Squamish council must be transparent on municipal hall lease

It seems safe to conclude that leasing a municipal hall is a goal for the current council. However, I believe that there are other, broader alternatives that must be explored before a lease is signed. There are many serious issues that Squamish taxpayers must be made aware before any lease is signed.

A significant concern for a municipal hall lease is the impact on both personal property taxes and business taxes. It is my understanding, from District information provided, that through the proposed lease:

• Personal property taxes will increase by 2.4% over the existing rate

• The business taxes is reputed to be 2.5 times that or a 6% increase

• It can be expected that a commercial lease, such as the district is considering, will include a triple net clause

• That may well lead to a vicious cycle of our taxes increasing annually as the triple net costs increase as a result

Mayor Elliott, much of this lease process seems to have been done in secret. For something as important and impactful as a twenty-to-forty-year lease, taxpayers should expect and insist on complete transparency. Considering such a lease in the final months of this Council’s term is inappropriate. Squamish deserves better.

It seems clear that there would be a distinct benefit for the District of Squamish to seriously consider working with another party, such as the school district, to craft a partnership for a new structure with shared facilities, thus lowering the cost to taxpayers, while increasing its effectiveness.

I am concerned that council has been far from pro-active in seeking collaboration with the school district.

• I would like to see mayor and council direct staff to park any lease discussions for eight+ months, indicating to the school board the district is serious about working with them

• I would like to see the DOS and SD48 promptly hire a mutually agreed upon, independent and qualified consultant

• Through open discussions – where obstacles are seen as opportunities and agendas are set aside – develop an understanding of common and unique facility needs for each, facilitating planning of the infrastructure needed

• Therefore, creating an approach where the overall common building, heating, plumbing, lighting costs would be shared, decreasing the impact on taxpayers

• Further explore the inclusion of needed community amenities such as public library future needs, theatre, art gallery space, a community gathering/leased coffee space – a community hub

• Consider initiatives to further lower the cost to taxpayers with potential partnerships with provincial/federal governments such as provincial courthouse, offices for provincial or federal ministries and the prospect of ‘Air Rights’ partnerships Mayor Elliott, I appreciate you and council are in a tough situation, with the need to replace or upgrade many important community facilities. I’m concerned, however, about the timing in considering all these – at the end of this council’s term..

I believe we all would be better served by working with community partners to thoroughly and openly investigate a broad array of options. This approach has the potential to save taxpayer dollars and create multi-use community facility. Squamish has a long, proud history of working together to achieve community benefits.

Please, let’s continue that tradition.

Bob Brant has lived in Squamish since 1979. He has been a long-time volunteer with several community organizations. A few examples include being a co-founder of the Squamish Trails Society and past president for nineteen years. He was a Squamish Chamber of Commerce director for two terms and the sponsorship coordinator for Bob McIntosh Triathlon for four years. Also, Bob was recognized as the Squamish Citizen of the Year in 2003.