This update covers highlights from the November 22, 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

Mayor Wells: Acknowledged Wednesday, November 22 as National Housing Day.

Staff Reports

• 276 Sandwick Road Heritage Protection Update
  Council received the 276 Sandwick Road Heritage Protection Update report for information and directed staff to work with the property owner to address the statement of significance in any proposed development application.
  
  This property is one of 20 sites listed on the City of Courtenay Heritage Registry, this list has been submitted to the Provincial Heritage Registry which does not protect the sites. The Local Government Act (LGA) Part 15-Heritage Conservation provides management tools that a municipality can utilize when a site is listed on the provincial registry and is being considered for development or demolition. The legislation does not give the City the authority to automatically prevent the owner of the property from developing, redeveloping, or demolishing the building.

• City Hall Clock Project Update
  Council supported a stand-alone option for the recently refurbished City Hall Clock at the location of the old City Hall or Flag Pole location with interpretative signage and asked staff report back to Council on the location recommendation for the stand-alone option, along with costs. Council also asked that staff bring the report to the Heritage Advisory Commission to receive comments.
  
  
• 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Grant
  Council approved an application for the 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation fund to be submitted jointly on behalf of the City of Courtenay and K’ómoks First Nation; and Council delegated authority to the City Manager, on behalf of the City of Courtenay, to approve a formal Municipal Service Agreement with K’ómoks First Nation for the provision of emergency planning and disaster reduction measures.
  
  The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is a suite of funding streams intended to support First Nations and local governments to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate. Funding is provided by the Province of BC and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

External Reports

• Letter from Minister of Housing - New Legislation to Support Local Government Housing Initiatives
  Council received a letter from Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, regarding new legislation to support local government housing initiatives with the goal of increased housing supply and getting homes built faster.
  
  
• Thank You from City of West Kelowna - McDougall Creek Wildfire
  Council received a thank you letter from the City of West Kelowna for the support received during the McDougall Creek wildfire from the Courtenay Fire Department.
  
  

Internal Reports

• Management Reports
  Council received management reports from Engineering Services, Corporate Services, Recreation, Culture and Community Services, and the City Manager.
  
  
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Meeting Minutes - September 14, 2023
  Council received the September 14, 2023 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission minutes.

Council Resolutions

• Activating Downtown - Duncan Avenue Pilot Project - Councillor Jolicoeur
  Council passed the following resolution:
  Downtown Courtenay serves as a commercial, cultural, social, artistic, and culinary hub of the Comox Valley.
  
  The Downtown Playbook 2016 seeks to support the revitalization of Downtown by supporting the creation of spaces and amenities for people to enjoy and the Playbook prioritizes “Create the Heart - Duncan Commons/Mews” where special events can occur and people can gather anchoring downtown for social & cultural events.
  
  The Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, Comox Valley Arts Council, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Comox Valley Farmer’s Market, Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce have been working towards supporting the temporary summer closure of Duncan Avenue from 5th to 6th street.
  
  Council directed staff bring forward a report on the Duncan Avenue Summer Pilot project outlining considerations and financial implications for implementation in 2024.

Bylaws

For First, Second and Third Readings

• Puntledge Sanitary Catchment Replacement Budget Amendment and Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3067
  Council increased the Puntledge Sanitary Catchment Replacement project budget to $4,000,000 funded from $3,500,000 in debt and $500,000 from Sewer Asset Management Reserves.
  
  The existing Puntledge Sanitary river crossing is at the end of its service life and presents a potential environmental and public health risk. This planned upgrade is vital to protect public health and the environment as well as promote resilience to climate change. Upgrading the Puntledge Sanitary catchment is one of the ways the City of Courtenay proactively plans and invests in our natural and built environment.
  
  

• Development Procedures Bylaw No. 3106
  Council gave first, second, and third readings to Development Procedures Bylaw No. 3106.
  
  
• Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3107
  Council gave first, second and third readings to Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3107 to consider amendments to the City of Courtenay Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673, 1992 in order to introduce new and updated development application fees and charges, cost recovery charges for specific services provided by the Development Services Department and a refund structure for development applications.
  
  
• Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 3113
  With automated curbside collection starting in January 2024, the existing Refuse Materials Collection, Removal and Regulation Bylaw No. 2244, 2002 will no longer meet the needs of the solid waste collection service and is recommended to be formally repealed by bylaw.
  
  Furthermore, an update will be required to Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2435, 2006 to define the penalties for offences related to the new bylaw as well removing penalties for offences related to the old bylaw. In addition, a Solid Waste Contamination Policy to define escalating enforcement steps for recycling contamination. Council gave first, second and third readings to Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 3113, 2023.

 

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) Increase to Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw No. 2840, 2016 and Development Cost Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3116
  Council gave first, second and third readings to Development Cost Charge Amendment Bylaw No. 3116.

 

For Third Readings

• Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2973 - Lannan Road
  Council gave third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2973
  
  And added that prior to adoption of the bylaw the following conditions be met:
  
  1. Dawn to Dawn Modular Home- commitment to provide a modular home either through security or provision.
  2. Lannan Park Master Plan finalized to satisfaction of the Director of Development Services.
  3. Environmental Master Plan finalized to satisfaction of the Director of Development Services.
  4. Preliminary Infrastructure Master Plan finalized to satisfaction of the Director of Development Services.
  5. Preliminary Stormwater Management Master Plan finalized to satisfaction of the Director of Development Services.
  6. Street hierarchy/active transportation Preliminary Master Plan finalized to satisfaction of the Director of Development Services.
  7. Development Agreement be finalized to the satisfaction of the Director of Development Services and executed by the applicant.
  
  

For Adoption

• Building Bylaw No. 3114 and Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 3115
  Council adopted “Building Bylaw No. 3114 and 3115.

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.

The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, December 6 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams