Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for April 23, 2025

April 28, 2025

This update covers highlights from the April 23, 2025, Council meeting. If there is something from the meeting that you would like more detail on, view the full agenda on our Council meetings page.

Presentations

RCMP 2025/26 policing priorities and quarterly report

Announcements

  • Bee Patrol program: Relaunched; six patrols scheduled downtown by summer.
  • Youth programs: Mountie Camp at Goose Spit, May 12-16; Positive Ticket campaign (youth behaviour rewards); Youth microbial event with K’ómoks First Nation, May 31.
  • Awards ceremony: Marina Park, May 20; King Charles Medal and Wounded Warriors recognition.

Q4 report highlights

  • 11 per cent decrease in overall calls (unwanted persons, traffic, wellbeing checks most common).
  • Increase in breach files (156 additional files).
  • High-call areas: Courthouse (up 192 per cent), Downtown Junction (up 206 per cent), Crown Isle Plaza (up 68 per cent), Connect Centre (down 41 per cent).
  • Downtown calls down 17 per cent, but breach files up 278 per cent.
  • Violent crime down 17 per cent; small rise in extortion cases.
  • Property crime down 22 per cent; minor increases in break-and-enter, possession of stolen property.
  • Controlled drugs: 89 per cent increase in possession; 33 per cent decrease in trafficking.
  • Traffic offenses up 50 per cent, mainly impaired driving.

Council received the RCMP quarterly report and established the City’s policing priorities as traffic, violent crime, property crime and police/community relations (including youth and mental health).

Staff reports

City of Courtenay Engagement Framework

Zaqir Virani and Natalie Hill of Spur Communication presented an update on the City of Courtenay Engagement Framework. The framework seeks to enhance participation with the community. Council approved the Engagement Framework.

Official Community Plan (OCP) update – Consultation and Communications Strategy

Council received the report and endorsed the strategy. Council will provide opportunities it considers appropriate for consultation with other organizations.

Recycle BC Master Service Agreement and Statement of Work

Council approved the 2025-2029 Recycle BC Master Services Agreement and Statement of Work and delegate authority to the Director of Operational Services to execute the agreement.

External reports and correspondence

Letters from the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD)

  • Seeking consent to adopt bylaw
    Council consented to the adoption of the Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw No. 865, “Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Land Acquisition Service Establishment Bylaw No. 52, 2009, Amendment No. 2."

  • Request for staff participation in CVRD Regional Growth Strategy
    Council directed Development Services staff to participate in the Comox Valley Regional District Regional Growth Strategy minor amendment process via the Technical Advisory Committee and Steering Committee.

  • Comox Valley Housing Entity Engagement
    Council directed Development Services staff to participate in engagement sessions with the Comox Valley Regional District regarding the proposed Comox Valley non-market housing entity.

Letter from the Comox Valley Transition Society (CVTS) - Change of fiscal host for substance use awareness event

Council directed staff to provide the previously approved $7,500 for the public substance use education and awareness event to the Comox Valley Transition Society as the new fiscal host.

Comox Valley Food Policy Council (CVFPC) - Support for local procurement resolution

Council directed staff to send a letter to the Comox Valley Food Policy Council thanking them for their correspondence and encouraging them to communicate with the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association and the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Village of Cumberland - Support letter for local procurement

Council received the “Village of Cumberland - Support letter for local procurement” for information.

Internal reports

Comox Valley Raiders Youth Football Club Bill Moore Park Football Tower Updates and Scoreboard Replacement

Council received the “Comox Valley Raiders Youth Football Club Bill Moore Park Football Tower Updates and Scoreboard Replacement” briefing note. 

Management reports

Council received the Fire Services, Financial Services, Operational Services and Development Services management reports as presented for information.

Council resolution

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Nomination (Councillor Cole-Hamilton)

Council endorsed Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton for re-election to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors (2025–2027 term).

Bylaws

For first, second and third readings

2025-2029 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 3180, 2025
Council gave first, second and third readings and directed staff to prepare a report assessing the feasibility and financial implications of reallocating any unspent Growing Community Funds from the following 2025-2029 Financial Plan capital projects to the 6th Street Bridge project:

  • East Side Fire Hall
  • McPhee Meadows
  • Playgrounds
  • Parks and Recreation Master Plan implementation
  • Small tool electrification
  • Renewable energy options
  • Affordable housing

2025 Property Tax Rate Bylaw No. 3179, 2025
Council gave first, second and third readings.

Sewer Service Frontage Tax – Amendment Bylaw No. 3181, 2025
Council gave first, second and third readings.

Water Service Frontage Tax – Amendment Bylaw No. 3182, 2025
Council gave first, second and third readings.

Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3183, 2025 – Strategic Land Acquisition 2025
Council gave first, second and third readings and proceeded to adoption of “Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3183, 2025 – Strategic Land Acquisition 2025” through the Approval-free Liability Zone granted by the Municipal Liabilities Regulation, section 7. 

Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 – Bylaw Adjudication
Council gave first, second and third readings.

For second and third readings

Downtown Courtenay Revitalization Tax Exemption
Council gave first, second and third readings.

For adoption

Traffic Regulation - Amendment Bylaw No. 3172, 2025
Council adopted this bylaw.

The next meeting is Wednesday, April 30, 2025, and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel.