Crafting a robust local area plan and celebrating an anchor of the community stand out as Highlands highlights for 2024, from the mayorB次元官网网址檚 perspective.

The districtB次元官网网址檚 first mayor Bob McMinn, known as the B次元官网网址渉eart of Highlands,B次元官网网址� turned 100 to fanfare this spring in what was likely the community's biggest celebration of the year, said Mayor Ken Williams.

B次元官网网址淗e deserves all the accolades. ItB次元官网网址檚 a pretty fabulous contribution BobB次元官网网址檚 made.B次元官网网址�

McMinn helped establish Highlands in 1993, serving as a beloved civil servant but also a dedicated protector of the urban forest.

McMinn founded the Highland Ratepayers Association in 1967, which later became the Highlands District Community Association. In 1979, he helped establish the Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society. In 2010, McMinn, in his 80s, led an online fundraising effort for a conservation project, where people worldwide could B次元官网网址渂uyB次元官网网址� square-metre parcels of the WMIYETEN nature sanctuary, supporting its preservation.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a legacy Williams hopes current council can live up to, and some of what was done this year highlights that ongoing work.

In 2024, a lot of time was spent crafting and perfecting the local area plan.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e like stewards of a unique natural environment and weB次元官网网址檙e trying to do the best possible outcomes environmentally and socially,B次元官网网址� Williams said. B次元官网网址淲e wanted to get that just right.B次元官网网址�

This leads into work on culverts, infrastructure, and road maintenance that the district needs to look at in the near future.

It includes the usual look at the financial plan and getting the community's input, with items such as road maintenance and culverts on the agenda. 

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been planning for this and weB次元官网网址檙e looking at asset management,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e went to make sure we keep our infrastructure in as good as possible condition.B次元官网网址�

He points to sensitive areas where meadows have undergone remediation over the last couple years and require ongoing stewardship to ensure positive future results.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very practical people. We like to maintain our stuff and we want to make sure weB次元官网网址檙e in good shape for the future.B次元官网网址�

While emphatic that the public needs to weigh in, thereB次元官网网址檚 a potential for a one-per-cent increase in taxes to allow for some of that stewardship, he said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking at that and thatB次元官网网址檚 only to help maintain things in the best possible fashion. But honestly, this has to go to the public and see how they feel about it.B次元官网网址�

Highlands is more than 40 per cent park, he notes, and the district is stewards of that critical habitat that serves the entire region.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 our contribution. ItB次元官网网址檚 everybodyB次元官网网址檚 parks.B次元官网网址�

Several ongoing projects continue to impact work coming in 2025.

Last year, council passed its secondary suites bylaw; next is integrating that with the new provincial housing regulations.

The ongoing ICBC road improvement program will continue with funding for a road sign and pavement marking review.

A new meeting portal and website means that people will have access to easier and more informed meeting attendance.

A new provincial emergency act in 2024 may mean a mock emergency in 2025 to test systems in place to protect the community. This summer a seismic sensor that offers early earthquake detection and notification was installed at the east fire hall.

B次元官网网址淚f we had to do that in an emergency, we want to be able to do that in the best way possible,B次元官网网址� Williams said. B次元官网网址淲e want to make sure that if some kind of event happens, weB次元官网网址檙e able to get out in a proper fashion.B次元官网网址�

Williams also saw 2024 as a year that West Shore mayors met more often than in the past B次元官网网址� critical as collaborators on several projects such as parks and recreation.

B次元官网网址淗ighlands has always been concerned about being good partners in the region,B次元官网网址� he said, specifically citing successful grants such as the one that put up the night light at the soccer fields in Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and the trail around that site.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e always looking at ways to work with others.B次元官网网址�