This update covers highlights from the May 22, 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.

Staff Reports

Regional Social Development Grant Service Feedback
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) asked Council for feedback regarding the potential establishment of a new Regional Social Development Grant Service.

While the CVRD letter outlines that a regional approach to social grant funding could support “jurisdictional equity in funding” through establishing a regional approach, staff note that without a fulsome review of all grant functions in the Comox Valley, at both local and regional government levels, there remains an absence of structure to ensure this funding equity occurs in practice.

Council directed staff to inform the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) that it does not support participating in the proposed Regional Social Development Grant Service at this time and requested the CVRD to coordinate a fulsome review of all grant and grant like programs of Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, and the CVRD to inform future grant service development.

Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Plan
The estimated full replacement value of Courtenay’s infrastructure assets is approximately $1.0 billion (in 2022 dollars) including linear, vertical and natural assets; e.g. facilities, parks, fleet, water system, sanitary and drainage sewers (wastewater) and the transportation network.

The Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Plan (SIIP) examines the City’s spending needs for its immediate infrastructure renewal needs and available funding for the next 100 years. The SIIP aims to correct the financial sustainability funding gap of $896 million between 2023 and 2122, by introducing an annual reserve contribution in the form of a 1.5% cumulative tax increase (based on annual taxation), which will compound over the next ten years. While the 1.5% renewal contributions will be dedicated to general fund renewal (e.g. roads drainage, parks, facilities, etc.), a parallel renewal contribution for water and wastewater utilities will be funded through a concurrent water and sewer rate review.

Council approved the Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Plan and directed staff to implement the Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Plan by including the Plan’s recommendations in the 2025-2029 financial planning process.

External Reports

Letter from Ravi Kahlon - Minister of Housing
Council received a letter from Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, regarding the City of Courtenay's request for Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) and Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) programs.

The Province is keen to partner with local governments, First Nations and community and Indigenous organizations looking to implement new provincial programs designed to reduce homelessness and prevent future encampments.

Letter from Office of the Prime Minister
Council received a letter from Office of the Prime Minister regarding the City of Courtenay's request for federal aid in infrastructure funding and municipal financing. The Prime Minister’s office noted that the City of Courtenay’s letter was also sent to the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and will be considered by Minister Fraser.

Late Item: Letter from K’omoks First Nation – Request for Support regarding an Addition to Reserve Application to the Government of Canada
Council supported the K’ómoks First Nation’s Addition to Reserve Application to the Government of Canada for three parcels (208 acres/84 hectares) of fee-simple land held by the Nation in the Union Bay Area (Southlands Project) for the following reasons:

1. The support for the proposed Addition to Reserve is consistent with the reconciliation commitments made by the City of Courtenay in “Official Community Plan Bylaw 3070, 2022” and 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities Plan; and
2. The proposed Addition reflects the intent of the policies contained with in the Regional Growth Strategy with respect to economic development and reconciliation for K’ómoks First Nation.

Mayor Wells, on behalf of Council, will send a letter to the K’ómoks First Nation in support of the Addition to Reserve Application to the Government of Canada.

Internal Reports

Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool and Wading Pool
The briefing note updated Council on recent repairs made to the Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool and the decision to close the wading pool until such time as further assessments can be completed. Council received the “Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool and Wading Pool” briefing note. 

Management Reports - 2024
Council received the “Management Reports – 2024” briefing note with reports from Corporate Services, Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering, Recreation, Culture & Community Services, and City Manager updates.

Council Resolutions

Rise and Report – 1915 Cumberland Road
Council received the report dated May 8, 2024 and directed staff to execute a Section 219 covenant for 1915 Cumberland to meet the conditions of the Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3044 that include: sewer main, Larsen Road turn-around, amenity contributions and through traffic restrictions; and that Council rise and report this resolution at the May 22, 2024 Council meeting.

Notice of Motion

Urgent Need for Downtown Washroom Facilities – Advocacy to Island Health (Councillor Morin)

This motion will be considered at a future Council Meeting:
That Council direct staff to request a meeting with Island Health’s Medical Health Officer and appropriate Island Health staff to discuss the health impacts of the lack of adequate daytime and no after-hours washroom facilities for those without shelter, and 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, and 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 First and Second Readings

City of Courtenay Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 3141, 2024 
This amendment is to designate municipally owned land as Urban Corridor.

Council gave first and second readings and directed staff to set a public hearing date for June 19, 2024 at 4:00 pm at the CVRD Civic Room 770 Harmston Ave Courtenay.

Council directed staff to provide notice of the scheduled public hearing.

Council, under section 475 and 476 Local Government Act, will provide opportunities it considers appropriate for consultation with persons it considers will be affected, including the Comox Valley Regional District, Comox/Cumberland, First Nations, and the province/provincial agencies, and will consult the school board.

 

For First, Second and Third Readings

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3135, 2024 (small-scale multi-unit housing)
Council gave first reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3135, 2024 (small-scale, multi-unit housing) dated May 8, 2024 and considered the following amendments to the bylaw:

1. add the letters “es” to access;
2. In DIVISION 3 Part 1 for the definition of secondary suite:
   1. add the word “and” after “located”; and
   2. delete the words “contained within a building which is a single real estate entity”.

Council gave second and third reading as modified to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3135, 2024 (small-scale multi-unit housing).

Given Ministerial Order No. M114, dated May 8, 2024, and regrading Approval Exemption (Controlled Access Highway) Regulation this amendment does not require referral to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval.

Council confirmed that it has considered the Provincial Policy Manual and Site Standards document prepared by the Province of British Columbia, specifically, the standards recommended in Part 4 of the document.

Council asked staff to prepare and submit the required letter of notification to the Province as soon as practicable after adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3135, 2024 (small-scale multi- unit housing), identifying the “Restricted Zone” properties that have been rezoned to the Residential Small-Scale Multi-Housing zone and the additional properties within “Restricted Zones” that are exempt.

Council asked staff, following final adoption and before the end of 2024, to bring a report back to Council on the effects of on the development of infill housing within Courtenay.

Given the size and scope of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3135, 2024 (small-scale multi-unit housing), staff may need to bring forward additional amendments to correct the zoning bylaw, which will be done at no cost to the property owner.

Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3138, 2024 – Development Application Fees
This amendment is for fees related to sidewalk café patios. Council gave first, second and third reading to "Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3138, 2024 – Development Application Fees.

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 6:46 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, June 12 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams