Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for July 12

This update covers highlights from the July 12, 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.

Acknowledgements

Councillor Hillian: The Comox Valley lost an engaged and well-loved resident on July 6th when John Higginbotham passed away at age 78. John was a champion for accessibility and inclusion, volunteering with the Comox Valley Social Planning Society and the Accessibility Committee to work and advocate for improved access and mobility throughout the community.  

Mayor Wells/Acting Mayor Morin: Vancouver Island MusicFest is July 14th to 16th and celebrates 25 years of community, music, and economic growth, drawing over 10,000 attendees from the Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, and worldwide.

Councillor Cole-Hamilton: National Drowning Prevention Week in BC is July 16-22nd in alignment with the United Nations' designation of July 25th as World Drowning Prevention Day. The Lifesaving Society Canada aims to prevent drowning across the country, emphasizing that even one drowning is unacceptable.

Temporary Use Permit

• Temporary Use Permit No. 2301 – 1885 Cliffe Avenue (BC Housing)
  BC Housing provided Council with information on its temporary use permit application to allow a supportive housing use at 1885 Cliffe Avenue. This would accommodate residents formerly housed at the Travelodge. The TUP was proposed for a period of three years and BC Housing would contract with an operator to operate the supportive housing. Council also heard from members of the public about the proposed application.
  
  Following the public input opportunity, Council approved Temporary Use Permit No. 2301 for a three-year term once the following conditions have been met:
  a) A building permit application has been received that is complete and includes code compliance review to the satisfaction of the Manager of Building Services;
  b) An executed Operator Agreement between BC Housing and Comox Valley Transition Society has been provided to staff;
  c) A fire plan acceptable to the Fire Chief;
  d) A security plan is received to the satisfaction of staff;
  e) A Community Advisory Committee Terms of Reference is received to the satisfaction of staff;
  f) A Good Neighbour Agreement has been received to the satisfaction of staff;
  g) A SRW plan and document for the City’s water chamber on the property at 1885 Cliffe Avenue has been received to the satisfaction of staff;
  h) Letter of Indemnity has been received as per Section 502 of the Local Government Act.
  i) BC Housing to meet with Council annually about this permit.

Delegations

• Island Health - Climate Change, Health & Community Planning: Co-benefits of Climate Adaptation
  Presentation to update Council on the topics of Climate change, Health & Community Planning made by Dr. Paivi Abernethy, Climate Change & Health Lead, Healthy Communities, Population and Public Health and Dr. Charmaine Enns, Medical Health Officer for the North Island.

• Dawn Collins - Cycling Without Age (Courtenay Chapter)
  Presentation by Dawn Collins on Council on Cycling without Age – Courtenay chapter and request for in-kind support from the City. Cycling Without Age is an international non-profit organization that started in Copenhagen. It takes seniors out for free rides on trishaw bikes. For more information visit https://cyclingwithoutage.org/

Staff Reports

• Resident Survey - Your Courtenay, Your Voice – Unique Questions Selection
  Council directed staff to develop survey questions for inclusion in the 2023 Resident Survey, Your Courtenay, Your Voice to solicit feedback on the following objectives:

1. Public alignment with current City crest and community identity.
2. Improvements or changes, if any, residents would like to see in the City's image.
3. How residents become aware of City initiatives, decisions and services.
4. Specific initiatives or programs residents would like to see that would enhance the quality of life in our community.
5. Perspective on the City's current efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the community.

• Change in Legislation – Request for Reconsideration
  The following zoning amendments were reconsidered due to changes in legislation: 1814 Grieve Avenue and 4655a Madrona Place.
  
  Council rescinded the motions that council give 1st and 2nd reading that was passed in the last meeting.
  
  Council will consider 1, 2, and 3rd reading at next Council Meeting and is giving notice of not holding a Public Hearing in relation to these applications.
  
  
• 2024/2025 RCMP Municipal Policing Contract: Approval in Principle
  Council provided approval in principle for an RCMP expenditure cap of $7,491,284 (90%) representing 31.4 member strength for the 2024/2025 Municipal Policing Contract.
  
  The following cost drivers impacting the 2024/25 RCMP contract are:
  · Expected pay increases of 3.5% for RCMP members;
  · Estimated pay increases for Public Service Employees (PSE) is 2.5%;
  · Body worn camera, $3,000 per frontline member
  
  
• Council Remuneration Policy
  Council adopted a new Council Remuneration Policy and proceeded with a bylaw to repeal the existing bylaw.

Internal Reports

• Comox Valley Aquatic Service Needs Strategy Update
  Council received the “Comox Valley Aquatic Service Needs Strategy Update” briefing note. The purpose of the briefing note is to update Council on:

1. The feedback received on the draft Comox Valley Aquatic Service Needs Strategy;
2. The status of the draft Comox Valley Aquatic Service Needs Strategy; and
3. Up-coming public engagement activities seeking feedback on the outdoor pool

• Renaming 150 Year Grove to Stan Hagen Nature Park
  Council received the “Renaming 150 Year Grove to Stan Hagen Nature Park” briefing note.  A corresponding event is planned for August.
  
  Stan Hagen was an influential community leader in the Comox Valley, including being the founding president of the Comox Valley Community Foundation. Stan also served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Comox Valley from 1986 to 1991 and 2001 to 2009 where he led ten Cabinet portfolios. Stan Hagen was honoured as a Comox Valley Walk of Achievement Inductee (posthumously on August 2022, 2009) for his significant and lasting contributions.

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.

Council Resolutions

• 2023 Regional Housing Summit Coordination - Councillor Jolicoeur
  The resolution asked that Council 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.
  
  Council deferred this item till the next Council meeting when more information will be available.

Unfinished Business

• Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (DCBIA) - Annual Report and Bylaw
  Deferred to a later meeting by request of the DCBIA.

Bylaws

For First, Second and Third Readings

• Council Remuneration Repeal Bylaw No. 3103
  Council gave first, second and third readings to "Council Remuneration Repeal Bylaw No. 3103."

For Adoption

• Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 3102
  Council adopted "Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 3102, 2023."

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, July 26, 2023 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams