Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for May 10

This update covers highlights from the May 10, 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 Morin acknowledged May 17th as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia as well as May as Rhododendron Month.
  
  
• Mayor Wells acknowledged May as being Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Syndrome Month. Both are potentially catastrophic nerve disorders.
  
  
• Councillor Cole-Hamilton acknowledged May as Huntington Disease Awareness Month.
  
  
• Councillor Hillian acknowledged May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
  
  
• Councillor Jolicoeur acknowledged May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Canada.
  
  
• Councillor McCollum acknowledged May as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month.

Staff Reports

• Audited Financial Statements- presentation by Cory Vanderhorst (MNP) 
  Council approved the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  
  
• Experience Comox Valley (4VI) 2022 Year in Review and 2022 Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) Annual Performance Report and Financial Report
  Tanya Massa and Callum Matthews, Experience Comox Valley (4VI) provided a 2022 Year in Review including strategies, the Comox Valley Tourism Advisory Committee, promotional campaigns, website launch, social media and video development. They also provided an update on visitor servicing including stats on the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre and mobile servicing. Council approved the 2022 MRDT Annual Performance Report and Financial Report.
  
  
• 2023 MRDT Tactical Plan Amendment
  Council approved the 2023 Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) Tactical Plan Amendment for budget as prepared by Experience Comox Valley (4VI). This is to carry-forward MRDT revenue and spend in 2023.
  
  
• 2022 Annual Development Cost Charges (DCC) Report 
  Council approved the City of Courtenay Annual Development Cost Charges (DCC) Reserve Fund Report for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  
  Council adopted Development Cost Charges starting in 1994 to authorize collection of DCCs to help pay for capital costs associated with providing, constructing, altering or expanding sewage, water, drainage and highway facilities, and providing and improving parkland.

• 2023 Emergency Operations Centres and Training – Grant Application
  Council approved authorizing an application made to the Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (Emergency Operations Centres & Training 2023) for $30,000 to be used in 2023-2024 to support the regional application led by the Comox Valley Regional District for EOC training. Council agreed that the primary applicant will apply for, receive, and manage the grant funding on their behalf, if successful in grant funding.
  
  The 2023 application will include a plan for:
  -Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) training and exercise – Finance Branch
  -Regional ICS/EOC training and evacuation exercise
  -Indigenous cultural safety and humility training for EOC staff

External Reports

• RCMP Annual Performance Plan and Priorities 2023 – 2024
  Council deferred the RCMP Annual Performance Plan and Priorities correspondence for a future Council meeting when an RCMP representative can attend.
  
  
• Habitat for Humanity - 1375 Piercy Avenue
  Council directed staff to work with Habitat for Humanity and return with a report with options to address their requests to:
  -Waive building permit fees and development cost charges for 1375 Piercy Ave
  -Return security deposit (letter of credit) for 1375 Piercy Ave
  -Confirm laneway contribution for 1375 Piercy Ave

Internal Reports

Courtenay Fire Department 2022 Annual Report
Courtenay Fire Department briefed Council on activities for the year ended 2022. Council received the report. 

Council Reports

Members of Council are given the opportunity to describe various meetings and events they have attended.

Council Resolutions

• Permissive Tax Exemptions for Non-Profit Child Care - Councillor Cole-Hamilton
  Council directed staff to prepare a report outlining the options for, and impact of, providing permissive tax exemptions for community owned non-profit childcare organizations.
  
  
• Vacancy Tax – Mayor Wells
  Council directed staff to coordinate with local governments within the Comox Valley, and report back to Council on the options and implications of a vacancy tax in the City of Courtenay.

Unfinished Business

• Comox Valley Cycling Coalition
  Council directed staff to return with a report on options to address the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition's requests to:
  -Consider personnel dedicated to active transportation
  -Improve maintenance of cycling lanes (sweeping and paint)
  -Collaborate with users to resolve difficult areas
  -Better knowledge and planning of secure bike parking and other end of trip routing or facilities
  
  
• North Island College Students’ Union – Menstrual Equity
  Council directed staff to return with a report with on options, costs and implications of providing free menstrual products in City-operated facilities, and of joining the Period Promise campaign Notice of Motion.
  
  
• 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities
  Council adopted the 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities. The priorities are purposefully aligned with the new City of Courtenay Official Community Plan and its four cardinal directions: climate action, reconciliation, equity, and community well-being. View Council’s Strategic Priorities here: www.courtenay.ca/strategicpriorities

Bylaws

For Adoption

• Tax Rates Bylaw No. 3097, 2023
  Council adopted City of Courtenay Tax Rates Bylaw 3097, 2023

The meeting adjourned at around 6:51 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, May 31, 2023 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams