The City of Parksville will not have a member of council sit on the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness, unless they are asked first.
Coun. Marilyn Wilson brought forth a notice of motion during the Dec. 20, 2021, council meeting regarding appointment of a council member to the task force.
“I find it unacceptable that the City of Parksville has been kept in the dark about the decision to locate emergency shelters in Parksville that inevitably require staff co-ordination with emergency services such as the fire department, RCMP, ambulance, EMO and city bylaw, while other (Parksville Qualicum Beach) communities have been able to forego their responsibility to share in the provision of shelters in their communities,” she said.
READ MORE: Parksville city council to consider representation with Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness
During the latest council meeting, on Jan. 17, Coun. Doug O’Brien suggested an amendment to Wilson’s motion, dictating that she would be the council member appointed to the position.
O’Brien’s amended motion did not pass, falling four to three votes against.
As suggested by O’Brien, Mayor Ed Mayne said, however, that he would have city staff write to the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness and ask if a liaison position for the city is still available and if it would be welcome.
It was not addressed during the Jan. 17 meeting what would happen if the task force welcomed a city representative.