electoral approval of a loan authorization bylaw before it can be adopted.”
There are two options available to gain electoral approval – referendum or the Alternative Approval Process. Fair enough. This gives electors the opportunity to express their opinion on the issue.
Or maybe not.
Under Part 2 Section 7 of the Municipal Liabilities Regulation, Council has the option to use the “approval-free zone” that does not require electoral approval.
What!!!
That option was part of mistitled Bylaw No. 3183 – Strategic Land Acquisition 2025. That was the option approved by the City Council on the 23rd.
Let’s not forget that Council voted against a $2 Million option to cantilever the 5th Street Bridge for bike lanes and instead voted for a $6 Million foot bridge at 6th Street, the price of which has ballooned to $11.2 Million.
Council should take a better look. This is fiscally irresponsible and totally unacceptable
Erik Eriksson
Courtenay
