At the Mar 30, 26 council meeting, we debated whether to amend the sign bylaw through a short‑term fix or do the work properly with a full review. Sign bylaws are technical. They affect land use, safety, accessibility, enforcement, and legal fairness. Staff made it clear that without proper analysis, the unintended consequences are unknown. We also had quotes to do a comprehensive review; the option to do it properly was on the table. My concern was simple: piecemeal changes can create future problems for businesses and residents alike. Doing it right the first-time matters. This clip shows that debate and the decision that followed.

Watch the council record and decide for yourself. 

Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=74d515f3-d165-4c25-ae00-5048597c5f18 

At the March 30, 2026 Council meeting, a proposal was brought forward by Cllr. Chesney to add a car show as part of the Sea Festival, with specific directions on date, location, parking, and road closures.

Before approving a significant event change like this, a few members of council raised a simple and important point: Council needs the details first – including costs, logistics, parking impacts, liability, and operational considerations. Staff advised they can bring a report back by the next Council meeting, and Cllr. Chesney eventually agreed to withdraw his motion for now so Council can make an informed decision based on that information. Good ideas still need good planning. That’s how responsible decisions get made.

Watch the council record and decide for yourself. Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=74d515f3-d165-4c25-ae00-5048597c5f18 \

At the March 30, 26 Council Meeting, Council had an important and thoughtful discussion about the 2026 budget — balancing affordability for residents while making sure we don’t cut essential services that protect the City (and taxpayers) in the long run.

✅ Council voted to keep two key positions:

Health & Safety
FOI / Privacy

These roles aren’t “nice‑to‑haves.” They help manage legal obligations, workplace safety, and risk — areas where cutting now can lead to much higher costs later.
✅ To help manage the tax impact, a few items were removed from the operating budget and instead funded on a one‑time basis from the operating contingency, rather than added to ongoing costs.
✅ As a result, the proposed average property tax increase for 2026 is 5.04%, which works out to:
Less than $240 per year for the average single‑family home
Less than $95 per year for the average strata unit 🔜

Next step: Council will consider the 2026–2030 Financial Plan Bylaw at our next scheduled meeting, reflecting the proposed 5.04% average property tax increase for 2026. Responsible budgeting means being mindful of taxes and making smart decisions that avoid bigger costs down the road. Watch the council record and decide for yourself.

▶Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=74d515f3-d165-4c25-ae00-5048597c5f18 

This video show the discussion on Bylaw 2511, which proposed amendments to the City of White Rock Official Community Plan at the March 9, 2026 council meeting. A final amendment package totalling over 600 pages of policies, maps, analysis, and supporting documents.

Bylaw 2511 followed a lengthy process:

– Over 7 months of work
– Multiple rounds of public engagement
– Professional planning, technical review, and regional coordination
– A final amendment package totalling over 600 pages of policies, maps, analysis, and supporting documents

The bylaw received first and second readings on January 12, 2026, was reviewed by Metro Vancouver, revised to align with the Regional Context Statement, and was given a new second reading on February 9, 2026. A Public Hearing was held on March 2, 2026, with third reading considered at the March 9, 2026 Council meeting.

As shown in the clips, staff explain the procedural requirements under the Local Government Act: if Council proposes changes at third reading that affect density or land use, the bylaw must be stopped, revised, and brought back with a new public hearing, and any revisions must also be reassessed for compliance with provincial housing requirements under Bill 44 and the Regional Context Statement. The discussion also highlights the broader planning trade‑offs involved and the implications of delaying or revising an OCP amendment at this stage.

Watch the council record and decide for yourself. ▶ Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=8c1c8a40-fad5-456f-8008-9bfa919b2b13 

At the March 9, 2026 Council meeting, staff brought forward a report recommending the use of consultants to update White Rock’s 15‑year‑old sign bylaw. This followed a motion at a previous meeting, after a delegation asked Council to make amendments to the bylaw. Staff were clear that bylaws can’t simply be changed on the spot. Council should do its due diligence and ensure bylaws are updated properly to avoid unintended consequences. Concerns were also raised about cost. However, staff explained that the estimated $60,000, which includes public consultation and open houses, is a very reasonable rate by today’s standards for this type of work. Some suggested the BIA could conduct the work instead, but staff confirmed that the sign bylaw is a Council bylaw, and responsibility for creating and amending it ultimately rests with Council. Updating the sign bylaw is one of Council’s strategic priorities. However, staff do not have the time or capacity to complete this work internally. If Council wants this priority addressed, it needs to be done through the use of consultants. At the end of the discussion,

Councillor Cheung brought forward a motion requesting that staff provide a detailed breakdown of the consultant quotes, so Council and the public can clearly see where the total costs are coming from before moving forward.

Motion was passed.

▶Watch the full video here: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=8c1c8a40-fad5-456f-8008-9bfa919b2b13 

At the March 9, 26 council meeting, Councillor Bains brought forward a motion directing staff to create a shared, low‑cost plan for Council, City staff, White Rock Fire Rescue, and the White Rock RCMP to participate in Pink Shirt Day. Pink Shirt Day is a staff‑led, voluntary activity organized through the City’s HR department. I raised concerns that this motion was not a Council strategic priority, added unnecessary work for staff, and moved Council into operational direction when our role is governance and policy.

Council voted to defeat the motion. (In favour: Councillor Bains and Councillor Chesney)

🎥 Watch the full council discussion here: 👉 https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=8c1c8a40-fad5-456f-8008-9bfa919b2b13 

At the March 9, 2026 council meeting, Council discussed the purchase of a $28,000 accessibility ramp for the City’s event stage. Staff advised that a grant opportunity is available that could potentially cover the full cost of the ramp, and also clarified that purchasing the ramp before submitting the grant application would mean the City would forgo that funding. During the discussion, various options were considered, including waiting to apply for the grant and renting a ramp in the interim if needed to ensure accessibility for the next major city event. I supported waiting to pursue the grant.

Council ultimately agreed to apply for the grant and to rent a ramp if necessary, rather than proceeding immediately with a purchase that could eliminate the funding opportunity.

🎥 Watch the full council discussion here: 👉 https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=8c1c8a40-fad5-456f-8008-9bfa919b2b13

Motion: Apply for a $25,000 Age‑Friendly Grant — March 12 deadline

At the February 9, 2026 council meeting, a motion was discussed for staff to apply for the Age‑Friendly Communities grant, with a deadline of March 12. Just because a grant is available doesn’t automatically make it a council priority. This motion would add new work that did not come through a committee, requires staff time now, and would require more staff time later — all while staff are already juggling existing council priorities and projects. We also need to be honest with residents: council has already unanimously approved strategic priorities for this term, and there is still significant work outstanding. Chasing every time‑sensitive funding opportunity can mean pushing those priorities aside.

Council voted to pass the motion, with Mayor Knight, Councillor Lawrence, and Councillor Cheung opposed.

🎥 Watch the full council discussion here: 👉 https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=a06c0b1f-4d92-4462-8e9b-740c83bf2ef7

Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and are shared for transparency and public information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of White Rock or other members of White Rock Council. I encourage everyone to watch the full meeting for complete context.

#WhiteRock #WhiteRockCouncil #LocalGovernment #GoodGovernance #Accountability #StrategicPriorities #StaffCapacity #AgeFriendly #PublicPolicy #CouncilDecisions #MunicipalGovernment

Council passed a policy to end fee waivers. Then voted to make an exception anyway.

At the June 24, 2024 council meeting, council approved a clear policy ending long‑standing fee waivers, with an 18‑month transition period so organizations had time to plan.

At the January 26, 2026 council meeting, council voted to grant the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation a $7,000 fee reduction, despite that policy already being in place. I was not present for that vote.

I couldn’t support continuing that exception. Good governance means that when council sets policy, we follow it consistently — even when the decision is uncomfortable. Otherwise, policy loses its meaning and public trust erodes.

🎥 Watch the full council discussion here: 👉 https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=a06c0b1f-4d92-4462-8e9b-740c83bf2ef7

Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and are shared for transparency and public information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of White Rock or other members of White Rock Council.

#WhiteRock #WhiteRockCouncil #LocalGovernment #Accountability #GoodGovernance #PublicPolicy #TaxpayerDollars #CouncilDecisions #MunicipalPolitics

Council debated a federal accessibility grant for an elevator at aging City Hall.

My concern: accessibility is essential – but so are grant criteria, staff capacity, and focusing on long‑term solutions instead of continuing to patch an end‑of‑life building. For clarity: I support accessibility. My comments here focus on grant eligibility, staff capacity, and long‑term planning, not opposition to accessibility.

All opinions are expressed by me and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the City of White Rock or other members of White Rock Council.

A simple signage request turned into a heated debate at White Rock Council. You’ll hear the words: “Using council position to pull rank” and “going against our own approved bylaw.” Should the sign bylaw be updated to help local businesses, or applied consistently as written? Watch the clip and decide for yourself!

Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of White Rock or other Council members.

Dec 1, 2025 Council Highlights in Under 8 Minutes Outcomes, and Context:

• Community Policing Vehicle Funding Council approved contributing up to $14,000 toward the purchase of a community policing vehicle to enhance local safety. Result: Carried unanimously
• Policy 106 – Councillor Event Allowance Cllr. Cheung motioned to restrict the use of this allowance to non‑fundraising community events only, to be fiscally responsible to taxpayers. Opposed: Councillor Bains Result: Motion carried.
• Institutional Medical Building (Hospital Site) Proposal to allow up to 20 storeys for a medical-only building on the Peace Arch Hospital site. Debate focused on height, infrastructure studies, and public consultation. Opposed: Mayor Knight, Councillors Cheung, Chesney, Lawrence Result: Motion failed.
• Pier Donation Box Removal The donation box was originally installed to raise awareness about pier repair needs, not as a major fundraising tool. However, the motion to remove it was brought forward by Cllr. Trevelyan because maintenance costs ($16,659) exceeded funds collected ($4,114). Opposed: Mayor Knight, Councillors Cheung, Lawrence Result: Motion carried.

Watch the highlight reel now! Full meeting video: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=be337582-5359-48a0-a6cf-ce1488db56ea