Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for June 12
June 24, 2024
This update covers highlights from the June 12, 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.
Announcements
Mayor Wells congratulated Councillor Cole-Hamilton on his successful re-election to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Board of Directors.
Councillor Hillian, on behalf of Council, addressed concerns regarding the ongoing Gaza/Israel conflict and voiced opposition to any form of racism.
Mayor Wells encouraged all residents of the Comox Valley to join and participate in the National Indigenous People’s Day celebrations hosted by K’ómoks First Nation on June 21 at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.
Councillor McCollum, on behalf of Mayor Wells, declared the month of June as Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Presentations
Sarah Smith (Director of Regional Development, BC Housing) presented on the status of the proposed supportive housing and shelter development at 925 Braidwood Road. The proposed development at this site would include a purpose-build shelter with on-site connections to health, mental health and housing and a permanent supportive housing building.
Delegations
Comox Strathcona Waste Management
Sarah Willie (Manager of Solid Waste Planning and Policy Development, Comox Valley Regional District) introduced Marc Rutten (General Manager of Engineering Services, Comox Valley Regional District) and Vivian Schau (Senior Manager of Comox Strathcona Waste Management Services) and provided an update on Comox Strathcona Waste Management Services' Solid Waste Management Plan renewal. This Plan will describe how the Service will manage garbage, recycling, yard, and food waste programs for the next decade.
Staff Reports
2024 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Minister and Staff Meeting Requests
Council direct staff to make application for the following Minister and Ministry Staff meetings:
- Minister of Housing;
- Minister of Mental Health and Additions;
- Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure;
- Ministry of Housing;
- Ministry of Municipal Affairs;
- Island Health;
- Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness; and
- Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Development Variance Permit Application No. 2306 – 1580 Fitzgerald Avenue
Council approved this variance application subject to conditions to permit the construction of a new church on this property.
Permissive Tax Exemption Policy Options
Permissive Tax Exemptions are a long-standing authority granted to Councils to aid organizations within their respected communities.
Council approved the following motion:
- Permissive tax policy options, as directed by Council at the October 25, 2023 Council meeting, be considered for application in the 2026 tax year.
- Council directed staff to expand the scope of the review and options analysis from permissive taxes to grant in aid, and report back on permissive tax and granting policy options.
- That the permissive tax and grant in aid options be guided by the policy priorities and cardinal directions of the Official Community Plan (OCP).
- That Permissive Property Tax Exemption Policy Section 5. a) be amended to clarify that not-for-profit daycares are not subject to this prohibition for consideration during the 2025 permissive tax exemption consideration.
Downtown Courtenay Parking Study
Matt Browning (Senior Transportation Planner at McElhanney) provided a presentation. Council received the “Downtown Courtenay Parking Study” for information and approved the study to be used as a baseline data set to support future active transportation design standards, regulatory standards, parking enforcement standards, and the implementation of the Official Community Plan.
Comox Valley Farmers’ Market Native Sons Hall Rental Fee Reduction Request
Council considered the CV Farmers’ Market request for fee reduction of their current fees and approved the following motion:
- Council directed staff to charge the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market Association the adult not-for-profit rate for the Native Sons Hall Grand Hall, as established by the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2988, 2024.
- Council delegated authority to the Director of Recreation, Culture, and Community Services to determine the service and reporting deliverables and form and content of an agreement between the City of Courtenay and Comox Valley Farmers’ Market Association for a three-year term with two options to renew for an additional one-year term each.
- Council delegated authority to the Director of Recreation, Culture, and Community Services to execute any agreements related to the assistance both in-kind and financial provided to Comox Valley Farmers Market Association, subsequent to the publishing of notice.
External Reports
Letter from Courtenay Airpark Association
Council referred the request from the Courtenay Airpark Association to erect a marquee along the pathway on a one-time basis on June 15th, 2024 to support the “Give Hope Wings” Expedition’s fundraising initiatives (“the request”) to staff for consideration, and due to time constraints associated with the request, Council delegated approval authority to staff relative to the request.
Letter from Residents of Lambert Drive
Council directed staff to determine implications related to the request for assistance removing the covenant on Lambert Drive and to report back to Council.
Letter from Kumugwe Cultural Society (KCS)
Council directed staff to work with the Kumugwe Cultural Society and other interest holders to explore options for the management and care of totem poles on City of Courtenay property.
Internal Reports
Strengthening Communities’ Grant Update
Council received the Strengthening Communities’ Grant Update briefing note.
Council requested that Mayor Wells write to, and organize a meeting between, local and regional government partners and the Province regarding an extension of the Strengthening Communities’ Grant, which aims to support unsheltered homeless populations and address related community impacts.
Notice of Motion
Council waived section 35.1(5) of Council Procedure Bylaw No. 2730, 2013 and approved the following motion for UBCM:
WHEREAS the Province of BC is implementing the 10 Principles within the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and local governments and Indigenous organizations are collectively working towards reconciliation actions; and
WHEREAS many local governments and Indigenous organizations do not have the capacity for the extensive work required for effective partnership building in the spirit of reconciliation;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the Province of BC provide an ongoing funding stream for local governments and Indigenous partners to advance DRIPA and local reconciliation actions.
Council Resolution
Urgent Need for Downtown Washroom Facilities – Advocacy to Island Health (Councillor Morin)
Council approved the following motion:
- Council directed staff to request a meeting with Island Health’s Medical Health Officer, appropriate Island Health staff, and community partners to discuss the health impacts of the lack of adequate daytime and no after-hours washroom facilities for those without shelter.
- That the Mayor, on behalf of Council, send a letter to Island Health requesting the urgent provision of capital and operational funding to support downtown 24-hour washroom facilities.
- That Island Health be requested to appear as a delegation at Council to respond to the City’s requests regarding provision of and support for downtown 24-hour washroom facilities.
Bylaws
For Adoption
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3037, 2023 (1590 Piercy Ave)
This amendment to permit a nine-unit multi-residential development was adopted.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3135, 2024 (small-scale, multi-unit housing)
This amendment for small-scale and multi unit housing was adopted.
Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3138, 2024 – Development Application Fees
This amendment was adopted.
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.
In Camera Resolution
THAT Council close the meeting to the public pursuant to the following subsections of the Community Charter:
90 (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality;
(c) labour relations or other employee relations;
(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;
(i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;
(j) information that is prohibited, or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited, from disclosure under section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; and
(k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, June 26 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams