Courtenay Council Highlights for January 24, 2024
January 29, 2024
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This update covers highlights from the January 24, 2024 Council meeting. If there’s something from the meeting that you’d like more detail on, the full agenda, video, and minutes (when available) of each meeting are posted on the City of Courtenay website at www.courtenay.ca/councilmeetings
Council respectfully acknowledged that the lands on which this meeting was conducted are the Unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.
Proclamations
Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia on January 29, 2024
On January 29, 2017, a white gunman entered the Islamic Cultural Centre mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim worshipers. By the time the shooting had ended, six people had been tragically killed and 19 more were injured: Ibrahima Barry, Madou Tanou Barry, Khaled Blekacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane and Azzedine Soufiane lost their lives that night.
Muslim communities across Canada were, and continue to be, affected by this and other acts of hate, racism, white supremacy and Islamophobia. Many municipalities commemorate the events of January 29 with their Muslim community partners and there is a nation-wide campaign for the federal government to recognize the day nationally.
Delegations
- Make Back Road Safe
Delegation by Carolyn Rice, Make Back Road Safe, to present a resident petition endorsed by residents of Back Road and those living near Farquharson Drive. The delegation addressed specific issues and proposed solutions.
- Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw
Delegation by Taija McLuckie, Peer Advisor for the Community Action Team, and Angela Fletcher, Facilitator for Homeless Response team, and people with lived and living experiences, to request that Council not proceed with the adoption of Parks and Open Spaces Regulation Bylaw, Bylaw No. 3121 as presented out of concern for impacts to those experiencing homelessness.
Staff Reports
- Aquatic Needs Strategy Update - Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool What We Heard Report and 75th Anniversary
Presentation by Rob Parks and Meaghan Carey, RC Strategies. Council received for information the Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool What We Heard Report and the Comox Valley Aquatic Services Strategy. These reports will form the final Comox Valley Aquatic Services Strategy for Courtenay.
Council directed staff to include free public admission for the Outdoor Pool’s 75th year in the 2024 Financial Plan.
- Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool - Condition Assessments and Options Analysis
Based on the January 24, 2024 report “Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool - Condition Assessments and Options Analysis”, Council directed staff to proceed with procurement to start immediate repairs for the Courtenay Memorial Outdoor Pool and directed staff to proceed with procurement for an Options Analysis for the future of the pool at its current location.
- BC’s Emergency Management Legislation: Regulations for Local Authorities Discussion Paper Feedback
Council has instructed staff to forward the collective feedback, formulated by the Comox Valley Emergency Management working group, on the 'Regulations on Local Authorities Discussion Paper' to the Province of British Columbia before the deadline of January 31st. This feedback will take the shape of a joint letter, co-signed by members and partners of the Comox Valley Emergency Management Service, addressed to both the Premier and the Minister of Emergency Management & Climate Readiness requesting a local government emergency management operational working group to collaborate in developing regulations under the Emergency & Disaster Management Act.
External Reports and Correspondence
- Town of Comox - Request for Letter of Support - Community Broadband Planning
City of Courtenay will provide a letter of support for the Town of Comox’s grant application to Island Coastal Economic Development for their Fibre Optic Broadband Network Infrastructure Project. - Comox Valley Regional District - Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) Resolutions
Two resolutions from the CVRD to AVICC:
- Asking the province to provide grant funding for municipalities and regional districts to plan and create entities that provide and manage non-market housing in their communities.
- Requests regarding the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelter system.
Council Resolutions
- Solar Panel - Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) Resolution - Councillor Frisch
Council directed AVICC and UBCM urge the Ministry of Attorney General to consider amendments to the Land Title Act similar to its existing section 222 that would prohibit and render void any building schemes that purport to prohibit or restrict the installation of roof top solar panels, or any other renewable energy systems.
- National Housing Conference Attendance - Mayor Wells
Council authorized Mayor Bob Wells to attend the 2024 National Housing Conference March 18-19, 2024, and authorize a maximum expense claim of $3000 beyond the permitted amount.
- Rise and Report - Officer Appointment
Ms. Jessica Bagnall, T/Manager of Legislative Services is appointed as the Acting Deputy Corporate Officer until such time as Ms. Adriana Proton, Manager of Legislative Services returns from leave.
- 2024 RENT Housing Summit Coordination Support - Mayor Wells
Council will allocate up to $7,500 from the "Other Council Initiatives" budget for the purposes of contracting an event producer to support the coordination, organization and facilitation of a regional housing summit with BC Non Profit Housing Association staff.
Unfinished Business
- Situation Tables Request
Council directed staff to prepare a report on the requests from the January 10, 2024 Comox Valley Situation Table delegation regarding funding, the request to include city planners in the biannual meeting of the "System Leaders Group".
Bylaws
For First, Second and Third Readings
- 2024-2028 Water Fund Financial Plan and Bylaws
Council approved the 2024-2028 Water Fund Financial Plan as presented for inclusion in the 2024-2028 Five-year plan and gave the following bylaws first, second and third reading:
-Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3123, 2024 (water)
-Water Service Frontage Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 3125, 2024
- 2024-2028 Sewer Fund Financial Plan and Bylaws
Council approved the 2024-2028 Sewer Fund Financial Plan as presented for inclusion in the 2024-2028 Five-year plan and gave the following bylaws first, second and third reading:
-Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3122, 2024 (sewer)
-Water Service Frontage Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 3124, 2024
- 2024-2028 Solid Waste Financial Plan and Bylaw
Council approved the 2024-2028 Solid Waste Financial Plan as presented for inclusion in the 2024-2028 Five-year plan and gave the following bylaw first, second and third reading:
-Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3126, 2024 (solid waste)
For Adoption
- Puntledge Sanitary Catchment Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3067, 2024
Council adopted "Puntledge Sanitary Catchment Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3067, 2024".
- Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3094 (1560 Grieve Ave)
Council adopted “Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3094” to permit a 16-unit multi-residential rental development.
- Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 3117 (1560 Grieve Ave)
Council adopted “Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 3117”.
Council Reports
Members of Council are given the opportunity to describe various meetings and events they have attended. See attachments in the agenda with submitted written reports.
In Camera Resolution
THAT Council close the meeting to the public pursuant to the following subsections of the Community Charter:
90 (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
The meeting adjourned at 9:39 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, February 7 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams