Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for February 8
February 10, 2023
This update covers highlights from the February 8, 2023 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.
Delegations
- Sid Williams Theatre Society
Progress report including statistics and financial report on the Sid Williams Theatre Society season from Richard Clark, President; Dale Pateman, Treasurer and Deb Renz, General Manager.
The Sid Williams is working on a multi-year recovery after the pandemic. Other challenges have also arisen including staff wages (living wages), cost of security, the volunteer core dwindling and more. They are looking at options to keep the venue affordable for patrons and also for rental user groups.
Staff Reports
- Public Hearing and In Camera Meeting Schedule
Council directed staff to schedule Public Hearing meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. (except in August and September) and to schedule In Camera meetings after the open portion of regular meetings.
- Development Variance Permit No. 2201 – 377 Lerwick Road
This application is for an electronic message board, larger than bylaw standards.
At the January 25th Council Meeting, Council directed staff to provide a public notice to adjacent property owners and occupants and request feedback regarding Development Variance Permit No. 2201. Council approved the application considering only one public comment was received in support of the application.
- Development Variance Permit No. 2206 – 278 Island Highway North (Chrysler Dealership)
This application is for an oversized sign, larger than bylaw standards.
At the January 25th Council Meeting, Council directed staff to provide a public notice to adjacent property owners and occupants and request feedback regarding Development Variance Permit No. 2206. Council approved the application considering no public comments were received.
- Development Permit with Variance No. 2207 – 635 and 649 5th Street
This application is to permit reduced setbacks for two new single-family residences.
At the January 25th Council Meeting, Council directed staff to provide a public notice to adjacent property owners and occupants and request feedback regarding Development Permit with Variance No. 2207. Council approved the application considering no public comments were received.
- Air Quality Monitoring Network
Air quality is a concern in the Comox Valley during the winter. Council approved the installation of air monitoring devices (PurpleAir monitors) to measure PM2.5 concentrations and report them on an online map in real-time.
- 17th Street Bike Lanes Budget Reallocation
Council directed staff to reallocate $35,000 from the prior year surplus into the 17th St Corridor Improvements Capital project budget in 2022. The extra budget required is due to cost escalations in the construction market.
- Expedited Purchase Timeline – Bullex Digital Fire Training Panels
Council approved the immediate purchase of six Bullex Digital Fire Training Panels in the amount of $57,094.29 for live fire training. These panels are a replacement for ones that have reached end of use. The benefits of the panels is that they minimize environmental impact as the alternative would be to use wood pallets in training.
Council Reports
Members of Council are given the opportunity to describe various meetings and events they have attended.
Council Resolutions
- Outdoor Court Usage - Councillor Cole-Hamilton
Council passed a motion to direct staff to prepare a report assessing current usage, and outlining options which would make optimal use of our outdoor courts. - Living Wage - Councillor Cole-Hamilton
Council directed staff to prepare a report outlining the steps required, and costs involved, in becoming a living wage employer.
- Rise and Report – Councillor Frisch Mandatory Leave of Absence
Council received notice of mandatory leave from Councillor Frisch dated January 26, 2023 in accordance with Community Charter section 109.2.
- Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (AVICC) Resolutions
Council approved the following resolutions to forward to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) 2023 AGM and Convention for consideration:- AVICC Resolution - Moving the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program Forward
- AVICC Resolution - Vancouver Island Housing Plan – Responding to the Homelessness Crisis
- AVICC Resolution - Fossil Fuel Corporate Sponsorship of UBCM and AVICC
- AVICC Resolution - Removal of Racist and Discriminatory Clauses from BC Land Titles
Unfinished Business
- Funding request - Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society
Council directed staff to write a letter to Dawn to Dawn asking that they make an application for a municipal tax exemption for the Gukwa̱s sa Wagalus – Rainbow House project once a home has been purchased. And, that staff notify Dawn to Dawn once information is available about the 2023 Community Grant program.
Bylaws
For First, Second and Third Readings
- 2023 – 2027 Sewer Fund Financial Plan
Water and sewer are stand-alone user fees to cover operating expenses.
Council approved a 5.5% increase for the 2023 user fees for sewer, increasing the rate for single family from $377.97 to $398.76. The annual increase to a single family residence is $20.79. Of that increase, about $12.39 is attributable to the CVRD Sewer Requisition, $6.10 to other City sewer operating expenses and $2.30 to capital expenses. The frontage rate will stay constant at $10.24 per meter. - 2023 – 2027 Water Fund Financial Plan
Water and sewer are stand-alone user fees to cover operating expenses
Council approved a 4.0% (2.0% - 2022) increase to the water user fee for 2023, which represents an increase of $20.65 ($10.12 – 2022) for a single family. Of this increase, about $13.90 is attributable to the CVRD water purchase, $1.25 to other City water operating expenses and $5.50 for capital expenses.
- 2023 - 2027 Municipal Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Budget
Council approved the recommended 24% increase (to $237.50 from $191.54 in 2022) of residential user fees to ensure the 2023 costs to deliver the service are fully recovered.
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, February 22, 2023 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams