This update covers highlights from the July 17, 2024 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 to the public for private discussions pursuant to the Community Charter subsections 90 1(K) and 2(b).

Presentation

K’ómoks Treaty Negotiations Update
Jessica Jamieson presented an overview of the K'ómoks First Nation (KFN) Treaty process and outcomes to date, as well as next steps. Melissa Quocksister, Treaty Consultant, and Ashley Wright, Treaty Manager KFN, spoke to the substantial work, energy and time that have resulted in a treaty that what will be presented to KFN via a vote in the near future.

The treaty will be initialled in summer 2024 and will look for ratification in 2025 – 2027. If ratified, treaty & land ownership would come into effect in about 2028. For more information: https://komoks.ca/treaty/

Delegation

925 Braidwood Neighbours
J. Goddard appeared before Council and spoke on behalf of the 222 signatories identified on a petition that was provided to Council for consideration. The delegate spoke to concerns with recent changes to provincial legislation that have removed public engagement opportunities for residents to provide input on rezoning applications. The speaker stated support for the planned supportive housing, and in opposition to the planned shelter on the same location.

Council was also presented with a draft of the Good Neighbour Agreement between the 925 Braidwood Neighbours, City Council and BC Housing. S. Larsen, appeared before Council, and offered to answer any questions Council may have.

Staff Reports

Non-Enforcement of “Sanitary Sewer Use, Extension and Connection Bylaw No. 1327”
Council asked that the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) be requested to provide a water analysis from a qualified geotechnical engineer (e.g. hydrocarbons, BETX, PAHs, Metals, Suspended Solids, etc.).

Once conditions have been met to the satisfaction of the City Manager, including regulatory assurances and an agreement signed, Council approved the CVRD’s request to discharge excavation water into the City of Courtenay sanitary sewer system as part of the Regional Lift Station on Comox Road Project up until November 15, 2024.

Development Variance Permit No. 2207 – 4883 Island Highway North
The applicant is proposing to add fascia signage in excess of the maximum combined sign area on the southern building face of the main structure on the parcel

Development Variance Permit No. 2402 – 558 England Avenue
The applicant is proposing a variance to the minimum lot size permitted for the subject property in order to facilitate a lot line adjustment to keep the existing building on the proposed lot 1.

Update Local Area Plan Harmston Civic Precinct and Downtown Centre
Council received the report “Update Local Area Plan Harmston Civic Precinct and Downtown Centre”; and directed staff to consolidate the Harmston Precinct, The Downtown Playbook, and the Downtown Centre with related land use plans, community plans, and policies into a comprehensive encompassing Downtown Area Plan.

Comox Valley Art Gallery Society Licence to Occupy, Management and Operating Grant Fee for Service Agreement
Glen Sanford, Executive Director and Denise Lawson, Co-Director of Curatorial Programming provided an update of activities at the CV Art Gallery. Council authorized a licence to occupy agreement between the City of Courtenay and the CV Art Gallery for a portion of the property located at 580 Duncan Avenue.

Comox Valley Community Art Council Licence to Occupy and Grant Fee for Service Agreement
Council authorized staff to execute a two-year Licence to Occupy agreement between the City of Courtenay and Comox Valley Community Arts Council for the occupation and use of a portion of the property located at 580 Duncan Avenue for provision of arts and culture services.

External Reports

Letter of Support from Village of Cumberland - Strengthening Communities’ Grant Expiration
Council received a letter of support from Village of Cumberland - Strengthening Communities’ Grant expiration.

Donation Request from School District 71 - Youth Climate Action Event 
Council made a $5000 donation in support overall expenses of the Youth Climate Action Event from the Council discretionary fund.

Letter from Comox Valley 4 Palestine
Council received the correspondence from Comox Valley 4 Palestine.

Internal Reports

Sid Williams Theatre Capital Projects Update

Council received the “Sid Williams Theatre Capital Projects Update” briefing note to inform of the lighting grid upgrade project and other future capital projects.

Unfinished Business

Delegation - Amend Building Bylaw No. 3114, 2023

A follow up to the delegation by J. Evans and P. Myers, residents of Courtenay and C. Vander Ros at Nickel Bros. Council directed staff to report back on the options and implications of permitting homes older than 15 years to be relocated within the City of Courtenay.

Bylaws

For First, Second and Third Reading

Council Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 3150, 2024
Newly mandated by Bill 26 amendments to the Community Charter in 2022, local governments are required to consider amending an existing code of conduct or developing a code of conduct in the absence of one within six months of a general election.

Council repealed the existing Council Code of Conduct Policy, effective upon adoption of Council Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 3150.

Indemnification Authorization Bylaw No. 3151, 2024
Council gave first, second and third reading to an indemnification bylaw protecting municipal officials from financial liability arising from their actions taken in the course of their role. The purpose of the bylaw is to ensure that individuals who act in good faith on behalf of the municipality are not personally financially responsible for any legal costs or damages that may arise as a result of their actions.

 

For Adoption

Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3128, 2024 - Anderton Dike Phase 1
Council adopted this bylaw to authorize the borrowing of the estimated cost of Anderton Dike Remediation Phase 1 capital project.

Loan Authorization Bylaw 3136, 2024 – Strategic Land Acquisition 2024
Council adopted this bylaw to authorize the borrowing of the estimated cost of Strategic Land Acquisition 2024 capital project.

Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3137, 2024 - 6th Street Bridge
Council adopted this bylaw to authorize borrowing of the estimated cost of 6^th Street Bridge

Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No.3141, 2024
Council adopted this Bylaw to designate municipally owned land at 11^th Street Terminus at the Courtenay River as Urban Corridor.

Council Reports

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

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, July 31 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams