Council Meeting Highlights for October 9

This update covers highlights from the October 9, 2024, Council meeting. If there is something from the meeting that you would like more detail on, the full agenda, video and minutes (when available) of each meeting are posted on the City of Courtenay’s 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.

Staff Reports

Flood Management Plan
The Flood Management Plan is a master plan to reduce flood risk in the City of Courtenay. It is aligned with community values, senior government regulations, and international best practice. It is informed by the community experience of past flood events, and it builds on the work of our regional partners.

Water knows no boundaries, and with this in mind, previous flood hazard modelling and mapping was completed at a regional scale, for the entire Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD). In the Flood Management Plan, the development of risk reduction and resilience strategies was focused on the City of Courtenay municipal boundary, and opportunities to work with regional partners were identified. These regional partners include the K’ómoks First Nation, the CVRD, the Town of Comox, and the Ministry of transportation and Infrastructure.

Tamsin Lyle, Principal and Founding Engineer of Ebbwater Consulting, presented an overview of the City-wide flood management plan. The plan includes a comprehensive 5-Year Capital Plan, outlines medium to long-term actions, and features over 80 specific recommendations, each accompanied by a timeline and budget. Council adopted the plan and directed staff to implement the 86 recommended actions, and include budget for related projects in the 5-year financial plan.

K’ómoks First Nation Fire Protection Agreement
City staff, in collaboration with representatives from KFN, recently undertook a comprehensive review of the current fire protection agreement. City staff and KFN representatives have agreed to increase the cost recovery rates to align with those outlined in the most recent revision of the Memorandum of Agreement for Inter-Agency Operational Procedures and Reimbursement Rates.

Council directed staff to enter into an agreement with the K’ómoks First Nation to provide fire protection at Pentledge Indian Reserve Number 2 for a term of up to 5 years.

Water and Sewer Review Update
The report to Council presents recommendations from the 2024 water and sewer utility financial review completed by InterGroup Consultants Ltd. and seek Council direction for the 2025 - 2029 budget process.

Council received the "Water and Sewer Rate Review – 2024 Update" report for information and direct staff to implement the five-year utility rate rebalancing recommendations.

Internal Reports and Correspondence

Animal Control Services and SPCA Contract
In May 2024, the SPCA advised local governments in the Comox Valley that it will be reducing its contracted services and will change its focus to supporting animals displaced by emergency circumstances provincially in the Comox Valley. All services remain available to the local governments and the public until January 2025, at which time some services will be delivered by each respective municipality.

The City, in collaboration with affected local governments, is exploring kenneling options and dog licence sales opportunities.

The SPCA will continue to accept resident animal surrenders and will continue their work in keeping animals safe through animal cruelty seizures.

Council received the "Update: Animal Control Services and SPCA Contract” briefing note for information.

Bylaws

For First, Second and Third Readings

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3140, 2024 (small-scale, multi-unit housing)
In the months since the June 12th adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3135, 2024 (small-scale, multiunit housing), which created a new compact residential development zone for 5649 residential properties, staff have become aware of a number of clerical errors in the text of the zone as well as opportunities to improve clarity and fulfil the intent of Bill 44, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023.

The scope of the present amendment is limited to details concerning or introduced with the R-SSMUH zone including secondary dwelling units related to fourplexes, Accessory Dwelling Unit height, lot depth, lot width for party wall subdivision, rear yard setbacks for Accessory Dwelling Units, outdated or unclear language, parking access aisle width, bicycle parking requirements, and property line screening discussed below.

Council gave first, second and third reading to this Bylaw.

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.

 

Mayor Wells terminated the meeting at 7:41 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, October 23, and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s website at www.courtenay.ca/council