Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for June 28

This update covers highlights from the June 28, 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.

In Camera Resolution

Council closed the meeting from about 4:00 to 5:00 pm to the public pursuant to the following subsections of the Community Charter:

90 (2) A part of a council meeting must be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to one or more of the following:

(b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.

Delegations

• Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (DCBIA) - Annual Report and Bylaw
  Council received a 2022 year in review and bylaw review presentation from DCBIA representatives Tracey Clarke, Executive Director, and Sandra Viney, Vice-President.The DCBIA works on marketing, safety & security, beautification, place-making, advocacy and community engagement. Their focus is on branding Downtown Courtenay as a shopping, cultural, recreational and tourist hub which is seen as the "heart of Courtenay".
  
  In 2022 the DCBIA with support from the City of Courtenay began the process of reviewing service levels, fees and operating budget. For more information: https://downtowncourtenay.com/event/dcbia-bylaw-renewal/
  
  As a result of this review work, the DCBIA requested that Council update the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement area Bylaw No. 2264 to increase the maximum business improvement area tax.
  
  

Staff Reports

• Grant-in-Aid Program
  Council received a presentation from Susan Auchterlonie, Executive Director and Jolean Finnerty, Executive Director of the Comox Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) regarding moving administration of Courtenay’s annual grant-in-aid program to CVCF. Council approved entering into an agreement with the CVCF for the administration and distribution of the program.
  
  
• Financial Information Act - 2022 Statement of Financial Information (SOFI)
  Council approved the City of Courtenay Statement of Financial Information for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  
  
• City of Courtenay 2022 Annual Report
  Council approved the City of Courtenay 2022 Annual Report with information on projects and activities as well as financial statements. To view the report visit our ANNUAL REPORT page
  Highlights from 2022 included:

1. Adopting Courtenay’s new Official Community Plan, as well as new Water and Sewer Master Plans
2. Completing a Joint Aquatics Services Strategy in partnership with the Comox Valley Regional District
3. Finalizing the concept plan for McPhee Meadows
4. Supporting the installation of the new Guardian Pole at the Courtenay Riverway and the work of the K’ómoks Guardian Watchmen
5. Expanding the active transportation network with improvements on the 17th Street corridor
   
   

• Temporary Use Permit No. 2301 – 1885 Cliffe Avenue (BC Housing)
  Council received an update on the application made by BC Housing for a Temporary Use Permit to allow Supportive Housing as a use at 1885 Cliffe Avenue for the creation of a BC Housing supportive housing project following the end of BC Housing’s lease at the Travelodge site and the need to maintain housing for residents previously accommodated there.
  
  
• Complete Communities Grant to Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)
  Council supported the submission of a grant application to UBCM for the Complete Communities Fund. Complete communities are meant to provide a diversity of housing to meet identified community needs and accommodate people at all stages of life, and provide a wider range of employment opportunities, amenities, and services within a 15-20 minute walk. If successful, the funding will assist with implementing many of the Official Community Plan (OCP) policies and the program aligns with the OCP’s  four cardinal directions: reconciliation, equity, climate action, and community well-being.
  
  
• Sandwick Watermain Funding Reallocation
  Council directed staff to reallocate $203,250 from the Water Utility Operating Fund into the Sandwick Watermain Upgrades capital project fund in 2023 for the additional funds required to complete the project.

External Reports

• 2023 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention Child Care Resolution
  Council endorsed a resolution submitted by the Regional District of Nanaimo for consideration at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention. The resolution is for UBCM to urge the Ministry of Education and Child Care to replace the current grant-based application process with a systematic expansion of universal child care that upholds UNDRIP obligations and supports the involvement of, but does not rely on, local and Indigenous governments and non-profit organizations to coordinate design and implementation.
  
  
• CVRD - Request to consent to Bylaw No. 766 (Comox Valley Emergency Program Extended Service Establishment Bylaw 1991, Amendment No. 4)
  Council consented to the CVRD adopting this bylaw to expand the service to incorporate the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, and Village of Cumberland as direct participants within the service.
  
  
• Comox Valley United Soccer Club - Field House at Vanier Turf
  Council approved a grant to the Comox Valley United Soccer Club from the gaming fund in the amount of $14,335.24 in support of the "Field House at Vanier Turf" project.

Internal Reports

• Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Minister Meetings 
  Council directed staff to prepare five meeting requests with corresponding briefs as follows:
  For Minister

1. Budget commitment for the construction of Purpose Built Supportive Housing Units and Shelter in Courtenay
2. Increased Funding for Mental Health and Substance Use Comox Valley
   
   For Provincial Ministries, Agencies, Commissions and Corporations
3. McPhee Meadows Park development project - Grant
4. East Side Fire Hall project - Grant
5. Anderton Dike Remediation project - Grant
   
   Council amended the motion to remove the words “(Complex Care)”.

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

• Development Covenants - Removing the Barriers to the Generation of Renewable Energy - Local Focus - Councillor Frisch
  Council approved sending a letter to the Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to request the Province of B.C. exercise its authority and override development agreement covenants that restrict or prohibit renewable energy systems in all zones.
  
  
• Development Covenants - Removing the Barriers to the Generation of Renewable Energy - Provincial - Councillor Frisch
  Council directed staff to draft a resolution and backgrounder in support of the elimination of development agreement covenants that restrict or prohibit renewable energy systems in all zones for Council’s consideration for submission to the 2024 AVICC (Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities) and UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Conventions.
  
  
• Municipal Insurance Association Voting Delegates
  Council appointed the following members as Municipal Insurance Association Voting Delegates:
  Voting Delegate: Mayor Bob Wells
  Alternate #1:  Councillor Melanie McCollum
  Alternate #2: Councillor Evan Jolicoeur
  
  
• UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Resolution - Offsite Wood Construction - Councillor Cole-Hamilton
  Council will submit this resolution to Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for consideration:
  UBCM calls on the Government of B.C. to collaborate with diverse sectors to establish a B.C.-based Offsite Wood Construction Industrial Policy Framework and steadily grow demand and capacity by working with interested public sector organizations to use offsite construction to build, permanently affordable, zero carbon housing on underutilized public land close to jobs and services; 
  
  And further, that UBCM works with the BC Government to develop an Affordable Housing Offsite Wood Construction Early Adopter Program with voluntary municipal actions that aggregate demand like pre-approved designs, zoning and permits for different housing types; and voluntary actions for other sectors like developers, builders, school boards, health authorities and forestry companies.
  
  
• Removing the Financial Barrier to Home Support for BC Seniors - A Compassionate and Practical Solution - Councillor Cole-Hamilton
  Council will submit this resolution to Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for consideration: UBCM asks the Province of BC to waive the fees associated with the Home Support Program in order to make it accessible to all seniors regardless of income.

Bylaws

For First and Second Reading

• Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3063 - 1814 Grieve Avenue
  Council gave first and second readings to this application to facilitate a proposed subdivision for the creation of two additional lots while retaining the existing home on the remainder lot. A public hearing will not be held but the bylaw is subject to the following conditions prior to adoption:
  a. 219 Covenant for Community Amenity Contributions.
  b. 219 Covenant to ensure a 3 metre vegetation buffer is installed along the northeast and southeast property lines.
  c. A Preliminary layout Plan be issued.
  
  
• Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3095 – 4655a Madrona Place  
  Council gave first and second reading to add day care use to the above noted property. A public hearing will not be held but Council asked for public notice to be provided.

For Third Reading

• Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 3102 
  Council gave third reading to "Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 3102, 2023." This Bylaw outlines the ways in which Council and its committees conduct their business.

For Adoption

• Growing Communities Reserve Fund Establishment Bylaw No. 3086
  Council adopted "Growing Communities Reserve Fund Establishment Bylaw No. 3086, 2023."
  
  
• Sewer Infrastructure Projects 2023 Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3093
  Council adopted "Sewer Infrastructure Projects 2023 Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3093, 2023."

The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, July 12, 2023 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams