Briefly from Qualicum Beach town council's regular meeting Monday night:
• Residents have been writing to the town to report the illegal harvesting of shellfish on the ocean shores of Qualicum Beach. Council directed staff to notify both the provincial ministry responsible and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans about those letters, and to request further information about enforcement procedures and the protocol for reporting violations.
• A motion was on the table to direct staff to review and report back to council on the ideas presented, specifically by local architect Bruce Fleming-Smith, in a letter and at the Qualicum Beach Residents Association' forum on growth and development on June 20.
The motion was withdrawn after some discussion, including Coun. Mary Brouilette's contention that staff, through a planned open house and other measures, are working on communication issues like the ones presented by Fleming-Smith.
"I don't believe it's necessary for staff to review it any further," said Brouilette. "It's already in place."
Coun. Scott Tanner was the instigator of the original motion but he agreed to the withdrawal. But he also said he didn't want the ideas presented by Fleming-Smith to get lost.
• A motion put forward by Tanner related to security-camera installation at various locations in town, and another for the installation of a portable washroom during the summer months on Judge's Row, were defeated. Another one of Tanner's motions about the feasibility of having an outdoor exercise centre in Qualicum Beach like the one in Parksville Community Park was passed after being amended to take out the word feasibility and report. The motion that passed was more about getting the word out to potential partners like service clubs for the construction of a similar facility.
• Council granted the Mid-Island chapter of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee permission to hold events in conjunction with the 14th annual B.C. Rivers Day, at the Little Qualicum River Sunday, Sept. 29.
— NEWS Staff