Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for January 29 and February 5

February 10, 2025

**Due to a technical difficulty the video accessible through the links below is starting at the beginning. To view an item on the video use the timestamps below**

This update covers highlights from the regular council meeting held on January 29, 2025, and continued on February 5, 2025. If there is something from the meeting that you would like more detail on, view the full agenda on the City of Courtenay’s website at www.courtenay.ca/councilmeetings

Staff Reports (video timestamp 1:30)

Council Approves Free Public Swim for 2025
Council approved the continuation of free public swim admissions at the Courtenay and District Memorial Pool for the 2025 season. The program, first implemented in 2024, will be funded with $30,000 from gaming revenue to offset revenue impacts.


Anderton Dike Remediation – Grant Funding Application
Council directed staff to submit a funding proposal under the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program for the Anderton Dike Remediation project. The City has committed to supporting potential cost overruns for the project.

 

External Reports (video timestamp 16:45)

Council Receives 2025 Comox Valley Water Committee Voting Structure
Council received correspondence from the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) regarding the 2025 voting structure for the Comox Valley Water Committee.


Council Resolutions (video timestamp 17:00)

2025 Council Appointments Announced

Council approved appointments to various boards and committees, including:

  • CVRD Board of Directors – Councillors Cole-Hamilton, Hillian, McCollum, and Morin, with alternates.
  • Comox Valley Water Committee – Councillors Cole-Hamilton, Hillian, Morin, and Wells.
  • Comox Valley Sewage Commission, Comox Valley Recreation Commission, Regional Parks and Trails Committee, and more.


Notice of Motion (video timestamp 17:40)

Public Substance Use Education and Awareness Event
Council supported a Public Substance Use Education and Awareness Event for Spring 2025, in partnership with the Indigenous Women’s Sharing Society, Comox Valley Substance Use Collaborative, and Community Action Initiative.

  • The event will focus on reducing stigma, educating the public, and promoting harm reduction strategies.
  •  $10,000 in funding has been secured from the Community Action Initiative, and Council approved an additional $7,500 from the Council Initiatives Fund.
  • Mayor Wells will write to neighboring municipalities requesting financial contributions.

 


6th Street Bridge Project – Next Steps
Council directed staff to proceed with evaluating proposals for the 6th Street Bridge Project and report back with a recommended proposal and funding strategies.

 

2025-2029 Financial Plan – Key Decisions
Council continued its deliberations on the 2025-2029 Financial Plan, making several key decisions:

  • Bridge Building Demolition – Approved funding from Gaming Reserve Funds, with a $500,000 cost cap.
  • Tax Rate Options – Staff will provide reports on potential 2025 tax rates of 6%, 6.5%, and 7%, and options for distributing sewer tax increases over multiple years.
  • Future Budget Planning – Council committed to exploring alternative revenue generation, capital plan prioritization, and operational efficiencies in developing the 2026-2030 Financial Plan.

 

Financial Plan Bylaws - For First, Second and Third Reading (video timestamp 20:57)

Council gave first, second, and third readings to several key financial plan-related bylaws:

 

Council directed staff to update the 2025-2029 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 3165, 2025 and Sewer Service Frontage Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 3170, 2025 to reflect Council’s directed changes to the 2025-2029 Financial Plan, and bring the updated financial plan and bylaws forward for Council’s consideration at a future meeting.

 

The meeting adjourned on February 5, 2025 at 8:50 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, February 12 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams